The Best Riffs of 1984 with Uncle Ben Eller

[@BenEller]

Thanks for watching The Best Riffs of 1984!!! What you do you want a riff-by-riff countdown of next?

[@andresmoncayo6843]

The Best solos of 1984? Or the Best riffs of 1986!!!

[@flekkzo]

Dual guitars. There’s so many cool layers to it. From two rhythm guitars to Iron Maiden to Dethklok. Or triple and quadruple is good too:) Just skip Queen. Brian needs his own episode.

[@SuperJimic]

The year 1990 would be an absolutely wank worthy one in my humble opinion. 😁

[@BenEller]

Jay C dude. You wanna talk about an INSANE year for good music!!!

[@DunlopTortex05mm]

1990 ! Common we all know what album from 1990 we want on the list ?! (rip)

[@MartyDadRiffs]

I don’t care what year you pick for the next one. Just please do a next one. Thank you

[@jennyprorock]

1986-89 would be perfect. I miss the 80s.

[@andyspendlove1019]

I vote 1992! Dirt by Alice In Chains, Angel Dust by Faith No More, RATM's self titled, Sleep's Holy Mountain, Dirty by Sonic Youth, maybe even some Check Your Head by the Beastie Boys

[@bradbuckinghamhandsomeprin6027]

It was really awesome

[@JJames666male]

I like your style

[@sole__doubt]

Exactly, these are so cool I wish he was still doing them.

[@tylersherkin9487]

The idea of this as a series is wild, man. DO IT! We love it.

[@appeasedbeast408]

Please!

[@adamwarlock5286]

I see what you did there 🤣

[@flekkzo]

Usually these lists are dreadful (especially best guitarists), but every single riff here belongs as a stand out riff. Sure there are others, but none should be removed. Well done.

[@NicknLex]

The Top Gun theme was written Harold Faltermeyer and played by Steve Stevens👍

[@composerdave68]

This. Steve has no writing credit on the piece. I'm sure he came up with the improvised solo part, but the piece itself, and the theme, were Faltermeyer.

[@bobbynip66]

Uncle Ben can’t hold back that smile while playing “Hot For Teacher”. 😀

[@michaelsavides8856]

Hot for teacher always felt ZZ Top vibe for me. Anyone else? Just such a super hot Texan vibe!

[@astralmarmoset]

For my money, it would be Panama; but you’re right, that whole album is full of magic. Dig the theme of the video. 👍 Maybe you could do a more specific breakdown: like best riffs of the 80’s in Phrygian dominant, or something like that...

[@djsnackypants]

That'd be awesome: pick a scale, then pick the best riffs in that scale (any key obviously). Sepultura owns Super Locrian, so it's kind of unfair to pick it, but damn I love that scale (and them)

[@lw1391]

Panama is a great call. Personally I would go with Drop Dead Legs. That whole album is fantastic

[@PDXguitarfreak]

LOVED THIS. I got my first guitar in November '83, and '84 was such a special year for me because of that (also the year of my first concert - the mighty VH). Song choices here was excellent! :)

[@jaysunten]

I also started playing in 84. Such a great year!

[@diverdown1982]

Hey PDX, what's up bro! I would love to see you do one of these videos too!

[@Jedediah73]

Ya mad respect for including Dio

[@RyanAtkinsC]

"This is one of the most difficult thing flea has ever played" *plays it*

[@Ruefus]

Kid Gloves - OMG - yes. Did not see that coming, which is a good thing. The riff is killer, of course. The solo is one of, if not my favorite solo of all time. Just amazing stuff from a guy that's, let's face it, is overlooked compared to his bandmates.

[@theoriesabound6711]

I could not agree more. Alex's solo in Kid Gloves should be on somebody's best solos of 1984 list. Between the Wheels should be, too.

