Top 10 Greatest Keyboard Riffs in Rock
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- Опубликовано: 27 май 2024
- Top 10 Greatest Keyboard Riffs in Rock
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The great keyboard riffs of the 60s and 70s make an appearance on this list. Beginning with late 70s music and reaching prominence with 80s music and new wave, keyboards and synthesizers were important for the hits of the 70s and the hits of the 80s when bands such as The Who, Rush, Boston, Joy Division, Van Halen, and Journey used amazing keyboard riffs on their songs Baba O'Riley, Subdivisions, Foreplay/Long Time, Love Will Tear Us Apart, Jump and Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).
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I’m glad they added the doors, people forget that the doors had one of the best keyboardist/organist in rock history.
Nobody forgot, one of very influencial bands
Sad part is that it lists Van Halen Jump as 1983 when the album was titled the same as the release year --- 1984
Mojo..... learn the difference between a riff and a solo.
A.D. Stubbs: "Yikes" as in, "Yikes, I've got a massive erection"?
@A.D. yo, if had been in jail with those two guys, I'd definitely smashed them in the shower.
Riff noun
:
a short repeated phrase in popular music and jazz, typically used as an introduction or refrain in a song. Rush's subdivision is not a riff , but a solo
Almost everything from ELP, Deep Purple, Yes, The Doors, Genesis, Atomic Rooster, have great keyboard riffs
Definitely Atomic Rooster, Tomorrow Night etc
In the cage
Elp first😏
Problem is, this song is so.............ya know, cheezy.
Jon Lord’s Lazy is epic.
Roundabout by Yes deserves to be on this list and not just an honorable mention.
roger esposito True.' Six Wives of Henry the Eighth'- live .Then listen to " Rock and Roll Prophet"-awesome.' I Am So Straight, I'm A weirdo."
Agree; I was assuming it was going to be #1 or #2 when I started watching.
@@publiusvelocitor4668 Same. I could hear it in my head before I could remember the name.
I am. Agree. Yes deserves the first place
There's quite a few Yes tracks with awesome keyboard riffs: as mentioned "Roundabout", Starship Trooper, Awaken, Perpetual Change, Your's is no disgrace, The Fish(Schindleria Praemeturus), Heart Of The Sunrise.
I guess The Final Countdown is too European for WM.
I see what you did there.
that song should have been at least top 3
I watched this vid a couple hours ago, heard it on the radio and could not figure out why it wasn't number one. I knew that song before I knew what songs were.
When I saw the title of this video, I knew Final Countdown was in there. Man was I sadly wrong.
The Final Countdown is just as good as any of Swedish successful hair/pop-rock song, you can't put a whole country on that list.
Ozzy Osbourne's Mr. Crowley.
It's basically "top 10 keyboard parts in rock", and not "riffs".
Final Countdown? Most iconic keyboard riff of all time? Actually a riff?
Agree! Totally absurd!
Me temo que la mayoría de los puestos ni siquiera son riffs, la verdad no me gusta final count down pero admito que ese si es un riff de teclado
Maybe they count it as pop?
its jump by van halen and we all know it
Nah final countdown is kinda lame
the organ solo in House of the Rising Sun should've definitely been on this list. As epic as it is though, Baba O'Riley is well placed at n1. That keyboard riff is just insane. It's the very first thing you hear on the very first track on "Who's Next". Just legendary, known the world over. The entire song is literally a rock n' roll anthem.
Completely agree on both ends of the comment. Anthemic Baba O'Riley, but the Animals should have had a song on the list.
I love both The Who and The Animals, but the list here is for riffs, not solos
The Baba O'Riley keyboard riff is actually created by a Lowrey home organ from the 1970's with a feature called Marimba Repeat.
I've always heard that the "keyboard" sounds on Who's Next were actually synthesized drums, created by Keith Moon.
Difficult to disagree with that.
Ina-gada-da vida belongs in the top three, for sure.
My thought exactly!
I mean, Joy Division??? What the heck...
Did you know that at 11:23 of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, the organ part is actually God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman. Go listen!
Nice!
Absolutely! Great song by a great band that didn't get near the respect they should have!
"Cars" by Gary Numan used multiple synthesizers! And I think Dire Straits "Walk of Life" has a pretty memorable keyboard line as well!
as well as The Cars' Bye Bye love. Oh and don't leave out Genesis Abacab. Who Ra.
I'm astonished there was no mention of Procol Harum's Whiter Shade of Pale.... Simply astonished.
Ridiculous!
@w1ngsfly Don't be astonished, this is WatchMojo fer fucks sake. I doubt their research goes beyond MTV
It's not rock!
