The Greatest Guitar/Musical Riffs/Hooks Ever

[Argonne69]

Yeah, solos are great, and lead guitarists are treated as gods, but what really makes a song is a solid riff. I can probably name a hundred songs simply by hearing the first few notes. 'Gotta great hook, and you're golden in my book. What are some of your favorite riffs?

 

I have dozens of favorites, but I'll start with a few.

 

Can't decide if 'Back in Black', or 'You Shook Me All Night Long' is my favorite. Both are awesome.

 

AC/DC - Back In Black (Official Video) - YouTube

 

You Shook Me All Night Long - YouTube

 

 

Love the opening guitar part on 'Last Train to Clarksville'.

 

Last Train to Clarksville (Original Stereo Version) (2006 Remaster) - YouTube

 

 

Can't leave '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' off the list: [I Can't Get No] Satisfaction - YouTube

 

[NoTalentLefty]

 

[nostatic]

A few from the canon of guitar riffs:

 

Layla - Derek and the Dominos

Sunshine of your Love - Cream

25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

Josie - Steely Dan (or Reelin' in the Years, or...)

Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple

Iron Man - Black Sabbath

Barracuda - Heart (actually Sing Child is probably my fav from them)

Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas

All Right Now - Free

Beat It - Michael Jackson

Muffin Man - Frank Zappa

Day Tripper - The Beatles

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

Money for Nothing - Dire Straits

YYZ - Rush

Aqualung - Jethro Tull

 

The list goes on. Can include most any Led Zeppelin or Van Halen as well. Rick Beato is great for these types of list (and plenty of other stuff: 

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by nostatic

[miamistomp]

 

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, NoTalentLefty said:

 

 

Nice. Saw them in 1980 at the Amphitheater in Chicago. Ian Hunter was the opening act.

 

Gotta throw 'Barracuda' on that list, too.

 

Heart - Barracuda (Audio) - YouTube

 

 

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, nostatic said:

A few from the canon of guitar riffs:

 

Layla - Derek and the Dominos

Sunshine of your Love - Cream

25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

Josie - Steely Dan (or Reelin' in the Years, or...)

Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple

Iron Man - Black Sabbath

Barracuda - Heart (actually Sing Child is probably my fav from them)

Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas

All Right Now - Free

Beat It - Michael Jackson

Muffin Man - Frank Zappa

Day Tripper - The Beatles

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

Money for Nothing - Dire Straits

YYZ - Rush

Aqualung - Jethro Tull

 

The list goes on. Can include most any Led Zeppelin or Van Halen as well. Rick Beato is great for these types of list (and plenty of other stuff: 

 

 

'Loved Blue Oyster Cult. I saw them twice, once with Rainbow opening the show, and once with Black Sabbath on the 'Black and Blue Tour'.

 

Not quite as famous as 'Don't Fear the Reaper', but with a great "fuzz" guitar part, is 'Godzilla'.

 

Blue Oyster Cult-Godzilla - YouTube

 

I'll take Rush's 'Limelight' or 'Spirit of the Radio' intros over 'YYZ':

 

Rush - Limelight (Official Music Video) - YouTube

 

Rush- Spirit Of The Radio - YouTube

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by Argonne69

[nostatic]

49 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Nice. Saw them in 1980 at the Amphitheater in Chicago. Ian Hunter was the opening act.

 

Gotta throw 'Barracuda' on that list, too.

 

Heart - Barracuda (Audio) - YouTube

 

 

i see your Barracuda, and raise you a Sing Child

 

 

[nostatic]

46 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

 

'Loved Blue Oyster Cult. I saw them twice, once with Rainbow opening the show, and once with Black Sabbath on the 'Black and Blue Tour'.

 

Not quite as famous as 'Don't Fear the Reaper', but with a great "fuzz" guitar part, is 'Godzilla'.

