Posts Tagged ‘Ultimate Rock Riffs’

‘Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)’. Neil Young and Crazy Horse

Posted: March 14, 2013 in 70's Rock, Hard Rock
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This track was based on a full-pelt, distorted guitar riff which combined early 90’s grunge patterns with Young’s iconic vocal line. The lyrics of this song questioned how artists should react to changing tastes in music, and had the effect of revitalizing Young’s career, leading him to collaborate with punk pioneers Devo alongside his classic style. An extract from the song, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away”, was famously quoted in Kurt Cobain’s suicide note.

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

‘Killing In The Name’. Rage Against The Machine

Posted: March 14, 2013 in 90's Rock, Funk Metal, Rap Metal
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‘Killing In The Name’ is one of the most famous songs ever to emerge from the rap-metal scene of the early nineties. The song’s main riff is an instantly addictive number expressed in drop-D tuning by guitarist Tom Morello.

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

‘Beat It’. Michael Jackson

Posted: March 14, 2013 in 80's Rock, Hard Rock
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The third single from the singer’s 1982 studio album Thriller, ‘Beat It’ entranced listeners with its synthesized intro and hypnotic beat.  But it was Eddie Van Halen’s guest guitar solo, delivered on the song’s mid-section, which helped it to sell in enormous quantities to all audiences even decades after its initial release.

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

‘Plug In Baby’. Muse

Posted: March 13, 2013 in 00's Rock, Alternative rock
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It is hard to believe that Muse have been making music for nearly 20 years and still achieve international and critical acclaim. The song ‘Plug In Baby’ released in 2001 from the band’s Origin of Symmetry album, opens with a killer guitar riff that has since gone on to become one of Muse’s most recognised songs.

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

‘Song 2’. Blur

Posted: March 13, 2013 in 90's Rock, Alternative rock, Grunge
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Britpop had well and truly arrived when Blur ‘woo-hooed’ their way to number 2 in the charts with ‘Song 2’ in April 1997.  Propelled by a gigantic guitar riff and layered with a warm overdrive, with plenty of bottom end, punk guitarist Graham Coxon enabled ‘Song 2’ to redefine heavy music that the song purported to be making fun of.

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

‘Born To Be Wild’. Steppenwolf

Posted: March 13, 2013 in 60's Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
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‘Born To Be Wild’ is one of those songs synonymous with the heavy metal era of the 1960s music scene.  Anchored by the pounding riff, the song was made popular by its appearance in the classic 1969 film Easy Rider; the title and the melody are still connected to the public’s perception of motorbike culture.

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

‘Run To The Hills’. Iron Maiden

Posted: March 13, 2013 in 80's Rock, Heavy Metal
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When Iron Maiden emerged from the so-called ‘New Wave Of British Heavy Metal’ in 1980, high-profile stadium tours awaited them.  The wailing opening riff of ‘Run To The Hills’ leads onto a tale of white conquistadores invading America.

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

‘Davidian’. Machine Head

Posted: March 13, 2013 in 90's Rock, Groove Metal, Heavy Metal
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With the release of this track in response to the Waco massacre of the previous year, Machine Head redefined mainstream heavy metal. A combination of down-stroked, down-tuned power chords and pinch harmonics, this track features multiple heavyweight riffs. The highlight comes after three and a half minutes when the minute long outro riff begins; its simple notes, together with the band’s astounding triple-picking and palm-muting techniques have secured ‘Davidian’ a place in riff history.

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

‘Wake Up’. Rage Against The Machine

Posted: March 12, 2013 in 90's Rock, Alernative Metal, Funk Metal, Rap Metal
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This song’s main riff consists of a single note which oozes repetition and direction, and has been likened to that of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir’. The lyrics of this song echo other Rage Against the Machine songs in their theme of resentment towards corporate and governmental exploitation. Featuring in the sound track to the film The Matrix, ‘Wake Up’ has become one of the best known rap metal riffs.

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

‘Symphony Of Destruction’. Megadeth

Posted: March 12, 2013 in 90's Rock, Heavy Metal
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‘Symphony of Destruction’ is one of Megadeth’s slicker, more mainstream creations. The opening riff of the big hit is a simple, crunching figure that focuses on bandleader Dave Mustaine’s expert down strokes and bassist David Ellefson’s machine-like unison playing. The song even begins with a snatch of Mozart, just to show the world that metal musicians are cultured too!

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AJYusGcF5M

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