Top 10 Guitar Riffs of All Time

[@cliff7292]

Ozzy when he sings you can understand every word perfectly.. When he talks you can't understand a word.

[@chrispennington5981]

Because he had a stroke several years ago, he has trouble articulating...

[@zippythechimp4219]

Just like a someone with a studder

[@sagikurland1146]

So fucking true

[@etonbachs4226]

@@zippythechimp4219 *stutter

[@Mystic_Apollo]

Many reasons but the main ones are stutter, drugs and the fact he's from Birmingham and when he sings loses his accent like many people

[@levon1176]

I can’t get no satisfaction from this list

[@mrscientific4956]

Oh cool, me too, but only because of SOME mentions on it

[@markclayton7294]

Levon11 that's only because you don't know anything about music MC

[@jackwise2176]

@@markclayton7294 stfu

[@wadena__support3057]

that's soo funny

[@wadena__support3057]

@NSBDS gnr ? what do you expect it's watchmojo

[@Snuffzy]

The honourable mentions make more of a good list than the actual list.

[@amitabhkunchey9342]

I second that

[@wallbanger3]

I was at that Van Halen concert

[@jesuscalderon6809]

Not quite...I think you are not right

[@TheKrodes]

@Nathaniel Butcher lmao

[@sirgil23]

Truth

[@MonkeyBoo]

“Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits It should be in this list!

[@ThomasTallant]

I'm still really torn about the missing verse....

[@vstrmrk]

There is no speaker loud enough to handle that first riff

[@ThomasTallant]

@@vstrmrk nicely said

[@trishacorcoran6413]

yeah it really should

[@trishacorcoran6413]

its a honorable mention but should be on the list

[@GabzitoHD]

My personal favorites, no particular order. Sweet child o' mine - Guns n Roses Plug in baby - Muse Smells like teen spirit - Nirvana Money - Pink Floyd Everlong - Foo Fighters Fortunate son - Creedence Clearwater Revival Here comes your man - Pixies Day tripper - The Beatles When I come around - Green Day Song 2 - Blur What do you think about this list :)?

[@mercy1441]

Jimi Hendrix ?

[@chloevitagliano9565]

Dream on?

[@veronicavillarreal2869]

Good list👍🏻

[@ALLMETAL1970]

Not as good as the original, and that's saying something

[@ann-christinenilsson4046]

Enter Sandman -Metallica

[@zackthompson2326]

Stairway to heaven, dream on, iron man, thunderstruck, smells like teen spirit all shoulda been on this list

[@slap-ft3tp]

Zack Thompson not smells like teen spirit. The rest I sort of agree

[@a.j.s98]

Kurwa smells like teen spirit is more recognisable and iconic than dream on and stairway to heaven

[@aaebsssb9914]

A.J.S Nirvana sucks so much i hate smells like teem spirit so much

[@aaebsssb9914]

A.J.S Stairway to heaven is 10x more recognisable

[@a.j.s98]

Dr moist 69 when you think nirvana you think smells like teen spirit. When you think led zeppelin you think immigrant song and black dog not stairway to heaven

[@skinnynuggetsmith7548]

4:09 can we just appreciate how badass that transition was?

[@thomasdaniels6824]

Almost sounded like one song.

[@johnballs0540]

‘Twas smooth indeed

[@christopher4443]

Not really tho, it's just cutting one video to another

[@arieldanielyahuda4692]

heck yeah. i like it.

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

@@christopher4443 he's talking about the music

[@matthewtaylor1785]

“Money for Nothing” is a requirement when talking about the best riffs. I can never get that one out of my head.

[@jasonouellette2436]

No doubt. One of the top 5 riffs of all time

[@Xxrocknrollgod]

Na

[@freddiequeenfriendschannel2533]

and .... the guitar riff of BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, and that Brian May executes with precision and accuracy being that one of the most difficult riffs to execute first because it is very long and lasts 2 minutes! but my dear watch mojo in spanish you were wrong, it is not from Brian May, it is from Freddie. yes gentlemen, Bohemian Rhapsody was written and composed in its entirety, by our dear Freddie. Lo ejecuta Brian obviamente, pero lo presentaste como un riff de Brian May.

[@freddiequeenfriendschannel2533]

@@jasonouellette2436 but there is a small drawback ... a small error, and in composers to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Freddie did the riff for Bohemian Rhapsody. That song is entirely his. I would have liked Let it say look here is an interesting fact, the riff of the 20th century song, it was not composed by a guitarist, on the contrary, it made the guitars cry, Mr. Freddie Mercury (Meteor in his spare hours, ). Meteorite in his free hours, Precisely who made the papers to give him that name, in tribute to his great friend.

[@mughizal]

@@jasonouellette2436 pppp

[@MinecraftGuy5145]

Yo guys I found this track called Stairway To Heaven, it's not bad lol

[@pruthvidinesh9846]

U do know that song is considered one of the greatest Rock songs of all time?

[@nathanhull8302]

Pruthvi Dinesh I’m assuming he was being sarcastic because that song is one of the most iconic but yet wasn’t included in this list. Basically watch mojo made it seem like some nobody song so hes being sarcastic by following up with how he just found out about that “underrated” song

[@kickhul710]

Pruthvi Dinesh r/wooosh

[@TheOnilink1230]

Clearly CM was expressing the clear injustice of stairway not being in the top 10 let alone an honorable mention. Especially because WM clearly know who the zep are!

[@gkb4401]

@@pruthvidinesh9846 fuck you bullshit

[@waifu_6399]

Watch Mojo: (puts Nirvana in intro, doesn't mention it) Nirvana: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@krisfrederick5001]

I didn't even see them in the intro, I didn't think they'd make the list when I saw what was #10

[@blackpearl2341]

A 'mind blowing' joke

[@INFAMOUSeddie707]

I hate Nirvana and I live in Seattle LOL

[@phishfearme2]

"Am I a joke to you?" - yes

[@Luka-zi9kv]

Yes, they are

[@matheuslobato9212]

Watch mojo: master of puppets #9 Metallica: am I a joke for you

[@gabifrancis7414]

It’s really sad because that is one of there most popular song

[@beefaveli3443]

This list should be all metallica. 10. Wherever I may roam 9. Seek & Destroy 8. And justice for all 7. Ride the lightning 6. For whom the bell tolls 5. Nothing else matters 4. Fade to black 3. Master of puppets 2. Welcome home sanitarium 1. ONE!!!