Bushy's Barefoot Bar yes it is, it’s rock soul
@@nickj7335 No Baroque pop. PH are more known as a prog rock band though.
By far the greatest keyboard riff is A Whiter Shade Of Pale by Procol Harum. So Iconic that a copyright suit made its way to the House Of Lords court in England.
I agree 100 %
I thought it would be number 1 too. I think whiter shade of pale sold more singles than this list combined.
A great riff, but...isn't a rock song, is a oldie romantic ballad.There are a lot of awesome legendary riffs on another musical styles:
Abba - Gimme gimme
OMD - Enola Gay
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams, etc
Yeah, I missed that too
@@gamusin2044 - Quite right. You might even include Cars by Gary Newman, Einstein-a-go-go by Landscape and a whole slew of others if you're going to broaden this to other genres.
#11 Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
#12 I'll Wait - Van Halen
#13 Sunset Grill - Don Henley
#14 Cars - Gary Neuman
#15 Destination Unknown -Missing Persons
#16 Kid's In America - Kim Wild
#17 Don't You Want Me - Human League
#18 Man Made - A Flock Of Seagulls
#19 Draw Of The Cards - Kim Carnes
#20 Twilight - Electric Light Orchestra
and so on and so on and so on and so on....
#21 So On - P.M. Dawn
#22 Funky Town - Lips Inc.
#23 Body Language - Queen
#24 Keep Feeling Fascination - Human League
#25 State Of Independence - Donna Summer (Yes cover)
#26 In The Air Tonight - Genesis
#27 You Belong To The City - Glen Frey
#27 Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer
#28 Wind Him Up - Saga
#29 Africa - Toto
#30 Shock The Monkey - Peter Gabriel
#31 Take On Me - A-ha!
#32 Power Of Love - Huey Lewis And The News
#33 West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys
I don't understand why Green Onions - Booker T & the MG's isn't on this list... it's so iconic.
"Light My Fire" is the greatest hook up break up makeup Revenge sex song ever
LOL okay......
It is?
Half of these could have been Deep Purple and the other half The Doors.
Philtration Thanks man, this sentences was exactly what I was looking for. Ray Manzarak is in my opinion the best musician ever.
All of it could have been the doors
Riders on the Storm has a great keyboard riff.
Truth!
Yeah the title should have read "top 10 most recognizable keyboard riffs"
Ray manzarek was actually a jazz/blues guys taking advantage of the emerging rock and roll trend at that time which was slowly becoming more and more experimental. So luckily for him he even got to do a couple of jazz solos on light my fire, when the musica over, riders on the storm, etc He was clearly a smart guy and his abilities far exceeded the actual needs of the band. Ray manzarek and Jim Morrison were fuxking blessings to each other and all of man kind at that. Man the doors wrote so much great material
Dude, you forgot "In a Gadda da Vida" by Iron Butterfly and "Frankenstein" by Edgar Winter Group. Unforgivable
And what about Tobacco Road by Edgar Winter. Most complicated piano solo ever!
Baba O'Riley is a programmed sequence... worst #1 choice ever. Subdivisions is just some chords. And no Tony Banks? Unfuckingbelievable...
Also, should have chosen lazy over highway star for deep purple
+KingInky The intro to "Lazy" is the highlight of that whole album. Jon Lord could really bring it...check out his solo in "Flight of the Rat"
Naw. When a song goes over 5 minutes you really need to ask why. Does it do anything worth being an entire side of a vinal disk? Naw. Iron Butterfly out. Too weird.
To Live and Die in L.A. - Wang Chung. That electric piano riff at the beginning is pure 80's Gold!🔥
Disagree
Should be
3. Firth Of Fifth - Genesis
2. Tubular Bells opening - Mike Oldfield
1. Roundabout - Yes
Or shuffle em. Throw in U.K.'s "Presto Vivace and Reprise" off 'Dead Of Night' for good measure, too.
Prog for the win
Excellent choices, and finally a Mike Oldfield fan.
I'd put Close to the Edge over Roundabout.
@@Riloman17 And I'd put _Awaken_ over everything and anything. However, I still often say, my favorite Yes song is the one I'm currently listening to.
Mike Oldfield's _Amarok_ (first song, side one ;-) towers over everything, except [REDACTED].
Watcher of the skies over Firth of Fifth.
Well I think that Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough
deserves at less a honorable mention...Does anyone else think the same????
It says "rock" in the title.
They Probably don't consider them a rock band
Yes! Vince Clarke is the king of synth.
