10 Synth Riffs That Shook The World

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 KZbinr: • Video
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...

[@cbmsysmobile]

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

[@EspenKraft]

It would be totlly awesome! ;-)

[@jimgauth]

Station!

[@Shadowboost]

It would be beyond imagination

[@4623620]

Maybe something like Wendy (Walter) Carlos did for the album "Switched on Bach" and for the film "A Clockwork Orange". kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5S4kqiko9N-nrM 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]

He would be Vangelis.

[@giordanricardo447]

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.

[@DerSonntagsgamer]

This is really an unnecessary list

[@kelvinthenedy]

Thanks mate!

[@baghdaddymike6669]

Separate Ways, Journey

[@sheepdavis]

@@DerSonntagsgamer your existence is unnecessary

[@DerSonntagsgamer]

@@sheepdavis Awwwww thank you

[@VeronicaMcCarrison]

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]

Yes, it was. ;-)

[@geonauto]

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

[@MacetazzOpina]

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]

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]

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

[@Snavels]

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]

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

[@gregsullivan7408]

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]

You like a pedo

[@KBizzy]

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

[@patrickeagan2051]

Mks50 + pg300?

[@donnythedingo]

Everybody's gangster until Bach steps up to the synthesizer

[@OJstellar]

Chopin would probably rock it as well

[@heathermcdougall2399]

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

[@mrtower7435]

lol, the quote of the century

[@alexandrumacedon291]

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

[@johnbishop5316]

@@heathermcdougall2399 Bach had only four and half octaves!

[@hajirizayev7374]

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

[@coachhannah2403]

That's an ear worm. Different.

[@WayJilliamRohnson]

When that bassline hits!! What a masterpiece

[@jbasti227]

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

[@HaharuRecords]

@@jbasti227 Hahah yeah😂

[@bavackyantho5485]

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

[@sapphire962]

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]

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]

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]

Lmfao I can picture it so easily

[@vmega44]

@@gajol3257 who's in the movie

[@gajol3257]

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

[@TruthTriumphs786]

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

[@soloperformer5598]

By Yes?

[@crisbowman]

No, by Eurythmics

[@needamuffin]

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

[@Random_user_8472]

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

[@UnstoppableFloridaMan]

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]

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

[@00bean00]

A real hero and a real human bean

[@kaori_kanzaki]

Thanks Rias. ❤

[@kostiplays]

Rias rly is the best waifu

[@vadimblanchy9579]

00bean00 yes this man truly is a bean

[@d.s.6268]

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

[@EspenKraft]

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

[@xaviercrepin2930]

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!

[@jakelencher817]

heh i can play that.

[@jakelencher817]

@P. D. Smart i will go on playing it for like an hour, and i notice everyone leaving the room.

[@zachary4670]

Eurythmics song Here comes the rain again changed my life when I heard it. That synth sound mixed with the live orchestra was just amazing

[@StahpShop]

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

[@rob_odd]

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

[@ProducersVault]

Nice demo, strange timing on Jump though

[@sinking1902]

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

[@johnbishop5316]

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

[@p-aluneau5136]

Literally me.

[@markalexander3487]

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

[@musicman8942]

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

[@silverstar2835]

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]

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

[@Lovetrain-io6kt]

Shout tears for fears?!

[@wolfgang4468]

Too many Alphas.

[@vendingdudes]

What a superb list in its own right

[@lilo5437]

New Order, Kraftwerk and Falco ❤️❤️❤️

[@kingle1944]

My god the synthesizer is such a sexy sounding instrument

[@reactions5783]

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

[@oddities-whatnot]

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]

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

[@danielhohenberg3840]

Weak playing rythm wise though

[@johnbishop5316]

Completely wrong timing.

[@st0rmchild]

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

[@TheWarriorSongProject]

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

[@H1Guard]

Pipe Organ: the original synthesizer

[@EvgeniyBerlin]

Thriller chords are absolutely stunning

[@synthdadmusic3388]

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

[@st0rmchild]

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

[@edwardjamyangmacarchick1847]

@@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]

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

[@ricomajestic]

@@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!

[@damianosavraammisaelidis9727]

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

[@verdielg]

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

[@johnmc3862]

Good call!

