Hey this is fun!
I’m with you PeterW on Smoke on the Water–especially when the bass comes in–whee-oo!
But how about the intro guitar in Tumbling Dice–how the heck did they do that? And Start Me Up, of course. And that little D-thing they did to begin Tell Me–damn, so many great starting riffs in Stones songs.
Also right up there is the guitar intro to the Kingsmen’s Money-one of the better all-time ones. And who can forget Hendrix’s intro to Red House–talk about the blues, man! 'Course, with the Beatles and Stones and Clapton and Hendrix, the song beginnings are as much signature and Pavlovian, as well as being “great.”
First, I nominate Eighties by Killing Joke. And Thieves by Ministry, if you want to consider it a riff. Jack-hammer assault, more likely, but memorable none the less…
[anecdote]Nine Inch Nails happened to 'em. Back in the first Lollapalooza, Living Colour played after the up ‘n’ coming Trent’s little band, who lit up the crowd like nothing I had seen to that day. When he left the stage everyone was wiped out. To make matters worse, Living Colour (playing higher up in the bill, thus having greater pull in those days) comes on to stage and… dinner time! So everyone wandered over to the concession stands and waits in line during their entire set. I felt pretty sorry for them, actually, cuz they sounded pretty good…[/anecdote]
No, 'nuff is not said!
Proud to be the first to mention the Stones’ Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’
Also:
Born on the Bayou CCR
Pretty Persuasion REM
Strawberry Fields Forever Beatles (does that count as a riff?)
Pretty Vacant Sex Pistols
Another version well worth the attention (especially for nostalgic baby boomers) takes up a whole album side on Quicksilver Messenger Service’s “Happy Trails,” their second release. Here’s what All Music Guide says about it:
Also a second to cleops:
. It’s not often that one is referenced, but it’s well deserved.
For a slow, but powerful riff, I’ll toss in **Big Brother and the Holding Company ** with the tasty blues lick that opens “Piece of My Heart,” only to have Janis unexpectedly back it down when she opens her vocal. Which gives the song even more power when she cranks it wide open later, IMHO.
People. People! The answer is obviously Unchained by Van Halen.
Although Peace Frog and I Feel Fine are also acceptable non-butt-rock answers.
First few seconds, huh. Okay…
Oingo Boingo “Dead Man’s Party”
Doors “Break on Through”
Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man” (okay, you didn’t say no jazz)
& ChalkPit I like your choices
I second Raining Blood by Slayer. Satan himself couldn’t write something as evil.
Elton John, The Bitch Is Back
The Jackson 5, I Want You Back
After the bomb goes off, the faint ticking of a clock that sets off a chain reaction of chimes, bells and gongs which gives way to a metronome and progresses to a guitar and bongos…
And on the same album, the ever distinguishable sound of a cash register opening and the kaching-ing of coins that makes way for the best bass riff ever…
Since these are some of the greatest starting riffs, you know what the names of the songs are, and the group that played them, and you don’t need me to tell you.
In the Flesh? and Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd and New Orleans is sinking by the Tragiacally Hip.
Gotta love a song that sports a 7/4 time signature.
No ** Welcome to the Jungle**?
…KMFDM—GODLIKE
Not to mention Purple Rain.
Purple Rain? What was I thinking?!?!?! :smack:
Purple Haze I mean.
Signed,
The Idiot Formerly Known as Jjimm.
Ace of Spades by Motorhead.
the dirtiest riff ever dredged up.
Man On The Silver Mountain - Rainbow
Stranglehold - Ted Nugent
Fly By Night - Rush
Love Removal Machine - The Cult
Baba O’Riley - The Who
Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy
Anything by AC/DC
If there were any justice in this world, London Calling would’ve been mentioned in the first post.
I think one of the best intros ever is on Steely Dan’s, Do It Again.
Purple Haze is definitely near the top of the list.
IIRC, Magic Bus has a good intro as well.
OK, sorry but we have to get some classical music in this thread.
5th Symphony - Beethoven
5th Symphony - Mahler
Don Juan - R. Strauss
1st Brandenburg Concerto - J.S. Bach
Eticelles - Moskowski
Encounters II - Kraft (now that’s an obscure one)
Interestingly, and feel free to accuse me of hijacking this thread, it’s the end of a piece of music that really gives me the shivers. There are just too many pieces that the first thought I have when they are done is, “Thank God.”
And now back to the non-classical music people.