Top 20 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time

[@WatchMojo]

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

[@ChowMeinWarrior]

You’re welcome!

[@BRO77TX]

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

[@rbnh9827]

@@BRO77TX Give them 3 more attempts !!

[@megaton.settler]

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

[@GearGasms]

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

[@SaguaroBlossom]

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

[@angeloson2250]

Exactly all the honourable mentions were electrifying

[@donaldsmith8648]

I totally agree with you

[@חייםויסברגר]

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

[@donaldsmith8648]

@@חייםויסברגר is the end of let's go crazy considered a riff?

[@lindsi501]

the honorable mentions are always the best.

[@HelloKittyisMyPal]

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

[@scottlemiere2024]

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

[@lauravargas6620]

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

[@cascito]

Cream is ❤️❤️❤️

[@rumple4skin140]

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

[@christophermerlot3366]

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

[@mnagz5]

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

[@CptnWolfe]

It was on the original top 10 though

[@חייםויסברגר]

True

[@villain68]

Malcolm came up with so many riffs! How can you choose?

[@iaintbeendroppingnoeavessir]

Ikr!

[@texasboy5527]

Let There Be Rock riff >> Back in Black riff

[@andrewpappas9311]

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

[@JDP2104]

Queen was better at solos than riffs

[@isaacs3822]

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

[@andrewpappas9311]

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

[@andrewpappas9311]

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

[@JDP2104]

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

[@guitartunez]

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

[@nathanboyle7573]

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

[@nathanboyle7573]

But I'd place it higher too

[@robertpadua6096]

No KISS?

[@TheBurgerMan2004]

I'd replace Wasted Years with Charlotte the Harlot

[@pvantongeren9178]

Where is thunderstruck or back in black by ac dc

[@littlee4620]

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

[@mattr3250]

Nothing from Pink Floyd either.

[@Stormtrooper-oc4vn]

What an annoying song

[@yaywoohoohooray]

You da man

[@jonstreng7850]

@Eric Cohen: 😂😂😂. You nailed it with the cowbell reference.

[@roymiller6964]

I agree

[@NewlyBoughtSpatula]

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

[@rickysalinas23777]

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

[@chadsekeras9747]

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

[@ericweaver2691]

totally agree

[@chadsekeras9747]

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

[@Iwasbornin74]

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

[@melancholia9345]

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

[@guitarist6494]

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

[@rjlack1975]

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

[@lotuseater1775]

Thank you👍👍👍

[@mlggamer5296]

I didn't even know that

[@davengeance4811]

Yup and the rest of this list is terrible as well

[@allieg.1120]

yes they do.

[@jeffreybrown4015]

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

[@childishfromthe79th13]

Kashmir would’ve been better choice

[@chrisparnham]

That's a definite I was sure Kashmir or Whole Lotta Love would be the Zep riff chosen. As for Deep Purple, Burn is the better though admittedly less iconic riff. Iron Maiden's choice was weird too with all the choices going they chose one of their weaker tracks, The Trooper would have been my choice. AC/DC where do you start they only made the also-rans when they deserved a top 10 spot and for Back in Black, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap or T.N.T could have all made it. If you're after iconic riffs they don't come better than Breaking the Law or Painkiller by Judas Priest who didn't even get an honorable mention.

[@kwantumangaliso2562]

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

[@cristianconnolly2709]

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

[@jerrumite4425]

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

[@mikerazor8246]

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

[@Thomas_pgnr]

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

[@randycunningham7318]

ZZ Top Tush, Sharp Dressed Man, Legs....

[@alexh2217]

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

[@spat1u]

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

[@orionpax123]

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

[@rbnh9827]

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

[@martin2893]

would be helpful if you name more

[@craighenry2351]

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

[@mareknalaskowski5372]

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

[@gourabbanerjee7727]

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

[@borood1188]

The guitar riff in ‘Layla’ by Derek & the Dominos was originally performed by Duane Allman, who died shortly after they recorded.

[@andrewwalker5081]

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

[@ScottPerdue]

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

[@adityahariharan581]

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

[@TheBengineerTV]

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

[@ThePlayer176]

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

[@pennyc11]

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

[@loveolicity4542]

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

[@adrienneroberts7524]

This comment is fantastic

[@shivanshgilhotra701]

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

[@benjaminvittini7524]

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

[@CptnWolfe]

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

[@MrMaynardWR]

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

[@pinkled4429]

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

[@timfortch5553]

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

[@ranger13]

Yes!

[@TheKey304]

Definitely should. It's guitar 101.

