Top 20 Rock Riffs Of All Time

A new list compiling the Greatest Rock Guitar Riff Ever has just been revealed, and includes songs by Metallica, Muse, Rage Against The Machine and Queens Of The Stone Age. But who tops the poll? The new poll appears in Total Guitar magazine, and intends to recognise the most impressive piece of rock plank spankery ever committed to record.

While there are creditable entries for modern acts including Rage Against The Machine’s "Killing In The Name" (#20), Queens Of The Stone Age’s "No One Knows" (#18) and "Plug In Baby" by Muse (#13) the chart really belongs to the classics.

Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine" tops the list with Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" just behind. Another GN'R song "Paradise City" is on the 19th place. Elsewhere the old guard of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix dominate the top ten. Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and "Master Of Puppets" masterpieces entered the top list at 5th and 7th place accordingly.

The full list is:

01. Guns N' Roses - "Sweet Child O' Mine"
02. Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
03. Led Zeppelin - "Whole Lotta Love"
04. Deep Purple - "Smoke On The Water"
05. Metallica - "Enter Sandman"
06. Derek & The Dominoes/Eric Clapton - "Layla"
07. Metallica - "Master Of Puppets"
08. AC/DC - "Back In Black"
09. Jimi Hendrix - "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)"
10. Black Sabbath - "Paranoid"
11. Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train"
12. Free - "All Right Now"
13. Muse - "Plug In Baby"
14. Led Zeppelin - "Black Dog"
15. Van Halen - "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"
16. Aerosmith w Run DMC - "Walk This Way"
17. Cream - "Sunshine Of Your Love"
18. Queens Of The Stone Age - "No One Knows"
19. Guns N' Roses - "Paradise City"
20. Rage Against The Machine - "Killing In The Name"

Comments

[MadFaDa]

SHITe that is a crap list NIRVANA!!! ur jokin, wheres Rainow, Gary Moore, BLACK SABBATH PARANOID no 10!!!!
this is worse than their ATTEMPT to name the top guitarists!!! and KISS mmmm dont see Rock n Roll all night there, no Iron Maiden, the Top 100 SOLO list was shite too
My god this world has gone to hell
*Ronnie MadFaDa*

[MadFaDa]

rainbow*

[faqu]

This list has been done so many times and "sweet child o'mine" always wins, becouse Slash Is A god!!!

[Ashutosh]

Slash and Kirk are just too good..

[janecoffin27]

MadFaDa is right, this is shit. No "Iron Man"? Come on. I can't believe good bands with plenty of awesome riffs (like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica though they're already up there, etc.) are getting topped by shit like Nirvana. Where's "The Trooper", dammit?

[rocket_queen888]

YAY!! gnr!

[<<< Frantic >>>]

I dunno whether sweet child o mine should get #1, no disrespect intended of course. But *** nirvana off and *** muse off too. Of all the greatest ***in bands that are around they had to put in nirvana, muse and qotsa. Being a born and bred Led Zeppelin boy, I think that Black Dog should be higher than Whole Lotta Love, I think the Whole Lotta Love riff is a little over-rated (still a ***in great song). And Black Sabbath have better riffs than Paranoid.

[Xx_banx]

madfada...
shut the fuck up. just read the goddamn thing.
and ive never even heard of "rainbow" and ive been exposed to quite a bit of music.
these charts are determined by people. lots and lots of people. your single self does not matter in the grand scheme of things. you are worthless. think about it.

[<<< Frantic >>>]

Iron Man kicks the piss out of Paranoid and leaves it's hyman bruised, bleeding and broken on the ground

[<<< Frantic >>>]

Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore's band after Deep Purple

[koreazz7]

bad list

[|MartyFriedman|]

Paranoid and Iron Man are both great songs!!!! but i think paranoid is better.
thats a awul list where the *** are the Maiden songs??

[The Jin]

suppose its an OK list but got some "not top notch material" in it. Metallica riff, and Crazy Train are kickass though

[CKYmark83]

Xx_banx is right, just read the damn list. Nobody says it's perfect. IT's not like 5 guys were asked. How the hell muse got up there, but were the hell is Iron man?! But, i was glad to see Crazy Train, that is possibly one of the sweetest riffs? But,shut the *** up and just read it, if you don't like, ***ing ignore it, quit being a pissy little baby

[stiff-upper-lip]

and ive never even heard of "rainbow" and ive been exposed to quite a bit of music

well obviously you aint be exposed to alot of musik seein as you aint heard of Rainbow.....idiot

[andrewbiles]

Hmmm, not too keen on that list. 'Smells like Teen Spirit', I wouldn't put that there, mainly cos it's got the classic chord progression rather than riff (that's what I think anyway). Which riff in 'Master of Puppets' are they talking about? There's hundreds, and I don't think there's a stand out riff really, just think the song fits together really well and relys on every part to sound really good. Most of them I'd agree with though, but 'Sunshine of your love' at #17, come on, that's better than some of the ones above it.

[hololos]

GUNS 'N ROSES!!!!!! oh yeah, anyway, they missed out some Black Sabbath songs which really should be up there...GnR all the way

[Red-Vex]

Even if we agreed on this list, and personally I don't, there's no reason to be pissed-off. Who says this is THE TRUTH? And even if it was, who cares? After all anyone has preferences...and would put in the top his own favorite..

[numetaldude]

madfada, you're probably only considering the technical aspect of guitar playing.. If you ever considered anything else, like how a certain riff affected an entire generation and revolutionized music forever, then you would know that Smells LIke Teen Spirit goes way up there! andrewbiles made a good point though.. Smells Like Teen Spirit was more of a chord progression than a riff. I think "Blind" by Korn should be somewhere in that list, maybe not high up, but I think it deserves to be at least no.20.

[jayday976]

Fact of the matter is no-one could ever compromise a list of the "best" of any list related to music becuse everyone has different tast.I applaud those who try for one reason only- "they enjoy musicenough to tell the world"

[WhiteKnight123]

ive never even heard of "rainbow" and ive been exposed to quite a bit of music.

Exactly like stiff-upper-lip put it, i mena come on they've had almost all top names in their band man...
And teen spirit for number 1?????
And there are so many better deep purple songs than smoke on the water...

[el_scorcho99]

has anybody ever noticed how the crazy train and marilyn mansons cover of sweet dreams sound so similar? neway...its a decent list but gnr r way 2 overated i think the back in black riff is much better than sweet child of mine....and i think fear of the dark, dr.feelgood, and detroit rock city sld have been in there but oh well....u win sum u lose sum...FUCKIN

[el_scorcho99]

(didnt finish)^ awsome that rage got into the list..they are gods

[Cameo]

This list is complete crap. As they always are. BECAUSE IT'S JUST SOME JOURNALIST'S OPINION.

I could care less what they think, 7 nation army is STILL 1#.

...had you going there.

[GNRfan006]

gnr should of had some more on that list

[saucehead]

A few riffs I think are better than some on this list:
1. Kansas-Carry On Wayward Son
2. Alice Cooper-Poison
3. Kiss-Rock N' Roll All Night
4. Megadeth-Symphony Of Destruction
5. Stone Temple Pilots-Interstate Love Song
6. Pantera-Walk
7. Pantera-Cemetary Gates
8. Judas Priest-Breaking The Law
9. Drivin' n' Cryin'-Fly Me Courageous
10. White Lion-Radar Love (Vito Bratta's riffs in the remake are better than some on this list).

[ReELbIgMoNsTeR]

Slayer deserves a spot on this list fo sho. Kerry King is too money to be topped by a Nirvana song. Any song that a first week guitar student can play(I.E. Smells Like Teen Spirit) definatly doesn't deserve to be on this list at all...let alone at number 2. If what's his face didn't die I'm pretty sure this song wouldn't even appear on this list and people wouldn't be saying Nirvana this and Nirvana that constantly. Blah Blah Blah...here comes the shut ups and the Kobain rocks and the Nirvana changed music forevers.

[_stalemate_]

whats with all of these "greatest of..." things, is music over? are there going to be no more in the next 50 years of history that will stand out to us??? Get a life and quit rating music, it pisses me off to see a new one of these each week.

[stiff-upper-lip]

back in black riff is much better than sweet child of mine
tru tru, yeah this is a bit crap seein as Nirvana are at number 2.why? i mean all the classic bands brought out the best riffs, well lik back in lik 70s, 80s, com on, Sweet Child Of Mine was a classic riff, which stupid dik voted for Nirvana? and another point, it seems that most of the riffs are jus the famous riffs, i mean there are plenty of AC/DC riffs (even tho they all sound the same) that are better than Back In Black, its just that no one knows em!!! its a stupid popularity contest between riffs and bands. dam them all!!!

[Jessen]

lol, Its funny how everybody is dissing smells like teen spirit, you know why? Cause you have heard it too much. But for years you loved it and rocked out to it, because, although simple, its a great riff that yet again changed rock and roll.

