A Mix For: Riffin'
featuring Elvis Costello, Tomberlin, Fleetwood Mac, and more!
Inspired by Jenny Lewis and Taylor Swift, I started playing acoustic guitar in high school. I played a lot and in lots of public settings, covering artists including Rilo Kiley, Regina Spektor, and Ingrid Michaelson. I love playing and singing, but I am a truly average guitar player. I dream of a world where I’m shredding on an electric guitar, but I’ve never had the patience or commitment to get to that point.
The furthest I got was learning to play a few different riffs: the hooky, repeated, recognizable guitar lines. Those riffs inspired today’s mix. We’re kicking things off with the song featuring perhaps the most famous contemporary riff: “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. Story goes that Jack White composed this riff while warming up for a gig, just messing around. And while it may sound like a bass line, The White Stripes were famously bass-less. To achieve that deep sound and tone, White uses a pedal that pitches down his guitar creating the illusion of a bass. Tricky tricky!
Here’s a mix featuring “Seven Nation Army” and nine other songs with some of my favorite, earworm-y riffs. It was hard to narrow this down, so expect a riffin’: part 2 in the future!
Seven Nation Army, The White Stripes
Pump It Up, Elvis Costello & The Attractions
She’s Not Me, Jenny Lewis
happy accident, Tomberlin
For What It’s Worth, Buffalo Springfield
The Con, Tegan and Sara
Gimme All Your Love, The Alabama Shakes
Runnin’ Down A Dream, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Rhiannon, Fleetwood Mac
Kiss, Prince
Thanks for reading, listening, and subscribing! Next week I’ll begin recapping my 2022 favorites!