TOP 20 ELECTRIC GUITAR INTROS OF ALL TIME 

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This guy has more guitars than I have plates.

For all companies or producers that are blocking Rick, you’ve lost your way. This is a celebration of great music. Not a rip.

Considering the impact and weight of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" (one of rhe most important riffs in rock history), it really needs to be mentioned

Fun fact: Eric Clapton didn’t write the riff from sunshine of your love, it was cream’s bassist Jack Bruce that wrote it after attending a jimi Hendrix experience concert

This video is a Guitar Center employees living nightmare.

20. Limelight - Rush 0:38 19. Day Tripper - The Beatles 1:12 18. Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas 1:46 17. Sunshine Of Your Love - Cream 2:26 16. Money For Nothing - Dire Straits 2:52 15. Aqualung - Jethro Tull 3:22 14. Do You Feel Like We Do - Peter Frampton 3:53 13. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - Van Halen 4:42 12. Iron Man - Black Sabbath 5:20 11. Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden 5:39 10. Enter Sandman - Metallica 6:15 9. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd 6:40 8. Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple 7:18 7. Don't Fear The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult 7:46 6. Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones 8:20 5. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix 8:55 4. Heartbreaker - Led Zeppelin 9:47 3. Back In Black - AC/DC 10:16 2. Layla - Eric Clapton 10:48 1. Hard Days Night - The Beatles 14:17 [Honorable Mentions] Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones 11:29 Long Cool Woman - The Hollies 11:37 Hells Bells - AC/DC 11:53 Josie - Steely Dan 12:05 Message In A Bottle - The Police 12:21 Walk This Way - Aerosmith 12:37 Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix 12:48 Spoonman - Soundgarden 12:56 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana 13:05 Everlong - Foo Fighters 13:17 Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses 13:49

I wish "Cult of Personality" by Living Color made the list. What a killer riff.

I really feel like Billy Squier's "Lonely is the night" is one of the most unique intros and deserves a spot on this list.

Wow thanks for including my rendition of Sweet Child O' Mine at 13:50! I'm flattered!

I love that we can all recognize Sweet Child O Mine even when it’s intentionally played wrong. Iconic.

Can’t you hear me knocking, is the greatest rock electric intro ever

What I love about these videos is that Rick the guitarist is not alone and Rick the producer is here too making the sound on every intro a near perfect reproduction of the original!

This guy looks like a rock n roll Anthony Bourdain

"Crazy Train" deserves a spot on the list.

The Birds , Turn , Turn , Turn!! It's the most classic intro ever!!!! I know Pete Seger wrote it but, the intro that The Birds did is so iconic. It's timeless!!! I can't believe it was not on the list 🤯

The "one" chord intro gives goosebumps.. Awesome work Rick.

As soon as we clicked on this video we knew layla was gonna be here

This guy is amazing, the way he breaks down songs and sounds is very clever, he also plays multiple instruments, I was a musician back in the day and it's impressive what Rick does on his channel. Thank you.

Just like your acoustic Top 20, these are all spot-on. Every one of BOTH these lists is a work of art WITHOUT the song that follows, but they instantly lock your mind into "playback mode" of the whole song in your head. I personally had to personally pause every time to let my full playback roll, so I wouldnt cut it off in my head. Art just cant be ignored, even in remembrance.

Crazy Train is one of the most recognized electric guitar riffs of all time and should be high on this list.

I can't help but feel like The Animals' House of the Rising Sun should be on one of these lists.

Both Kinks songs of 1965---"You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night"

Rick I don’t know how you can’t put No One Like You on this list. Scorpions. Incredible intro to a phenomenal song. Doesn’t get much better!

0:37 limelight rush 1:13 day tripper the Beatles 1:46 carry on my wayward son kansas 2:26 sunshine of your love cream 2:52 money for nothing dire straits 3:23 aqualung jethro Tull 3:54 do you feel like we do Peter frampton 4:42 ain’t talkin bout love van halen (RIP) 5:21 ejshyshtshsgyBdhahdyabhznah 5:40 black hole sun soundgarden 6:16 enter sandman metallica 6:40 sweet home Alabama lynyrd Skynrd 7:19 smoke on the water deep purple 7:45 don’t fear the reaper blue oyster cult

Way too focused on Classic Rock, that he forgot the mother of guitar intros, and the only possible #1: Johnny B Goode

I love this! Great way to way up this morning to Rick’s top 20 guitar intros. I’m inspired to pick one and work on it.

'Saturday's Alright For Fighting'--you know you are in for a rocking good tune that never lets up

Intro to Johnny B Goode should definitely be number one. It set the stage for everything. Cannot believe its not even on the list.

