Top 20 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time
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2 жыл бұрынWant more music? Check out Innersleeve, WatchMojo's new music podcast!
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Let's rock! For this list, we'll be ranking the most powerful, influential and iconic guitar riffs ever recorded. Our countdown includes "Walk This Way", "Barracuda", "Welcome to the Jungle", "Layla", "Smoke on the Water", and more! What iconic riffs rock your world? Let us know in the comments!
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@WatchMojo 2 жыл бұрын
Correction: It wasn’t Eddie Van Halen who played lead guitar on "Beat It", he played the solo. Rather it was Steve Lukather. Thanks for the comments letting us know about the error. thanks
@ChowMeinLover805 2 жыл бұрын
You’re welcome!
@BRO77TX 2 жыл бұрын
Ummm…the Lead Guitarist DOES play the solos !! Steve Lukather played the Rhythm Section. Get your terminology right WM!!!
@rbnh9827 2 жыл бұрын
@@BRO77TX Give them 3 more attempts !!
@megaton.settler 2 жыл бұрын
Also wasted years was not the title track for Powerslave. It was track 2 on somewhere in Time
@GearGasms 2 жыл бұрын
Lead guitar is the solo. Luke played rhythm and the riffs. 🤓
@mnagz5 2 жыл бұрын
AC/DC's Back in Black only getting an honourable mention is criminal.
@CptnWolfe 2 жыл бұрын
It was on the original top 10 though
@user-dn4pz3hc4d 2 жыл бұрын
True
@villain68 2 жыл бұрын
Malcolm came up with so many riffs! How can you choose?
@iaintbeendroppingnoeavessir 2 жыл бұрын
Ikr!
@texasboy5527 2 жыл бұрын
Let There Be Rock riff >> Back in Black riff
@SaguaroBlossom 2 жыл бұрын
Many of the "Honorable Mentions" were better then many riffs that made the list.
@angeloson2250 2 жыл бұрын
Exactly all the honourable mentions were electrifying
@donaldsmith8648 2 жыл бұрын
I totally agree with you
@user-dn4pz3hc4d 2 жыл бұрын
And we all know that Led Zeppelin's stairway to heaven should take first.
@donaldsmith8648 2 жыл бұрын
@@user-dn4pz3hc4d is the end of let's go crazy considered a riff?
@lindsi501 2 жыл бұрын
the honorable mentions are always the best.
@HelloKittyisMyPal 2 жыл бұрын
No Cream? No Queen? Eagles? Lynyrd Skynard? ZZ Top? Creedence Clearwater Revival? Who wrote this list?!
@scottlemiere2024 2 жыл бұрын
People who know nothing about guitar riffs at all. They put the Dire Straights on the list.
@lauravargas6620 2 жыл бұрын
I was thinking the same thing who wrote this? Left out better riffs and gave good riff less place than others. I think is just base on popularity not really on the greatness of the actual riff
@cascito 2 жыл бұрын
Cream is ❤️❤️❤️
@rumple4skin140 2 жыл бұрын
Ya ccr, "up around the bend" definitely a recognized riff, not sure wth happened, but somebody done fucked up!!! Hahaha
@christophermerlot3366 2 жыл бұрын
No Nazareth either. And I agree 'Gimme Three Steps' is an earworm.
@andrewpappas9311 2 жыл бұрын
How the hell was there no riffs from Queen or even Johnny B. Goode from Chuck Berry, which was literally one of the best (not to mention one of the first) rock and roll riffs of all time
@JDP2104 2 жыл бұрын
Queen was better at solos than riffs
@isaacs3822 2 жыл бұрын
I was just on my way to comment about the exclusion of Johnny B. Goode! When I clicked on the video I thought it’d be top 10, if not #1. But then it wasn’t even an honorable mention…
@andrewpappas9311 2 жыл бұрын
@@isaacs3822 I know right, Chuck Berry paved the way for countless rock bands and artists after him so the fact that he wasn’t even mentioned is just baffling to me
@andrewpappas9311 2 жыл бұрын
@@JDP2104 Brian May does have some really damn great solos but he’s also got a lot of good riffs as well like Keep Yourself Alive, Stone Cold Crazy, Tie Your Mother Down, Hammer to Fall, Fat Bottomed Girls, I Want It All, etc.
@JDP2104 2 жыл бұрын
@@andrewpappas9311 that is true. Part of the reason why May is my favorite guitarist of all time
@littlee4620 2 жыл бұрын
I would have given “Don’t Fear The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult at least an honorable mention. With or without More Cowbell.
@mattr3250 2 жыл бұрын
Nothing from Pink Floyd either.
