Radio 2 recently ran a poll to find the greatest guitar riff with a shortlist of 100 tracks. The top 30 will be played by Zoe Ball on Monday 25th at 2pm.

 

Here's the shortlist: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/playlist/greatestriffs

some corkers on the list, a fair proportion some of my all-time fave riffs!

Actually starts at midnight with No.100. Just 30 tracks in three hours so some long songs!

Edited August 20, 201410 yr by Common Sense

I'm a tad peeved that the better Focus song, Sylvia, didn't make the list rather than Focus. It's got an absolutely lovely guitar riff -

 

 

I'd be surprised if anything other than Money for Nothing or Smoke on the Water won. Would have also said Stairway To Heaven, but surprisingly it didn't make the cut.

Sylvia is gorgeous. I'd also say the wrong ELO track has been picked - Don't Bring Me Down is the one to go with, and Jean genie for Bowie (Blockbuster is there as compensation).

 

Winner? Eye Of The Tiger based on ongoing download sales, or Nirvana.

 

Me, I'd go for the guitar solo in Baker Street, though may not be a riff as such B-)

Glad to see some alternative riffs in there.

Personally, I prefer the riff of 'Master Of Puppets' over 'Enter Sandman'. Also of 'Stairway To Heaven' over 'Whole Lotta Love'.

I'm a tad peeved that the better Focus song, Sylvia, didn't make the list rather than Focus. It's got an absolutely lovely guitar riff -

 

 

I'd be surprised if anything other than Money for Nothing or Smoke on the Water won. Would have also said Stairway To Heaven, but surprisingly it didn't make the cut.

Hocus Pocus by Focus does have a certain rhyme to it but Sylvia is definitely the better song.

This was advertised on BBC2 last night as starting at midnight so they must be playing all the top 100, peppered between other songs, with the Top 30 starting with Zoe Ball at 2pm.

Good grief Sylvia is nothing but three and a half minutes of meandering noodle. Woeful.

 

Good to see The Cult and other alterno types in there.

Personally I thhink this is the best Sabbath riff if not the best riff ever:

 

 

 

Possibly even heavier here:

Radiohead No Surprises, is a surprise to me to be listed in guitar riffs. I'm not sure any of Radiohead songs have guitar riffs..

Radiohead No Surprises, is a surprise to me to be listed in guitar riffs. I'm not sure any of Radiohead songs have guitar riffs..

 

 

Just, Street Spirit - it depends on what you call a riff.

What a great listen this is.

some shocks in here, some good. Focus higher than Born To Run is bizarre! My Lizzy fave Don't Believe A Word beating out more famous stuff (I was pushing this one in the last Buzzjack Rock countdown to lesser success). Nirvana only 20. T.Rex at 14 is fabulous. Oh yes mustn't forget Chic are in the list too. Yes, Chic, riffs!

Edited August 25, 201410 yr by popchartfreak

Thought Beat It was rather low down. Expected it Top 10 tbh.

I always like INXS "Need You Tonight" or The La's "There She Goes"