Im not a huge Nirvana fan, and Frankly I think Zepplin's HeartBreaker should probebly be in there, but you cant deny that it was a great riff, I bet it was one of you first songs you learned!

[MetalMania30]

crazy train number 11?? That BS! it shoule be number 1!

[luka krolo]

guns n roses and metallica rulz but nirvana sux. smells like teen spirit is worst ever. agree sweet child first but muster of puppets should be second

[metallicmaniac]

this list is the biggest bunch of bullshit i've ever read on this website

[kornunit7]

luka krolo:
guns n roses and metallica rulz but nirvana sux. smells like teen spirit is worst ever. agree sweet child first but muster of puppets should be second
[POSTED: 06 May 2004 - 10:46]|


Yeah i totally agree Master Of Puppets is probably the hardest song on the planet to play.I play bass and i just finished the song after 2 months its wikid f**in challenging and i can't imagine how hard it must be to play on guitar.

[kornunit7]

Metallica all the way!

[alvarols]

THIS IS SHIT, Where is Pearl Jam's Even Flow, where is Alice in chains Would

LOOSERS

LOOSE
RS

[jamm]

good list but i think that heartbreaker by led zeppelin, are you gonna go my way by lenny kravitz and always on the run by lenny kravitz and slash should be there and also some other good riffs in my opinion are cure me or kill me by gilby clarke and slash and rock and roll is dead by lenny kravitz

[AlexStriker]

Never even heard that Muse song, and I don't know the Free song by name. And Master of Puppets ahead of Crazy Train?

[ReELbIgMoNsTeR]

Jessen:
lol, Its funny how everybody is dissing smells like
teen spirit, you know why? Cause you have heard it too much. But for years you loved it and rocked out to it, because, although simple, its a great riff that yet again changed rock and roll.
[POSTED: 06 May 2004 - 10:32]|

First of all, this is a greatest riff list, not riffs that changed music list. Second, its not even that cool of a riff. Third, if it did "revolutionize" music, and brought modern bands like Creed and Hoobastank into popularity, music would be better off without Nirvana's influence

PS. Kravitz is a crotch stuffing Hendrix wannabe oO j/k...sorta

[western]

all hail slash, genius :-]]]

[Ababil_Albarn]

It's a poll! what do you expect?

[alienfingersCR]

now is proved!!!! almost ALL bassist of UG are shit!
man, those are good riffs but not hard playing.
master of puppets? if you can't play it well is cuz u don't know how to play bass buddy!!! good songs in list,bad ranking ,common yao do it again

[Triple_Tremolo]

I think cream's riff shoulda been 'white room'

[redwing_suck]

ugh.... spam deleted.

[erling]

motorbreath!

[monoshoe]

i'm sure ur trying to be funny...cuase if ur not then ur the type of person that makes me wanna beat up children...
if blink 182 wrote a riff that was one of the top 20 of all time they would have to take one major step...get new members...

[Joekaffy2724]

^ Blink is crap

[monoshoe]

why is smells like teen spirit there...someone tell me?...why?

[zepplinmike]

FYI- Izzy wrote most of the songs on Appetite for Destruction, so credit should probably go to him. Anyway people, stop making a big deal about these stupid, stupid lists.

[OffspringPhreak]

meh, i don't agree with some on the list, i give them credit for saying "look this is my opinion" though. about some of the songs that are "super easy"- i thought REAL MUSIC was about the feeling, not technicality....

[angusdc]

AC/DC BACK IN BLACK IS THE BEST RIFF OF THE HISTORY!!!!!!

[SoulsStrife]

bunch of bs, wheres dream thaeter

[jockus]

01. Guns N' Roses - "Sweet Child O' Mine"
07.... Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
03. Led Zeppelin - "Whole Lotta Love"
04. Deep Purple - "Smoke On The Water"
05. Metallica - "Enter Sandman"
06. Derek & The Dominoes/Eric Clapton - "Layla"
02..... Metallica - "Master Of Puppets"
08. AC/DC - "Back In Black"
09. Jimi Hendrix - "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)"
10. Black Sabbath - "Paranoid"
11. Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train"
12. Free - "All Right Now"
13. Muse - "Plug In Baby"
14. Led Zeppelin - "Black Dog"
15. Van Halen - "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"
16. Aerosmith w Run DMC - "Walk This Way"
17. Cream - "Sunshine Of Your Love"
18. Queens Of The Stone Age - "No One Knows"
19. Guns N' Roses - "Paradise City"
20. Rage Against The Machine - "Killing In The Name"

[iamjosh]

how pointless

[Axemaniac078]

Why does every1 hate Nirvana? Just because Nirvana was 1 of the first bands to write music for the SONG over the guitar line? Their music is creative, and if you guys are good enough to diss nirvana, why arent u all in great bands? mayb u dont have enough friends to form bands?
What about Purple Haze?

[jakalope]

i couldnt disagree with this list more. people who makw these lists should start listening to the artists cds, not the fukin singles.

[Axemaniac078]

And Highway to hell?

[luka krolo]

this dude with blink is very very funny

[transcend]

do any of you realize that this list is determined by what MOST people would agree on? teen spirit is up there because it's one of the most regonizable and most loved riffs in recent music. granted, it's not loved by the elitist "my dick is bigger" guitar masterbaters that populate this site, but by many other people who actually enjoy the music they listen to. and what personally would put on the list doesn't matter, because it's meant to reflect a MAJORITY OPINION. no one will agree with it entirely, because it was probably a poll. which means that most people do agree with much of the list, because if they didn't they would have choosen other riffs. i really didn't think it was that hard to understand. so regardless of your approvel, the list stands, and remains true as what it is.

[WreklessBMXer]

that list is crap

[shreddgod]

1. Stairway to heaven led zeppelin
2. Paranoid black sabbath
3. smoke on the water deep purple
4. enter sandman metallica
5. Iron man black sabbath
6. Cowboys from hell pantera
7. back in black AC/DC
8. raining blood slayer
9. fade to black metallica
10. sabbra caddabra black sabbath
11. symphony of destruction megadeth
12. post mortem slayer
13. du hast rammstein

.... you do the rest, thats MINE....

The ACTUAL list is stupid, WHY ISN'T cowboys from hell in there??? this is insane, or raining blood???
you're probably wondering why "du hast" is on there, well why not? its a better riff, to me, then "smells like teen spirit"


pull your pencils out of your asses...

[stuartmcwilliam]

Nirvana r ***in bollocks
its a bollocks song

AND WERE THE FUCK IS TRUST BY MEGADETH

[Encore_God]

shut the *** up. just read the goddamn thing.
and ive never even heard of "rainbow" and ive been exposed to quite a bit of music.

Then you need to keep listening. Rainbow at their height were one of the greatest rock bands ever. Ever.

[DJ_Inferno2000]

agree with every1 else. horrible list!

[RossDev]

Well, the reason nirvana comes second is probably because this is a 'best riffs' poll, and to make a good riff, it is supposed to be one that is remembered, and the four chords at the start of '..teen spirit' are probably the most memorable of rock etc in a long while, whether you like it or not etc

[jimmypagerules!]

1.Black Dog-Led Zeppelin
2.Heartbreaker-
Led Zeppelin
3.The Ocean-Led Zeppelin
4.Moby Dick-Led Zeppelin
5.Stairway to Heaven-Led Zeppelin
6.Communication
Breakdown-Led Zeppelin
7.Dazed and Confused-Led Zeppelin
8.Good Times Bad Times-Led Zeppelin
9.Immigrant Song-Led Zeppelin
10.Nobody's Fault But Mine-Led Zeppelin
11.Rock And Roll-Led Zeppelin
12.The Crunge-Led Zeppelin
13.The Rover-Led Zeppelin
14.For Your Life-Led Zeppelin
15.Kashmir-Led Zeppelin
16.Bring it on home-Led Zeppelin
17.In My Time Of Dying-Led Zeppelin
18.Whole Lotta Love-Led Zeppelin
19.Living Loving Maid-Led Zeppelin
20.In The Evening-Led Zeppelin
as u may see led zep rule

[jamm]

FYI- Izzy wrote most of the songs on Appetite for Destruction, so credit should probably go to him. Anyway people, stop making a big deal about these stupid, stupid lists.

in case you didn't know the riff for sweet child is something slash used for warming up before playing

[GoodCharloteSux]

i think One was a much better song than entersandman
Freedon by Rage the intro is awesome much better than killing in the name! No One Knows is nothing!!!!!!!! cmon u might as well put fat lip or sumthin.JK

[the_beastly_one]

meh.

[smitti_cr4]

It is an awful list why is Muse and Nirvana on it?! i didnt even know there was a riff in Plug In Baby by Muse!!! Where are the stone roses? They produced some of the most memorable riffs of the late 80's. What about The La's - There She Goes?! Everyone knows that. Even Radiohead - Street Spirit or Creep is better than half the tripe on there.

