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IRAN
by Fdemetrio - 04/15/26 12:27 PM
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PETE
by Fdemetrio - 04/14/26 06:57 AM
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This may sound like a favorite solo but it's not. A riff is like a hook it sets the tone is repeated over and over. Some examples are "Day Tripper" The Beatles "Satisfaction" The Rolling Stones (these can be bass riffs as well).
Some of my favorites are
"Jumpin Jack Flash" Kieth Richards" (Played in all the verses)
Every Breath you Take" The Police (Gordon Sumner & Andy Summers played in the opening and pretty much throughout with the exception of the bridge)
"Show me the way" Peter Frampton (who ever played bass on the live album during the chorus right after Frampton sings I want you)
"Down On the Corner" (That Bass sounding riff; not sure who played it)
"Life in the Fast Lane" Joe Walsh (that opening riff)
" Break Down" Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers ( The nice slide part played by Mike Campbell in the intro and between the verses)
"Bang a Gong" Trex (The main riff for the song)
There are many more I can't think of right now, but hey! We have to start somewhere!
Derek
Last edited by Derek Hines; 02/09/08 11:36 PM.
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Can't really decide a favorite favorite guitar riff.
But Deep Puple's Space Truckin', Knocking At Your Back Door, Perfect Strangers, and some of their other songs pumped me up when I first started playing keyboard. And when I first picked up guitar, I liked playing Space Truckin' and of course Smoke On The Water. Well at least somewhat I can do other than Smoke On The Water.
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I have more than one well quite a few.
Reelin in the Years..Steely Dan.
Back in Black..AC/DC
Walk This Way.. Aerosmith.
Roundabout...Yes (bass)
Sweet Child Of Mine..Guns n Roses
Ticket to Ride..Beatles
Long Train Runnin..Doobie Bros.
Soul Sacrifice..Santana
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From the begining- ELP
Rocky mountain way- Joe Walsh
Just two off the top of my head. Ben
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Derek,
Yes, Breakdown - TP!
Big Jim - we agree on something! - Reelin in the Years - Great! Like some of the others on your list as well.
I'll add a few -
Mary Jane's Last Dance - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Cocaine - Eric Clapton
I Can't Get No (Satisfaction) - Rolling Stones
(I'm trying to think of some more modern stuff as well...)
Steve V
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Roundabout by Yes I would like to add and Nights In White Satin by The Moody Blues, Dust In The Wind by Kansas, Pink Floyd acoustical laden songs. DP was the first I attempted like just about every young rock brat in my age group. As well as *gasp* Iron Man.
I like ELP's From The Beginning.
The chords are not that hard as much as the rythmn.
I had the same issue with Hotel California.
Probably a bunch more I will wish I had stated.
Oh, and I felt like I could halfways play the guitar when I learned the intro to Motley Crue's Shout At The Devil.
Waw Waw Wee
Last edited by mattbanx; 02/10/08 02:30 AM.
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Hey not a bad idea; from a modern stand point Steve! I actually thought of a couple.
"Machine Head" Bush ( I didn't really like the band that much but that riff was killer)
"I won't tell em your name" (The goo goo dolls. Very smooth clean tone with ascending thirds I think. played in the intro and throughout after the chorus before the verse and even in the middle of the verses.)
"Real World" (By Matchbox Twenty opening riff and is replayed at the end of the chorus. This one really rocks!)
"Last Resort" Papa Roach (intro and throughout what a fast and cool sounding little riff hard to play as well)
I am sure there are lot's more in the new category as well!
Derek
Edit
Oh I almost forgot
"Are you gonna go my way" Lenny Kravitz (I don't know how I missed posting this one earlier. Real Hendrix sounding riff it just shreds! PLayed in the intro and throughout.
There now that's a few more
Derek
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The bass intro on "Money" Pink Floyd.
Intro of "What I Say" Ray Charles
Ball Of Confusion- The Temptations
Love Has Come Today- Chambers Bros.
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Man on the Silver Mountain - Rainbow
Frankenstein - Edgar Winter
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"Dirty Water" - The Standells
"Till the End of the Day" - The Kinks
"Birthday" - The Beatles
"I'm a Man" - Muddy Waters
"The Ocean" - Led Zeppelin
Hundreds more...
