If the Beatles list didn’t get you going, this one is sure to! Here is a list of the top 15 rock riffs of all time, as compiled by Total Guitar magazine.
15. Van Halen Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love Wikipedia
“Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” is one of the best known songs from Van Halen. Appearing on their 1978 eponymous debut, it is considered one of the rawest songs the band has ever recorded. The song almost has a “punk” feel, yet the solo and guitar virtuosity of Eddie Van Halen shines throughout the record. It has a distinct and raw sounding intro, structured around a palm-muted and arpeggiated chord progression of I, IV, VII in the key of A minor with harmonics.
14. Led Zeppelin Black Dog Wikipedia
Led Zeppelin bass player John Paul Jones, who is credited with writing the main riff, got the idea for “Black Dog” after hearing Muddy Waters’ experimental psychedelic-blues album, Electric Mud. He wanted to try “electric blues with a rolling bass part.” Jones also wanted to write a song that people couldn’t “groove” or dance to.
13. Muse Plug in Baby Wikipedia
This song is widely praised for its intro riff, almost instantly recognizable for use of a rising triad motif to move through a distinctively classical minor scale. It made it to #5 in Kerrang!’s Top 50 Riffs.
12. Free All Right Now Wikipedia
“All Right Now” is a rock single by the English band Free. The song, released in the summer of 1970, hit #1 on the UK rock music charts and #4 on the U.S. charts. “All Right Now” originally appeared on the album Fire And Water, which Free recorded on the Island Records label, formed by Chris Blackwell.
11. Ozzy Osbourne Crazy Train Wikipedia
The riff is used by many baseball players as their walk-up music, including Chipper Jones, Ryan Church, Hanley Ramirez and Troy Glaus. It is also the introduction song for the New England Patriots of the NFL. Ozzy Osbourne sang the song live on national television during the Patriots’ opening game in 2005. As well, to this day it is played in the NHL, usually at the onset of a powerplay.
10. Black Sabbath ‘Paranoid’ Wikipedia
“Paranoid” is a song by Black Sabbath that appears on the band’s breakthrough album Paranoid. Supposedly, the members of Black Sabbath put together this song in 15 minutes based on a solo by Tony Iommi. This song was only meant to be a “filler”, but became one of Black Sabbath’s most well known songs.
9. Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Chile (slight return) Wikipedia
“Voodoo Chile” is a song by The Jimi Hendrix Experience from the album Electric Ladyland. Recorded on May 2, 1968 at the Record Plant Studios in New York City, the recording session included Mitch Mitchell, drummer of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Steve Winwood of Traffic on B3 organ, and Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane on bass duties. The song, basically a 15-minute blues jam, evolved into the final product over the course of an hour.
8. AC/DC Back in Black Wikipedia
“Back in Black” is a song by AC/DC best known for its distinctive, powerful opening guitar riff, appearing as the sixth track on their 1980 album of the same title, Back in Black. Two live versions of the song later appeared on both versions of the album Live, as well as the Australian tour edition of Stiff Upper Lip. It has been covered by bands such as The Hives, Steriogram, Foo Fighters with Jack Black, Travis and Colombian pop singer Shakira. The band’s unstated tribute to Bon Scott, it was a worldwide success, and peaked in the U.S. at #37 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 1981 and #51 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
7. Metallica Master of Puppets Wikipedia
This song features a chromatic introduction riff and a change into a Spanish phrygian interlude. Before the second solo of the song, bassist Cliff Burton, can be vaguely heard in the background reciting the verse, in a deep gruff voice.
6. Derek & The Dominoes / Clapton Layla Wikipedia
“Layla” is the title track on the Derek and the Dominos album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, released in December 1970. It is considered one of rock music’s definitive love songs, featuring an unmistakable guitar figure, played by Eric Clapton and Duane Allman, as lead-in. Its famously contrasting movements were composed separately by Clapton and Jim Gordon.