[@devonparker4728]

The “Die” riff in creeping death. Not only one of the best from 1984, but one of the best riffs ever written

[@TheSeraphim75]

Hammett is so proud of this riff he wrote he cried when talking about it....and stopped writing riffs after and lost the tape of all his riffs

[@damageinc81292]

@@TheSeraphim75 kinda weird he "loses his tape" then a year later a band called Megadeth releases a debut album lol

[@Warp_Head]

@Laurence Pinney The riff is not from 1984. Hammett originally wrote it for Exodus - Die By The Sword ;)

[@xXFraudXx]

@@Warp_Head it's "die by his hand" by exodus, "die by the sword" is Slayer.

[@MKDumas1981]

You mean the Exodus riff Metallica used?

[@TheUncannyCthulhu]

My favorite riff of 1984 is the downwards chug in For Whom The Bell Tolls, that riff is just so deliciously chunky

[@TheGuitarman1968]

A Great list from a great time to be alive! I was 16 in 1984 and a Sophomore in high school. I Got my driver's license that year and we did a LOT of cruisin' to almost all of these songs. I had already been playing guitar for 4 years by 1984 and could play most of these riffs back then and still play them today. Another great, but lesser known, band of the 80's (and still touring today) is Y&T. Their album "In Rock We Trust" was released in July of '84. "Lipstick & Leather" and "Don't Stop Running" are just two of the many great songs from that album. Dave Meniketti is such an amazing musician as both a guitar player and singer. Keep up the great work with these lists. They bring back a lot of "most excellent" memories from those really fun years. 🎸 🎸 🎸

[@allancerf9038]

They were fun years, weren't they!?

[@backslash68]

You should do best riffs of 1985, and Lay it down by Ratt should be there.

[@tristantristan4733]

Best song for waking up the neighbourhood

[@brenb87]

I have news

[@jf4196]

master of puppets

[@guitardavepdx]

Being an older dude these videos make me realize how influenced I was by then. I was 7 when most of these came out and I found my head grooving along with these. Also a "runaway" tutorial would be awesome

[@jsoye]

I hadn't come across the Dio one before, it rocks... they rock... wait a minute...

[@mthwnicodemus]

Any video that acknowledges weird al’s contributions to humanity automatically gets a like from me.

[@greybanner1830]

Nice list! Love that you included Rush as well as that opening lick from When Doves Cry. Next up has gotta be 86. That might be the best year in music EVER.

[@UltraViolence74989]

I remember being 10 years old, going to my cousins to go swimming and he had the VH 1984 cassette. I had dabbled with guitar for about 3 years, my grandpa made bluegrass records, my dad played and after I heard that album that was it for me. There were no "Uncle Bens" back then so I had to teach myself, which I did along with Cherry Lane tab books that would take 4-6 weeks to arrive cause you had to send a check.

[@johnboleyjr.1698]

You thought 1984 was full of great music, just wait till it becomes 1987. Two of the greatest years of that decade.

[@l1feson]

So pleased you included Kid Gloves. One of my all time favourite Rush tracks 👍👍🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@Jacksonkellyfreak]

No joke Uncle Ben I put a pickup called the 1984 in one of my neon pink guitars today, and I bought it on a whim because I was born in 84, then you upload this same day. Must have been a good year.

[@BenEller]

Wow!

[@SamiHelenius]

I would have picked "2 Minutes to Midnight" instead of "Powerslave", but nevertheless it was cool that Maiden got a mention.

[@kennethchartrand4251]

Aces High has a much more enduring riff....

[@cfg1991]

No

[@clenjones5748]

NOOO. NOT THE MIDNIGHTERINOS!

[@psyco3193]

Meh I sort of agree with Ben, Midnight is overplayed while powerslave has a really interesting exotic choice of notes, however even if is not the strongest song of the album I would have picked the stellar riff of back in the village

[@bloodofmyenemies]

2 Minutes To Midnight has one of the most used metal riffs of all time though. Maiden were probably the 10th band to use it.

[@donniebrook9900]

I bought my first nice guitar in 1984. A 1978 Les Paul Firebrand with an all walnut body. It weights a ton but plays so nice. I still have it. Keep rocking Ben. Thanks for the vids.

