100 Greatest Indie Rock Guitar Riffs of All Time

(Pictured - Doug Martsch of Built to Spill 2016)

Indie rock has always been a guitar-forward genre, shaped by its origins in the 1980s when limited resources often meant sticking to guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. This necessity fueled decades of inventive, memorable riffs. For this list, we focused on riffs that repeat throughout songs, excluding solos, though exposed riffs (like Reptilia by The Strokes) are eligible. Songs with multiple riffs were scored on their main riff or as a collective if no clear main riff exists. Following our ranking of The 50 Greatest Indie and Alternative Guitarists of All Time, guitarists like Johnny Marr (The Smiths) and Joey Santiago (Pixies) naturally appear often. To keep the focus on indie rock, we excluded artists primarily associated with new wave, emo, Britpop, grunge, and alternative rock, with some exceptions for 1980s college rock bands tied closely to indie rock (e.g., American Football, The Replacements).

1. This Charming Man - The Smiths

The Smiths revolutionized rock music and gave a voice to the emerging indie rock movement of the 1980s. Their debut album was packed with guitar-driven, modern indie rock that has endured for decades. This Charming Man isn’t the only Smiths song to appear on this list—or even the only track from their debut—but it claims the top spot for its memorability, international appeal, and timeless sound. Johnny Marr, hailed by our metrics as the greatest indie rock guitarist of all time, stands far ahead of his peers for the sheer volume of brilliant riffs he crafted in such a short span. While This Charming Man only scratches the surface of Marr’s guitar prowess, it remains his most iconic and widely recognized riff among many greats.

2. Where Is My Mind? - Pixies

Released on the Pixies’ jaw-dropping 1988 debut Surfer Rosa, Where Is My Mind? is the song we’ve crowned the greatest indie rock song of all time. Its iconic guitar riff is instantly recognizable to nearly any rock fan in North America, even if they can’t name the band or the track. Popularized over decades of alternative rock radio, multiple Criminal Minds episodes, and, of course, Fight Club, Where Is My Mind? has become the quintessential Pixies anthem. Its main riff, played by Joey Santiago, blends an unsettling tension with a satisfying resolution, crafting a hook that’s pure Pixies brilliance. Aside from This Charming Man, Where Is My Mind? might just be the most recognizable indie rock song ever, thanks in no small part to Santiago’s six-string sword.

3. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

Of all the songs on this list, Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes, released on their 2003 album Elephant, achieved the most widespread international success. Whether it’s blasting from an indie or garage rock playlist, echoing through stadiums at sporting events, or dominating rock radio, Jack White’s iconic guitar riff is instantly recognizable to anyone with a pulse and two (or even one) working ears. The song’s legacy far surpasses what most indie rock artists could ever dream of, becoming as significant in mainstream culture as it is in the musical underground. And don’t be surprised—this isn’t the last time Jack White will appear on this list.

4. Reptilia - The Strokes

In the early 2000s, The Strokes revitalized a stagnant New York City indie rock scene, spearheading the post-punk revival. Suddenly, the city became a hub for likeminded, guitar-forward indie bands like Interpol and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Two years after their groundbreaking debut Is This It, they clapped back with another stellar record, Room On Fire. Like its predecessor, Room On Fire was packed with brilliantly crafted yet deceptively simple guitar riffs. Reptilia quickly became a staple of guitar rock and has maintained that legacy ever since. Among the masterful riffs delivered by Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. over the years, Reptilia remains their most iconic, inspiring countless teenagers to pick up a guitar.

5. Dramamine - Modest Mouse

The opening track of Modest Mouse’s debut studio album delivered not only the band’s greatest guitar riff but also the best indie rock guitar riff of the 1990s. Dramamine might still fly under the radar in the broader rock world, but those familiar with the song can vouch that its main riff is as pristine and captivating as a riff can be. Coming right in after the opening bass line, the quarter note-driven guitar riff never really struck me as overly technical, but its minimalistic beauty makes it one of those riffs that gets stuck in your head and stays there for years. In the decades since, Isaac Brock has given the indie world many more memorable riffs, but none surpass the simplistic brilliance of Dramamine.

