[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] (31–40)
Whole Lotta LoveLed Zeppelin
As the guitarist and mastermind of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page created a slew of riffs that each stand as a masterpiece in rock history.
Debates over which guitar riff is the greatest are endless among fans, and picking just one is nearly impossible.
That said, let’s spotlight the riff from Whole Lotta Love, released in 1969, which topped the “Greatest Riffs of All Time” lists compiled by American and British guitar magazines in 2021.
Known in Japan by its title Mune Ippai no Ai o, this iconic song opens with a main guitar riff that is remarkably short and compact, yet its heavy impact—achieved through clever use of the open sixth string—has been highly acclaimed as a pioneering hard rock riff that shaped the 1970s and beyond.
It’s the kind of riff every aspiring rock guitarist should try at least once—truly worthy of the title “greatest riff of all time.” Along with the tense, dynamic band interplay in the latter half that masterfully contrasts calm and intensity, it’s sure to stun today’s kids who are setting out to become rock guitarists in the 2020s.
Tie Your Mother DownQueen
This is a work by Queen, the rock band that represents the United Kingdom.
The guitar used by Queen’s guitarist, Brian May, is a one-of-a-kind instrument carved from wood that had been used in a fireplace, and the richly layered sound created through multitrack recording made the group an overnight sensation.
Are You Gonna Go My WayLenny Kravitz
Since it’s been used in Japanese commercials, I bet many of you will recognize it as soon as you hear the intro.
Lenny Kravitz’s signature song, Are You Gonna Go My Way—known in Japanese as “Shuttle Run to Freedom”—might just be the king of guitar riffs.
It’s incredibly catchy, the tone is killer, and above all, it just keeps repeating! How many times is that same phrase played in a single track? Kravitz is a master of cool guitar effects, so I recommend listening through his albums and hunting for other great guitar riffs beyond this song.
Killing In the NameRage Against The Machine
One of Rage Against the Machine’s signature songs, “Killing in the Name,” became instantly famous for its simple yet strikingly memorable guitar riff.
Tom Morello, known as a guitarist who introduced an innovative style, employs a uniquely original technique that goes beyond the bounds of a typical rock guitarist—his playing is truly revolutionary, shaking the hearts of listeners.
Many guitarists have been influenced by the heavy sound created with drop-D tuning and by the rhythm-driven riff that somehow exudes a supple groove.
Be sure to check out the astonishing guitar solo as well, showcasing playing so unexpected that an ordinary person would never think of it.
The TrooperIron Maiden
Guitar riffs are used across all genres, and the riffs in metal are packed with fantastic phrases too.
Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” is a classic that delivers an irresistible sense of driving rhythm from the very intro.
The intro riff alone is something you’ll want to replay over and over.
This phrase, played with two guitars in harmony, is the kind of coveted line any guitarist would want to master as a harmonized part—an aspirational riff, you could say.