Really? Only Back in Black has been mentioned?

Malcom and Angus were the kings of riffs. Who else has written monster riffs over such a long time?

Hell, a random little known song has a better riff than most of the nonsense already listed here - say, Soul Stripper

Or album, the awesome and overlooked Powerage

Come on people

Much of the Black Sabbath catalog should be mentioned
Tony Iommi has great riffs

CJS4715 said:

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I like Yellow Ledbetter

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My answer

Living Legend said:

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You must not like rock music.

Rust Never Sleeps-Neil Young

Pride and Joy - SRV

I like the whole song but the part I really love starts a little after 1:20. I wish it was more than once. It reminds me a little of "Right Down the Line"

Muse - Plug in Baby

Redstone said:

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Malcom and Angus were the kings of riffs. Who else has written monster riffs over such a long time?

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Hetfield.

Redstone said:

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Hell, a random little known song has a better riff than most of the nonsense already listed here - say, Soul Stripper

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I don't even hear a riff in that song. Do you know what a riff is? A riff is not just a 'song', it's a melody played on guitar, generally repeating (otherwise it's a solo). A solo can even contain a riff. That song, which kinda sucks btw, doesn't really have riff.



Same with that kings of leon song posted right above.. what riff are you talking about? That's more just chords.

Something like oasis - wonderwall, that's not a riff. That's simply a strummed chord progression.

Not really a riff but I always love "Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison.

My favorite riff of all time, Blackened.

Catchy, Van Halen's Finish Watcha Started:

OP here: so many great answers and I can't argue with any of them. I enjoy watching your video links and just enjoying them. Damn I wish I could play the guitar.

Always been a big fan of Lindsey Buckinghams acoustic Big Love.

I always thought the riff in Power of Love was underrated

Of course I know what a riff is. I just have a more expansive and sophisticated understanding of the term, a contribution level higher than as is "normal" for the board. No need to be mean on this thread. I appreciate all contributions, including yours.

Problem with Page is the rampant plagiarism, which is detailed all over YouTube.

Young brothers, including George the occasional bassist, were more original. And obviously they rocked very hard for decades in massive stadiums.

Bottlehead90 said:

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Much of the Black Sabbath catalog should be mentioned
Tony Iommi has great riffs

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Agreed. Riff King.

Too many to list, none were complicated, all were memorable. If you're learning guitar, I highly recommend starting out with early Sabbath.

Iommi has to be in there along with the Young's and Hetfield. That's my holy trinity of the riff.

Redstone said:

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Of course I know what a riff is. I just have a more expansive and sophisticated understanding of the term, a contribution level higher than as is "normal" for the board. No need to be mean on this thread. I appreciate all contributions, including yours.

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so tell me, where is the riff in that ac/dc song soul stripper?

Don't be vague, fire up the youtube vid and tell me at what time this riff you're talking about comes in.

Since Sunshine of your Love was already taken, I'll add these:

62strat said:

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Redstone said:

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Of course I know what a riff is. I just have a more expansive and sophisticated understanding of the term, a contribution level higher than as is "normal" for the board. No need to be mean on this thread. I appreciate all contributions, including yours.

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so tell me, where is the riff in that ac/dc song soul stripper?

Don't be vague, fire up the youtube vid and tell me at what time this riff you're talking about comes in.

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Redstone is just trolling you.

It's not really my jam, as children say, to educate about riffs. I might be able to next week, although it should be noted that my track record of education on this board is impeccable.

Since the Nirvana version was mentioned:

Since I put the Killing Joke version up:

The garage rock bands of all eras have some great riffs. From Sweden: