10 Synth Riffs That Shook The World

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  • Опубліковано 29 сер 2019
  • 10 songs featuring synth riffs and lines that shook the world. In a positive way.
    A day in the life of a Nordic synth artist and UA-camr: • A day in the life of a...
    The Final Countdown, Thriller, Light my Fire, Save a Prayer, Take on me, Jump etc.
    These riffs all whipped me into shape as a keyboard player, and composer in the mid 80s, all in a different way.
    "Thriller" by the build-up into the main hook, "The Final Countdown" by it's majestic synth brass sound and also build up. "Take on Me" by it's catchy almost arpeggio-like way of playing, along with the staccato DX synth bass, "Save a Prayer" by utilizing the pitch bend wheel in a new way as well as the different keys the chords take throughout the song. Axel F for simplicity yet intoxicating main hook and bass, "New Song" for the way Mr. HJ so effortless managed several synths at the same time, yet playing that catchy riff. "Light my Fire" by sheer awesomeness in the outrageous use of different keys and chords in that short amount of time the solo lasts. "Deep Red" by its use of different time signatures and the way is so hypnotizing together with the visuals of the movie. Lastly "Toccata and Fugue in Dm", pure madness and every note just adds to the madness. I've taken inspiration from this piece for years and many of my songs have snippets of that in it, in different ways.
    The synthesizer used in all the clips is a Korg DW-8000 from 1985. This video actually started out as a demo of this (somewhat beat up synth), hence me using it for everything. The sounds used are from my own custom patch bank for this synth. I sell this bank. A separate demo of this is on this channel.
    Links to the songs:
    Thriller: • Michael Jackson - Thri...
    The Final Countdown: • Europe - The Final Cou...
    Jump: • Van Halen - Jump (Offi...
    Take on Me: • a-ha - Take On Me (Off...
    Axel F: • Harold Faltermeyer - A...
    Save a Prayer: • Duran Duran - Save A P...
    New Song: • Howard Jones - New Song
    Light my Fire: • The Doors - Light My F...
    Deep Red: • GOBLIN "PROFONDO ROSSO...
    Toccata and Fugue in Dm (the version I like the best): • Karl Richter spielt di...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 7 тис.

  • @cbmsysmobile
    @cbmsysmobile 4 роки тому +9418

    Just imagine what Bach could have done with today's synths......

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 роки тому +820

      It would be totlly awesome! ;-)

    • @jimgauth
      @jimgauth 4 роки тому +107

      Station!

    • @Shadowboost
      @Shadowboost 4 роки тому +142

      It would be beyond imagination

    • @4623620
      @4623620 4 роки тому +92

      Maybe something like Wendy (Walter) Carlos did for the album "Switched on Bach" and for the film "A Clockwork Orange".
      ua-cam.com/video/5cUaunnnKhQ/v-deo.html
      Not bad, but I think Bach is best the way it originally is, T&F in Dm opened my mind to the mathematical aspects of his music.

    • @Mindphaser1
      @Mindphaser1 4 роки тому +127

      He would be Vangelis.

  • @giordanricardo447
    @giordanricardo447 3 роки тому +1483

    0:30 Thriller - Michael Jackson.
    0:56 The final countdown - Europe.
    1:28 Take on me - A-ha.
    1:54 Save a prayer -Duran Duran.
    2:29 Axel F - Harold Faltemayer.
    2:58 Profondo Rosso - Goblin.
    3:19 Jump - Van Halen.
    3:48 Light my fire - The Doors.
    4:16 New song - Howard Jones.
    5:01 Toccata & Fugue Dm - J.S Bach.

  • @TruthTriumphs786
    @TruthTriumphs786 2 роки тому +105

    Sweet Dreams deserve top ten. The synths was amazing in it.

    • @soloperformer5598
      @soloperformer5598 11 місяців тому +1

      By Yes?

    • @crisbowman
      @crisbowman 11 місяців тому +7

      No, by Eurythmics

    • @needamuffin
      @needamuffin 9 місяців тому +2

      Sweet Dreams and Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) were the first two I thought of.

    • @Shamanicus
      @Shamanicus 10 днів тому +1

      I just can't get enough - Depeche Mode should be in there too.

  • @Snavels
    @Snavels 2 роки тому +213

    One of my favorite things about Thriller, as a jazz musician, is how nice and full the chords are. Listening to the Rhodes part, it's a lot of Minor 7s and Diminished chords, and at one time they even play a 7th chord shape on one hand and a 6th shape on the other, but they still didn't forget about simple chords.

    • @DatOneGuy
      @DatOneGuy 2 роки тому +3

      As a jazz enthusiast, Thriller got me going 😳 right away

    • @gregsullivan7408
      @gregsullivan7408 2 роки тому

      It's only recently that I was even aware there was a Rhodes in it at all. (thanks to Dr Mix)
      P.S Does it really contain some Jazz?? I like it far too much for me to believe it qualifies. 🤣

    • @mandalorian957
      @mandalorian957 9 місяців тому

      You like a pedo

    • @KBizzy
      @KBizzy 6 місяців тому

      @@gregsullivan7408not jazz, but jazz chords. Chords that came from jazz music. Such is the case with a lot of R&B/Pop music

    • @patrickeagan2051
      @patrickeagan2051 3 місяці тому

      Mks50 + pg300?

  • @donnythedingo
    @donnythedingo 3 роки тому +659

    Everybody's gangster until Bach steps up to the synthesizer

    • @OJstellar
      @OJstellar 3 роки тому +9

      Chopin would probably rock it as well

    • @heathermcdougall2399
      @heathermcdougall2399 3 роки тому +1

      @@OJstellar I've actually oplayed Bach on a prophet 5 and attempted Chopin too, but he needs a bigger keyboard mostly.

    • @mrtower7435
      @mrtower7435 3 роки тому +3

      lol, the quote of the century

    • @alexandrumacedon291
      @alexandrumacedon291 3 роки тому +2

      @@mrtower7435 bach was the least nice of all so... i don;t know why he included him. maybe personal preference

    • @johnbishop5316
      @johnbishop5316 3 роки тому

      @@heathermcdougall2399 Bach had only four and half octaves!