Well, whilst that's probably the most recognisable synth part in their back catalogue, I wouldn't say it's their best. They definitely need #1 if they do a pop list. Best synth band ever.
Between DM,Yazoo and Erasure, Vince should have his own top 10 list!
I'd rather pick Tarkus over Fanfare for the Common Man for Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Yeash Tarkus was the first that popped in my mind.
LittleLion93 Like seriously, the intro itself is a 2.5 minute keyboard solo that keeps changing tempo. I was a tad disappointed that Tarkus didn't make it, but at least ELP was chosen.
If they were going to pick ELP doing Aaron Copeland, I'd have preferred "Hoedown".
Same.
"Are Friends Electric?" by Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army.
Anything Gary Numan, the original paranoid android.
Where is Final Countdown and House of the Rising Sun?
theboyx3 and spaceship superstar
Also Child of Vision by Supertramp
Too mainstream
I thought for sure "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was gonna be number one.
so did I
Goddamn, I didn't think of that one, but it's a good one. I still think Europe's "Final Countdown" should be top because of how recognizable that riff is. Nothing says synthesizer like FC.
I do agree with Brian M. I love "A Whiter Shade of Pale" but for a "keyboard riff in rock" Final Countdown is #1 for sure. Or just kick Joy Division from that list :-)
I don't agree about "Final Countdown". It is just not famous enough. I was fresh out of high school when that song was released but I never heard it on the radio. As a matter fact I've never even heard of the band until you mentioned it in this thread.
Jim Sanderson
Maybe it's a European thing. It's very famous in the UK. Don't know about the US.
How can a list lack a final countdown?
I dunno it's like the most popular one... They need to put their shit together.
not even a honorable mention
Wasnt that a trumpet
It's a keyboard playing a "synth brass" sound.
jesse boer it's still a synth sound
What?
The Final Countdown - Europe
Only Time Will Tell - Asia
Man Of Miracles - Styx
The Show Must Go On - Queen
If we're talking riffs, rather than overall keyboard parts/performance (and not counting piano) in rock songs, does "96 Tears" not count? "House of the Rising Sun"? "Freeze Frame"? At least a half-dozen songs by the Cars? Again, just from the riff aspect, I would've put "Hush" over "Highway Star". "Magic Carpet Ride" also is rifflicious. "Blinded By the Light" not only starts and carries on a keyboard riff, they managed to squeeze friggin' Chopsticks in there and get away with it. "All Of My Love" is made by John Paul Jones' synth strings. Amen to the already-mentioned "Final Countdown", "Inna Gadda da Vida", and "Frankenstein". Also, "Empty Pages" deserves an honorable mention.
Also "because" of beatles, is art
Well its a top ten not 20 but i agree some songs should have been on the list insted
The Logical Song, Goodbye Stranger, Breakfast in America, and Gone Hollywood by Supertramp all have great keyboard parts also
Zeppelin ♫ yes!
You are so right! Supertramp Breakfast fast in America has Incredible keyboard riffs! Even Just another nervous wreck has a great keyboard riff.
man, how did i not notice that?? i listen to those all the time!
I'm pretty sure every Supertramp song has a great keyboard riff
Inna Gadda Da Vida solo
Dio's "Rainbow in the Dark" got an iconic riff, recognizable at an instant for everyone listening to rock during the 80's. It is not just the intro, it comes back later in the tune.
When I was a kid, "Separate Ways" and Baba O'riley" resided heavily in my head. So catchy it's infectious
"Time of the season" The zombies,
"runaway" Bonjovi,
"Black magic woman" Santana,
Should be on the list or even honorable mention.
my list (no specific order)
Deep Purple - Lazy (intro) - played by Jon Lord
The Animals - House of the Rising Sun (solo) - played by Vincent Price
Nena - 99 Luftballons (99 Red Baloons) - played by Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen
Europe - The Final Countdown - played by Mic Michaeli
The Doors - Light My Fire - played by Ray Manzarek
Led Zeppelin - No Quarter - played John Paul Jones (James Baldwin)
Deep Purple - Rat Bat Blue - played by Jon Lord
Atomic Rooster - 7 (Lonely) Streets - played by Vincent Crane
The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun - played by George Harrison
The Who - Baby O Reiley - played by Pete Townshend
Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Vida - played by Doug Ingle
Booker T. and the MGs - Green Onions - played by Booker T. Jones
A-Ha - Take On Me - played by Magne Furuholmen
Eurythmics- Sweet Dreams (are made of this) - played mainly by David A. Stewart
not rock but seriusly great:
Stevie Wonder - Superstition - played by Stevie Wonder
jesusfish the main instrument of 'superstition' is a clavinet, definitely a keyboard! ;-)
Where is Genesis? A-ha is nothing to Genesis.