[@humanchannel7825]

OMD enola gay

[@tulleuchen]

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

[@TheEudaemonicPlague]

@@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.

[@Kenoi_]

Journey: separate ways. One of my favorite synth riffs

[@chaddionne2605]

So true, one of the first I tought of !

[@jasonkilley]

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

[@AxelfoleyTheGreat]

Hey thanks for playing my song. Much appreciated.

[@oldschoolebm666]

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

[@gerardopando1]

Yes. Definitively

[@GVike]

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

[@ultreya6709]

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

[@nielssteffenssen8852]

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

[@axywrll6015]

do yoi mean faborites?

[@nickhaynie5980]

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

[@trevormoffat4054]

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

[@lonnieappleby6242]

Trevor Moffat OHHHH! I MUST listen to Closer now!

[@1953beetle]

Closer without a doubt.

[@madmax2069]

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]

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

[@80too23]

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]

Thanks! great choices there :)

[@robinsss]

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

[@maxpowers3494]

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

[@ytpremium7649]

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

[@MaxZorin8]

"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")

[@travisfoster8193]

Journey's "Separate Ways"

[@lordofrims]

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

[@alexwells5974]

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

[@despota2]

Yazoo my friend.

[@schrodingerscat1863]

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]

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

[@rachelar]

That's more a groove than a riff

[@SuperAnatolli]

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

[@mansenmias]

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]

Trans-X - LIving on Video

[@jjerg]

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

[@u2bst1nks]

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

[@rick_terscale1111]

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

[@siler7]

'80s.

[@leetronix]

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]

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

[@blandrooker6541]

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.

[@Ashes2Ashes_Blush2Blush]

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

[@PJ....]

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

[@ms.annthrope415]

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]

MJ didn’t write Thriller. Rod Temperton did.

[@meramail]

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]

MJ didn’t write it

[@wentzr]

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

[@iphonemodDOTcom]

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

[@KB1UIF]

Eye in the sky, Alan Parsons.

[@blown22]

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

[@seth5394]

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

[@chogamer117]

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]

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

[@chogamer117]

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

[@johnbishop5316]

@@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]

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

[@johnbishop5316]

@@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.

[@michaeljneal]

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.

[@chadellis7070]

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

[@EspenKraft]

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

[@sudoreboot]

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]

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]

Yazoo 'don't go'

[@Sinagorge]

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]

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!

[@Sledgefist1]

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

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers! :D

[@randydogs61]

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

[@andypeck1972]

An excellent video, as always. And also a good demonstration of the Korg DW-8000. I would include :- Crocketts theme - Jan Hammer Drive - The Cars Who wants to live forever - Queen

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks man! :)

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

depeche mode : enjoy the silence

[@RustySpoons6490]

Pascal Vanelstlande 👏👍

[@LanusseJoaquin]

Isnt that one a guitar?

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

@@LanusseJoaquin but 90 % of the song is synth.

[@Seeattle]

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

[@meh5812]

oh shit me too it must be common

[@vendingdudes]

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

[@sismeo1]

Contagious disease

[@Octovisuals]

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

[@onyx747]

I LOVE KRAFTWERK :D

[@superskier2]

Gary Numan - Are Friends Electric

[@rustyblades2566]

And CARS!!👍

[@LeeStaffs1]

@@rustyblades2566 and We are glass!!

[@rustyblades2566]

@@LeeStaffs1 Right on!!

[@dorientjewoller113]

TBH, if you don't think that this riff in this track hasn't shook the world, then you know not much off synth. And you can Blue Monday of New Order on the list too.

[@wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522]

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]

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]

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!

[@viper9x]

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

[@dimidrietos]

0pl

[@dimidrietos]

0

[@thenewalex]

a decade of great sounds, music and memories

[@dominikdecuyper4065]

Just can"t get enough from Depeche Mode

[@SuperJ9587]

Sweet dreams are made of these riff is huge

[@EspenKraft]

Then you should watch my "10 top synth bass lines" video. You'd be well pleased. ;-)

[@estebanmasone6186]

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

[@rossmoir7360]

Wasnt game to play the triplets !