  • @UnstoppableFloridaMan
    @UnstoppableFloridaMan 4 роки тому +696

    0:31 - Thriller
    0:57 - Final Countdown
    1:28 - Take on Me
    2:04 - Save a Prayer
    2:30 - Axel F
    3:00 - Profondo Rosso
    3:20 - Jump
    3:49 - Light My Fire
    4:16 - New Song
    5:02 - Toccata and Fugue Dm

    • @funkdocta5332
      @funkdocta5332 4 роки тому +7

      Thank you very much! I almost did it myself but then I found your comment :)

    • @00bean00
      @00bean00 4 роки тому +6

      A real hero and a real human bean

    • @kaori_kanzaki
      @kaori_kanzaki 4 роки тому +2

      Thanks Rias. ❤

    • @kostiplays
      @kostiplays 4 роки тому +2

      Rias rly is the best waifu

    • @vadimblanchy9579
      @vadimblanchy9579 4 роки тому

      00bean00 yes this man truly is a bean

  • @markalexander3487
    @markalexander3487 2 роки тому +45

    Jump is an all time classic. It was very bold to use a synth in place of rock guitar.

    • @musicman8942
      @musicman8942 3 місяці тому

      Keep in mind that both van Halen brothers were pianists before they took up drums & guitar

  • @AxelfoleyTheGreat
    @AxelfoleyTheGreat 2 роки тому +5

    Hey thanks for playing my song. Much appreciated.

  • @hajirizayev7374
    @hajirizayev7374 3 роки тому +576

    When "thriller" stopped, my mind kept the rhythm on.

    • @coachhannah2403
      @coachhannah2403 3 роки тому +6

      That's an ear worm. Different.

    • @WayJilliamRohnson
      @WayJilliamRohnson 3 роки тому +12

      When that bassline hits!! What a masterpiece

    • @josephbastidas3561
      @josephbastidas3561 3 роки тому +12

      I was honestly expecting him to continue and play the baseline too lol

    • @HaharuRecords
      @HaharuRecords 3 роки тому +1

      @@josephbastidas3561 Hahah yeah😂

    • @bavackyantho5485
      @bavackyantho5485 3 роки тому

      I'm glad it's over, so that I get to listen to Final Countdown, Take on me, Saving a prayer, Axel F & Jump

  • @VeronicaMcCarrison
    @VeronicaMcCarrison 3 роки тому +805

    The synthesiser was the King of the 80's music genre when you hear those sounds you always think of the music of the 80's

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  3 роки тому +39

      Yes, it was. ;-)

    • @geonauto
      @geonauto 3 роки тому +31

      This year has been reborn of synth,have a look to pop music

    • @MacetazzOpina
      @MacetazzOpina 3 роки тому +19

      most of the music you listen to in the radio: pop, hip hop etc is done entirely by synths, they are just not the famous cheap japanese polysynths and digital fm synths people used in the 80s because they were the first affordable to any musician, most synths we hear now are completely digital in computers

    • @fakshen1973
      @fakshen1973 3 роки тому +12

      The early 1980's was truly the era of the AFFORDABLE synthesizer. It wasn't so much king but the 80's were awash in people trying to push the envelope.

    • @curtisthomas2670
      @curtisthomas2670 3 роки тому +17

      But those cheap/affordable synths made such lovely, distinct and memorable sounds

  • @nickhaynie5980
    @nickhaynie5980 2 роки тому +9

    "I wear my sunglasses at night " has a very memorable riff.

  • @michaeljneal
    @michaeljneal 2 роки тому +11

    This brought back some fond memories. I also had a DW-8000 back in my playing days. Paired with my drum machine and sequencer, I made full albums of music. What a wonderful time that was.

  • @sapphire962
    @sapphire962 3 роки тому +799

    The 80s had the most iconic movie intros. Narrator starts to tell the story while a synth plays in the background. Camera glances at the white hightops in motion and follows a big head of frizzy hair and they glide outside and hop onto their bike, ready to sail the summer air

    • @gajol3257
      @gajol3257 3 роки тому

      Im searching for this song i think! It starts with the same 3 (maybe) fast-playing synth notes. Hard to explain haha, but please help if you know the name

    • @gajol3257
      @gajol3257 3 роки тому

      The song that is used in a lot of 2000's american movies. And its either an intro or outro song, that slowly becomes higher as the narrator speaks

    • @Ismael-kc3ry
      @Ismael-kc3ry 2 роки тому +1

      Lmfao I can picture it so easily

    • @vmega44
      @vmega44 2 роки тому

      @@gajol3257 who's in the movie

    • @gajol3257
      @gajol3257 2 роки тому +7

      @@vmega44 Thanks for trying to help, but I found the song! :D
      Its called "Baba O'Riley" by The Who

  • @ChuckyDoll79
    @ChuckyDoll79 3 роки тому +88

    Visage - Fade to Grey
    New Order - Blue Monday
    Donna Summer - I Feel Love
    Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence
    Robert Miles - Children
    Darude - Sandstorm
    Eurytmics - Sweet Dreams
    Massive Attack - Angel
    Just to name a few.

  • @Gibretep
    @Gibretep 2 роки тому +31

    Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene part 2 and 4. Gary numan - Cars, Are friends Electric, Complex. Kraftwerk - the model, Star Was - the original 1977 theme track, Visage - Fade to Gray, Ultravox - Veinna, OMD - Maid of Orleanes and Joan of arc, Japan - Ghosts, Heaven 17 - Quiet Life, temptation and that's just off the top of my head.

    • @1922Skidoo
      @1922Skidoo 2 роки тому

      My favorite “ The March to the eternal city “ by Triumvirat

    • @peffken8834
      @peffken8834 2 роки тому

      And so on.... there are so many concise lines.

    • @sn1ffy85
      @sn1ffy85 2 місяці тому

      Japan is Quiet Life.

  • @schrodingerscat1863
    @schrodingerscat1863 2 роки тому +21

    I'm kind of surprised 'Donna Summer - I Feel Love' isn't in this list, that sound was so far ahead of it's time in the 70's it kickstarted the whole synth pop scene which spanned the 80's.

    • @michaelmanus7765
      @michaelmanus7765 Рік тому +5

      There are quite a few like that were well done synth pieces not mentioned here.

