Top 20 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time

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  • Опубліковано 16 сер 2021
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    Let's rock! For this list, we'll be ranking the most powerful, influential and iconic guitar riffs ever recorded. Our countdown includes "Walk This Way", "Barracuda", "Welcome to the Jungle", "Layla", "Smoke on the Water", and more! What iconic riffs rock your world? Let us know in the comments!
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,3 тис.

  • @WatchMojo
    @WatchMojo  2 роки тому +238

    Correction: It wasn’t Eddie Van Halen who played lead guitar on "Beat It", he played the solo. Rather it was Steve Lukather. Thanks for the comments letting us know about the error. thanks

    • @SweetBunny706
      @SweetBunny706 2 роки тому

      You’re welcome!

    • @BRO77TX
      @BRO77TX 2 роки тому +12

      Ummm…the Lead Guitarist DOES play the solos !!
      Steve Lukather played the Rhythm Section.
      Get your terminology right WM!!!

    • @rbnh9827
      @rbnh9827 2 роки тому +5

      @@BRO77TX Give them 3 more attempts !!

    • @megaton.settler
      @megaton.settler 2 роки тому +9

      Also wasted years was not the title track for Powerslave. It was track 2 on somewhere in Time

    • @GearGasms
      @GearGasms 2 роки тому +3

      Lead guitar is the solo. Luke played rhythm and the riffs. 🤓

  • @mnagz5
    @mnagz5 2 роки тому +824

    AC/DC's Back in Black only getting an honourable mention is criminal.

  • @SaguaroBlossom
    @SaguaroBlossom 2 роки тому +489

    Many of the "Honorable Mentions" were better then many riffs that made the list.

    • @angeloson2250
      @angeloson2250 2 роки тому +19

      Exactly all the honourable mentions were electrifying

    • @donaldsmith8648
      @donaldsmith8648 2 роки тому +10

      I totally agree with you

    • @user-dn4pz3hc4d
      @user-dn4pz3hc4d 2 роки тому +7

      And we all know that Led Zeppelin's stairway to heaven should take first.

    • @donaldsmith8648
      @donaldsmith8648 2 роки тому +1

      @@user-dn4pz3hc4d is the end of let's go crazy considered a riff?

    • @lindsi501
      @lindsi501 2 роки тому +6

      the honorable mentions are always the best.

  • @HelloKittyisMyPal
    @HelloKittyisMyPal 2 роки тому +110

    No Cream? No Queen? Eagles? Lynyrd Skynard? ZZ Top? Creedence Clearwater Revival?
    Who wrote this list?!

    • @scottlemiere2024
      @scottlemiere2024 2 роки тому +9

      People who know nothing about guitar riffs at all. They put the Dire Straights on the list.

    • @lauravargas6620
      @lauravargas6620 2 роки тому +5

      I was thinking the same thing who wrote this? Left out better riffs and gave good riff less place than others. I think is just base on popularity not really on the greatness of the actual riff

    • @cascito
      @cascito 2 роки тому +2

      Cream is ❤️❤️❤️

    • @rumple4skin140
      @rumple4skin140 2 роки тому

      Ya ccr, "up around the bend" definitely a recognized riff, not sure wth happened, but somebody done fucked up!!! Hahaha

    • @christophermerlot3366
      @christophermerlot3366 2 роки тому

      No Nazareth either. And I agree 'Gimme Three Steps' is an earworm.

  • @littlee4620
    @littlee4620 2 роки тому +392

    I would have given “Don’t Fear The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult at least an honorable mention. With or without More Cowbell.

  • @NewlyBoughtSpatula
    @NewlyBoughtSpatula 2 роки тому +91

    The fact that AIC made it with "Check My Brain" is beyond ridiculous. Them Bones, We Die Young, Man in the fucking Box..........I'm mean come on

    • @rickysalinas23777
      @rickysalinas23777 2 роки тому +6

      My thoughts exactly...Man in the Box is fucking psychedelic heaven especially mixed with the drums and echoed vocals

    • @chadsekeras9747
      @chadsekeras9747 2 роки тому +5

      Dude I feel you. I was the late 80's-90's teen. This list means milenials run this shit.

    • @ericweaver2691
      @ericweaver2691 2 роки тому +1

      totally agree

    • @chadsekeras9747
      @chadsekeras9747 2 роки тому +4

      Alice in Chains had many more better rifts than this. I grew up on them and I feel they were better than Nirvana and close to Chris Cornell. Not knocking Kurt Cobain. I was a teen than but I loved Cornell and still do. RIP Cobain and Cornell. And also Staley who had a big influence on my vocal style and music influence.

    • @Iwasbornin74
      @Iwasbornin74 2 роки тому +2

      I stopped watching at that point. I thought that if THAT is the AIC song they picked, I'm over this. I was ready to stop when Ratt made the top 20. I liked them back in the day, but Round and Round a memorable riff? Methinks not.