The intro to Under the Bridge is what sold that entire band.

Thank you as always, Rick. All great songs. I’m kinda surprised The Spirit of Radio didn’t make the list.

'Money' - Pink Floyd 'Barracuda' - Heart 'Hotel California' - Eagles 'China Grove' - Doobie Brothers Some of my favorites that I think could be in the top 10.

Voodoo Chile with the wah. That would have been my Hendrix pick. The opening is just so iconic. Thought that was where he was going when he pulled out the wah.

The fact that “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” is not on here is a crime

Rick, just watching and hearing you play, I can truthfully say, is the highlight of my day.

So satisfying to still see this video up after 4yrs. ❤❤❤

Rock ‘n Roll demands a Top 100 Electric Guitar Intros at the very least. My #1 Electric Guitar intro will forever be Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode. That intro changed my life when I first heard it at 11 years old.

I just want to have a beer with this dude and talk about Pink Floyd... And the Doors... And Led Zeppelin...

I expected to see Voodoo Child at least in the honorable mentions part of the video. It would be surely in a memorable top 20 wah-wah guitar intros of all time.

A friend told me about your RU-vid channel tonight, so I looked you up and chose this video as the first one to watch. I LOVED it! And there were a few intros on your list that I've never played. So I'm going to go back and watch it again, with guitar in hand, and learn the intro to "Josie", and whichever others I don't already know. I love that you included "Hell's Bells"! I have fond memories of playing that song outside in my backyard, at top volume, when I was 18. 😅

"You Really Got Me" by The Kinks, from 1964, should be here because it was one of the first time deliberately distorted guitar was allowed on a record. In fact, because the song pre-dates the fuzz box, its sound was created by deliberately slicing the speaker of a guitar amp. The song went straight to the U.K. #1, and changed rock forever. It is even the basis of a great sequence in "Pirate Radio" (U.S. title) that dramatizes the impact of song across all classes in Britain.

Voodoo Child sittin' over here like "Am I a joke to you?" Great list.

For those of you who don't know, "A Hard Day's Night"'s intro has finally been deciphered. An amateur enthusiast found out that the missing link is piano chord that's played along with the guitar riff. After he published his conclusion, it was officially recgonized (I'm not sure by whom exactly) that indeed, it was a piano chord and that George Martin played it! :^D

Rick, you lived in my time and luxuriated in the same music. I taught myself guitar at age 15, the ultimate wannabe, but I just don't have the talent. I've gigged enough to know something about the life, just a taste. Bonus: you provide the education that I used to dream of. To you, my utmost gratitude!!!

I would've mentioned "Misirlou" by Dick Dale and I'm really surprised not to see the intro riff that TRULY defined rock and roll guitar, "Johnny B. Goode."

Honestly, you could do a top 20 for each decade.

Heat Of The Moment may not be a top 20 but it was certainly an extremely recognizable and iconic guitar intro.

Van Halen- Take Your Whisky Home. The acoustic and electric part just Rocks

"House of the Rising Sun" is the most recognized electric guitar intro of all time. Growing up in the Vietnam War in Vietnam as a youngster, I already came across the song & never will forget it. It still is the most recognizable song around the world this day. You actually can sing "Amazing Grace" to the tune of the song.

On every single one of these, I began to add basslines, tambourines, keyboards, drums, vocals, cowbells, etc. in my mind.

I'd definitely have The Byrds -- Mr Tambourine Man on my list. Roger McGuinn's Rickenbacker 12 string is very distinctive.

Great list. Here's my list of favourites: "That Song" by Big Wreck "Green River" and "Suzy Q" by CCR "Shine" by Collective Soul "You Really Got Me" by the Kinks "Mercury Blues" by David Lindley "Listen to the Music" and "Long Train Running" by Doobie Brothers "Two Tickets to Paradise" by Eddie Money "Bad to the Bone" by George Thorogood & the Destroyers "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" by the Hollies "Four Day Creep" and "I Don't Need No Doctor" by Humble Pie "Who Knows" by Band of Gypsies (Jimi Hendrix) and "Voodoo Child" (Jimi Hendrix) "Double Dealing" by Lucky Peterson "Band on the Run" by Paul McCartney & Wings "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum "Bridge of Sighs" by Robin Trower "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" by the Rolling Stones "Brother Down" by the Sam Roberts Band "The Wrong Time" by Spooky Tooth "Reelin' in the Years" by Steely Dan "Born to be Wild" by Steppenwolf

You could do a Top 100 and still someone would say: 'Where is....?'

