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

A guitar riff is an element that holds a particularly important place in genres like rock, hard rock, and metal.

It has a different kind of appeal from a guitar solo, and some riffs leave such a strong impression that they define the entire image of a song.

From intricate passages that showcase a player’s technique to ones built from simple chords, rock lovers each have their own “favorite guitar riffs.”

In this article, we introduce legendary guitar riffs that have marked the history of Western rock music, including popular tracks from recent years.

We hope young guitar kids will also find inspiration—enjoy this collection of brilliant riffs!

Playlist

[Western Music] A Compilation of the Coolest, Most Rocking Guitar Riffs [2025]
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastWelcome To The JungleGuns N’ RosesEnjoying worldwide popularity in the late 1980s, the curre…
2eastEat The RichAerosmithWith numerous awards including the Grammy Awards, …
3eastKill The KingRainbowRitchie Blackmore, who left Deep Purple, bl...
4eastSmells Like Teen SpiritNirvanaThe music scene of the 1990s was dominated by this powerhouse…
5eastLivin’ On A PrayerBon JoviAs a representative band of American hard rock, ...
6eastIron ManBlack SabbathCharacterized by a heavy, striking guitar riff, this work...
7eastDetroit Rock CityKISSWith distinctive face paint and flamboyant costumes t...
8eastStairway to HeavenLed ZeppelinA legendary rock band that represents the United Kingdom and...
9eastSay It Ain’t SoWeezerThis piece is packed full of the allure of guitar riffs...
10eastSweet Child o’ MineGuns N’ RosesSince the release of their debut album in 1987...
11eastWalkPanteraA guitar riff with overwhelming heft and aggression...
12eastMr. BrightsideThe KillersSharp guitar riffs and a driving, fast-paced beat leave a strong impression...
13eastBack in BlackAC/DCLegendary hard rock band AC/DC. A…
14eastSmoke On The WaterDeep PurpleEven now that the 2020s have passed, the music shop still...
15eastInterstate Love SongStone Temple PilotsStarting with a captivating guitar riff, this track...
16eastZiggy StardustDavid BowieKnown as an iconic presence of glam rock, …
17eastMisery BusinessParamoreAt the 2024 Grammy Awards, “Best R…
18eastCome Out and PlayThe OffspringConsidered one of the greatest guitar riffs in rock history…
19eastBlack Hole SunSoundgardenAn impressive guitar riff that radiates an overwhelming presence...
20eastPurple HazeJimi HendrixThe god of the guitar, Jimi Hendrix. He…
21east20th Centry BoyT-REXAs the main theme of the film '20th Century Boys'...
22eastDo I Wanna Know?Arctic MonkeysSince its 2013 release, it has been making waves in the rock scene...
23eastZITTI E BUONIMåneskin“ZIT…” is memorable for its cool guitar riff.
24eastBurnDeep PurpleKnown as a leading figure in hard rock bands, ...
25eastImmigrant SongLed ZeppelinThe pioneers of genres like hard rock and metal...
26eastG.O.A.T.PolyphiaThe most popular instrumental ba…
27eastWalk This WayAerosmithNo, a body that starts moving again if you just press the play button one more time…
28eastKilling In the NameRage Against The MachineA signature song by Rage Against the Machine…
29eastAre You Gonna Go My WayLenny KravitzSince they’ve also been featured in Japanese commercials, this i…
30eastTie Your Mother DownQueenQueen, the rock band that represents the United Kingdom…
31eastFuture WorldHelloweenIn 2017, the members from the golden era made a sensational comeback…
32eastSunshine of Your LoveCreamCream’s “Sunshine of Yo…"
33eastSatisfactionThe Rolling StonesI wonder what the most famous guitar riff in the world is...
34eastLaylaDerek and the DominosThe guitar riff in the intro, which is extremely famous, ...
35eastWhole Lotta LoveLed ZeppelinLed Zeppelin’s guitarist and mastermind…
36eastCrazy TrainOzzy OsbourneBlack Sabbath’s vocalist and solo ar…
37eastMoney For NothingDire StraitsFrom 'Money For Nothing'...
38eastEnter SandmanMetallicaWith total album sales surpassing 100 million, ...
39eastThe TrooperIron MaidenGuitar riffs are used across genres...
40eastDon’t Look Back In AngerOasisBee..., the legendary rock band from the UK...
41eastScuttle Buttin’Stevie Ray VaughanA globally renowned technical virtuoso in the rock guitar scene…
42eastMessage In A BottleThe PoliceThe band Sting was a member of, The Poli...
43eastMisirlouDick Dale & The Del TonesDick Dale, a pioneer of surf rock
44eastSummertime BluesThe WhoA classic song by a rock band that represents the United Kingdom
45eastSweet Home AlabamaLynyrd SkynyrdCountry, boogie, blues, and R&B, and so on...