[@tatendachilisa7046]

Facts 🤌🏾

[@boomstick1980]

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

[@ranger13]

@@boomstick1980 your opinion but thank you though

[@reillyfitzgerald]

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

[@terdguitarcovers5534]

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

[@davidrihacek3095]

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

[@curtisthompson6921]

I love Metallica's cover of turn the page

[@seanslawson98]

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

[@frazermc13]

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

[@4ytcomment]

100%! Thank you for reading my mind!

[@BarnCat55]

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

[@kiowahorse2561]

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

[@corkycobon1481]

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

[@christophermerlot3366]

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

[@corkycobon1481]

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

[@christophermerlot3366]

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

[@chamucos]

Seasons in the Abyss was a better choice imo.

[@StangBangXO]

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

[@theresacarmen9847]

Love me some Led Zeppelin, always #1 .

[@JDPwatching]

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

[@TheKey304]

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

[@barbecuebaas5539]

i agree a hundred percent

[@kevinhummel6901]

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

[@Magic_Benzi_9]

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

[@Caffeine_Club]

Thunderstruck's absence is criminal.

[@arielle8010]

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

[@williamsummerson1204]

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

[@kryptik2602]

YES FALL TO PIECES such an underrated song

[@williamsummerson1204]

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

[@slsantamarina]

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

[@christophermerlot3366]

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

[@craighenry2351]

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

[@borood1188]

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & the Comets. Franny Beecher on guitar. The original monster riff!

[@WatchMojo]

Want more music? Check out Innersleeve, WatchMojo's new music podcast! kzbin.info/aero/PLXtYorCEjScR7Hjc3CLotRzQyxG_tvLis What iconic riffs rock your world? Let us know in the comments! For more music videos, check out our playlist!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHSaqYJtn5ZposU

[@zippygaming9305]

Ok

[@chrisakane9840]

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

[@Dan-ud8hz]

Muffin Man - Frank Zappa

[@nathanboyle7573]

Sunshine of Your Love by Cream

[@pblreza]

Please stop doing these, your embarrassing yourself

[@pierre57able]

Led Zeppelin at the top was very appropriate. They have so many great songs!!!!!!

[@LB199910]

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

[@jakefjk9104]

U mean the fact that Nirvana is not listed is insulting

[@dangeletti84]

@@jakefjk9104 Dont ever compare Queen and Nirvana

[@Rekko82]

Does Queen have great riffs?

[@Rekko82]

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

[@LB199910]

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

[@dnice9168]

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

[@MistaP13]

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

[@Rekko82]

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

[@francoisregis2155]

Winger battle station

[@Dude-etiquette]

Sweet child of mine definitely should have made this list. It is a classic and everyone knows the song when they hear it

[@jaylene.turner6524]

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

[@ripleyfry2107]

Literally anything by him tbh, wether Queen or solo

[@rager1860]

this is not a riff

[@shivanshgilhotra701]

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

[@rager1860]

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

[@zombified3362]

Is that the only one you know?

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

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

[@brennatotty]

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

[@borood1188]

Not the best song or even close to a great artist, but Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz is the greatest guitar riff ever. He nailed it.

[@acdcfan21]

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

[@moncalimarimoncalimari8964]

Its better than most of the riffs on the list

[@lukas45167]

This was a good list

[@jesterjosie3281]

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

[@melgreier1630]

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

[@chadjackson9516]

This^

[@billparker8954]

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

[@djmarkymarks.f.4153]

I Believe the number I guitar riff of all time from the beginning to now and heard all over the world is "Go Johnny Go" by Chuck Berry. "Back to the future" played all over the world. Kids and grandmas know about it too. 👍👍

[@apetrila1]

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

[@brentsilvey2288]

Yes!

[@christophermerlot3366]

Or Aces High or Flash of the Blade.

[@craighenry2351]

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

[@francoisregis2155]

Many great Maiden songs

[@jerryjohnson9531]

I was disappointed the Boston wasn't on the list with More Than a Feeling or Long Time. I also so surprised that Kansas didn't make the list with Carry On Wayward Son. Other than that- excellent list!

[@rickysalinas23777]

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

[@jerrumite4425]

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

[@rickysalinas23777]

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

[@kevzguaygua]

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

[@kwow3641]

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

[@LageYouTube]

Cocaine isn't Clapton's

[@franciscocobosrodriguez7395]

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

[@TacomaPaul]

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

[@potatomatop9326]

No Cream - Sunshine of your love?