    • @rachelar
      @rachelar 9 місяців тому +1

      That's more a groove than a riff

  • @d.s.6268
    @d.s.6268 4 роки тому +1105

    Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams" has to be on this list.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 роки тому +136

      Didn't you watch my "10 Iconic Synth Bass Lines" video? ;-)

    • @xaviercrepin2930
      @xaviercrepin2930 4 роки тому +33

      Depeche Mode and Gary Numan are missing in the list, probably they created so many good synth riffs they should have been included in a Top 100 list at least!

    • @PBNY100
      @PBNY100 4 роки тому +1

      @@EspenKraft No. Where is it? I want to see it.

    • @PBNY100
      @PBNY100 4 роки тому +3

      @@xaviercrepin2930 I loved Gary Numan and Tubeway Army. They may have created too many synth riffs to be singled out.

    • @PBNY100
      @PBNY100 4 роки тому

      @@EspenKraft Did it have the intro for MJ's "Beat It?"

  • @StahpShop
    @StahpShop 4 роки тому +1966

    Me: time to go to bed
    UA-cam: wanna see a guy play the synth?
    Me: well.. I should go to bed.. *clicks video*

    • @rob_odd
      @rob_odd 4 роки тому +4

      I feel you! :D It's 01:48 and I got to get up at 7:30.^^

    • @ProducersVault
      @ProducersVault 4 роки тому +4

      Nice demo, strange timing on Jump though

    • @sinking1902
      @sinking1902 4 роки тому

      100% this. Now I want to buy some keys.

    • @johnbishop5316
      @johnbishop5316 4 роки тому

      @@ProducersVault Stopped to sip his Horlicks. Nearly bedtime.

    • @p-aluneau5136
      @p-aluneau5136 4 роки тому +1

      Literally me.

  • @blandrooker6541
    @blandrooker6541 9 місяців тому +10

    So many to consider, so many left out that were awe inspiring but not really distributed outside of Europe. The one track that rocked my world and changed my entire musical paradigm in 1980 was Gary Numan's "Cars". Opened up the entire world for me. Human League's "Love Action", OMD's "Messages", Dolby's "One Of Our Submarines", Yazoo's "Dont' Go" and "Situation", the running synth line of Pet Shop Boys "Westend Girls", Depeche Mode's "Strange Love", New Order's "Blue Monday", M's "Pop Music", Afrika Bambaata's "Planet Rock" even though it sampled Kraftwerk heavily. So much of the 80s was just ground breaking, and so much of it came from the UK at a time when "the future" had an entirely different vibe.

  • @PuppetMasterID2501
    @PuppetMasterID2501 2 роки тому +1

    Congratulations Man , you did my day ! Thank you so much to you ! I appreciate :D

  • @silverstar2835
    @silverstar2835 4 роки тому +283

    Mike Oldfield - Tubular bells
    Vangelis Papathanasiou - Alpha
    Alan Parsons Project - Lucifer
    Alphaville - Big in Japan
    New Order - Blue Monday
    Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence (basically almost everything from Depeche Mode)
    Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Electricity

    Kraftwerk - anything...you name it
    Yazoo - Don't Go
    Bronski Beat (jimmy Sommerville) - Smalltown Boy
    Jean Michel Jarre - Equinoxe 4, Oxygene 4, Magnetic Fields 2
    Falco - Rock Me Amadeus
    A-ha - Take on me
    Tears For Fears - Change
    Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
    Axel F. - Beverly Hills Cop Theme Song

    • @dromeus21
      @dromeus21 4 роки тому +13

      There are more Popcorn, the Chase (moroder), the theme from Terminator...

    • @Lovetrain-io6kt
      @Lovetrain-io6kt 3 роки тому +12

      Shout tears for fears?!

    • @wolfgang4468
      @wolfgang4468 3 роки тому +1

      Too many Alphas.

    • @vendingdudes
      @vendingdudes 3 роки тому +2

      What a superb list in its own right

    • @lilo5437
      @lilo5437 3 роки тому +5

      New Order, Kraftwerk and Falco ❤️❤️❤️

  • @oddities-whatnot
    @oddities-whatnot 4 роки тому +344

    The “Jump” synth part is extremely authentic to the original sound. Also, when a lot of people play this, they usually get the last chord wrong in the sequence. Subtle, but always the wrong notes. This guy got it right.

    • @synthdadmusic3388
      @synthdadmusic3388 3 роки тому +2

      My favourite cover to play, nothing beats this to wake up an audience!

    • @danielhohenberg3840
      @danielhohenberg3840 3 роки тому +27

      Weak playing rythm wise though

    • @johnbishop5316
      @johnbishop5316 3 роки тому +38

      Completely wrong timing.

    • @st0rmchild
      @st0rmchild 3 роки тому +29

      Lots of people get the chords right. Most people don’t screw up the rhythm like this.

    • @TheWarriorSongProject
      @TheWarriorSongProject 3 роки тому +4

      @@johnbishop5316 he probably just hesitated trying to remember the riff. I don't think it was bad timing, considering his other demos...

  • @cjimcook
    @cjimcook 2 роки тому +7

    THE synth riff is any performance from "Switched-On Bach" (1968) by W. Carlos. The first classical album to go platinum, the major synth album, and the first to win several Grammy awards. Her succeeding albums each moved the needle, incidentally opening up at least four other synth-related genres.

  • @ytpremium7649
    @ytpremium7649 2 роки тому +6

    And he did on one of the world’s most underrated yet most amazing and warmest synth EVER - the mighty KORG DW8000

  • @kingle1944
    @kingle1944 4 роки тому +77

    My god the synthesizer is such a sexy sounding instrument

    • @reactions5783
      @reactions5783 3 роки тому

      Not the way this joker is bludgeoning it, it isn't.

  • @EvgeniyBerlin
    @EvgeniyBerlin 4 роки тому +147

    Thriller chords are absolutely stunning

    • @synthdadmusic3388
      @synthdadmusic3388 3 роки тому +2

      Probably Quincy Jones wrote them, guys a genius. Check out his Netflix doco. Amazing

    • @st0rmchild
      @st0rmchild 3 роки тому +3

      Quincy’s a genius, but Thriller was written by Rod Temperton, and the synth part was most likely played by Greg Phillinganes.

