# Famous riffs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 16, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208 "2016-03-16T20:16:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/21 "2016-03-17T00:06:23Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > [The Amen Break.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen_break) that’s a new one on me! good ole standby (everything I do in life is capped by this): > **[Shave and a Haircut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shave_and_a_Haircut)** > > "Shave and a Haircut" and the associated response "two bits" is a seven-note musical call-and-response couplet, riff or fanfare popularly used at the end of a musical performance, usually for comedic effect. It is used melodically or rhythmically, for example as a door knocker. > "Two bits" is a term in the United States and Canada for 25 cents, equivalent to a U.S. quarter. "Four bits" and "Six bits" are also occasionally used, for example in the cheer "Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar." T... the main lick from “Missisippi Queen” - YYEEEAAAHHHHHH! the sustained synth notes in Gary Numan’s “Cars” “Highway to Hell” “Iron Man” ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/22 "2016-03-17T00:29:52Z")
There’s one I’d like to know the title of… It’s played as background music when cats appear in old movies… Da-da-da da-DA-da– Meow! Meow! ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/23 "2016-03-17T00:39:41Z")
[http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Flight+of+the+Valkyries&&view=detail&mid=38877A5B0F90CA6B40AC38877A5B0F90CA6B40AC&FORM=VRDGAR](http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Flight+of+the+Valkyries&&view=detail&mid=38877A5B0F90CA6B40AC38877A5B0F90CA6B40AC&FORM=VRDGAR) Quintessential war movie riff [http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Flight+of+the+Bumblebee&&view=detail&mid=49F76168EE5CBD1E8C8749F76168EE5CBD1E8C87&FORM=VRDGAR](http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Flight+of+the+Bumblebee&&view=detail&mid=49F76168EE5CBD1E8C8749F76168EE5CBD1E8C87&FORM=VRDGAR) Chase scenes ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/24 "2016-03-17T00:46:27Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > [_Enter Sandman Riff_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sdoBObxa5c), now with [del]hot young chick[/del] attractive young woman. (FF to 24 sec.) > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > … And [here’s a split screen of the previous clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3p9-IqBu_k) of _Enter Sandman_ combined with a female drummer in what appears to be white negligee. Despite its more prurient aspects, it’s a pretty cool video. As much as I love the original and these covers I think there’s fun to be had with [Metallica-Enter Sandman (Smooth Jazz Version)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBmM79YadYM) And I love how Virginia Tech sends its football team onto the field with **ES** blasting out max volume. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/25 "2016-03-17T00:50:07Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > The drummer is Meytal. My youngest son thinks she’s the best cover drummer on the planet. Yeah, she’s good. I’ve posted about her before but was pressed for time earlier today and didn’t go into detail. Her band is opening for (I think) Megadeth this summer. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/26 "2016-03-17T00:56:15Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > [The Oriental Riff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_riff) Everybody was Kung fu fighting … ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/27 "2016-03-17T02:31:44Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > As much as I love the original and these covers I think there’s fun to be had with [Metallica-Enter Sandman (Smooth Jazz Version)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBmM79YadYM) That was fun. The audience didn’t quite know what to make of it though, did they? 😃 I hope for their sake Metallica played it the right way afterward. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/28 "2016-03-17T03:29:57Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > That was fun. The audience didn’t quite know what to make of it though, did they? 😃 I hope for their sake Metallica played it the right way afterward. Someone is being whooshed but I’m not sure if it’s you or me :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/29 "2016-03-17T03:36:49Z")
Pretty sure it’s me. I was in the car when watching/listening to that and tried to determine whether the the “smooth jazz”-ish music had been overlaid but finally decided Metallica was playing a joke on its audience. So I took it at face value and decided to sink or swim with that and haven’t revisited it since. Glub, glub, glub…😉 ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/30 "2016-03-17T03:48:42Z")
Some more easily indentifiable Classic Rock riffs: Rolling Stones: [“Satisfaction”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLMViRJHyCU) and [“Jumpin’ Jack Flash”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQSGw0hMd_I) The Beatles: [“Day Tripper”](http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Day+Tripper+Remastered&&view=detail&mid=0D79F6FBCAF35CF567440D79F6FBCAF35CF56744&rvsmid=EBA16072813405ACEE5AEBA16072813405ACEE5A&fsscr=-1650&FORM=VDFSRV) Led Zeppelin: [“Heartbreaker”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npoYQMPCOvU) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/31 "2016-03-17T04:23:34Z")
Here’s some other distinctive hooks/riffs/intros/whatever: Aretha Franklin - Chain Of Fools Live (1968) Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress - The Hollies https://www.youtube.com/embed/wl5BtO3u6f0?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=FLr5Z9EbNm-xwrQfLOvIzt1A The Chico Hamilton Quintet- The Morning After https://www.youtube.com/embed/rAiw2SXPS-4?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=FLr5Z9EbNm-xwrQfLOvIzt1A Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” 30th Anniversary Madison Square Garden NY https://www.youtube.com/embed/J-_30HA7rec?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=FLr5Z9EbNm-xwrQfLOvIzt1A David Bowie - Fame https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ie1eu3DvsSo?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=FLr5Z9EbNm-xwrQfLOvIzt1A A Saint’s Homecoming Song ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/32 "2016-03-17T04:31:07Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Pretty sure it’s me. I was in the car when watching/listening to that and tried to determine whether the the “smooth jazz”-ish music had been overlaid but finally decided Metallica was playing a joke on its audience. So I took it at face value and decided to sink or swim with that and haven’t revisited it since. > > Glub, glub, glub…😉 I took it at face value as well until I watched Marilyn Manson’s polka version of The Beautiful People and had a :smack: moment. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/33 "2016-03-17T04:44:52Z")
[The heroine’s tied to the railroad tracks. Will the hero rescue her in time?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XP5RP6OEJI) ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/34 "2016-03-17T04:46:58Z")
[QUOTE=journeyman\_southpaw;19186255[…] Teresa Brewer’s nostalgic 1950 hit (Put Another Nickel In) Music! Music! Music![…] [/QUOTE] A variety show came up with a revision that sounded like this: _Put another nickel in In the Nickelodeon It won’t work 'cause it just takes a quarter! quarter! quarter!_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/35 "2016-03-17T04:54:15Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > There’s one I’d like to know the title of… > It’s played as background music when cats appear in old movies… > Da-da-da da-DA-da– > Meow! Meow! Something about this reminds me of [Muppet Show - Mahna Mahna](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkOyDt5dQC4) but there’s no meow to it. Has to be something else, right? ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/36 "2016-03-17T05:11:33Z")
There used to be a disc jockey in my town in the 80s who’d parody mahna mahna as ‘phenomena’. I’ve automatically translated the song into phenomena ever since. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/37 "2016-03-17T05:19:55Z")
Somebody help me out here. In the old westerns when the Indians showed up there was this herald of ‘Bwaaaa dot dunna dunt dut duh…’ My Google Fu is failing, what was that called? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/38 "2016-03-17T05:30:30Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > Some more easily indentifiable Classic Rock riffs: Of course, [Louie Louie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V1p1dM3snQ)is almost nothing but riff. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/39 "2016-03-17T05:39:30Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Of course, [Louie Louie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V1p1dM3snQ)is almost nothing but riff. [Send in the FBI.](https://vault.fbi.gov/louie-louie-the-song) ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e47774/32.png) [@quiltguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208/40 "2016-03-17T15:31:31Z")
The “Shot From Guns”(much with the cannons) theme music that the Quaker Cereal Co. used to use is very evocative. Something from Handel, IIRC? Would someone mind posting it, please? 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-riffs/749208.md?page=3)