Here's some more cool riffs that come to mind - I never get tired of hearing these songs!

Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son
Kiss - Parasite
Budgie - Breadfan
Tool - 46 & 2
Soundgarden - Flower

If we're talking solos, I always get chills thinking about John Sykes' solo on Crying In The Rain!

oh you're being sarcastic...

Im also a fan of the Rockin the Suburbs riff if that helps.

Dillinger Escape Plan - 43% Burnt
Converge - The Saddest Day
A Life Once Lost - Joan said Please

Good ;)

I don't think anyone's mentioned Chuck Berry!

Jeez, you can't beat Chuck Berry for a guitar riff.

I particularily like watching Andy Dunlop from Travis play numerous guitars and a mandolin ("Sing") from off their "Live in Glasgow" video.

I also like the guitar playing in the Doves song "The Man Who Told Everything"

As much as I love Chuck Berry (and I love Chuck Berry), I wouldn't consider his music to be "riff-oriented". Now if we were talking kick-ass solos, then yeah, Chuck would be on my list.

hmm - I'm pondering

With You There To Help Me - Jethro Tull

Stevie Ray Vaughan- "Couldn't Stand the Weather"- one of coolest blues shuffles ever

:confused: :hscratch:

Almost all of his songs are based on catchy-riffs with fills here and there...

Well, what Chuck's playing isn't exactly riffs, but mainly a basic rhythm. And yeah, Chuck does plenty of outstanding fills in his tunes, but fills are aren't considered riffs. If you want an example of a riff, check out "Smoke on the Water" or "Iron Man".

I'm differentiating betweeen riffs (mostly single notes) and chord progressions, which is more of a rhythm thing. A couple that have been mentioned--The Clash's Safe European Home and the Smiths' Bigmouth Strikes Again--are two of my all time favorite songs, but I consider those more chord progressions rather than clear riffs---IMO.

My number one riff of all time would definitely be Message in a Bottle by the Police---and if you play guitar, that riff just feels sooooooo right!

Some other classics:

Echo and the Bunnymen---"Lips Like Sugar"
Modern English---"I Melt With You"
REM---"The One I Love"
Beatles---"Ticket to Ride"
Judas Priest---"Breakin' the Law"
Killing Joke---"Eighties"
Ozzy---"Crazy Train"
Stones---" Paint it Black"
Stones---"Satisfaction"
Rush----"Limelight"
U2----"Sunday Bloody Sunday"
U2---"Gloria"
Iron Maiden---"The Trooper"
REM---"Driver 8"

SLAYER- "Angel of Death"- Anyone who knows the song knows what I'm talking about when they break that Schit down

Oldie but goodie....

Mr. Tamborine Man by The Byrds

at the very beginning

"My Sweet Lord" - George Harrison

How about....?
 

.... Wishbone Ash - <b>The King Will Come</b>.

<small>(from their 1972 album "Argus")</small>

Re: How about....?
 

I've never met anyone who had even heard of Wishbone Ash.

Good call! :up:

Live Wire - AC/DC (best guitar riff opening of a song...ever)
Highway to Hell - AC/DC (needs no explanation)
Imagination - Rolling Stones
Tuesday's Gone - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Life in The Fast Lane: The Eagles
I Feel Fine: The Beatles
Birthday: The Beatles
Good Golly Miss Molly: Credence version
Pretty Woman: Roy Orbison

sooo many more

Terry

fast riffs:

Heroes- Bowie
Message in a Bottle- the Police
Heartbreaker- Led Zeppelin (and don't get me started on that solo)
U2- Zoo Station (great intro to U2 of the 90's)
All Along the Watchtower- Hendrix (is this too passe?)

mid-tempo:

Beast of Burden- The Rolling Stones

I'm quitting on that one- what an intro!

U2 - The Fly

Satisfaction -Rolling Stones

Nothing can touch that. :beer::cool:

Chickamauga - Uncle Tupelo

I'm not much of a Rolling Stones fan, but those first three notes of "Start Me Up" are killer.