[yertletheturtle]

What the fuck. Thats the worst ***ing list ever.

Teen spirit at #2?

[stuartmcwilliam]

Metallica seek and destroy

[sparky_den]

fine the list is not very good but u cant say nirvana is a crap band cos they werent the best musicians but millions of their fans are not just fans cos they were on mainstream

[shreddgod]

I agree with the "entersandman" listing, it is one of the most memorable riffs of all time, who doesn't know what song that is when you hear the first riff??

but in that case, "wherever I may roam" "sad but true" and "nothing else matters" should be on there, infact I'd say the whole black album deserves a posting lol, because riffs from songs like "through the never" holier than thou" and "of wolf and man" all seem better then "smells like teen spirit"

Alot more ac/dc is better, jesus christ almost every riff from every song rocks, like "thunderstruck", "its a long way to the top..." "shot down in flames"

The same with zeppelin and sabbath, this list is overlooked, sadly I can't understand why, "panama" by van halen, "ain't talkin 'bout love" even "mean streets"

these guys only grazed the surface, I think its impossible to actual "list" all the incredible riffs, I mean even "what I like about you" by the romantics, jesus christ.... "blitzkrieg bop" omg, this list was horrible....

[BJ119]

i think tha smells like teen spirit is on the top because it was once really popular. i mean almost everyone knows it. one more thing, where is fade to black?!?

[Subliminal_Si]

your all asking where riffs are but if you got the magazine you'd find that they're in the top 100, just not popular enough to be in the top 20

[BrofUJu]

At first I thought no freaking way, but this is quite good. These are deffinetly memorable riffs.

[civildp1]

why the balls is smoke on he water number 4? thats the best riff ever. I can play it on any instrument.

[ValoVonHellvett]

Your tryin to actually FUCKING tell me that Stairway and ***ing Free Bird arnt on the list????!!!!!!!
ILL SEE U IN FUCKING HELL U STUPID MOTHERFUCKIN COCKSUCKER!!!!!!!!

[Daveus]

Why Hte Hell wasen't Purple Haze on there, its one of the greatest riffs of all time. IT should probly be number one. GNR are good but the riff isn't the best one.

[nacho420]

how the *** did slash beat clapton? this pisses me off.

[60shout]

I. Black Dog
II. Rock and Roll
III.Stairway To Heaven

Led Zeppelin Rules

[Sum1]

ok i agree this list wasnt the best

but you people gotta stop tihnking in terms of pure musical theory.. just cause a song doesnt use the msot complicated modes or scales or chord progressions doesnt mean it sounds good.. i can mkae the most complicated damn thing and it may not sound good.. its all about the sound and some of you forget that

[Jaymond]

Xx_banx? never herd of rainbow? then you are living in a poitnless existense, an i agree that iron man kicks paranoids arse, and yea, where is the trooper? thers a load o gud riffs in metallica's for whom the bell tolls 2 but SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT?! were you paid 2 put that in

[ryanmay]

wheres bohemien rhapsody?

[marcusr2121]

this list is soooo shitty im in shock wheres the sknynard i can think of like 100 riffs that are better than smells like teen spirit i kind of see where the comin from with that i thought it was the greatest riffs not a popularity contest (if that makes any sense) the 7 nation army riff is as good as smells like teen spirit and alot of ppl know it why isnt it on there(dont really like the song).


p.s. i cant spell for shit

[moonraker]

i think zeppelin has better riffs like...immigrant song, heartbreaker, living loving maid etc.

but their riffs listed still kiks ass

[MaCeball]

WHERE'S THE TOOL AT DAMNIT?

[Dezerado]

its greatest Riffs ...not Guitarists -.-

[God withus]

Why is Smells Like Teen Spirit at number 2? I can understand it being on the list, but come on, number 2??? Don't get me wrong, it's a nice riff, but any beginner who knows about power chords could have thought of it. It's a nice riff, but at the same time, it's not original.

[guitar_freak333]

Teen Spirit number #2 thats what i dont agree with, anyone can play that

[God withus]

^Now that I've thought about it for about literally a minute, I guess as long as it sounds good, it shouldn't matter. But number 2???

[God of Thunder]

Why is Nirvana at number 2!!! There is so many better riffs!!!!

[nirvanafan11111]

nirvana did far better riffs thn teen spirit why is tht in there it misses out the best riffs and goes for the most popular why isnt creeping death on this or chimaira - power trip

[nirvanafan11111]

its the bets riffs not the hardest too play jackasses but i do see where some of u are comin from

[JB2500]

not sure about the rest but bang on with number 1

[ReELbIgMoNsTeR]

Honestly, how can someone make a list like this and leave out 3rd Eye Blind or Hanson...jeez...amatuers.


To those of you defending Nirvana's place on the list...please stop, its breaking my heart

[soundrock31]

I personally like the list. I think Jimi's Purple Haze, Soundgarden - Spoonman, and Motorhead - Ace of Spades should've been on there.

GnR were f***in amazing, to bad their lead singer wasn't as good as their riffs. In a few years, I predict Velvet Revolver and Audioslave might be on that list.

[Viscosity]

good list but i say where are the modern day people? yea there all good but where the are they

[soundrock31]

that is if velvet revelover doesn't become "Someone get my lead singer out of rehab"

[dumbpunk]

I'm prolly the biggest Nirvana fan posting on the topic and even I don't think Teen Spirit deserves to be on the list. Nirvana has many better riffs (ones that not many people have heard) I think Mr. Moustache deserveres to be there more that Teen Spirit, even though not many people have heard it. Its an amazing riff and its not too easy to play if you play it the right speed and while singing too.

[s/t]

I think they should just list riffs and not try to like put them in an order, but also limit it to one per band so they are forced to more variety.. I'd do riffs that people would recognize over them being like techncially hard:

Metallica - MoP (even though Enter Sandman more people would recognize)
Ozzy - Crazy Train
Sabbath - Iron Man
Hendrix - Purple Haze
SRV - Couldn't Stand the Weather
Green Day - When I come around
Blink 182 - Damnit (everyone knows it)
Zeppelin - Black Dog
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet home alabama
Ac/Dc - almost half their songs work, I'll just do Shook me all night long
Ramones - Blitzkrieg(sp) bop
nirvana - smells like teen penis

ect ect

[CaptainCrash]

i don't know why they always include "Run DMC" in anything with "walk this way" in it. i mean simply in general...

[SoloistDK1]

uhhh, guys im sure uve failed to realize tho, that the general public dont see music the way we do....or n e one who plays a certain instrument. when they hear a good song, they wouldnt say to them selves..."oh do u think its hard to play" "ohhh geeze that sounds so easy, it has to be crap" and so on, etc... etc... . All they like is the music, if it sounds good, or if it sounds like crap. so in reality it kind of is like a popularity contest, of which ones people remember more and that part a ure brain where it clicks hey its good music. so jus calm down....it bet if u went up to some the greatest guitarists out there.......they would have a totally different list.

[LuCerO(iC)]

Jessen:
lol, Its funny how everybody is dissing smells like
teen spirit, you know why? Cause you have heard it too much. But for years you loved it and rocked out to it, because, although simple, its a great riff that yet again changed rock and roll.
[POSTED: 06 May 2004 - 10:32]|

First of all, this is a greatest riff list, not riffs that changed music list. Second, its not even that cool of a riff. Third, if it did "revolutionize" music, and brought modern bands like Creed and Hoobastank into popularity, music would be better off without Nirvana's influence

PS. Kravitz is a crotch stuffing Hendrix wannabe oO j/k...sorta

well thats your opinion about nirvana.. so if i said that i think the world would be a better place if u killed your self it would be ok...
why are ppl posting here there will be tons of fans for everysong and i happen to know that nirvana fans will never die and will never give up..
i liked all of the songs on the list.. u could name countless other great riffs forever..
the concept of the list is a good idea in itself but is overall impossible to accomplish
u are letting one person put their favorite riffs...
this list is at most 20 peoples favortite riff list not greatest.
and all u medal heads are posting on here with ure metal top 20 riffs blah blah blah
stop..

[Dr.Metal]

did anyone think about the Trooper?! Come on, i've heard way better riffs then some of these on the list!

[banished]

These are all pretty good riffs but theres one i can think of that sticks in my mind thats not on here and should be, Walk by Pantera \m/

[shreddgod]

I never rocked out to "smells like teen spirit" ever. I was too busy banging my head to the "black album," "use your illusion" and "no more tears"

nirvana is overrated.

someone asked why bohemian rhapsody isn't on here, listen to the song buddy, the MAIN RIFF ISN'T A RIFF AT ALL! ITS DONE ON THE PIANO!

[God withus]

Also, why isn't Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze on the list?