  • @andrewpappas9311
    @andrewpappas9311 2 роки тому +101

    How the hell was there no riffs from Queen or even Johnny B. Goode from Chuck Berry, which was literally one of the best (not to mention one of the first) rock and roll riffs of all time

    • @JDP2104
      @JDP2104 Рік тому +2

      Queen was better at solos than riffs

    • @isaacs3822
      @isaacs3822 Рік тому +2

      I was just on my way to comment about the exclusion of Johnny B. Goode! When I clicked on the video I thought it’d be top 10, if not #1. But then it wasn’t even an honorable mention…

    • @andrewpappas9311
      @andrewpappas9311 Рік тому +4

      @@isaacs3822 I know right, Chuck Berry paved the way for countless rock bands and artists after him so the fact that he wasn’t even mentioned is just baffling to me

    • @andrewpappas9311
      @andrewpappas9311 Рік тому +6

      @@JDP2104 Brian May does have some really damn great solos but he’s also got a lot of good riffs as well like Keep Yourself Alive, Stone Cold Crazy, Tie Your Mother Down, Hammer to Fall, Fat Bottomed Girls, I Want It All, etc.

    • @JDP2104
      @JDP2104 Рік тому +3

      @@andrewpappas9311 that is true. Part of the reason why May is my favorite guitarist of all time

  • @guitarist6494
    @guitarist6494 2 роки тому +117

    Crediting EVH for the riff that Steve Lukather wrote. So many people get that one wrong

    • @rjlack1975
      @rjlack1975 2 роки тому +4

      Good catch. I was about to make this point but you put it better than I could.

    • @lotuseater1775
      @lotuseater1775 2 роки тому

      Thank you👍👍👍

    • @mlggamer5296
      @mlggamer5296 2 роки тому +1

      I didn't even know that

    • @davengeance4811
      @davengeance4811 2 роки тому +2

      Yup and the rest of this list is terrible as well

    • @allieg.1120
      @allieg.1120 2 роки тому

      yes they do.

  • @kwantumangaliso2562
    @kwantumangaliso2562 Рік тому +44

    No ways purple haze isn't mentioned. Thats literally perfection

    • @cristianconnolly2709
      @cristianconnolly2709 Рік тому +2

      When it comes to hendrix theres Many great riffs, normally its either Voodoo child or purple haze, personally I think his Best one is little wing, but theres Many more, castles Made of sand, foxy lady, wait until tomorrow, hey Joe, burning of The midnight lamp etc. Same with Zeppelin, black Sabbath, ACDC and Van Halen, so Many riff candidates. VH for instance everybody picks Aint talkin bout love, but theres also panama, Unchained, meanstreet, somebody get me a doctor, im The one, hoy for teacher, 5150 etc.

  • @guitartunez
    @guitartunez 2 роки тому +180

    20. Walk This Way - Aerosmith
    19. Round and Round - Ratt
    18. No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age
    17. Check My Brain - Alice In Chains
    16. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
    15. Beat It - Michael Jackson
    14. Barracuda - Heart
    13. Paranoid - Black Sabbath
    12. Wasted Years - Iron Maiden
    11. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love - Van Halen
    10. Raining Blood - Slayer
    9. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns ‘n’ Roses
    8. Money for Nothing - Dire Straights
    7. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
    6. Master of Puppets - Metallica
    5. You Really Got Me - The Kinks
    4. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
    3. I Can’t Get No Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones
    2. Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple
    1. Heartbreaker - Led Zeppelin

    • @nathanboyle7573
      @nathanboyle7573 2 роки тому +14

      I'd replace beat it with Sunshine of Your Love by Cream

    • @nathanboyle7573
      @nathanboyle7573 2 роки тому +2

      But I'd place it higher too

    • @robertpadua6096
      @robertpadua6096 2 роки тому +5

      No KISS?

    • @lukemcbean
      @lukemcbean 2 роки тому +2

      I'd replace Wasted Years with Charlotte the Harlot

    • @pvantongeren9178
      @pvantongeren9178 2 роки тому +14

      Where is thunderstruck or back in black by ac dc

  • @jeffreybrown4015
    @jeffreybrown4015 Рік тому +25

    I'd put Led Zep on top as well, but for Kashmir. That opening riff builds the tension in a sublime way.

  • @jerrumite4425
    @jerrumite4425 2 роки тому +52

    I find your lack of AC⚡DC disturbing.
    Yes, I saw the the honorable mentions but come on.

    • @mikerazor8246
      @mikerazor8246 2 роки тому +3

      it seems to me that watchmojo doesn't even like to mention the word ac/dc at all, they always try to put another unknown artist instead of them.

  • @BarnCat55
    @BarnCat55 2 роки тому +19

    The fact that AC/DC’s thunderstruck wasn’t on this and even Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to heaven is unbelievable!

  • @andrewwalker5081
    @andrewwalker5081 2 роки тому +97

    Where is Killing in the name by Rage against the machine? That’s the greatest guitar riff I’ve ever heard.

    • @ScottPerdue
      @ScottPerdue 2 роки тому +8

      I was surprised RATM didn't make an appearance, whether Killing in the Name, Guerrilla Radio, Sleep Now in the Fire... so many choices.

    • @adityahariharan581
      @adityahariharan581 Рік тому +1

      Doesn't that just sound like Kashmir by Led Zeppelin?