[@bobbynip66]

I was a high school senior in ‘84....so many different styles to choose from...there was something for everyone!

[@TheShreddingHand]

Such a great year! The WANT is HIGH on that pink/blue Suhr!

[@theboozecannon]

Extra points for including Powerslave! One of the riffs that made me want to play guitar. Really expected Panama to be number 1, but no complaints. More of this, please!

[@TommyBlazeHD]

Awww man! You got me so good with the Talking Heads intro! I fell in love with it again when I watched “The Boys”

[@literalemu2815]

Yesssssss, Runaway getting some love! That keyboard riff has always been such a stand out for me

[@garylisbon8933]

LMAO I was wondering if you were going to get to VH 1984...such a kick ass song. I seen them on the Meanstreet tour and they opened up with just that. Eddie came out alone doing the tapping intro and when he busted into the rhythm the lights shined bright and it was all uphill from there!!! They even did Ice Cream Man...killllllller!!!!

[@RqtballPro]

I graduated HS in '84... miss those metal days...right on Ben! \m/

[@dixonworld]

Just keep going! 85 86 and 87 are astonishing for the number of quality riffs...

[@artemis213]

Man, the Gunship backdrop in the thumbnail hooked me into watching. Then the excellent content kept me around. I really enjoy this series and hope you continue.

[@tylersherkin9487]

Slaying it on that Peppers riff... WE ROCK! I love that tune. This video gets better and better as we go through. Thanks, Uncle Ben!

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

I thought you were going to do the intro to hot for teacher... That cemented Eddie atop the all time throne for me. When I heard it the first time my brain couldn't even conceive of what I was hearing much less how the hell he played it. Great list Ben!

[@Frodojack]

I love these kind of videos. My suggestion is to go back farther in time to the 1960s, maybe starting with 1964 and do YOUR top 20 riffs for each year. That's a ton of content right there.

[@brett327]

I love that you went to Kid Gloves. I remember learning that Riff as a kid. Probably the first time I realized that you could synch your picking to the delay timing.

[@TremorBear]

B. Eller-I discovered your channel 3 weeks ago. I’m 57 years old and I started playing when I was in sixth grade. These last ten years have been so blah (concerning my “playing”). My playing stopped progressing back in the 80’s! I found your synchronize your hands video and these last 3 weeks have been so encouraging. Thank you! I’ll keep watching and learning. My goal is to be able to play 16th notes at 120bpm. I’m at 97 bpm and slowly progressing. More progress in 3 weeks than 30 years! Thank you!

[@GetzGoth]

Grace Under Pressure. Actually one of my favorite Rush albums. A healthy dose of nostalgic value probably contributes somewhat to that. Kid Gloves is possibly my favorite track on it. Btw, this Ben Eller cat can straight up play!

[@coldvoid]

1984 here as well! Cheers, Uncle ;)

[@ashtabet3450]

‘86. Best year for thrash in history, and that’s a damn fact.

[@tanirbergenmustafa92]

Master of puppets is my favourite

[@micheldolores5924]

Whiplash - power and pain. So fucking underrated. Spit on your grave is a great one.

[@sole__doubt]

RIB and MOP are two of the best metal albums ever.

[@lw1391]

I can't believe you put Mr. Popeil on the list - completely unexpected, but that's awesome. "You can even cut a tin can with it ... but you wouldn't want to"

[@jakehyde2408]

I'm just here with my mind blown that Ride the Lightning was '84! I was 9 then and had no idea that Metallica existed until junior high. Wow! Better late than never? Great list of riffs; please do more. A list of 5 or so riffs that made you want to play guitar would be cool to see! 🤘

[@Gonzo2707]

You were born in 1984?!? YOU‘RE NOT MY UNCLE, you‘re my little brother 😄. Good call on G/P, my first and still absolute favourite Rush album.