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Here is more.... might be a bit old or unheard of for some of you
Walking By Myself....Gary Moore
Going to my hometown.....Rory Gallagher
Broken down Angel.....Nazareth
Boston Tea Party.....Sensational Alex Harvey band
Sylvia....Focus
Are you Gonna go my Way.....Lenny Kravitz
Alive and Kicking....Simple Minds
I feel fine ....Beatles
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A couple more oldies
This could be the last time (Stones)
Hey Mr Tambourine man (Byrds)
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Welcome to JPF, M Glenn M! 
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The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead The Velvet Underground - Sweet Jane Dan
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When Tom Petty played his demo of "Runnin' Down a Dream" for Jeff Lynne, when Jeff heard it he said something to the effect of, "Wow, I think you've found the Last Remaining Riff."
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Hey Mark
Wow yknow he might just be right lol. That certainly is a killer little riff. Of course Refugee was pretty dang awesome as well. Mike Campbell could really play that ole eletric guitar pretty dang good!
Derek
Last edited by Derek Hines; 02/11/08 12:17 AM.
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Oh I just thought of another
"Sweet Emotion" Aerosmith (Joe perry right before the chorus a kinda little breakdown and then Sweet! Emotion!)
Derek
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Hey Mark and Derek What about the start to Spirit of the Radio. Awsome band considering there is only three of them. I have a Live DVD. Amazing to watch the three in action. I was so impressed with this riff I worked it out and set it down as a midi file. Before long I was editing and composing the whole song. One of my hobbies midi files this song took me over a year to complete just working bit by bit. You would not believe the amount of work I put in. It helps with composing as well.
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I have a great respect for Rush...but it sort of ends there. They just don't grab me. Not cutting them down because they stand alone in their niche, untouched. But not my cup of tea. Don't know how Geddy could play bass like that and sing like that all at once. Don't know why he stopped playing the Rickenbacker, either. 
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I am not a big fan either just love that one song and appreciate good musicians playing. They are a bit of a one song wonder.
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"We will rock you" - Queen. Oh wait, that's not guitar, it's foot, foot, clap
Cool riff though
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Keith Richard's open "G" signature riff in "Tumblin' Dice" (there's actually a couple of phenom riffs in there)
Last edited by Kevin Emmrich; 02/11/08 11:53 AM.
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Stranglehold---Ted Nugent. ANYTHING by Keith Richards.
Last edited by Bob Cushing; 02/12/08 06:27 AM.
bc
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"We will rock you" - Queen. Oh wait, that's not guitar, it's foot, foot, clap
Cool riff though Is it not clap clap foot? However the guiter at the end is superb.
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clap clap foot... hmmm... I think you have the makings of a new hit.
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As cheezy a song as it is, the riff from Billy Squire's
"Everybody Wants You"
is completely undeniable.
Oh, and I still do love that song!
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OK You write the music and I'll supply the lyrics.
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Just thought of a couple more.
"In my life" The Beatles. (The intro riff and also played throughout after the verse and before the verse)
"Life's been good to me so far" Joe Walsh (That opening riff also played throughout).
Derek
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Another classic Beatles riff:
"Hey Bulldog"
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That riff Brian Jones played on the Stone's "The Last Time," is a little killer, isn't it?
I'll bet I've seen a hundred guitar players play that lick, but I've never seen anyone play it exactly right.
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The guitar riff in "I Feel Fine" is an amazingly ingenious lick.
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Hey Truman
Great examples there. Another couple of tricky riffs are from the Eagles
"Lyin Eyes" (Right after Gelnn Fry sings I guess every form of refuge has it's price there is a guitar bend double stop that I have never been able to master I think Don Felder might have played it).
"Peaceful Easy Feeling" (That opening bend again I haven't been abloe to master it and I am not sure I have heard anyone else do it real justice. Don Felder again perhaps?
Derek
Last edited by Derek Hines; 02/14/08 09:27 PM.
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"Peaceful Easy Feeling" (That opening bend again I haven't been abloe to master it and I am not sure I have heard anyone else do it real justice. Don Felder again perhaps?
Derek
Felder may have been the player on "Lyin' Eyes" but I'd guess "Peaceful Easy Feelin'" was Bernie Leadon. There is good guitar work on every Eagles cut.
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Forgot about one of my favorite riffs ever:
"20th Century Boy" - T.Rex
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I have two different versions of the same song with killer riffs, the first was Howlin' Wolf's version of Ain't Superstitious, then of course, Jeff Beck's awesome version of the same tune.
