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Great rock riffs

Posted over 2 years ago
What are the greatest rock riffs? Disraeli Gears has got to be one of the greatest albums, and Sunshine Of Your Love has THE riff. It's a perfect demonstration of the power of Cream as a trio, the heaviness they could put across with just 3 instruments, the beauty of the melody, the artistry of Pete Brown's words, and great singing. Here's the story of the song:Give us a few more suggestions.

Comments (14)

  1. Ben FELTEN says Wow! Thanks for that, great vid! There's a cover of Sunshine by Bobby McFerrin which is stunning. He sings Eric's guitar solo to perfection. Nothing beats the original, though.
    Permalink posted 03/21/2007
  2. ivylander says Although, by this point in my life, hearing this riff causes me to immediately break out in hives (or is it acne?), you would have to include "Whole Lotta Love" in any list of Sacred Riffs. The heaviosity is titanic.
    Permalink posted 03/21/2007
  3. Jonh Ingham says The Zep had a few more as well: Black Dog, Kashmir, and if drums can have a riff, then When The Levee Breaks. Others -- Paranoid, Satisfaction, You Really Got Me, Voodoo Chile. Purple Haze, Down By The River, Born To Be Wild, Jumping Jack Flash...Rock and Roll Pt 2. Maybe not the last one. But on any great riff you can hear 4 bars and immediately know the song. And play air guitar to it.
    Permalink posted 03/21/2007
  4. newform says Hmm...Sacred Riffs....I like that. Iron Man. Sweet Leaf? The Stones have more than you can shake a stick at. I know you said "rock" riffs but, taking a bit of liberty, who can not hear 2 seconds of Nile Rogers' guitar from Chic's Le Freak and not instantly associate it with an entire genre? Who can not hear 2 seconds of Bernard Edwards' bass line from Chic's Good Times and not instantly associate it with an entirely different genre? One band coming up w/ two hooks that arguably are the aural sigils of two different genres? Maybe it's just me?
    Permalink posted 03/21/2007
  5. Jonh Ingham says Let's get serious (No not that song, this one): In A Gadda Da Vida
    Permalink posted 03/21/2007
  6. david terrar says Jonh, LOL - no list should be without one, although I can't now listen to the song without picturing the Home Improvement episode that it featured in!
    Permalink posted 03/21/2007
  7. ivylander says "Day Tripper"must be included as well. And, for entirely different reasons, Status Quo's "Pictures of Matchstick Men." In addition, one of the great lost Sacred Riffs, Chicken Shack's "Diary Of Your Life." Now, would Simon and Garfunkle's "Hazy Shade Of Winter" meet your criteria?
    Permalink posted 03/21/2007
  8. david terrar says Ivylander, I'm ashamed to say I can't remember either of those, so I'll have to do some research.
    Permalink posted 03/22/2007
  9. david terrar says ...Day Tripper's a must, and Pictures of Matstick Men should get an honourable mention for being so much "of it's time".
    Permalink posted 03/22/2007
  10. Ben FELTEN says David, A word of warning on the McFerrin cover: it's multi-layered vocals only, so quite disturbing if you don't expect it. very much worth hearing (although the rest of that particular album - except Don't Worry, Be Happy - is not the best stuff McFerrin has done by a long shot.)
    Permalink posted 03/22/2007
  11. david terrar says Ben, I had completely forgotten I own Simple Pleasures, haven't listened to it in years, can't even remember his version.... just dusting it off and putting it in the CD player now! LOL
    Permalink posted 03/22/2007
  12. ivylander says Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper"?
    Permalink posted 03/22/2007
  13. steve simon says VU's rock n roll is forever embedded in me
    Permalink posted 04/02/2007

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