[@TheOnilink1230]

@@beefaveli3443 ONE as number 1 is more of a right answer than saying the absolute value of 1 plus the absolute value of 1 is 2 (if we are only using base 10)

[@gcar5214]

Master of puppets is not only sick to listen to but it’s relatively easy to play it you can get the down picking right

[@thiccochet]

@@beefaveli3443 They should've replaced Master of Puppets with something else and just done a separate video for Metallica riffs instead

[@itsme9679]

Watch mojo: Do you agree with our list ? Everyone: where do I start ?

[@michaelb9537]

Best place to start: what’s a riff

[@pin-starfish8931]

@@michaelb9537 and what a guitar is

[@thomasglynn2282]

When they put GVF in the worst snl performance I realized their lists are not a true representation of what rock fans know and love.

[@terrijaeger9679]

@@michaelb9537 A riff is a repeated chord progression or refrain in music; it is a pattern, or melody, often played by the rhythm section instruments or solo instrument, that forms the basis or accompaniment of a musical composition.

[@ethanprince356]

Best place to start: fuck off you fucking amateurs

[@astrallixr6605]

Watchmojo: *Talks about Randy Rhoads* Also Watchmojo: *Shows Brad Gillis*

[@ALLMETAL1970]

Randy is too good to be showed on such a shitty channel

[@frid6277]

@@ALLMETAL1970 agreed

[@HelenaHandBaskett1]

I thought the same thing!!!!

[@stevezellmer6695]

Agreed, boo to watchmojo

[@JiraTheFreak]

Well, there's not really much videos with Randy. Fucking thank you, Sharon!

[@Santhillanna014]

My Opinion 10. Rock You Like A Hurrakine 9. Paranoid 8. Layla 7. Whole Lotta Love 6. Crazy Train 5. Back In Black 4. Voodoo Child 3. Johnny B Goode 2. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction 1. Smoke On The Water

[@moonmoon4893]

I'm happy for you Santiago and Imma let you finish but No one like you (Sorpions) has the best riff of all the time!!

[@Santhillanna014]

Sara Sapphire Is Excellent, but not most important as this.

[@moonmoon4893]

Important, maybe not, but damn! the riff is orgasmic!

[@Santhillanna014]

Sara Sapphire Well, that is just your opinion. Because everyone thinks different, for example from me, the best riff on electric guitar is Shine On You Crazy Diamond of Pink Floyd, and I did not included on this list.

[@moonmoon4893]

I'm talking about *only* Scorpions songs.

[@kingjohnny4314]

No thunderstruck, eye of the tiger, smells like teen spirit, dream on, johnny b Goode, nothing by the Beatles or queen and sweet child of mine is an honorable mention WHAT?!??? Edit: i would have switched back in black and whole lotta love for thunderstruck and immigrant song. Also helter skelter/day tripper on the list at least honerable mention

[@ethanarmstrong4292]

Exactly

[@patrickobrien4391]

Stairway to heaven? Do you know what a riff is?

[@kingjohnny4314]

@@patrickobrien4391 now that you say it you are right

[@warina69]

Hail king Johnny

[@joeloliver2279]

It’s watch mojo. My expectations were low, but holy fuck!

[@ryanb33n]

Name a person who hears the opening to Sweet Home Alabama and doesn’t know exactly what song it is

[@omiofenilski9264]

What song

[@Fix_Bayonets]

Still think their best riff is Call me the Breeze but no Skynard at all?

[@christophermerlot3366]

@@Fix_Bayonets That one's good but I go with Gimme Three Steps.

[@JeffSmith-pl2pj]

Not Free Bird?

[@MetalMonkey]

Sweet Child O' Mine is just an honourable Mention? WTF?

[@letshaveit6058]

Queen

[@drewlbers]

That riff makes me want to chop off my ears

[@chunkymonkey5458]

Oodibigah fair but everyone knows it and it’s so iconic it should at least be on the list

[@chunkymonkey5458]

Yoda _ woah chill😂😂

[@grahamhannah2108]

GNR sucks so an honorable mention is more than it deserves.

[@samsipprell7676]

"only Jimi Hendrix was really capable of producing it" SRV: "am I a joke to you?"

[@stingpingking4040]

Sam S stevie left the chat

[@naimsguitarandoutdooradven1261]

Stevie played it a lot better

[@frans9933]

R.I.P to both of those legends

[@tamibrandt]

Just as well... in the top 10 underrated guitarists, SRV wasn't even mentioned either. But they mentioned EVH

[@AbinavV06]

@@naimsguitarandoutdooradven1261 No Jimi = No Stevie

[@Hydrolysis_Moment]

Honorable mentions are better than the actual list lol

[@denniscowe3289]

Tox- ic in other news, the sky is blue

[@rickmatthews3487]

Agreed

[@austinmorris2647]

Ikr? Trooper gets an honorable mention? Are they showing us videos or trolling us?

[@MetalDetroit]

Tox- ic What would you remove from the list ?

[@georgeshotzbarger3955]

Roger that! Mark & the Straits were SO cheated.

[@nybsfp7486]

Not a Clapton fan by any means…and definitely a metal head…but Layla gets my vote for best riff of all time. It’s just untouchable.

[@nirj5991]

it's really more of a lick

[@willemsikkema3604]

And I’m my opinion just unlistenable. A whining boring song.

[@themess7528]

Well done you just offended the whole fricking guitar community

[@meep9231]

, not just the guitar community the rock community

[@m.e.bentoo2271]

Not 'frickin' but pickin' and yer rite !

