Top Rock Guitar Riffs
This is one of those questions that if you ask 100 people, you'll get 150 different answers.
Recently the UK's London Tech Schools polled their students for their opinions on the top guitar riffs of all time. They placed Ritchie Blackmore's licks on Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water" at the top of the tops.
Five of the top 10 and about a dozen of the top 25 would be considered classic rock standards. In fact, only seven of the 25 were recorded in the past 20 years.
Okay, I know you're just dying to see the list (probably so you can take issue with it, which you're welcome to do) so I won't keep you hanging any longer.
1. "Smoke On The Water" - Deep Purple (1973)
2. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Nirvana (1991)
3. "Walk This Way" - Aerosmith (1975)
4. "Purple Haze" - Jimi Hendrix (1967)
5. "Sweet Child O Mine" - Guns N' Roses (1987)
6. "Paradise City" - Guns N' Roses (1987)
7. "Ace Of Spades" - Motorhead (1980)
8. "Enter Sandman" - Metallica (1991)
9. "Under The Bridge" - Red Hot Chilli Peppers (1992)
10. "Welcome To The Jungle" - Guns N' Roses (1987)
11. "Run To The Hills" - Iron Maiden (1982)
12. "Walk" - Pantera (1992)
13. "Johnny Be Goode" - Chuck Berry (1958)
14. "Back In Black" - AC/DC (1980)
15. "Immigrant Song" - Led Zeppelin (1970)
16. "Wake Up" - Rage Against The Machine (1992)
17. "Highway to Hell" - AC/DC (1979)
18. "My Generation" - The Who (1965)
19. "7 Nation Army" - The White Stripes (2003)
20. "Born To Be Wild" - Steppenwolf (1968)
21. "Give It Away" - Red Hot Chilli Peppers (1991)
22. "Paranoid" - Black Sabbath (1970)
23. "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)" - Jimi Hendrix (1967)
24. "Eye Of The Tiger" - Survivor (1982)
25. "Money For Nothing" - Dire Straits (1984)
While the voting sample may have been relatively small, it should be noted that among the London Tech Schools' alumni are members of The Kinks, The Cure and Radiohead, so presumably the current students have more than passing knowledge of the subject.
Comments
Certainly a few are classics, but some glaring omissions include:
Joe Walsh-Funk #49
Neil Young-Cinnamon Girl
Beatles-Taxman
Kinks-All Day and All of the Night
Cream-Sunshine of your Love
Rock on!
Very interesting that there are no Van Halen songs listed and EVH is one of the top guitarists of all time. No Ozzy/Randy Rhoads ‘Crazy Train’ or Boston ‘More Than A Feeling’.
A little surprised at the inclusion of two Red Hot Chili Pepper tunes. When I think of landmark riffs, RHCP dosn’t come to mind.
It’s all up for debate…..
Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
OK, where’s “Sunshine of Your Love”?
I know Chuck Berry “invented” the riff, but Cream perfected it with this – the first truly recognisable rock riff. It dominated the airwaves and – more importantly – the minds of those of us who were alive and aware in those days of the late ’sixties. Surely, for the rock knowledgable, this is the first truly rock riff.
And then, what about the “drum riff” of “In-a-Gadda-Da-vida”?
For the sixties/seventies “nerds” there is always “Tubular Bells”.
I sometimes despair at the lack of depth in such surveys.
you relly got me kinks
sunshine of your love cream
jumping jack flash
“Satisfaction” riff by Keith was so, so simple yet memorable.
I would have thought Lez Zep would have featured a little more strongly.
However, I can’t disagree with the first choice on the list.
Maybe one’s musical heritage (and age?) and what side of the Atlantic one was brought up in has a bearing here????
Looking through that list; I find only one track that I have ever spent money for, and an additional 3 or 4 that I would spend money for.
Some that are missing, in my opinion are:
-The opening riff of “Aqualung” (Jethro Tull)
-Intro to “In The Flesh?” (Pink Floyd)
-The middle passage of “Stella Blue” (Grateful Dead)
G’night.
What about Def Leppard? Their first 4 albums have some of the ebst riffs in Rock history.
I agree with some of the comments, RHCP doesn’t come to mind when I hear “Classic riffs”, also there are 3 songs from Guns n roses, Sweet child o mine should be the only one in the list. And yes, where is “Sunshine of your love”? it is one of the most classic riffs ever, it should be on the 2nd place.
