Among the many unforgettable guitar riffs throughout rock history, one has now claimed the top spot as the “Best Guitar Riff of All Time.” Nirvana’s iconic 1991 hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” has been named the ultimate guitar riff by UDiscoverMusic, a platform owned by Universal Music Group.
As noted by UDiscoverMusic, Kurt Cobain, the band’s frontman, admitted that his goal was to craft the “ultimate pop song.” In a 1994 interview with Rolling Stone, he confessed, “I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies. I have to admit it.” Ironically, the Pixies, who influenced the track, did not make the list of top guitar riffs.
Rounding out the top ten guitar riffs (from second to tenth place) are:
- Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B Goode” (1958)
- The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)
- Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water” (1972)
- Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1988)
- Link Wray’s “Rumble” (1958)
- Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” (1969)
- The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Purple Haze” (1967)
- ZZ Top’s “La Grange” (1973)
- The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” (1964)
Other notable guitar riffs that made it beyond the top ten include:
- Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” (1991)
- Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” (1980)
- AC/DC’s “Back In Black” (1980)
- Queen’s “Killer Queen” (1974)
- Heart’s “Barracuda” (1977)
- Bonnie Raitt’s “Something To Talk About” (1991)
And many others.
Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” continues to dominate rock music’s legacy, securing its place as a defining track of the genre with its unforgettable riff.
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