    • @edwardjamyangmacarchick1847
      @edwardjamyangmacarchick1847 3 роки тому

      @@st0rmchild LOL, you beat me to it! Wikipedia has the personnel listed and Jackson basically did vocals and that's it. After Jackson split from Quincy Jones I think his song quality dropped incredibly, and he usually had several writers/co-writers on most of the singles.

    • @st0rmchild
      @st0rmchild 3 роки тому

      @@edwardjamyangmacarchick1847 Agree 100%. Quincy was the cornerstone of MJ's golden era.

    • @ricomajestic
      @ricomajestic 3 роки тому

      @@st0rmchild He didn't write any of the songs though. He was able to find great songwriters and musicians though like the guys from toto and MJ was a great singer and songwriter too!

  • @RetroReminiscing
    @RetroReminiscing 2 роки тому +4

    The save a prayer intro always gives me goosebumps...fantastic classic intro, love your upload, Sonique

    • @user-ms6rf3cn5v
      @user-ms6rf3cn5v 2 місяці тому

      I was not a fan of Duran Duran back at that time and "Save a player" was not their gratest hit, but it was the song when I startet to like Duran Duran. Also one of the most underratet bands from the 80s.

  • @mikk01975
    @mikk01975 2 роки тому +5

    For me, any list of ultimate synt riffs isn't complete without Faithless' Insomnia. So simple, yet so powerful.

  • @trevormoffat4054
    @trevormoffat4054 4 роки тому +87

    “Crockett’s Theme” - Jan Hammer
    “Closer” - Nine Inch Nails
    “Africa” - Toto
    Also the synth solo from “Rosanna” totally kicks arse.

    • @lonnieappleby6242
      @lonnieappleby6242 4 роки тому +1

      Trevor Moffat OHHHH! I MUST listen to Closer now!

    • @1953beetle
      @1953beetle 4 роки тому +2

      Closer without a doubt.

    • @madmax2069
      @madmax2069 4 роки тому

      Jan hammer is epic. My favorite Jan hammer music mainly comes from an old VCR tape Calle beyond the mind's eye. Favorite song is from that tape is voyage home

    • @XnazxulX
      @XnazxulX 4 роки тому

      madmax2069 beyond the minds eye omg I completely forgot about that video. Yes that is some of his most experimental and best work if I remember right

  • @oldschoolebm666
    @oldschoolebm666 4 роки тому +64

    Tears for fears - everybody wants to rule the world - bass /synth intro.
    Camouflage - the great commandment

  • @steelfalconx2000
    @steelfalconx2000 2 роки тому +3

    As soon as I saw the title I knew Axel F would be on here. I didn't know what it was called but it's such an iconic 80s sound and it's so badass.

  • @dholmlund
    @dholmlund 2 роки тому +1

    Great video!! You played them all real good!! :D All those riffs sure shook my world! :)

  • @damianosavraammisaelidis9727
    @damianosavraammisaelidis9727 3 роки тому +132

    Depeche Mode "I just can't get enough", Yazzo "Only you" and Erasure "Respect" just to name a few.

    • @verdielg
      @verdielg 3 роки тому +1

      depeche album cover throwing up the 666 illuminati hand sign...never noticed that until now

    • @johnmc3862
      @johnmc3862 3 роки тому +1

      Good call!

    • @humanchannel7825
      @humanchannel7825 3 роки тому +4

      OMD enola gay

    • @tulleuchen
      @tulleuchen 2 роки тому +3

      New Order and Human League should be in there as well.

    • @TheEudaemonicPlague
      @TheEudaemonicPlague 2 роки тому

      @@humanchannel7825 I was just listening to that yesterday, off the URGH! A Music War album, which is a collection of live recordings by a variety of bands. The video that goes with it is awesome.

  • @SuperAnatolli
    @SuperAnatolli 4 роки тому +143

    Depeche Mode - Just can't get enough |===| OMD - Enola Gay.

    • @mansenmias
      @mansenmias 4 роки тому +5

      I hate 'Just can't get enough' and its lousy riff but love 'Enola gay' and it's my first choice to replace Bach and The Doors that had no synthetizer available, so not synth riffs really. And everything about The Doors is overrated anyway… :/

    • @FrankHarwald
      @FrankHarwald 4 роки тому +3

      Trans-X - LIving on Video

    • @jjerg
      @jjerg 4 роки тому +2

      My fav Depeche Mode synth riff is "Never Let Me Down Again'

    • @u2bst1nks
      @u2bst1nks 4 роки тому +5

      Any list of synth riffs that doesn't include a Vince Clarke riff is incomplete.

  • @henrikrolfsen584
    @henrikrolfsen584 7 місяців тому +2

    Life can have but one reason for it's existence: To create, and seek out beauty. Without this force for life, nothing could have any lasting worth.

  • @randydogs61
    @randydogs61 2 роки тому +7

    She Blinded me with Science by Thomas Dolby was one that stuck in my head in the 80s.

  • @Kenoi_
    @Kenoi_ 4 роки тому +92

    Journey: separate ways. One of my favorite synth riffs

    • @chaddionne2605
      @chaddionne2605 4 роки тому

      So true, one of the first I tought of !

    • @jasonkilley
      @jasonkilley 4 роки тому +2

      I see you’re a man of culture as well...

  • @ultreya6709
    @ultreya6709 4 роки тому +105

    Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These, a-ha - The Sun Always Shines On T.V my two all time favorits :)

    • @nielssteffenssen8852
      @nielssteffenssen8852 2 роки тому

      The Sun Always Shines On TV is fantastic, that intro wow. My favorite too.

    • @axywrll6015
      @axywrll6015 2 роки тому +1

      do yoi mean faborites?

  • @Octovisuals
    @Octovisuals 2 роки тому +16

    I love synths... Everything from Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Jean Michel Jarre and many more should also be on the list. Thank you!

    • @onyx747
      @onyx747 4 місяці тому

      I LOVE KRAFTWERK :D

  • @kpec3
    @kpec3 2 роки тому +8

    My favorite synth riffs are: Touch & Go - Emerson, Lake, Palmer
    Feels So Good - Van Halen
    She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby

    • @kathyratino962
      @kathyratino962 2 роки тому +1

      Touch and Go! Outstanding.