    • @TheBengineerTV
      @TheBengineerTV Рік тому

      @@adityahariharan581 those two riffs sound nothing alike what so ever . Unless we’re thinking of different songs

    • @ThePlayer176
      @ThePlayer176 Рік тому

      @@TheBengineerTV right lol what is he smoking lmao two very different can't even compare.

    • @pennyc11
      @pennyc11 Рік тому

      What a miss. A lot of misses in this review.

  • @acdcfan21
    @acdcfan21 2 роки тому +38

    How dare you disrespect Back in Black by putting them in Honorable Mentions

  • @spat1u
    @spat1u 2 роки тому +63

    Black Sabbath's "Into the Void" is one of the best riffs for me

    • @orionpax123
      @orionpax123 Рік тому

      Which one… lol! there’s like 5 amazing riffs in that song. It’s also low key the best Sabbath song

  • @melancholia9345
    @melancholia9345 2 роки тому +8

    Should I Stay or Should I Go- The Clash
    The Trooper-Iron Maiden
    Anything by Queen
    Breaking the Law- Judas Priest

  • @kiowahorse2561
    @kiowahorse2561 2 роки тому +40

    Jesus... How the hell "Walk" or any of AC/DC's songs didn't get a spot is beyond ridiculous! Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" riff deserves a spot as well.

  • @loveolicity4542
    @loveolicity4542 2 роки тому +25

    What about Kansas' 'Carry On Wayward Son?" (SPN family ASSEMBLE)

  • @LB199910
    @LB199910 2 роки тому +124

    The fact that Queen is not on this list is insulting.

    • @jakefjk9104
      @jakefjk9104 2 роки тому +11

      U mean the fact that Nirvana is not listed is insulting

    • @dangeletti84
      @dangeletti84 2 роки тому +21

      @@jakefjk9104 Dont ever compare Queen and Nirvana

    • @Rekko82
      @Rekko82 2 роки тому +10

      Does Queen have great riffs?

    • @Rekko82
      @Rekko82 2 роки тому +2

      Royal shit! You need "God Save the Queen" by Sex Pistols!!!

    • @LB199910
      @LB199910 2 роки тому +7

      @@Rekko82 basically almost their entire discography, but Bohemian Rhapsody is arguably their best

  • @TheKey304
    @TheKey304 2 роки тому +32

    Seriously, it's virtually impossible to narrow the entire guitar spectrum down to just 20 riffs.

    • @barbecuebaas5539
      @barbecuebaas5539 2 роки тому

      i agree a hundred percent

    • @kevinhummel6901
      @kevinhummel6901 2 роки тому +1

      Agreed. you could make this list once a month for 10 months in a row and have 20 different songs on it each time. The omission from this list to me is Purple Haze.

  • @timfortch5553
    @timfortch5553 2 роки тому +150

    I feel like smells like teen Spirit should have been on this list being one of the most iconic riffs of the 90s

    • @ranger13
      @ranger13 2 роки тому +1

      Yes!

    • @TheKey304
      @TheKey304 2 роки тому +3

      Definitely should. It's guitar 101.

    • @tatendachilisa7046
      @tatendachilisa7046 2 роки тому

      Facts 🤌🏾

    • @boomstick1980
      @boomstick1980 2 роки тому +6

      Teen spirit is overrated and not even close to the best riff of the 90's

    • @ranger13
      @ranger13 2 роки тому

      @@boomstick1980 your opinion but thank you though

  • @Thomas_pgnr
    @Thomas_pgnr 2 роки тому +4

    more honorable mentions :
    AC/DC - Highway to hell
    ZZ Top - La grange
    The white stripes - Seven nation army
    Ram Jam - Black betty
    T-rex - 20th century boys
    The animals - House of the rising sun
    U2 - sunday bloody sunday
    Lenny Kravitz - Are you go my way
    Beastie boys - No sleep till Brooklyn
    Queen - Tie your mother down

  • @apetrila1
    @apetrila1 2 роки тому +33

    I would have gone with "the Trooper" over "Wasted Years"

    • @brentsilvey2288
      @brentsilvey2288 2 роки тому

      Yes!

    • @christophermerlot3366
      @christophermerlot3366 2 роки тому +2

      Or Aces High or Flash of the Blade.

    • @craighenry2351
      @craighenry2351 2 роки тому +1

      I would have gone with Children of the Damned. Simple riff, but it sets up the fastest solo I have ever heard. It, I believe, is Iron Maiden’s best.

    • @francoisregis2155
      @francoisregis2155 Рік тому +1

      Many great Maiden songs

  • @alexh2217
    @alexh2217 2 роки тому +10

    I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness
    Killing In The Name - Rage Against The Machine
    Paranoid Android - Radiohead
    Thunderstruck - AC/DC
    Paradise City/Sweet Child O Mine - Guns N Roses
    Hot For Teacher - Van Halen
    Enter Sandman - Metallica

  • @someguythatwasmorbed8251
    @someguythatwasmorbed8251 2 роки тому +45

    Some of my favorite riffs come from a band called Pink Floyd. They have a lot of iconic guitar, bass and classic guitar riffs that shouldn't be overlooked. "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2", "Wish You Were Here", "One of These Days", "Comfortably Numb", "Young Lust", "Money", "Time", "In The Flesh?", "Echoes", "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", "Hey You", "Have a Cigar", "Interstellar Overdrive", "High Hopes" and much much more.

