[Western Music] A Compilation of the Coolest, Most Rocking Guitar Riffs [2025]

MisirlouDick Dale & The Del Tones

Dick Dale & The Del Tones “Misirlou” 1963

Dick Dale & His Del-Tones, the band featuring Dick Dale—whom Jimi Hendrix, known as the guitar god, openly cited as an influence.

Their 1962 smash hit Misirlou is a track defined by its impactful guitar riff using tremolo picking.

The thrilling guitar work and stylish ensemble create a distinctive sense of tension throughout the song.

It’s an instrumental number with a comfortably classic rock sound, beloved across generations.

Summertime BluesThe Who

The Who- Summertime Blues

Alongside The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, The Who are recognized as one of the UK’s quintessential rock bands.

Their rendition of “Summertime Blues,” known as a cover of Eddie Cochran’s classic, is widely regarded as a cornerstone of rockabilly.

The catchy, syncopated guitar riff is simple yet serves as the defining feature of the song.

It’s a timeless track with an irresistibly groovy feel that makes you want to move, and it has been covered by countless artists up to the present day.

Sweet Home AlabamaLynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama

A song by Lynyrd Skynyrd, a Southern rock band that brings the musicality of the American South—country, boogie, blues, and R&B—to the forefront.

Released as a single from their 1974 second album, Second Helping, it became the band’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached their career-high No.

8.

The clean guitar phrases, layered in a somewhat rustic yet beautiful harmony, feel soothing and evoke the vast landscapes of the American South.

It’s a track that reveals a different kind of guitar appeal from more mainstream rock.

rock bottomUFO

UFO – Phenomenon – 05 – Rock Bottom (1974)

This is a song by UFO, the band that German guitarist Michael Schenker—famous for wielding a Flying V—joined after the Scorpions.

The track appears on Phenomenon, an album released during the band’s peak.

I think it’s a cool song that combines a heavy sound with the driving energy of rock.

Another one of their signature songs, Doctor Doctor, is also on the same album.

Can’t StopRed Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can’t Stop [Official Music Video]

Speaking of Red Hot Chili Peppers guitar riffs, plenty of phrases come to mind, but this time I’m introducing Can’t Stop.

It’s a classic where a crisp, clean-tone riff meshes perfectly with the vocals.

The contrast between that punchy verse and the mellowness of the chorus is incredible—that dynamic range is what makes the song feel so good.

The rhythm section—the bass and drums grooving underneath—feels amazing too, and really makes the riff stand out.

Day TripperThe Beatles

The Beatles – Day Tripper (Official Video)

When it comes to Beatles songs with cool guitar riffs, isn’t “Day Tripper” the one that comes to mind? The riff, featuring George Harrison’s distinctive guitar, might have seemed quite unconventional for its time, but it went on to become a classic covered by many musicians, and its influence is immeasurable.

Johnny B GoodChuck Berry

Chuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode [HQ]

Chuck Berry, a leading figure of ’50s rockabilly, and his masterpiece “Johnny B.

Goode.” That intro and that backing have become synonymous with the very essence of rock ’n’ roll.

The distorted guitar, the piano tone, and that twisting bass line—just irresistible.

The song isn’t a refrain in the strict sense, so calling it a “famous phrase” rather than a refrain might be more accurate, but in any case, it’s a track you’ll want to listen to again and again!