Highly Strung (featuring Steve Vai)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the electrifying track "Highly Strung (featuring Steve Vai)" by Orianthi from her album Believe, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this high-energy instrumental! This song is a standout collaboration between Orianthi and guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, showcasing their blistering guitar skills in a shred-heavy duel. Orianthi has shared in interviews that working with Vai was a dream come true, as she’s admired him since she was a teenager. In a 2010 interview with MusicRadar, she recounted meeting Vai at 15 when she opened for him in her hometown of Adelaide, Australia, describing herself as “so nervous” to perform for one of her guitar heroes. She called the experience of recording "Highly Strung" with him “awesome” and noted that the music video, with its ‘80s vibe, was designed to highlight their guitar interplay.

Another tidbit about "Highly Strung" comes from Orianthi’s comments to Songfacts, where she emphasized Vai’s influence on her playing and how much she respects his innovative style. The track itself, co-written by Vai, has been praised for its technical prowess, with fans on platforms like YouTube raving about its intensity—some even suggested Orianthi should join Vai and Joe Satriani for a G3 tour. A fan on SoundCloud called Vai’s guitar part “insanity” and highlighted Orianthi’s seamless integration, noting how their styles complement each other. The song’s popularity also stems from its raw, unfiltered energy, with Orianthi herself saying in a Rolling Stone interview that she aimed to put a guitar solo in every song on Believe without overshadowing the melodies.

Orianthi, born Orianthi Penny Panagaris in Adelaide, Australia, kicked off her musical journey at a remarkably young age. According to her Wikipedia biography, she started playing piano at three, switched to acoustic guitar at six after her father’s encouragement, and picked up the electric guitar at 11, inspired by a Carlos Santana concert. By 14, she was already performing in bands, and at 15, she played her first major stage show opening for Steve Vai, a pivotal moment that set the stage for her career. She left school to focus on songwriting and performing, honing her craft through relentless practice and local gigs. Her big break came in 2009 when she was selected as Michael Jackson’s lead guitarist for his This Is It concerts, a role she earned after Jackson saw her YouTube videos and was impressed by her skill. This exposure catapulted her into the spotlight, leading to the release of Believe later that year, which included the hit single “According to You” and the Vai collaboration “Highly Strung.”

Orianthi’s career has since been marked by versatility and collaboration. She’s worked with artists like Alice Cooper, Carrie Underwood, and Richie Sambora, and has been recognized as one of the “12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists” by Elle magazine. Her official website, iamorianthi.com, offers updates on her music and tour dates, while her social media presence keeps fans engaged. You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and X for behind-the-scenes glimpses and new releases. Fans also gather on platforms like the Orianthi Fan Club on Facebook, where they share concert photos, discuss her albums, and celebrate her guitar prowess. For the Zoo Freaks vibing to “Highly Strung,” Orianthi’s story and this track’s fiery spirit are a perfect match for the free-spirited energy of THE ZOO!