[@nanthilrodriguez]

Are you saying you're his BIG BROTHER? Because you're always WATCHING HIM? Because its 1984?

[@tonepoet]

@@nanthilrodriguez George Orwell would approve.

[@andygogocomics]

Uncle Ben is only one year older than me, and this is why I suck at guitar. 😂

[@ronniejacobsen3000]

Yeah no shit. Just a wee lil baby uncle... Or wait uncle from the future?? Love you unck....

[@TeeMost]

Ok, I’ll do it. it’s p/g... 😁

[@GMHG777]

Dear Uncle Ben I knew there was a reason I was secretly madly in love with you, breaking out the Big Al Lifeson Kid Gloves riff today proves we were meant to be .. ok not really, but this was super killer you pulled that one out my dude! So many killer guitar tracks on that album !!

[@RichardONeil]

That was so much fun! You could go back to the 60s and move forward year by year and we would just watch them...or you could move onto '85!

[@sbiegs3885]

Ya. Crosby “The King” and Warren has a bad ass sound. Riff masters.

[@davidbakerscuba]

Ratt and Stryper were baddest guitar duos bands of the 80’s!

[@brandenmducharme]

David Baker Skid Row? They had the best second to Ratt in my opinion

[@andygogocomics]

Yes, Weird Al's original songs are criminally underrated. I probably know every word 😂 SO CATCHY. Finally someone said it!

[@bludredrobin4900]

I could feel my blood pressure rising as the video went on with no Maiden, but then I found them in the top 5. Phew! Lol. Great video, man!

[@shanemendiola5615]

He even kills the bass!!!! I love this man. He would be a star if this were the 80s

[@tassobear]

what are you talking about? He is a star! ;)

[@renzitutoringandguitar3047]

Yes! Marvy video. Thank you, Sir! 1984 was magical, it was the absolute heyday for hard rock and classical metal.

[@GODANMEDIA]

Great choices. I knew them all except one the chili peppers. I was 12 in 1984. Awe I miss my boom box and cherished tapes! Lol

[@doodles6200]

Damn Uncle Ben! Love hearing your opinions after I've been learning from you for years. Much love.

[@Jedediah73]

Very, very, VERY cool and excellent series idea! This was a thrill to watch and listen to! One glaring omission imo: A Dangerous Meeting - Mercyful Fate

[@ErizotDread]

Hard to argue with any of these picks, honestly. Well done!

[@coryboggs5980]

Love your channel...would love to see an 81 or 83 video. Thanks for the great content 🤘

[@Xtrememan512]

Best riffs of 1986-87 lets goooooo! Awesome stuff man!

[@scottyjordan0812]

1984 - what an amazing year for great albums!! Awesome video Ben! I love your Part 1 list! So happy to see "Kid Gloves" from RUSH G.U.P. - Amazing Album! & Powerslave from Iron Maiden!! Here are some additions... "Perfect Strangers" Deep Purple from THE riff-master Ritchie Blackmore!! “Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2 "Wire" and "Bad" are also great!! "The Sentinel" - Judas Priest or "Freewheel Burning" - Defenders of the Faith has some amazing riffs throughout. Also, George Lynch has stated in interviews that "Some Heads Are Gonna Roll" was the 'inspiration' for "Into the Fire" "Far Beyond The Sun" - Yngwie Malmsteen "Boys of Summer" - Mike Campbell - Not one single riff, but Great & tasty guitar riffs throughout!

[@calvinmartin3711]

Uncle Ben...admittedly, I cannot believe you pulled Kid Gloves out of Rush GUP. Great find and one of my favorite songs on that LP. As a side note, at age 49, I'm struggling to call you uncle, but I'm game to envision myself as in my late teens again.

[@fromdepthswerise3024]

He just pulled off a lick that even Prince himself said he couldn't remember so he had it backtracked for live shows. Damn.

[@michaelwade9455]

This could just as easily have been "The Top Riffs ON 1984"!! Fun stuff Ben, always entertaining and glad to see you dive a little deeper than the norm.