[JHKH]

how the *** can nirvana be top riffs there riffs r so basic they suck.

[deftonesrule!!!]

basic riffs can be good its not how hard they are to play its how good they are

[rockpunkzer0]

GOOD LIST!

[TOMWAITSRULES]

this list isnt that bad. i have a few adjustments of my own though. Moby Dick by led zeppelin needs to be in there. Lacuna Coil's Purify and Tight Rope are awesome riffs. Pink Floyds Dogs, Pigs, Sorrow, Keep Talking, and One Of These Days are awesome too. Paradise Lost has a badass riff in Mystify. Epica did great with Sensorium. So many excellent riffs. I may only be 16 but i know what i like.

[SRVGuitarFreak]

I know it's not hard to play but any top riff list is going to be something easy, so it can be memoral. Why isn't Sweet home alabama anywhere? I personally hate hearing it but whereever I go, doesn't matter where, someone's gonna ask you to play sweet home alabama

[SRVGuitarFreak]

Hey and why is Smells like teen spirit even up there, think about it, this is rock RIFFS, The first of smells like teen spirit is a CHORD PROGRESSION! Learn guitar people.

[D-Fens]

Methinks back in black is better than smells like teen spirit

[theTHORNwithin]

Honestly, how can someone make a list like this and leave out 3rd Eye Blind or Hanson...jeez...amatuers.



To those of you defending Nirvana's place on the list...please stop, its breaking my heart

hahahahahahahaha
hahahahahaha u FUCKING LOSER SOMEONE NEEDS TO SHOVE SOME 'TALLICA SABBATH ACDC AND CLAPTON RIFFS UP YOUR ASSHOLE BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Erich yeung]

rock isn't always about how hard it is to play(even tho the harder it is to play, usually the better it sounds) so don't be dissing simple songs. but i agree that smells like teen spirit is way too over rated and if this is a people's choice thing then why the hell isn't there any iron maiden. iron maiden is AMAZING yet yet no recognition in the top 100 solo list and NOW THIS! THATS F U C KING STUPID!!!!!

[guitarjared]

MASTER OF PUPPETZ FUCKING RULEZ!!!!

but yeah, a pearl jam song should've been there in front of teen spirit and alice in chains "would?" or "man in the box" should have beat teen spirit too. Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains are true grunge bands, they both kick Nirvana's ass

[?øXÍÇÍ?¥]

i swear these things always end up as argument, but i must admit, its not a very good list...

[LedZeppelin]

bleh.

[squeakynuts96]

hahahahahaha....smells like teen spirit...nirvana...ha

[Saucy112]

clapton on the board twice, i dont care what the rest is thats all the matter

[Saucy112]

and zeppelin, this just made my day

[realiztik]

This is what I have to say. I agree. Iron Man is way more recognizable, and catches the ear faster. Just a better riff. As far as Nirvana goes. I hate em, but the first time I heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit", it blew me ***in away. Then I heard it 4000 times over and now I hate. It should be there though... But,what I really want to know is, where the hell is Metallica's "ONE"?!?!?!?! Fuck off GNR, Axl should get no recognition at all... EVER!

[realiztik]

I also think that they didn't care about the true maning of "Riff". They should have said "BEST ROCK HOOK"

[The_Wicker_Man]

SEEK AND DESTROY SHOULD BE UP THERE DAMMIT....FUCKING QWERS MAKIN THIS BS....

[Saucy112]

but the rest sucks

[Saucy112]

like a whole ***ing lot

[Saucy112]

and u morons that post like unknown bands and say that they should be up there, how stupid are you. its called the greatest riffs of all but its obviously the most known.

[Saucy112]

i agree with realiztik, this post is not about best "riff" its more most reconized or best solo guitar, riffs are short and catchy not 2 minutes long like solos

[Led Zep#1]

go page, go clapton, go hendrix, go slash!!!

[Saucy112]

i hope u guys enjoy my short little posts, i didnt want to write alot at first and then things just started poopin into my head

[Led Zep#1]

heres wut i got to say, im tired of all these metal heads gettin on these guitar forums and bitching about how there isnt enough metallica of enough megadeth or maiden on these lists. As far as im concerned jimmy page is freakin awesome. His solos are much more tuneful and rockin than some lame mastubatory shred solo by korn or dave mustaine. so stop complaining about how your favorite metal, shred, power chord band is not topping the list because classic rock beats metal anyday of the week.

[realiztik]

Umm, dude... Korn doesn't have solo's...

[jeeba jaba]

Yes I was just talking about this with a friend yesterday, this sucks huge anus, its terrible RATM Killing in the Name, what the funk so terrible a riff, if you were gonna have a riff by Rage it would have to be Guerilla Radio, and yeah NO FREAKIN IRON MAN, this article just sucks

[Rattlehead]

hey blind is a pretty kickass song tho, iron man is a lil bit better than paranoid. atleast 2 me

[benjaminr]

I think its a good list. I will admit, stairway should be on there, and also 96 quite bitter beings by CKY, but I think its a pretty good list, you can't catch everything.

[Led Zep#1]

i know everyones got their opinion and that is just mine

[benjaminr]

so you agree with me about 96 quite bitter beings too?

[Nacho2006]

how come everyone disses on nirvana. Yeah, Zepplin, Sabbath, and all those other great bands contributed to music. And 10 years from now, you'll say the same damn thing abou nirvana. They changed rock and roll, maybe not single handedly, but there is no denial that nirvana had a huge influence on everyband coming out today, and probably hundreds of bands too come. Play their songs loud, and see for your self, i play acdc, and sabbath, they kick ass, but play nirvana and you'll feel energy just flow through your fingers, its the fact that nobody cna recognize anything great until been in their fact for decades.

[benjaminr]

i agree nacho, smart comments

[Nacho2006]

thanks benjaminr

[Emo182]

Everybody's dissing Nirvana...oh well...cant change their opinions. I think the list is okay but i really think Iron Man should have a place there.

[benjaminr]

so no one thinks 96 quite bitter beings should be on there? just curious

[The_Roth_KungFu]

why are people complaining so much, it's just a poll goddamnit, they take the most reconizable song from lots of bands and place them on a poll, they cant put every song made by every band and put it on, it would be too long, it's just a un-official poll made just for fun. nothing more

[DeadPaul]

Where's "Day Tripper" by The Beatles??? That has to be the quintesential rock riff!

[benjaminr]

dude, your name has my last name in it.....thats insane

[The_Roth_KungFu]

more bands were probably on it too, but maybe the ppl who did the poll where just a bunch of ppl who dont know music well, or at all

[Led Zep#1]

that axe maniac guy is completely right. Why does everyone diss nirvana?? scroll up a while and look for his messages. His name is Axemaniac078.

[Led Zep#1]

i also agree with The Roth Kungfu. it really is just a poll. Not every band is gonna make it on the list. im glad they got Page, Hendrix, Clapton and Slash on there. All those dudes are my personal faves.

[Steph Bets]

GO MUSE!!! Plug in Baby rocks!!! but wheres satisfaction by Stones?

[Led Zep#1]

realiztik: But,what I really want to know is, where the hell is Metallica's "ONE"?!?!?!?! Fuck off GNR, Axl should get no recognition at all... EVER! Wut the hell is your problem YOU DOUCHE??!! slash is way better than kirk hammett ever dreamed he wud be. And ummmm oh yeah.. axl is a great frontman with a great voice and is actually very talented.

[Rjam710]

how come whenever Nirvana appears on some list ppl automatically say its sh*t? u hav to give that little garage band from seatle some credit... they had the guts to make their own kind of music, when was the last time any of u haters did that?

[Led Zep#1]

completely true

[Psykotik]

Where's Iron Man by Black Sabbath!!!???

[The_Roth_KungFu]

rjam710 is right, they started making grundge, when the whole world was obsessed with pop music, and they did really well.

[Led Zep#1]

exactly^

[ledfilly]

ok what about Moby Dick? and Heartbreaker? Communication Breakdown? Babe im gonna leave you?

[zed leppelin]

i figured black dog would be on there, and its a riff list morons, not the best bands of all time, ***in chill out, if anyone gave a shit what you thought, theyd have you make the list

[sonixon]

They must just write these to get you idiots going.

[fender rocker16]

do these people even know what they are talking about??? do the people who made this list even play guitar or know anything about music theory?? smells like teen spirit number two. thats the funniest f u c k i n thing i have ever seen

[tdacdc]

ok, this is my list...
1.Stairway to heaven
2.eruption
3.all
AC/DC songs
4.voodoo chile
5.pride and joy
6.detroit rock city
7.layla
8.moby dick
9.master of puyppets and for whom the bell tolls
10.peace sells
11.welcome to the jungle
12.walk this way
13.iron man
14.bohemian rhapsody
15.crazy train
16.sweet child o'mine
17.whole lotta love
18.enter sandman

[tdacdc]

19.schools out
20.closer to the heart

[fender rocker16]

oh and i would like to add that sonixon's comment was hilarious

[JamesV]

...Someone might have already said this, but it was a POLL - for the readers to vote on. So more readers liked "Sweet Child O' Mine" than "Paranoid". Its a popularity contest, not an objective ranking.