@Stormtrooper-oc4vn 2 жыл бұрын
What an annoying song
@yaywoohoohooray 2 жыл бұрын
You da man
@jonstreng7850 2 жыл бұрын
@Eric Cohen: 😂😂😂. You nailed it with the cowbell reference.
@roymiller6964 2 жыл бұрын
I agree
@NewlyBoughtSpatula 2 жыл бұрын
The fact that AIC made it with "Check My Brain" is beyond ridiculous. Them Bones, We Die Young, Man in the fucking Box..........I'm mean come on
@rickysalinas23777 2 жыл бұрын
My thoughts exactly...Man in the Box is fucking psychedelic heaven especially mixed with the drums and echoed vocals
@chadsekeras9747 2 жыл бұрын
Dude I feel you. I was the late 80's-90's teen. This list means milenials run this shit.
@ericweaver2691 2 жыл бұрын
totally agree
@chadsekeras9747 2 жыл бұрын
Alice in Chains had many more better rifts than this. I grew up on them and I feel they were better than Nirvana and close to Chris Cornell. Not knocking Kurt Cobain. I was a teen than but I loved Cornell and still do. RIP Cobain and Cornell. And also Staley who had a big influence on my vocal style and music influence.
@Iwasbornin74 2 жыл бұрын
I stopped watching at that point. I thought that if THAT is the AIC song they picked, I'm over this. I was ready to stop when Ratt made the top 20. I liked them back in the day, but Round and Round a memorable riff? Methinks not.
@kwantumangaliso2562 Жыл бұрын
No ways purple haze isn't mentioned. Thats literally perfection
@cristianconnolly2709 Жыл бұрын
When it comes to hendrix theres Many great riffs, normally its either Voodoo child or purple haze, personally I think his Best one is little wing, but theres Many more, castles Made of sand, foxy lady, wait until tomorrow, hey Joe, burning of The midnight lamp etc. Same with Zeppelin, black Sabbath, ACDC and Van Halen, so Many riff candidates. VH for instance everybody picks Aint talkin bout love, but theres also panama, Unchained, meanstreet, somebody get me a doctor, im The one, hoy for teacher, 5150 etc.
@guitartunez 2 жыл бұрын
20. Walk This Way - Aerosmith 19. Round and Round - Ratt 18. No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age 17. Check My Brain - Alice In Chains 16. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor 15. Beat It - Michael Jackson 14. Barracuda - Heart 13. Paranoid - Black Sabbath 12. Wasted Years - Iron Maiden 11. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love - Van Halen 10. Raining Blood - Slayer 9. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns ‘n’ Roses 8. Money for Nothing - Dire Straights 7. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne 6. Master of Puppets - Metallica 5. You Really Got Me - The Kinks 4. Layla - Derek and the Dominos 3. I Can’t Get No Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones 2. Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple 1. Heartbreaker - Led Zeppelin
@nathanboyle7573 2 жыл бұрын
I'd replace beat it with Sunshine of Your Love by Cream
@nathanboyle7573 2 жыл бұрын
But I'd place it higher too
@robertpadua6096 2 жыл бұрын
No KISS?
@lukemcbean 2 жыл бұрын
I'd replace Wasted Years with Charlotte the Harlot
@pvantongeren9178 2 жыл бұрын
Where is thunderstruck or back in black by ac dc
@guitarist6494 2 жыл бұрын
Crediting EVH for the riff that Steve Lukather wrote. So many people get that one wrong
@rjlack1975 2 жыл бұрын
Good catch. I was about to make this point but you put it better than I could.
@lotuseater1775 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you👍👍👍
@mlggamer5296 2 жыл бұрын
I didn't even know that
@davengeance4811 2 жыл бұрын
Yup and the rest of this list is terrible as well
@allieg.1120 2 жыл бұрын
yes they do.
@jerrumite4425 2 жыл бұрын
I find your lack of AC⚡DC disturbing. Yes, I saw the the honorable mentions but come on.
@mikerazor8246 2 жыл бұрын
it seems to me that watchmojo doesn't even like to mention the word ac/dc at all, they always try to put another unknown artist instead of them.
@jeffreybrown4015 Жыл бұрын
I'd put Led Zep on top as well, but for Kashmir. That opening riff builds the tension in a sublime way.
@childishfromthe79th13 Жыл бұрын
Kashmir would’ve been better choice
@chrisparnham Ай бұрын
That's a definite I was sure Kashmir or Whole Lotta Love would be the Zep riff chosen. As for Deep Purple, Burn is the better though admittedly less iconic riff. Iron Maiden's choice was weird too with all the choices going they chose one of their weaker tracks, The Trooper would have been my choice. AC/DC where do you start they only made the also-rans when they deserved a top 10 spot and for Back in Black, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap or T.N.T could have all made it. If you're after iconic riffs they don't come better than Breaking the Law or Painkiller by Judas Priest who didn't even get an honorable mention.
