OT: Songs with great guitar riffs | Page 4 | The Boneyard

OT: Songs with great guitar riffs

I did not live here in Alabama when this song was written. And in 1977 George Wallace was the governor . There was a law against consecutive terms in the state back then, but he was serving his third term. He went on to serve a fourth term later , having run unsuccessfully for President of the United States several times. Governor Wallace was serving his final years in office when I moved to the Birmingham area in 1985. I have no idea whether the band members loved him, but there were many in Alabama that did. Beyond that, I always understood the lyrics to read "boo,hoo, hoo " rather than boo,boo,boo. And that seems to fit into the tone of rebuke to Neil Young that the song espouses. In spite of all that hooey, I like the song and it has withstood the test of time rather well. I must also add a disclaimer, stating that I have been wrong on lyrics many times before. But to answer the song's main question, my conscience does not bother me, even though Watergate did.
The band members said the chorus was "Boo boo boo"...which makes more sense with the follow-up verse, "We all did what we could do..."
 
Even Andrew Lloyd Webber can write a riff.

Heaven On Their Minds - JC Superstar (Carl Anderson)

 
Chicago Transit Authority before Peter Cetera took them all poppy.

Terry Kath riffs a bit while they are getting ready. Very distinguishable riff comes in at the 1:00 mark. Stick around for his solo (not a riff) at the 3:00 mark.

25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

 
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Chicago Transit Authority before Peter Cetera took them all poppy.

Terry Kath riffs a bit while they are getting ready. Very distinguishable riff comes in at the 1:00 mark. Stick around for his solo (not a riff) at the 3:00 mark.

25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago



I loved Chicago. Always thought they should have hung it up after Kath's death. Ditto The Who after Keith Moon passed.
 
If you haven't heard this one, you probably haven't been to a sporting event. (yea, there are actually words to it )

Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

 
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One could choose any of several from Ry Cooder, but I love the opening riff in this one (and I need a Woman, from much later). The accompaniment and slide solo are both to die for, too.

 
The riff isn't jaw dropping, but it's really signature Robert Fripp. This is amazing because it's at the same time minimalistic and incredibly complex. There are more than two guitar lines going in the middle/end. I assume Tony Levin is carrying one on the Stick, but I think Fripp is also playing a little bit of a two-part fugue. This is one I can never get over, and I can't believe they could play it live.

 
I thought this thread shouldn't end without including this classic....(I just read a post where someone said they had never heard it before.)



All our times have come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind the sun or the rain (we can be like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby I'm your man
La-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la-la

Valentine is done
Here but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity (Romeo and Juliet)
40,000 men and women everyday (like Romeo and Juliet)
40,000 men and women everyday (redefine happiness)
Another 40,000 coming everyday (we can be like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby I'm your man
La-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la-la

Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn't go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew then disappeared
The curtains flew then he appeared (saying don't be afraid)
Come on baby (and she had no fear)
And she ran to him (then they started to fly)
They looked backward and said goodbye (she had become like they are)
She had taken his hand (she had become like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
Lyrics taken from <a href="DON'T FEAR THE REAPER Lyrics - BLUE OYSTER CULT | eLyrics.net">this page</a>

Blue Öyster Cult – (Don't Fear) The Reaper Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
 
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One could choose any of several from Ry Cooder, but I love the opening riff in this one (and I need a Woman, from much later). The accompaniment and slide solo are both to die for, too.


Is I need a Woman a song, or just a personal plea? Your meaning is unclear! ;)
 
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Don't think that I have seen a triple neck "guitar" before but in the studio version, I am pretty sure Richie used a dual neck if he didn't use a traditional axe...
 
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I think I posted the original; here’s one of the best xovers of a Robert Johnson song, courtesy of John Kay, lead singer of Steppenwolf:

 
Warning: necro-thread.

I just cam across this; Richard Thompson doing a really widely performed traditional Irish song. The guitar work is amazing. Song starts a minute or two in, after some banter and tuning.

 
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