10 Popular Guitar Riffs Invented Accidentally

10. The Kinks - You Really Got Me

The beginning of the '60s saw an influx of great musicians all projecting their own unique sound of scratchy guitars and rock and roll.

At the time, The Kinks were a somewhat mediocre band with a small following, so much so, their label decided that they weren't worth the effort and gave them one final chance to write a hit song.

Kinks frontman Ray Davies knew he had to pull something spectacular out of the back so he sat down at his piano and poured out his feelings to what initially sounded like a jazz-inspired melody with a lighter edge. This jazz-inspired melody then turned into an early version of the now-classic "You Really Got Me" only much softer.

Davies took the jazz-oriented tune to the rest of the band and told them that he wanted it played against the backdrop of a saxophone (can you imagine?!). Thankfully, Ray's brother, Dave Davies, ended up messing around with the riff on his guitar, resulting in the fantastic fuzz sound that we know today.

The song was an instant hit and is now one of the most recognizable riffs of all time.