@acdcfan21 2 жыл бұрын
How dare you disrespect Back in Black by putting them in Honorable Mentions
@moncalimarimoncalimari8964 2 жыл бұрын
Its better than most of the riffs on the list
@spat1u 2 жыл бұрын
Black Sabbath's "Into the Void" is one of the best riffs for me
@orionpax123 Жыл бұрын
Which one… lol! there’s like 5 amazing riffs in that song. It’s also low key the best Sabbath song
@andrewwalker5081 2 жыл бұрын
Where is Killing in the name by Rage against the machine? That’s the greatest guitar riff I’ve ever heard.
@ScottPerdue 2 жыл бұрын
I was surprised RATM didn't make an appearance, whether Killing in the Name, Guerrilla Radio, Sleep Now in the Fire... so many choices.
@adityahariharan581 2 жыл бұрын
Doesn't that just sound like Kashmir by Led Zeppelin?
@TheBengineerTV Жыл бұрын
@@adityahariharan581 those two riffs sound nothing alike what so ever . Unless we’re thinking of different songs
@ThePlayer176 Жыл бұрын
@@TheBengineerTV right lol what is he smoking lmao two very different can't even compare.
@pennyc11 Жыл бұрын
What a miss. A lot of misses in this review.
@loveolicity4542 2 жыл бұрын
What about Kansas' 'Carry On Wayward Son?" (SPN family ASSEMBLE)
@LB199910 2 жыл бұрын
The fact that Queen is not on this list is insulting.
@jakefjk9104 2 жыл бұрын
U mean the fact that Nirvana is not listed is insulting
@dangeletti84 2 жыл бұрын
@@jakefjk9104 Dont ever compare Queen and Nirvana
@Rekko82 2 жыл бұрын
Does Queen have great riffs?
@Rekko82 2 жыл бұрын
Royal shit! You need "God Save the Queen" by Sex Pistols!!!
@LB199910 2 жыл бұрын
@@Rekko82 basically almost their entire discography, but Bohemian Rhapsody is arguably their best
@timfortch5553 2 жыл бұрын
I feel like smells like teen Spirit should have been on this list being one of the most iconic riffs of the 90s
@ranger13 2 жыл бұрын
Yes!
@TheKey304 2 жыл бұрын
Definitely should. It's guitar 101.
@tatendachilisa7046 2 жыл бұрын
Facts 🤌🏾
@boomstick1980 2 жыл бұрын
Teen spirit is overrated and not even close to the best riff of the 90's
@ranger13 2 жыл бұрын
@@boomstick1980 your opinion but thank you though
@melancholia9345 2 жыл бұрын
Should I Stay or Should I Go- The Clash The Trooper-Iron Maiden Anything by Queen Breaking the Law- Judas Priest
@kiowahorse2561 2 жыл бұрын
Jesus... How the hell "Walk" or any of AC/DC's songs didn't get a spot is beyond ridiculous! Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" riff deserves a spot as well.
@TheKey304 2 жыл бұрын
Seriously, it's virtually impossible to narrow the entire guitar spectrum down to just 20 riffs.
@barbecuebaas5539 2 жыл бұрын
i agree a hundred percent
@kevinhummel6901 2 жыл бұрын
Agreed. you could make this list once a month for 10 months in a row and have 20 different songs on it each time. The omission from this list to me is Purple Haze.
@someguythatwasmorbed8251 2 жыл бұрын
Some of my favorite riffs come from a band called Pink Floyd. They have a lot of iconic guitar, bass and classic guitar riffs that shouldn't be overlooked. "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2", "Wish You Were Here", "One of These Days", "Comfortably Numb", "Young Lust", "Money", "Time", "In The Flesh?", "Echoes", "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", "Hey You", "Have a Cigar", "Interstellar Overdrive", "High Hopes" and much much more.
@redemptionx2918 2 жыл бұрын
Pink floyd are my favourite band, for many reasons. I’ll put a album on most days. But something about “Young Lust” from the “the Wall” is just perfect! Everything about it, from the bass to the main riff. It’s just great😊 yet I don’t hear much about it!
@robertschiffhauer1679 Жыл бұрын
I love playing Wish You We’re Here on my acoustic.That and Led Zeppelin’s Rain Song should be there.I guess lay both of those songs on my acoustic every day.
