Which guitar riffs are truly the most well known of all time? guitarplayers.net is diving into this exciting topic, aiming to provide a definitive list. To achieve this, we have considered popular opinion and expert selections to present 50 of the most iconic guitar riffs.
Even with a strict rule of ‘one riff per artist,’ narrowing down the selection was a challenge. Starting with a longlist of incredible riffs, we aimed to curate a collection that resonates with guitar players and music lovers across genres and generations.
Join us as we explore 50 of the most recognizable and influential riffs ever recorded. We’ll delve into the stories behind these riffs and understand why they have become so deeply embedded in music history.
Let’s begin our countdown of Well Known Guitar Riffs…
50. Heir Apparent – Opeth (2008)
Opeth – Heir Apparent (Audio) – YouTube
Opeth Heir Apparent album art, showcasing progressive metal mastery with complex guitar riff.
Progressive Metal Excellence from Sweden
Kicking off our list of well known guitar riffs is “Heir Apparent” by Opeth, from their death-metal era. This track is packed with intricate riffs, but the one that emerges around the 2:30 mark truly showcases Mikael Åkerfeldt’s genius for sonic devastation.
The riff begins with powerful chords starting from the 1st fret, moving to open positions, and then alternates between rapid descending octave shapes higher up the neck and palm-muted chromatic notes lower down. This creates a spectacular sonic conflict. Fredrik Åkesson’s solo further intensifies the chaos, blending bluesy bends and diminished runs to enhance the riff’s unconventional feel.
49. Ticket to Ride – The Beatles (1965)
The Beatles – Ticket To Ride – YouTube
The Beatles Ticket to Ride music video still, featuring iconic 12-string guitar riff.
Rickenbacker Chime with a Hint of Indian Influence
Released in 1965, “Ticket To Ride” became The Beatles’ seventh consecutive UK number one hit. Its instantly recognizable opening riff, played with two fingers on a 12-string guitar, is a defining sound of the mid-60s. The chiming arpeggiated riff, supported by repeating A chords and a low A drone, subtly hints at the Indian classical music influences that would increasingly shape the band’s sound.
George Harrison played this iconic motif on his Rickenbacker 360/12, giving it an ethereal, slightly metallic quality. The staggered phrasing, particularly the quarter-note triplet at the end, adds to the song’s relaxed, ’60s vibe.
48. All Right Now – Free (1970)
Free – All Right Now (Doing Their Thing, 1970) Official Live Video – YouTube
Free All Right Now live performance featuring Paul Kossoff playing the famous guitar riff.
Paul Kossoff’s Mastery in Simplicity
It might be surprising that Free’s 1970 smash hit “All Right Now” is only at number 48 on our list of well known guitar riffs! The opening seconds, with Paul Kossoff’s overdriven Les Paul locked in with Simon Kirke’s powerful beat, is one of the most immediately recognizable guitar intros ever. Kossoff used one of his sunburst Les Pauls for “All Right Now,” plugged into a Marshall stack.
Singer Paul Rodgers commented on Kossoff’s unique sound: “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.”
47. G.O.A.T. – Polyphia (2018)
Polyphia | G.O.A.T. (Official Music Video) – YouTube
Polyphia GOAT music video still showcasing modern guitar techniques and complex riffing.
Redefining Modern Guitar Sounds and Techniques
In recent years, Polyphia guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage have become leading figures in contemporary guitar music. They blend elements of fusion, tech-metal, and trap beats into a unique and complex sound.
The 2018 track “G.O.A.T.” is one of their most popular, with over 50 million plays on YouTube and Spotify. Its main riff is built upon harmonics, 19th and 20th fret taps, open string resonances, and B natural minor arpeggios. This intricate combination exemplifies their innovative approach to guitar playing.
For the recording, both Henson and LePage used Ibanez guitars. Henson’s tone came “only [from] the Fractal and a little bit of BIAS FX,” while LePage preferred a more traditional setup with an Orange amp and cabinet.
46. Outshined – Soundgarden (1991)
Soundgarden – Outshined – YouTube
Soundgarden Outshined music video featuring Chris Cornell and Kim Thayil performing the powerful riff.
