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Top 25 Guitar Riffs of All Time

Willets Point Apr 07 2008 04:03 AM

Found this via a blogger who disagrees. Lists of course exist mainly to promote debate. What do you think? 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)

Triple Dee Apr 07 2008 04:58 AM

The lack of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" invalidates this list. Surely they could have found room for "Layla" (the Derek and the Dominos version, obviously). I would have also include "Free Bird" by Lynard Skynard somewhere. As for the three GNR songs on the list, I think the riff in "November Rain" and in particular "Estranged" is better than #6 and #10. Songs that definitely should not be included on this list: #2, #3, #17, #24,

AG/DC Apr 07 2008 05:41 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 07 2008 06:32 AM

I ruthlessly disagree but so what. I like that they're judging riffs and not solos, and don't care how crude some of these are, just that they work as rock hooks. Maybe #2 could have been included under it's earlier title of "More Than a Feeling," though I'm sure it pre-dates that.

Fman99 Apr 07 2008 06:19 AM

I would substitute "Heartbreaker" for "Immigrant Song" in a second.

AG/DC Apr 07 2008 06:32 AM

Or "Livin' Lovin' Maid" or "Dancing Days" or "Ramble On" or "Whole Lotta." You can just make this whole list out of Zeppelin riffs and be OK.

Triple Dee Apr 07 2008 06:34 AM

AG/DC wrote: Or "Livin' Lovin' Maid" or "Dancing Days" or "Ramble On" or "Whole Lotta." You can just make this whole list out of Zeppelin riffs and be OK. Over the Hills and Far Away.

Triple Dee Apr 07 2008 06:47 AM

AG/DC wrote: I ruthlessly disagree but so what. Do you ruthlessly disagree about something specific? Maybe I was being a bit harsh on "Walk this Way" (I can't get the awful Run DMC cover out of my head).

Frayed Knot Apr 07 2008 07:03 AM

Sweet Jane Sunshine of Your Love

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 07 2008 07:05 AM

Paradise City sucks bhmc, same with RHCPs and their dreadful balladeering. The lack of several Billy Squier songs on this list is crime enough.

sharpie Apr 07 2008 07:06 AM

You Really Got Me 21st Century Schizoid Man

AG/DC Apr 07 2008 07:08 AM

Triple Dee wrote: ="AG/DC"]I ruthlessly disagree but so what. Do you ruthlessly disagree about something specific? No, I was referring to the list and not your post at all, and just paraphrasing Willlets.

metirish Apr 07 2008 07:09 AM

19. 7 Nation Army - The White Stripes (2003) Nothing but ripoff artists them , the list like most is silly but I would like to see "The Boys are Back in Town" there.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 07 2008 07:18 AM

Ain't Talkin bout Love Beat It And Your Bird Can Sing Runnin Down a Dream King Contrary Man (the Cult) Frankenstein Locomotive Breath Can't Get There From Here Rebel Rebel La Grange (ZZ Top)

Centerfield Apr 07 2008 07:46 AM

Triple Dee wrote: in particular "Estranged" is better than #6 and #10. Yup. ="Fman99"]I would substitute "Heartbreaker" for "Immigrant Song" in a second. Yup.

soupcan Apr 07 2008 07:55 AM

Check out Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians - 'What I am' Maybe its not Joe Satriani but its good.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 07 2008 08:03 AM

I Feel Fine Limelight Squad Car (Eddie & the Showmen) Spoon Man Theme from 'The Munsters' Bad to the Bone

Frayed Knot Apr 07 2008 08:08 AM

]Theme from 'The Munsters' 'Blotto' - the greatest comedy-rock band ever to come out of Albany, New York - used to do this at some of their shows; Broadway Blotto on lead of course.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 07 2008 08:17 AM

Barracuda Powderfinger Alive Real Rock Drive (the Blasters) Jet Airliner Rock Lobster

AG/DC Apr 07 2008 09:14 AM

"Day Tripper" "I Will Follow" "Bad" "Roadrunner" "Everybody Wants You" "Refugee" "Bitch" "Wipeout"

RealityChuck Apr 07 2008 12:44 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: ]Theme from 'The Munsters' 'Blotto' - the greatest comedy-rock band ever to come out of Albany, New York - used to do this at some of their shows; Broadway Blotto on lead of course. I'm a big fan of Blotto. But, in God's name, where is Satisfaction? Other than trying to be "different," it's inexcusable that it's left off.

AG/DC Apr 07 2008 01:13 PM

i just assumed somebody had it.

seawolf17 Apr 07 2008 02:10 PM

"Ace of Spades"!?!? Hum the riff, right now. You can't, right? Get it off the list. Plenty of other metal songs that belong on there. Get the White Fucking Stripes off the list too; you can't hum that one either.

smg58 Apr 07 2008 02:52 PM

Was "Satisfaction" just too obvious to make this list? I agree with "Sunshine of Your Love" and "You Really Got Me." "My Generation" and not "Pinball Wizard"? "Voodoo Chile" should be higher. I'll throw in something fairly current and suggest "Sister Surround" or "Royal Explosion" by The Soundtrack of Our Lives.

metirish Apr 07 2008 06:04 PM

This is one of my all time fave riffs.....turn it up loud.

soupcan Apr 07 2008 08:44 PM

soupcan wrote: Check out Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians - 'What I am' Yeah, you know what - I listened to this on the way home. I'm wrong.

AG/DC Apr 07 2008 08:49 PM

That's what I'm talking about: humble posting that makes for great posting. Milner worthy, even.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 07 2008 08:54 PM

soupcan wrote: soupcan wrote: Check out Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians - 'What I am' Yeah, you know what - I listened to this on the way home. I'm wrong. I wasn't sure how to abuse you for suggesting this. I thought it was a trap.

soupcan Apr 07 2008 09:00 PM

I appreciate your letting me marinade in it before letting fly. Its a good maybe 30 second solo and I suppose I was remembering it a lot better and longer than it was.