Every Stevie Ray Vaughan Instrumental, Ranked

Published Oct 7, 2026, 5:10 AM EDT

Jeff Cornell is a veteran music and entertainment writer, who has contributed to Variety, Billboard, Loudwire, The Hollywood Reporter, and MTV. 

Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of the greatest guitar players of all time. The Texas-born guitarist and vocalist helped revitalize the blues in the 80s with his propulsive rhythms, distinctive phrasing, and his signature raspy vocals. His best-known songs include "Pride and Joy," "Tightrope," "Love Struck Baby, "Coldshot," and "Crossfire," his only number one hit. Tragically, Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990, in East Troy, Wisconsin, alongside Eric Clapton's agent Bobby Brooks, bodyguard Nigel Browne, and assistant tour manager Colin Smythe.

SRV released five studio albums with his band Double Trouble, including the posthumous 1991 collection The Sky is Crying. He also teamed up with his brother Jimmie on the Vaughan Brothers' 1990 album Family Style, released one month after Stevie's tragic death. Vaughan left behind an incredible collection of instrumentals, including "Rude Mood," "Scuttle Buttin'," "Riviera Paradise," and "Lenny," which showcase his versatility and soulful touch. Here are all 16 Stevie Ray Vaughan instrumentals from his original six studio albums, ranked.

16 "Travis Walk"

'In Step' (1989)

"Travis Walk" is a short, lively instrumental from Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's 1989 album In Step. It combines blues drive with nimble, country-flavored guitar picking. Vaughan's bright guitar work shares the spotlight with Reese Wynans' spirited piano, while bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton keep the rhythm section briskly moving forward. The compact arrangement shows off the group's chemistry and Vaughan's ability to blend the blues, country and boogie into an infectious performance. "Travis Walk" earned a nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 1990 Grammy Awards.

15 "Hillbillies from Outerspace"

'Family Style' (1990)

"Hillbillies from Outerspace" was written by Stevie Ray and his brother Jimmie Vaughan. The track blends blues, country and vintage instrumental pop with a dreamy quality. Preston Hubbard plays upright bass and Doyle Bramhall plays the drums, giving the performance an easy, swinging feel. The song's relaxed groove and playful melody illustrate the brother's affection for roots music.

14 "D/FW"

'Family Style' (1990)

"D/FW" is an upbeat instrumental from the Vaughan Brothers 1990 album Family Style. Written by Jimmie Vaughan, its title refers to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, a place the brothers frequently flew in and out of. The track is built on a muscular guitar riff, a driving groove and fiery interplay between the brothers. It's punchy, riff-centered approach helps it stand out compared to Stevie's more reflective compositions. "D/FW" won Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 1991 Grammy Awards.

13 "Testify"

'Texas Flood' (1983)

"Testify" is the speedy instrumental from 1983's Texas Flood. It reworks the Isley Brothers' 1964 song, whose original recording featured Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Vaughan transforms the vocal-driven R&B song into a guitar showcase, combining funky rhythm, explosive blues runs and rapid shifts between rhythm and lead playing. Tommy Shannon's bass and Chris Layton's drums provide a tight and propulsive foundation for Vaughan's guitar work. The performance captures his ability to make technical brilliance feel spontaneous and rooted in the groove.

12 "Gone Home"

'Soul to Soul' (1985)

"Gone Home" is a swinging jazz instrumental from the 1985 album Soul to Soul. It's a cover of saxophonist Eddie Harris' composition "Goin' Home," which originally appeared on his 1966 album Mean Greens. The short track pairs Vaughan's guitar lines with Reese Wynans' Hammond organ and the rhythm section of bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. It's bouncy melody and upbeat feel showcase Vaughan's rhythmic finesse and fluid interplay with his bandmates.

11 "So Excited"

'The Sky is Crying' (1991)

"So Excited" is an upbeat blues instrumental written by Stevie Ray Vaughan, released on the 1991 posthumous album The Sky is Crying. Recorded during the Soul to Soul sessions in Dallas in 1985, the song is built around a buoyant shuffle groove and showcases Vaughan's crisp rhythm playing, stinging bends and fluid blues runs. His thick, gritty guitar tone is the star of the show and gives the performance an extra bite. It captures a fun and energetic side to his playing and demonstrates how much he could pack into a compact blues arrangement.

10 "Say What!"

'Soul to Soul' (1985)

"Say What" is a funky, wah-wah infused instrumental that opens Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's 1985 album Soul to Soul. The song features brief backing vocals from Vaughan, Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton and Reese Wynans, who repeat the album's title "Soul to Soul." It developed from a jam based on Jimi Hendrix's "Rainy Day, Dream Away," and pairs a relaxed, swinging groove with Vaughan's biting leads and expressive guitar work. Wynans' keyboards enrich the arrangement and give Vaughan greater freedom to explore melodic ideas. "Say What!" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental in 1986, while a live version from Live Alive, received another nomination in the same category in 1988.

9 "Wham"

'The Sky is Crying' (1991)

"Wham" is the fast, hard-driving instrumental written by guitar pioneer Lonnie Mack, who originally released it in 1963. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's version appeared on the posthumous album The Sky is Crying in 1991. The speedy track packs a punch in roughly two-and-a-half-minutes, with a charging rhythm, sharp guitar hooks and explosive blues runs. Vaughan brings a huge tone and aggressive attack to Mack's instrumental, while Tommy Shannon's bass and Chris Layton's drums keep the performance steaming along.

8 "Chitlins con Carne"

'The Sky is Crying (1991)

"Chitlins con Carne" is a moody jazz-blues composed by Kenny Burrell, originally released on his 1963 album Midnight Blue. Vaughan recorded his interpretation in 1985, and it appeared on his posthumous 1991 album The Sky is Crying. The relaxed groove and jazzy melody give Vaughan room to emphasize clean phrasing, subtle bends and rhythmic restraint. His warm, soulful guitar playing makes the track a compelling showcase of his touch and melodic instincts.

7 "Scuttle Buttin'"

'Couldn't Stand the Weather' (1984)

"Scuttle Buttin'" is the explosive opening track on Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's 1984 album Couldn't Stand the Weather. Inspired by Lonnie Mack's "Chicken Pickin'," it is the shortest of Vaughan's instruments, racing through a blues shuffle with rapid picking and nimble fretwork. The rhythm section lays down a tight foundation for Vaughan's relentless guitar passages. The recurring riff provides a memorable hook, making it both a dazzling technical showcase and an infectious album opener.