I believe it was Hubert Sumlin playing that trademark repeating lick in the Wolf's version.
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Is is a lick or a riff in The Yardbirds'
"Over Under Sideways Down"
?
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How about the 'Immigrant Song' by Zep - now there's a thunderous riff if ever I heard one! Actually, half their output was probably riff based - 'Dazed and Confused' anyone? I'd also like to suggest 'Coming into Los Angeles' by Arlo Guthrie - folk rock riff-tastic! Dan
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I'd also like to suggest 'Coming into Los Angeles' by Arlo Guthrie - folk rock riff-tastic! Dan LOVE that song. "Chickens flying everywhere around the plane..."
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I think the terms are synonymous, but whatever you call it, the guitar in "Over Under..." is great.
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"Paint it Black" The rolling stone
"19th Nervous Breakdown" (Stones again)
"Freed Bird" Lynard Skynard (that slide part is just awesome almost brings tears to my eyes)
"Sweet Home Alabama" Lynard Skynard
"Mr Saturday Night Special" That opening Riff is killer!
"Lemon Song" Led Zepplin main song riff.
Derek
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Les Dudek- City Magic
Rory Gallagher- They Don't Make them Like You Any More
Gary Moore- Still Got The Blues
Stevie Ray Vaughan-Sweet Little Thing
Eric Clapton-Layla
Bob Marley-So This is Love
Allman Brothers-Blue Sky
Jeff Beck-Freeway Jam
Ozzy-Crazy Train
Santana-Smooth
Stones-Honky Tonk Women
Lynryd Skynyrd-I Know a Little
Van Morrison-Brown Eyed Girl
just a few off the top of the ol' noggin'...MJ
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Hey Moker
You listed a bunch of my favorites!
"Running with the Devil" Van Halen (Full of awesome riffs)
"Running on empty" Jackson Browne (yeah I know it's just chords but man I love that riff played in the intro and verses)
"Jack And Diane" John Cougar Melloncamp
"Seperate ways" Journey
"Paranoid" Black Sabbath (That opening riff has been copied in so many songs I can't list them all)
"Sweet Leaf" Black Sabbath again
"No More Tears" Ozzy Osborne (I am not sure who played it but the opening bass riff is awesome!)
"Crazy on you" Heart (Not sure if it was Nancy Wilson or the other one lol, but that opening riff was killer!
So many more
Derek
Last edited by Derek Hines; 02/17/08 05:03 PM.
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Not a big fan of the band, in general, but Collective Soul has some pretty good riffs, I do have to admit.
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blood and roses - smithereens
inagaddadavida - iron butterfly
most everything john kay and steppenwolf did/does
folsom prison - johnny cash
super freak - rick james
bridge of sighs - robin trower
rock on,
r.
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I heard some really nice rock and roll guitar on a White Stripes song today. I had never listened to them before. Good stuff. The SOUND was very powerful. The song was built around a nice chord riff.
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I heard some really nice rock and roll guitar on a White Stripes song today. I had never listened to them before. Good stuff. The SOUND was very powerful. The song was built around a nice chord riff. "Seven Nation Army" has a pretty damn great riff.
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I love every riff listed on this thread... But of course punch for punch song for song and album to album NO one touches Jimmy Page... It's not even close. Communication Breakdown Good Times Bad Times Whole Lotta Love HeartBreaker
Living Loving Maid Thankyou Bring It On HomeThe Lemon Song What Is And What Should Never Be The Immigrant SongOut On The Tiles Black DogMisty Mountain Hop Rock N Roll Dancin Days Over The Hills And Far AwayThe Ocean Custard Pie Houses Of The Holy The Wanton Song KashmierThe Rover Ten Years GoneNobody's Fault But Mine Hots On For Nowhere In The Evening Fool In The Rain My God it's not even fair..... if I pick up an acoustic and blast off all these riffs and openings to these songs, given 5 seconds each you will shake your head and will realize what I already know and you may only need be reminded This guy is the Riff KING Keith Richards & Joe Perry are pretty loaded up as well, but still behind this man.