5. Metallica Enter Sandman Wikipedia
After releasing a musically complex album in …And Justice for All, Metallica wanted to write simpler songs for their self-titled album, therefore “Enter Sandman” is a departure from their previous works. It is, as Lars Ulrich has stated, a “one-riff song”: all sections derive from main riff that Kirk Hammett wrote. The main riff utilizes variations of the E/B tritone, often referred to as the “devil’s interval” in medieval church music.
4. Deep Purple Smoke on the Water Wikipedia
This song is known for and recognizable by its central theme, a crunching four-note “blues scale” melody harmonized in parallel fourths that is one of the most famous riffs in hard rock history. The riff, played on a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar by Ritchie Blackmore, is immediately joined by hi-hat and drums and electric bass parts before the start of Ian Gillan’s vocal.
3. Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love Wikipedia
The song begins with a trademark Page riff and moves into the first chorus. Then, beginning at 1:24 (and lasting until 3:02) the song dissolves to a free jazz-like break involving a theremin solo and the moans of Robert Plant (sometimes called the “orgasm section”).
2. Nirvana Smells like Teen Spirit Wikipedia
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, and the opening track and lead single from the band’s 1991 breakthrough album Nevermind. Written by Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl and produced by Butch Vig, the song uses a verse-chorus form where the main four-chord riff is used during the intro and chorus to create an alternating loud and quiet dynamic.
1. Guns ‘N’ Roses Sweet Child o’ Mine Wikipedia
This song is credited as being written by Guns N’ Roses as a band; more specifically it contains Slash’s riff, Izzy’s chords, Axl’s lyrics, and McKagan’s bass line. The subject of the song is generally thought to be lead singer Axl Rose’s then-girlfriend and eventual wife, Erin Everly. In a VH1 special, it was stated that Slash played the riff in a jam session as a joke. Drummer Steven Adler and Slash were warming up and Slash began to play a “circus” melody while making faces at Steven. Adler asked him to play the riff again, and Izzy Stradlin came in with the chords. Axl became intrigued and started singing the poem he had written.
Extra Information
You may be interested to know that the five closest runners up to this list were:
Aerosmith w Run DMC ‘Walk This Way’
Cream ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’
Queens Of The Stone Age ‘No One Knows’
Guns N’ Roses ‘Paradise City’
Rage Against The Machine ‘Killing In The Name’
This article is licensed under the GFDL. It uses material from the Wikipedia articles cited above.
MUSE HATER and hork are cocks
muse are one of the most talented band out there, no question, just cos MUSE HATER and hork didn’t get what they wanted doesn’t mean they have to take it out on muse.
dickheads
Layla at 6?
oh please.. Creeping Death KILLS Enter Sandman and Master of Puppets
This list is bad.
where’s Satisfaction?
where’s the Beatles?
Ziggy Stardust?
Joan Jett’s very famous riff?
also, Metallica sucks. Hard.
So where’s Iron Maiden?
a bad list
davekat: Riffs are about GUITAR *mumbles something about maybe other as well instruments but guitars own*, for this reason:
The Stones – no
The Beatles – no
Ziggy Stardust – What riffs?
Iron Maiden – Wanna name a riff more famous than any of the aforementioned?
Joan Jett – ? ’nuff said…
Metallica definitely does NOT suck. Keep opinions like that to yourself (learnt that the hard way on the Beatles list).
To all the Metallica fans scratching your heads, Enter Sandman was much more succesful and influential in pop-culture. Hugely important song for modern metal. I think that’s why it’s above Master of Puppets.
Stop *****ing about metal in the list people. Metal is a riff driven genre, of course they are going to have proportionately more representation in a list like this. Not to mention jfrater got this list from a TG Magazine, rather infamous for being metalheads (yes that was a generalization).
Anyway I like the list, not the hugest Metallica fan and I never got into Guns ‘n’ Roses but they’re all good riffs. Well done
good list. that was incredibly accurate. metallica could have been closer to #1, but all those songs contain the best riffs ever
dude, what about money for nothing?!?!?!?
lol the stones yes I cant get no satisfaction
I CANT GET NO SATISFACTION!
