π΅ Musicπ₯ Toplijstπ³ 13 votes
Which British guitar riff makes you air-guitar every single time?
Some riffs are stitched into the national DNA β the second they kick in, pints raise and necks start nodding. Rank these iconic British riffs by which one still gets under your skin the most.
Put the items in your preferred order.
A
Whole Lotta Love β Led Zeppelin
Jimmy Page's riff is pure hip-swinging menace, the sound of British rock deciding it owned the world. Fifty-odd years on, it still feels borderline indecent.
B
Smoke on the Water β Deep Purple
Blackmore's riff is the universal 'I've just picked up a guitar in Argos' anthem. Mock it all you like β you're humming it now.
C
Song 2 β Blur
Coxon's fuzzed-out riff turned an anti-American joke into the most American-sounding song of the 90s. Woo-hoo indeed.
D
Seven Nation Army... wait, try Paranoid β Black Sabbath
Tony Iommi lost fingertips in a Birmingham steelworks and still churned out the riff that birthed heavy metal. Beat that, Nashville.
E
Last Nite β nope, I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor β Arctic Monkeys
That jagged opening riff announced a new British era in about three seconds flat. Indie discos have never recovered.
Drag the photo to reorder
