Which guitar riff truly reigns supreme? At guitarplayers.net, we’re diving headfirst into this age-old debate to definitively settle it. To achieve this monumental task, we turned to you, the discerning guitar aficionados of Guitar World readers, through a comprehensive poll to gather your collective wisdom. We initiated the process by curating a meticulously selected shortlist of our own cherished riffs – and let’s just say, narrowing it down was a challenge!
Despite adhering to a stringent “one riff per artist” rule, our initial compilation still boasted a staggering 125 riffs. This tough constraint meant iconic tracks like Paranoid and even Highway to Hell had to be excluded to keep the selection diverse. One riff per band was the unwavering principle. While we welcomed alternative suggestions, it appears the knowledgeable Guitar World readership largely resonated with our initial choices.
So, join us as we explore 50 of the most exceptional guitar riffs ever etched into recording history. We’ll delve into the stories behind these riffs and feature insights from some of the guitarists who brought them to life.
Let’s embark on this riff-tastic journey…
50. Heir Apparent – Opeth (2008)
Opeth – Heir Apparent (Audio) – YouTube
Opeth – Heir Apparent (Audio) – YouTube
Progressive Metal Majesty from Stockholm’s Masters
Our countdown of Good Guitar Riffs commences with this powerful track from the Swedish progressive metal giants, Opeth, hailing from their death metal period. “Heir Apparent” is overflowing with intricate and mesmerizing riffs. However, it’s the riff that explodes onto the scene around the two-and-a-half-minute mark that truly showcases Mikael Åkerfeldt’s genius at its most sonically devastating.
This riff ignites with raw power chords, starting from the 1st fret and escalating to open positions. It then masterfully alternates between rapid-fire descending octave shapes higher up the fretboard and heavily palm-muted chromatic notes in the lower registers. These contrasting elements clash and converge in a spectacular display of musical warfare. Adding to the sonic maelstrom, Fredrik Åkesson’s guitar solo enters the fray, injecting a dramatic blend of blues-infused bends and diminished runs, perfectly exploiting the riff’s inherently dissonant and “outside” character. This is a prime example of a good guitar riff that is both technically impressive and emotionally charged.
49. Ticket to Ride – The Beatles (1965)
The Beatles – Ticket To Ride – YouTube
The Beatles – Ticket To Ride – YouTube
Rickenbacker Chime and Subtle Indian Influence
Released as a single in April 1965, “Ticket to Ride” became The Beatles’ seventh consecutive UK number one hit. Its instantly recognizable opening motif, a hallmark of good guitar riffs from the 60s, is played with two fingers on a 12-string guitar. The chiming, arpeggiated riff is anchored by repeating A chords, and with the low A drone resonating above, it subtly hints at the traditional Indian music that would increasingly influence the band’s evolving sound.
Played by George Harrison on his iconic Rickenbacker 360/12, this riff possesses an ethereal, almost tinny sonic quality that is distinctly Beatles. The staggered phrasing, punctuated by a quarter-note triplet at the end, further enhances that carefree and innovative ’60s vibe. This riff is a testament to how simplicity and unique instrumentation can create truly memorable and good guitar riffs.
48. All Right Now – Free (1970)
Free – All Right Now (Doing Their Thing, 1970) Official Live Video – YouTube
Free – All Right Now (Doing Their Thing, 1970) Official Live Video – YouTube
Paul Kossoff: Mastery in Minimalist Riffing
It’s almost unbelievable that Free’s 1970 mega-hit, “All Right Now,” only just breaks into our Top 50 good guitar riffs! The opening few seconds, featuring Paul Kossoff’s roaring Les Paul locked in perfect sync with Simon Kirke’s powerful drum beat, constitute one of the most instantly recognizable song introductions of all time. For “All Right Now,” Kossoff wielded one of his cherished Les Paul sunbursts, plugged into a cranked-up Marshall stack, achieving that signature raw and powerful tone.
As lead singer Paul Rodgers eloquently stated, “Koss had such an amazing sound on that opening chord and with his chord structure on the A chord. He had such a long reach and could actually hold the A note on the E string on the 5th fret. He could get a real ripping sound and it had a lot of depth to it.” This riff exemplifies how a simple, powerful chord progression, played with incredible feel and tone, can become one of the most iconic and good guitar riffs ever created.