[@philipwieman9955]

“Weve excluded instrumentals” Me: there goes eruption

[@frederikschulp]

Eruption is not a riff but a solo

[@frid6277]

They even showed it in the beginning And I was sad when they said that cause the excluded goat by polypha with is the hardest riff

[@HellhammerSS]

Yeppers urgh

[@Xxrocknrollgod]

Not a riff ..

[@nolanharrison798]

4:09 SMOOOOOOTH AS FRICK TRANSITION

[@LiamEgan17]

Nolan Harrison ha ha yeah

[@RandomPerson-iw4jw]

Yeah lmao

[@Focolicious]

Ok nolan harrison

[@brianbianchi8028]

@@LiamEgan17 new favorite song

[@vstrmrk]

“Money For Nothing” should be on this list, there’s no speaker in the world loud enough for that intro riff.

[@klousealbers7300]

Hey bud let’s party

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

Honorable mention - but should have been on the main list.

[@aggelosm.9125]

Dire Straits ''Money for Nothing" shoulda been at least 3rd and not just a honorable mention

[@maty476xd]

yes

[@richardwalsh3680]

Dire straits is better than 99% of the newer artists

[@marceloveracruz718]

Straight facts

[@gigachad2276]

Amazing riff

[@itsme-kz6mc]

I feel like that should’ve been number one. That riff is amazing

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

Riff #2 Crazy Train. That's Brad Gillis in the video, not Randy Rhoads, lol.

[@ericelzea9035]

fucking Sharon cant even let Randy take the credit

[@stevenvictx]

Sad thing is they showed him in the intro of the countdown

[@griffinsdr1811]

Guitar Lessons - EASY TO LEARN BobbyCrispy something seemed off when I saw the pink strat

[@stewiegriffin4]

And sweet Child o' mine isn't a riff

[@jacksonfloyd5929]

I saw that!

[@nunornogueira]

Led Zeppelin - Kashmir or Immigrant Song

[@Anderson-ly9no]

Definitely Kashmir,this song has best riff ever.

[@imranatheistformer-muslim3884]

I'm against immigrants. I also don't like Kashmir. Terrible place

[@benniebaldwin9179]

Ramble on is a little better

[@deisteryeti61]

Kashmir!

[@karlhombaker9913]

Immigrant song definitely

[@tbreezy8681]

The fact that stairway to heaven wasn’t on the list or even an honourable mention is a tragedy

[@iplayroblox2317]

That’s prob because it’s acoustic

[@tbreezy8681]

@@iplayroblox2317 He didn’t play that song on an acoustic he played it on his double neck with the twelve string.

[@joaoferreiradealmeida1102]

My favourite band is led zeppelin! But stairway to heaven is not a riff

[@iplayroblox2317]

@@tbreezy8681 wasn’t that live

[@tbreezy8681]

@@joaoferreiradealmeida1102 no the whole song is not a riff I’m just talking about the first riff it’s iconic

[@Mofokkachris]

If you're going to talk about Randy Rhoads, you might want to use actual footage of him and not Brad Gillis butchering his solo..just saying.

[@jpistolas]

Butcher? Gillis is no joke! Granted no RR but still.....

[@chrisb9257]

Yeah, I think its harsh to say he butchered it, especially since he had practically no time to learn the entire setlist. But the point is well taken about the video. I'm certain nobody at WatchMojo knows that's not Randy in the shots they showed.

[@thomasrusselgall327]

i was confused also... kinda sounded like Randy, but i kept seeing Brad...

[@FlyingGospel]

1 Song per artist. Puts a song by Ozzy Osbourne and another from Black Sabbath. It's not because the name is different that the artist is not. Come on WatchMojo.

[@cjseeskt]

dude you just broke the system

[@Mauricejonesdrew3213]

they are played by two different guitarist though.

[@shabdkoshsoutherland2654]

The riff's artist is different.

[@SneezeGravy]

They were played by two seperate guitarists who wrote the riffs... Did you think Ozzy came up with the guitar riffs for his guitarists in both bands?

[@TheKevlar4]

Tony Iommi is playing in Sabbath and Randy is playing in Ozzy. This list is about guitar not the vocalist.

[@abrarshahid7509]

(Don't Fear) The Reaper should've at least gotten an honorary mention.

[@zami299]

Maybe if there was more cowbell

[@ΔημητρηςΚολιοπουλος-η2μ]

yeah

[@stupidthingswedo1604]

+Jimmy Neutron AHHAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@brandonwilliams-vs9sq]

it just needs more cowbell

[@abrarshahid7509]

I think....I think I have... a fever.We got a doctor nearby?

[@jesuscalderon6809]

Like many of you out there, I also have some favorites that are not included in the list but, for most of the picks I agree. Van Halen's Jump, The Guess Who's American Woman, Jethro Tull's Aqualung, The Hollies' Cool Long Woman; also La Grange by ZZTop or Purple Haze by you know who may have at least been mentioned, but all this is so subjective and depends on taste and favoritism. There will never be a list on which we all concur.

[@watermelon9808]

Me: I know this list is wrong *clicks anyway*

[@stepladder3257]

Ikr, i must end this habit

[@jesuscalderon6809]

Well, share your list... Let's see what people think of your picks. You might be right

[@watermelon9808]

@@jesuscalderon6809 I’ll probably be wrong also

[@christian9146]

There are so many good riffs than your favourites

[@cehrriins123]

Why is no one saying anything about the Ozzy Osbourne footage? The narrator is talking about Randy Rhoads' guitar work... but the footage is Ozzy playing with frigging Brad Gillis! Rhoads wrote the damn riff and it's not like video doesn't exist of him playing this song. Gillis is awesome and everything, but Mojo, just make sure you're using footage of the artist you're talking about, alright?

[@paolocavalli7]

THANK YOU! RIP RANDY

[@jakominiful]

Well done Erin!!!! I just watched this and was appalled by the Crazy Train video clip as you were. How the hell do you honor someones guitar work with a video of someone else playing it?????? ESPECIALLY, when there are plenty of video clips of Randy. Sometimes, WATCH MOJO has their head up their ass.

