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50 of The Greatest Guitar Riffs of all Time

By Klaus Crow 103 Comments

April 2, 2020 by Klaus Crow

Photo by Bigstock photo

50 greatest guitar riffs of all times

There’s something about playing guitar riffs. Creating that cool sound with your own bare fingers while sliding down and bending up those strings feels just like pure magic. Ain’t nothing like it.

Also the excitement of learning and eventually mastering a challenging riff is unbelievably fulfilling.

Let alone playing that riff with a real band will give you a true adrenaline rush. Yes that’s why we love to play riffs.

A little while ago I created a list with “50 of The Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time”. After that I got a lot of requests for a “Greatest Riffs of all Time” list. And I thought ‘yeah why not?’ So here you are.

As most of you know the lists on Guitarhabits are in no particular order and they are never complete. The lists are here to inspire and to motivate.

You might discover a riff or song on the list that you haven’t thought of before and would really like to learn. Maybe you’ll get some new ideas for practice or encounter a “mustknowriff” for your repertoire. It’s all here.

I was thinking about my personal favorite and it’s just too hard to choose only one. There are too many brilliant creations and all unique in their own way. I love the simplicity of “highway to hell”, the beautiful, mysterious, wah wah riff of “Voodoo child”, I have a weak spot for almost every guitar riff by John Frusciante or Slash and not to mention the zillion riffs that aren’t even on the list. Thank god it never stops.

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Enjoy the list!

1 – Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – Jimi Hendrix – Tabs

2 – Satisfaction – Rolling Stones – Tabs

3 – Smoke on the water – Deep Purple – Tabs

4 – Sunshine of your love – Cream – Tabs

5 – Sweet child o’ mine – Guns ‘n Roses – Tabs

6 – Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry – Tabs

7 – Whole lotta love – Led Zeppelin – Tabs

8 – Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix – Tabs

9 – Walk This Way – Aerosmith – Tabs

10 – Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana – Tabs

11 – You Really Got Me – The Kinks – Tabs

12 – Day Tripper – The Beatles – Tabs

13 – Paranoid – Black Sabbath – Tabs

14 – Highway to hell – AC/DC – Tabs

15 – Layla – Derek And The Dominos – Tabs

16 – Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd – Tabs

17 – Iron Man – Black Sabbath – Tabs

18 – Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison – Tabs

19 – Money For Nothing – Dire Straits – Tabs

20 – Enter Sandman – Metallica – Tabs

21 – Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes – Tabs

22 – Back In Black – AC/DC – Tabs

23 – Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne – Tabs

24 – Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love – Van Halen – Tabs

25 – Sultans Of Swing – Dire Straits – Tabs

26 – Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor

27 – Rebel Rebel – David Bowie – Tabs

28 – Paperback writer – The Beatles – Tabs

29 – Whole Lotta Rosie – AC/DC – Tabs

30 – Under The Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tabs

31 – Money – Pink Floyd – Tabs

32 – Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz – Tabs

33 – Wild Thing – The Troggs

34 – Roadhouse Blues – The Doors – Tabs

35 – Rockin’ in a free world – Neil Young – Tabs

36 – Always on the run – Lenny Kravitz – Tabs

37 – Kashmir – Led zeppelin – Tabs

38 – Killing in the name of – Rage against the machine – Tabs

39 – Pride And Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan – Tabs

40 – Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf – Tabs

41 – Alive – Pearl Jam – Tabs

42 – Master Of Puppets – Metallica – Tabs

43 – The trooper – Iron Maiden – Tabs

44 – Pinball wizard – The Who – Tabs

45 – All right now – Free

46 – Ace Of Spades – Motorhead

47 – Welcome to the jungle – Guns ‘n Roses – Tabs

48 – Beat it – Michael Jackson – Tabs

49 – La Grange – ZZ Top – Tabs

50 – Can’t stop – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Tabs

If I missed out on your personal favorite guitar riff, please share it in the comments.
I’d appreciate it.

šŸŽøšŸ’ššŸ‘ Support Guitarhabits šŸŽøšŸ’ššŸ‘

 
 

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Comments

  1. eatnosenuggets says

    at

    50 greatest riffs of ALL TIME and you didn’t even include Alice In Chains – Man In The Box. For shame.