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Sub's rock and roll challenge song! (plug)  Oh wait maybe I should do it like a street teamer? You know I was sick of all the fake sounding rock out there these days, then I came across Mike Caro (Subs) Rock challenge song! Man the entries for this sucker are way cool. And of course, Sub himself put the music together so you know it's way cool. I of course have never heard of said challenge and have no involvement whatsoever, yeah and my wife is Morgan fairchild yeah that's the ticket Derek
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Great thread!! I was about to say Kashmir & Black Dog and Sub beat me to it. Someone else beat me to Layla, and the Eagles, and Heart. Enter the resident Queen expert: Tom's right - it is STOMP STOMP CLAP. STOMP STOMP CLAP. Duh! (grumble grumble, mutters under her breath: 'as if y'all haven't heard it 85000 times at every sporting event you ever go to!' ...and this from a chick who can't do Y-M-C-A with her hands, even ***I*** can go STOMP STOMP CLAP.) Nobody's been able to exactly recreate the recording since, either. Great guitar at the END of We Will Rock You - yeah. Since we're allowing bass riffs - Nobody's said Another One Bites the Dust yet? Are you kidding me? What's wrong with you people?! (lol) My favorite (this week) is the nice, FAT bass riff on "Fight From the Inside." Please please look it up if it's been a while. Can anybody explain how John Deacon does that? Man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZFWPahOZYMHere'a a youtube with it, but the sound quality is so lousy it does it no justice whatsoever. Not bad guitar riff going on in that one too. Plus if you stick around & catch the whole thing you get a lesson on the music business to boot: "Think you're gonna set things to rights... you're just another picture on a teenage wall" Derek - love your street teaming, man! Thanks for the plug, my entry is way cool, you're so nice for noticin' me. 
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um.. we were just waiting for you to mention "another one bites the dust"...
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HiDee Bro D!
Even with My BAAD Memory I still remember:
Jimi Hendrix: "Foxy Lady"..(& TONS of Others!)
Clapton's "Cocaine" already-Mentioned (& Who CAN Forget?)
Joe Walsh's (?) "All She Wants to Do is Dance"--Eagles
Keith Richard's in "Gimmie Shelter".."Satisfaction"..MANY More.."Paint It Black"..etc.
"(Gimmie) Money"..Beatles
I could listen to Brian Adams "Run to You" for 24 hrs Straight.
Thanks for De Trip Down Memory Lane, Amigo,
Big Guy-Hug,
Stan
A few PSes:
Keith Richards again.."The Last Time" (What a Killer!)
Jorgan Inngman's simple "Wheep-Wheep-Wheep" in "Apache"...
Joe Walsh.."Life's Been Good"
Last edited by "Tampa Stan" Good; 08/18/11 07:23 AM.
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um.. we were just waiting for you to mention "another one bites the dust"... Tom Tha's a Bass Riff that's gonna be another thread.
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Hey Sub, they allowed bass OR guitar riffs in this thread If you read up at the top... I can tell the difference, really I can - lol Linda
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Right you are Linda. Bass or Guitar riffs are allowed. Derek
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Oh Cool....
Bass!
For The Love Of Money- (Temps)
I Wish - Stevie Wonder
I Want You Back - Jackson Five
Bad Luck - (Harold Melvin)
Barney Miller- (theme)
Money - (Pink Floyd)
Heart Of The Sunrise - Yes
Boogie Oogie Oogie - Taste Of Honey
Stomp - Bro Johnson
Dazed & Confused - Zep
Honey Please - Barry White
These are mainly songs starting with or having a play alone recongnized bass riff.
There are many many many great dominant Bass lines in so many songs it can never be listed.
The Beatles catalog for one....
The Motown catalog for two....
Some More Guitar/Bass Riffs
Shining Star - Earth Wind & Fire
Thank You - Sly Stone
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I would feel I left out too many.
I like that guitar riff and sound to Dire Strait's "Money For Nothing" and Golden Earring's guitar and bass sound.
I kind of try to emulate that type of sound on guitar songs.
But any riff with that particliar guitar sound, as far as guitar dominant music goes.
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Along side of Keith Richards, I should have listed ANYTHING by Jimmy Page as well. That Hendrix guy wasn't too shabby either {Voodoo Chile,Purple Haze, I Don't Live Today, Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand, awww hell, throw HIM into the "anything by" catagory too!
bc
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"Crosstown Traffic"
kills me: especially when put into-context.
Mitch Mitchell played some of the greatest drum fills ever put to tape. And Noel Redding knew exactly the spaces to fill and which to leave empty.
It's the ultimate lesson in playing with each other and giving every musician in the band their space.
