# Most Memorable Riffs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 11, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434 "2005-05-11T18:35:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/41 "2005-05-20T17:58:44Z")
> [@Small Clanger](#): > > **Loopydude** I love the Rockford Files but that’s more of a tune than a riff innit? Yeah, you’re probably right. Another nominee: The bass riff from “Got To Be Real” by Cheryl Lynn. Bum buh-bum buhDUH bum bum budumm bum (repeat endlessly). Not a big disco fan, but that one I love to play. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/42 "2005-05-20T18:23:33Z")
Not so much memorable as an earworm, I think, but sing the old Spiderman tune to yourself and you’ll find yourself humming it _all day long_. Not kidding, I’m serious. Has anyone said the opening to “Hockey Night in Canada”? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/43 "2005-05-20T21:07:18Z")
Wait, “O Fortuna” is too long to be a riff… That bit of “When Doves Cry” that MC Hammer right royally offended me by sampling in “Pray.” ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/44 "2005-05-20T21:13:33Z")
Speaking of MC Hammer, how about the riff from “Superfreak” by Rick James. (“Can’t Touch This”) And speaking of stolen riffs, how about the riff from “Under Pressure.” (“Ice, Ice, Baby”) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/45 "2005-05-20T21:17:37Z")
The opening riff to “Rockin’ Down the Highway”/“China Grove”. ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2005, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/46 "2005-05-20T22:52:15Z")
Everybody knows and recognizes the guitar riff from “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Wa-nanana wow wow! Wa-nanana wow wow! ---
**Author:** ![PETERFI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@PETERFI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PETERFI)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/47 "2005-05-30T09:44:57Z")
To me this splits into two categories: **Favorite Riff’s:** ``` That is bars, sections or whole songs that just make you thrill with an-tici-pa-tion every time you here them begin. :) :cool: :p and, ``` \*\*Song-headers: \*\* ``` Those innoccuous and not so innoccuous tunes, often but not exclusively children's songs that are so deeply ingrained that, once they start on auto-play in your head, you can't get them out no matter how hard you try! :confused: :rolleyes: :smack: (Spelling CHcecking services provided by Busjh Spelld 2000, verdon 2.0 Copuwrgit 2004) ``` I think you meant only the former, and probably true riffs, which are just sections of songs, but I will answer as I will there, and will conclude with a bit of the latter, just to get them off my chest. If I’m wrong, oh well, merrilly I go along… My favorite, oddly, is the **Johnny Quest Theme Song**. For a cartoon that highly orchestrated rumble rumble beat beat with horns and swelling creshendo’s of danger has to rank as one of the all time great TV theme songs - of course a few extra production values may have been added as this was essentially network T.V.'s first attempt at a Prime Time TV adventure cartoon series and so they wanted the [Johnny Quest Theme Song](http://www.melaman2.com/cartoons/singles/mp3/johnny-quest.mp3) to be competative with other songs. It also had two mood changes, and the excitement of underscoring, if you will excuse the pun scenes of excitment like shooting giant eight-ball like creatures on spider legs, Johnny, Hadji, Dr. Quest, Frank Bannon and the Dog fling around in floaters and that sort of thing (O.K. I was 9, OK?). For those interested, this [Interview with Johnny Quest Theme Composer Hoyt Curtin](http://www.classicjq.com/info/HoytCurtinInterview.shtml) is well worth the read. Curtain was Hanna-Barbera’s chief composer in the glory years and did most of the composing so if you have a favorite tune Flintstones, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, even the Smurf’s, Hoyt is probably your guy. Of course **The Batman TV** theme is seminal. So much so that I hardly need find a link to it. Just to spell out Da da da da da da da da, should be enough for anyone who remembers it to go back in time. Again, we have the benefit of an actual talent, Nelson Riddle as composer, who went on, Riddle me this if I am wrong, to work with many stars, but especially the Queen of the Blue Bayou, Linda Rhonstat. Batman, btw, is back on every night in Chicago, two episodes a night between 6 and 7pm on channel 23 and I think also late in the evening on Channel 26. For those who missed the kitch, double entendre’s and wacky humor in the first days of color TV, where they did their best to use EVERY color possible just because they could, you should check it out if you have time. Who could resist the **Scarecrow & Mrs. King Theme song** , Kate Jackson with guns nonwithstanding. Again heavily orchestrated to fit the Washington