    • @kpec3
      @kpec3 2 роки тому +1

      @@kathyratino962 Yeah, so apropos for keyboard...

  • @MaxZorin8
    @MaxZorin8 4 роки тому +32

    "Big Sleep" Simple Minds, "Ashes to Ashes" David Bowie, "Africa" Toto, "It's a Sin" Pet Shop Boys, "Little Lies" Fleetwood Mac, "Metal", "Cars" & "Are Friends Electric" Gary Numan...
    (And my favorite song ever is "Save a Prayer")

  • @GVike
    @GVike 3 роки тому +54

    Dio, "Rainbow In The Dark"
    OMD, "Enola Gay"
    Rush, "Subdivisions"

  • @HiEnergyMusic
    @HiEnergyMusic 2 роки тому

    These are some outstanding riffs, well presented. Thanks! *Thumbs up*

  • @westernsect5773
    @westernsect5773 Рік тому +8

    Being a teenager in the 1980's (83 in fact) I got into Depeche Mode and it was seeing Alan Wilder behind his synths at the Glasgow Construction Time Again Tour that I got into synths. I had been a big fan of Gary Numan's first four albums. It made me and still does appreciate the older synths of the time ..Depeche, Yazoo, Bronski Beat, Soft Cell.. All that crowd.. Got a few synths as well as a few 80's relics.. Roland U-110, Yamaha cs01 and a very rare Korg SQ8 which works brilliantly with the U-110

    • @sorinpirtea2306
      @sorinpirtea2306 Рік тому

      When Vince Clarke left Depeche Mode (after their first album, Speak & Spell, back in 1981), he took away with him some synths used for the tracks of the album, especially electronic drums. That explained why Depeche Mode and Yazoo sound similar related to drums.

    • @westernsect5773
      @westernsect5773 11 місяців тому

      @@sorinpirtea2306 When Yazoo reformed in 2008..The sound was sparse but brilliant... I'd seen Erasure a few times but that doesn't compare to the sound of Yazoo .. (I know same guy)

    • @paulchang3336
      @paulchang3336 8 місяців тому +1

      Alan Wilder was key player in all those DM 80s sounds ..genius

  • @Ashes2Ashes_Blush2Blush
    @Ashes2Ashes_Blush2Blush 3 роки тому +63

    I can't stop replaying the Thriller.
    Michael Jackson was a genius.
    Ugh
    RIP

    • @PJ....
      @PJ.... 2 роки тому +5

      @@mattiwigstrom1668 Q, Rod, Bruce & MJ ... Dream Team for Sure ...

    • @ms.annthrope415
      @ms.annthrope415 2 роки тому +2

      Quincy Jones did everything except put on a white glove and reach down some little boys pants.
      What does JC Penneys and Michael Jackson have in common? They both have little boys underwear half off.

    • @ChromaticHarp
      @ChromaticHarp Рік тому +3

      MJ didn’t write Thriller.
      Rod Temperton did.

    • @meramail
      @meramail Рік тому

      But when various artists over decades do one of (if not THE) best work of their lives when collaborating with the same artist, there must be something about that artist..

    • @tomjaasko6878
      @tomjaasko6878 Рік тому

      MJ didn’t write it

  • @alexwells5974
    @alexwells5974 4 роки тому +32

    Yahoo: "Only You;" Kraftwerk: "The Model;" Rush: "Subdivisions;" Led Zeppelin: "All of My Love"

    • @despota2
      @despota2 4 роки тому +3

      Yazoo my friend.

  • @thenewalex
    @thenewalex Рік тому +3

    a decade of great sounds, music and memories

  • @esmith2112
    @esmith2112 4 місяці тому +1

    Just stumbled across this video. Nicely curated list! Also nice job on showcasing the Korg DW800. It was my main axe for my bands during the 80s and 90s. A very versatile keyboard!

  • @rick_terscale1111
    @rick_terscale1111 4 роки тому +25

    OMD and Depeche Mode and a number of early 80's New Wave synth bands had all the most amazing synth riffs.

  • @travisfoster8193
    @travisfoster8193 4 роки тому +58

    Journey's "Separate Ways"

    • @lordofrims
      @lordofrims 4 роки тому +10

      That one gave me the feels when watching Tron: Legacy's scene when the lights on Flynn's arcade light on.

  • @apolinariocondorcanqui6166
    @apolinariocondorcanqui6166 Місяць тому

    You inspire me, ando thanks a lot

  • @tonypet1518
    @tonypet1518 2 роки тому

    Excellent thanks and thanks again 👍. I love electronic synth sound, it sounds magical to me. Transports me to a different places as all music does.

  • @wentzr
    @wentzr 4 роки тому +26

    “Sirius” the Alan Parsons Project shook all of Chicagoland through the nineties... I still get goosebumps when I hear that song.

    • @iphonemodDOTcom
      @iphonemodDOTcom 4 роки тому +2

      Editions of you,Roxy music's for your pleasure.Brian eno on synthesizer sounds pretty good to me.

    • @KB1UIF
      @KB1UIF 4 роки тому

      Eye in the sky, Alan Parsons.

    • @blown22
      @blown22 4 роки тому +1

      @@KB1UIF Sirius is probably what you're thinking of. It's the synth lead-in to Eye in the Sky.

    • @seth5394
      @seth5394 4 роки тому

      the sun in your eyes made some of the lies worth believing

  • @chogamer117
    @chogamer117 3 роки тому +424

    I wish I grew up in the 80’s. I wish I was able to experience the pop culture first hand. I always think of the 80’s as nostalgic even though I was born in 2002.

    • @johnbishop5316
      @johnbishop5316 3 роки тому +18

      80s?? The 60s was it. Pop music was created in the 60s.

    • @chogamer117
      @chogamer117 3 роки тому +22

      John Bishop I meant the pop culture. You know like movies, games, music. All that stuff.

    • @johnbishop5316
      @johnbishop5316 3 роки тому +8

      @@chogamer117 Hi Cho. I get you, the 80s were good. I was still playing music in that era. But the 60s was best for the music. It was all new.

    • @chogamer117
      @chogamer117 3 роки тому

      John Bishop I look into the music from the 60’s. Maybe I’ll like it more than the 80’s.