Under the Bridge Spirit of Radio Thunderstruck Snow (hey oh) Castles Made of Sand Johnny B Goode La Bamba Runnin Down a Dream Mean Street Ziggy Stardust Welcome to the Jungle

Man. I don’t think I’ve ever been shocked at something you left out. I can’t believe Crazy Train, Magic Man and Stranglehold weren’t in the Top 5.

Sweet home Alabama. Listen to it when I head out on my motorcycle in the Florida sun. It’s pure Gold.

Rick: I named my daughter after a song... Me:cool Rick:Hammer Smashed Face come here!

The Smiths - "How Soon Is Now?" Johnny Marr's signature tremolo/delay intro is hypnotic.

Hello, super format ! Ayant été à ce même concert, je ne peux que valider absolument toute ton analyse. Bravo et merci pour tes vidéos au top ! 😎

I'm only 35. Born in 1988, but raised between a mother born in 62 and a father born in 42... I was raised o. The classic rock and this video makes my heart so happy. Not at all what I was looking for. I was looking for a specific notable rift from an 80s classic rock ballad that's featured in a Ghost song. But I'm glad I made it here.

Idiots (blockers) don't realize Rick is doing a great job of PROMOTING their music for FREE!

Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman" deserves at least an honorable mention. Iconic riff.

Love listening to your videos. You always play my favorite songs especially the Beatles! Thank you! 💪mrwtby

Radar love by Golden Earring is one of my favourites because it's so simple it's fabulous! but probably my all time favourite is Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin. Can't believe you haven't got Oh Well Part One by Fleetwood Mac on your list.

Limelight is what came to mind when I saw the RU-vid notification for this video. Fitting it would be the first song on the vid.

Whenever I’m having a bad day, and I come home and see that rick beato uploaded a video, it changes everything around and reminds me of how amazing music is! Rock on Rick 🤘

REO Speedwagon "Keep Pushin' " Simple, straight and in your face! Love it!

Love your channel man!!

I'm honestly a little shocked that Chuck Berry's Johhny B. Goode didn't make the list. That intro is beyond iconic. Also, Dick Dales Misirlou is shockingly absent. Another one of the most iconic guitar intros of all time.

The first 4 seconds of "You Really Got Me" by the Kinks would be my addition.

When you said the #1 intro was just one chord I knew right away! Great list.

There are so many candidates.... your choices were great. I have to say that I laughed out loud at some moments, especially the single-chord #1. Well done!

Can't believe johnny b goode by Chuck Berry isn't on here, I mean it's one of the first iconic electric guitar intros and solos for that matter.

"Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2 "You Really Got Me" (The Kinks or Van Halen would suffice) "Revolution" by the Beatles

Great list. Long Cool Woman was the first riff I learned. China Grove merits a mention.

Totally agree with number one… with the entire list. Just subscribed to your channel

How is no one even mentioning "Whole Lotta Love?"

You could have easily made this a top 100 and still had to leave off some GREAT intros.

Under the bridge intro is extremely recognizable and unique sounding to and it is one of my absolute favorites

I like this video very much. As I see it, the guitar intro n. 1 is simply brilliant!

Starting with Rush ensures the quality of this video.

Anyone who says life is fair, Rick proves that false: Amazing talent while I have none, and amazing hair while I have none.

After having watched this series I realize one thing. I was born in 1955, and consider myself blessed to have lived through rock and roll's entire glory.

It’s like saying “this is the most beautiful flower”. All beautiful…no rating of sublimity.

I'd like to add Ram Jam's "Black Betty" to this list. That opening riff is just INSANELY GOOD!

Steely Dan’s ‘Reeling in the Years’ is a personal fav of mine.

You playing Black hole Sun gave me goosebumps

ALWAYS quality playing and information

One song that could also be on the list is Heart's "Barracuda", the intro is amazing

Almost fell out of the bed laughing at Rick's face during the riff that can't be played on RU-vid!

Glad intro to Hells Bells was played, best on back in black for me! Fun video and I love and get addicted to all your videos. Oh, and Snowblind also.

Lots of fun here . These are songs and intros that will live forever

I still say “Thunderstruck” AC/DC is one of the best guitar intro’s out there!

I could hear the cowbell in my head.

Some of the best guitar intros came from the first wave of punk. Sheena is a Punk Rocker, Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've), God Save the Queen, London Calling, and countless more.

The Gino Vannelli´s one is the best. What a combination of melodic line and jazzy harmony. That´s amazing!

I've always loved the guitar intro for Rush's "Spirit of Radio". It's incredibly iconic.

Heartbreaker is the song that made me want to play guitar. Right on.

rick , its fun just watching you play all these riffs ans it goes by fast !!!

That is one impressive guitar collection sir 😮‍💨🔥