Which guitar riff truly reigns supreme? At guitarplayers.net, we’re diving into this age-old debate to definitively rank the most iconic riffs of all time. To ensure our list resonated with real guitar enthusiasts, we turned to the readers of Guitar World, launching a poll to gather their collective expertise. We began by curating our own extensive shortlist of standout riffs – a selection that, even with a strict “one riff per artist” rule, stretched to 125 contenders. This meant some tough choices, with classics like Paranoid and Highway to Hell narrowly missing the cut due to our self-imposed limit. One riff per band was the mandate. While we allowed for alternative suggestions, the overwhelming consensus from Guitar World’s discerning readership validated our initial selections.
Join us as we count down 50 of the most unforgettable guitar riffs ever laid down. We’ll delve into the stories behind these riffs and hear insights from some of the guitarists who brought them to life in the studio. Let’s get started and explore the best of the best in the world of guitar riffs.
50. Heir Apparent – Opeth (2008)
Opeth – Heir Apparent (Audio) – YouTube 
Opeth – Heir Apparent (Audio) – YouTube
Progressive Metal Riffage from Sweden’s Masters
Our journey into riff greatness begins with this powerful track from Opeth’s death metal period. “Heir Apparent” is packed with complex and captivating riffs, but it’s the riff that explodes around the two-and-a-half-minute mark that truly showcases Mikael Åkerfeldt’s masterful and destructive guitar work.
This standout riff starts with heavy power chords played from the 1st fret up to open position, creating a deep and resonant foundation. It then shifts dramatically, alternating between rapid descending octave shapes higher up the guitar neck and sharply palm-muted chromatic notes in the lower registers. This sonic battle between high and low, fast and rhythmic, is truly spectacular. Adding to the intensity is Fredrik Åkesson’s chaotic yet brilliant solo, which builds upon the riff’s unsettling feel with blues-inspired bends and intricate diminished runs. This combination of riff and solo makes “Heir Apparent” a modern prog-metal classic, showcasing Opeth’s ability to blend brutality with musical sophistication.
49. Ticket to Ride – The Beatles (1965)
The Beatles – Ticket To Ride – YouTube The Beatles – Ticket To Ride – YouTube
12-String Chime with a Hint of India
Released as a single in April 1965, “Ticket to Ride” marked The Beatles’ seventh consecutive number one hit in the UK. Its instantly recognizable opening riff, played with two fingers on a 12-string Rickenbacker guitar, is a masterclass in melodic construction. The chiming, arpeggiated riff is anchored by repeating A chords and subtly hints at the Indian musical influences that would increasingly shape the band’s sound. The low A drone that permeates the riff further enhances this exotic, drone-like quality.
George Harrison, playing his signature Rickenbacker 360/12, created a motif with an ethereal, almost brittle sonic texture. The staggered phrasing, incorporating a quarter-note triplet at the end of the riff, contributes to the song’s relaxed and carefree 60s vibe. This riff isn’t about power or aggression, but about creating an atmosphere and a unique sonic signature that instantly identifies the song.
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’s Les Paul Mastery
It’s surprising that Free’s massive 1970 hit, “All Right Now,” only just makes it into the Top 50, a testament to the sheer volume of iconic guitar riffs out there. The opening seconds of this track are legendary – Paul Kossoff’s overdriven Les Paul working in perfect sync with Simon Kirke’s powerful drum beat creates one of the most recognizable song introductions of all time. Kossoff typically played one of his beloved Les Paul sunbursts on “All Right Now,” plugged into a roaring Marshall stack to achieve his signature tone.
Singer Paul Rodgers perfectly described Kossoff’s magic: “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 is a lesson in simplicity and feel; Kossoff’s touch and tone are what elevate it to greatness, proving that sometimes, less is truly more when it comes to crafting a killer guitar riff.
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 Technique
Polyphia guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage have firmly established themselves as pioneers of a new wave of guitar virtuosity. Their music is a groundbreaking blend of fusion, progressive metal, and even elements of trap beats, creating a mind-bending and unique sonic cocktail.
“G.O.A.T.,” a track from 2018, stands as one of their most popular, boasting over 50 million plays across YouTube and Spotify. The song’s main riff is a showcase of modern guitar techniques, built upon a foundation of artificial harmonics, two-handed tapping across the 19th and 20th frets, ringing open strings, and B natural minor arpeggios. The complexity and precision of this riff are breathtaking. For the recording, both Henson and LePage utilized Ibanez guitars, instruments known for their playability and versatility in technically demanding music. In terms of amplification, Henson relied primarily on the Fractal Axe-Fx and a touch of BIAS FX plugin, while LePage opted for a more traditional setup using an Orange amplifier and cabinet. This contrast in gear reflects the band’s blend of digital precision and organic warmth, mirroring the duality within their intricate riffs.
46. Outshined – Soundgarden (1991)
Soundgarden – Outshined – YouTube Soundgarden – Outshined – YouTube
Grunge Power in Uncommon Time
1991 was the year Seattle grunge exploded onto the global music scene, and Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger album was a key part of this sonic revolution. “Outshined” emerged as the album’s most immediately impactful and accessible track. The song’s opening and verse riff, played in drop D tuning, delivers a heavy, sludgy groove perfect for stoner rock enthusiasts. The single-finger bends from guitarists Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell add a raw, expressive layer to the already powerful hook. Simply put, this riff is the epitome of badass.