DC setting, but even if the episode was to be a dud, which they weren’t until Kate was battling cancer and had to be moved to the background of every episode so low was her energy, the opening was worth turning the dial to it was enjoyable enough to hear. Then, as openings go, switching now to my teens, the driving opening of **Taking Care of Business** by BTO is an immediate starter. And what about the driving first bars of Alice Cooper’s da-da-dah da-da=dah da-da-da-da **Schooools Out For Summer** now that was an anthem. Yes, the delicate openings of **Wonderboy** , that tease you gently into a rock Frenzy of Excitement have recently entered my consciousness - no its no **Mrs. Robinson** but then this isn’t the 60’s. Speaking of seminal themes, The Brazilian/English versions of **The Girl From Ipanema** have a way of salza-ing into your subconscious at night and dancing the night away. Its a very good idea not to have too good an image in mind if you want to get any sleep. Cause she doesn’t care - she just doesn’t caaaare. For me, as a singer, **Mack the Knife** has one of those special meanings, because I like to go to karaoke land, take Bobby D’s version, and in the small ways possible given the limits of karoke technology, bring back some of the dark grit that Bertold Brecht and Kurt Weill intended in the Threepenny Opera’s opening from which it comes, while adding some Jazz riffs to it that Bobby didn’t. I don’t add it _all_ back. Today’s date night musical audiences just don’t want to know that maybe Macheath raped Jennie diver ("Wonder what got into her…). But boy that song has a lilt. Speaking of murders - Sondheim is the king of Riffs. I suppose by going outside of Rock I am cheating but check out: **Joanna, Pretty Women, These Are My Friends** and **No One’s Gonna Harm You** from **Sweeney Todd** for examples of achingly beautiful songs in the midst of horror, perhaps made more beautiful because of it. Closer to Fine - by The Indigo Girls Do You Feel Like I Do - Peter Frampton On Broadway and Masquerade by George Benson Up Against the Wall Redneck Mothers by Jerry Jeff Walker Sweet Home Alabama by LS Psychadelic Shack by the Temptations Skater 'Boi by Avril Sugar Mountain - Neil Young Impossible Dream - Me Virtue - Molly & The Tinker Chicago IX - Most of the Album especially 25 or 6 to 4 and Color my World Chicago - Dialoges part I & II especially how it merges into “We can make it happen, yeah, we can make it happen” The 70’s - had to be there. Well those are a few of them. The problem with being a songhead such as myself is that the iHead never quite stops once I get it going. **The Dreaded Songhead Songs** I really ought no to do this. It’s very naughty. For some the very mention of these songs will have them rollng around in their heads for hours and hours and hours. The worst part is, you don’t have to know the words, just the music to have the song rolling around in there for hours, and hours and hours. \*\*BRA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA 😛😛 \*\* \*\*The Barney Song \*\* I love you - you love me - we’re a… \*\*The Band Aid Song[/B] I am Stuck on Band Aids and Band Aids Are Stuck on Me(2x) **The Song That Never Ends (Shari Lewis, Lamb Chop and Charley Horse)** This is the song that never ends yes it goes on and on my friend some people started singing it not knowing what it was but we’ll continue singing it forever just because this is the song that never ends yes it goes on and on my friends… (ad infinitum) **Sesame Street** Sunny Day, Sweeping the clouds away… **Zoom** We’re gonna zooma zooma zooma zoom We’re gonna zooma zooma zooma zoom come on give us a try… **Thomas the Tank Engine** He’s a very useful engine you know… **Little People** (Arron Neville - shame, shame, shame) Little people, with little hands little people, who can’t understand little people, they’re stuck on tv Little people songs makes us crazy _Announcer:“In this episode Eddie accidentally jumps up and gets caught in a cloud and our children learn incorrect rules of physics that will take years to correct.”_ But by the end of the tape, every toy in the Little People line will be in the Parade to thank Walter and his friend for fixing all of the little people wheels! **The United Airlines Theme Song** Copeland is beautiful, but if you know it, once it starts, you are stuck with it to the end. Though all in all, better to be stuck with this than Barney. \*\*√ Check it to Cash! \*\* \*\*√ Check it to Cash! \*\* \*\*√ Check it to Cash! \*\* \*\*√ Check it to Cash! \*\* \*\*√ Check it to Cash! \*\* \*\*√ Check it to Cash! \*\* \*\*√ Check it to Cash! \*\* Not a song but one of the single most annoying commercials in TV history, making Timmy the TV Ford Boy (“Extra Extra Read All About It”) Seem like a sweet and endearing youth. \*\*The Jeopardy Theme Song \*\* Fun at first, but if it takes hold of you it doesn’t let go… \*\*I’m a little Teapot Short and