[DoTheDew up urs]

thats SHIT nirvana is SHIT...they're overrated. wow kurt can play a couple notes...thats nothing compared to FADE TO BLACK or Hit the Lights..oh here's my list

1. Rock n Roll -Zepplin
2. For whom the bell tolls- Tallica
3. Entersandman- Motorhead
4. Vodoo child-hendrix
5. rock n roll all night- kiSS
6. Free Bird- Skynyrd
7. Sweet Child 'o mine
8. Welcome to the jungle
9. Alright now- free
10.junkie-skynyrd

11. im ur captain/im getting closer-g-funk railroad
12.you got me- van halen
13.and justice for all- tallica
14.satisfaction-
the stones
15. who r u- the who
16. castles made of sand- hendrix

[birdman]

Dothedew, i think yours is much better. Good taste

[DoTheDew up urs]

The_Roth_KungFu:

ur a fcuking asshole...Alice in chains were the ones who started fcuking grunge...not nirvana...just cause nobody picked up on grunge till nirvana came out with teen spirt doesnt mean that nirvana came out with grunge...stupid ass...learn the music history goddamn shithead.

[DoTheDew up urs]

ty birdman

[The_Roth_KungFu]

i didnt say they started making grundge as in started to creat the genre, i meant started grundge as in started plaing... dumbass

[d_t_m]

Yes and King Crimson need to be on there....

[BlueViper1998]

mudhoney

[ensaepit]

wtf... this sucks ass.

[DoTheDew up urs]

yea u did roth

they started making grundge

and i do agree with u that nirvana played it well but alice in chains were the inventors..but toward nirvanas last album, they expiermented which was i'd say awesome but i dont like nirvana much so it dont matter

[DoTheDew up urs]

how was i suppsoed to know u fcuking meant that? all u said was that they started it...and by far thats wrong..for all i know, alice in chains didnt start it, some homless group of pepople on the streets of fcuking elpaso texas did...jesus moses

[jasonbecker]

as i've said before......they are not the best riffs, they are the most popular.

[DoobieBrother]

Im very surprised to see Aerosmith completely absent from the list. Joe Perry wrote some incredibly catchy riffs.

[Towllie]

***this.

[My_3rd_eye]

i am a huge fan of nirvana. nirvana shouldnt be in the top twenty. ESPICALLY WITH SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT!!!!! im sick of all the lists with slts at the top. any who thinks slts is their best song SHOULD kill themselves. kurt hated that song and hated playing it at every show. he knew there were nirvana fans and then slts fans. and those who says he is overated is bs. ill agree there are a thousand better guitarist that are not even on that list. its the posers who vote fot that shit. its all mtvs fault. i bet my life that if mtv didnt play slts 24/7 kurt would still be alive.

[benjaminr]

dude, whoever said for whom the bell tolls should be on there was a ***ing idiot...whatever do the dew.....there IS really no riff in for whom the bell tolls. Obviously, your list is more stupid than the real one because for whom the bell tolls really doesn't even have a riff in it, or a good one anyway.

[viking99]

Hey, what about Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones? Should be top 3 if you ask me. It's certainly one of the couple most memorable.

I think this list is probably a lot harder to compile than a top 100 solos list, because so many more songs qualify as having a riff. This list was doomed from the beginning.

[CampNoLime]

id put my favorite riff up there. 96 quite bitter beings by cky

[MetallicAddicct]

WHAT A BUNCH OF BULLSHIT

[benjaminr]

YES I AGREE I"VE BEEN SAYING THAT ALL DAY AND NO ONE AGREED!

[benjaminr]

wait
not that, i was saying that 96 quite bitter beings should be on here, I was agreeing with camp no lim not mettalicaddict

[MetallicAddicct]

Please, write better things the next time, why dont you make an article about the worst songs in history?

[MetallicAddicct]

Only Slash and Kirk deserve to be there

[benjaminr]

women, you can't live without them and they can't pee standing up

[dilligaf]

i cant believe there is no sad but true on their. thats bull shit.

[benjaminr]

like I said, women can't pee standing up

[dilligaf]

more mettalica, less bullshit

[dilligaf]

*** all you ***ing sons of ***ing bitches that diss on nirvana. nirvana kicked EVERYONES ass. except mettalica. i agree thats this isnt the greatest list but smells like teen spirit is the best riff anyone has ever come up with. i'd like to see anyone here that disses kurt to come up with something better

[Chalko]

DoTheDew up urs

you are a ***ing loser, here are some FACTS asshole:

The invention of grunge is debatable: was it Green River, or was it the Seattle label C/Z's release of Deep Six- a compilation of local bands including Soundgarden. AiC, though great, did not invent grunge, in fact they started out as a GLAM METAL act (which explains why AiC was the heaviest "grunge" band). So learn your facts btw, since AiC was not grunge until 1990's facelift, nirvana preceeded them by 2 yrs b/c "Love Buzz/Big Cheese" was releasedin 1988.

So use facts backed by logic prior to trashing some one

[Jasomat]

how the hell did a discussion about riffs turn into a damn grunge argument. *** cobain, and *** nirvana. smoke on the water is the most recognisable riff of all time, it should be at #1. muse and quotsa????? i like them, but they dont belong in the greatest riffs of ALL TIME, maybe of the last ten years. were is layla? who made this?

[Chalko]

Also, Fuck all Metallica fans, realize there are MORE bands than that one...also, Metallica is responsible for shitty metal bands, just as Nirvana is reponsible for many a shitty rock bands.

Really intelligent, blaming a band for being creative and deviating from the norm and thu creating something beautiful. Metallica did the same thing.

To say that only Metallica and G n' R *ahem* should be on that list ignorant and closed mined.

BTW, Rush, the police, and COUNTLESS others should be on that list

[benjaminr]

women still can't pee standing up

[Castro29]

They list is good in my opinion... I like nirvana there good n all but #2 no f***ing way...

[jman2oo2]

That list, doesn't give alot of good bands justice, and a few bands that should be there aren't. I hate people who think because they know a few radio-played rock songs make them a rocker... anyway, anyone who knows rock, knows that this list is missing:
1: Thunderstruck - AC/DC
2: The Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy
3: Tie Your Mother Down - Queen
4: Suicide Solution - Ozzy Osbourne
5: Panama - Van Halen
6. Running With The Devil - Van Halen
7. Rock You Like A Hurricane - The Scorpions
8. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynard Skynard
9. Say It Ain't So - Weezer
10. Growing On Me - The Darkness
11. Unchained - Van Halen
Alot of these are clearly superior, and after listening to thoroughly you realize that your ass was just kicked, and crap like Muse doesn't belong up there, oh... by the way, I've listened to that shitty song and was forced to administrate to myself an asskicking for having heard it. I mean, I would have rather seen Clocks by Coldplay up there. If you think that riff is superior to the opening riff in Van Halen's Unchained, YOU'RE RACIST.

[benjaminr]

yes, but women still can't pee standing up, no one can deny that

[MetalMessiah]

Here's my personal top ten:For Whom the Bell Tolls(Metallica);Peace Sells(Megadeth);Children of the Grave(Black Sabbath);Diary of a Madman(Ozzy);Purple Haze(Jimi);Ain't Talkin' Bout Love(Van Halen);Number of the Beast(Iron Maiden);Hells Bells(AC/DC);Too High to Fly(Dokken);Hey You(Pink Floydd)
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!!!

[af2w131f]

best riff of all time.. the police - every breath you take. its my fav.
best way to sound like it is add some delay and palm mute the whole thing. get ready to stretch your fingers though.

[billiejoe_dirnt]

f*ck yeh. plug in baby by muse kicks arse. i know you probably think muse=crap without listening to the song. but it is a ***ing sick lead riff with a kick arse bass line to go with it.

[AusFender911]

I recon the unplugged version of layla had better a better riff

[boxcarblink41]

wow thats a shitty list...nirvana? get the *** outa here.