However, in true Soundgarden fashion, the riff’s brilliance is subtly unconventional: it’s in 7/4 time signature, a rhythmic twist that sets it apart from typical rock structures without sacrificing its head-nodding groove. Kim Thayil’s role in Soundgarden was pivotal to their experimental and inventive sound. His guitar work, often played on his 70s Guild SG-100, expertly blended the raw aggression of The Stooges with the psychedelic heaviness of Black Sabbath, creating a unique and influential grunge guitar voice.
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 Riff Masterpiece
Queens of the Stone Age’s breakthrough hit, “No One Knows,” is built around a riff so potent it effectively functions as the song’s chorus. While the lyrical chorus, “I realize you’re mine,” is repeated, it’s undeniable that the instantly recognizable guitar riff is the moment every crowd anticipates at a QOTSA show. This riff is pure stoner rock gold.
Josh Homme, known for his distinctive guitar tones, took a deliberately unconventional approach to gear for the Songs for the Deaf album, consciously avoiding mainstream amps like Marshalls, Voxes, Fenders, or Gibsons. For “No One Knows,” he ingeniously combined three different amplifiers: a solid-state Peavey, an Ampeg VT40, and a vintage Tube Works head. The unique and powerful recorded tone was achieved through a meticulous process of blending the sound captured from various microphones positioned around this eclectic amp rig. This willingness to experiment with gear and unconventional techniques is a key part of what makes Homme’s riffs so distinctive and memorable.
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
Funk Guitar Rhythm Masterclass
Few rock guitarists embody funk as deeply as Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante. “Can’t Stop,” the third single from their 2002 album By The Way, showcases the album’s most intensely rhythmic and funky guitar riff. Frusciante, a devoted player of vintage Stratocasters and Telecasters, typically favors a sharp, punchy single-coil bridge pickup tone, perfectly suited to his percussive style.
The verse riff is based around a repeated two-note figure moving from D to E on the G string’s 5th and 7th frets. These notes represent the flat 7th and root of the E minor key, giving the riff its modal and funky character. Frusciante emphasizes the root notes of the underlying chord progression (Em, D, Bm, C), keeping the riff clean yet incredibly dynamic through his deceptively intricate fret-hand string muting technique. Combined with his aggressive and funky right-hand attack, this creates an “unstoppable” groove, perfectly capturing the energy of the song’s title and making it a masterclass in funk-rock guitar riffing.
43. Life in the Fast Lane – Eagles
Life In The Fast Lane – YouTube Life In The Fast Lane – YouTube
Country Rockers Shift into Hard Rock Gear
“Life In The Fast Lane” has an origin story as intriguing as the riff itself – it began as a simple warm-up exercise by Joe Walsh. However, this practice riff quickly caught the ears of his Eagles bandmates and evolved into one of their most enduring hard rock anthems. The riff’s power lies in its rhythmic displacement. It’s essentially the same core idea repeated three times with subtle variations, but the fourth repetition starts half a beat earlier, creating a powerful sense of urgency and momentum that perfectly matches the song’s title.
The Eagles’ guitar tones during their Hotel California era were primarily 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. For this iconic track, Joe Walsh played a Stratocaster, while Don Felder wielded his prized 1959 Les Paul. This pairing of Strat and Les Paul, played by two masterful guitarists, represents the ultimate guitar tag team, delivering a riff that is both technically brilliant and sonically explosive.
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
The Police’s Breakthrough Number One Hit
Driven by Andy Summers’ signature, hook-laden guitar riff, “Message in a Bottle” perfectly encapsulates The Police’s unique fusion of post-punk energy and white reggae rhythms. Summers himself described it as “a very different-sounding pop song,” and its success proved his point. Despite the well-documented creative tensions within the band, Summers recognized that The Police was the ideal platform for his distinctive guitar playing.
“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.” The riff’s brilliance lies in its simplicity and effectiveness – a memorable and instantly recognizable melodic figure that propelled “Message in a Bottle” to the top of the charts and solidified The Police’s status as a global phenomenon.
41. Stargazer – Rainbow (1976)
Stargazer – YouTube Stargazer – YouTube
Ritchie Blackmore’s Unstoppable Guitar Power
“Stargazer,” an epic track from Rainbow’s classic Rising album, features a main riff that possesses a distinct “walking” feel. This is achieved through the clever incorporation of passing tones within its pentatonic framework. A key element is the three-note chromatic run, starting on the 5th fret of the 5th string and moving from the minor 7th to the major 7th, finally resolving to the E octave. This chromaticism adds a touch of sophistication and drama to the riff, elevating it beyond a standard hard rock pattern.
During this period, Ritchie Blackmore primarily used Olympic White ’73 and sunburst ’74 Stratocasters, both equipped with scalloped necks, a modification that allowed for his signature vibrato and bending techniques. He amplified his sound through a Marshall Major head, which he had modified for even greater power and distortion. Blackmore once revealed, “This extra output stage basically made the 200-watt into a 280-watt. So I did have the loudest amp in the world.” This quest for volume and power, combined with his virtuosic and classically-influenced playing style, made Blackmore one of the most influential and distinctive riff-masters in rock history, and “Stargazer” is a prime example of his epic approach to guitar riff construction.