Avenged sevenfold overrated? They are all that is left of that 80s metal scene. Sure metallica and slayer are still up there, but they are nowhere close to as good as they use to be. Avenged sevenfold deserves a lot of credit for restoring that 80s style produced by metallica slayer maiden priest megadeth. All those bands that have a lasting legacy on metal as a whole. When the dust settles avenged will have a lot of influence and be around way longer than almost all groups of today. Y? Cuz they aren’t pussies. They do wat they wanna do and ***** everyone else
130. Sam : You are an idiot my friend… Pure and simple… And probably a troll to boot
Such an amateurish piece of *****. Ever heard of the “You really got me” riff that redefined garage rock and hard rock? Shame….
132. Mohib : Not the riff itself, the overdrive effects used in recording it. “Communication Breakdown” on the other hand…
@ Mark- Riff was influential as well. Funny that Dave used to get the dirty guitar sound by slashing the speaker cone on his amp with a razor blade. Communication Breakdown helped punk rock more. The riff is cited as being the inspiration for guitarist Johnny Ramone to develop his punk-defining, strictly downstroke guitar strumming.
Brown Sugar-the Stones!
Back In Black should have been 1
OK. No offeses, but it’s the worst lis I’ve ever read on Lisverse… Sorry.
I think “Seven nation army” is one of the best riff in the world! it should be in the list.
You want hard riffs,check out Jello Biafra with DOA and the song Full Metal Jackoff,awesome intro and on another couple of songs,Bostons, Peace of Mind and More Than a Feeling,hey don’t lose ya nurries about all this,i love rock and would be hard pressed to pick a no.1. song out of all the bands i know that would be my favourite,yeehaaa
Whaaaaat the fuuuuuuck! “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream not on a greatest riffs list? OK…..
NO STEVIE RAY VAUGHN?
Snow (hey oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers has a sweet riff.
Killing in the Name should’ve been here. And Sleep Now in the Fire (also by RATM) is awesome too!
Personally I think the motorcycle guitar section from Bat Out of Hell deserves some credit for awesomeness.
Back In Black Should Be Number 1
Wheres Highway To Hell
no dude…WERE THE ***** IS PANTERA ON THE LIST PICK ANY SONG!!!!
attention attention: we have a list fail alert, i repeat a listverse list fail alert everyone take off your head sets and proceed to pour bleach in eyes. thank you for your cooperation.
What??? …..no “China Grove”?
Perfect
PANTERA SUCKS ***** PANTERA
trampled underfoot led zeppelin?
MUSE makes me happy.
The video for Master of Puppets says “1989″. Cliff died in 1986. That’s Jason Newsted in the video.
@Logic (151):
No, that’s deifintely Cliff Barton.
Can’t get no satisfaction by the Rolling Stones
this ridiculous how is dire striats not in here there thts freaking crazy
What’s the point of list that doesn’t bring anything new and puts a lot of overrated riffs?Black Dog is my favorite from here anyway.
Its whole *****ing list .
the name of this list should be “some good riffs”
Not “TOP 15 riffs”
enter sandman should be no:1
2.Whole Lotta Love
3.back in black
Some top ones there but id like to have seen soem early yardbirds!
Both Walk and Cemetary Gates [both Pantera] should be here!
OH COME ON!! Smells Like Teen Spirit?! Seriously?! WTF Put Ina Gadda Da Vida! thats a *****ing classic!! there are thousands of riffs better than SLTS!
uuuuuuuuuhhhhhh
ok — so i get the thing about recognizing special riffs, and at times taking somewhere—-
heres where im thrown off —– for the people who read this every day (and sometimes, like now, an old thread gets resurrected) — lots of these lists afre guessed upon when reading the title.
now, im not gonna say im a genius, but i usually have a good idea — and learn a few things, and accept justification for others.
having said that — in the most respectful tone possible: 'what …..the…..hell?'
i recognised like 13 of em — but that doesnt cut it — from where im standing
i didnt think a whole lot of em belonged, but its subjective, i suppose
no strokes
no f.mac….
von bondies are good — banntam rooster is too, and the henchmen — the det cobras are great but their a cover band (of course the motown they cover is fantastic.
and holy ***** —– no boston?