[Melchior]

the only reason nirvana is in there is because theres a lot of pretentious assholes out there that think that blindly worshiping a rather mediochre band will make them seem "alternative"... people feel compelled to vote for them regardless of how good/bad their riffs actully are...

where is schism? thats a great rock riff, not only the guitar and bass riff, even the drum riff is well recognised, i personaly think it's one of tools poorer songs but it is a very great riff. And just for the sake of it i was to see 7 nation army on that list... muhaha

[XNiRvAnAX]

you get the fuc k outta here id like to see you write a song that anyone besides your self likes

[pluckin crazy]

ah yes, nirvana and shit like muse, what a surprise, I mean I never saw that one coming, how about iron man by sabbath or maybe war pigs at least in the top 20

[nirvanafan11111]

at the end of the day this list should not even be their because their are so many great riffs in the world to many to make a top twenty out of without argument

[nirvanafan11111]

my top riff 10 list is 1.voodoo child 2.creeping death 3.power trip(chimaira) 4.iron man 5. sweet child o mine 6. hash pipe(weezer) 7.prison sex 8.bohemian rhapsody(queen) 9.tourettes(nirvana)

[nirvanafan11111]

10.smoke on the water(deep purple)

[Awesome_Will]

Where the hell is Zakk Wylde? His riffs on pride and glory where awesome.....i hate lists..

[Aetius]

THIS IS ALL BIASED ****, Especially nirvana? you must be joking. Only because people respect the *great* Kurt Cobain doens't make it number 2! Bands such as Muse, Guns 'n roses, Clapton, Hendrix, metallica should dominate, not those shitty bands. the list is crap.

[grunge_god]

let's make lists ourselves and post it here so we can be stupid morons again ok? and also lets write comments like' this sucks and that rocks'.

[ShaDoweR]

Anyone ever drinken Inner Circle Rum? I have now and im ***in slaughtered its awesome 9% alcochol a can and i currently starting my 4th can and im ***ed up hahahaha.
Good list though i havent heard that muse son gnot a biggery faN but i farkin think its in there cos it fresh in ppls minds. and how the ***kk can you wankers say that teen spirit don tbelong in there it is one of the most recongisable riffs of ALL TIME, dont make it a grudge thing it rocks. how bout thunderstruck by ac/dc peeps

[Klown]

well... theres alot missing, but Baby I'm gonna leave you with Led Zeppelin should be there, along with like a thousand more Sabbath songs

[apollolynx]

It's not a bad list, though the order could be better. Also, for me, Baker Street has to be top ten at least.

[Aetius]

you can't possibly make a list of best riffs ever, it's always going to be biased. it will always be influenced by opinions. Let's keep our own lists for ourselves because everyone has his own idea.

[nefarious bob]

rainbow? never heard of rainbow? not only famous for just richie blackmore but DIO. i mean c'mon. dio's awesome. but metallica, iron maiden, black sabbath, iced earth, led zeppelin, ac/dc, randy rhoads and ozzy, and all that shit should've kicked that lists ass. *** all that shit with nirvana and ***ing muse and free... *** em all

[partyonjoe]

I would just like to say Moby Dick should be on there. I think the only reason the riff didn't make much of a difference is that no one has the patience to listen to Bonham (sweeeet) for 5 minutes. Oh, and Bring it on Home. That's amazing. I think the awesome riff was underrated cause it was in the middle of 4 minutes of slow blues.

[secretlifeofme]

u lot man leave nirvana alone u know u love em really.....
well for every list like this theres always gonna b people going "WHAT?!?!??! omg u lot are complete and utter bullshite this is the crappest list ive eva seen in my life....." bla bla bla bla BLA. give everyone a break dudes and dudettes

Oh, and Chalko

Also, Fuck all Metallica fans, realize there are MORE bands than that one...also, Metallica is responsible for shitty metal bands, just as Nirvana is reponsible for many a shitty rock bands.To say that only Metallica and G n' R *ahem* should be on that list ignorant and closed mined.

Arnt you being JUST SLIGHTLY ignorant and closed minded by saying that Nirvana and Metallica (both good bands) by saying theyre responsible for all the 'shitty bands' out there ?!?!?!
I Think So.
THANK YOU, AND GOODNIGHT.

[secretlifeofme]

twat

[spoonman017]

Has everyone forgot about "96 Quite Bitter Beings" by CKY? That is one of the catchiest guitar riffs ever played.

[erling]

1 Motorbreath
2 Smoke on the water
3 Master of puppets
4 Sad but true
5 orion
6 sweet child o mine
7 cocaine
8 u got to fight for your right to party
9 TNT
10 Back in black

[alexxx152]

slash is the best guitarist in all times sweet child o mine kicks assssssssssssssssss

[Aetius]

RIFFS can only be good if they're well constructed, it's not a case whether you like the song or not, it's the complexity of a song. A few examples: Plug in baby, Layla, Sweet child 'o mine. And I don't care if anyone likes Muse or not, Matt Bellamy is a genius in how he constructs the melodies and his vocals.

[spoonman017]

Has everyone forgot about "96 Quite Bitter Beings" by CKY? That is one of the catchiest guitar riffs ever played.

[BradRocker]

I'm surprised that there are only one jimi hendrix songs in there. What about the Darkness also. Not sayin that they are better than jimi though. Who agrees? Plus who thinks should be the number 1 ever riff?

[LpBlack_Beauty]

do you think this article was made to please everyone get over it. there are great songs in there.

[jaredguay]

This entire list is bullshit. If it's of all time then where the hell is the Rolling Stones?

[gasay]

Even thought everyone is saying the same thing that I am going to say, I will join them in saying that this list is the biggest piece of shit I have ever seen!!! In fact, I think I am going to print it off just so I can wipe my ass with it!!!!!!

[Bossworld]

Where's Rainbow - Since you've been gone :|

[ed_banger]

what about I DON'T KNOW by Ozzy Osbourne thats a kick ass riff.RANDY RHOADS RULES.

[veriette]

Has everyone forgot about "96 Quite Bitter Beings" by CKY? That is one of the catchiest guitar riffs ever played.

totally agree its got an amazing riff

[muffin_man69]

Teen Spirit Riff Sucks and is soooooooooo boring. And well i could go on about the rest but i really don't see the need

[moosedealer]

I agree, SLTS isn't exactly a great riff, bt it's a great song...

[bleach1988]

try again!!!!!!!!!ya

[TOMWAITSRULES]

i think 96 quite bitter beings is a good riff. personally i prefer shock and terror and disengage the simulator's riffs. and it doesnt say most recognisable, it says best so get off my back for saying "unknown bands". Lacuna Coil, Epica, and Paradise lost are some of the coolest and most talented bands I have ever heard. And while nirvana is pretty good yes it is terribly overrated and i dont see what the hype is and so are a lot of other bands people on this forum are claiming should rule the list.

[TOMWAITSRULES]

i do think that some Korn should have made the list like GoodGod, Thoughtless, and even Right Now from the so called "Shitty" take a look in the mirror album. Im glad there is no slipknot up there too. Slipknot is easily the most overrated band in history.

[MuseInME]

Paranoid shud be number 1 >..

[TOMWAITSRULES]

i also think Roger Waters Amused To Death is awesome.

[TOMWAITSRULES]

Free shouldnt be on that list. all right now isnt that good a song

[bassplaya420]

sweet child o mine is a good song but i dont think it deserves # 1

[TOMWAITSRULES]

me either

[dilligaf]

Aetius:

you might not like Nirvana and smells like teen spirit is definately not the hardest riff to play, i can play it and im a bass player, but it's catchy, and most people agree on it. you get a survey going and send it to a couple hundred thousand emails, and i guarantee you sltp will be in the top 10. they dont look at difficulty when they make these lists, but at most popular and hate to say it, but sltp is probably the most popular.

[dilligaf]

also, it might not deserve #2, but sltp should be on the top 20. iron man should be #1 but is it? no. GN'R is #1. musicians might not like nirvana because of the whole technicallity issue, but fans love them voted for them. thats why they are #2.

[Markly]

smells like teen spirit is the easiest riff to play ever! but it sounds good!! i prefer the breed riff myself, but like evryone says, its an opinion thing. Enter Sandman rules and so does hendrix!!!

[SoulsStrife]

i dont diss nirvana they were a good band, but that song was nothing but cheap power chords and some very simple things to do nothing really that requires lots of skill..

#1 Dream Theater - Glass Prision

[luka krolo]

there should be more gnr and metallica songs on this list and you know why. couse slash and kirk are too good. i think there should be nightrain or seek and distroy but smells like teen spirit no way. it was popular song but its not great riff

[Kickass]

No Iron Maiden this is pointless! Come on what about fear of the dark and revelations

[EastBayRay]

the list is gay. i mean what the *** is queens of the stoned age?!?! they suck. that is a list of popular songs thats all. mostly metal too.

[EastBayRay]

i dont even listen to metal and i know there should have been some iron maiden

[zakk_wylde4]

yea walk by pantera shoulda been on there, and led zeppelin has way more catchy riffs than whole lotta love, bring it on home, immigrant song, the ocean

[meadowskid]

the list is going to be popular songs, thats how people know to vote for them!