  2. George Baia says

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    You left off Ted Nugent’s Stranglehold and/or Cat Scratch Fever. Thin Lizzy’s BABIT or China Town…

  3. Joe Black says

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    Considering that Nirvana borrowed that entire riff from Boston should automatically exclude them from this & all lists.

  4. John Allen says

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    One of my favourites and also one I consider an anthem rock guitar riff of all time is ‘She sells sanctuary’ by The CULT. One of the simple yet amazingly powerful riffs you’ll ever hear I think.

  5. Klaus Crow says

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    Hi Eatnosenuggest,

    And don’t forget “Them Bones” by Alice in Chains. Love that riff!

  6. Astra d'Oudney says

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    Bitch by the Stones is a great one!

  7. Psmith says

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    Ha. Now we know that you are over 40. Almost nothing from the last 20 years

  8. Parms says

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    How bout Rush’s Working Man?

  9. Paul says

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    Breakdown from GNR and Can’t you hear me Knocking, stones with Mick Taylor

  10. AC Frio says

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    ‘Barracuda’ and ‘Magic Man’ by Heart

    ‘Life in the fast lane’ by Joe Walsh/Eagles

    ‘Cult of Personality’ by Living Colour

  11. AskForJMD says

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    Steely Dan, Reeling in the Years.

  12. Matt Barrett says

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    Brontosaurus

  13. Rob says

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    “Ghost” by Slash is an incredible riff as is “Flying High Again” as played by Randy Rhodes.

  14. Jason says

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    Rolling Stones monkey man

  15. Angela says

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    Hi, unreal riff but lesser known is Battle Cry by Saxon.
    Would love someone to tell me the tablature of the main riff as I can’t find it anywhere. It surely makes the song

  16. Flew says

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    one way out by the Allman Brothers. Guaranteed to make you drive faster, which should be the litmus test for any riff

  17. Andcertile says

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    Funkadelic/Maggot Brain. Sly and the Family Stone/Sex Machine

  18. Wes says

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    What about Heartbreaker by Led Zeppelin?

  19. Ilias says

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    Wish you were here” by pink floyd i think it one of the top classic which should be included

  20. Steve says

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    Doobie Bros. “China Grove” ?

  21. Astra d'Oudney says

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    Ah, I’ve just thought of You Can’t Do It Right by Deep Purple from Stormbringer and what about Live With Me by the Stones — the riff was played on the bass on Let It Bleed, but it was turned into a super guitar riff on Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out!

  22. Tom Hunt says

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    Pink Floyd – comfortably Numb

  23. Nate says

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    Agree with AC Frio!

    ā€˜Barracuda’ and ā€˜Magic Man’ by Heart
    ā€˜Life in the fast lane’ by Joe Walsh/Eagles
    ā€˜Cult of Personality’ by Living Colour

  24. Sean says

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    No Prince?! Let’s Go Crazy….Purple Rain….I could go on.

  25. John parry says

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    Free bird Lenard skynard

  26. Klaus Crow says

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    Thanks everyone for sharing your favorites.

    I really appreciate that.

    Best regards,
    Klaus Crow

  27. Malteseterp says

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    Don’t Fear the Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
    Cinnamon Girl – Neil Young
    Road Runner – The Modern Lovers
    Green River – Credence Clearwater Revival
    One Way or Another – Blondie

  28. Phil says

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    Frank zappa willy the pimp

  29. Tony Cutrone says

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    “Slither” by Velvet Revolver
    “Lil’ Devil” by The Cult
    “Limelight” by Rush

  30. DW @ My First Axe says

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    I hate to bias the list to Pink Floyd, but there are so many good riffs missing from here that belong to them: Another Brick in the Wall, Young Lust, Wish You Were Here, … they’re all so good!

    Seriously though – great list! Any guitarist should strive to learn all of these licks.

  31. Tom says

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    A lot of these aren’t even riffs, just chord progressions. Example: smells like teen spirit is great and all, but there aren’t any real monumental riffs in it. I would have picked heart shaped box, or even come as you are over smells like teen spirit any day.

