I was driving with my mom a few weeks ago, and “You can’t Always Get What You Want” by the Rolling Stones came on the radio.
You know that french horn bit at the beginning? Well, she was kind of humming along to it, and I asked, “so you like this song?” to which she replied, “everybody I grew up with knows that line.”
So I got to thinking. What riff do you think is so well known that everybody in your generation would recognise it, whether or not they actually listen to that type of music? What line, when it comes on the radio, will have everybody singing to it, and rememberin’ the times?
One rule, it’s got to be short. We’re not talking whole songs, but just one melodic section that’s universally known. Oh, and we’re talkin’ 'bout your generation. I was born in 1980, so I couldn’t suggest something from the '60s, for example.
I’ll start by suggesting the awesome guitar riff at the end of November Rain by Guns and Roses. I think some of their other stuff might qualify (the Paradise City riff, for example), but this one is just the greatest. I can’t imagine anybody my age hearing this and not recognising it.
Another would be the brief guitar intro to Jeremy by Pearl Jam.
(I can’t get no) Satisfaction
Layla
Lola (at least, I find that opening chord very distinctive) Who Are You?
Pinball Wizard
All Right Now (good enough for Steve Miller to blatantly rip it off). A Whiter Shade of Pale (organ, not guitar, but everyone knows it).
I hate to say it, but I doubt that there’s anyone anymore who doesn’t recognize Iggy Pop’s Lust for Life right off the bat. I thought it was cool when it showed up in Trainspotting, but I think it’s been used in about 50% of the commercials to come out in the last year.
I’m a 29 year old Gen X’er. The first thing that came to mind was Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, and the next was GnR’s Welcome to the Jungle. (both previously mentioned)
And a couple of others are the openings of “What You Need” by INXS and “Been Caught Stealing” by Jane’s Addiction (that low bassline and the dogs barking).
Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple
Tush – ZZ Top
Cocaine – Eric Clapton
Casey Jones – Grateful Dead
Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd – probably caused a huge jump in the sales of steel slides. Unfortunately did not cause a concomitant jump in the ability to use steel slides.