[@chrisc_1012]

Mike Oldfield recorded Tubular Bells at 19

[@MjolnirattheMovies]

Some for me that should have got in: K C and the Sunshine Band - Give it Up Duran Duran - Rio Jan Hammer - Crockett's Theme Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Enola Gay and Electricity Gary Numan - Cars and Our Friends Electric Tears for Fears - Head over Heels Billy Idol - Hot in the City Irene Cara - Flashdance Clio - Faces Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't it be Good Kim Wilde - Kids in America

[@deadmandancin]

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

[@littlebritain64]

Ahhh, You use my beloved Korg DW8000!!! I am happy to have it, and I also bought the EX8000. Thanks a lot. To Duran Duran lovers, I saw on KZbin a great rendition of "Save a Prayer" made using a Novation Supernova. Worths as well.

[@TrainmasterCurt]

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

[@cjimcook]

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.

[@szabolcsmate5254]

"Sweet Dreams" "Orinoco Flow"

[@immanuelkantholz9033]

Are you playing completely arythmic and out of time to not get demonetized?

[@Vextrove]

Oof

[@imaner76]

Harsh but, fair.

[@freyafoxmusic]

Probably cause he got the sound so perfect it would match the originals

[@manny_f]

Haha maybe, he used the exact same sounds

[@50kT]

seems like he's playing slowly to show how its done

[@midimusicforever]

Bach made synth riffs before there were synths. What a genius!

[@Gibretep]

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]

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

[@peffken8834]

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

[@JackPeloquin]

Japan is Quiet Life.

[@maxengstrand5656]

Tubular Bells pt1 Mike Oldfield

[@EspenKraft]

Great suggestion!

[@steveswan5714]

One of the most iconic intro's ever 👍

[@Coynkydynk]

Good riff, but I thought the topic was synth riffs? Not piano.

[@floyd852ify]

And Bach used a Synth?

[@wyd_marco4107]

Honestly watching this dude play riffs on a synthesizer at 3AM is a total vibe. Cool stuff 👍

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers! :D

[@Disciple_Of_Lerxst]

Gary Newman, Cars

[@therealsammyvee888]

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.

[@ChuckyDoll79]

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.

[@kimble02]

Damn sold list!

[@johnmacrae7998]

+ Alice DJ - Better Off Alone

[@miks564]

Very good list there. 👍

[@pigeonnebula7353]

The ending of highest in the room

[@chinossynthesizer705]

Some of these songs are unlistenable because they are memes

[@Nicolas.S]

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

[@EspenKraft]

Good choices :)

[@gruponemesis]

excellent choices

[@AndyVonal]

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

[@synthman66]

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

[@robinsss]

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

[@peterldelong]

Everything from Genesis Duke album, released my senior year of high school. Although not really in your genre, that album still inspires me as a keyboardist today. Total man love for Tony.

[@EspenKraft]

You and me both ;-)

[@westernsect5773]

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]

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]

@@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]

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

[@jiros00]

Save a Prayer is my favourite one. Haunting.

[@chillylizerd]

This made me want to listen to the songs in their entirety.

[@alastaircparker7086]

Well, you know what I say in the 21st century: KZbin Is My Friend! (Nearly acronymated to "YTIMF"!, pronounced "Why-Tim-Eff." Copyright permitting, you should be able to find and play all of the original songs in full on KZbin, if you know where to look! Alastair C Parker ( a mega electronic music fan since the 1970s and CBM Amiga and PC user since 1988!).

[@jainalabdin4923]

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

[@henrikrolfsen584]

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.

[@busch028]

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]

Many good one there :)

[@hitkid2456]

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

[@fordman2698]

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

[@Sonikbytes]

JM Jarre the most out this world sound and a little frighting, alien experience back then when I was a kid.

[@jjerg]

Any reference to "Fletch" is a thumbs up in my book. 😁🤘🏼

[@timmbos]

Boy those sounds take me back to a much happier time. The world today is absolutely rotting.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@flateric4781]

I thought of something else: - SVEN VÄTH - L'ESPERANZA - Gazebo - I Like Chopin -Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Klaus Doldinger - The Boat - Main Title - Madonna - Live To Tell - Mike & The Mechanics - Silent Running - The Cars - Drive - The KLF - Last Train to Trancentral - Members of Mayday - Sonic Empire

[@niknayme3754]

Stranglers, Golden Brown, harpsichord style sound that loops and also changes time signature

[@NeuronalAxon]

Pretty much most things Dave Greenfield played IMO - he's a virtuoso player.