    • @johnbishop5316
      @johnbishop5316 3 роки тому +6

      @@chogamer117 Yes, do. It just kept getting better. Beatles, Stone, Kinks, etc etc. The 60s started in 1963 and went on until about 1974, musically speaking.

  • @therealsammyvee888
    @therealsammyvee888 Рік тому +10

    Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics is another great one. Don't Go by Yazoo is also good. And I love Just Can't Get Enough by Depeche Mode.

  • @dsgarland
    @dsgarland 2 роки тому +1

    This is one of the best videos on UA-cam and yes, the Fletch theme is spectacular.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  2 роки тому

      Thanks! I play the Fletch theme in another video. ;-)

  • @wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522
    @wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522 3 роки тому +24

    Alan Parsons Project: Mammagamma
    Alan Parsons Project: Dammed If I Do
    Queen: Football Fight
    Falco: Rock Me Amadeus
    ELP: Fanfare Of The Common ManRobert Miles: Children
    ABBA: Lay All Your Love On Me
    ABBA: The Winner Takes It All
    Bon Jovi: Runaway
    Pet Shop Boys: It´s A Sin
    Dead Or Alive: You Spin Me Right Round
    Alphaville: Sounds Like A Melody
    Nena: 99 Luftballons
    Murray Head: One Night In Bangkok
    Ray P. Jr: Ghostbusters
    Corey Hart: Sunglasses At Night
    Eurythmics: Sweet Drerams
    Journey: Don´t Stop Believin´
    Deep Purple: Perfect Strangers
    Dire Straits: Walk Of Life
    Visage: Fade To Grey
    Enola Gay: Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark
    ...

    • @nerdysuzcategui3811
      @nerdysuzcategui3811 3 роки тому

      Cheers for this, I've been looking for "how to do chords on piano" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Nonason Ranincoln Genie - (should be on google have a look )?
      It is a great one of a kind product for discovering how to play the piano like a pro without the hard work. Ive heard some incredible things about it and my friend got excellent results with it.

    • @ikklepip
      @ikklepip 3 роки тому

      Just listened to that Alphaville track for the first time and instantly recognised as it was sampled on U got 2 let the music by Capella. Never knew it was a sample. Cheers!

  • @estebanmasone6186
    @estebanmasone6186 4 роки тому +23

    4:58. Bach was born in 1685…so he wrote "toccatta & fugue" when he was approximately 20 years old?
    Jaw dropped

    • @rossmoir7360
      @rossmoir7360 3 роки тому +1

      Wasnt game to play the triplets !

    • @chrisclarke4295
      @chrisclarke4295 3 роки тому +1

      Mike Oldfield recorded Tubular Bells at 19

  • @SelimReza-iw4pr
    @SelimReza-iw4pr 2 роки тому +2

    That's what I have been looking for a long time.......Thank you Sir.

  • @johnblythe6453
    @johnblythe6453 2 роки тому +2

    Really exiting video trying to get to grips with some of these wonderful riffs as for Toccata it has done "my head in for years" with its splender and power .

  • @RayyMusik
    @RayyMusik 4 роки тому +248

    Johann Sebastian Bach, the master of additive synthesis! ;)

    • @DarkSideofSynth
      @DarkSideofSynth 4 роки тому +18

      The master of all masters ;)

    • @robinsss
      @robinsss 4 роки тому +4

      the only person shook by the synth on Thriller was some guy sitting on the speaker in the studio

    • @awaken77
      @awaken77 4 роки тому +17

      Wendy Carlos recorded "Switched on Bach" on the Moog synthesizer. At this time synthesizers were a novelty, and the record was big step forward to the synth revolution. So, Bach contributed to the rise of synthesizer music

    • @macronencer
      @macronencer 4 роки тому +1

      I've always maintained that JSB was one of the first jazz musicians. I mean... he used SEVENTH chords!

  • @maxpowers3494
    @maxpowers3494 4 роки тому +5

    Axel F will forever be the purest example of my first experience with electronic music.

  • @alaindion2326
    @alaindion2326 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks! Great famous selection! 😊

  • @atomant25gtadams26
    @atomant25gtadams26 Рік тому +1

    I’ve been searching for the name of “New Song” for years. I’ve tried popular synth songs from 80s and many more. Thank you so much!!!!

  • @80too23
    @80too23 4 роки тому +16

    Another great video Espen. Some tunes from the top of my head:
    Gary Numan: Are friends electric?
    Visage: fade to grey
    Howard Jones: Hide and Seek
    Vangelis: Chung Kuo
    A-ha: The sun always shines on TV

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 роки тому +1

      Thanks! great choices there :)

    • @robinsss
      @robinsss 4 роки тому

      the only person shook by the synth on Thriller was some guy sitting on the speaker in the studio

  • @leetronix
    @leetronix 4 роки тому +10

    Good choices here are a few of mine:
    OMD - Enola Gay
    Dr Who - any version
    Buggles - Video killed the radio star
    Depeche Mode - Just cant get enough
    Magnificent Seven - original western theme
    Toto - Africa
    ABBA - SOS & Dancing queen, Chiqitita
    Meatloaf - Bat out of hell
    And so many more 😀

    • @pcuimac
      @pcuimac 4 роки тому

      I like every other song on the Buggles LP better than the hit single. f.e. Plastic Age, etc.

  • @davejohnson5479
    @davejohnson5479 Рік тому

    Great video! Nothing beats old analog synths or an air drive pipe organ. Great choices sir.

  • @edaustin2682
    @edaustin2682 2 роки тому

    Great choices and well played!

  • @Sledgefist1
    @Sledgefist1 3 роки тому +14

    Dude you are a badass for being the old synth style back. I can’t get enough of it!

  • @theearthling5865
    @theearthling5865 3 роки тому +188

    Perhaps honorable mention, Africa by Toto.

    • @oranges866
      @oranges866 3 роки тому +4

      i think it was more like a regular keyboard sound than a synth

    • @1970piano
      @1970piano 3 роки тому +10

      No, it is a typical synth brass sound, Steve Porcaro played it on a Yamaha CS80 Synth.

    • @scottcupp8129
      @scottcupp8129 3 роки тому

      @@oranges866 Wrong

    • @oranges866
      @oranges866 3 роки тому +1

      @@scottcupp8129 then was it a kalimba or something?