@antoniomccoy6733 Жыл бұрын
Go ahead and list the rest of the songs lmao
@fezphilip7024 10 ай бұрын
You don't have to say "a band called Pink Floyd". I would assume.. well, hope that most people know who they are.
@zaphodbeebleprox5043 4 ай бұрын
don´t forget Interstellar Overdrive, this opening riff is catchy af...
@alexh2217 2 жыл бұрын
I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness Killing In The Name - Rage Against The Machine Paranoid Android - Radiohead Thunderstruck - AC/DC Paradise City/Sweet Child O Mine - Guns N Roses Hot For Teacher - Van Halen Enter Sandman - Metallica
@Thomas_pgnr 2 жыл бұрын
more honorable mentions : AC/DC - Highway to hell ZZ Top - La grange The white stripes - Seven nation army Ram Jam - Black betty T-rex - 20th century boys The animals - House of the rising sun U2 - sunday bloody sunday Lenny Kravitz - Are you go my way Beastie boys - No sleep till Brooklyn Queen - Tie your mother down
@randycunningham7318 Ай бұрын
ZZ Top Tush, Sharp Dressed Man, Legs....
@corkycobon1481 2 жыл бұрын
The description of Slayer being "The sound of all hell breaking loose" is the most accurate thing I have ever heard about the band. Their live shows are simply hard to describe.
@christophermerlot3366 2 жыл бұрын
Agreed. My first Slayer show was for the 'South of Heaven' tour with Motorhead and Overkill as the opening acts at the Masonic Temple in Toronto. I had never seen such a thing before.
@corkycobon1481 2 жыл бұрын
@@christophermerlot3366 That had to be a RAGING show. Motorhead and Lemmy are simply BEASTS and Tom Araya is even more imposing live then in the videos.
@christophermerlot3366 2 жыл бұрын
@@corkycobon1481 It was 1987 or 1988. My ears are still ringing.
@chamucos 2 жыл бұрын
Seasons in the Abyss was a better choice imo.
@StangBangXO 3 ай бұрын
Honestly their music isn't "The sound of all hell breaking loose" it is more like Hell has come to earth, and we're all along for the ride.
@shivanshgilhotra701 2 жыл бұрын
Back in black in honourable mentions just hurts too much Though i like the list (not sure) Some songs like sunshine of love (cream ) , Day tripper (beatles) , Californication (RHCP) deserved a spot or honourable mention too i guess
@benjaminvittini7524 2 жыл бұрын
Just like: Another brick in the wall, black betty and anything by Brian May...
@CptnWolfe 2 жыл бұрын
Day Tripper and Sunshine of your Love were on the "top 10 classic rock riffs"
@slsantamarina 2 жыл бұрын
any megadeth love, they got a lot of great riffs. tornado of souls, symphony of destruction,ext.
@christophermerlot3366 2 жыл бұрын
I made the same comment--Dave's rhythm playing is harder than most players' leads. I love the opening of 'Into the Lungs of Hell' as well as, of course, 'Peace Sells."
@craighenry2351 2 жыл бұрын
And they have had a better career than Metallica, not monetarily, but in pure musicianship. Dave may have his problems (although he has worked out most of them), but he is the ultimate frontman and a pure musical genius. There are three this list. Steve Harris, Neil Peart and him. But Dave Mustaine may be the best.
@WatchMojo 2 жыл бұрын
Want more music? Check out Innersleeve, WatchMojo's new music podcast! kzfaq.info/sun/PLXtYorCEjScR7Hjc3CLotRzQyxG_tvLis What iconic riffs rock your world? Let us know in the comments! For more music videos, check out our playlist!: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gKlnq7Joz5eanJc.html
@zippygaming9305 2 жыл бұрын
Ok
@chrisakane9840 2 жыл бұрын
Pantera "cowboys from hell". And "this love"
@Dan-ud8hz 2 жыл бұрын
Muffin Man - Frank Zappa
@nathanboyle7573 2 жыл бұрын
Sunshine of Your Love by Cream
@pblreza 2 жыл бұрын
Please stop doing these, your embarrassing yourself
@terdguitarcovers5534 2 жыл бұрын
well, all Metallica riffs are great and influencing but the And just for all album for me had the best riffs👌🏻🔥
@davidrihacek3095 2 жыл бұрын
For me the best metallica riff is The four horsemen, Love that shit
@curtisthompson6921 2 жыл бұрын
I love Metallica's cover of turn the page
@seanslawson98 2 жыл бұрын
The best riff is the one in Damage Inc. halfway through right before the solo
@rbnh9827 2 жыл бұрын
I would have easily put these in top 20 over lot of your choices, take your picks Soundgarden - Outshined (Easily the best riff of the 90s) ACDC - Riff Raff Judas Priest - Breaking the Law Helmet - Meantime Deftones - My own summer Blue Oyster Cult - Cities on flame with Rock and Roll Howlin Wolf - Smokestack Lightning (1969 version) Link Wray - Rumble Jethro Tull - Aqualung The Stooges - Down on the street CCR - Born on the Bayou ZZ Top - Tush The Beatles - Ticket to Ride STP - Wicked Garden Audioslave - Bring 'em back alive I could probably go on for 30 more, these are just off the top of my head !!
