Throughout rock n roll history there have been many iconic guitar intros. Below I will list 6-10 of the 20 best in my opinion.
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This list is constructed based on my personal opinions. You may choose to disagree with them. For this list, I will stick to mainly Rock N Roll songs. Not venturing too much into Metal or other genres. I will also try to only put one or two songs by an artist on this list as if there wasn’t a limit this list could just be two people.
10. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
I’ve never personally liked Nirvana, but this is the one song I will listen to from time to time. It’s one of the most recognizable intros of all time. It’s also probably one of the easiest to learn. At least the first part anyway before Dave Grohl starts bashing away on the drums and the riff changes. Nonetheless, the riff does what it’s intended to, hook the listener to make them listen to the song and hopefully the rest of the album. It worked so well in fact that it helped make Nirvana a sensation. The riff continues to be used years after Cobain’s passing. With the song even being repopularized on TikTok some time ago.
9. Anastasia, Slash
The first of two Slash riffs on this list. If I’m being honest there could be many more on this list, but I’m limiting it to two. This riff came off Slash’s second solo album and his first with Myles Kennedy on lead vocals. The riff starts with a somewhat calm lower, almost acoustic-like guitar part. This builds to the epic main part of this intro. Which would see Slash make his Les Paul sing. This builds into the first verse of the song. Overall this is one of Slash’s better guitar riffs. It also shows how much he’s grown as a guitarist from something such as Sweet Child O Mine or Welcome To The Jungle.
8. Hotel California, Eagles
The first of two acoustic guitar intros on this list. As this song, much like number five on this list, was recorded on a 12-string acoustic. As previously mentioned a good intro should hook the listener. An intro should hook the listener when it is not only the first track of an album but also the title track. Don Felder managed to do that to perfection. He was able to hook the listener by creating one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable intros ever. For a song that is 100% deserving of it. The intro starts in a kinda calming sense, building up to the first set of vocals and thus the start of the song’s main section. It’s calming but also has a kinda mysterious note to it as well, which makes it oh-so-sweet.
7. Sunshine Of Your Love, Cream
The first of two Clapton riffs on this list, with the second coming in just a bit, and you can probably guess which Clapton classic that is. Sunshine of Your Love is probably the second most recognizable Clapton riff, second to none other than Layla of course. Nonetheless, this riff is a classic. It’s one that you probably know even if you don’t know the title of the song or who played it. Such as me, I knew the riff, heard it a billion times, just couldn’t place what song it was from.
6. Stairway To Heaven, Led Zeppelin
Guitar Center employees are going to hate this one. As Stairway to Heaven has become known as the forbidden riff. Nonetheless, it is an epic riff of an epic album. It is also one of two acoustic intros on this list. As the riff was stung on a 12-string acoustic with Jimmy Page at the helm. The riff itself is generally simple, which helps make it the special thing it is. Page did just enough to make it stand out, but not too much to make it over-complicated. It’s the perfect calm riff for a song like Stairway to Heaven from a band that has many icon riffs.
My name is Joe Moore. I am a writer for Belly Up Hockey, Belly Up Racing, and Belly Up Sports. You can find me on Twitter.