It never occurred to me to play keys on Sweet Dreams, when you have THAT yummy, boomy drum part. YES, it's simple, but you need the right drum kit and drummer to not step all over it.
I know these lists are personal opinion but missing and more memorable than some in this video:
* Point of know return--Kansas. One of my top favorite keyboard riffs.
* In a gada da vida. Iron Butterfly. How can you miss that one?
* Hocus Pocus-Focus
* Autobahn- Kraftwerk
* Fire- Arthur Brown
* Frankenstein -Edgar Winter
* Booker T. and the MG's--Green Onions ....just to name a few.
Never thought of Focus, they should be here.
Argent - Nexus.
Point Of Know Return is such an underrated song
Final Countdown, Owner of a Lonely Heart and Why Can't This be love definitely deserve to be on this list
Cool selection
Finally a decent top, where people might find out about good music...probably lots of negative comments and dislikes inc.
I'm a huge fan of Pink Floyd and I was not expecting shine on to make it
I wouldn't quantify anything by Rick Wright in that tune a "riff".
Get Lost. Shine On and Rick Wright are amazing but I agree, not a riff really.
Have a Cigar has much more of a definitive riff to the song than Shine on IMO.
It wasn't Rick Wright's best effort. I thought the opening to "Sheep" or even better, "Any Colour You Like" would have been more appropriate.
Exacttly!!!! A precise observation.
Thx for the video
You forgot Gary Numan's 'Cars', and a-ha's 'Take On Me'. Both instantly recognisable and iconic keyboard riff songs. Numan's music was ahead of its time.
Thank you for including Rush. They were always on the cutting edge of technology at any given time. From the minimoog, to the huge experimental modular systems, to the digital world of PPG Waves and all the way back again, Rush knew exactly how to sculpt that unique vision.
But this is a horrible choice... Subdivisions is just some chords.
Dave Smith yes. Subdivisions was great keyboards but for a drum and guitar group they buried themselves in synth during this period.
What about "Presto" and "Roll the Bones"?
SAGA, another great Canadian band (ignored on this list) was doing that way before Rush did.
@@mandkhodge, Yeah a lot of Rush fans complain about that period of their music but I love it. There is still plenty of guitar, bass and drums. Even when they were using more and more synth they were still very, very progressive and unique. I haven't listened to any of their music after Power Windows in years. That album and all the stuff prior is my fav period of their music.
YES correct number one for sure
Rick should be number one with Tony Banks second
I prefer Tony's approach to playing, not to mention his versatility.
This is a very interesting video. Thank u for posting it. Greetings from Venezuela.
Well, maybe they don't consider Stevie Wonder's Supertitious as rock but...
And for a completely catchy riff, higher ground just nails your ears from the first beat.
Wait, Europe's Final Countdown wasn't mon the list?
no.. final countdown is in the story and should be on this list, much more then joy divisions for example.
"the song itself is forgettable " ha ha
bereantrb, The Final Countdown contains one of the most memorable riffs of the history! it's a fact. Music isn't just about innovation, yes it is important, but more important then this is create something that touch people! To do this a music need a good melody with a good logic and with a good expression of the feeling that will be passed! plus a good arrangement.
About being a contributor to rock or keyboard.. this don't makes any sense. They have gilt of not being the first band to explore a instrument? just deserves respect who create a new and revolutionary technique?
Yeah forgettable sure, that's why it's still played EVERYWHERE to this day and Europe are still active, because that riff isn't one of the most iconic riffs in hard rock and hasn't had a lasting impact, and Joy division is sooo awesome...
There is a great chord progression with the melody, and also great lead vocal, not to mention the guitar solo. It is not just a synt theme. The whole song is very coherent.
Top 10 most viewed WatchMojo top 10 lists!
yes!!!
Are you stupid you can just look at their most popular videos on their RUclips page
+Tarquin The Proud but I want them to explain why 😅
Tarquin The Proud It's supposed to be dumb
Topception.
A Whiter Shade of Pale or Conquistador- Procol Harum/ 96 Tears- ? & The Mysterians/ Liar Liar- The Castaways/
Can't You See That She's Mine or Because- The Dave Clark Five/ Gimme Some Lovin'- The Spenser Davis Group( featuring
Steve Winwood)/ The Crystal Ship- The Doors/ Crocodile Rock- Elton John/ We Can Work It Out- The Beatles/ God Only
Knows- The Beach Boys/ and tons of others.