46eastrock bottomUFOA German guitarist wielding a Flying V...
47eastCan’t StopRed Hot Chili PeppersThe Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitar...
48eastDay TripperThe BeatlesAmong the Beatles' songs, the guitar riff is cool...
49eastJohnny B GoodChuck BerryChuck Be…, a leading figure of 1950s rockabilly
50eastBlack NightDeep PurpleSince their debut in 1968, despite numerous member...
51eastI Fought The LawThe ClashSex Pistols、The Damn…
52eastAnarchy In The U.KSEX PISTOLSCounted among the three major punk bands of the UK...
53eastBorn To Be WildSteppenwolfA film that depicts the American hippie movement…
54eastDecadence DanceExtremeThere are also “I tried playing it” videos from various countries on YouTube...
55eastAmerican IdiotGreen DayInducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, G...
56eastSame DirectionHoobastankTheir debut album suddenly went platinum…
57eastBrianstormArctic MonkeysMade a sensational debut in 2005, 0...
58eastDiamond HeadThe VenturesKnown as the pioneer of surf music, Di…
59eastOwner Of Lonley HeartYESA band that laid the foundation of progressive rock...
60eastGreen-Tinted Sixties MindMr. BIGEach part is among the best in the world…
61eastVertigoU2U2's signature song, with a powerful rock sound
62eastMy SharonaThe KnackA promo that evokes the early Beatles…
63eastSeven Nation ArmyThe White StripesAt the 2022 Fuji Rock Festival, with a commanding...
64eastYou Really Got MeThe KinksSpeaking of the Kinks’ signature songs, it has to be “You R…
65eastBombtrackRage Against The MachineRage’s songs also have some really cool guitar riffs...
66eastBarracudaHeartSpeaking of guitar riffs that set your heart racing, Wilson...
67eastMarquee MoonTelevisionThis guitar riff, with its bewitchingly mysterious charm, is…
68eastAre You Gonna Be My GirlJetAnnounced to resume activities in 2016, fr…
69eastGuerrilla RadioRage Against The MachineBeloved metal band, Rage Agains…
70eastBeat ItMichael JacksonWhen it comes to guitar riffs, it’s not just rock bands...
71eastScarlet CrossBlack Veil BridesFormed in the U.S. state of Ohio in 2010…
72eastCrossroadsCreamCream’s song is “Sunshine Of …”
73eastTake CoverMr. BIGSo exceptional that every member can take center stage…
74eastReptiliaThe StrokesThe early 2000s were a time when garage rock and post-...
75eastCupid’s DeadExtremeThe metal band Extreme’s song “Cu…”
76eastThem BonesAlice In ChainsThe timeless classic by Alice in Chains, “T…"
77eastHighway TuneGreta Van FleetA song that embodies the unique allure of a guitar riff…
78eastThe Spirit of the RadioRush『The Spirit of the R…
79east(Oh) Pretty WomanRoy OrbisonOriginally active as a TV personality, in 1955…
80eastBlackenedMetallicaAs for Metallica songs with cool guitar riffs...
81eastJingoSantanaAn artist who established the genre of Latin rock...
82eastPanamaVan HalenThe g... said to have revolutionized rock guitar
83eastMy GenerationLimp BizkitAme... famous for having a DJ among its members
84eastBoilermakerRoyal BloodA rock ba… formed in the UK in 2013
85eastSummer Time BluesEddie CochranEde…, a renowned artist from the early days of rock and roll,
86eastMonkey WrenchFoo FightersIt was as if they had spread the genre of grunge across the world...
87eastPinball WizardThe WhoThe The …, who were active from the 1960s to the 1970s
88eastCelebrity SkinHoleThe hit by Hole, led by Courtney Love…
89eastChange The WorldEric ClaptonThe guitar god, Mr. Eric Clapton’s so...
90eastGirlsThe 1975The British pop rock band, The 1…
91eastNo One KnowsQueens of the Stone AgeThe guitar riff magician, Mr. Josh Homme, is…
92eastThis Means WarNickelbackCanada’s alternative and hard rock titan, Ni…
93eastBurdenAs I Lay DyingThe pinnacle of metalcore, As I Lay D...
94eastHoly Wars…The Punishment DueMegadethAlongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax...
95eastUNBØUNDMachine HeadMachine Head, powerful heavy metal
96eastI Got MineThe Black Keys“I Got …,” a song that will etch its name in the history of rock
97eastWe Are Never Ever Getting Back TogetherTaylor SwiftWith her cute looks and singing voice, she has captivated audiences around the world…
98eastCarry OnAngraSa- that gives off a sense of influence from German metal...
99eastProtect The LandSystem Of A DownIn 1994, in Glendale, California…
100eastPapercutLinkin ParkWith cumulative worldwide sales exceeding 100 million copies, the 20th...
101eastPlug in BabyMuseMuse, the British rock trio that the UK proudly presents to the world...
102eastJohn Lblack midiA fresh wind is beginning to blow through the UK rock scene…