@martin2893 2 жыл бұрын
would be helpful if you name more
@craighenry2351 2 жыл бұрын
Good choice with Breaking the Law, but I think Livin after Midnite and United have riffs just as good.
@BarnCat55 2 жыл бұрын
The fact that AC/DC’s thunderstruck wasn’t on this and even Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to heaven is unbelievable!
@apetrila1 2 жыл бұрын
I would have gone with "the Trooper" over "Wasted Years"
@brentsilvey2288 2 жыл бұрын
Yes!
@christophermerlot3366 2 жыл бұрын
Or Aces High or Flash of the Blade.
@craighenry2351 2 жыл бұрын
I would have gone with Children of the Damned. Simple riff, but it sets up the fastest solo I have ever heard. It, I believe, is Iron Maiden’s best.
@francoisregis2155 2 жыл бұрын
Many great Maiden songs
@reillyfitzgerald Жыл бұрын
There are so many exceptions from this list, some, like AC/DC at least got honourable mention, but one I think should definitely be there is "American Woman". Iconic, instantaneously recognizable, and a little bit of Canadian content to boot.I'd also add Mountain's "Mississippi Queen" and ZZ Top's "Tush" along with many other iconic guitar riffs.
@theresacarmen9847 2 жыл бұрын
Love me some Led Zeppelin, always #1 .
@pinkled4429 2 жыл бұрын
Bands with the most best riffs- Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix experience, Black Sabbath, Rush
@franciscocobosrodriguez7395 2 жыл бұрын
As soon as y’all reminded me, I went to listen to raining blood again, just for nostalgia.
@jaylene.turner6524 2 жыл бұрын
Brian May’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” riff deserves to be number one!
@ripleyfry2107 2 жыл бұрын
Literally anything by him tbh, wether Queen or solo
@rager1860 2 жыл бұрын
this is not a riff
@shivanshgilhotra701 2 жыл бұрын
@@rager1860 there is i think at end of song though when they shift opera music to rock and roll
@rager1860 2 жыл бұрын
@@shivanshgilhotra701 Yes but still... this is not a riff
@zombified3362 2 жыл бұрын
Is that the only one you know?
@kevzguaygua 2 жыл бұрын
Ahh man I would’ve added The Cult of Personality by Living Colour And also Cocaine by Eric Clapton
@kwow3641 2 жыл бұрын
So glad someone else mentioned this - Cult of Personality is bloody awesome!
@LageYouTube 2 жыл бұрын
Cocaine isn't Clapton's
@ironsidemajor 2 жыл бұрын
How can you have top 20 guitar riffs list with no AC/DC? so many of their riffs are legendary and better than most others on this list.
@guitarball 2 жыл бұрын
Seriously. These are all great riffs, but no way AC/DC shouldn't be on the list.
@Magic_Benzi_9 2 жыл бұрын
Paranoid is definitely in the top 10 with thunderstruck, back in black and sweet child also ( i was made for lovin you, the final countdown, sweet home Alabama ) and many others had to be on the list
@Caffeine_Club 2 жыл бұрын
Thunderstruck's absence is criminal.
@arielle8010 10 ай бұрын
@Caffeine_Club so true!!! 😢😢😢😢😡😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬🤬
@gourabbanerjee7727 2 жыл бұрын
Would like to add some more names.... 1. Slip it in - BLACK FLAG 2. Ace of spades - MOTORHEAD 3. Freezing moon - MAYHEM 4. Blitzkrieg bop - RAMONES 5. American idiot - GREEN DAY 6. Basket case - GREEN DAY I love most of the songs in the list, just wanted to mention these songs as they are iconic as well, may not be as much as the ones in the mojo list, but you know... some personal choices. Thank you, have a good day.
@frazermc13 2 жыл бұрын
I love Watchmojo lists - usually. Anything to do with guitars or guitar music just grinds my gears. Hell yeah Led Zep at number 1, but for Whole Lotta Love. And for a lot of this list I wasn't convinced Watchmojo knew what a riff was.
