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The Radio 3 Boards > The Music Boards > Music Through The Ages > The most recognisable riff in rock
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Author Topic: The most recognisable riff in rock  (Read 1041 times)
HtoHe
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« on: 20:42:02, 28-07-2008 »
Is the opening of Smoke on the Water.  This was stated almost as a matter of fact by Richard Coles in his interval talk about Beethoven 5.  I'm sure IRF will be most gratified but what about Whole Lotta Love, Jumpin' Jack Flash, Layla, to name but a few.  Any other offers - especially from people who never listen to rock - on the grounds that if they recognise it, it must be special.

Do these mottos compare with Beethoven's invention.  I've always thought they do - though Ludwig does tend to make better use of his themes.  But I have no musical training so I'd be interested in other views.

What is it about tiny snatches of music that makes them instantly recognisable?  I heard the opening bars of Wishbone Ash's Warrior in an episode of Saxondale and immediately recognised a song I hadn't heard for thirty years.
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Andy D
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« Reply #1 on: 20:55:29, 28-07-2008 »
Yours all sound good candidates H. Hendrix's Voodoo Chile has the same 4-note simplicity as Beethoven 5 so might be a better comparison than the Deep Purple.

I wish you hadn't mentioned Wishbone Ash - I haven't listened to them for about 30 years either but I can almost hear the track you're referring to - I don't want to have to dig out the tape, especially as I spilt water over my cassette deck earlier today Angry
« Last Edit: 21:01:37, 28-07-2008 by Andy D » Logged
Antheil
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« Reply #2 on: 20:59:52, 28-07-2008 »
How about "Walk this Way" Aerosmith
"Smells like Teen Spirit" Nirvana
Guns 'n Roses "Sweet Child of Mine"

But that's from memory and not digging them out to have a listen.

Can't as yet decide on which Zappa!
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John W
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« Reply #3 on: 21:01:50, 28-07-2008 »
Quote from: HtoHe on 20:42:02, 28-07-2008
Is the opening of Smoke on the Water.  This was stated almost as a matter of fact by Richard Coles in his interval talk about Beethoven 5.  I'm sure IRF will be most gratified but what about Whole Lotta Love, Jumpin' Jack Flash, Layla, to name but a few. 

H, Andy, Anna,

The 'official vote' on riffs was a few months ago. If I recall correctly many familiar recognisable bars of rock music were excluded because technically they were not 'riffs'. I can offer no further explanation  Smiley


John
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BobbyZ
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« Reply #4 on: 21:07:55, 28-07-2008 »
Sunshine Of Your Love

Day Tripper ( the Beatles didn't really do riffs much, neither did Zappa really but Hot Rats ? )

Oh, and Alright Now by Free must be in there.
« Last Edit: 21:53:15, 28-07-2008 by BobbyZ » Logged
Dreams, schemes and themes
HtoHe
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« Reply #5 on: 22:06:18, 28-07-2008 »
Quote from: Antheil on 20:59:52, 28-07-2008
How about "Walk this Way" Aerosmith
Can't as yet decide on which Zappa!

Oh, yes, Anty.  Walk this Way is absolutely primal - and, like Layla and Beethoven 5 - lots and lots of people could name it - which is a rule that would disqualify a great many such mottos.  As for FZ, how many people could recognise one of his riffs as actually being his - let alone name the song?  Willy the Pimp, maybe.  Still, that hasn't stopped me digging out The Torture Never Stops!  I wonder if that's a real riff.

Quote from: Andy D on 20:55:29, 28-07-2008
I wish you hadn't mentioned Wishbone Ash - I haven't listened to them for about 30 years either but I can almost hear the track you're referring to - I don't want to have to dig out the tape, especially as I spilt water over my cassette deck earlier today Angry

I re-acquired Argus in the HMV '2 for £10' offer a few months ago.  It was still available last time I went in HMV but that was nearly a fortnight ago.  Stands the test of time quite well, I thought.

Quote from: BobbyZ on 21:07:55, 28-07-2008
Sunshine Of Your Love

Day Tripper ( the Beatles didn't really do riffs much, neither did Zappa really but Hot Rats ? )

Oh, and Alright Now by Free must be in there.