6. Banquet - Bloc Party

Adding their own flare to the post-punk revival, Bloc Party, alongside their British brethren Arctic Monkeys and The Libertines, transformed the momentum sparked by The Strokes into an avalanche. Bloc Party doubled down on guitar-driven soundscapes, crafting numerous timeless riffs on their 2005 debut Silent Alarm. Yet, the creative brilliance of Banquet stands above the rest with its iconic back-and-forth phrasing, alternate picking, and palm muting. The riff has become a staple of indie rock, serving as both the highlight of the album and a defining moment for the band. Plain and simple, it’s just cool—wicked cool.

7. Crazy Rhythms - The Feelies

The Feelies are one of the pioneering bands of North American indie rock. Sadly, during their early '80s sonic golden age, not a lot of listeners knew about them—or really cared. Their music, too unconventional for MTV or mainstream radio, flew under the radar and remains a hidden gem for most listeners to this day. Despite this, The Feelies were revered by critics and cherished by those who uncovered their brilliance, largely due to the extraordinary guitar work of Glenn Mercer and Bill Million. The title track of their 1980 album, Crazy Rhythms, boasts one of the most exhilarating and momentous guitar lines in rock history. The sheer energy Glenn and Bill put forth on the guitars, and how it fits within the frantically danceable rhythm of the song, is nothing short of brilliant. Glenn and Bill revolutionized the use of guitars in rock, crafting riffs that influenced generations of musicians—whether those musicians realized it or not.

8. Grapevine Fires - Death Cab For Cutie

Death Cab For Cutie nearly captured a level of underground, life-devoting attention in the U.S. akin to what The Smiths achieved in the UK. For certain listeners, Death Cab became their entire world. While the band found commercial success, their foundation was always rooted in the indie and alternative sphere, earning them a reputation as the R.E.M. of the 2000s in the eyes of college radio. During this era, the band crafted countless timeless and beautiful melodies, including Grapevine Fires. Similar to Dramamine, this track may not be among their most widely known, but its sheer beauty speaks for itself. Guitarist Chris Walla’s simplistic riff becomes fully exposed in the final two minutes, intertwining perfectly with the song’s somber tone. The result is perhaps the most emotive guitar riff on this list—one with a haunting melody that can get stuck in your head for years.

9. I Will Dare - The Replacements

The riff on I Will Dare is quintessential Bob Stinson: jangly, slightly off-kilter, and utterly infectious. It starts with a bright, almost country-like shimmer, giving the song its unmistakable momentousness, before diving into an irresistible groove backed by Peter Buck's (of R.E.M.) 12-string guitar. That interplay between the twangy lead and the driving rhythm mirrors The Replacements’ ability to balance punk ethos with melodic ambition. It’s a riff that feels both spontaneous and purposeful, capturing the restless, coming-of-age energy that defines the song. For a band known for chaotic brilliance, I Will Dare is the sound of them pushing their boundaries, and turning heads of college kids across North America. 

10. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others - The Smiths

Even though the riff comes from one of the most ridiculously named songs in rock (and true, I suppose), Johnny Marr is, as always, brilliant on Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. For decades, the song was one of The Smiths’ under-the-radar tracks, cherished by many fans but overlooked by casual indie listeners. That began to change in recent years as it saw a surge in streams, driven largely by the rediscovery of Marr’s mesmerizing guitar riff. The cascading, dreamlike sound of the riff is a masterclass in subtlety, showcasing Marr’s signature use of arpeggios alongside his clean, dazzling tone. It’s not an overly powerful or loud riff, but its restrained beauty is exactly what makes it so unforgettable. As the closing track on The Queen Is Dead, the greatest indie rock album of all time, it provides a serene yet striking finale that lingers long after the song ends—another example of Johnny Marr’s enduring genius.

11. Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand

12. Debaser - Pixies

13. Heart In a Cage - The Strokes

14. Once Around The Block - Badly Drawn Boy

15. Love Spreads - The Stone Roses

16. How Soon Is Now? - The Smiths

17. Wake Up - Arcade Fire

18. A-Punk - Vampire Weekend

19. Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys

20. Fell in Love With a Girl - The White Stripes

21. Up the Bracket - The Libertines

22. Kool Thing - Sonic Youth

23. Carry the Zero - Built to Spill

24. It's a Hit - Rilo Kiley

25. Here Comes Your Man - Pixies

26. Mass Romantic - The New Pornographers

27. The High Road - The Feelies

28. Someday - The Strokes

29. The Funeral - Band of Horses

30. Breadcrumb Trail - Slint

31. Barbarism Begins at Home - The Smiths

32. License to Confuse - Sebadoh

33. Range Life - Pavement

34. If I Ever Feel Better - Phoenix

35. Float On - Modest Mouse

36. Rest My Chemistry - Interpol

37. We Share the Same Skies - The Cribs

38. Helicopter - Bloc Party

39. Feel the Pain - Dinosaur Jr.

40. Red Eyes - The War on Drugs

41. Still Ill - The Smiths

42. Hey - Pixies

43. Streets of Your Town - The Go-Betweens

44. E-Pro - Beck

45. Never Meant - American Football

46. Darling - Real Estate

47. When Company Comes - The Feelies

48. Dope On a Rope - The Growlers

49. Can't Stand Me Now - The Libertines

50. Let's Get Out of This Country - Camera Obscura

51. Gold Guns Girl - Metric

52. What Difference Does It Make - The Smiths

53. Bastards of Young - The Replacements

54. A Certain Romance - Arctic Monkeys

55. Hate To Say I Told You So - Hives

56. Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect - The Decemberists

57. Gold Lion - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

58. Incinerate - Sonic Youth

59. I Wanna Be Adored - The Stone Roses

60. Please, Please, Please - Shout Out Louds

61. California (All the Way) - Luna

62. 12:51 - The Strokes

63. Blue Orchid - The White Stripes

64. Happy When It Rains - The Jesus and Mary Chain

65. Cath... - Death Cab For Cutie

66. I Need My Girl - The National

67. Brimful of Asha - Cornershop

68. My Number - Foals

69. Zürich is Stained - Pavement

70. Going Get's Tough - The Growlers

71. What Did My Lover Say? - Wolf Parade

72. Talking Backwards - Real Estate

73. Baseball - Hippo Campus

74. Spinoza - Generationals

75. Charity - Courtney Barnett

76. Sink/Let it Sway - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

77. Fluorescent Adolescence - Arctic Monkeys

78. Soul Meets Body - Death Cab For Cutie

79. Echoes - The Rapture

80. Waking Up - Elastica

81. Loose Fit - Happy Mondays

82. Goin' Against Your Mind - Built to Spill

83. Dig Me Out - Sleater-Kinney

84. If I Could Talk I'd Tell You - The Lemonheads

85. Start Choppin - Dinosaur Jr.

86. Get Lucky - Heatmiser

87. Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols

88. Another Sunny Day - Belle & Sebastian

89. This Night Has Opened My Eyes - The Smiths

90. Teen Age Riot - Sonic Youth

91. Comin Through - The War on Drugs

92. What Katie Did - The Libertines

93. Badilac - Together Pangea

94. On the Back Burner - The Reytons

95. Flux - Bloc Party

96. The Dark of the Matinee - Franz Ferdinand

97. You Stole The Sun From My Heart - Manic Street Preachers

98. Made Up In Blue - The Bats

99. Kiss Your Lips - Allo Darlin'

100. Goodbye - The Sundays