Layla
Derek is hard to argue with. SOYL is the anthem of the late sixties rock era /w/ Hendrix (Star Spangled Banner) & TYA (Going home) at Woodstock. Ditto for Layla into the seventies, no one could touch the Clapton/Allman stand up and play. Missing a lot of brilliance without the rest of the Allmans, Eagles, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Neil Young and tons more Clapton – 40 years worth.
Eddie Van Halen’s searing lead, instrumentals & closing riff to Michaels Jackson’s self serving back-up vocals on ‘Beat it’ could be destined as to the most recognizable of all time, at least in the top 3.
I believe someone named BB king had one or two sweet licks on occaison, too.
Nirvana and Rage Against the Machine should not be in pretty much any poll.
A list of the best rock riffs can’t be complete without the Beatles’ “Day Tripper”.
I agree that Van Halen should be included, but do not agree as his being the greatest guitar player of all time, Jimmy Page, Yngwie Malmsteen, and even my favorite, who is never mentioned, Rik Emmett of Triumph. As for riffs that open the song and make it stand out, you left out Stairway to Heaven, Fight the Good Fight, Running With the Devil, and even Hair of the Dog…… just hearing the opening to these songs, and many other, will make anyone who listened to music in the 70’s and 80’s start singing. I find it hard to believe that ANYONE who knows ANYTHING about guitar playing doesnt mention Rik Emmett……. Listen to him play once and you too will become a fan, and besides being an outstanding guitar player, Emmett has a voice and vocal range that many would kill for. There is a rumor that Triumph is planning a reunion tour, I can only hope there is truth to this. I recently went to Van Halen with Diamond David Lee back out front, where he should be….. this was the fifth time I saw Van Halen with David Lee Roth singing, the other four being in the bands prime, but this was by far the BEST show I have ever seen V.H. put on. Age has taken NOTHING away, only added more class. If you doubt my oppinion on the band Triump, go to http://www.youtube.com and put in Triumph lay it on the line, and watch the video from the early 80’s, and you too will witness greatness.
As far as guitar solos go, if you want to see a very impressive one, go to http://www.youtube.com and type in TRIUMPH ROCK AND ROLL MACHINE, and watch Rik Emmett throw down……. you WILL be impressed.
DON’T FEAR THE REAPER!
Satisfaction, Honky Tonk Woman, Jumpin Jack Flash, Brown Sugar & Start Me Up Rolling Stones
Black Dog, Rock & Roll, Whole Lotta Love & Heartbreaker Led Zeppelin
I Feel Fine, Day Tripper, Birthday & Revolution Beatles
Smoke On The Water Deep Purple
Born To Be Wild Steppenwolf
All Right Now Free
Bang A Gong T. Rex
Spirit In the Sky Norman Greenbaum
Rock & Roll Part 2 Gary Glitter
Wild Thing Troggs
Sunshine of Your Love Cream
Layla Derek & the Dominoes
Free Ride Edgar Winter
Bad To the Bone George Thorogood
Slow Ride Foghat
Mississippi Queen Mountain
Rocky Mountain Way Joe Walsh
Dont Fear the Reaper Blue Oyster Cult
Radar Love Golden Earring
Stay With Me Rod Stewart & Faces
Walk This Way Aerosmith
Sweet Home Alabama Lynyrd Skynryd
You Really Got Me Kinks & Van Halen
You Shook Me All Night Long ACDC
Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana
Iron Man Black Sabbath
Enter Sandman Metallica
Johnny Be Good Chuck Berry
Mannish Boy Muddy Waters
Bad To the Bone George Thorogood
Who Do You Love Bo Diddley & George Thorogood
Purple Haze, Foxey Lady & Voodoo Chile Jimi Hendrix
Aqualung Jethro Tull
Rebel Rebel David Bowie
Rush – Limelight. This is a very underrated tune. The opening riff is as bold, distinctive and memorable as any in rock history.
In the 100s of great concerts I’ve been to since 1978…out of all the mentioned songs and guitar players I’ve had the pleasure to see, I must say Rik Emmett of Triumph was the most “complete” guitar player I’ve ever seen live. His style of playing rock, acoustic, jazz, and blues is unmatched. The solo he did at the 83 US Festival was by far the best.
ummm… spirt of the radio by RUSH!!!
more than a feel and long time by BOSTON?
……