1. Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
This is the biggest, the simplest and the best. It’s the backbone of heavy metal.

2. Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin
Evidence that you can write a rock classic based on a single bar of music – as long as it’s a good bar.

3. Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones
One of those riffs that everybody wishes they had come up with themselves. The fuzz sound on the guitar was an indication of things to come, too.

4. There She Goes by the La’s
As soon as you hear the song begin you know what’s coming next. It’s instantly evocative.

5. Come On Everybody by Eddie Cochran
It has three notes, requires only one finger and is a piece of cake. And yet it encapsulates rock’n’roll so perfectly.

6. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Something everyone can play. Very straightforward but ultra-dynamic.

7. Seven Nation Army by White Stripes
Incredible simplicity, pretty much all on a single string and the melodic trigger for the whole song.

8. I Love Rock’n’Roll by Joan Jett
Electrifying, sleazy proof that women rock.

9. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses
Slash thought it was too throwaway. Thank God the band convinced him to keep it in.

10. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys
Nothing hits the spot like a new take on an old theme.

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