@4ytcomment 2 жыл бұрын
100%! Thank you for reading my mind!
@MistaP13 2 жыл бұрын
Don’t forget Jimmy H’s Purple Haze, Winger’s Seventeen, and Bullet Boys Smooth up in Ya!
@Rekko82 2 жыл бұрын
Purple Haze? I hate that song! The riff is fuzzy.
@francoisregis2155 2 жыл бұрын
Winger battle station
@jesterjosie3281 2 жыл бұрын
Ever since I saw Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle it has been my favorite guitar riff
@williamsummerson1204 2 жыл бұрын
I would have whole lotta love no1. Other guitar riffs I love. Korn. Blind Ratm. Killing in the name Tool. Sober Pearl jam. Even flow Velvet revolver. Fall to pieces Rush. Tom Sawyer Pantera. 5 minutes alone Soundgarden. Black hole sun Nirvana. Smells like teen spirit
@kryptik2602 2 жыл бұрын
YES FALL TO PIECES such an underrated song
@williamsummerson1204 2 жыл бұрын
Couldn't agree more. I think it's the best I've ever heard Scott's voice.
@potatomatop9326 2 жыл бұрын
No Cream - Sunshine of your love?
@MrMaynardWR 2 жыл бұрын
My list 1. Eternity's Breath. Mahavishnu Orchestra 2. Highway to Hell. AC/DC 3. Hocus Pocus. Focus 4. Sweet Jane (live). Lou Reed 5. Satisfaction. Rolling Stones 6. Iron Man. Black Sabbath 7. Since You've Been Gone. Rainbow(originally Russ Ballard) 8. Smoke on the Water. Deep Purple 9. In a Gadda da Vida. Iron Butterfly 10. Sunshine of your Love. Cream
@robk.6591 2 жыл бұрын
Alice in Chains! It's good to see Jerry Cantrell recognized here!
@martim7605 2 жыл бұрын
Jerry "Riff lord' Cantrell
@ITcanB 2 жыл бұрын
"Pictures of Matchstick Men" by Status Quo has a iconic riff that should have been mentioned
@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy 3 ай бұрын
The intro to 'Woodstock' by Crosby, Stills and Nash (1969) is one of the coolest riffs ever! Too bad it's not very well known.
@Davier9999 2 жыл бұрын
Steve Lukather wrote one of the best riffs ever for 'Beat it' and barely is acknowledged. Show some respect WatchMojo!
@mr.alcoholic6913 2 жыл бұрын
I agree Van Halen only do the solo but the riff is Steve
@hfhifi6878 2 жыл бұрын
Not a single Townshend riff? Come on....
@DoubleM-hf6ih Жыл бұрын
Enter Sandman has some badass guitar riffs and solos.
@juliestrahl688 Жыл бұрын
Long Cool Woman entro rift is my all time favorite 4:46
@grimgamertv 2 жыл бұрын
I'm actually mad they didn't even mention riffs like in Thunderstruck, Comfortably Numb, Black Hole Sun and basically every Santana riff...
@JDPwatching Жыл бұрын
Keep in mind that I'm writing this comment at the halfway mark, but I seriously feel that if "Beat It" and "Sultans of Swing" are on this list, then "Hazy Shade of Winter" should be here also. It's a driving riff with heart, angst, and balls, and is as good as pretty much anything else on this list. And btw, "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" is my favorite Van Halen song, which, oddly enough, became my favorite song of theirs after I heard Sammy Hagar sing it on the "5150" tour. He blew that song off the face of the planet and glued my brain to the back of my skull with his incredible performance. Sorry, Diamond Dave! Sammy just rocked that song to death and made it look easy. ❤️😁🤟
@melgreier1630 2 жыл бұрын
New Orleans is Sinking ... better riff than many on this list... soulful and evocative, blending with the lyrics perfectly. Doesn’t get much attention because the Tragically Hip never sought recognition... they played because they wanted to play and they appreciated their fans more than any group or soloist before or since *mic drop*
@chadjackson9516 2 жыл бұрын
This^
@billparker8954 Жыл бұрын
@@chadjackson9516 *American Woman* The Guess Who, *Could Have Been a Lady* April Wine.
@lukas45167 2 жыл бұрын
This was a good list
@dnice9168 Жыл бұрын
Honorable mention...guitar on Inside the Fire, Disturbed. Amazing. Or how about Sweating Bullits, Megadeath.
@recrdholdr 2 жыл бұрын
It was going so well and then they shit the bed. Not having Smoke on the Water at #1 is just insanity. Heartbreaker should be in the teens at best.
