[Western Music] A Collection of the Coolest, Most Rocking Guitar Riffs [2026]
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!
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[Western Music] A Compilation of the Coolest, Most Rocking Guitar Riffs [2026] (61–70)
BlackenedMetallica
There are so many Metallica songs with awesome guitar riffs that I can’t decide which one to pick.
Enter Sandman, Battery, Ain’t My Bitch, Creeping Death—there’s no end to the list.
Among them, the one I’ve chosen this time is Blackened, which opens …And Justice for All.
Summer Time BluesEddie Cochran
This is a work by Eddie Cochran, a prominent artist from the early days of rock ’n’ roll.
Although Cochran himself passed away in a plane crash at the height of his career, this song has been covered by many artists, including The Who, and has become a rock ’n’ roll standard.
Seven Nation ArmyThe White Stripes
At Fuji Rock 2022, Jack White—one of the foremost contemporary rock guitarists and singer-songwriters—closed the festival with a commanding performance.
Those who were there, of course, and even music fans who didn’t know Jack White but checked out the stream were likely blown away by the sheer intensity of his playing.
Jack originally made his name as part of The White Stripes, a minimalist male–female rock duo consisting of a guitarist/vocalist and a drummer, and he helped lead the garage rock revival of the 2000s alongside bands like The Strokes.
The song featured in this article, Seven Nation Army, is a classic from his White Stripes era, and it was an undeniable killer tune that he saved for last at Fuji Rock 2022, as mentioned above.
It’s also been used as walk-on music in soccer and in rhythm games, so many people have probably heard it at some point.
The main riff might be mistaken at first listen for a bass line, but it’s actually played on a semi-acoustic guitar with a Whammy pedal dropping the pitch by an octave.
It’s the kind of riff whose extreme simplicity reveals deeper layers the more you play it, so step into Jack’s shoes and give it a try!
VertigoU2
U2 is a rock band that holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by an artist group and has enjoyed long-lasting popularity with a rock sound that evokes the atmosphere of their home country, Ireland.
Vertigo, the lead single from their 11th album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, is a track whose straightforward rock ensemble amps up the energy.
The guitar riff in the intro, which doubles the bass to add thickness, is simple—made up only of power chords—yet its choice of notes is brilliantly memorable.
It’s a stylish rock tune that was also featured in Apple’s iPod commercial.
(Oh) Pretty WomanRoy Orbison
Originally active as a TV personality and making his record debut in 1955, American singer-songwriter Roy Orbison is well known for his song “(Oh) Pretty Woman,” which has been covered by numerous artists including Van Halen and was used as the theme song for the film of the same name.
Its simple yet memorable guitar riff, together with its catchy melody, serves as the defining feature of the track.
It’s an imperishable classic whose charm never fades, even as times change.