House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals
Rockit - Herbie Hancock
House of the Rising Sun is more of an Organ
@@CptnWolfe they include Boston, ELP, and Deep Purple in this list. (All of them uses the organ)
@@ilhamakbar5482 hard to hear the difference
Where is walk of life from dire straits?
Exactly!! I can't believe it wasn't even in honorable mention never mind right in the top 10!!
Yeah I was expecting that to be on this list as well
I can leave without listening to the rest of this stuff then. Walk Of Life should be #1
Money for Nothing starts of with heavy synth
daweller no, that one starts with a snare drum flam and then guitar
10. Subdivisions- rush
9.Separate ways - journey
8. Foreplay long time - Boston
7. Fanfare for the common man - ELP
6. Love will tear us apart - joy division (seriously)??)
5. Jump - Van Halen
4. Shine on you crazy diamond - Pink Floyd
3. Highway star - Deep Purple
2. Light my fire - Doors
1. Baba o Riley - The Who
Also, this list is horrible
it needs more Europe - Final Countdown
Joy division love will tear us part is a good song but the piano was alright but I don't think it shouldn't have gotten up on there
@Willliam Allison Thankfully, it had none.
Yeah, it was iffy, but I actually do appreciate Joy Division being on there. It was a forerunner to such an iconic sound for a while. But to each his own, and thank God we have enough great music to argue about it, right?
Love Joy Division but the synth in that is simple as hell. I would've chosen something from Depeche Mode if they wanted something post-punk synth pop
Intro to "Bloody Well Right" by Supertramp - awesome!
Yes Roger Hodgson "Fool's Overture" needs and honorable mention
THANK you!
Where are The Cars? Also, this list would have been better if it were split into synths and non-synth keyboards (organ, clav, EP), as the latter three are usually kept separate in most keyboardists' minds, especially if you're not gonna go ahead and throw piano in the mix.
Good call with the Cars.... Moving in Stereo is legendary
Can't go wrong with the Cars. But my top pick would be "Dangerous Type."
@@patsfan4life Everything Greg Hawks did is legendary.
@@daveinmilwaukee Bye Bye Love. Dangerous Type. Touch and Go.
Tonight, she comes.
IN A GADDA DA VIDA???????????????????????
:O
👏
it realy is more of a organ sound then a synth sound in my opinion :/
The Boston tune was an organ piece as well though?
Yes, but #8 Foreplay/Long Time by Boston is specifically called out for its organ.
Yes's "Roundabout" should have been there..
Scott Campbell along with Starship Trooper and ... ok too many more to add !!
N.O 1 for sure
it was an honorable mention...did you watch the video?
Shred 4Life Yes I did otherwise I wouldn't comment. It didn't make it on the list though.
I was thinking South side of the sky
Can't believe they missed "The Final Countdown "
Enola Gay, Mr.Crowley, Final Countdown , Take on me, Age of Consent...some are really pop but a must-include
How about top 10 underrated guitar solos? Or top 10 worst guitar solos? Basically all the guitar solo lists
Top 10 songs that need a goddamn guitar solo
+Clara I-M Top 10 Guitar solos that deserves another guitar solo while a guitar solo plays in the background!
We've done 2 lists on that!
First: ruclips.net/video/f4NOJ42-BKM/видео.html
Second: ruclips.net/video/3NGWn0nupBc/видео.html
which solo should be number 1 instead of comfortably numb? Please don't mention some Deathcore sh*t
symphony of destruction- Marty Friedman
ashes in your mouth-Marty Friedman
I am a Viking yngwie malmsteen
paradise city at mtv music award s buckethead
ode to a country mouse- Bryan Matthews
7th gear- Bryan Matthews
conquer or die- kiko
Ray Manzarek is one of the most underappreciated musician in rock history. He's the one who create(d) The Doors sound. His riffs are absolutely mesmerizing.
Wakeman's best riffs are not with Yes but on his personal material. Decent rank thou.
Ray Manzarek is God
Right but this song is so cheezy. Just say it, man, C.H.E.E.Z.Y. NOW SAY IT! ALL TOGETHER NOW, Say Cheezy.........CHEEZY!
Under appreciated by who?
Alan Parsons did iconic keyboard riffs. Don't forget Kraftwerk! Also Elton John...
I also noted no Kraftwerk. To my extreme unhappiness.
Take A Bow by Muse is by far the best synth riff in a rock song.
Genesis - In the cage. That solo totally kicks ass.
The whole TLLDOB album is a keyboard masterpiece indeed.
The Lamb is a masterpiece!!!
A standout track to be sure!