 

Blue Oyster Cult-Godzilla - YouTube

 

I'll take Rush's 'Limelight' or 'Spirit of the Radio' intros over 'YYZ':

 

Rush - Limelight (Official Music Video) - YouTube

 

Rush- Spirit Of The Radio - YouTube

 

BOC had a number of epic riffs. Dominance and submission is a fav

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpKJUa6IoBs

and Cities on Flame

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OBs6S1lW_Q

 

 And Burning For You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipqqEFoJPL4

 

Kinda the opposite of a riff - or at least an insane variation, Maggot Brain delivers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOKn33-q4Ao

 

and then there’s Jeff Beck. One thing about a guy who’s made his mark mostly with no vocals - riffs are king

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cts2KwSGDso

 

 

[Argonne69]

Ouch. How could I forget 'Cities on Flame'. Classic BOC. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

In a totally opposite direction, I'm a big fan of Nile Rodgers' "chucking" style of rhythm guitar. He's played on albums that have sold half a billion copies worldwide. 

 

Classic riffs include Chic's 'Good Times' and 'Le Freak'. I believe he also played rhythm on David Bowie's 'Let's Dance'. SRV played lead on the track. 

 

 

 

Crazy thing is that I'm a card carrying member of Steve Dahl's Insane Coho Lips (Disco Demolition Army) . I was at Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park on July 12, 1979, when Dahl blew up thousands of disco records on the field between games of a double header with the Tigers, which resulted in thousands of Coho Lips storming, and tearing up, the field. The White Sox had to forfeit the 2nd game after order couldn't be restored. Let's just say that my musical interests have expanded a little since my teens. Lol. 

 

 

Edited May 3, 2021 by Argonne69

[nostatic]

As a bassist, you’re veering into the land of funk…best not to get me started.

 

Old musician joke. James Brown is auditioning guitar players. He asks, “can you play an E9 chord?” The guitarist says, “sure.” JB stares back at him and asks, “all night long?”

[Argonne69]

19 minutes ago, nostatic said:

As a bassist, you’re veering into the land of funk…best not to get me started.

 

Old musician joke. James Brown is auditioning guitar players. He asks, “can you play an E9 chord?” The guitarist says, “sure.” JB stares back at him and asks, “all night long?”

 

Disco hijacked funk. Lol. Love me some funk. Parliament's 'Flash Light' is a favorite. 

 

 

Heck, Kool and the Gang's Celebration has a wicked chucking rhythm guitar part. 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

More classic rock riffs with Joe Walsh 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

 

 

[touch]

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by touch

[touch]

 

[Argonne69]

Great guitar and a simple, but effective drum intro. I was in a band in 1985, and our live version always brought the roof down. 

 

 

 

Edited May 3, 2021 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

 

 

[nostatic]

1 hour ago, Argonne69 said:

More classic rock riffs with Joe Walsh 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Walsh was in my "holy trinity plus two" of guitarists back when I was a guitar slinger (the others being Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, and Duane Allman). This is the most epic JW tune in my book. There were a couple of different studio versions but this live version (also found on the live You Can't Argue With a Sick Mind album) is just crazy

 

 

[nostatic]

Rocco Prestia playing 16ths notes at a crazy tempo - What is Hip?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN8pWdZhVaM

 

Funky, and just flat out insane musicianship

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCAwH4tJ0KQ

 

And totally whack - I was at this show. Jaw still hasn't recovered from hitting the floor. Got to study with Victor the following year, treat of a lifetime.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAIZxK7rsqk

 

[DArnie]

Here's One from my youth that would get the blood pumping!

 

 

[sdandrea]

One of my favorite riffs is Joe Walsh's opener on Life's Been Good,  although, most of his tunes hook me.

 

Solo-wise, Jimmy Page on WhollottaLove after the drum solo.  I still turn the volume all the way up just for that masterpiece.

Edited May 2, 2021 by sdandrea

[touch]

 

[touch]

Just have to add my absolute favorite song. I am liking the thread you started Mr. A man. 🙂

 

 

[farmer]

Maybe the dumbest song ever written, but "Inna Gadda da Vida" has a hook that will live forever.  

[touch]

2 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Great guitar and a simple, but effective drum intro. I was in a band in 1985, and our live version always brought the roof down. 

 

 

 

A song that is just incredible. Cool to say I have enjoyed it since I first heard it in 5th grade back in 1974.

[miamistomp]

 

[touch]

Tonight it's a two fer 

 

 

[DArnie]

Okay, two more

 

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, touch said:

Just have to add my absolute favorite song. I am liking the thread you started Mr. A man. 🙂

 

 

 

Mike Campbell is an unsung guitar hero.