The opening of Sunshine of Your Love is probably as familiar to millions as the opening of Whole Lotta Love, Bobby, but in my experience people are more likely to struggle to place it.  Of course, that might just say something about the people I know!
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burning dog
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« Reply #6 on: 22:08:40, 28-07-2008 »
  I thought of "Smoke on the Water" straight away, just from the thread title, before seeing the first post.
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richard barrett
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« Reply #7 on: 23:44:45, 28-07-2008 »
When Antheil mentioned FZ and riffs, my thoughts also gravitated instantly to "Willie The Pimp", although maybe "Muffin Man" is in there with a chance too.

"Pretty Vacant" ought also not to be forgotten.
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ahh
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« Reply #8 on: 00:52:42, 29-07-2008 »
My initial thought was Zeppelin's 'Whole lotta love'. But I'd go with most of the suggestions thus far. Oh, how about 'Paranoid' by Black Sabbath? Not perhaps as recognisable but I think 'Black Betty' by Ram Jam is a classic.
« Last Edit: 01:03:50, 29-07-2008 by ahh » Logged
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burning dog
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« Reply #9 on: 01:20:59, 29-07-2008 »
Whole lotta love and Satisfaction are my runners up. 

Pretty Vacant was definitely the best Pistols single.
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oliver sudden
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« Reply #10 on: 01:31:21, 29-07-2008 »
Quote from: burning dog on 22:08:40, 28-07-2008
 I thought of "Smoke on the Water" straight away, just from the thread title, before seeing the first post.
Snap!

And now I've learnt that the other riff I know is Sunshine of Your Love. Another r3ok educational moment. Or does the opening of Foxy Lady count? In which case, er, it seems I know three riffs.  Undecided And for only one of them do I know the actual song.  Embarrassed

What makes a riff a riff then?
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burning dog
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« Reply #11 on: 01:47:48, 29-07-2008 »
Quote from: oliver sudden on 01:31:21, 29-07-2008

What makes a riff a riff then?

I'd say a lot of those Hendrix things are opening motifs, riffs go on and on, riffs used to carry on under solos in  big bands like Ellingtons C jam blues
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oliver sudden
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« Reply #12 on: 01:52:28, 29-07-2008 »
Quote from: burning dog on 01:47:48, 29-07-2008
I'd say a lot of those Hendrix things are opening motifs, riffs go on and on

Oooo Foxy Lady goes on and on doesn't it?

<reaches for iPod, returns 3'15" later>... hm, now if that isn't going on and on I don't know what is.  Smiley

dum dum dwee     dum dum dwee     dum dum dwee     dum dum dum dum dum dum dwee     dum dum dwee     dum dum dwee     dum dum dum dum dum dum dwee     dum dum dwee     dum dum dwee     dum dum dum dum dum dum dwee     dum dum dwee     dum dum dwee     dum dum dum dum
« Last Edit: 01:56:35, 29-07-2008 by oliver sudden » Logged
burning dog
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« Reply #13 on: 02:03:05, 29-07-2008 »
Im pretty bad at titles of tunes

listens to Foxy lady - yes thats a riff Grin

 Voodo Chile is a motif I'd say

Edit - Hendrix plays Voodoo AND Sunshine... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22eubaCUNJU

but the motif sometimes is taken up by the bass and becomes a bass riff? Different stlyes have different names I guess . then its usually called a bass figure (or ostinato if its a really posh arranger/composer!) in jazz as opposed to walking bass
« Last Edit: 02:33:49, 29-07-2008 by burning dog » Logged
Ian Pace
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« Reply #14 on: 03:51:37, 29-07-2008 »
Well, when listening to the riff from this....

this comes to mind.....

(as others, including the bass guitarist of the latter (which came first) have pointed out)
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'These acts of keeping politics out of music, however, do not prevent musicology from being a political act . . .they assure that every apolitical act assumes a greater political immediacy' - Philip Bohlman, 'Musicology as a Political Act'
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