    • @redemptionx2918
      @redemptionx2918 Рік тому +3

      Pink floyd are my favourite band, for many reasons. I’ll put a album on most days. But something about “Young Lust” from the “the Wall” is just perfect! Everything about it, from the bass to the main riff. It’s just great😊 yet I don’t hear much about it!

    • @robertschiffhauer1679
      @robertschiffhauer1679 Рік тому +2

      I love playing Wish You We’re Here on my acoustic.That and Led Zeppelin’s Rain Song should be there.I guess lay both of those songs on my acoustic every day.

    • @antoniomccoy6733
      @antoniomccoy6733 Рік тому +1

      Go ahead and list the rest of the songs lmao

    • @fezphilip7024
      @fezphilip7024 7 місяців тому

      You don't have to say "a band called Pink Floyd". I would assume.. well, hope that most people know who they are.

    • @zaphodbeebleprox5043
      @zaphodbeebleprox5043 Місяць тому

      don´t forget Interstellar Overdrive, this opening riff is catchy af...

  • @shivanshgilhotra701
    @shivanshgilhotra701 2 роки тому +22

    Back in black in honourable mentions just hurts too much
    Though i like the list (not sure)
    Some songs like sunshine of love (cream ) , Day tripper (beatles) , Californication (RHCP) deserved a spot or honourable mention too i guess

    • @benjaminvittini7524
      @benjaminvittini7524 2 роки тому +2

      Just like: Another brick in the wall, black betty and anything by Brian May...

    • @CptnWolfe
      @CptnWolfe 2 роки тому +1

      Day Tripper and Sunshine of your Love were on the "top 10 classic rock riffs"

  • @corkycobon1481
    @corkycobon1481 2 роки тому +23

    The description of Slayer being "The sound of all hell breaking loose" is the most accurate thing I have ever heard about the band. Their live shows are simply hard to describe.

    • @christophermerlot3366
      @christophermerlot3366 2 роки тому +1

      Agreed. My first Slayer show was for the 'South of Heaven' tour with Motorhead and Overkill as the opening acts at the Masonic Temple in Toronto. I had never seen such a thing before.

    • @corkycobon1481
      @corkycobon1481 2 роки тому

      @@christophermerlot3366 That had to be a RAGING show. Motorhead and Lemmy are simply BEASTS and Tom Araya is even more imposing live then in the videos.

    • @christophermerlot3366
      @christophermerlot3366 2 роки тому

      @@corkycobon1481 It was 1987 or 1988. My ears are still ringing.

    • @chamucos
      @chamucos Рік тому

      Seasons in the Abyss was a better choice imo.

    • @StangBangXO
      @StangBangXO 24 дні тому +1

      Honestly their music isn't "The sound of all hell breaking loose" it is more like Hell has come to earth, and we're all along for the ride.

  • @gourabbanerjee7727
    @gourabbanerjee7727 Рік тому +3

    Would like to add some more names....
    1. Slip it in - BLACK FLAG
    2. Ace of spades - MOTORHEAD
    3. Freezing moon - MAYHEM
    4. Blitzkrieg bop - RAMONES
    5. American idiot - GREEN DAY
    6. Basket case - GREEN DAY
    I love most of the songs in the list, just wanted to mention these songs as they are iconic as well, may not be as much as the ones in the mojo list, but you know... some personal choices. Thank you, have a good day.

  • @rbnh9827
    @rbnh9827 2 роки тому +9

    I would have easily put these in top 20 over lot of your choices, take your picks
    Soundgarden - Outshined (Easily the best riff of the 90s)
    ACDC - Riff Raff
    Judas Priest - Breaking the Law
    Helmet - Meantime
    Deftones - My own summer
    Blue Oyster Cult - Cities on flame with Rock and Roll
    Howlin Wolf - Smokestack Lightning (1969 version)
    Link Wray - Rumble
    Jethro Tull - Aqualung
    The Stooges - Down on the street
    CCR - Born on the Bayou
    ZZ Top - Tush
    The Beatles - Ticket to Ride
    STP - Wicked Garden
    Audioslave - Bring 'em back alive
    I could probably go on for 30 more, these are just off the top of my head !!

    • @martin2893
      @martin2893 2 роки тому

      would be helpful if you name more

    • @craighenry2351
      @craighenry2351 2 роки тому +1

      Good choice with Breaking the Law, but I think Livin after Midnite and United have riffs just as good.

  • @reillyfitzgerald
    @reillyfitzgerald Рік тому +7

    There are so many exceptions from this list, some, like AC/DC at least got honourable mention, but one I think should definitely be there is "American Woman". Iconic, instantaneously recognizable, and a little bit of Canadian content to boot.I'd also add Mountain's "Mississippi Queen" and ZZ Top's "Tush" along with many other iconic guitar riffs.