Yeah, no mention of any of Genesis top hits...This list wasn't well researched or thought out at all.
How can there not be Toto on here, e.g. Hold the Line or Africa
Add this one - Toto -Hydra...bombastic...
...and how about damned near ANYTHING off Deep Purple in Rock?
Perfect strangers has one of the most badass organ intros and riffs in rock!
@@rorykennedy2767 it's one of my favorites.
Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
Whip it -Devo
Dirty Laundry - Don Henley
Blue Collar Man - Styx
Rush have to be in there!
Only #10?!
This is a travesty
I know Rush has to be atleast top 5
Given how neglected Rush is by the masses, I consider it to be One Little Victory to see them make this list, even at #10!
+Torgo1969 I was thinking of Xanadu
My favorite is Dire Straits' Walk of Life !
Simon Hébert and..... now it’s stuck in my head. Oh yeah the boy can play
Me too
Same! It's so such a gorgeous riff!
Whoever put this list together obviously knows nothing about keyboard riffs.........TONY BANKS, ever hear of him???
An honorable mention RICK WAKEMAN......you guys must be on some really cheap moonshine.
I love how a lot of these comments are about progressive rock
Methanol Margaritas
To be fair fair both of them were included in Top 10 Keyboard Players Of All Time
@@progisloveprogislife4501 That's because it's a genre known for keyboards.
Suggestions:
"Let My Love Open the Door" -Pete Townsend
"Big Time Sensuality" -Bjork
"Both Sides Now" -Judy Collins
"Burning Down the House" -Talking Heads
"The Chauffeur" -Duran Duran
"Closer" -Nine Inch Nails
"Come Sail Away" -Styx
"Do It Again" -Steely Dan
"Forever Young" -Alphaville
"In the Dark" -Billy Squier
"Jane" -Jefferson Starship
"Let's Go" -The Cars
"Ray of Light" -William Orbit playing for Madonna
"Sex (I'm a)" -Berlin
"Shock the Monkey" -Peter Gabriel
"She Blinded Me with Science" -Thomas Dolby
"I Want it All" -Queen
A-Ha: Take on me
The Zombies: Time of the Season
Edgar Winter: Frankenstein
Booker T: Green Onions
Devo: Whip It
Pet Shop Boys: West End Girls
Pretty much anything by The Cars.
Green Onions probably FITS this category better than anything else. It is a pure riff and to me it just defined the 1960s more that any other song.
ian poultry You are absolutely right.
Michael Bergman The songs you've listed aren't even rock. They belong in a different genre.
Michael Bergman since when is A-ha rock?
Booker T. played a Hammond organ not a synth.
Sadly, Tony Banks of GENESIS was overlooked! He's the most prolific and progressive keyboardists of all time! "Firth of a Fifth", "Supper's Ready", "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight", Banks puts a lot of these guys to shame in any decade! No go MoJo!
Or 'Abacab' or 'Turn it on again' or "follow you follow me" :)
Right on, Abacab could have been #1
Came here to say that this list is not legit if it does not include Tony Banks.
"Back in N.Y.C." End of discussion. That two-octave portamento MiniMoog bass drop at 4:17... holy god. Also, a totally not-apropos shout out to Phil Collins for being one of the few drummers in history who could make 7/4 groove. And could we talk about the gorgeous arpeggiated keyboard twinkles and thick string pads on "Hairless Heart?" Thanks for representing, Tony Banks fans!
Oh, and yeah, "The Carpet Crawlers." Gotta remember that there were no digital tools at the time. He was just using analog arppegiation to do that. Truly stunning.
Kasmir-Led Zeppelin
Gosh. Anything by Tony Banks of Genesis. "Lamb Lies Down", "Watcher of the Skies", "Duke's Travels", you name it. He was voted top Rock Keyboardist several years. Along with Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman for other years.
Firth of Fifth by genesis should have been in the honorable mentions.
In fact any keyboard solo by tony banks should of made it onto the list.
Genesis never makes it onto any of these lists it's so disappointing, easily the most underrated band in my opinion
YES. Absolutely.
Especially the Cinema Show solo, i mean it's 4 and half min of absolute keyboard perfection
Tony banks and keith emerson are the best keyboard players of all time
Keith emerson creares the sintetizer
1 Baba O'Riley (The Who)
Honorable Mentions:
- Walk of Life (Dire Straits)
- Here I Go Again 87 (Whitesnake)
- Light My Fire (The Doors)
- Karn Evil 9 (Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
2 The Final Countdown (Europe)
3 Jump (Van Halen)
4 Foreplay / Long Time (Boston)
5 Roundabout (Yes)
6 All My Love (Led Zeppelin)
7 Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pink Floyd)
8 Highway Star (Deep Purple)
9 Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (Journey)
10 Subdivisions (Rush)
Xanadu RUSH
Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes.....love the synth.