[OZZY-SABBATH]

Paranoid - black sabbath or crazy train - ozzy osbourne should be nimber 1

[mikeyharms]

no1's ever gonna agree so thers no point

[PsychoWolfD]

I'm never gonna be satisfied on such lists, man. Ever! 1 bad artist in it, and the whole thing is queer.(in this case, Nirvana)

[zakk_wylde4]

Iron Man and Sabbra Cadabbra are both better riffs than paranoid

[madman66]

Every 1 should stop saying what sould be at number 1, if u wanted ur song @ number 1 then you should have voted. yeh i agree theres alot of good stuff missin but the PUBLIC (thats me and u) voted on this this is the general opinion

[kenyb101]

where is iron man!!

[guitardude72565]

nirvana wheres Number of The Beast and The Trooper and why aint Raining Blood by Slayer on their thats not a very good list
T

[Viscosity]

IRON MAN??!!!?!?!?!?!?! and Jimmy Page should be at the top and where are the modern day things again i mean Metallica etc. are good but a few more would be nice but this is a good list

[thePUNISHER]

who comes up with this shyz

[deftonesrule!!!]

what guitar magizine i think

[benjaminr]

I dont see where people are coming up with for whom the bells tolls, that doesn't even really have a riff, and that duh-duh duh-duh duuuuuuu, thing doesn't count

[sargasm]

These are always so biased. They always just take a few classic rock bands/songs and stick them together cause that'll please most people

[benjaminr]

women can't pee standing up, thats for sure

[Spaced Invader]

ricockulous!

[IcanPr3tend]

lists are lame anyway since they appeal to anyone in particular maybe lists should be banned cause there's too much opinion and bias involved

[Son_of_a_gun]

whoever hates on nirvana can go play with themselves because they obiously do not appreciate good music and where's Man in a box from Alice in Chains.

[chuckles_34]

I think the list could change in alot of ways

[Wormboy]

WHere the hell is "where boys fear to tread"?! Smashing Pumpkins anyone?!

[Snakepit5490]

FYI- Izzy wrote most of the songs on Appetite for Destruction, so credit should probably go to him. Anyway people, stop making a big deal about these stupid, stupid lists.
[POSTED: 06 May 2004 - 12:35]|

Whoever wrote this is an idiot. Just to let this retard know, Jlash was playing the Sweet Child O' Mine riff at practice. Then Izzy came in with the supporting background chords. They all started playing, then Axl put the lyrics to the song, which were written for his girlfriend at that time. Slash also hated the song for a long period of time, but it turned out to be one of their biggest hits.


GNR RockS!!!!!!!!!

[Snakepit5490]

Oh yeah, I think this list was on VH1 not to long ago.
don't ask what is wrong with the "S" in the slash above, i have no idea

[nirvanandrew]

I hate all of u people shittin on nirvana like that.
U have no right to be on this sight at all cause it sounds like u guys dont have ears......Fuckers

[nirvanandrew]

oh yeah... i think the list could have been improved but i am happy with it overall.

[titanguy3]

all these are are opinions i hate opinionated articles

[gumo5]

This list isn't trying to argue who is the better guitarist or band. I mean, obviously Jimmy Page and Zeppelin have more musical talent than Kurt and Nirvana but that doesn't make Nirvana a lousy band nor does it make Teen Spirit a bad riff. Sure, it's easy, but it's fun. Look at Enter Sandman or Sunshine of your Love. Both good songs, but also pretty easy (strictly speaking for the main lines not solos). I think most of you arn't grasping what this list is really trying to present. I think this is a pretty good list in the fact that it does have some songs for everybody - wheter you are classic rock, grunge, or rap-metal fan.

[uragooch33]

dude im sick and tired of seeing nirvana praised as an amazing band. they were decent at best, not all they are cracked up to be and i pretty sick of seeing them on these types of lists

[DoTheDew up urs]

fcuk off chalko...

no metallica didnt spawn shittyy metal bands..
ur mother did.
and nirvana didnt spawn shitty rock bands..i dont know if they spawend anyone.

and u are a lil closed minded shithead.
so you can go shove ur moms testicals up ur anus skanky son of a bitch....stupid nazi

[Chalko]

Hey secretlifeofme

When did I say that they were responsible for all the bad bands? Learn to read you dyslexic ***

[marcusr2121]

where is iron man every body knows that riff it has to be the most popular riff ever.....why do people come in here and bitch about bands when the article has nothing to do with the damn band

[Chalko]

DoTheDew up urs,

This is what you can do with your entire family:

First you can start giving fellatio to and cunnilingus to your grandparents during dinner. Then you can have your mom stick your guitar up your ass b/c it?s not like you actually know how to play. Then while she is sodomizing you, you can give the shocker to your hermaphrodite girlfriend, all the while your father is shooting himself in the cock and spraying blood all over. Hey, why don?t you use the blood as a lube you sick ***.

Fuck off and die, learn to spell, shoot yourself, no one will ever miss you

Love, Chalko

[spiff920]

hey chalko your cool now, your honour has been restored, and the members of the site respect you that much more, i know i do.

[kyle_afi]

dunno bout u guys but i think some afi should be in there. leaving song pt. 2 and dancing through sunday kick ass

[ScarredFaith]

Where the *** is skynyrd... Bastard shit eating pig dogs!

[Dave_Grohl]

where the *** is under the bridge, and come as u r is a better nirvana riff

[sappy_blew_u]

OK, heres where 99% OF U PIGS ARE WRONG.
The list is BEST RIFFS of all time not BEST BADNS OF ALL TIME so get it right all u try hard metal head nirvana abusers and all that shit.
by the way, nirvana and metallica didnt CREATE all the shitty bands, SHITTY MUSICIANS created shity bands, if they were smart enough to be inspired by them they would make good music but they're too caught up with making money and being apart for the modern marketing radio-friendly shit music of today so they go off in a totally different direction.
and for all u nirvana haters, i'd like to see u write songs as great as kurt did and make history while doing so u ***ing asshole maggots.

[iwhiwy]

This whole discussion board and only one person has mentioned Even Flow. Maybe there's only 14 people in the world who though that Even Flow deserved a top 20 nod...and I'm one of them...

[m_unit_soldier]

shit theres a lot of posts. erotic nightmares--steve vai. that is a kickass riff.

[politicsNpunk]

I cant believe i have to point this out. By GREATEST RIFFS they mean most memorable, so that if they played it to a person, the person would know it. Of course Nirvana should be 2, maybe even 1 because of that factor. But thats what they mean, so nice attempt at trying to sound like "major music" people, naming underground shit, but it has nothing to do with Top riff, hardest riff. Stop letting your ego get in the way.

[!!!!!]

i think its pretty gd that there is a lot of old stuff...i mean...no there is a bunch of bands who play heavy metal which u cant understand and crap...but i think they could have done a better job...maybe let ppl vote on it...

[!!!!!]

*now

[jwilliams]

Yeah, Chalko, we all love hearing your accurate, unbiased and level-headed input... Your vocabulary would suggest age or intelligence but your level of maturity is proof to the contrary.

96 quite bitter beings does have a good riff but it doesn't quite rate with the classics, Lost in a Contraption is probably a better CKY song.

[hEadShoVeL]

WHERE IS KORN!!!

[pluckin crazy]

and theres no question about it that Iron man should be in that ***in list, and higher than any nirvana songs, and peace sells by megadeath , it seems this guy is only going for the most popular and recognised songs, some judas priest should be in there at least

[pluckin crazy]

and one minor little thing, CRAZY TRAIN NUMBER 11!!! bollox

[deathwalker]

f***ing hell y is back in black only 8 it should b top
Angus Young is the god of rock and anyone who says otherwise is deluded

[bobas]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH this crap makes me sick..there is no #1 riff or #1 solo or #1 song, that's impossible. you also have people who think britney spears makes the best songs ever, everybody likes something else and everybody should also shut up about where is this and where is that, because that's what you think is 'the best riff ever made in the entire history', it's not true anyway...there are dozens of great tunes and blablablabla hope you get my point..

[Aetius]

Nobody beats the Hysteria riff or Plug in baby....
This is just all biased shit this whole list.

[srinkc]

very sicko....very very sicko...
you've completely forgotten IRON MAIDEN...the greatest ever heavy metal band...hallowed be thy name...wasted years....
also forgotten is the greatest guitarist to ever live....JOE SATRIANI...where's crystal planet?????

[rooks]

Any "best riff" list that doesn't contain ACDC's "Thunderstruck" can't be taken seriously!

[smitti_cr4]

By the quality of this list, Im surprised the Venga Boys arent in the top 20!!

[daytripper75]

atleast nirvana isnt #1 for once, though they shouldnt be on that list at all in my opinion. i love nirvana but compared to a lot of other bands their stuff isnt that great.