  • @terdguitarcovers5534
    @terdguitarcovers5534 2 роки тому +46

    well, all Metallica riffs are great and influencing but the And just for all album for me had the best riffs👌🏻🔥

    • @davidrihacek3095
      @davidrihacek3095 2 роки тому +2

      For me the best metallica riff is The four horsemen, Love that shit

    • @curtisthompson6921
      @curtisthompson6921 2 роки тому +1

      I love Metallica's cover of turn the page

    • @seanslawson98
      @seanslawson98 2 роки тому +2

      The best riff is the one in Damage Inc. halfway through right before the solo

  • @slsantamarina
    @slsantamarina 2 роки тому +17

    any megadeth love, they got a lot of great riffs. tornado of souls, symphony of destruction,ext.

    • @christophermerlot3366
      @christophermerlot3366 2 роки тому

      I made the same comment--Dave's rhythm playing is harder than most players' leads. I love the opening of 'Into the Lungs of Hell' as well as, of course, 'Peace Sells."

    • @craighenry2351
      @craighenry2351 2 роки тому +1

      And they have had a better career than Metallica, not monetarily, but in pure musicianship. Dave may have his problems (although he has worked out most of them), but he is the ultimate frontman and a pure musical genius. There are three this list. Steve Harris, Neil Peart and him. But Dave Mustaine may be the best.

  • @pinkled4429
    @pinkled4429 Рік тому +5

    Bands with the most best riffs- Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix experience, Black Sabbath, Rush

  • @frazermc13
    @frazermc13 2 роки тому +9

    I love Watchmojo lists - usually. Anything to do with guitars or guitar music just grinds my gears. Hell yeah Led Zep at number 1, but for Whole Lotta Love. And for a lot of this list I wasn't convinced Watchmojo knew what a riff was.

    • @4ytcomment
      @4ytcomment 2 роки тому +1

      100%! Thank you for reading my mind!

  • @williamsummerson1204
    @williamsummerson1204 2 роки тому +18

    I would have whole lotta love no1. Other guitar riffs I love.
    Korn. Blind
    Ratm. Killing in the name
    Tool. Sober
    Pearl jam. Even flow
    Velvet revolver. Fall to pieces
    Rush. Tom Sawyer
    Pantera. 5 minutes alone
    Soundgarden. Black hole sun
    Nirvana. Smells like teen spirit

    • @kryptik2602
      @kryptik2602 2 роки тому

      YES FALL TO PIECES such an underrated song

    • @williamsummerson1204
      @williamsummerson1204 2 роки тому

      Couldn't agree more. I think it's the best I've ever heard Scott's voice.

  • @MrMaynardWR
    @MrMaynardWR 2 роки тому +3

    My list
    1. Eternity's Breath. Mahavishnu Orchestra
    2. Highway to Hell. AC/DC
    3. Hocus Pocus. Focus
    4. Sweet Jane (live). Lou Reed
    5. Satisfaction. Rolling Stones
    6. Iron Man. Black Sabbath
    7. Since You've Been Gone. Rainbow(originally Russ Ballard)
    8. Smoke on the Water. Deep Purple
    9. In a Gadda da Vida. Iron Butterfly
    10. Sunshine of your Love. Cream

  • @Magic_Benzi_9
    @Magic_Benzi_9 2 роки тому +52

    Paranoid is definitely in the top 10 with thunderstruck, back in black and sweet child also ( i was made for lovin you, the final countdown, sweet home Alabama ) and many others had to be on the list

    • @Caffeine_Club
      @Caffeine_Club 2 роки тому +3

      Thunderstruck's absence is criminal.

    • @arielle8010
      @arielle8010 8 місяців тому

      @Caffeine_Club so true!!! 😢😢😢😢😡😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬🤬

  • @michaelbullock8011
    @michaelbullock8011 2 роки тому +1

    Great video and I enjoyed it and have a blessed night

  • @brennatotty
    @brennatotty 2 роки тому +4

    I got to see Ozzy a couple years ago and even though he is as old as Methuselah the show was as incredible as you would want it to be. The light show was one of the best I have ever seen! I love almost all of the songs presented here. Great list, I would like to see another! You can probably make another 10 episodes with this content!

  • @jaylene.turner6524
    @jaylene.turner6524 2 роки тому +46

    Brian May’s
    “Bohemian Rhapsody” riff deserves to be number one!

    • @ripleyfry2107
      @ripleyfry2107 2 роки тому +8

      Literally anything by him tbh, wether Queen or solo

    • @rager1860
      @rager1860 2 роки тому +20

      this is not a riff

    • @shivanshgilhotra701
      @shivanshgilhotra701 2 роки тому +4

      @@rager1860 there is i think at end of song though when they shift opera music to rock and roll

    • @rager1860
      @rager1860 2 роки тому +6

      @@shivanshgilhotra701 Yes but still... this is not a riff

    • @zombified3362
      @zombified3362 2 роки тому +3

      Is that the only one you know?

  • @Chi-TownToon
    @Chi-TownToon 2 роки тому

    Dope video with Classics!

  • @jesterjosie3281
    @jesterjosie3281 2 роки тому +7

    Ever since I saw Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle
    it has been my favorite guitar riff

  • @ironsidemajor
    @ironsidemajor 2 роки тому +8

    How can you have top 20 guitar riffs list with no AC/DC? so many of their riffs are legendary and better than most others on this list.