@BunnEFartz 2 жыл бұрын
Steve Polhill There are tribes deep in the Amazon rainforest that recognize the riff to Smoke On The Water. My blue hared grandmother who only listens to polka music can name the riff to Smoke On The Water. It's the most recognized riff on the planet.
@christophermerlot3366 2 жыл бұрын
Deep Purple's best riff ever was 'Burn.' Full stop.
@Theprophet3928 Жыл бұрын
THANK YOU
@rickysalinas23777 2 жыл бұрын
Man in the Box over Check My Brain and The Trooper over Wasted Years in my own opinion. The psychedelic nature of Man in the Box leaves more of an impression on me and The Trooper gives that galloping punch to the chest like Barracuda. Both other songs are great though especially Maiden. Up the irons!!!🤘
@jerrumite4425 2 жыл бұрын
Up the Irons, I do still debate which is my favorite maiden song
@rickysalinas23777 2 жыл бұрын
@@jerrumite4425 Phantom, Maiden, Killers, Number of the Beast, Rime, Powerslave, Aces High...its hard to pick for sure...I would say as far as riffs an underrated song is Tailgunner and Paschendale as well is just haunting
@michaelbullock8011 2 жыл бұрын
Great video and I enjoyed it and have a blessed night
@brennatotty 2 жыл бұрын
I got to see Ozzy a couple years ago and even though he is as old as Methuselah the show was as incredible as you would want it to be. The light show was one of the best I have ever seen! I love almost all of the songs presented here. Great list, I would like to see another! You can probably make another 10 episodes with this content!
@AyrenJagar 2 жыл бұрын
While I agree with no 1, The Who had some great Riffs, Queen too. And Red Hot Chilli Peppers
@ThePlayer176 Жыл бұрын
I would've been mad if I would've seen some red hot chili peppers on here. With all due respect were talking about the greatest in rock and those are only found in classic rock which paved the way for the new bands that came after.
@villainousappetite8841 Жыл бұрын
'Queen had some great riffs'.. Like what?
@mlggamer5296 2 жыл бұрын
I would have picked Immigrant Song cuz its highly memorable not to mention now we can associate it with Thor
@karenbroadhurst7302 2 жыл бұрын
This is absolutely awesome xxxx 🤘 🎶🎸🎹🥁🎤🎵❤💯🤘
@Dude-etiquette 3 ай бұрын
Sweet child of mine definitely should have made this list. It is a classic and everyone knows the song when they hear it
@akarbit3r111 2 жыл бұрын
Personally think the riffs for Iron Man are a bit more iconic for Black Sabbath, but that's just me
@DryBones271 2 жыл бұрын
George Harrison's guitar solo in Let It Be.
@huntermyers3551 Жыл бұрын
I think all of the iconic guitar riffs rock my world
@JensDean23 2 жыл бұрын
No Queen? No Nirvana? and the most missed one... No Gary Moore? Can do a list with just these three alone.
@ironguy6482 2 жыл бұрын
This must have been pretty hard to rank, since there are so many iconic riffs. Personally I would have Highway to hell in the top 3
@jaredoverton7992 2 жыл бұрын
I'm glad "Wasted Years" by Iron Maiden was on this list. It's the most haunting and evil sounding riff ever. It sounds like something you would hear while descending down to Into Hell
@TacomaPaul Жыл бұрын
AC/DC ... Brian Johnson fell on my head. Front row. So I had to throw it back. ;-)
@victorevans2867 2 жыл бұрын
"Slayer is literally the sound of all hell breaking loose" in beautiful cacophonous insanity.
@mareknalaskowski5372 Жыл бұрын
My subiective one per band: 1. Whole Lotta Love 2. Smoke on the Water 3. Day Tripper 4. Highway to hell 5. Seven Nation Army 6. Alive 7. Sweet home Alabama 8. Purple Haze 9. Am'I Evil? 10. Paranoid 11. The Trooper 12. Sympathy For the devil 13. True Believer 14. Money 15. Money For nothing 16. Eye of a Tiger 17. Breaking the law 18. Sunshine of your love 19. Poison 20. Suicide is painless.
@TacomaPaul Жыл бұрын
I saw ELF (with double and Ronnie James Dio)... and then Electric Light Orchestra... and Deep Purple ! '74 ! I was 15. ;-)
@pamelaflanigan5935 2 жыл бұрын
one of the icon riffs that wasn't mentioned is the opening riffs of Enter Sandman by Metallicca
@devinfaucette 2 жыл бұрын
Black Sabbath is the first metal band? Didn't their first album come out in 1970, while Zeppelin and Deep Purple were 69?