[@AJ82778]

You had me at Powerslave. Had to hide that album from my parents (they thought I might end up worshiping Egyptian cat gods or something).

[@Dan_Ranger]

Way to make me feel old! I was 20/21. I could be your Dad! haha Good times fuelled by riffs and beer. I remember Jovi's first UK gig in the UK with Kiss and Metallica's first UK gig.... Officially Old.

[@coolmacatrain9434]

4:51 🎵 I saw her on Monday, twas my lucky bun day... 🎵

[@SuperJimic]

Aaah, this is killer. Looking forward to this series. Long may it continue. 🙌

[@WallyBoots]

I would love to see this as a series!! Awesome!!

[@DeirdreSM]

Okay, as someone who lived through 1984 (and played a few gigs then), your oddball inclusions made me give you a fistbump. I was definitely far more into alternative, so I'd have to go with the bass line in Thomas Dolby's Hyperactive as one of the most memorable riffs in 1984. RIP Matthew Seligman, the bassist, who recently died of COVID-19.

[@TheThunderchild666]

That intro riff to bad boys running wild by scorpions. Never seen it done or sound right yet

[@tobiasreitsma3381]

You should totally make these a series! Usually when I click on these kind of video's I expect to see the same lists over and over again but you introduce me to new music by putting in a lot more effort it's awesome!

[@Chris-Ian]

Talking about hair metal - my favourite 80's riff has gotta be the intro of Lay it Down by Ratt. And I don't even listen to that type of music. Maybe I should listen to some of that stuff... What would you recommend?

[@Chris-Ian]

@GuitarPlayerFromThe80s I will. Thank you :)

[@4572dk]

Body talk and looking for love are two fucking amazing songs. The latter isn't talked about enough

[@Chris-Ian]

@@4572dk Honestly I prefer Whitesnake's "Looking for love". "Body talk" has some interesting guitar parts. 80's glam bands had some tasty riffs but I still can't seem to enjoy the vocals of that era.

[@inspectorbudget]

Listen to Dokken's "Back For The Attack" & Ratt "Reach For The Sky".

[@Chris-Ian]

@@inspectorbudget Dude, I listened to "Reach for the sky" and it's really good. No filler material basically, and sounds like a mixture of Jane's addiction and Mother Love Bone with some classical 80's hair metal. The lyrics are a bit cheesy, but that's to be expected.

[@coolmacatrain9434]

Ok, some others with great Guitar/Bass parts from 1984 you might also like, Ben. (I am aware though, that some of these may have only been hits in Britain & Ireland and not the States) The Pretenders - 2000 Miles Snowy White - Bird of Paradise Simple Minds - Waterfront John Lennon - Nobody Told Me Big Country - Wonderland The Alarm - Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke Kenny Loggins - Footloose Lloyd Cole And The Commotions - Perfect Skin Queen - It's A Hard Life U2 - Pride (In The Name Of Love) ZZ Top - Gimme All Your Lovin'

[@johnmarquez333]

Awesome vid all 'round, but thumbs up for "Kid Gloves." Was not expecting that, but Grace Under Pressure changed my musical world. Edit: And BTW, that blue and pink Suhr is sick!!!

[@kibavlood5826]

Uncle Ben could you also make a video on best hair products? I love Hair Metal, hope there are modern Hair Metal bands out there.

[@eddieissa]

This was fun to watch, uncle Ben. You should definetly do another one.

[@gabrielramirez7646]

Almost got me there Ben because I really did think you wouldnt mention Creeping Death at all.. had me going there man but I loved the video and you should take another dive back in time with some bad ass riffs.. please more videos like this because I know you had a blast doing them.. look at your face playing them.. just full of fun man!

[@felipegomabrockmann2740]

Excellent!!!! please 1985 , 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990

[@davros666]

As someone who was a 14 yo guitarist in 1984, I approve this list. Thanx nephew Ben!