    • @guitarball
      @guitarball 2 роки тому

      Seriously. These are all great riffs, but no way AC/DC shouldn't be on the list.

  • @JDPwatching
    @JDPwatching Рік тому +3

    Keep in mind that I'm writing this comment at the halfway mark, but I seriously feel that if "Beat It" and "Sultans of Swing" are on this list, then "Hazy Shade of Winter" should be here also. It's a driving riff with heart, angst, and balls, and is as good as pretty much anything else on this list.
    And btw, "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" is my favorite Van Halen song, which, oddly enough, became my favorite song of theirs after I heard Sammy Hagar sing it on the "5150" tour. He blew that song off the face of the planet and glued my brain to the back of my skull with his incredible performance. Sorry, Diamond Dave! Sammy just rocked that song to death and made it look easy. ❤️😁🤟

  • @karenbroadhurst7302
    @karenbroadhurst7302 Рік тому

    This is absolutely awesome xxxx 🤘 🎶🎸🎹🥁🎤🎵❤💯🤘

  • @juliestrahl688
    @juliestrahl688 Рік тому +3

    Long Cool Woman entro rift is my all time favorite 4:46

  • @melgreier1630
    @melgreier1630 2 роки тому +11

    New Orleans is Sinking ... better riff than many on this list... soulful and evocative, blending with the lyrics perfectly. Doesn’t get much attention because the Tragically Hip never sought recognition... they played because they wanted to play and they appreciated their fans more than any group or soloist before or since
    *mic drop*

    • @chadjackson9516
      @chadjackson9516 Рік тому +1

      This^

    • @billparker8954
      @billparker8954 Рік тому

      @@chadjackson9516 *American Woman* The Guess Who, *Could Have Been a Lady* April Wine.

  • @theresacarmen9847
    @theresacarmen9847 2 роки тому +16

    Love me some Led Zeppelin, always #1 .

  • @mareknalaskowski5372
    @mareknalaskowski5372 Рік тому +1

    My subiective one per band:
    1. Whole Lotta Love
    2. Smoke on the Water
    3. Day Tripper
    4. Highway to hell
    5. Seven Nation Army
    6. Alive
    7. Sweet home Alabama
    8. Purple Haze
    9. Am'I Evil?
    10. Paranoid
    11. The Trooper
    12. Sympathy For the devil
    13. True Believer
    14. Money
    15. Money For nothing
    16. Eye of a Tiger
    17. Breaking the law
    18. Sunshine of your love
    19. Poison
    20. Suicide is painless.

  • @darrenknowles7077
    @darrenknowles7077 2 роки тому +2

    Waited for this for so long

  • @Davier9999
    @Davier9999 2 роки тому +7

    Steve Lukather wrote one of the best riffs ever for 'Beat it' and barely is acknowledged. Show some respect WatchMojo!

    • @mr.alcoholic6913
      @mr.alcoholic6913 2 роки тому +2

      I agree
      Van Halen only do the solo but the riff is Steve

  • @franciscocobosrodriguez7395
    @franciscocobosrodriguez7395 2 роки тому +10

    As soon as y’all reminded me, I went to listen to raining blood again, just for nostalgia.

  • @RFGfotografie
    @RFGfotografie Рік тому

    Good list :)

  • @MistaP13
    @MistaP13 2 роки тому +21

    Don’t forget Jimmy H’s Purple Haze, Winger’s Seventeen, and Bullet Boys Smooth up in Ya!

    • @Rekko82
      @Rekko82 2 роки тому

      Purple Haze? I hate that song! The riff is fuzzy.

    • @francoisregis2155
      @francoisregis2155 Рік тому

      Winger battle station

  • @rickysalinas23777
    @rickysalinas23777 2 роки тому +9

    Man in the Box over Check My Brain and The Trooper over Wasted Years in my own opinion. The psychedelic nature of Man in the Box leaves more of an impression on me and The Trooper gives that galloping punch to the chest like Barracuda. Both other songs are great though especially Maiden. Up the irons!!!🤘

    • @jerrumite4425
      @jerrumite4425 2 роки тому +1

      Up the Irons, I do still debate which is my favorite maiden song

    • @rickysalinas23777
      @rickysalinas23777 2 роки тому +2

      @@jerrumite4425 Phantom, Maiden, Killers, Number of the Beast, Rime, Powerslave, Aces High...its hard to pick for sure...I would say as far as riffs an underrated song is Tailgunner and Paschendale as well is just haunting

  • @kevzguaygua
    @kevzguaygua 2 роки тому +11

    Ahh man I would’ve added The Cult of Personality by Living Colour
    And also
    Cocaine by Eric Clapton

    • @kwow3641
      @kwow3641 2 роки тому +2

      So glad someone else mentioned this - Cult of Personality is bloody awesome!

    • @LageYouTube
      @LageYouTube 2 роки тому

      Cocaine isn't Clapton's

  • @fslayer1290
    @fslayer1290 2 роки тому

    Y’all got me head bangin’ with this list.

  • @potatomatop9326
    @potatomatop9326 2 роки тому +8

    No Cream - Sunshine of your love?