    • @theearthling5865
      @theearthling5865 3 роки тому +1

      @@oranges866 It's a typical brass sound on a Yamaha CS80 Synth.

  • @Jehudi
    @Jehudi 2 роки тому +1

    As I'm a younger synth enthousiast,
    here are a few riffs/intro's/... that really bring out the best of a synthesizer for me:
    Timecop1983 - City Lights - lead
    Tycho - L - Lead
    Nils Frahm - Says - Arp
    Lorn - Negative Jumpsuit - Lead
    Olafur Arnalds - Near Light - Outro
    Jon Hopkins - Emerald Rush - Rythmic Bass/Lead
    Daft Punk - Veridis Quo - Lead
    Minilogue - The leopard (Extrawelt Remix) - Everything. This remains my favourite track to this day
    Rival Consoles - Untravel - Lead
    DJ Tiesto - Adagio For Strings - Lead
    Vaal - Seahnak - Lead
    DJ Metatron - State Of Me - Lead
    Adriatique - Voices From The Dawn - Lead
    Trentemoller - Miss You - Melody+Lead
    Aphex Twin - Rhubarb - Melody
    Baal - Lumen - Arp Interlude
    Microtrauma - Solitone - Lead
    Traumer - Nahyr - Lead
    Oxia - Domino - Lead
    Olafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm - Four - Arp
    Todd Terje - Inspector Norse - Lead/Melody
    Recondite - Warg - Lead
    Victor Ruiz - Interstellar - Arp
    Mathew Jonson - Marionette - Arp
    Enjoy,
    I also like my own song Jehudi - Valkyrie - break - arp

  • @mcentertain
    @mcentertain Рік тому +1

    The rest is very impressive although I don´t know this korg synth and how you did the programming but the idea behind your video and learning these riffs are value enough to watch this video again! I like what you said in the end and also your accent is charming, must be some scanadinavian type :D It is always good to be yourself ;) haha cheers and Happy Easter!

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  Рік тому

      Thanks! I'm from Norway yes. ;-)

    • @mcentertain
      @mcentertain Рік тому

      @@EspenKraft And do they teach you subtractive synthesis in elementary school or why are you so good at this stuff? :-) Is it the poly 800 mk2 from korg you play most of the riffs on?

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  Рік тому +1

      I play the Korg DW-8000 from 1985. I've been a pro musician since the late 80s. ;-)

  • @terrytsianos8939
    @terrytsianos8939 4 роки тому +10

    John Carpenter's theme to Halloween is one of those riffs that stuck with me for ever.

  • @lamacchinadeltempo5737
    @lamacchinadeltempo5737 4 місяці тому +2

    Sounds Good! 🏆👌

  • @baevnik
    @baevnik 2 роки тому

    Thanks a lot! Beautiful!

  • @chadellis7070
    @chadellis7070 4 роки тому +115

    This list is incomplete without the riff from Just Can’t Get Enough - Depeche Mode

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 роки тому +13

      The list is not incomplete, but I get you want DM on there. ;-)

    • @sudoreboot
      @sudoreboot 4 роки тому +3

      I also was thinking about this riff but it was early DM sound and they go much more darker in next albums, but yes the riff is epic

    • @kazokazo172
      @kazokazo172 3 роки тому

      i agree specially duran duran mean nothing to me didnt sound good too for me.several other famous 80's songs from can be added.well at least its added doors which most people ignore them

    • @MrRadiorobot
      @MrRadiorobot 3 роки тому +1

      Yazoo 'don't go'

  • @viper9x
    @viper9x 4 роки тому +19

    For me, two honourable mentions Yazoo - Don't Go and Depeche Mode - New Life, two songs i really love to play.

  • @jazzydiver4519
    @jazzydiver4519 11 місяців тому

    Woo hoo! Got excited when I saw the "buggles" album on your back wall!! Love them!

  • @Endeavor545
    @Endeavor545 2 роки тому +1

    Wow, some of those took me soul back a little!

  • @happysoul941
    @happysoul941 4 роки тому +10

    Thank you so much for this.
    The first one gave me goosebumps! Michael was a legend. This was an immortal creation of Rod Temperton, Quincy Jones, Vincent Price et el. If someday an asteroid hits the earth, and all living beings are gone, I wish nature to recreate this song for future visitors till the end of the time.
    Axel F, another classic, rates very high in my books.

  • @busch028
    @busch028 4 роки тому +8

    New Order - Blue Monday (bass?)
    Vangelis - Blade Runner Opening Credits
    Rush - Tom Sawyer
    Yaz - Situation
    Yaz - Don’t Go
    Bronski Beat - Small Town Boy
    Pink Floyd - On The Run
    Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
    Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
    Journey - Separate Ways

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 роки тому

      Many good one there :)

    • @hitkid2456
      @hitkid2456 4 роки тому

      Yea, that's the Journey one I'd go with!

    • @caterpillarcurt9870
      @caterpillarcurt9870 4 роки тому

      Tom Sawyer is pretty kickass. I'm not sure how to feel about Safety Dance.

  • @36TRecords
    @36TRecords 2 роки тому +5

    Love all of your content Espen. I noticed you cheer for the same MLB team, the infamous Toronto Blue Jays.
    I just bought a mint shape Korg Trinity V3 Pro today, to add to my studio. It will be in my Korg area (Poly 6, M1, N-364, Electribe E-A1 & E-M1, Kronos).
    Keep up the amazing work Espen. I hope that You, Your Family & Friends are all doing well, staying safe & healthy.
    Cheers & Heavy Respect,
    STEPHEN W
    Kelowna BC 🇨🇦

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  2 роки тому +1

      Many thanks Stephen! All good here. :)
      I won't say I cheer for the Blue Jays more than any other team. I just love baseball. I'm from Norway and baseball is very little known, but I've always taken to the sport and I watch as much as I can on TV during the season. I have fans of the channel that knows this and they send me hats and I wear them in my videos. That's why you often will see me wear hats from another team too. ;-)

  • @simonbullimore1807
    @simonbullimore1807 2 роки тому +2

    Loved the Bach riff... Thanks for sharing.