A good list, including a core track from Joy Division. But In a Gadda da vida and Whiter Shade of pale should have pushed out some of the other picks.
Also, for Deep Purple, "Child in Time" is obviously more interesting than Highway Star. Someone didn't do his homework on John Lord.
Mandred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the light
96 Tears- Question ?
Wully Bully-Sam the Sham
I'm a believer- The monkeys...
These guys left out the most famous and catching tunes.
Pleasantly surprised to not see The Final Countdown and/or Take on Me anywhere near this list!
Me encantaron los 16 comerciales!! Y también los teclados que aparecían en el medio!!
The Doors - Light My Fire
Deep Purple - Child In Time
Iron Butterfly - Innagaddadavida
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again
Booker T & The MG's - Green Onions
Yes - No Opportunity Necessary No Experience Needed
Led Zeppelin - All My Love
Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Alan Parsons Project - Sirius
Good call with Zep All of my love
Africa - Toto should at least get an Honorable Mention
No ..that would be you :-)
JayJoJonny no it should be at number 1
Such a great song by a great band gets turned into a meme
Speaking of Toto.... just saying, just saying cough cough hold the line
@@PureHoney_ASMR Bullshit. Toto is a classic rock band.
In 1985 Mexican television channel Canal 5 used to play Rush's "Subdivisions" intro on his commercials.
Bon Jovi; Runaway???
Toto; Hold the line???
Also Bon Jovi; Let it rock.
I can appreciate the fact WatchMojo did their best to do a comprehensive list, with such an eclectic and nearly infinite assortment of songs and keyboardists available. I always associated them with much weightier compilations like, "Top Ten Uncensored Penis Shadows In Movies", and the like. But they really should have separated pop from surreal new wave to hard rock/metal to prog rock. You simply cannot have bands like Joy Division, The Who, The Doors VH, Boston, Rush, Journey, Yes and ELP in serious analytical musical discussion. Entirely different bands with different aims. And Fanfare For The Common Man is impressive as is most of Emerson's work. But not Karn Evil 9 or Lucky Man? Half of Wakeman's solo work and work with Yes could also be included. Ever heard his solos from the Tales Topographic Oceans-LP? He didn't even like the album and his work was fucking legendary on it.
Geoff Downes may have not been as skilled as Wakeman but his work with Yes and Asia deserves mention. John Paul Jones/Zep- Your Time Is Gonna Come, In The Evening, Carouselambra, All Of My Love? David Paiche of Toto/Boz Skaggs? Greg Hawkes from The Cars? Gary Numan? Patrick Moraz with Yes and Moody Blues in the 80's? Mike Lindup of Level 42? Jens Johansson on The Cage with Sonata Arctica? Vince Welnick or The Tubes and The Dead? Richard Barbieri from Japan and Porcupine Tree? Lyle Mays w/Pat Metheny? David Frank's work with EVERYBODY in the 80's till today? See, just too many to list and too many great riffs and highly influential songs to even mention.
I could name about 20 songs by Tony Banks from Genesis alone, that certainly belong on this list(I Know What I like(In Your Wardrobe), Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, In The Cage, Afterglow, Dance On Volcano, The Brazilian. Hell, even 'pop throwaway' riffs like That's All, Illegal Alien and Abacab could compete or surpass many of the keyboard works listed here and Banks could play them in his sleep. So in all, this is my reasoning as to why 'Top Ten'-lists in wholly subjective, lush and criminally overpopulated fields like pop/rock keyboard playing, can never do art or the artists making it justice.
great comment and musical knowledge. but um, you forgot 'turn it on again' by banks and genesis. just kidding ;) actually you helped jog my memory to so many great songs and artists that i will be tracking down on spotify\yt this weekend to create entirely new playlists. epic suggestioning!
+SouthOCmixdown I like your list. You're right you really can't narrow down a subject like best keyboard riffs to just 10. That's asinine. Personally, I prefer Claude Schnell's riff from "Rainbow In The Dark", over any cheese pop Jon Cain Journey riff. Also yes, Tony Banks is the alpha and omega of all rock key players prog or not. He literally changed 80's pop and prog music forever. Wakeman and Emerson may have had the superior chops, but Tony had the better and most evolved and complete material as a keyboardist by far.
good job mentioning d. paiche he is so damned good &influential w/toto & boz but everybody also forgets that brutal chord riff &solo from d. henley's sunset grille. one of the most edgy, brutal &haunting thing ever done on keys
annabo xc agree on Oh, Sherrie and Too Much Time...