[@anodizingstatic]

***** Yeah...it didn't sound like Randy either. Close but I knew something was off...Randy never played strats live and that was a dead giveaway. It was always the polka dot V or creme Les Paul.

[@shikalakabum]

they could've used crazy train video from after hours. live with randy

[@MrChadhannahs]

I scrolled thru comments to c if anyone mentioned the footage of crazy train..... Yes younger viewers that wasn't the almighty Randy roads!!! C'mon mojo Wtf???!!?!!

[@vgames89]

I would give don't fear the reaper at least an honorable mention.

[@whutzat]

vgames89 MORE COWBELL!

[@lovisa4680]

+vgames89 thank you

[@jafl1971]

My best guitar riffs: Ozzy Osbourne- I Don't Know Iron Maiden- Aces High Loudness - Crazy Nights Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane Whitesnake- Still Of The Night Dokken- In My Dreams Ratt- Lay It Down Motley Crue- Looks That Kill Dio- We Rock Rush- Limelight Judas Priest- Breaking The Law Black Sabbath- Iron Man Van Halen - Runing With The Devil Poison- Talk Dirty To Me Cinderella- Gipsy Road Saxon- Denim and Leather Accept- Balls to the Wall Survivor- Eye of the Tiger Toto- Hold The Line Foreigner- Feels Like The First Time Heart- Barracuda Stryper- Soldiers Under Command

[@JosePabloOrellanaMedrano]

Top 10 guitar riffs? Theres too many to make just a top 10. You can get a top 20 just from Black Sabbath... what about a top 1000?

[@tkb667]

itsPayo6802 I feel like a top 50 that quickly goes through it would have to many of the same artists tho. I mean you have Prince, ACDC and so many more people/bands who are famous for gutair/riffs.

[@DeRen179]

Yep and add at least 20 from Slayer 🤘 Top 10 is just way too small to put in all the best riffs. Should be top 100 at least.

[@stevenmorgan7767]

itsPayo6802 (l.p.

[@ferdinandstrau3513]

Another 20 from Iron Maiden easy

[@gurbindersekhon8240]

Iommi might accidentally play twenty if he feels like

[@phreemynd]

This is a top 10 most POPULAR guitar riffs for people who don't really know guitar or rock music .

[@Businessmobilewebdesign]

Really! How the fk 'Satisfaction' made the list let alone #1 is pathetic.

[@mwilliamson7533]

@@Businessmobilewebdesign because a lot of people like it and the stones. Satisfaction was also the first song i learned on guitar.

[@daveparsley6849]

In all fairness any TOP 10 list in any artistic category is purely speculative and subjective unless based on a verifiable, documented variable such as sales, etc.

[@mikeabler2978]

I don't see 'Johnny B. Goode' on here, that's like one of the most famous riffs of all time.

[@josericotaconachoquesadill9496]

@@mwilliamson7533 btw I really like satisfaction, its a really good song. But I get what he means it's not that hard of song to play.

[@elitiller8790]

Stairway to heaven, Dream On, Thunderstruck? Stairway is literally referred to as the forbidden riff ‘cause it’s so overplayed lol.

[@boblawblaw6875]

Eli Tiller only one song per artist.

[@tweedypatrol2913]

Why isn’t through the fire and the flames by dragon force on there?!

[@elitiller8790]

BarredToaster4556387 K, ok buddy 1. The intro to Stairway IS a riff 2. I’m aware, but what I’m saying is that they could’ve chosen Stairway to Heaven over Whole Lotta Love

[@nicolasmorillo5328]

Really? For me it's Back In Black.

[@elitiller8790]

random booster101 yeah I really was directing it more towards stairway and dream on, thunderstruck just popped into mind, the riff is a lot more memorable to me I guess lol

[@Boggllez]

Shine on you crazy diamond still gives me goosebumps when gilmour plays that note

[@ChrisBrown-jp1hi]

Thunderstruck, Barracuda and Spirit of Radio all deserve at least an honorable mention

[@falconmain8616]

Smells like teen spirit was the first song showed lol

[@warrentompkins912]

damb straight

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

Barracuda definitely. Thunderstruck - honorable mention if AC/DC didn't already have a better riff on the list.

[@frankmaeder4358]

well, at least back in black is on the list. i wouldhave chosen a different one from the band, but still, they are there and sure deserve it

[@owenb7823]

Spirit of the radio absolutely

[@TheGeneralMod]

Layla rift is just so beautiful. Bad list still though XD

[@seanpet8008]

Its riff not rift

[@frans9933]

Riff* Dumbass

[@DanielDwightMusic]

Sweet child "o" mine should've been number 1. When you hear that riff, you either jump for joy or roll your eyes; but EVERYONE knows that one!

[@Corehinduism]

Agreed..love from India

[@bobstalder7278]

It sucks

[@Corehinduism]

@@bobstalder7278 fuck u

[@FreakishPower]

Most annoying piece of guitar work of all time. Made me want to jump off a building every time I heard it.

[@bobstalder7278]

@@Corehinduism Fuck U 2.. It still sucks

[@docproc144]

“Money for Nothing” is definitely up there for greatest riff ever. Some of my favorites though are Black Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell” and Dio’s “Straight Through the Heart.”

[@roberthoage679]

The whole Crazy Train segment didn't once show Randy Rhodes. >facepalm

[@krisfrederick5001]

Yeah who the hell was that guy on stage, I thought I was crazy for a second. Pun intended.

[@krisfrederick5001]

I'm thinking well I guess I don't know his face that well

[@roberthoage679]

That's Brad Gillis.

[@RockfrdDrm]

I don't know who Randy Rhodes is, I know Randy Rhoads played for Ozzy.

[@alanlee1355]

I was like that's not randy.

[@thatgamerguy7483]

Master of Puppets at 9? That should be a sin

[@austintistic8218]

Yeah, it should have been 10

[@simeonclark8825]

Austintistic yikes 😬

[@antoniomccahn2615]

Shouldn’t have made the list

[@billjeffers4792]

MoP but not One is rough. Also Wasted Years is Iron Maiden's best IMO.

