Archive for the ‘Hard Rock’ Category

‘Walk This Way’. Aerosmith

Posted: March 3, 2013 in 70's Rock, Hard Rock
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What a hit! This song not only saw Boston rockers Aerosmith well on their way to platinum success, but also inspired a sensationally original cover by rap group Run-DMC. With an opening riff based on a sequence of single notes which is repeated throughout, this is great practise choice for any budding rock guitarist. Run-DMC’s 1980s cover beefed up the drum intro and increased the impact of the guitar riff, and with it the first significant combination of hip-hop and rock exploded onto the music scene.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘You Really Got Me’. The Kinks

Posted: March 2, 2013 in 60's Rock, Garage Rock, Hard Rock
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The overdriven guitar sound on ‘You Really Got Me’ is powerful stuff and has had a big influence on rock musicians. Rumours abound about the identity of the guitar solo player – was it in fact the soon to be Led Zeppelin founder Jimmy Page? The band and Page himself deny it, claiming you can hear Dave Davies yelling expletives to his brother on the track just before playing the solo.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Back In Black’. AC/DC

Posted: March 1, 2013 in 80's Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
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The opening riff to ‘Back in Black’ is pure genius – it’s a riff that everyone recognises and is instantly energised by. This applies to many of the riffs later in the song too: it’s a veritable cornucopia of catchiness distilled into a rock staple. The whole mid-section of the song, a clash of spiralling, duelling guitars, is solid evidence that whatever else AC/DC were, they were advanced musicians!

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Smoke On The Water’. Deep Purple

Posted: March 1, 2013 in 70's Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
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Probably one of the most, if not the most recognisable guitar riffs in rock music history.  The opening riff is played in two-string chords made up of root-plus-forth, rather than power chords made up of the usual root-plus-fifth.  Its popularity has not ceased to grow in the entertainment industry, featuring on numerous movie soundtracks and covered by a plethora of groups.

this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikGyZh0VbPQ

‘Paperback Writer’. The Beatles

Posted: March 1, 2013 in 60's Rock, Hard Rock, Power Pop
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In comparison to their previous songs, the meatier guitar sound of ‘Paperback Writer’ took The Beatles’ music into the genre of Hard Rock. A memorable opening riff with a series of smooth arpeggios and flying octave fills gives way to lyrics inspired by a supposed request from McCartney’s aunt to write a song that wasn’t about love. The song’s outro again features the same riff played repeatedly as the words ‘paperback writer’ are sung over and over.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘American Woman’. The Guess Who

Posted: February 24, 2013 in 70's Rock, Blues Rock, Hard Rock, Rock
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‘American Woman’ is based on a riff characteristic of 1970s groove-rock. Although the lyrics of the song were largely interpreted as being chauvinistic and an anti-American statement about the country’s role in the Vietnam war, the band themselves denied such claims and said they were influenced by the urban deprivation they saw whilst touring the country.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Eye Of The Tiger’. Survivor

Posted: February 24, 2013 in 80's Rock, Hard Rock, Rock
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One of the all time great, rousing guitar riffs, the song begins to the sound of a guitar pedaling gently, whilst drums build then the full force of the notes can truly be felt.  Widely associated with the Rocky film franchise, in particular Rocky III the track is simple yet effective, possibly the reason why the song is still so popular today.  On its release, ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ sold in vast quantities, shifting two million copies in the USA alone, it has since become a sporting anthem.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

‘Paradise City’. Guns N’ Roses

Posted: February 22, 2013 in 80's Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
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This song has been imprinted on rock fans’ DNA since its release in January 1989.  Made memorable by its exquisitely hummable chorus, it was also known by the amazing riff that opens the track.  Based on three ascending chromatic notes, Slash has maintained the riff’s difficulty to emulate. It has recently been immortalised by none other than Hollywood hot stuff Tom Cruise, in 2012 blockbuster Rock Of Ages.

Buy this song at iTunes or Amazon. The official band site is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfZqiHCREiM

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