Riffology 101: Scorpions
Ten Massive Riffs by the Scorpions that
Every Rock Fan Should Hear.
By Jeb Wright
The Scorpions remain the most successful hard rock band ever to
hail from Germany. Their story is unique as they have
successfully led two separate lives during their 35 years as
recording artists.
Originally, Michael Schenker, a
17-year-old guitar prodigy, was the lead axeman while his older
brother Rudolf, along with vocalist Klaus Meine were the main
songwriters. Michael only lasted for one album, 1972's
Lonesome Crow. He left to join UFO and was replaced by the
Hendrix inspired and classically trained Uli Jon Roth.
Roth lasted from 1974 through 1978
before leaving for a solo career. He left his mark on the band
and gave them a distinct sound. Roth's departure came at the
same time the band left RCA and joined with Mercury. The new
record company vowed to promote the band in the USA in a way
that RCA failed to do. The result was a string of Gold and
Platinum albums that skyrocketed the Scorpions to world wide
fame.
Replacing Roth was the unknown Matthias
Jabs. This was not to last long though as Michael Schenker had
left UFO and asked to reunite with his brother in the
Scorpions. Jabs was odd man out and was ousted after he had
started recording the band's first Mercury release, 1979's
Lovedrive. Shortly after joining the band, though, the
younger Schenker dove head first into his addictions and
disappeared. Oddly enough, both Jabs and Schenker ended up with
guitar parts on Lovedrive. When Schenker disappeared,
Jabs received an emergency call and came back to the band for
the tour and has remained a Scorpion for nearly thirty years.
Below are listed ten riffs from the
Scorpions that showcase their many flavors of rock music. From
Neo-Classical to Heavy Metal to Hendrix inspired jams, the
Scorpions moved across the music map eventually finding their to
stardom.
01. Rock You Like a Hurricane
Love at First Sting
1984
This is
the riff when
it comes to discussing Scorpions music. The thundering opening
chords crash through and are instantly recognizable. The verses
feature a sublime guitar part that builds until the guitars
return to the signature riff that dominates the song. It is
worth noting that as the main riff slashes through the song's
opening the other guitar kicks off a heavy riff that has become
a standard in many of the band's most famous tracks.
02. No One Like You
Blackout
1982
From the opening drum
beat, "No One Like You" takes off with a melodic lead backed by
crunching power chords. The love song dips and dives from minor
arpeggios to the crashing Am/F/G power rhythm behind the
chorus.
"No One Like You" led the
band to platinum sales in America and a young MTV embraced the
video which took place in Alcatraz prison.
03. The Zoo
Animal Magnetism
1980
Two years before the
massive sales of Blackout,
the band released their second album with Matthias Jabs as the
new lead guitar player. It was the first album where Jabs was
'the man' and appeared on the entire recording. He took the
lead and along with Rudolf Schenker introduced a skull crushing
intro to the song "The Zoo." It was this song that saw the band
garner substantial FM radio airplay. Jabs use of the talk box
was interesting yet it was the riffs that made "The Zoo" a
success.
After the loud intro the
band mellows out and a classic two string riff sets the tone.
The riff appears in between Klaus Meine's verses. When it comes
time for the chorus the guitarists step on the distortion pedal
and rock the song through the roof. Much of the Scorpions
future sound can be traced back to this song.
04. Blackout
Blackout
1982
The song was written about a drunken stupor
that guitarist Rudolf Schenker found himself in while on the
road with Judas Priest in support of the
Animal Magnetism
album. It seems Rudolf smashed Judas
Priest's television set and then ended up trying to break into a
grocery store!
The song opens with a
monster whammy bar dive before going into an open E chord that
blasts out of the amps at ear crushing volume. Behind the
chorus the guitar crashes out a riff on the E and A string
before returning to the opening riff.
05. The Sails of Charon
Taken by Force
1978
Uli Jon Roth is one of
the most amazing guitar players to ever pick up the instrument.
He was a powerful force for the Scorpions in the 70's. Uli's
phrasing was much different than any other hard rock guitar
player at the time. Instead of simply relying on power chords,
he played in different positions coloring the music to his own
specific pallet.
The song opens up with a
Hendrix style riff followed by a speedy yet melodic run through
the pentatonic scales. The tune settles into a bang-yer-head
attitude for the verses but sees Roth continue to throw in
musical surprises throughout. The song is an early metal
classic and has even been covered by guitar maestro Yngwie
Malmsteen.
06. Polar Nights
Virgin Killer
1977
"Polar Nights" from
Virgin Killers
features some of the hottest guitar playing the Scorpions ever
did. This is a psychedelic, Metal classic. The song opens with
lightening fast hammer-ons over an almost Led Zep "Immigrant
Song" type riff.
Roth takes the vocals on
this one as well and then delivers a guitar solo that contains
whammy bar dips and dives, high speed fret board gymnastics and
plenty of long, high pitched held notes. "Polar Nights" really
shows off Roth's rock persona and is a somewhat unknown gem in
the Uli Jon Roth era of the band.
07. Rhythm of Love
Savage Amusement
1988
By 1988, the
Scorpions had become a quasi-pop Metal band. The music on
Savage Amusement
featured slick production, MTV ready music
and lots of swooning and swaying guitar. Jabs and Schenker were
not letting loose on "Rhythm of Love," instead they were playing
a strictly chordal rhythm accompanied by a slow melodic lead
break.
The song, despite it being
Metal-Lite, has an infectious groove that creeps into your mind
and refuses to let go. There is plenty of guitar interplay
during the musical passages yet when compared to "Blackout" or
"Rock You Like a Hurricane" this one is somewhat wussified.
08. Coast to Coast
Lovedrive
1979
A rare instrumental,
"Coast to Coast" even features Klaus Meine on rhythm guitar.
The song, while a deep cut on 1979's
Lovedrive, is a
concert favorite for the band and their hardcore fans.
The song begins with a
classic power chord riff before opening up into a melodic riff
that fills the missing vocal space. Jabs lets his guard down
and flys through the solo but it takes a while to get to that
point. The band builds the song up through a verse/chorus
layout of guitar paying. By the time the solo hits you are
hooked.
09. Tease Me Please Me
Crazy World
1990
Crazy World
was the beginning of the end for the Scorpions and "Tease Me
Please Me" showcases both what was great about the band and what
was tiring about them. "Tease Me Please Me" is basically a pop
song disguised as hard rock.
The opening AC/DC like
rhythm gives way to a bouncy riff that carries the song. The
Scorpions were darlings of the pop charts as they ushered in the
1990's. The song is a party anthem that praises easy sex -- not
exactly a masterpiece but a solid rock song nonetheless.
10. Virgin Killer
Virgin Killer
1977
The title track from this
1977 closet classic is a riff fest of mid-seventies Metal. From
the opening heart pounding riff to the screaming of both Klaus
Meine's voice and Uli Roth's guitar, this one is a winner.
The music is a perfect
reflection of the perverted lyrics. Roth's guitar work and
Rudy's rhythm play off each other perfectly. At times Schenker
stays in the background playing in tandem with bassist Francis
Buchholz while at other times he comes to the forefront
providing the segue between solos and verses.
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