Guitar riff

Finding a favourite and/or best riff seems to be a lot more difficult than choosing a favourite guitar solo.

But I think I will go for Matchbox by Carl Perkins (until I think of something else!).

EDIT: Or perhaps Scotty Moore's riff for Elvis Presley's Mystery Train.



Steve.
 
Last edited:
Holy Diver gets my vote closely followed by Doctor Doctor with Man On The Silver Mountain in third place
Quick addition, Rock Me Like A Hurricane gets an honourable mention

My namesake still gets the vote as the catchiest tune ever
 
Last edited:
School's out is up there IMO. TBH, I would put a lot of Mr Young's riffs above Mr Page's but that's my opinion, not necessarily the correct answer! You can certainly drop the Smiths and G'n'R from the list.
 
Nod said:
School's out is up there IMO. TBH, I would put a lot of Mr Young's riffs above Mr Page's but that's my opinion, not necessarily the correct answer! You can certainly drop the Smiths and G'n'R from the list.
Click to expand...

Sweet child of mine is a well deserved classic, I think.

I would like to have seen SRV in there - Pride & Joy, or Mama with Zucchero
 
UFO - Rock Bottom is one of my favs.
 
Hair of the Dog by Nazareth. It's actually perfect.

The bass riff from Sweet Emotion is pretty flawless as well.
 
I suspect our personal faves will all depend on the era we grew up in.

As a guitarist, whole lotta love is certainly well up there for me, as is Layla, Fleetwood Mac's The chain, Lizzie's Jailbreak, ZZ Top's Sharp dressed man and Just got paid, Beatles Taxman and 10CC's good morning judge.

This one is also a personal fave.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
Sweet child of mine is a well deserved classic, I think.
Click to expand...

Agreed... but if I never hear it again, that would be quite nice!

It's strange to see Smoke on the Water at No. 4 as despite being something we all played on our guitars, it's actually more of a keyboard riff.


Steve.
 
Last edited:
Likewise.


The intro bit on this is rather weak (and the live versions I found weren't great either) but the main riff is a real killer. When we played it (when I was a teen) we'd just cut the faffy stuff out and go straight for the riff.
 
Throw Down The Sword has a superb solo or should that be duet, my favourite of all time.
 
Last edited:
I was surprised to see the Stones' "Satisfaction" so low.
 
Does the intro to down down count. Love that intro


Edit : whoops just realised it's in the top 10 :exit:
 
Last edited:
I missed the Radio 2 countdown on this. For me it needs to be a T. Rex number. Get it On , Ride a White Swan,. 20th entury Boy etc etc.
Also I think ther needs to be another thread witrh best bass. There are loadsa of them. Here';s one from my youth...
 
 
ELO's 10538 Overture riff is one of my favourites, so good even Paul Weller borrowed it.
 
nilagin said:
ELO's 10538 Overture riff is one of my favourites, so good even Paul Weller borrowed it.
Click to expand...

TBH that riff is 'obvious' as a natural run down on the A string when playing a 'cowboy' D chord, and variations have been used by everyone from Eric Clapton and Keef through to Joe Bonamassa and all sorts. Sounds OK though.
 
Just remembered another worthy contender, Crazy Train with the late Mr Rhoads
 
I'm surprised this one hasn't made an appearance
(Instrumental version as the words spoil it anyway :D)

 
Great tune though it is, Parisienne Walkways is essentially one long guitar solo, isn't it? Not really a riff-fest!
 
fabs said:
They just keep popping into my head. :D

Click to expand...


I keep meaning to sit down and learn that, it is a lovely riff. A bit like bluegrass mixed up with rock. I certainly will not be attempting Freebird any time soon - I know my limits:)
 
BT Bob said:
Great tune though it is, Parisienne Walkways is essentially one long guitar solo, isn't it? Not really a riff-fest!
Click to expand...
As above, I could have posted the version with words in, with the guitar breaks,
But I thought I'd cut out the "middle man" :D
 
I rather like the intro to If you tolerate this, then your children will be next by the Manic street preachers. No idea if that's a riff, a solo, or something else.

Oh and Aqualung by Jethro Tull
 
Cobra said:
I'm surprised this one hasn't made an appearance
(Instrumental version as the words spoil it anyway :D)

Click to expand...
Great guitarist a true exponent of the defining instrument of the 20th century. I didn't even mind the singing.

Sad loss
 
 
tijuana taxi said:
Holy Diver gets my vote closely followed by Doctor Doctor with Man On The Silver Mountain in third place
Quick addition, Rock Me Like A Hurricane gets an honourable mention

My namesake still gets the vote as the catchiest tune ever
Click to expand...

2 great choices, but would have Rock Bottom over Man.....

I would add in the original Am I Evil by Diamondhead

 
Last edited:
tijuana taxi said:
Throw Down The Sword has a superb solo or should that be duet, my favourite of all time.
Click to expand...


This is indeed awesome. Listen to the guitar harmonies at the end. Two totally independent solo's beautifully meshed together. I still wonder at this tracks magnificence after 40 years of listening to it. The whole Argus album is a work of art.
 
Steve Smith said:
A fair amount of it is just one long note - especially live!


Steve.
Click to expand...

IIRC Gary once said that many players couldn't get a single note right, so how could they mange to sound good playing solo. ;)

Here's another bit of riffing at it's finest.
 
All these posts and not one mentioned Money for Nothing :rolleyes:

and can't beat a bit of Rolling Stones. There's no official video for it though.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top