  • @devinfaucette
    @devinfaucette 2 роки тому +3

    Black Sabbath is the first metal band? Didn't their first album come out in 1970, while Zeppelin and Deep Purple were 69?

  • @grimgamertv
    @grimgamertv 2 роки тому +4

    I'm actually mad they didn't even mention riffs like in Thunderstruck, Comfortably Numb, Black Hole Sun and basically every Santana riff...

  • @GregK9
    @GregK9 Рік тому

    There's so many great riffs!! Hard to pick just 20!

  • @ITcanB
    @ITcanB 2 роки тому +7

    "Pictures of Matchstick Men" by Status Quo has a iconic riff that should have been mentioned

  • @recrdholdr
    @recrdholdr 2 роки тому +19

    It was going so well and then they shit the bed. Not having Smoke on the Water at #1 is just insanity. Heartbreaker should be in the teens at best.

    • @BunnEFartz
      @BunnEFartz 2 роки тому

      Steve Polhill
      There are tribes deep in the Amazon rainforest that recognize the riff to Smoke On The Water.
      My blue hared grandmother who only listens to polka music can name the riff to Smoke On The Water. It's the most recognized riff on the planet.

    • @christophermerlot3366
      @christophermerlot3366 2 роки тому

      Deep Purple's best riff ever was 'Burn.' Full stop.

    • @Theprophet3928
      @Theprophet3928 11 місяців тому

      THANK YOU

  • @yannickvaz694
    @yannickvaz694 2 роки тому +2

    *Step by step guide on how to start a fight:*
    1) Get a room full of guitarists
    2) Ask them to rank the best guitarists, solos, riffs, etc.
    3) Sit back, waaaay back.

    • @CptnWolfe
      @CptnWolfe 2 роки тому

      Unless they say Layla by Eric Clapton

  • @taylordw
    @taylordw Місяць тому

    Really enjoyed your choices.I haven’t seen the other videos, but must mention Alvin Lee, frontman and guitarist for Ten Years After. I always thought after Woodstock he should have become a household name. Saw him live at Winterland in SF, early 70’s: breath taking blues based solos.
    Also Steve Stevens of Billy Idol band. Solid rock guitar.

  • @mlggamer5296
    @mlggamer5296 2 роки тому +3

    I would have picked Immigrant Song cuz its highly memorable not to mention now we can associate it with Thor

  • @AyrenJagar
    @AyrenJagar 2 роки тому +9

    While I agree with no 1, The Who had some great Riffs, Queen too. And Red Hot Chilli Peppers

    • @ThePlayer176
      @ThePlayer176 Рік тому

      I would've been mad if I would've seen some red hot chili peppers on here. With all due respect were talking about the greatest in rock and those are only found in classic rock which paved the way for the new bands that came after.

    • @villainousappetite8841
      @villainousappetite8841 Рік тому

      'Queen had some great riffs'..
      Like what?

  • @tatendachilisa7046
    @tatendachilisa7046 2 роки тому +2

    This list actually left out so many iconic riffs it makes me wanna cry 😩

  • @danielgrubb9668
    @danielgrubb9668 Рік тому

    How about these?
    Day Tripper-The Beatles
    Purple Haze-Jimi Hendrix
    Revolution-The Beatles
    Pinball Wizard-The Who
    Sweet Home Alabama-Lynyrd Skynyrd
    Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting-Elton John
    Hotel California-The Eagles
    Life in the Fast Lane-The Eagles
    I Drink Alone-George Thorogood and the Destroyers

  • @akarbit3r111
    @akarbit3r111 2 роки тому +4

    Personally think the riffs for Iron Man are a bit more iconic for Black Sabbath, but that's just me

  • @DoubleM-hf6ih
    @DoubleM-hf6ih Рік тому +3

    Enter Sandman has some badass guitar riffs and solos.

  • @huntermyers3551
    @huntermyers3551 11 місяців тому +2

    I think all of the iconic guitar riffs rock my world

  • @GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy
    @GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy Місяць тому

    The intro to 'Woodstock' by Crosby, Stills and Nash (1969) is one of the coolest riffs ever! Too bad it's not very well known.

  • @Reaperguy67
    @Reaperguy67 2 роки тому +6

    I think my favorite song with a great guitar riff has to be iron maidens aces high. It's a great song to see live as well. 🤘

  • @jaredoverton7992
    @jaredoverton7992 Рік тому +4

    I'm glad "Wasted Years" by Iron Maiden was on this list. It's the most haunting and evil sounding riff ever. It sounds like something you would hear while descending down to Into Hell

  • @dnice9168
    @dnice9168 10 місяців тому +1

    Honorable mention...guitar on Inside the Fire, Disturbed. Amazing. Or how about Sweating Bullits, Megadeath.

  • @lukas45167
    @lukas45167 2 роки тому +2

    This was a good list

  • @Hammerhead547
    @Hammerhead547 2 роки тому +4

    Skid Row's Monkey Business should be on here, the bluesy intro riff overlayed with sebastian bach's smooth vocals which then crash down into one of the heaviest dirtiest metal groves of the 90's complete with a signature scream by seb is still amazing 30 years later.
    Now that I think about it Alien Nation by Scorpions should be on here too, the beginning 45 seconds of that track is fucking amazing and it builds into one of the heaviest tracks that klaus @ co ever created.

