If there is one thing that may have drawn you into Dave Matthews Band, whether it be the 90s, the 2020s, live albums, or deconstructed acoustic sets - it is the guitar riffs.
Guitar players for decades have faced the challenge of learning DMB songs and those tasty riffs and licks.
When you're standing in the crowd, on your second over-priced beer, and the stars are above you on the lawn, and a riff signals what song you're going to be jamming to for the next 10 minutes, it's a good feeling.
So - for fun - let's take a look at 10 of Dave Matthews Band's greatest guitar riffs.
*These are in no particular order, but if any riffs are missing from our list - let us know in the comments below! Also, this list is coming from a fan/listener perspective, NOT a technical, musical theory perspective*
What are 10 of the Top DMB Guitar Riffs?
1. The Stone
*Transparency alert* The Stone is by far my favorite DMB song ever. I can remember the first time I heard it and, specifically, the riff, sucked me in.
It is a mysterious, catchy loop that just makes you feel like something is wrong. It's difficult to play on guitar and even harder to play and sing.
2. Warehouse
There are technically two versions to this, and both are amazing! You have the older intro riff which was brought back in the early 2010s where Dave plays the riff over and over with the rest of the band coming in with the sick strobe lights.
In the late 90s through the 2000s, Warehouse's intro riff was broken up into sections with enthusiastic "WOOs" from the crowd. Both are fun and get you excited as soon as you hear them.
3. So Much to Say
"I say my hell is closet I'm stuck inside..." This riff is catchy, unique, and damn hard to master. That breakdown from frets 1, 3, and 5 to frets 3, 5, and 7 is insane. And let's be honest, we can't ignore the riff from the song that won DMB their Grammy.
Just an overall awesome and memorable riff.
Interesting Note: For those of you that regularly attend live shows, while you may be initially excited about hearing So Much to Say (as you should!), we all know what this song potentially means.
We likely are going to hear ASTB (anyone seen the bridge?), which means we are either getting Too Much or...a fake! Too Much is great, but I admit I always get a little excited about what a Too Much fake could lead to.
4. What Would You Say
Maybe it is just in my mind, but So Much to Say and What Would You Say just go hand-in-hand. They are classic, OG Dave Matthews Songs that both have "say" in the title, and both have iconic riffs.
When that harmonica comes in on the album version, it just makes you want to boogie. Also, the riff that Dave plays during the jam session in What Would You Say is also legitimate. I love it when he hammer-ons and bends the E string on the 2nd fret.
What would you say?
I say, Warren Haynes, ya'll!
5. JTR
Alright, now we are getting off the beaten path a little bit! Definitely not the most common DMB song, it seemed to have the most prevalence between 2002 and 2008, but it's still a great riff.
The chorus is always amplified when the Lovely Ladies are around and there is a fantastic version of this song on YouTube from 1999.
It's an acoustic performance with Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, but for JTR, Carlos Santana joins them on stage. It is pretty amazing.
6. The Riff
I mean...just look at the name, right? There may be some of you poo pooing this being on the list; I know, I know - only the old stuff is cool, right?
And I'll admit it; the older Dave has gotten, the more it seems that he has transitioned to chord progressions and away from riffs. But, listen - this one is a banger.
The first time I listened to Away From the World and I heard this song, well, my Jeep Wrangler's sound system was actually pretty garbage, so it was super quiet, but when I put headphones in and took it in, it felt like BTCS/Lillywhite Sessions Dave.
That observational, don't waste your life, dark tone style with light at the end of the tunnel.
7. Help Myself
I wonder how many people heard this song transition between scenes in Scream 2 and thought, huh, I want to check that song out! I guess without YouTube back then; it was probably a lot harder.
Help Myself is an old, kind of random song, but it has a killer riff throughout the verse that is fun to play, fun to listen to, and full of staccatos and off-rhythm pauses.
8. Rooftop
Another Away from the World song that gave me hope that Dave still had some solid riffs inside of him. It's a faster tempo and definitely more upbeat than some of the other DMB guitar riffs we've discussed.
Rooftop is one of my favorite songs on the album, and I think the riff has a big reason to do with that.
Also, can we all agree that the breakdown during the live performances of Rooftop absolutely blow the studio album version's away?
9. Satellite
Apparently, Satellite came from a guitar finger warmup exercise that Dave used to do. If that is the case, I totally believe it (and it certainly worked for Dave).
Satellite is such a peaceful, fun, whimsical little tune, and it's carried by the prancing and staccato guitar riff throughout.
There are a few riffs here and there that are on the fence for this list. Satellite's guitar riff is one that everyone DMB fan would include.
10. Jimi Thing
Is there any Dave riff that is quite as chill and laid back as Jimi Thing? Sure, I may be biased from the lyrics, but the riff just makes you want to sit down, kick your feet up, and smoke your mind.
Jimi Thing's riff is one of those instant recognizable riffs that as soon as Dave starts it at a show you know that it's going to be a long jam that will likely highlight the entire band.
BONUS: 11. Rhyme & Reason
I'll be honest, I wrote out my 10 and started filling in my thoughts, and by the time I got to Satellite, I thought of Rhyme & Reason and went, "oh, crap!"
Rhyme & Reason has a fantastic, catchy riff, and it holds down a very powerful song with a strong, dark message about drug abuse.
"My head won't leave my head alone. And I don't believe it will until I'm dead and gone."
What's The Best Dave Matthews Guitar Riff?
Did we miss your favorite DMB guitar riff? Did we commit blasphemy? Maybe we included a song you think shouldn't have made the list.
Let us know in the comments! And remember two things - you love your mother and only leave your footprints behind!