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um.. we were just waiting for you to mention "another one bites the dust"... Tom Tha's a Bass Riff that's gonna be another thread. OKAY Mike - you got me - but I always call it a bass guitar as opposed to just a bass so that people know I'm not messin' with a fish. So it's still a guitar. Sort of. A mutant thumpy guitar. I guess that's why Chris Squire wrote "The Fish" so you can tell the difference.
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Hey Pop Tod
Living Colour did a version of Cross town Traffice for a Jimi Hendrix Tribute album (also had Eric Clapton doing Stone Free) Anyways you oughta listen to that Living Colour cover it's awesome!
Derek
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Oh and duh, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" Freddie's one-and-only famous guitar riff. Linda
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What about Big Bottoms, by Spinal Tap? All bass (not a fish) all the time!
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What about Big Bottoms, by Spinal Tap? All bass (not a fish) all the time! Talk about yer mudflaps...my baby's got 'em.
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How could I leave that behind?
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The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin', thats what I say! [The greatest movie EVER, period!]
Last edited by Bob Cushing; 03/26/08 06:49 AM.
bc
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Interesting how Bob's last comment spun off into another abandoned thread lol. Well then let's combine them Spinal tap comments and favorite guitar and bass riffs!
How bout that riff on the eagles "Those Shoes" ok maybe now I am trying to combine too much lol, but that talk box riff just has an awesome little sound!
How bout CCR's "Wrote a song for everyone"? Fairly simple little riff, but it gives the song that nice easy feeling and just keeps you moving right a long with the beat.
Unfortunatly I can't remember much about the movie Spinal Tap; however, I do remember an episode of the Simpsons with Spinal Tap. My favorite line in the whole episode was "That was the cue to turn up the house lights so we can tell the audience they are the sixth friggin member of the group" and "yes we were trying to add some excitment to their dull little lives" . One of my other favorite lines from the episode was " we salute you our half inflated dark lord" Oh and "goodnight springton their will be no encores"
That's all from me for the moment but I'll be back (maybe I'll go watch spinal tap the movie!)
Derek
Last edited by Derek Hines; 07/06/08 08:42 PM.
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One of the coolest riffs ever wasn't done on a guitar or bass - Stevie Wonder's "Superstition"
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Great thread
Since we're allowing bass riffs -
Nobody's said Another One Bites the Dust yet?
You have Bernie Edwards of Chic to thank for that, originally from Chic’s Good Times. I love all those Chic bass riffs, they are often plundered and why not? Another classic Beatles riff:
"Hey Bulldog" Great riff. Always in our live set One of the coolest riffs ever wasn't done on a guitar or bass - Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" Most definitely! Some of my favourite riffs: What Difference Does It Make – The Smiths Superstition – Stevie Wonder Come Together (bass) – The Beatles Now I’m Here – Queen Enter Sandman – Metallica Love Spreads – The Stone Roses Don’t Believe a Word – Thin Lizzy
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Hey Nigel
Thanks! and thanks for chipping in a couple more. Excellent ones for sure. You're mentioning of Thin Lizzy reminded me of one of my favorite riffs of all time
Thin Lizzy "The boys are back in town" nice harmony guitars!
I also like the bass riff on Toto's "Africa" very trippy stuff going on there.
There is also a cool little riff at the beginning of The Guess Who's "No Time Left For you"
Also even though it's a simple little riff I like The Alan Parson Project bass line riff for "The Eye in The Sky"
There are so many more I'm sure just need some time to think of them lol.
Derek
Last edited by Derek Hines; 07/10/08 07:44 PM.
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I love that song. The riff was written by Randy Rhodes.
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Some that come to mind:
Girl's Got Rhythm - Angus Young (AC/DC)
Highway to Hell - Angus Young (AC/DC)
Ain't Talkin' Bout Love - Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
Unchained - Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
Heaven and Hell - Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
Iron Man - Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
Paranoid - Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
Rainbow in the Dark - Vivian Campbell (Dio)
Holy Diver - Vivian Campbell (Dio)
One Hit To The Body - Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)
Richards is one of the kings of guitar riffs
Houses Of The Holy - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Heartbreaker - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Whole Lotta Love - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
This is one of the all time GREAT guitar riffs. I am surprised no one has listed it yet.
Communication Breakdown - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Dancing Days - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Over The Hills And Far Away - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) - acoustic riff
Stairway to Heaven - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) - acoustic riff
Sweet Child O' Mine - Slash (Guns 'N Roses)
Welcome to the Jungle - Slash (Guns 'N Roses)
Last edited by rblight; 07/10/08 08:15 PM.