  32. Con says

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    Hi Klaus
    Rory Gallagher’s intro riff to “What’s Going On” has to be one of the most unknown great guitar riffs ever.
    Please listen to it!!

  33. billy b says

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    what about hotel california?

  34. miguel vf says

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    “Love Like a Man” – Alvin Lee / Ten Years After

  35. Fred Orcutt says

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    I know their not fashionable to mention, but what about Aqualung by Jethro Tull.
    The local Guitar Center has banned it, because so many played it trying out new guitars.

  36. Duane Lindstrom says

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    “Tell Mama”, Savoy Brown still gives me chills when I hear it.

  37. Bill Bonson says

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    Only a lucky few even know of this one from an early Lou Reed Live album. Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner team up and slay the intro on this version of “Sweet Jane” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FdWPeHFAMk

  38. Guy says

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    The Beautiful People, Marilyn Manson. Renown, widely recognized.

  39. riffrocker says

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    In Bloom-Nirvana

  40. riffrocker says

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    I wouldn’t consider it a “riff” but we can’t forget about Black Magic Woman by Santana

  41. riffrocker says

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    Impulse by An Endless Sporadic. Fairly new but absolutely amazing

  42. A Person says

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    Plug In Baby and MK Ultra by Muse should have been on here…

  43. Stefan says

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    Hmmmm, missing Queen here, like Bohemian Rapsody or I want to break free or ….

  44. darren M says

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    How about Bruce Springsteen’s reworking of ‘The Ghost Of Tom Joad’ with Tom Morello off his album ‘High Hopes’ ?

  45. Rick says

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    Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know, I’ll let it speak for itself

  46. john a says

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    over the mountain, rock bottom and just got paid!

  47. E Double says

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    Banned in D.C. where is it at?

  48. Jordan Hatounian says

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    Peter Gabriel – Solsbury Hill

    Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

    Give A Little Bit – Supertramp

    No Rain – Blind Melon

  49. Larry Toole says

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    Gary Moore…Still Got The Blues ??????? Are you kidding?

  50. Bob says

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    Gotta be Peter Frampton:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rFYbMhcG8

  51. ST Williams says

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    What about “Rambling Man” by the Allman Brothers near the end of the song?

  52. Kathleen says

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    I’d Love to Change the World by Ten Years After (Alvin Lee)
    Can’t Find My Way Home by Blind Faith (Eric Clapton)
    Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
    Tied to the Whipping Post by the Allman Brothers
    Eighteen by Alice Cooper

  53. Aurelian says

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    Runnin on a Dream-tom petty and heartbreakers long riff at the end is so good it’s scary!

  54. JP says

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    Without a doubt Steely Dan’s Reelin in the Years IS the best guitar riff of all time – any list that excludes that rock n roll masterpiece is rubbish.

  55. David says

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    How is it possible that Keith Richards gets only one mention in the top riffs of all time????? – He is the ‘Human Riff’ ……..he wrote hundreds of the most iconic riffs of all-time..

  56. Celia says

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    “Everyone’s A Winner” by Hot Chocolate

  57. Sharon says

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    Snow by Red hot chili peppers

  58. Reason and Knowledge says

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    Hendrix, Santana, Carlton, Clapton…apparently not significant.

  59. Lincoln says

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    you should put Message in a bottle by The Police

  60. Jackie says

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    What about Mississippi Queen? Or perhaps Hot For Teacher? And definitely needs something from Santana!

  61. Ariel says

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    Great list, but you missed DON’T FEAR THE REAPER, Blue Oyster Cult, by far my favorite

  62. Ron says

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    Are you all smoking weed ????????? John forgerty !!!!!!!!!!!!!