[@BrianH020]

Ok Ben, I may be picking a nit here, but Psycho Killer was originally released in 1977, though Wikipedia DOES say it was part of the concert film Stop Making Sense, which was released in '84 and had clips on MTv certainly. Just thought I'd point that out, apologies if someone else already did. Carry on my Wayward Son!

[@djsnackypants]

7 people can't get over the fact that Puppoids is not Mortillica's sophomore record ;)

[@brucetrebilcox5648]

One of the best years of my life (graduated high school....barely). This video along with your teaching videos made me finally become a patreon. Great work, sir.

[@bwgti]

Mr. Popiel? You are digging deep bro.. How many people know what that song even is? I didn’t know Mr. Popiel was a real thing until I was in my 20s. Great video. You killed it on the SRV riff.

[@allancerf9038]

Ben, so much good material (and bad) on youtube or the net in general. And life is too short. Your channel is one of the VERY few I'm glad I ran into. Both as a professional musician and a fan of music in general. Take care.

[@CynHicks]

Adding Al is probably the most intelligent thing anyone could ever do for one of these list. 10 thumbs up for that dude.

[@bimscutney1242]

I’m not normally into neon colored guitars but that pink and blue Suhr swirl is freaking amazing. It looks like the world’s best lollipop.

[@johnmenna7391]

I will never understand your affinity for Weird Al, but I loved the keyboard adaptation for runaway. I appreciate the effort and will get off the fence and join the patreon page soon..God bless

[@davidbakerscuba]

Anything from Stryper’s debut Yellow and Black Attack could have made the list but especially From Wrong to Right. Michael Sweet and Oz Fox are an amazing guitar duo and still doing it to perfection today.

[@tonepoet]

In 1984 I was that 16 year old stoner wearing spandex to the movie theater after I teased up my mullet and I remember when all of this stuff came out that year. We knew how good we had it, trust me.

[@Froxiyahu]

Dude round and round and metallica in the same list's top 3!!!!!!! I love you man

[@blakegilliam8223]

Whole new level of respect for you for breaking out with Scuttle Buttin. Was that ever covered on WWS?

[@brianbondy5667]

I was born in 84 as well!There was some great music that year.I personally think Scuttle Buttin' should have been much much higher. Let's face it though this is a VERY well represented list of riffs well done!

[@randellwillis]

I was 21 and in college in 1984, best of my 6 1/2 years of college! You look like one of my roommates, Ben.

[@williamgainford9332]

Very enjoyable ben - laura brannigans self control intro riff really goes under the radar - it was my fave riff that year - neck and neck with rock you like a hurricane - also summer of 69 brian adams - too young to fall in love motley crue are worthy of a mention

[@mrdf730]

waiting to do Dan Huff licks lesson man!!!keep up the good work

[@willparker547]

Great vid brother. ‘79 would be a good year.

[@itsCONTROVERSY]

5:46 whoa that guitar is awesome. I love the colors

[@erikm9540]

Thought for sure #1 was going to be 'Panama". Awesome job!

[@victormarqves]

Great video idea! Also, I love your sense of humour and want to thank you for your lessons, I began to improve on guitar only after watching you!

[@station2station544]

1984? The Smiths, Johnny Marr "This Charming Man". Thanks for putting in the first RHCP album and "Get up and Jump". Saw them in Denver with Hillel Slovak still on guitar in 1986.

[@ClutchEastwood]

Was sweatin... waiting for PowerSlave! Great post! I subbed!

[@BossDM-2]

I knew you played bass (I mean, what decent guitar player can't figure out a bass line and play it with either fingers or pick?) , but I didn't realize you could play bass like a real bass player, slaps and all. Great series, this "Best Riffs of... ." Others on KZbin have similar sorts of videos, but your two that I have seen (1984 and 1985) are easily among the best. You really should do a year-by-year (one year per episode) thing. I am gonna have to finally go to the Patreon page when I have time today.

[@motordonkey]

I got an unstoppable grin when you played Hot For Teacher. ahhhh yeah!