Riffs are the succinct musical phrases by which we remember songs, and since the dawn of pop and rock music, they have often served as the main hook. In a modern context, riffs are often played on a guitar. But there are only so many notes in a scale and so many frets on the fretboard. As the years go by, writing an iconic riff becomes that much harder. If some theorists suggest that everything you could think has already been thought, this especially goes for riff writing. The pitfalls of derivativeness loom larger with every new generation of guitarists.
As we approach the quarter mark of the 21st century, we took a look back at the most memorable and iconic riffs since the turn of the millennium, when the demand for ingenuity in guitar-based music resulted in a heyday of riffage. The 50 listed here managed to seep into the cultural consciousness with their originality, relevance to the musical trends of the time, and sheer catchiness. Some have become staples in sports arenas around the world, while others might get lodged in your head for days if heard in passing.
— Jon Hadusek,
Senior Staff Writer
50. Baroness – “March to the Sea”
Hailing from the Yellow & Green double album, “March to the Sea” is one of the definitive track from Baroness, who at the time featured guitarist Peter Adams alongside singer-guitarist John Baizley. Adams plays the central riff here, tremolo picking around the bridge to create a rhythmic, percussive effect. It’s a perfect bed for Baizley’s impassioned vocals. — Jon Hadusek
49. The Donnas – “Take It Off”
When The Donnas released their Atlantic Records debut Spend the Night, its lead single “Take It Off” launched them into mainstream success. Its riff recalls those of the ’70s and early ’80s in its unrelenting raucousness, calling on influences like AC/DC and the Ramones. It’s been more than a decade since the California band broke up, but songs like “Take It Off” make us yearn for a reunion.— Cervanté Pope
48. Limp Bizkit – “Break Stuff”
Back in the day, Fred Durst seemingly had so many things to be angry about, and “Break Stuff” was the culmination of all his frustrations in the year 2000. Wes Borland, the costumed musical backbone of the band, managed to communicate an utter fed-upness within those first few seconds of the song. Then, all it took was a tune down and some bended notes to really drive home how the whole group was annoyed enough to want to break stuff (or some faces). — C.P.