47. G.O.A.T. – Polyphia (2018)
Polyphia | G.O.A.T. (Official Music Video) – YouTube
Polyphia | G.O.A.T. (Official Music Video) – YouTube
Redefining Modern Guitar with Dazzling Sounds and Techniques
In recent years, Polyphia guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage have firmly established themselves as pioneers of the new wave of guitar virtuosity. They seamlessly fuse elements of fusion, progressive tech-metal, and even trap beats into their own unique, mind-bending sonic cocktail. Their innovative approach has redefined what good guitar riffs can be in the modern era.
The 2018 track “G.O.A.T.” stands as one of their most popular creations to date, amassing over 50 million plays across YouTube and Spotify. Its central motif is a testament to their groundbreaking style, built upon a foundation of pinch harmonics, two-handed tapping techniques reaching the 19th and 20th frets, artfully incorporated open strings, and B natural minor arpeggios. The result is a complex and captivating riff that showcases the incredible technical skill and musical vision of Polyphia.
For the recording of “G.O.A.T.”, both Henson and LePage utilized Ibanez guitars, instruments renowned for their playability and versatility in technically demanding music. In terms of amplification and tone shaping, Henson relied primarily on the Fractal Axe-Fx and a touch of BIAS FX, while LePage opted for a more traditional setup featuring an Orange amplifier and cabinet. This blend of digital and analog gear further contributes to Polyphia’s distinctive and cutting-edge sound.
46. Outshined – Soundgarden (1991)
Soundgarden – Outshined – YouTube
Soundgarden – Outshined – YouTube
Grunge Power in an Unconventional 7/4 Time Signature
1991 marked the year Seattle grunge exploded onto the global music scene, and Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger album served as a breakthrough moment, with “Outshined” emerging as its most accessible and impactful track. The song’s opening groove and verse riff, played in drop D tuning, are the embodiment of stoner rock dreams, delivering a heavy and hypnotic foundation. The single-finger bends from guitarists Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell perfectly complement the riff’s inherent hook, solidifying its status as undeniably badass and a truly good guitar riff from the grunge era.
However, true to Soundgarden’s penchant for pushing boundaries and defying conventions, “Outshined” is built upon an unusual 7/4 time signature. In grunge’s most experimental and inventive band, Kim Thayil’s guitar work was pivotal. He masterfully fused Stooges-esque aggression with psychedelic Sabbath-inspired heaviness, channeling it all through his preferred ’70s Guild SG-100 guitar. This combination of unconventional time signatures and raw, powerful guitar tones is what made Soundgarden, and “Outshined” in particular, stand out as innovators within the grunge movement and creators of truly good guitar riffs.
45. No One Knows – Queens of the Stone Age (2002)
Queens Of The Stone Age – No One Knows (Official Music Video) – YouTube
Queens Of The Stone Age – No One Knows (Official Music Video) – YouTube
Stoner Rock’s Crowning Riff Achievement
Queens of the Stone Age’s breakout hit, “No One Knows,” boasts a riff so potent that it effectively functions as the song’s de facto chorus. While the lyric “I realize you’re mine” does repeat, observing any live performance of the song reveals that it’s the infectious guitar riff that truly captivates the crowd and ignites their energy. This riff is a masterclass in creating a memorable and good guitar riff that becomes synonymous with the song itself.
Josh Homme, known for his unconventional and distinctive approach to guitar gear, deliberately avoided using industry-standard amps like Marshalls, Voxes, Fenders, or Gibsons during the recording sessions for Songs For The Deaf. For “No One Knows,” he ingeniously combined three amplifiers: a solid-state Peavey, an Ampeg VT40, and a vintage Tube Works head. The unique and instantly recognizable recorded guitar tone was achieved through a meticulous process of blending microphones placed strategically around this idiosyncratic rig. This willingness to experiment with less conventional equipment is a key element in QOTSA’s signature sound and their ability to craft such good guitar riffs.
44. Can’t Stop – Red Hot Chili Peppers (2002)
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can’t Stop [Official Music Video] – YouTube
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can
A Funky Masterclass in Fret-Hand Muting Technique
Few rock guitarists embody funk with the same electrifying energy as the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante. “Can’t Stop,” the third single from their 2002 album By The Way, features the album’s most rhythmically driven and undeniably funky riff. Frusciante, a devoted player of vintage Stratocasters and Telecasters, achieves his signature sharp and punchy tone using the bridge pickup of his single-coil guitars. This riff is a prime example of good guitar riffs that are both technically impressive and incredibly groove-oriented.