[@mrchezze84]

Ur right it shouldn't be in the top 10

[@davewhiting9730]

Um, that's not Randy Rhoads lady. That's Brad Gillis. You could have Googled Randy for some footage of him.

[@MichaelPeifer]

How is it that nobody else noticed that was not Randy?? Smh

[@Drewb18c1]

Ok cool so I wasn't going crazy lol. I don't know what Randy looks like well enough to distinguish between him and Brad, but I was thinking that it was really strange to see Randy playing a Strat over his usual guitars haha

[@alleycatg6969]

No kidding...that's a insult to Randy!

[@emelie1702]

dave whiting pink floyd

[@EddiePauleBolin]

I noticed Brad IMMEDIATELY, that was very insulting ! Fire the editor !!!

[@US_John]

jimmy made enough songs to make the list for himself.

[@cheeseman4828]

jimmy hendricks

[@frandsenphilip1]

As a guitar player, I have to say that Chuck Berry's "Johnny B Goode" riff (which actually he used variants of in many songs) is ESSENTIAL. So much in rock depends on that riff, that it's inexplicable.

[@uspsdaveable]

Philip Frandsen , for me he’s The Godfather of Rock Guitar,

[@bullkellhofer8157]

I agree with you. The Beatles and the Stones both talked about the influence of Chuck Berry.

[@kurtsudheim825]

Totally agree with you, burst the list is not the most influential, but rather the greatest, & usually the first attempts at something are not the greatest

[@dBumpster]

Kashmir

[@Andreas.graversen]

dBumpster if you are talking about the danish band, i would say that they are very good, but i dont think they have any particular riffs that match the ones on this list.

[@nononoyeseyeses7647]

Hell yeah

[@jackdaw99]

Andreas Skovbak Graversen no, it’s a Led Zeppelin song, look it up and enjoy being blown away! 👌

[@papaaaron7058]

pro hacker it's led zeppelin song about Indian state kashmir. Plant wrote that song after visiting that place. And at that time kashmir was joyful place but today it's a terrorists territory.

[@epicdog3189]

I agree

[@MichaelTaylor-qp2xf]

I'm glad to see Iron Maiden and The Trooper get any acknowledgement, as they often get far too little, but I think they really should have made the top 10!

[@anthonysclafani3963]

*No Johnny B. Goode?* Not even an honorable mention? I'd put it at least in the top 3, Chuck Berry literally invented rock & roll. Basically every guitarist that came after him was influenced by him. I'm shocked Johnny B. Goode wasn't at least in the top 5, but not even giving it an honorable mention? Really?

[@larryfrito]

Anthony Sclafani has a

[@liamsmith5013]

Buddy, he’s at the very beginning

[@taino1968]

Man ....im with you 100%

[@joehood2851]

He did not invent rock and roll. Rock and roll is a blending of blues and country western. Without those 3 piece cw bands it never happens.

[@Mrtin2501]

Agreed!

[@esoteric5277]

I guess by 'best' they mean 'instantly recognizable by most' ...

[@rinozisa9396]

I mean out of 1000s of different bands there are so many riffs to choose from, a true definitive top 10 list would be impossible.

[@paulmc3457]

Exactly, they should give their heads a good shake, What is this list, and where is SRV?😬

[@tdbass2968]

Yea seems more like that rather than the "best". Certainly difficult to boil it down to 10 best since highly subjective but some here probably don't belong. Eric Clapton?? No freaking way that's in the top 10 and I would say probably not even in the top 100. The Kinks is very questionable also.

[@tfriddo]

they didnt say the best they said the top 10 ("most signature" "most memorable" and "most skilled")

[@tdbass2968]

@@tfriddo most signature or skilled? Come on then Metallica doesn't belong here at all (they didn't anyway). They have none of that and can't even hear the guitars through all the noise to really put any defining label on it... besides noise I guess.

[@YourDailyGooch]

Top 10 Drum Intros!

[@EXTREMEKIWI115]

Living After Midnight by Judas Priest would definitely make the top 3.

[@frigglediggle2]

Hot for teacher number 1 guaranteed. there you go.

[@YourDailyGooch]

David Soule YYZ, Painkiller, Run to the Hills, Stargazer...

[@frigglediggle2]

None are as long, skilled and recognizable as hot for teacher

[@nihilanthropus]

please dont forget about Pink Floyd - Learning to fly

[@graywatkin8510]

Totally agree with Ain't Talkin Bout Love VH... Gives me shivers every time.

[@damesoumbi]

The last few honorable mentions like Sunshine of Your Love, Sweet Child O' Mine, and Seven Nation Army definitely should've been on the list.🎸

[@damesoumbi]

(No disrespect to WatchMojo)

[@fabianr.1295]

Breaking The Law by Judas Priest

[@reggiefleming7712]

amen to that 1984 wls rockfest Chicago

[@wowdogeful]

Breaking The Law is good, but I personally like Living After Midnight and You've Got Another Thing Coming more.

[@nk7aa]

ɷɷɷ I Have Watcheddd Thissss Moviee Leakedddd Versionn Hereee : - t.co/RlKbv1hghK

[@wowdogeful]

Max Ward Painkiller is legendary, no questions asked. I think it got its status from Halford's singing skills and not the unique riff though.

[@joshxms2260]

dat boi from a guitarist, I'd say the riff is a bit generic and BABYMETAL ruined the vocals, however the drums are phenomenal from start to finish

[@jackalvonstone250]

I think Kashmir could have been Led Zeppelin 's song.

[@dynjarren5454]

The Ocean

[@jackalvonstone250]

@@dynjarren5454 I think that has a good riff as well, but Kashmir and Whole Lotta Love are more well known.

[@jackalvonstone250]

@@dynjarren5454 It's probably also my favorite song from Houses of the Holy.

[@bluze]

Thank you

[@nickty4]

Probably stolen

[@microwavedchopstick8943]

Where is “Money for Nothing”? One of the best riffs of all time, instantly recognizable and iconic.

