Top 10 Most Impressive Riffs in Hit Songs

MsMojo

Get ready for some spine-tingling melodies! We’re looking back at unforgettable moments where artists let their voices soar with unique vocal riffs and memorable runs. From pop legends delivering show-stopping highs to soul icons with their unmatched style, these performances showcase the true range of musical talent.

Transcript

00:00I want it that way

00:04Welcome to Ms. Mojo

00:06And today, we're counting down our picks for the most stylish,

00:10notable, and or enduring vocal riffs from successful tracks

00:14Number 10, Don't You Worry About A Thing, Tori Kelly

00:30Everybody's got a thing, but some don't know how to handle it

00:36It's not an easy task to tackle a Stevie Wonder song.

00:39In her version of Don't You Worry About A Thing,

00:42Tori Kelly brings a vibrant and modern energy to a classic.

00:46She also unleashes her sometimes underrated vocal chords.

00:50Kelly then enters into a series of impressive runs.

00:53Don't you worry about a thing

00:55If one isn't good enough, you get another one

00:59not long after.

01:00She makes the most of this cover by doing wonder justice.

01:04Putting her stamp on a great performance,

01:06the singer hits some enormous high notes along the way.

01:09She also has to keep singing afterward without missing a beat.

01:19Number 9, Another One Bites The Dust, Queen

01:23What more can be said about Freddie Mercury's immaculate voice?

01:35In Another One Bites The Dust, Mercury gives a soaring vocal and then throws in an incredible bonus.

01:41A musical breakdown lets the singer flaunt his musical gifts, delivering a run worthy of rock history.

01:47His tone and control make you reconsider your attempts to copy him.

01:52His work can't be overstated, with this part in particular ranking among his finest with the band.

02:05Not only is there a great bass line,

02:07the single also includes the endlessly dynamic vocals of the Queen frontman.

02:19Number 8, Heart Attack, Demi Lovato

02:22For this track alone, Demi Lovato deserves more praise for her vocal strength.

02:33Not many pop singers could pull off these kinds of notes in such a short amount of time.

02:38It's certainly a physical feat, made up of vocal gymnastics that boggle the mind.

02:43Lovato does it all effortlessly, taking words and syllables to new heights.

02:52The chorus alone features some acrobatic inflections.

02:56When she has to sing the bridge, she almost goes into another dimension.

03:00Her extra emphasis only makes the track that much more intense.

03:04It's without a doubt a musical statement that's worthy of its success.

03:12Number 7, End of the Road, Boys to Men

03:15You could easily call it one of the best R&B tunes of the 1990s.

03:28End of the Road also represents a high point for Boys to Men,

03:31giving each member a chance to riff their way into history.

03:35This includes one of the more notable parts of the song by Wanya Morris.

03:39During the initial pre-chorus, the singer lets his voice loose

03:43and makes you do a double take.

03:45You might have to rewind it a couple of times to take in all of his greatness here.

03:59It's even more impressive considering that he's working alongside other worthy vocalists.

04:03His vocal run in particular is yet another reason to love the band,

04:07creating big moments for a hit single.

04:10Number 6, That's the Way It Is, Céline Zion

04:20By the end of the 1990s, Céline Zion had become a bona fide superstar.

04:30That's the Way It Is feels like something of a victory lap

04:33and another spotlight for her pipes.

04:39Later in the song, Zion throws in a vocal run

04:43that'll have you covered in goosebumps.

04:45It's just what the track needs

04:47and gives you one more surprise before it's over.

04:50Like all of the best pop tunes,

04:52the vocalist finds a way to accent these notes in a way only she could.

04:56It's a special moment in a long line of awesome work.

05:07Number 5, Superstition, Stevie Wonder

05:10With his work on this song and many others,

05:22Stevie Wonder had a hand in making vocal runs even more popular.

05:26This includes his 1972 smash hit, Superstition.

05:30He really knows how to show off his voice

05:32and answer the song at the same time.

05:35This is one of his best and funkiest tracks,

05:37including ample opportunities to sing a few extra notes.