  63. Syd says

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    Pretty Things – ‘Modnight to Six’ … Dick Taylor’s handiwork should be the stuff of ringtones. Easily top 5…

  64. Syd says

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    Sorry, ‘Midnight to Six’

  65. Todd Richardson says

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    “My Girl”
    “Brown-Eyed Girl”
    “I’m Your Captain”

  66. Todd Richardson says

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    “My City Was Gone”-Chrissy Hynde

  67. David Hunt says

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    “Fool For The City” – Foghat
    “Journey To The Center Of The Mind” – The Amboy Dukes
    “I Like To Rock” – April Wine
    “Runaway” – Bon Jovi
    “White Room” – Cream
    “Born On The Bayou” – Creedence Clearwater Revival

  68. hongsang says

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    Very great list and enjoy “Money For Nothing” :)

  69. Ronnie says

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    Judas Priest

  70. Brian W says

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    The intro to Over the Hills and Far Away is my favorite … so mellow, so perfect. Cool list, thanks!

  71. Tina Marie says

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    ACDC “Thunderstruck”

  72. Charles L. says

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    In My Life by the Beatles
    Already Gone by the Eagles

  73. Charles L. says

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    In My Life by the Beatles
    Already Gone by the Eagles
    The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy

  74. Brian says

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    Wasted by Def Leppard. Steve Clark used to come up with some great Riffs and was part of what made early leppard so good. I also love Riff Raff by AC/DC.

  75. Rick says

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    I know 80’s hair metal is generally ostracized, bu Fastway’s “say what you will” had one hell of a catchy riff.

  76. K says

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    Always surprised that the bridge from Slayer’s “Angel of Death” doesn’t make these lists. When that came out it was like someone had discovered a new way to play guitar. Later sampled by groups as diverse as Public Enemy and KMFDM. And it’s all riff.

  77. Curt says

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    I would like to have seen “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” by the Stones. Good list though.

  78. Berni says

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    Whisky in the Jar – Thin Lizzy
    Hotel California – Eagles

  79. John says

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    Thanks. Very useful information. I only know 20 greatest, now I know more 30

  80. You_Poser says

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    Iggy Pop not once on list, can’t take it seriously.

  81. Guy says

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    Everybody Wants You by Billy Squier

  82. Alison says

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    Photograph ~ Def Leppard

  83. D00D says

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    Oh c’mon! Where’s Cowboys From Hell and Slither?

  84. John says

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    Stranglehold – Ted Nugnet! The whole songs a riff! Lol

  85. Ginger-lyn says

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    I can’t believe you left out CSNY’s”Ohio”! That opening riff is one of the most recognizable and memorable riffs in any song, imho.

  86. Squatch says

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    Bridge of Sighs – Robin Trower

  87. James says

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    I think Love Spreads by The Stone Roses at least needs an honarable mention. It’s killer

  88. Davros says

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    I think some folk don’t know what a ‘riff’ is and confuse it with ‘song’ or ‘solo’. What is the ‘riff’ in ‘Comfortably Numb’? Heavy Metal is the most riff-orientated genre there is. Candlemas, for example, are a riff machine.

  89. Sean Nash says

    at

    Man in the Box

  90. JustAGirl says

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    Rick Derringer “Rock ‘N Roll Hootchie Koo

  91. Guy says

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    I think that you should’ve included:
    Hotel California-Eagles
    Who’s That Lady-Isley Brothers
    Let’s Go Crazy-Prince

  92. natblak says

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    how in the hell did November Rain not make it? Slash makes a guitar speak…

  93. Hunter says

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    No raining blood that’s disrespect

  94. Mike says

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    “Home Sweet Home” By Motley Crue has such a memorable riff

  95. Jocelyn says

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    I think ā€œanother brick in the wallā€ from Pink Floyd has the most perfect riff of all time. Man, I jack that up so loud! It’s so pure!

  96. joe mumford says

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    wheres im going home byalvin lee and ten years after …. are you kidding meit should be number one

  97. Greg Stokes says

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    Turn Up Your Radio by The Master’s Apprentices deserves a place in your fine list.

  98. Len Vinson says

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    Does no one else remember ‘Pictures of Matchstick Men’?

  99. Marc Olivier says

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    No Cowboys from hell.. seriously?

  100. Hello Kitty says

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    How about Jimi Hendrix’s riff on Buddy Miles’ Changes? THAT should have certainly been included! I’m disappointed.

  101. Omar says

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    Wish You Were Here

  102. Seth Kiser says

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    Honestly surprised to NOT see Blue Oyster’s Dont Fear the Reaper

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