[@s1ash1]

Bro didn’t watch the video💀💀

[@zooterjr]

My top 10: 10. Back in black 9. Day Tripper 8. Stairway 7. Can’t get no satisfaction 6. Sweet Child 5. I Feel Fine 4. 7 Nation Army 3. Do I Wanna Know 2. Hey Bulldog 1. She’s So Heavy I know 4 of these are Beatles riffs, but you gotta say they were great

[@billyshears3775]

I agree with you.

[@E_V878]

Money for Nothing has the single greatest opening riff of all time imo

[@zooterjr]

@@E_V878 it’s up there. Also… with a year more of music listening experience, I can say that 4 Beatles riffs don’t belong on that list. I had just recently gotten into them at the time and I thought that everything they did was great. I still do, but none those 4 are in my top 10 anymore. 😂😂

[@deliverant9375]

@@E_V878 sultans of swing is a better mark knopfler riff

[@lordcarter9593]

List would be perfect if it had “ 4:11 dire straits money for nothing “

[@charizardmaster13]

4:07 that transition from paranoid to back in black tho

[@andrewh978]

I was hoping someone was gonna comment about that lol. It was so fluid

[@andjustjizzforall]

Yeah at first I thought it was Highway To Hell but then quickly realised.

[@themetalhead2867]

I quess I'll start a Holy War against WatchMojo.

[@seanpet8008]

Its their punishment due

[@glovepro1256]

@@seanpet8008 lol

[@themetalhead2867]

@thegeorgezila No, I'm just expressing my opinion. What exactly is bad about it? 🤨

[@glovepro1256]

@thegeorgezila bruh this is a joke. Its actually a pun and most people can find humour in it. He never even said he knew what all the songs should be. Im a Metallica fan and i don't need to get mad when I see something that so much as mentions Megadeth. Everything will be ok. ✌

[@joeloliver2279]

Yes I’ll get my crusading mixtape and sword

[@thomasrobinson182]

MIA: Rolling Stones 'Jumpin' Jack Flash', Byrds ' Eight Miles High', Who 'I Can't Explain', Deep Purple 'Burn', Chicago '25 Or 6 To 4', Beatles 'I Feel Fine'.

[@MetalSonicBricks]

Most people in the comments don't seem to know what a riff is: It's a phrase that's repeated all through a song, a simple motif that is the basis of the song. There's no riff on tracks like "Eruption" or "Hotel California", or "Shine on you Crazy Diamond" (except maybe the iconic "4 notes", but I see it as a theme more than a riff) . "Ain't Talk About Love", "Life in the Fast Lane" or "In The Flesh?" are riff based.

[@JustMe-ld2cu]

MetalSonic you mean like TNT by ac/dc. Missing from this list too

[@billiey61]

how about aqualung by Tull.

[@MetalSonicBricks]

@@billiey61 one of my favorites!

[@jessejive117]

MetalSonic A rift doesn’t have to be repeated throughout the song that’s more of a hook and a hook is a Rift but yeah they were getting guitar parts or guitar solos mixed up with riffs lol

[@alumbo]

johnny B. Good may be too old for a KZbin list, but if 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love' is absent, so am I.

[@blaqice1228]

Hey Mojo, Next time show the correct person when touting their abilities. The lead guitarist with Ozzy was not Randy Rhoads but Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) performing Crazy Train. He filled in to complete Ozzy's tour after Randy died from a plane crash in 1982...

[@finnreynolds7561]

War pigs by Black Sabbath is also really memorable. Also I think the only thing they got right was smoke on the water

[@MrFluffyDoesminecraf]

I don't know about you guys but Pink floyd Shine on you crazy diamond was stuck in my head for ages great riff

[@MrFluffyDoesminecraf]

***** ahhhh 2 very good points

[@rickfaassen2778]

Nirvana smells like teen spirit or the man who sold the world

[@loganperry6407]

This list could've just been Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix

[@joshuabean1279]

Logan Perry which would've been perfectly fine

[@onlyone2848]

You're prosto not in course. The best riff is in K Crimsion's "21-st Century Schizoid Man". The rests are kids. But Led Zepp, Jimi and objectively DP's "Smoke on the Water" in favour. Talents are not drunk.

[@betosouza8074]

Ok, but let´s put some Iommi´s riffs

[@DrDrewRulez]

I was literally coming to the comment section to say this exact thing word for word. Weird

[@chasr1843]

It also could have been just Kieth Richards

[@yeetsos5403]

This is a list that can’t be finished with only 10 songs

[@moncalimarimoncalimari8964]

And that's why they made a top 20

[@DavidfromBA]

*Here in alphabetical order are just a few bands that could have made the honorable mention list, if not the top ten:* Boston ("Smokin'") David Bowie ("Moonage Daydream", "Suffragette City", "Rebel Rebel") Eddie Cochran ("Summertime Blues", "C'mon Everybody", "Somethin' Else") Alice Cooper ("I'm Eighteen", "Muscle of Love", "Cold Ethyl") Kiss ("Black Diamond", "Parasite", "Detroit Rock City") Mountain ("Mississippi Queen") Elvis Presley ("Jailhouse Rock") The Sex Pistols ("God Save the Queen", "Anarchy in the UK", "Problems") The Stooges ("Search and Destroy", "Gimme Danger", "Raw Power") The Who ("Pinball Wizard", "My Generation")

[@bicnicky]

Smoke On The Water is THE guitar riff. Literally everyone who's ever picked the instrument up has played it.

[@antoine1647]

Even my mom knows how to play it lmao

[@hakancevikel7368]

one of the simplest riffs in rock history IMO

[@TangoNevada]

Yes, everyone,. because it's so fricken easy to play, not because it's great.

[@ericstoepker1015]

It's recognition of the riff not difficulty. I'd guess more people that don't really listen to rock know the opening riff from Smoke On The Water then Master of Puppets. Best is a relative term what's best for one ain't best for all, it's all opinion.