  • @Nicolas.S
    @Nicolas.S 4 роки тому +49

    Very nice, but I miss Yazoo; Don't go, Nobody's diary, Situation. Bronski Beat; Small town boy and Why.

    • @EspenKraft
      @EspenKraft  4 роки тому +3

      Good choices :)

    • @gruponemesis
      @gruponemesis 4 роки тому +4

      excellent choices

    • @AndyVonal
      @AndyVonal 4 роки тому +4

      Agree with all... Love Smalltown Boy. it still makes me cry today.

    • @synthman66
      @synthman66 4 роки тому +2

      Nicolas Sørbrøden exactly! Vince Clarke’s intro on Don’t Go still reaches to my core 35 years later!

    • @robinsss
      @robinsss 4 роки тому

      the only person shook by the synth on Thriller was some guy sitting on the speaker in the studio

  • @Sinagorge
    @Sinagorge 4 роки тому +13

    The Album that shook my world and introduced me to electronic music was Oxygène by French composer Jean-Michel Jarre. Not only that Album has one of the coolest sleeve arts, the first song (Part 1) simply blew me away when I heard it the first time when I was 11 years old.

    • @IngeBall
      @IngeBall 4 роки тому

      Same here. Heard it in school under a class with some invited hippiedude that made us lie on the floor and "unleash our fantasy".
      Cool thing, my older sister got the record as a gift from her boyfriend about a month after. She hated it and was about to throw it away .
      I felt like a winner!

  • @spacehoppermark6161
    @spacehoppermark6161 2 роки тому +4

    Axel F... Couldn't believe my ears when that first came out. AmAzinG..... Jump, classic synth riff for sure! Doors had quite a few unforgettable riffs... Toccata, dam... SKY's version is my memory

  • @jainalabdin4923
    @jainalabdin4923 4 роки тому +8

    1} Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill.
    2} Boy Meets Girl - Waiting for a Star to Fall.
    3} Falco - Rock Me Amadeus.

  • @Seeattle
    @Seeattle 4 роки тому +87

    I’ve just come down with a bad case of the 80s

    • @meh5812
      @meh5812 4 роки тому

      oh shit me too it must be common

    • @vendingdudes
      @vendingdudes 4 роки тому +1

      There is no cure, nor is there a need for one

    • @sismeo1
      @sismeo1 4 роки тому

      Contagious disease

  • @QFXmusic
    @QFXmusic 2 роки тому

    Thanks for this great video 🙂

  • @l0riz624
    @l0riz624 2 роки тому +1

    gosh! this synth is so warm, it makes me wanna wear Suncream!! good Job Espen Kraft!

  • @deadmandancin
    @deadmandancin 4 роки тому +6

    Some of my favourite synth riffs/melodies in no specific order:
    Level 42 - Running In The Family
    Stevie Wonder - Living For The City
    Giorgio Moroder - Chase
    John Carpenter - Assault On Precinct 13
    Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover

  • @jeffbatdorf
    @jeffbatdorf 3 роки тому +31

    I would add Journey's opening to Separate Ways. Also, Only Time Will Tell by Asia. So influential to me playing piano in high school.

    • @1922Skidoo
      @1922Skidoo 2 роки тому +1

      Triumvirat -“ March to the eternal city” is an awesome synth 🎶

    • @Lykapodium
      @Lykapodium 2 роки тому +2

      I was glad to see someone else talk about Asia... This should be on the list.

    • @CarolJSEngle
      @CarolJSEngle 10 місяців тому

      Totally - the Separate Ways intro!! Great thought, sir! Mr. Kraft, would you do us the honor of a PART 2, please?

    • @bobcastro3220
      @bobcastro3220 8 місяців тому

      definitly sepperate ways for sure.

    • @noelberman2545
      @noelberman2545 4 місяці тому

      I programmed that sound on my Kawai 5000W. Iconic indeed.@@CarolJSEngle

  • @fav76gaming
    @fav76gaming Рік тому +1

    I love synths! For whatever reason synths just get me going, even though guitar is my main, I just have so much fun with synths. The tone on Jump is almost exactly like the oberheim, crazy!!!

  • @AhmedAli-zc3mk
    @AhmedAli-zc3mk 7 місяців тому +1

    Such great work man!!

  • @TrainmasterCurt
    @TrainmasterCurt 4 роки тому +15

    Nik Kershaw - Wouldn’t It Be Good (1984)

  • @JLaDrew
    @JLaDrew 4 роки тому +28

    List of Riff that inspired me,
    10 ten riffs
    1.Gary newman cars
    2. Soft Cell - Tainted Love
    3.Yaz - Dont Go
    4.Yaz Situation
    5.Depeche mode - Enjoy the Silence
    6.New order - Bizarre Love Tri angel
    7. Alphaville - Sounds Like Melody
    8. Trans -X = Living on Video
    9. Human League - Dont you want me.
    10. Freestyle - Don't Stop the Rock

    • @alansaunders7140
      @alansaunders7140 4 роки тому +1

      Absolutely! I noted the distinct lack of Yaz and DM in his list

    • @deafleppard1812
      @deafleppard1812 4 роки тому

      Omfg thank u so much for putting blt by new order. Tho I think it should be number 1

    • @PBNY100
      @PBNY100 4 роки тому

      "Don't You Want Me" must be on the bass-synths riffs video.

    • @synthdadmusic3388
      @synthdadmusic3388 3 роки тому +1

      Anything from human league...........or Ultravox!

    • @RonnSono-MassaAcoustics
      @RonnSono-MassaAcoustics 3 роки тому

      Agreed!

  • @sinikarvonen4581
    @sinikarvonen4581 7 місяців тому +3

    I love all of these song (I was born in the mid/late 80's). I have played piano when I was young. My favorite instruments are keyboards and (electric) guitar. 😊

  • @camdix3250
    @camdix3250 7 місяців тому +1

    Thank you so very much for bringing this video to us. It is wonderful! I suppose it is not a proper "riff", but I love Jan Hammer's Theme from Miami Vice. Best wishes!!

  • @dominikdecuyper4065
    @dominikdecuyper4065 4 роки тому +26

    Just can"t get enough from Depeche Mode

  • @szabolcsmate5254
    @szabolcsmate5254 4 роки тому +26

    "Sweet Dreams"
    "Orinoco Flow"