@yannickvaz694 2 жыл бұрын
*Step by step guide on how to start a fight:* 1) Get a room full of guitarists 2) Ask them to rank the best guitarists, solos, riffs, etc. 3) Sit back, waaaay back.
@CptnWolfe 2 жыл бұрын
Unless they say Layla by Eric Clapton
@tatendachilisa7046 2 жыл бұрын
This list actually left out so many iconic riffs it makes me wanna cry 😩
@Reaperguy67 2 жыл бұрын
I think my favorite song with a great guitar riff has to be iron maidens aces high. It's a great song to see live as well. 🤘
@francoisregis2155 2 жыл бұрын
Indeed such a great song
@shrekwazowski3836 2 жыл бұрын
Paranoid is an awesome song.
@Chi-TownToon 2 жыл бұрын
Dope video with Classics!
@fslayer1290 2 жыл бұрын
Y’all got me head bangin’ with this list.
@wabuckles 2 жыл бұрын
I like just about every song on this list in its own right, but this list is an absolute MESS.
@Ytinasniiable 2 жыл бұрын
I'm surprised they even bothered trying with the sheer number of iconic riffs in rock and metal
@alfioinsaudo4179 Жыл бұрын
Grandissimo Jimmy Page i suoi riff sono unici e inarrivabili un vero genio assoluto della chitarra classifica azzeccata in pieno il migliore
@liveyouryoga 2 жыл бұрын
Okay I will place Rick Derringers Rock And Roll Hootchie Coo on here! It is also a catchy tune (but not annoyingly so).
@GregK9 2 жыл бұрын
There's so many great riffs!! Hard to pick just 20!
@Revelwoodie 2 жыл бұрын
The Stones had a lot of great riffs, but if I had to pick one, it would be "Jumpin Jack Flash."
@barbecuebaas5539 2 жыл бұрын
no man, its a great riff but satisfaction is so recogniseable. everyone knows that riff. its just more iconic
@queen-pk6ys Жыл бұрын
The stones are the worst rock band ever. And singer can't sing acctually
@BiyikFrostDiaz 2 жыл бұрын
Let's be honest, even a top 20 list is still too small for best guitar riffs of all time
@KevinWelch-nv3wt 2 ай бұрын
Don’t know how Feels Like Teen Spirit misses your top 20. That opening riff is an absolute anthem!
@taylordw 4 ай бұрын
Really enjoyed your choices.I haven’t seen the other videos, but must mention Alvin Lee, frontman and guitarist for Ten Years After. I always thought after Woodstock he should have become a household name. Saw him live at Winterland in SF, early 70’s: breath taking blues based solos. Also Steve Stevens of Billy Idol band. Solid rock guitar.
@elreyes78 2 жыл бұрын
When the honorable mentions are better than 1/3 of the riffs on this list…
@Hammerhead547 2 жыл бұрын
Skid Row's Monkey Business should be on here, the bluesy intro riff overlayed with sebastian bach's smooth vocals which then crash down into one of the heaviest dirtiest metal groves of the 90's complete with a signature scream by seb is still amazing 30 years later. Now that I think about it Alien Nation by Scorpions should be on here too, the beginning 45 seconds of that track is fucking amazing and it builds into one of the heaviest tracks that klaus @ co ever created.
@robtilley6895 2 жыл бұрын
I could name 5 songs by RUSH that Alex Lifeson just melts your mind with his prowess on the guitar. Probably the most underrated guitar player in rock history. Limelight puts most of this list to same. He could embarrass a lot of these guys and do it with his eyes shut.
@kikoroko1502 Жыл бұрын
Honestly the riff on Cant you hear me knocking is way better that Can’t get no satisfaction imo
@ripleyfry2107 2 жыл бұрын
Where's Queen? Hammer to fall, we ate the champions, or brighton rock should've been on here
@yaywoohoohooray 2 жыл бұрын
Led Zeppelin literally could’ve filled this list.
@imnotsuperstitiousbutiamal4186 2 жыл бұрын
CAZINATOR-By what? ripping off other lesser known blues artists and not payin' em or even giving them ANY credit? F**K Led Zeppelin.
@williamsummerson1204 2 жыл бұрын
Facts
@williamsummerson1204 2 жыл бұрын
Don't disrespect the goats. What the fuck.
@failedabortion7726 2 жыл бұрын
@@imnotsuperstitiousbutiamal4186 u crazy. Some songs from led zeppelin may sound like some other songs. But im sure your band has some songs to that sound like other songs.
@alexsuperpower1 2 жыл бұрын
@@failedabortion7726 He isn't wrong though, they ripped many songs.
@mooseprx1 11 ай бұрын
The Cult need something in the top 20, fantastic riffs
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