Stout THIS is My Handle THIS is My Spout \*\* Does not help if you have a toddler around singing it constantly WITH the motions . **I saw MOMMIE kissing SANTA CLAUS underneath the CHRISTMAS tree last NIGHT what a LAUGH IT WOULD have BEAN if daddy had only SEEEN, Mommy KISSSING Sandy CLAWS Last NIIIIIIGHT** Thank you Annie Mc. for the memory from when you were 4 or 5 and sang that over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over until I can never ever forget it as long as I live. At least you had a nice voice. Well that’s enough torture for all concerned. Click on my link below for some recovery humor. [Peter, The Peter Files Blog of Comedy, Satire and Fun](http://ThePeterFiles.blogspot.com) ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/48 "2005-05-30T16:21:21Z")
AC/DC has a few Highway to Hell You Shook Me Hells Bells (not so much the riff as the bells) For Those About to Rock ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/49 "2005-05-30T16:29:11Z")
The Rydells, “Dirty Water” The Muppet Shpw, “Mahna Mahna” Chocolate, “Mayonesa” (the trumpet riff). It’s a Uruguayan cumbia band popular throughout Latin America about two years ago. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/50 "2005-05-30T16:32:57Z")
> [@The Peter Files](#): > > The United Airlines Theme Song > > Copeland is beautiful… Gershwin? ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/51 "2005-05-30T17:20:48Z")
Cat Scratch Fever by Ted Nugent has a nice opening riff as well (now on the radio) …more to come as the classic rock Memorial Day Marathon continues! ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/52 "2005-05-30T17:21:49Z")
Tall Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) - Hollies ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/53 "2005-05-30T17:31:41Z")
Stranglehold By Nugent as well (Rock Blocks!woohoo!) ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/54 "2005-05-30T17:51:38Z")
The drum & guitar riffs in “Everybody Wants Some” by Van Halen. It always reminds me of that Claymation burger in _ **Better Off Dead** _ ---
**Author:** ![Flipstrip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f6c823/32.png) [@Flipstrip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flipstrip)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/55 "2005-05-30T18:11:23Z")
The opening riff of “Talk Dirty To Me” by Poison. And the opening riff of “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns ‘N’ Roses. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/56 "2005-05-30T19:30:13Z")
I haven’t seen this posted yet. The guitar riff from **Favorite Game** by the _Cardigans_ ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/57 "2005-05-31T01:00:05Z")
> [@labtrash](#): > > Tall Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) - Hollies {nitpick} Long Cool Woman {/nitpick} Also (to get into the realm of classical music)… The _Masterpiece Theater_ theme ([Mouret’s Rondeau](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/series/music.html)) _Für Elise_ And, because there’s an ice-cream truck going down the street: _Turkey in the Straw_ ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2005, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/58 "2005-05-31T01:25:58Z")
The bass line of _Love Cats_ by The Cure. ---
**Author:** ![PETERFI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@PETERFI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PETERFI)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2005, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/59 "2005-05-31T07:15:58Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Gershwin? Yes, you caught me out there. It’s George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. You can actually hear a clip here: [Rhapsody in Blue Fragment](http://www.unitedrhapsody.com/) For some reason Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man was in my head this morning and I couldn’t get the name out. Peter [The Peter Files](http://thepeterfiles.blogspot.com) ---
**Author:** ![Dancer\_Flight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dancer_flight/32/7601_2.png) [@Dancer\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancer_Flight)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2005, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434/60 "2005-05-31T08:19:34Z")
_I Remember You_, a B-Side to one of the singles off _Joyride_ has kind of a classic “neanderthal blues-type riff” running through it that always makes me want to crank up the stereo. The intro to _Room at the Top_ by Adam Ant is unmistakable. _Red Tape_ by Agent Provocateur has a couple of memorable bits of guitar work _Remedy_ by the Black Crows. _Summer of '69_ – Bryan Adams _Cocaine_ – Eric Clapton … And many others I don’t have time to check out right now. (I guess I just like Riffy Music) -DF [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-memorable-riffs/303434.md?page=4)