  • @pamelaflanigan5935
    @pamelaflanigan5935 Рік тому +3

    one of the icon riffs that wasn't mentioned is the opening riffs of Enter Sandman by Metallicca

  • @prashantsarkar821
    @prashantsarkar821 2 роки тому

    Holy shit! You guys actually nailed this list.

  • @jonstreng7850
    @jonstreng7850 2 роки тому +1

    OMG - they really cruised through this list and man what an amazing list. Also - wise switch to the male host narrating this. I feel "Creeping Death" or Fade to Black could have been included here. And OBTW - Where is Thunderstruck by AC/DC or Back in the Saddle by Aerosmith?

  • @DryBones271
    @DryBones271 2 роки тому +3

    George Harrison's guitar solo in Let It Be.

  • @ironguy6482
    @ironguy6482 2 роки тому +5

    This must have been pretty hard to rank, since there are so many iconic riffs. Personally I would have Highway to hell in the top 3

  • @robtilley6895
    @robtilley6895 Рік тому +2

    I could name 5 songs by RUSH that Alex Lifeson just melts your mind with his prowess on the guitar. Probably the most underrated guitar player in rock history. Limelight puts most of this list to same. He could embarrass a lot of these guys and do it with his eyes shut.

  • @suefields4254
    @suefields4254 2 роки тому +1

    Roger Fisher of HEART vehemently denies they lifted the riff from Nazareth. He and Mike Derosier the drummer wrote the riff. They get the royalties from Barracuda along with Ann and Nancy who penned the words.

  • @WatchMojo
    @WatchMojo  2 роки тому +11

    Want more music? Check out Innersleeve, WatchMojo's new music podcast!
    ua-cam.com/play/PLXtYorCEjScR7Hjc3CLotRzQyxG_tvLis.html
    What iconic riffs rock your world? Let us know in the comments!
    For more music videos, check out our playlist!: ua-cam.com/video/JC7xO7j16lc/v-deo.html

    • @zippygaming9305
      @zippygaming9305 2 роки тому

      Ok

    • @chrisakane9840
      @chrisakane9840 2 роки тому

      Pantera "cowboys from hell". And "this love"

    • @Dan-ud8hz
      @Dan-ud8hz 2 роки тому

      Muffin Man - Frank Zappa

    • @nathanboyle7573
      @nathanboyle7573 2 роки тому

      Sunshine of Your Love by Cream

    • @pblreza
      @pblreza 2 роки тому

      Please stop doing these, your embarrassing yourself

  • @victorevans2867
    @victorevans2867 2 роки тому +3

    "Slayer is literally the sound of all hell breaking loose" in beautiful cacophonous insanity.

  • @corbz273
    @corbz273 2 роки тому +1

    I didnt think this was gonna be a good list, but my mind was immediately changed when I saw that they put Check My Brain on here!

  • @jntnprrs2978
    @jntnprrs2978 2 роки тому +1

    All of the great Iron Maiden riffs from Run to the Hills to The Trooper and you go with Wasted Years??
    And also not even honourable mentions for any amazing Muse guitar riffs like Knights of Cydonia, Stockholm Syndrome or New Born...

  • @wabuckles
    @wabuckles 2 роки тому +21

    I like just about every song on this list in its own right, but this list is an absolute MESS.

    • @Ytinasniiable
      @Ytinasniiable 2 роки тому

      I'm surprised they even bothered trying with the sheer number of iconic riffs in rock and metal

  • @alfioinsaudo4179
    @alfioinsaudo4179 Рік тому +5

    Grandissimo Jimmy Page i suoi riff sono unici e inarrivabili un vero genio assoluto della chitarra classifica azzeccata in pieno il migliore

  • @liraizh7015
    @liraizh7015 2 роки тому +1

    This needs a top 1000

  • @mooseprx1
    @mooseprx1 8 місяців тому +1

    The Cult need something in the top 20, fantastic riffs

  • @robk.6591
    @robk.6591 2 роки тому +6

    Alice in Chains!
    It's good to see Jerry Cantrell recognized here!

    • @martim7605
      @martim7605 2 роки тому

      Jerry "Riff lord' Cantrell

  • @liveyouryoga
    @liveyouryoga 2 роки тому +2

    Okay I will place Rick Derringers Rock And Roll Hootchie Coo on here! It is also a catchy tune (but not annoyingly so).

  • @TacomaPaul
    @TacomaPaul Рік тому +1

    I saw ELF (with double and Ronnie James Dio)... and then Electric Light Orchestra...
    and Deep Purple ! '74 ! I was 15. ;-)

  • @BiyikFrostDiaz
    @BiyikFrostDiaz 2 роки тому +3

    Let's be honest, even a top 20 list is still too small for best guitar riffs of all time

  • @ripleyfry2107
    @ripleyfry2107 2 роки тому +4

    Where's Queen? Hammer to fall, we ate the champions, or brighton rock should've been on here

  • @Dreamyblue101
    @Dreamyblue101 2 роки тому

    Awesome