[@TangoNevada]

@@ericstoepker1015 First, it was and is considered a great R&R Song. So as a Guitar Teacher, if I can easily teach a new student how to play a really popular all time great guitar riff in the first few lessons, it both gives them confidence that they can play a great R&R riff and they can thus keep playing and become great themselves. So it's inspirational, because of how easy it is. It's a paradox, or conundrum or whatever. But the bottom line is it makes new players feel like they can be great. This is why it's one of the perfect riffs ever. Super Popular, but any newbie can learn it quickly, which gives them confidence that they can also be great.

[@heyskipj]

WatchMojo, you are forever disgraced for honoring the Randy Rhodes riff, while showing Brad Gillis. Back to top 10 Boy Bands for you.

[@peacefulpossum2438]

RIGHT?! Unbelievable. What an insult to Rhodes.

[@patrickdezenzio4988]

Well, there are only a few good videos of Randy playing live, but they are easy enough to find. But yeah, that's akin to showing Eruption with Dweezil Zappa playing it.

[@AndrethSalazar]

TRUE AS FUCKING FUCK

[@redriverwiffleball9768]

IKR!!! So disrespectful to one of the greatest guitarists ever

[@compuglobal138]

heyskipj as soon as I saw the Red Strat with black pickguard I knew it wasn’t Randy! But it is strange they used footage from the tour he was killed during. That’s really weird? I had just made a very similar comment just a few minutes ago! Brad’s good but he ain’t Randy!

[@victorkaab6964]

I know I'm pretty late but It's actually hard to appeal to everyone, everyone's taste is different and has a lot of variables when it comes to picking just 10. (Sorry for my horrible english)

[@joeloliver2279]

Yeah but this is watch mojo so it’s fun to make fun of them (Also your English is wonderful)

[@edwardlicence981]

I’ve loved Layla for over fifty years!

[@Erickhetfield]

People will never get it. Top 10's will never fit everyone standards of quality. Why so much hate with "I think this one is better because I like it, and I like it, because it's better". People care so much on opinions and think everybody should eat theirs.

[@rebeccaerbacher8191]

finally someone said it

[@macgobhann8712]

opinion is an overused word, just saying.

[@jaredengland1764]

+DudeGuyMan That is your opinion and I support it even if I don't agree. JK

[@victoriabrown6561]

I know everybody is taking it so seriously when nobody said they had to

[@jtuttle11]

Apparently these people have Never Heard "You DON'T TALK OVER the MUSIC ! ! !"

[@hornmoviereviews8739]

WTF WHERE THE FUCK IS SLAYERS RAINING BLOOD.

[@JoshLikeCrazy]

no lol

[@martijnkemperman7689]

That isnt a riff, its raping of a guitar

[@nietzschesmustache9483]

Slayer cant be on a list whit classic rock....Oh but metallica can be,because why the fuck not.Oh yeah mainstream succsess.

[@xmrxablexmex]

Dimebag Darrell Thats watchmojo for yah

[@martijnkemperman7689]

Type88 lol Yeah. The comments are always negative in music video's of them

[@adamrosefire]

Surprised that Welcome to the Jungle was not there. My favorite riff: Rattlesnake Shake by Motley Crue.

[@johnschnellbach986]

My fave is Girls Girls Girls

[@MonkeyBoo]

This the worst top 10 you guys have ever chosen

[@jeanruiz6298]

@thegeorgezila its their opinion as well...... Their list is just opinions......

[@geomatrix19]

This is not that bad a list. These riffs are absolutely iconic

[@sampsonsimpson1040]

The Metallica song is terrible that shouldn’t be anywhere near the top 10 what a joke.

[@colemerten3759]

You should see there top male guitarists they put keith Richards higher than Clapton and forget about Jeff beck ,George Harrison, and slash

[@cjhehr]

And that’s sayin somethin

[@theresaiwright7085]

What no Brian May who built his guitar from scratch. A major face palm

[@cascito]

Overrated

[@smed9722]

@@mrkickless392 he definitely is hammer to fall is the pentatonic boxes

[@jordanraney581]

He had great tones and solos, but Queen doesn't really have many iconic guitar riffs

[@cascito]

@@mrkickless392 no he is not, He is always in the top 10 greatest guitarist , I don't why they put him in the top 10 , He doesn't have much of solos and riffs . But I do find him extremely talented and also a cool guy because he is an astrophysicist and a rock and roll guitarist...

[@LPrice91313]

Agreed!! Read the comments first. Now, not even bothering to warch.

[@rhecice2462]

Me: through fire and flames Watchmojo: wich part Me: all of it duh

[@tweezerfetish_]

legendary gamer Through fire and flames is one of the worst rock songs and does not belong to be on this list at all

[@justsomeguitarist8406]

you do know it's a metal riff right?

[@Adam22624]

When kids get access to youtube

[@kyle_hill_864]

@@tweezerfetish_ how is it one of the worst rock songs? I just wanna hear your opinion as it's a power metal song and not rock.

[@nikolaimikhail7774]

Wow! For the most part this was actually a good list. Only a few things, one I wouldn't have chosen I Can't Get No satisfaction as number one but the riff does make the top ten. Another: Whole Lotta Love would be one of my last picks for Jimmy Page's greatest riff: I would've chosen Communication Breakdown, No Quarter, The Ocean, How Many More Times, The Lemon Song, Heartbreaker, Moby Dick, Black Dog, Immigrant Song, Out on The Tiles, Rock and Roll, When The Levee Breaks, Misty Mountain Hop, Stairway to Heaven, The Rover, In My Time of Dying, Houses of The Holy, Kashmir, Ten Years Gone, The Wanton Song, Sick Again, Nobody's Fault But Mine, In The Evening, heck even Hot Dog before I chose Whole Lotta Love (sorry for the long list I won't do it again). Also Ain't Talking bout Love is far from Eddie's best riff, I think Unchained, Mean Street, Panama, or 5150 should've made the list (not just the honorable mentions)

[@darryshan]

Not even an honourable mention for Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear the Reaper?

[@Towlysfriend]

nobody even knows the name of your band and you want it on a top 10 list of all time?