It's mentally difficult for me to separate riffs from guitar solos. It shouldn't be, but it is. So I'll comment on both. For riffs, CREAM should obviously be No. 1 for "Sunshine of your Love." Second would be Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple for "Smoke on the Water." Derek and the Dominos for "Layla." Stones for "Satisfaction," obviously. "Sweet Home Alabama," maybe?
For solos, it's got to be Page for "Stairway" and that great section where the guitar breaks in on Plant and virtually runs him down OR Skynyrd's "Freebird." And CS&N for "Wooden Ships."
HAHAHA!! Kobain…hahahahahaha
The Hendrix listing is wrong….. Winwodd recorded on VOODOO CHILD…not VOODOO CHILE (slight return).
Interesting -focused by the younger generation i think and i will listen to those i haven't heard with interest. But let's look a little farther back: AC DC are classic riff meisters but i'm thinking more of "High Voltage", "Problem Child", or others from that era. How about "Highway to Hell"? And the single most memorable riff from Back in Black was "You Shook Me All Night Long". Of other bands, how about Helmet's "Unsung", UFO's "Too Hot To Handle" or the Scorps "Lovedrive"?
As much as I adore Muse (seeing them in 3 months!) I really don't think that 'Plug In Baby' deserves a spot on this list compared to the other songs. Actually the whole list is a bit of a joke considering some of the classic riffs not on here. I always find that lists like these that are determined by a readership are a bit iffy; if this list came from America or Australia I'd imagine it would be quite different.
Bit of trivia for anyone interested – although Angus wrote most of the riffs, the opening riff for Back in Black was written by Malcolm (and most likely Bon wrote the lyrics before he died, not Brian, but that's a whole other subject). I'm a little obsessed with AC/DC so I can tell any song within about half a second of hearing it :p
Walk This Way was by Aerosmith,it had nothing to do with Run DMC! Aerosmith originally released it in the 70's and rereleased in the 80's with Run DMC,but all the riffs were Aerosmith! If you are going to post a top 10 list get your damn facts straight!
hahaha…funny how smells like teen spirit is in here. Because Kurt Cobain actually admitted that it was not his riff. The riff was created by Boston in one of their biggest hits "More than a Feeling" listen to it. Compare the rhythm in the backround during most of the song to the main riff of Teen Spirit. Notice anyhing? Same riff. Kurt loved that song and was inspired to use that same, very original for its time, rhythm. I love fun facts.
Some songs that I think should have been on this list:
Airbag by Radiohead
Teenage Riot by Sonic Youth
Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
Revel in Contempt by Buke and Gass
Sargeant Politeness by Failure
21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson
The Ocean by Led Zeppelin
Francis Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle by Nirvana
Go to Sleep by Radiohead
Catholic Block by Sonic Youth
Roundabout by Yes
Most popular maybe.
WHERE is Whole Lotta Rosie for F**k’s sake!
No QUEEN!!!! MAH GOD!
sad that all but 3/4 of these videos are now blocked due to copyright claims. such is life in the modern world
Okay I agree sweet child o’ mine is awesome, but how can u forget stairway to heaven? And Hotel California?? And Freebird??!!!I think I’ve lost respect for this list…
(I can’t get no) Satisfaction.
Just stop reading after “Top guitar anything” dont believe me look at rolling stone 100 greatest guitarists. Absolute joke. The smoke on the water riff …Iconic is not the word in a league of its own by comparison to anything else on this list.
ferrari beats It appears to be like for instance like your own template email where suggestions are primarily based on all of your product type purchased.
ferrari beats It seems to be such as an absolute template email where suggestions are primarily based on all of your product type purchased.
okay, the list is awesome, AND the runner ups were awesome too, i’d say this list is flawless, maybe except for Stairway to heaven, hotel california and free bird
for me in no order
hells bells, seek and destroy, black sabbath, walk, hangar 18, angel of death, stairway to heaven, highway star, breaking the law, the trooper, mr.crowley, am i evil?, ace of spades, Immortal Rites
I do agree. But can anybody remember this guy called Ronny Riff from Luxembourg ? This was so funny. Does anybody know where you can find his music to download ?