# your favourite opening guitar lick/riff/whatevs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 20, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521 "2018-05-20T20:01:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![4d3fect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/4d3fect/32/9728_2.png) [@4d3fect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4d3fect)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/21 "2018-05-20T23:50:39Z")
Heartbreaker, LZ 2, that guitar sound is just so …perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/22 "2018-05-20T23:57:07Z")
> [@Jacquernagy](#): > > _When Doves Cry._ > > _Can’t You Hear Me Knocking_. > > _Watching The Detectives._ > > And though you’ll never see me at a Billy Joel concert anytime soon, I love the opening riff of [Big Shot.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEea624OBzM) I feel like that’s one of his “least-Joel-like” songs…sounds like it could have been done by a different group, but for his voice. I heard an interview where Joel said he sang this song as he imagined Mick Jagger would sing it to Bianca. ---
**Author:** ![bionic\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/49beb7/32.png) [@bionic\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bionic_man)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/23 "2018-05-21T00:03:11Z")
Smoke on the water deep purple Honky tonk woman Rolling stones ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/24 "2018-05-21T00:34:10Z")
> [@DavidwithanR](#): > > _Also Sprach Zarathustra_ (the famous orchestra bit from 2001 A Space Odyssey), because huge. (Even though it’s so overused, I don’t care) > > [The C minor organ passacaglia by Bach](http://youtu.be/nVoFLM_BDgs), because that ominous 15-second bass riff goes non-stop for 8 minutes to build something incredible. (Plus it helps when the bass you’re playing is 32 feet tall) 🙂 Guitar ??? ---
**Author:** ![Rough\_Draft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rough\_Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rough_Draft)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/25 "2018-05-21T00:48:27Z")
The first song that came to mind when I read this thread title was _Layla_ (already mentioned by Johnny Ace). The second, for reasons I’m not sure about, is Neil Young’s _Winterlong_. Maybe it’s because I listened to _Decade_ about a million times in college. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/26 "2018-05-21T00:50:16Z")
I didn’t think I was a big Clapton fan, but the second I read the title of this thread, I heard the opening to _Layla._ Man, just seven notes, but it was echoing in my brain. Then it morphed into the opening to _Sunshine Of Your Love._ Then I started reading, and remembered _Day Tripper,_ and how my 5th grade brain was blown when I first heard it. And how the Beatles kept changing how we kids thought about music. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/27 "2018-05-21T01:02:01Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > It can be a solo, or part of the song, but it _must kick things off_. > > [“And Your Bird Can Sing” - The Beatles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH-3y_Ike5E) > … > [“Up Around the Bend” - CCR](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX3o1O8ZsTw) Some excellent examples (throughout the thread, but I particularly agree with the two quoted above). One of the first things I thought of was the opening guitar riff to Dire Straits’ “Money For Nothing”—except that when I checked the song, I realized it doesn’t actually kick things off. In fact, it doesn’t even start until at least 0:30 into the song. But the opening riff to “[You Really Got Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTTsY-oz6Go)” certainly qualifies. I guess an “opening guitar” part can range from a single chord (as in “A Hard Day’s Night”) to an extended introduction (as in “[Don’t, This Way](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2-kd-RU-Us)” by the 77s). ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/28 "2018-05-21T01:02:32Z")
Muddy Waters, “Mannish Boy”. " Purple Haze" The Who, “Slip Kid”. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/29 "2018-05-21T01:12:51Z")
Otis Rush - [Three Times a Fool](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPIox8j_IO0) My favorite Otis Rush tune. I don’t know if it’s the recording technology or his tone or technique (probably a combination of all), but I love how his playing on this version of this song has a real violin-like quality to it. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/30 "2018-05-21T01:43:38Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Alex’s effects-phased [trills? arpeggios? triplets?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Juv5Ifs2fFY) at the beginning of Rush’s “Spirit of the Radio”. > One could argue that it just sounds like an exercise. > Well, ok - a cool one, then! A series of [pull offs with a triplet thrown in](http://www.sheetmusicnow.com/the-spirit-of-the-radio-p234881.aspx). Then sped up to some sort of quantum level speed. It’s ridiculous. But it’s also what I would have chosen. Technically brilliant, instantly recognizable and sells the song immediately. Others? Layla, by Clapton Born on the Bayou, by CCR Smells Like Teen Spirit, by Nirvana Walk this Way, by Aerosmith Pride, by U2 (I once read a reviewer describe this as Edge re-enacting creation) One of the most interesting things about these riffs - and many of the others listed - is despite them being top notch and absolutely amazing is how simple they are. Other than Alex Lifeson showing off, the others are all fairly easy to play and in a simple position. Keep it simple, stupid, is an amazingly good piece of advice. I once heard Carlos Santana give a piece of advice for aspiring lead guitarists. He said something along the lines of ‘when you work on a solo for the first time, just use one string. High E, B, whatever. But you can do a great solo on just one string. Do that.’ Solid advice that I have, in the past, taken to heart. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/31 "2018-05-21T02:09:32Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > . . . Nothing technical - just pure, raw, darned catchiness: [“Crusier’s Creek” - The Fall.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pem02CWn4Do) (possibly the greatest drunk video ever made - enjoy) (R.I.P. annoying Mr. Smith) Oh yeah! And… [Deadbeat Descendant](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Atz4mRFyA). ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/32 "2018-05-21T02:10:29Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Guitar ??? I misinterpreted the “whatevs” part. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/33 "2018-05-21T02:19:48Z")
Two of my favorites: **Steve Howe** , _Pennants_ [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5UgBp4GSRY) **Drive-By Truckers** , _Zip City_ [Drive-By Truckers - D1 - 10) Zip City - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffI303l9SLY) ---
**Author:** ![4d3fect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/4d3fect/32/9728_2.png) [@4d3fect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4d3fect)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/34 "2018-05-21T03:02:07Z")
I like Zeppelinesque stuff apparently. [them crooked vultures - elephants - YouTube](https://youtu.be/e_fN18rO0dM) ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/35 "2018-05-21T03:06:08Z")
The beginning of Cold Shot, especially the Stevie Ray Vaughan version usually makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. It always makes me feel like I wish I had tuned in a few seconds before I did; like I tuned in right after the best lick in a great building intro. Even when I start it myself I feel like I am coming into something great that is already going on. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fAPo0EMfdLw/hqdefault.jpg "Stevie Ray Vaughan - Cold Shot") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAPo0EMfdLw) ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/36 "2018-05-21T03:09:36Z")
The opening riff of Sweet Child of Mine. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2018, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/37 "2018-05-21T03:16:15Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Some excellent examples (throughout the thread, but I particularly agree with the two quoted above). ::hat nod:: If I can indulge in a couple strange King Crimson kick-offs: The most gradual guitar build-up - starting from tinkling notes, to a shimmering crescendo half a minute later - kicks off [The Night Watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwFYy_Th7BA) Ok - only TWO UGLY NOTES. Sue me. But something, damned…_je ne sais quoi_ (as Major would offer) about that BAH bah bah BAH bah bah BAH bah BAH bah BAH bah bah BAH bah bah BAH bah rhythm that just…makes me puff with Mephistophelian grandeur at the beginning of [Larks’ Tongues in Aspic Part II](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy3UiXb2uDQ&start_radio=1&list=RDvy3UiXb2uDQ). Unfortunately, one of the great shames of the internet is that there’s no studio recording of this found anywhere. The studio one does full justice to that opening. [“Vroom” - _Thrak_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-JSHBBhIxw) Actually - another downer - this is so poorly synced that this has to be the studio version lamely thrown over live footage. I wouldn’t even _look_ at the visuals, here. (hey - I’m trying to work with what measely pickens there are for a half-decent recording of something) Along with the sax, the opening of [“Twenty-First Century Schizoid Man”](https://youtu.be/990cJua7umQ?t=15) is another heavy classic. (Well, after the train whistley-things, anyway) Speaking of Fripp, though, his greatest guitar opening is [“NY3”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExNAI3zJfYQ) from his **Exposure** album Heh - and just for shits and giggles, I like how buddy breaks down the NY3 riff [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTx0bhzOOfM). Heh - and here’s [hesher’s attempt.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW1hhdXmk-I) ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/38 "2018-05-21T08:12:24Z")
[![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvmeEyVd5w8) “I’m a Man” by Chicago. Bass beat sets the tone. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/39 "2018-05-21T08:36:55Z")
The opening Plwang of [Hard Day’s Night](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IySmwmUPwk0). The almost orchestral crank up to the opening of [Another Girl Another Planet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKuc3faQAEs). ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521/40 "2018-05-21T09:11:30Z")
Not sure that this is necessarily the right answer, but it did flash into my mind on reading the question. Phish - [Lifeboy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmmTrnAd9Hk) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-opening-guitar-lick-riff-whatevs/814521.md?page=3)