05:46The vocalist glides through his performance,

05:49perfectly executing the assignment.

05:51He's always self-assured with a definitive style.

05:54In one of his greatest hits,

05:56Wonder finds a way to bring out the best in his iconic voice.

06:08Number 4, Beautiful, Christina Aguilera.

06:11In what might be her signature song,

06:21Christina Aguilera stands up for everyone in this moving ballad.

06:25It's a somber tune that still allows her to push herself as an artist.

06:29This includes some exciting vocal movements

06:31that you can't hear anywhere else.

06:34With each passing phrase,

06:36Aguilera builds up to the memorable chorus

06:38and eventually some fabulous vocal riffs.

06:45The artist once again declares herself

06:47as one of the best singers of the 2000s.

06:50We're still in awe of her ability to do a complicated run.

06:53In another tune hit like Ain't No Other Man,

06:56she once again does what few other vocalists can do.

06:59It's hard to pick Beyonce's best vocal performance.

07:17From her successful run in the 2000s,

07:19Halo represents one of her strongest ballads ever.

07:23She's a force to be reckoned with behind the mic

07:25and uses this tune to remind people.

07:28This includes her pitch-perfect vocal stylings in the chorus.

07:31It all builds up to a brief and stellar riff,

07:34providing the perfect accent to a modern classic.

07:45This accent turns an emotional song

07:47into an even more entertaining one.

07:49The performer proves that she's a versatile artist

07:52with the singing chops to compete with anybody.

07:54Everywhere I'm looking now

07:57I'm surrounded by your embrace

08:01Number 2. Vision of Love

08:03Mariah Carey

08:04In the early 1990s,

08:14Mariah Carey arrived on the scene

08:16as a fully formed vocalist.

08:17It didn't take long for her to unleash

08:19her earth-shattering abilities.

08:21Vision of Love is a prime example

08:23of her ability to riff

08:24and run her way through a song.

08:26She stops just short of being overpowering,

08:29but she's also a towering musical talent.

08:32You have to stop and wonder

08:33as you hear her amazing voice.

08:35Combining power and control,

08:45the singer makes otherworldly sounds seem possible.

08:48She also prepared herself here

08:50for a long career of groundbreaking vocals

08:53like Lead the Way and Forever.

09:01Before we unveil our top pick,

09:03here are a few honorable mentions.

09:05Think, Aretha Franklin

09:07An undeniable classic

09:09and one of the most iconic ways

09:11to sing freedom ever.

09:18We can't be friends,

09:20wait for your love.

09:21Ariana Grande

09:22She almost sounds too good

09:24as she delivers the single's finest notes.

09:33Stay with me, Sam Smith

09:35The British vocalist can bend his voice

09:38like a real professional.

09:45Insecure

09:45Jasmine Sullivan and Bryson Tiller

09:48The R&B singer brings out a delicate

09:50and immaculate vocal performance.

09:53Never won't take that no more

09:56Let's hear it for the boy, Denise Williams.

10:04This footloose soundtrack singer

10:05deserves more love for her riffs.

10:07Before we continue,

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10:291. I Will Always Love You

10:34Whitney Houston

10:35In this cover of Dolly Parton,

10:43Whitney Houston reminded everybody

10:45of her generational talent.

10:47She makes the song her own

10:48with some amazing pipes

10:49in a salute to Parton's original.

10:51The singer can stretch and expand her voice

10:54to the point of no return.

10:55It's a staggering feat

10:56that's made even better

10:58by a climactic key change.

11:00She once again sings the title,

11:02winning over hearts

11:03with her stratospheric sound.

11:04And I will always love you

11:11still stands as one

11:12of her crowning achievements,

11:14giving audiences

11:15an unprecedented look at her gift.

11:17It's definitely among

11:18the more pristine vocals ever recorded,

11:21rivaling the artist's work

11:22on I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

11:25Did we forget another iconic riff

11:30that blows you away?

11:31Let us know in the comments.

11:32Baby now

11:34Take me into your loving arms

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