Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Tiny Dancer
  • Browser DAWs
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Restring your guitar
  1. Artists

Black Stone Cherry's 9 best Southern rock riffs and solos

News
By Claire Davies
Published 13 May 2014

From Lynyrd Skynyrd to ZZ Top

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

If there's one modern band who know their Southern rock onions, it has to be Black Stone Cherry. Purveyors of hard rock with a delectable Southern twang, this hard hitting four-piece have been converting minor crowds into masses with their infectious aural brew since releasing their debut in 2006.

Here, guitarist Ben Wells runs us through a sizzlin' selection of Southern rock riffs and solos, choosing nine of his favourites that embody the power, spirit and vibe of this great genre.

YouTube YouTube
Watch On
Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Song: Freebird

Song: Freebird

"As cliché as it may sound, this is the granddaddy of all southern rock songs, especially the solos. You just can't beat the three guitar attack, the lyrics, the melody... There's a reason why everyone requests this song at every show!"

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Song: Born On The Bayou

Song: Born On The Bayou

"I love this band, I love John Fogerty. Although from California, Creedence Clearwater Revival is an excellent southern rock band. The lyrical content mixed with the swampy guitar riffs is something that never gets old."

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Song: Tush

Song: Tush

“This excellent riff is by one of the South's greatest boogie bands. They showcase the classic southern Texas swing with rock 'n' roll. Gibbons is an insane player and his feel is untouchable.”

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Song: Midnight Rider

Song: Midnight Rider

“The riff in this song is very catchy and the melody is infectious. The harmonies are great and the solo is just perfect. It just puts you in a certain vibe.”

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Song: Mississippi Queen

Song: Mississippi Queen

"Another band that wasn't from the South but truly had that Southern spirit. Leslie West's voice and guitar are undeniable. The cowbell, the riff... It's the whole package."

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Song: Train, Train

Song: Train, Train

"This is a classic hard rock Southern rock riff. I would love for us to jam this sometime. Rickey Medlocke is awesome (one of my faves) and his voice is top notch on this song."

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Song: Can't You See

Song: Can't You See

"Everyone knows and loves this song - it's a staple in Southern rock music. We covered it on our third album because it showcases the southern influence in our band. Great harmonies, too."

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Song: Flirtin' With Disaster

Song: Flirtin' With Disaster

"If you've ever heard a southern rock song, you've heard this one. Another band with an undeniable voice, this tune is perfect for redneck living!"

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Song: Sweet Home Alabama

Song: Sweet Home Alabama

"The only reason this is number 9 is because any Southern rock list show starts and ends with Lynyrd Skynyrd! No matter what type of music you listen to, you've all heard that Stratocaster riff."

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Claire Davies
Read more
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Artists “The record company said, ‘It’s too long.’ But we said, ‘We don’t care!’”: How Lynyrd Skynyrd created a legendary epic
 
 
ZZ Top in 1983
Artists Billy Gibbons on ZZ Top’s blues roots, ’80s mega-hits and their unique “sense of weird”
 
 
Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs during the band's St. Anger tour
Guitars “These songs are played a lot. They’re often not played well”: Guitar Center reveal the Top Ten riffs played at their stores
 
 
Paul Rodgers in Free
Artists How one of the greatest rock anthems of all time was created in the wake of a nightmare show
 
 
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Artists “People are still trying to learn Free Bird and how to play like him”
 
 
Sadler Vaden takes a slide solo on a Rickenbacker
Artists “It’s a funny thing to imagine but it changes how you play”: Sadler Vaden's approach to slide guitar
 
 
Latest in Artists
Hot Chip in their London studio
Artists “It's a strange song – you wouldn't write it down as an idea": How Hot Chip made Ready For The Floor
 
 
MACY'S 4th OF JULY FIREWORKS -- 2026 -- Pictured: Noah Kahan performs at the "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks" -- (Photo by: Ralph Bavaro/NBC via Getty Images)
Gigs & Festivals Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan wants nappies at gigs amid troubling rise in concertgoers defecating
 
 
Sander De Keere
Artists Sander de Keere reimagines the church organ as an 'ancient synthesizer'
 
 
Rolling Stones earbuds
Headphones Technics drops limited-edition wireless earbuds in collaboration with the Rolling Stones
 
 
Pink Floyd
Artists How Pink Floyd made Money via pioneering tape editing and some off-the-wall music theory
 
 
Neil Young
Artists How Neil Young created the rock anthem that inspired Pearl Jam and started a beef with Trump
 
 
Latest in News
MACY'S 4th OF JULY FIREWORKS -- 2026 -- Pictured: Noah Kahan performs at the "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks" -- (Photo by: Ralph Bavaro/NBC via Getty Images)
Gigs & Festivals Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan wants nappies at gigs amid troubling rise in concertgoers defecating
 
 
Sander De Keere
Artists Sander de Keere reimagines the church organ as an 'ancient synthesizer'
 
 
Rolling Stones earbuds
Headphones Technics drops limited-edition wireless earbuds in collaboration with the Rolling Stones
 
 
U2 and Martin Garrix
Bands "We go back a long way": U2 join forces with DJ and producer Martin Garrix for new track Fireflies
 
 
Sophie Lloyd shreds on her signature Kiesel
Artists Sophie Lloyd pays tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with a shred cover of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid
 
 
Human brain listens to yellow headphones isolated view on blue background 3d render image
Artists One more time: It's MusicRadar's Quiz of the Week #15!
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...