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Derek, you can be my street team any time. That was great--just the right soupcon of sincerity. Morgan Fairchild, huh?
I agree, by the way, with just about all of the Famous Riffs mentioned. I believe Keith Richards' riff on "Satisfaction" is what won the song an award as "the most memorable rock 'n' roll song of all time."
My candidate that nobody's mentioned is Don Rich's riff on Buck Owens' "They're Gonna Put Me in the Movies."
Joe
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Hey Joe
Not problem friend! If you ever make it to Brooklyn I got a bridge I'll sell ya cheap!
Funny you should mention Buck Owens cause it brought to mind a couple other riff makers from the time period.
The Everly Brothers! Arguably two of the best guitar players for their time. Wake up little suzy, Bye Bye love and Dream Dream Dream.
Great old music and come to think of it didn't ole Dion and the belmonts musta had some good guitar riffs to aye?
Derek
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Just a few off the top of my head....
Mike Campbell-Boys of Summer (one of my favorite songs ever....)
SRV-Pride and Joy
White Stripes-Icky Thump
Jeff Beck-Where Were You
Eric Clapton-Wonderful Tonight
Clapton-Badge
Uncle Tupelo-Acuff Rose
Now you have me thinking...
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How 'bout:
Jumping Jack Flash (Stones)
How Many More Times (Zeppelin)
Bird Song (Garcia/Dead)
Peter Gunn (Duane Eddy)
Walk This Way (Aerosmith)
Come Together (Beatles)
And of course, every guitar player's first riff:
Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
Eric
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Oooh JMSocia
You mentioned Uncle Tupelo--I love those guys. I'd love to see a reunion, but I doubt that will happen. I don't think Farrar and Tweedy get along very well.
Eric
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Gotta love Uncle Tupelo and every offshoot that came from that band. Anondyne is one hell of a record. Huge, huge, Tweedy and Farrar fan.
As far as another guitar riff that makes the song in that style.
Passenger Side-Wilco (instantly makes that song. )
One that just came in my head. (That I now won't be able to get out for a long while lol )
The Cure-Just Like Heaven (pretty much most anything by The Cure has cool guitar lines in it
and
The Cult-She Sells Sanctuary
and now thinking of The Cult
Anything off of the album Electric. Most notably Love Removal Machine
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Baby let me follow you down....Bob Dylan Purple Haze.... Jimi Hendrix Hey Hey My My or is it My My Hey Hey...Neil Young I want you...The Beatles I also wanted to bump this thread up for more exposure
I can tell you what I am not
I just can't tell you what I am
I am just slippin' down this road
no longer with any plan
stoney rohde
by stoney rohde
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Helping Hand
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Well, I was gonna say "Black Dog" by Zeppelin, but Sub embellished on the whole Page thing, so I have agree with his entire post!
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Not an easy one to answer there's just so many. I would not be playing guitar if it wasn't for all the riffs that have already been mentioned. I wish I'd written just one of them and I could die a happy man.
But if I had to pick one, it would have to be the riff that made me want to pick up a guitar and play. That riff would be Chuck Berry's Jonny B Good. That did it for me and it still dose.
I first heard it as a kid watching back to the future in the cinema and it just blew me away. I was hooked from that day on !
Rgds
Andy
Work for hire Producer. I will also produce and master any old/new work tapes up to demo standards. :-) Just PM or email: Email -- mork1976@gmail.com
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I'm not even sure what instrument(s) it was played on originally but the first riff that made an impression on me as a wee lad -- and still a fave -- would be the Peter Gunn theme. I do love the Dick Dale version I have on CD.
But then I tend to love about anything Dick plays. Some pretty decent riffs to be found there too (or in surf music in general).
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The riffs that got me started playing guitar:
1969 Terry Kath using a Gibson SG on Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4"
1970 Henry McCullough using a Gibson 335 on Jesus Christ Superstar LP "Heaven on their Minds".
and then everything else.
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The lick Robert Johnson punctuated "Come on in my kitchen" with.