[@taylordw]

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

[@FanofFantasy1]

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

[@kikoroko1502]

Honestly the riff on Cant you hear me knocking is way better that Can’t get no satisfaction imo

[@AyrenJagar]

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

[@ThePlayer176]

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

[@vanplq8841]

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

[@UrbanLegend9669]

1 Rolling Stones - Can't Get No Satisfaction 2 Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love 3 Van Halen - Unchained 4 Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water 5 AC⚡DC - Back In Black 6 Black Sabbath - Iron Man 7 Ozzy - Crazy Train 8 Metallica - Master Of Puppets 9 GNR - Sweet Child O Mine 10 Van Halen - Jump 11 GNR - Welcome To The Jungle 12 AC⚡DC - Hells Bells 13 Queen - Another One Bites The Dust 14 Megadeth - Peace Sells 15 Eric Clapton - Layla 16 Metallica - Enter Sandman 17 Pantera - Cowboys From Hell 18 Aerosmith - Walk This Way 19 Heart - Barracuda 20 Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger

[@borood1188]

Duane Allman played the riff on ‘Layla’.

[@UrbanLegend9669]

@borood1188 So Eric Clapton Played Layla Riff in Concert by Accident ?

[@borood1188]

@@UrbanLegend9669 Huh? Allman created the riff. What are you talking about. Allman died in a motorcycle accident after they recorded Layla.

[@borood1188]

@@UrbanLegend9669 You put Eric Clapton, but Allman played that riff, the actual name of that band was Derek & the Dominoes. Layla was a song that was written by several people. Rita Coolidge was one of them. Another was this psycho murderer who killed his mother.

[@UrbanLegend9669]

@@borood1188 Eric CLapton has been playing that Layla Riff for like 50 Years in Concert .

[@Davier9999]

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

[@mr.alcoholic6913]

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

[@alfioinsaudo4179]

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

[@hanspeterpluss2990]

Pink floyd could fill the whole 20 places of best solos of all time, but I understant that those are a clas above this feelingless shredding solos. It's allright though, to give them a chance.

[@koszim]

Exactly!!

[@DoubleM-hf6ih]

Enter Sandman has some badass guitar riffs and solos.

[@michaelbullock8011]

Great video and I enjoyed it and have a blessed night

[@grimgamertv]

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

[@TacomaPaul]

AC/DC ... Brian Johnson fell on my head. Front row. So I had to throw it back. ;-)

[@pamelaflanigan5935]

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

[@danielgrubb9668]

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

[@ITcanB]

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

[@huntermyers3551]

I think all of the iconic guitar riffs rock my world

[@akarbit3r111]

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

[@karenbroadhurst7302]

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

[@mlggamer5296]

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

[@BIGELOW.65]

Chuck Berry - any riff on his song...First song I thought of was Johnny B Goode.

[@faze_tardgard3517]

im extremely impressed with number one. although i wouldve chosen immigrant song, heartbreaker is a solid choice.

[@jugglingbeast]

AC DC Back in Black should be No. 1

[@jaredoverton7992]

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

[@carlosluisluis6085]

The 'you really got me ' Van Halen's version with David Lee Roth is better than the original Kink's version.

[@scottcastro9383]

Ok..but the riff still belongs to the Kinks.

[@recrdholdr]

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

[@BunnEFartz]

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

[@christophermerlot3366]

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

[@Theprophet3928]

THANK YOU

[@robtilley6895]

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

[@DryBones271]

George Harrison's guitar solo in Let It Be.

[@yannickvaz694]

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

[@CptnWolfe]

Unless they say Layla by Eric Clapton

[@robk.6591]

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

[@martim7605]

Jerry "Riff lord' Cantrell

[@Swigg2ty]

What's interesting about this list is that they aren't all riffs.

[@Reaperguy67]

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

[@francoisregis2155]

Indeed such a great song

[@dj-um7el]

Mine are 10. No Fun (The Stooges) 9. Down On The Street (The Stooges) 8. Nervous Breakdown 7. Rebel Rebel 6. Babylon's Burning 5. Gloria (U2) 4. Iron Man 3. Born To Run 2. I Will Follow (U2) 1. No Love Lost (Joy Division)

[@devinfaucette]

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

[@jonstreng7850]

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

[@Smads2014]

David Gilmore from Pink Floyd on Comfortably Numb. Absolutely fantastic guitar solo...love it

[@ayhamshaheed7740]

Trueee…but this list is riffs, not solos

[@J-Santana155]

I’m surprised holy diver by dio isn’t on this list. Ik a lot of people who love the main riff

[@ironguy6482]

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

[@uiscepreston]

Not sure anyone at Watchmojo knows what a "guitar riff" is. It's not staccato guitar chords for one. "Round and Round" and "Eye of the Tiger" have no riff. And "Put You Down" is the greatest AiC riff.

[@rbnh9827]

Agree on Put you down.

[@Hammerhead547]

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