Grunge Power in Unusual Time Signature
1991 was a pivotal year for Seattle rock, and Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger was a breakthrough album. “Outshined” became one of its most accessible tracks, yet still retained the band’s signature heaviness and complexity. The opening groove and verse riff in drop D tuning are perfect for stoner rock enthusiasts. The single-finger bends from guitarists Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell enhance the hook effectively, delivering a truly badass feel.
Adding to Soundgarden’s unique style, the riff is in 7/4 time signature, showcasing their experimental nature within the grunge scene. Thayil’s role was crucial, blending Stooges-like aggression with psychedelic Sabbath influences through his 70s Guild SG-100.
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 music video still highlighting Josh Homme's guitar riff.
Stoner Rock Anthem with a Chorus Riff
QOTSA’s breakout hit “No One Knows” features a riff so strong it essentially acts as the chorus. While the lyrics “I realize you’re mine” are repeated, it’s the guitar riff that truly captivates audiences at live shows.
Josh Homme adopted a unique approach to gear for Songs For The Deaf, avoiding typical amps like Marshalls, Voxes, Fenders, or Gibsons. For “No One Knows,” he used a combination of three amps: a solid-state Peavey, an Ampeg VT40, and an old Tube Works head. The distinctive recorded tone was achieved by carefully blending microphones from this unconventional setup.
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't Stop music video featuring John Frusciante playing funky guitar riff.
Funk Guitar Mastery in Fret-Hand Muting
John Frusciante of the Chili Peppers is renowned for his funk-infused rock guitar style. “Can’t Stop,” the third single from 2002’s By The Way, features the album’s most rhythmically driven riff. Frusciante, known for playing vintage Stratocasters and Telecasters, utilizes a sharp, powerful single-coil bridge pickup tone.
The verse riff’s repeated two-note figure, D to E (on the G string, 5th and 7th frets), represents the flat 7th and root of the E minor key. Frusciante emphasizes the root notes of the chords (Em, D, Bm, C) and maintains clarity through his intricate fret-hand string muting technique. Combined with his aggressive and funky right-hand attack, it creates an undeniably infectious riff.
43. Life in the Fast Lane – Eagles (1976)
Life In The Fast Lane – YouTube
Eagles Life in the Fast Lane album art showcasing classic rock guitar riff.
Country Rockers Embrace Hard Rock Edge
Another iconic riff that began as a warm-up exercise, “Life In The Fast Lane” was initially just a jam by Joe Walsh until it caught the attention of his Eagles bandmates. The riff’s effectiveness comes from rhythmic displacement. It’s essentially the same idea played three times with minor variations, but the fourth repetition starts half a beat earlier, generating immense urgency.
The Eagles’ guitar tones during the Hotel California era were largely Fender-based, and this track features the raw sound of Fender Tweed Deluxes and Champs pushed hard. Walsh played a Stratocaster, while Don Felder played his ’59 Les Paul, a perfect pairing of guitarists and instruments.
42. Message in a Bottle – The Police (1979)
The Police – Message In A Bottle (Official Music Video) – YouTube
The Police Message in a Bottle music video featuring Andy Summers playing signature guitar riff.
Their Breakthrough Number One Hit
Fueled by Andy Summers’ signature catchy riff, “Message In A Bottle” distilled The Police’s blend of post-punk and reggae into what Summers described as “a very different-sounding pop song.” Despite internal tensions, Summers recognized that The Police was the ideal outlet for his distinctive guitar playing.
“It was a unique chemistry,” he reflected, “between the guitar, the bassline, the high vocals that Sting had then, and Stewart (Copeland)’s unique drumming. Never to be repeated.”
41. Stargazer – Rainbow (1976)
Stargazer – YouTube
Rainbow Stargazer album art featuring Ritchie Blackmore playing epic guitar riff.
Ritchie Blackmore Unleashed
In this epic track from Rainbow’s classic album Rising, the main riff has a walking feel, achieved through passing tones within its pentatonic framework. A three-note chromatic run, starting on the fifth fret of the fifth string, moves from the minor 7th to the major 7th and finally to the E octave, adding complexity and depth.
Around this period, Ritchie Blackmore primarily used an Olympic White ’73 Stratocaster and a sunburst ’74 Stratocaster, both with scalloped necks. He played through a Marshall Major amp modified for increased power and distortion.
“This extra output stage basically made the 200-watt into a 280-watt,” he once explained. “So I did have the loudest amp in the world.”
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