The verse riff centers around a repeated two-note figure, D to E (played on the G string, 5th and 7th frets respectively), which cleverly represents the flat 7th and root of the E minor key. Frusciante masterfully emphasizes the root notes of the underlying chord progression (Em, D, Bm, C) while maintaining a remarkably clean and articulate sound. This clarity is achieved through his deceptively complex fret-hand string muting technique. When combined with his aggressive and funky right-hand attack, the result is an unstoppable and infectious riff that perfectly embodies the Chili Peppers’ signature sound and firmly establishes “Can’t Stop” as a treasure trove of good guitar riffs.
43. Life in the Fast Lane – Eagles (1976)
Life In The Fast Lane – YouTube
Life In The Fast Lane – YouTube
Country-Rock Pioneers Dive Headfirst into Hard Rock Riffing
Another iconic riff that surprisingly originated as a warm-up exercise, “Life in the Fast Lane” began as a jam for Joe Walsh before capturing the attention of his Eagles bandmates and evolving into a classic. The brilliance of this riff lies in its masterful use of rhythmic displacement. It’s essentially the same rhythmic idea repeated three times with subtle variations, but the fourth repetition begins half a beat earlier, creating a palpable sense of urgency and driving momentum. This rhythmic trick is what makes it one of the most good guitar riffs in the hard rock realm.
The Eagles’ guitar tones during their Hotel California era were largely Fender-based, and “Life in the Fast Lane” is no exception. The track is infused with the raw, overdriven sound of Fender Tweed Deluxe and Champ amplifiers pushed to their limits. Joe Walsh played his signature Stratocaster on the recording, while Don Felder contributed with his iconic ’59 Les Paul. This pairing of legendary guitarists and instruments created the ultimate tag team of guitar tones, perfectly suited for crafting such good guitar riffs and iconic songs.
42. Message in a Bottle – The Police (1979)
The Police – Message In A Bottle (Official Music Video) – YouTube
The Police – Message In A Bottle (Official Music Video) – YouTube
Their First Number One Hit and, For Many, The Police’s Riff Masterpiece
Fueled by Andy Summers’ signature hook-laden riff, “Message in a Bottle” perfectly distilled The Police’s unique blend of post-punk energy and white reggae rhythms into what Summers himself described as “a very different-sounding pop song.” While creative tensions were often present within the band, Summers recognized that The Police provided the ideal platform for his distinctive and innovative guitar playing. This riff is a testament to the power of combining different genres to create truly good guitar riffs.
“It was a unique chemistry,” Summers reflected, “between the guitar, the bassline, the high vocals that Sting had then, and Stewart (Copeland)’s unique drumming. Never to be repeated.” This synergy between the band members and their individual musical contributions is what elevated “Message in a Bottle” and its central riff to iconic status, solidifying its place as one of the most good guitar riffs in rock history.
41. Stargazer – Rainbow (1976)
Stargazer – YouTube
Stargazer – YouTube
Ritchie Blackmore at His Unstoppable, Riff-Crafting Peak
In this epic track from Rainbow’s seminal second album, Rising, the main riff of “Stargazer” possesses a distinct “walking” feel. This is achieved through the strategic incorporation of passing tones within its pentatonic framework. A notable element is the three-note chromatic run, commencing on the fifth fret of the fifth string, moving from the minor 7th to the major 7th, and finally resolving to the E octave. This sophisticated use of chromaticism adds depth and complexity to what is already a powerful and good guitar riff.
During this period of his career, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore primarily relied on his Olympic White ’73 Stratocaster and a sunburst ’74 Strat, both featuring scalloped necks, plugged into a Marshall Major amplifier that had been modified to deliver even greater power and distortion.
“This extra output stage basically made the 200-watt into a 280-watt,” Blackmore once revealed. “So I did have the loudest amp in the world.” This relentless pursuit of volume and power, combined with his masterful technique and melodic sensibilities, is what allowed Blackmore to create such monumental and good guitar riffs like the one in “Stargazer.”
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