[@hannEton87]

Towlysfriend Nobody knows the name of the band, but most people will recognize the song. It's got kind of a cult status- it pops up everywhere!

[@Towlysfriend]

i know the song and think it is great but not near a top 10 list of all time.

[@ryanarcadia9652]

if it had more cowbell it definetly would of been near the top

[@darryshan]

Ryan Garten tink tink tink tink tink

[@Batlise]

Stevie Ray Vaughn did incredible justice to Jimmy Hendrex’s “Voodoo Child”.

[@dukeronveauxdd1985]

Legend

[@conormurphy4328]

His version of little wing is great

[@elsock5851]

*Jimi Hendrix*

[@alanontthe1105]

SRV brought Jimi back for too short of time . Incredible talent.

[@Tmoon47]

Stevie also did "Superstition" some fantastic justice!

[@TheLumberjack2015]

That transition between Paranoid and Back in Black. You just got a like WatchMojo.

[@jaycobmartin1692]

"Layla" deserved to be higher than 6!!!!!

[@Funstealer]

This video should be called “most iconic guitar riffs”

[@marianasreality]

Where is Aerosmith's "Walk This Way"..? Totally signature!

[@marianasreality]

They re-released a version featuring Run DMC. Get your facts right.

[@151drum]

I agree, that's a pretty signature riff right there

[@TiggyRainbow]

He's deleted his comment now.

[@TiggyRainbow]

Yeah.

[@ACE360x]

Agree with ya there

[@mofo7777]

Sweet Child O' Mine should've been there in top 3, if not #1. I don't believe anyone who plays guitar can argue with that.

[@habibkoyuncu8644]

well it is a honorable mention so you can count it as if in top 3

[@Mrojockole]

+Habib Koyuncu honourable mention means it didn't make top 10...

[@mofo7777]

+Mrojockole ^Exactly.

[@pzqlakowskm1484]

+PyrD lol sweet child o' mine doesn't even make the top 10 Gn'R riffs.

[@I.Z27]

tho I hate guns that riff should've at least been 7

[@Darth_Wafer]

Songs that actually deserve to be on this list in no particular order: Rock Bottom (UFO) Out on the Tiles (Zep) Bitch (Stones) Heartbreaker (Zep) Dynamite (Scorpions) No Class (Motorhead) On the Hunt (Lynyrd Skynyrd) T.V Eye (Stooges) The Needle and the Damage Done (Neil Young) Death Letter (Son House)

[@jliz6435]

You could make a top 100 rock riff and people won’t be satisfied 🤦‍♀️

[@mausewix]

they could make a list of every riff ever made and some people would say " oh i composed a riff no one knows and this one is missing."

[@codythedoggo7671]

They can't get no satisfaction xD

[@MARTEEBABY]

CodyTheDoggo correct

[@cheesybeans5304]

@@codythedoggo7671 oh how this both pleased and irritated me

[@thalesbernardomendes8949]

yep

[@dennisanderson7034]

Were is Eruption? Freebird? One? Crossroads? Mister Crowley? Surfin USA? Anything David Gilmour or Brian May?

[@kevinmoore2076]

9

[@benkeane9889]

Dennis Anderson Are you aware of the difference between a riff and a solo??

[@bensagal-morris8072]

Dennis Anderson Those are solos my man.

[@mah_lick67]

Eruption,freebird, one is a solo David Gilmore, Brian may are guitarist and

[@rodrigoyaeggy9440]

Queen and pink floyd are better with their solos than with their riffs

[@therealbricker]

My top 10, using riffs from this list. 10. You Really Got Me 9. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 8. Master Of Puppets 7. Back In Black 6. Paranoid 5. The Trooper 4. Money For Nothing 3. Sweet Child O’ Mine 2. Crazy Train HN: Layla, Whole Lotta Love, Ain’t Talking ‘bout Love, Holy Wars... The Punishment Due, Sunshine Of Your Love, Seven Nation Army, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. 1. Smoke On The Water

[@Wholewheat-02]

I agree with you

[@zacharygattuso4336]

GD JuryJohn NO SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT?!?

[@Itsgreg0809]

You don’t play guitar my friend...do you

[@Wholewheat-02]

I do

[@gonehollow99]

Holy wars!

[@benyost4930]

Whole Lotta Love is like my least favorite Led Zeppelin riff, could've chose a much better one

[@Tsjernobylol]

Slash's 'Sweet child o' mine' on the "honorable mentions" .... lol

[@ThereaalSP]

☣ Tsjernobylol ☣ ikr

[@nickg2379]

Ikr shouldn't even be in the video

[@Tsjernobylol]

if you even can't appreciate sweet child o' mine you dont have a very good music taste.

[@samking102]

☣ Tsjernobylol ☣ I was about to say the same thing like wtf lol

[@jeremylake5564]

☣ Tsjernobylol ☣ don't feel bad....Stranglehold by ted nugent was probably never considered either

[@maryalevintova9463]

you can't rank the 10 greatest guitar riffs ever because there are to many good guitar riffs, it should be 200 or 250 guitar riffs.

[@andrewtyler2747]

I agree but I'm also not trying to watch a three and a half hour video

[@robyoung2563]

Please know what footage to use that was not randy Rhodes 😒

[@triplestaff]

it was Brad Gillis. another great axeman, but no-one beats Rhoads.

[@davesmurf6693]

Preach

[@blakejackson35]

Rob Young yep

[@Neodustin]

Trust me dude, that lit a fire inside me as well

[@NALurking]

Rob Young EXACTLY WTF

[@JDoe001]

No bass guitar riffs? no Heart (Nancy Wilson): “Crazy on You” *come on! Joan Jett: “I Love Rock and Roll”❤️

[@CheekyCuntM8]

No beat it? Thunderstruck? anyone??

[@brendan8295]

No

[@imadeyoureadthis.9743]

No.

[@sexymum]

+DanG Gaming yes

[@oabuseer]

The riff in Beat It should be up there

[@TedCutTheCheese]

+DanG Gaming They already had an ACDC song on here. Back in Black>Thunderstruck.