20 Greatest Guitar Riffs Of All Time

3. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes (2003)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY This song is a throwback to the late 60's and early 70's, wherein the song is basically the riff repeating over and over and over, and yet somehow never getting old or annoying. It begins with a bass-sounding guitar playing the riff during the intro and verse. Then it switches to a guitar playing the riff for the chorus. Then it plays a slightly modified version of the riff for the solo. And back and forth, back and forth, as a simple drum beats away. This song is a perfect example of less-is-more. And that music video... super hypnotic. There is one tiny problem with this song: I'm a bass player, have been for years. And it always used to be that as soon as someone sees me strapping on the bass, they would yell "Play 'Another One Bites the Dust'!". Now it has become "Play 'Seven Nation Army'!". At every gig. Every. Single. Time. Nonetheless, awesome song, and even better riff.

2. Float On - Modest Mouse (2005)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTAud5O7Qqk Sometimes, the best riffs aren't heavily distorted power chords hammering away a wicked awesome song. Sometimes, a clean sounding riff works best. 'Float On', the eighth single released by Modest Mouse, is a perfect example. A complex yet understated riff, emphasized by a beautifully simple bass line all mixes together to form one of the most perfect song intros in rock music history. You know what, just get a hold of the entire album this song is on, "Good News For People Who Love Bad News". Very unlikely you'll regret it.