[meadowskid]

these are all catchy songs, which is basicly what the title implies. and you gotta admit, even if you dont think nirvana should be in there you've gotta admit, smells like teen spirit is a very catchy riff, although very easy to play. and everytime nirvana gets into a top ten or top onehundred or top anything, the whole response is people complaining. if you dont think that it should be there then you should have voted against it. there is a reason why nirvana is famous, they had really catchy riffs. which is what this list is about, but honestly i would like to see more GnR in these lists.

[sicarlako]

i think metallica should take the crown. they are all hard rockers and really deserved it

[the fendernator]

if they took 'free' out then this would be a pretty good list i reckon

[Aetius]

srinkc you idiot, Joe satriani isn't the greatest... Nobody beats Hendrix.. When Hendrix died, Clapton took the crown of both best bassist and best electric player. Joe satriani comes close but he'll need to better to beat Hendrix and Clapton.

[Snakepit5490]

Clapton is amazing

[Snakepit5490]

don't you think?

[TomSk]

stupid magazines telling you whats the best again. Absolute rubbish.

[ed_banger]

what are muse and QOTSA doing in the top 20, yeh they are alright riffs but there hardly classics like Crazy Train and Sweet child o mine.

[JPGR93]

The list is pretty shitty i admit, one band i havent heard anyone mention but really does deserve credit are....The Beatles. No one here can say that they hate EVERY SINGLE song the Beatles made. Day Tripper, And Your Bird Can Sing, Paperback Writer, Sgt. Pepper, I Wanna Hold Your Hand. All these unforgettable riffs, some hard, some simple but all influential to rock as we know it today.....

[JPGR93]

Also if you'll click that Total Guitar link at the top of the page you'll notice the page that comes up says EUROPE'S Best Selling Guitar Magazine, not all bands are popular everywhere, which also backs up my point about the Beatles, if you asked someone almost anywhere in the world theyve heard about the Beatles but you cant do that for some of these bands like Creed and Third Eye Blind. Just a thought....

[metOLIca]

this list is aiight...axcept for smells like teen spirit....yeah its catchy but not the best at all..... its the firts song that EVERYBODY learns...so how does that make it one of the ebst riffs...every single metallica song would beat that...and wheres seek and destroy...thats the best...METALLICA KICK FUCKING ASS!!!!

[metOLIca]

Orion??

[metOLIca]

The Call Of Ktulu

[GuitarJunkie]

1.)leave cream, hendrix, and deep purple as is
2.)leave zeppelin on there, but not that song...one of their better songs...i mean cmon
3.)nirvan=SHOULENT BE ON LIST
4.)STEPPENWOLF should be on this
5.)maybe one metallica song...MAYBE

[Aetius]

the base-line in Hysteria (muse) is great. If there was a top 20 base-lines, muse would have many titles..

[pluckin crazy]

sabbath and G n R would have more than muse though

[Aetius]

base riffs? You should see the riffs of Plug in baby, Hysteria, Stockholm Syndrome. Utterly great. You know what, even I could make a list of top 20 riffs, the current list is too biased anyway.

[spiders 32]

rchp has awsome base riffs

[Plexus]

Where is Stairway???!!! I never thought i would see a list of the best guitar work without Stairway

[twobelts]

this list sucks

[pluckin crazy]

yeah aetius they are good bass lines or riffs whatevevr ya wanna call em, but seriously if you listen to some sabbath bass lines they just totally ***in blow ya away, and some of them are pretty complicated, Geezer Butler is a bass god maaaaaan!!! oh and duffs good too

[pluckin crazy]

an example is N.I.B. intro by sabbath

[JPGR93]

THE BEATLES!!!!!!!!!

[pinkfloyddude69]

the list ain't too bad but iron man or smoke on the water should be number 1. nirvana should be on the list but only number 20 if that

[staggd]

nirvana dont deserve no2, i think my 6 year old cousin could of wrote smells like teen spirit!i think that guns n roses deserved to be first as that riff just kicks ass!muse deserve to be in there, go to 1 of their shows and you'll know y!

[nirvanateen]

Wat the f*** is wrong with u people Nirvana rules

[Mus-guar]

yeah man, i love Nirvana, but considering that song a metal riff? yeah right.....

[Mus-guar]

wait, rock riff....forget that, yeah thats a good place for teen spirit

[praise2hendrix]

Though i dont necesarily care for a lot of these bands in the line up (guns n roses)i must say this is a pretty accurrate list if you do base it on riffs alone

[thesums4eva]

could someone please explain to me how the hell that stupid "no one knows" by queens of the stone age made this list, i have never liked theyre music and dont think that the song even deserves in the top 100 let alone the top 20

[fak-a-billy]

What a pity !! Rime of the Ancient Mariner ( I. Maiden) is not in the list ! What a great riffing man and sequence changes !!

Who are "Queens of the stone Age" and and how come they got place in chart !! i don't simply get it

[fak-a-billy]

Why the hell there no number from Dio, (Guitar Riffs by Good old Vivian Campbell !!) You guys suck man !! You don't listen to quality Blues rock and Classic rock numbers man ! I think the alternative bands have nothing to prove, there no quality lead piece, same old rhythm patterns. Man there's no place for Aerosmith, Dire Straits, GAry Moore, MSG, Scorpions ! NAh! This ain't the kind list I like ! What the *** do you all listen to !!!! All craps with crazy ***ing meaningless rhythm guitars ? And what about songs like "Child in Time" of Deep Purple?

Fak-a-billy

[noob4lyfe]

CKYmark83:
shut the *** up and just read it, if you don't like, ***ing ignore it, quit being a pissy little baby

THANK. YOU. :cheers:

[dudewowamcool]

where the fudge is stair way

[dudewowamcool]

*probaly last*

[Jpinales2004]

rooks:
Any "best riff" list that doesn't contain ACDC's "Thunderstruck" can't be taken seriously!

Thunderstruck is my 2nd favorite AC/DC song but u just cant beat Back in Black.

And what tha heck? QOTSA topping GnR? You cant compare a masterpiece like Paradice city with No One Knows though both have great riffs. And what is with all u people? Teen Spirit is a very good song thought I think it shouldnt be #2. Smoke on the water should have been #2

[Jpinales2004]

Stairway to Heaven is a great song but there are so many better riffs than that. and some are in the list.

Smoke On the waterby Deep Purple,Sweet Child O' Mineby GnR,Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd, Anothe Brick In The Wall II by Pink FLoyd,Almost all AC/DC songs I can Think of,The Game by Motorhead, Bo Rap by Queen... I could be here all day

Stairway prolly has better lyrics than all of the ones i mentioned but we are talking about riffs here.

[Dragonforce5208]

How can you make a best guitar list without having the best guitar assault of all time, Iron Maiden. Seriously, Maiden's riffs rule maybe half of these songs that made the list. Listmakers beg for forgivness. Zeppelin, although decent, is so overated. I'm sick of great stuff lsoing out to Nirvana, thier song has to be the most simple song ever written. Metallic's Fade to Black is a work of art and it's a crime to not have it on there. Iron Man???.. Where's that song? Smoke on the Water is to me the best riff ever. I don't understandhow it lost to Nirvana and Leppelin. Even though it's not as popular as some of this stuff, Valley of the Damned by Dragonforce is the best solo I have ever heard. If you haven't heard it, check it out, it's amazing.
Here are some songs that I think are generally better than many of the songs that made the list:
Dragonforce - Valley of the Damned
Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive
Kansas - Dust in the Wind
The Scorpions - Rock you like a Hurricane
AC/DC - Thunderstruck
Black Sabbath - Iron Man
Pantera - Cowboys from Hell
Metallica - FADE TO BLACK, Sanaterium, Holier than Thou, Nothing else Matters
Iron Maiden - The Trooper, The Wicker Man, Dance of Death, Fear of the Dark, Hallowed be thy Name, Wasted Years.
Slayer - Angel of Death
Kalmah - Hades

[LastoBethLammen]

Nirvana is shit

[Franco86]

first, NIRVANA isn't shit at all, the one who says that doesn't know how simple and beautiful NIRVANA riffs are.
Second, there are a billion of great riffs so stop saying which riff should be and which not please!!! pointless discussion, i have all RHCP cd's and Frusciante made a lot of excellent riffs (pretty litlle intty,suck my kiss,under the bridge,the greeting song,my lovely man,give it away,blood sugar sex magik,around the world,parallel universe,scar tissue,this velvet glove,dani california,she's only 18,readymade,storm in a teacup,.....etc) and i'm not going to argue which riff should be or not!!
c'mon!!

[thebixter88]

ReELbIgMoNsTeR wrote:

If what's his face didn't die I'm pretty sure this song wouldn't even appear on this list and people wouldn't be saying Nirvana this and Nirvana that constantly.

Damn dude...heartless much? You realy shouldn't be saying stuff like that about a guy who's wife SHOT HIM IN THE FACE. And just because it's overplayed, it's still an amazing song that defined the era in which i grew up. Admit it...when you hear those fisrt three chords, you go into automatic headbang mode.