SouthOCmixdown and Logan Black -
South; you have tastes much like mine and made some great points. Logan, there with you with Vangelis, and don't forget "Chariots of Fire" :).
I guess I have too many bands, genres and "keyboard" melodies, solos and musicians in my head to list ;).
Happy to see ELP make your cut, but Emerson's best stuff was in Karn Evil 9. "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends..."
Or maybe "Pictures at an Exhibition"?
Well said.
Or Tarkus!
End of "Lucky Man". Short but iconic. And originally an outtake I think. At least Emerson didn't think much of it. I think he was still tinkering with the Moog.
Finally WM noticed ELP. More artistic than Pink Floyd or Genesis.
Procom Harum - A Whiter Shade of Pale?
Where's the final countdown from Europe? There were several here that don't come close to that one. #fail
And there is no Rainbow in the dark as well
How is "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum not on this list?
Splitting hairs here but maybe because it's an organ not keyboard/synth?
Totally agree though.
Thanks glad you caught A Whiter Shade Of Pale forgot that one
Splitting more hairs- an organ is a keyboard but not a synth. Several of those were not synths, the "Doors" used a Vox (small portable electronic organ).
An electric organ technically is a synth.
Plus they have Boston and Deep Purple's organ on there.
Child in time???????????????????????
Not as Iconic
Should of replaced highway star for sure
Great song, but not better than Highway star (as far as keyboards/organ)
i prefer it to Hwy Star, and the main riff is actually driven by Lord. Too each their own though
"Not better than Highway Star" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Best joke ever 😂😂👏👏 Child In Time is better than Stairway To Heaven and Bohemian Rhapsody
So many great keyboard rifts out there. How to whittle it down to just 10 seems impossible
Mojo: Calling solos riffs
Comments: wHaT abOuT tHE fiNaL COuNtdOwN?!
A Whiter Shade of Pale and Summer in the City: *Are we some kind of joke to you?*
green onions, final countdown, just died I your arms tonight, Jan hammers Miami Vice Crockets theme, even nin just too name a few.. wtf are they?
America, the Nice
beejaybath - yes! The Nice!
aren't green onions blues?
True...true.
Samir Shrestha I'd call it jazz, over blues...
What? No Supertramp?
Yeah, so many amazing piano pieces from them. I thought about that too. I think they were thinking keyboards did not include the piano, because consider how many great things got left out. Poor piano - it's a keyboard but it's percussive, so hides in people's blind spots when talking epic keyboard work in rock songs. Needs to say, top 10 non piano keyboard riffs maybe :) [ No electric piano either I heard ]
Christopher Cleveland Yea, Hide In Your Shell for exemple
No Yes either.
How can you miss the intro to 'Bloody Well Right'? It's a crime!
Chuck Hunnefield It's the crime of the century!
Kraftwerk? Pioniers of Keyboard?
How can you not include House of the Rising Sun by The Animals?! Alan Price's organ solo is amazing!!!!
No Final Countdown?
I don't think the synth part in final countdown is a solo. isn't it just the intro riff? can't remember
it doesn't have to be a 'solo'. they said that at the start of the video
well it's not rock
+Bryan Matthews It's not supposed to be a solo, it's just a part
O yeah. My bad. It's cool for being gay as fuck I guess.
Absolutely ridiculous that In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida wasn't even mentioned. One of the most iconic organ parts in rock history.
I could think of many others off the top of my head... Hocus Pocus - Focus, pretty much anything by Yes (one of your 'honorable mentions'), Superstition - Stevie Wonder, Take on Me - Aha, Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group, pretty much anything Santana (Black Magic Woman, especially), Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum, and last and definitely *best* in my book is Rachel Flowers (blind from birth), playing ELP's Endless Enigma at Keith Emerson's funeral tribute.💖 She is the one musician that can accurately play pretty much any ELP composition strictly from memory with all the soul of the original piece!!😁👍👍
They need to break this down by decades. Each decade had its own m.o. on how to integrate or feature the keyboard technology of that era.
For the 1980s, I propose (no particular order):
* Jump - Van Halen
* Take On Me - a-ha
* The Final Countdown - Europe
* Send Me An Angel - Real Life
* Abacab - Genesis
* Forever Young - Alphaville
* Did It In A Minute - Hall & Oates
* Axel F - Harold Faltermeyer
* You Don't Want Me Anymore - Steel Breeze
* Heartbreak Beat - Psychedelic Furs