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My fave's would be:
Bad Love - Eric Clapton
The Healer - Carlos Santana & JL Hooker
Play - Mike Stern
Pride & Joy - SRV
Born to Run - Springsteen
Way aye man - Marc Knopfler
King Creole - Scotty Moore
Cose Della Vita - Michael Landau on Eros Ramazotti
Ceremony - Joe Satriani
On Broadway - George Benson
See the light - Jeff Healey
Belief - John Mayer
Fingerprints - Larry Charlton
4 on 6 - Wes Montgomery
Westchester Lady - Bob James (technically a keayboard riff, but Lee Ritenour plays it in a live version)
Nashville Blues - Earl Scruggs
Move a mountain - Robert Cray
So What - Miles, but Ronny Jordan does a killer version
I can tell by the way you smell - Ry Cooder
Dolemite - Scott Henderson
Pride (in the name of love) - The Edge for U2
My Head's in Missisippi - Billy Gibbons in ZZ Top
.. well, no shortage of great guitarists in this world. This is at best a fragmented list, even of my favourites..
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The lead-in to "Honky Tonk Women" and the lead-in to "Don't be cruel."
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If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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Kelly
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The Messiah, Roy Buchanan is conspicuous in its absence here
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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Oooh JMSocia
You mentioned Uncle Tupelo--I love those guys. I'd love to see a reunion, but I doubt that will happen. I don't think Farrar and Tweedy get along very well.
Eric Speaking of UT: "Graveyard Shift" And, more great riffs: The Kinks... since I think that "You Really Got Me" was already mentioned: "All Day and All of the Night" "Tired of Waiting" "Waterloo Sunset" "Till the End of the Day" "Superman" And many more. The Kinks probably had more great riffs than any band not named Led Zeppelin or The Rolling Stones. Another that you may not consider: Beastie Boys - "Gratitude" Again, technically a bass riff. Still, it's pretty killer. A lot of you didn't know that thy played instruments, did you?
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Derek, you can be my street team any time. That was great--just the right soupcon of sincerity. Morgan Fairchild, huh?
I agree, by the way, with just about all of the Famous Riffs mentioned. I believe Keith Richards' riff on "Satisfaction" is what won the song an award as "the most memorable rock 'n' roll song of all time."
My candidate that nobody's mentioned is Don Rich's riff on Buck Owens' "They're Gonna Put Me in the Movies."
Joe wasnt the name of that "Act Naturally"?????
Kelly
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i had alreday been playing a few years and was already listening to everything...BUT WHEN I HEARD!!!! Joe Satriani's SURFING WITH THE ALIEN in 1986!!!!....that is when i started taking guitar very seriously
Last edited by kelmaur; 08/18/11 04:18 AM.
Kelly
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Wow nice to see this thread survived a little while I was absentee. Hmm so many good riffs mentioned and yet so many good ones out there, should we expand it to keyboard and other instruments? If so I nominate Michael Mcdonald for what a fool believes and Boston for the beginning keyboards in Foreplay (longtime). Crazy stuff going on there in those songs keyboard wise. Thanks everyone for keeping this one going Derek aKa tHaT gUy
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Welcome to the Jungle- GnR
Ace of Spades- Motorhead
No More Mr Nice Guy- Alice Cooper
Die with your boots on/Run to the Hills- Iron Maiden
Runnin with the Devil- Van Halen
You Got Another Thing Comin- Judas Priest
Anything from BOSTON
Write on, Man,
Michael W. Brown, f.k.a. "bluesriff"
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
Mahatma Gandhi
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Ahh yes bluesriff
Judas Priest, handn't even thought of them, and of course (of beavis and butthead fame) breakin the law lol. Thanks for pointing them out. Oh also just thought of the hollies Long cool woman and Blue oyster cults Don't fear the reaper!
Last edited by Derek Hines; 10/17/13 07:27 PM.
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Yes act naturally, that was the name kelmaur, very catchy tune
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yeah, I would Say nobody mastered the riff more than Led Zep. They almost didnt even write songs, they wrote riffs with a little song in between. However, cant forget the great Angus Young of AC/DC, Back in black and shook me all night long still hold up as two of the best. Must mention Van Halen as well. Beatles-Day Tripper Dire Straits-Money for Nothing Chuck- Johnny B Goode, which started it all Eagles-life in the fast lane Ozzy-Crazy Train The Clash-Should I stay or Should I go, Rock The Casbah, Train in Vain, damn they were good! The Doors-Love me Two Times, Roadhouse Blues Might seem a bit out there, and trivial, but this pop riff is still one of the most exciting riffs ever recorded. And funny thing most bands cover it and they never play the riff right! think it's all in the voicings oops wrong link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqnw5IfbZOU
Last edited by Bugsey; 10/18/13 03:56 AM.
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