[@KarlSheen]

Um...it actually was a genuine French double manual harpsichord

[@niknayme3754]

@@KarlSheen Always loved the tune but didn't know that. Cornwell and co should get that old French harpsichord out again for a tune that's not about heroin! :)

[@NeuronalAxon]

@@KarlSheen - Uhm, aktualy... That's actually pretty interesting. :)

[@NeuronalAxon]

@@niknayme3754 - Try Walzinblack.

[@jeffbatdorf]

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]

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

[@Lykapodium]

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

[@CarolJSEngle]

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

[@bobcastro3220]

definitly sepperate ways for sure.

[@noelberman2545]

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

[@plusran]

Such a great selection. So many of my favorites

[@mimoochodom2684]

Mr. Kraft , no Kraftwerk? "We are the robots". "The Model".

[@EspenKraft]

Never been into Kraftwerk in any large degree, but nice songs nonetheless ;-)

[@gunarsgj]

agree, nearly every Kraftwerk song ... and to me Schaufensterpuppen ir particular.

[@kenhyden3391]

Keith Emerson's take on "Fanfare for the Common Man" should have been in there.

[@RealPackCat]

LOL It was in the previous video, #1 all time keyboardist. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHi5iKOieq-VsKc

[@teaforthree1]

Took the words out of my mouth

[@markfarrell6810]

. hehe except that would be simply a cover of Arron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man brass section intro. And while J.S. Bach never "technically" played a synthesizer, an organ is often used to mimic the sounds of other instruments. But, it wasn't a cover. ;)

[@evertmeurs]

Another nomination, Just can't get enough - Depeche Mode 😁

[@rjordist4925]

simple mind-dont you. lmao!

[@executionsquad3926]

Yup and Taylor Dayne - Tell It To My Heart

[@atkocuboatkocubo8729]

Discovered the riff for thriller this morning just by playing with my synth

[@madscarpools8740]

Save a prayer has always been one of my favorite songs from Duran Duran mostly because of how soothing it is and how Nick Rhodes just absolutely kills the synths. I actually did synths my first year of marching band and it didn't hit me I was doing what I had loved the most from that band.

[@marcusgadsden5109]

The Thriller Riff is so good!!

[@qumefox]

The DW-8000 really doesn't get enough love in general.

[@Jehudi]

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

[@ZeranZeran]

Maan, that synth from "Save A Prayer" - Duran Duran still blows my mind, and I was born in 93. Way ahead of it's time, and still so weird and unique sounding. One of my favorite songs. Beautiful video, and beautiful playing man. I can't wait to get my keyboard back and get it loaded up with some 80s & 90s sounds. Minimoog is my favorite. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! :D

[@davidnelson3757]

Duran Duran never went for the "Cheesy" lead lines that's why save a prayer stands out

[@Krrrimmi]

The keyboard is an essential intrument in '80s Pop, Pop Rock, & a Pop Metal. When u 1st heard a keyboard synthesizer on a song intro. U already know it's '80s music. 🎹😎

[@soliv27]

''Songs in the key of life'' by Stevie Wonder gave me the definite belief that synth are real music instruments ! Also melancolic pads like the simple one finishing Shine on.. part II by pink floyd, the vanishing notes . Mellotron flute . Supertramp. Vangelis.

[@tntshuffle-9799]

Its still incredible to me the things Bach composed that still sound incredible today. Other than that- 80s! Best synth years ever!!!!

[@bereantrb]

Sooo many. A few that came to mind: Computer World by Kraftwerk; TFS by Herbie Hancock; Just What I Needed by the Cars, synths played by Greg Hawkes; Commercial Breakup by Thomas Dolby; One of Our Submarines by Thomas Dolby.

[@JLaDrew]

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]

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

[@deafleppard1812]

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

[@synthdadmusic3388]

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

[@RonnSono-MassaAcoustics]

Agreed!

[@wayfair6588]

the opening of Tarkus by ELP

[@routtookc8064]

JUMP ! Yes ! I never would have reached there in my brain for that to make the list.