# Don't make it cry or sing, just gimme your favorite rhythm guitar bits **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 30, 2004, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534 "2004-07-30T01:28:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/1 "2004-07-30T01:28:32Z")
I think we’ve had polls on just about every kind of song, but I don’t recall seeing one about rhythm guitar riffs. I’ll start. Feel free to mix and match acoustic and electric: “Riding the Rocket” - Shonen Knife “Mr. Jones” - Counting Crows “The Name of the Game” - ABBA “I Fought the Law” - The Bobby Fuller Four “Long Time” - Boston “Semi-Charmed Life” - Third Eye Blind “Sister Golden Hair” - America “Smells Like Teen Spirit” - Nirvana “Queen Bitch” - David Bowie “Suffragette City” - David Bowie “Across the Border” - Electric Light Orchestra “Heart of Gold” - Neil Young More to come… ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/2 "2004-07-30T01:54:43Z")
**Crazy Train Iron Man Ten Years Gone In the Evening The Wind Cries Mary Layla** (electric) **Orion** (Metallica) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/3 "2004-07-30T01:58:18Z")
_Roxanne_ - The Police _Baracuda_ - Heart (not sure if this one really counts as rhythm) _All Wrong_ - God Lives Underwater _Good Intentions_ - Toad the Wet Sprocket _Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On_ - Mel McDaniel ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/4 "2004-07-30T04:50:34Z")
This is what I play when I pick up my guitar, since I only play lead if forced. First, the be-all-and-end-all of all rhythm guitar parts: _Pinball Wizard_ by The Who Also (in order of most popular to more obscure) _House of the Rising Sun_ by The Animals _Sunday Bloody Sunday_ by U2 _Foxy Lady_ by Hendrix _White Room_ by Cream _Solsbury Hill_ by Peter Gabriel _Born Under a Bad Sign_ by Albert King _Boogie Chillin_ and _Boom Boom_ by John Lee Hooker _China Cat Sunflower_ by the Grateful Dead _Pink Moon_ by Nick Drake _Title and Registration_ by Death Cab for Cutie _Dalliance_ by The Wedding Present And **Mr. Blue Sky** , my favorite Ronson lick from David Bowie is _Andy Warhol_ off of Hunky Dory. Which shares striking similarities to IIRC _Master of Puppets_ by Metallica. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/5 "2004-07-30T04:52:30Z")
Two I forgot _Jumpin Jack Flash_ by the Stones _Fuck and Run_ by Liz Phair ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/6 "2004-07-30T04:53:20Z")
There are a lot, but I love the guitar in **Van Morrison** ’s _Wild Night_. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/7 "2004-07-30T04:54:43Z")
Oh, and **edwino** just reminded me: _Beast of Burden_ by **The Rolling Stones**. I could loop that for hours. ---
**Author:** ![dry\_gear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@dry\_gear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dry_gear)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/8 "2004-07-30T06:36:05Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Good Intentions - Toad the Wet Sprocket Spiffy, that’s my favorite band! For myself, Lou Reed- Viscious The Beatles- Help ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/9 "2004-07-30T10:51:59Z")
> [@edwino](#): > > First, the be-all-and-end-all of all rhythm guitar parts: > _Pinball Wizard_ by The Who > _White Room_ by Cream > _Solsbury Hill_ by Peter Gabriel Good calls, I’ll go by what’s fun to play rather than by any value judgement: Let’s start with The Who **Bargain** (tune down a semitone) **Won’t Get Fooled Again** Listen carefully there’s more to it than you might think. **Behind Blue Eyes** The loud bit with all the power chords. Moving on. . . **Golden Years** Bowie/Alomar(sp?) **Let’s Dance** Bowie/SRV? Need a delay unit for this one. **Modern Love** Peter Gabriel **Any Major Dude** Steely Dan **Kid Charlamane** (spelled wrongly) also Dan Anything off **Never Mind the Bollocks** Sex Pistols **Park Life** Blur. Not really a fan but I love dumb effective riffs. **Run Like Hell** Pink Floyd, another one you need an echo box for. The outro from **Sheep** Floyd again **Sing it Back** Moloko. I don’t actually know the chords for this one, any help? A bunch of tracks off **Permission to Land** The Darkness - the rythm parts are a hoot, you need to get all the little grace-notes not just knock out the chords. I’ll stop now or I’ll be here all day, thanks for the thread **Blue** ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/10 "2004-07-30T11:02:56Z")
> [@dry gear](#): > > The Beatles- Help Nah, though I like the little chromatic hook that George plays under ‘He-e-elp’. Im going for **A Hard Day’s Night** CHANG! I always had my suspicions about that chord, 'coz you can’t really get it to sound right. Turns out there are (at least) two guitars and a piano in there. I’ll nominate one more Beatles song **Get Back** OK - two **Come Together** three **Helter Skelter** ---
**Author:** ![todd33rpm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@todd33rpm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/todd33rpm)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/11 "2004-07-30T14:20:06Z")
Going to the title of the OP, I love pretty much any of the rhythm parts on _Dire Straits_ and _Communique_. Wonderful chord voicings throughout, and it was before Mark Knopfler became quite so Springsteen-y, so it goes down quite a bit better. Also, the rhythm parts on Van Morrison’s _Moondance_-era songs, especially “Into The Mystic.” (I’m sure I’ll think of more…) ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/12 "2004-07-30T14:53:11Z")
I’ll limit myself to five, or I’ll be here all night. Can’t You Hear Me Knocking (Rolling Stones, Richards/ Taylor) Jailbreak (AC/DC, Malcolm Young) To Bring You My Love (PJ Harvey) Dirty Blvd (Lou Reed/ Mike Rathke) I Want You (Elvis Costello) ---
**Author:** ![PaulFitzroy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2acd7d/32.png) [@PaulFitzroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulFitzroy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/13 "2004-07-30T15:00:08Z")
Anything from Ben Folds Five. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/14 "2004-07-30T15:10:10Z")
I know most people think it’s a crap song, but I love the guitar riff under Banarama’s “Cruel Summer.” So there. Other faves: “Son of a Gun,” the La’s “Your Haunted Head,” Concrete Blonde “Revolution” (both versions) and “Norwegian Wood,” the Fabs ---
**Author:** ![El\_Zagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/15 "2004-07-30T15:16:49Z")
**Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard** - Paul Simon ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/16 "2004-07-30T15:17:43Z")
> [@Small Clanger](#): > > three **Helter Skelter** **I GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!** ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/17 "2004-07-30T15:52:15Z")
New Day Rising (Husker Du) What I Like About You (Romantics) Under the Milky Way, Almost With You (The Church) Dogs (intro) (Pink Floyd) Killing Floor (Howling Wolf) ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/18 "2004-07-30T16:36:15Z")
Psycho Killer - Talking Heads ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/19 "2004-07-30T17:26:07Z")
All Along The Watchtower - Hendryx Bicycle - Queen My Sharona - The Knack Black Magic Woman - Santana Foxy Lady - Hendryx Hey Joe - Hendryx My Girl - The Temptations (guitar riff courtesy of The Funk Brothers) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534/20 "2004-07-30T21:57:34Z")
Has anyone mention Dire Straights’ _Sultans of Swing_ yet? After all, it what the title is virtually quoting. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-make-it-cry-or-sing-just-gimme-your-favorite-rhythm-guitar-bits/257534.md?page=2)