10 Popular Guitar Riffs Invented Accidentally

Sweet Home Alabama is one of the most common (and most satisfying) karaoke songs of all time. The lyrics, the music, and the attitude make it perfect to play at a party to get the crowd singing.

The song is most famous for its iconic riff, a melody that makes your ears prick up as soon as you hear it. The story goes that the riff emerged from a meeting with band members Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Ed King. While waiting for everybody else to show up, Rossington began playing a small tune over and over again to pass the time. When Van Zant and King eventually arrived, Rossington was still playing the repetitive melody, causing Van Zant to take notice and do something about it.

Ironically, none of the writers are actually from Alabama at all, with King born in California, and Van Zant and Rossington hailing from the sunshine state of Florida.