Best riff in a song

[Yogi Bear]

Heart of the Sunrise - Yes

Tom Sawyer - Rush

Carry on Wayward Son Intro/theme - Kansas

Out On the Tiles - Zeppelin

Run To The Hills - Iron Maiden

Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden

Breakin The Law - Judas Priest

Mayor Of Simpleton - XTC

 

[buzzbass]

Oooooo, just thought of another one. The opening to "south of heaven" just kills me everytime.

 

[bachlover]

"Spoonful" from Cream "Wheels of Fire" live at the Filmore. After the jam, a verse and chorus. Bruce then plays this great line for 8 bars before the chorus starts up again and then the end.

 

[FilterFunk]

The Grunt by the JB's

Similar beat, but the horn riffs in "The Grunt" are all JB's, IMO.

 

[zachoff]

My first inclination is to answer Sweet Child o Mine. I love that song and love that album.

On second thought, I thought I'd mention the riff that got me into playing bass... Anthrax - Caught in a Mosh.

Finally, I'll answer with something that makes me want to scream "F*(K YEAH!" every time I hear it... Intro to High on Fire - Snakes for the Divine. If I were ever a fighter, that would be my walkout music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gtMadYA200

 

[Unrepresented]

Similar beat, but the horn riffs in "The Grunt" are all JB's, IMO.

The horn riff (which is the best part of the song, admittedly) is pretty much the only difference in the structure.

 

[Tituscrow]

I love the horn riff in 'Subway To Venus'.

 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

What Difference Does it Make by The Smiths, anyone?

 

[FilterFunk]

The horn riff (which is the best part of the song, admittedly) is pretty much the only difference in the structure.

True. The underlying structure is pretty much the same.

 

[Immigrant]

Spirit in the Sky is downright dirty.

And the bass intro to Jump Into the Fire is pretty darn neato.

 

[Tituscrow]

'Fear Of A Blank Planet' by Porcupine Tree.

The main verse riff in itself is killer, but when it kicks in again - right after the slow bit - now that's my kind of riff.

 

[Metalbasspro]

Bass intro to Wrathchild

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-3Ka8x4zvE

 

[FretlessMainly]

Blackmore at 6:16-6:24 bringing the boys back to the verse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=P5WVqZqw1Es&feature=endscreen

This is something of an obscure classic for some reason. One of their stronger performances.

 

[slobake]

How could I forget , the original, the best, the king of all riffs Link Wray playing Rumble.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuQDJZoRsvs

 

[Milk]

Out of left field I come and say that this is one of the great guitars riffs of at the VERY least punk history, from unfortunately still rather obscure band (and song) The riff at the beginning and throughout the verses I mean (the vocals end up pretty much following it):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXVhh7TKgcA


When I first heard it I had to go and pick my guitar to figure it out.

The guitarist is of course Stuart Adamson who would later form Big Country.


Another great riff from a more famous song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I8mWG6HlmU

If you can stand Ian Astbury. I know personally I find it hard.

 

[Milk]

What Difference Does it Make by The Smiths, anyone?

I vote the intro of This Charming Man. And the song in general I guess.

Also a great bassline.

 

[N.F.A.]

Kick Out the Jams - MC5 It's simple but it slays.
Working Man - Rush
54-46 Was My Number - Toots and the Maytals
Bed's Too Big Without You - Police or the Reggae Sunsplash 81 version (Sheila Hylton?)
Man there are a million
Fairies Wear Boots - Sabbath
Rockability - Brian Setzer (Go find it if you haven't heard it. I love that song.)

 

[Funky Ghost]

Heaven ~ Los Lonely Boys

The entire song is fantastic but the intro and Invalid Link Removed lick are particularly tasty