Every Guitarist Knows "Smoke on the Water" Quiz

Answer: Layla (Derek and the Dominos)

Written by Eric Clapton and drummer Jim Gordon, "Layla" was dedicated to the beautiful Pattie Boyd, with whom Clapton had fallen in love though she was married to his friend George Harrison. The song, recorded by the blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos, appeared on their only studio album, "Layla and Assorted Love Songs" (1970), and was released as a single the following year.

Its iconic riff was composed by the band's other lead guitarist, Duane Allman (of Allman Brothers fame), who died in a motorcycle crash a year after the album's release.

The Persian tale of Layla and Majnun, from which the song takes its title, is a tragic love story whose male protagonist is driven insane by his thwarted love.

Answer: You Really Got Me (The Kinks)

Built around a guitar riff played by lead guitarist Dave Davies, "You Really Got Me" was written by The Kinks' lead singer and main songwriter, Ray Davies (Dave's brother). It was released in August 1964 as the band's third single, reaching No. 1 of the UK singles chart, and No. 7 of the US Billboard Hot 100.

The song was later included on the band's self-titled debut album (October 1964). Many younger music fans, however, are more familiar with Van Halen's blistering cover version, featured on the American band's 1978 debut album, and preceded by the celebrated instrumental "Eruption".

Answer: Back in Black (AC/DC)

"Back in Black" is the title-track of AC/DC's seventh album, released in July 1980 - just a few months after the death of the band's lead singer, Bon Scott. The song's lyrics were written by Scott's replacement, English vocalist Brian Johnson. With its simple but memorable riff, powered by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young's dual-guitar attack, "Back in Black" is a classic rock anthem that has been covered multiple times, and is often mentioned as one of the greatest guitar songs of all time.

Answer: Pinball Wizard (The Who)

Written by Pete Townshend, The Who's guitarist and main songwriter, "Pinball Wizard" is probably the best-known song from the band's iconic rock opera "Tommy" (1969), and has been regularly performed on stage since its first release. The song's distinctive guitar riff - originally played by Townshend on an acoustic guitar - was sampled by Dutch band Shocking Blue in their hit "Venus" (also released in 1969).

In the 1975 film adaptation of "Tommy, directed by Ken Russell, the titular Pinball Wizard - the local pinball champion who is defeated by deaf, dumb and blind Tommy - is interpreted by Elton John, who also performed the song live on various occasions.

Answer: Iron Man (Black Sabbath)

Black Sabbath's founding member and guitarist Tony Iommi has been often called the King of the Riff - and with good reason, as many of the band's best-known songs feature memorable riffs. The story of a man who travels into the future and witnesses the apocalypse, "Iron Man" appears on Black Sabbath's second album, "Paranoid" (whose title-track also boasts a famous riff); it was also released as a single in October 1971. To get the peculiar effect in the song's first line ("I am Iron Man"), vocalist Ozzy Osbourne sang behind an oscillator metal fan. Though included in the soundtrack of the 2008 movie of the same name, "Iron Man" is not about the superhero, but might be an allusion to Joseph Stalin ("Man of Steel").

Answer: Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix)

Released as a single by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in March 1967, "Purple Haze" is also the opening number on the band's debut album, "Are You Experienced". The song showcases Hendrix's highly innovative guitar playing style, including his signature "Hendrix chord". Though often believed to refer to a psychedelic, drug-fueled experience, the song was described by the guitarist as having been inspired by a dream he had of walking under the sea and getting lost in the titular purple haze.

The misheard lyrics bit refers, of course, to the line "'Scuse me while I kiss the sky", often misinterpreted as "'Scuse me while I kiss this guy".

Answer: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)

According to some sources, Rolling Stones guitarist and songwriter Keith Richards wrote the iconic riff to "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" in a motel room in Florida, during the band's 1965 US tour. Released as a single in June of the same year, the song was an immediate hit, reaching No. 1 in the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100.

The song's lyrics, written by singer Mick Jagger, juxtapose sexual frustration and irritation at modern world's increasing commercialism. "Satisfaction" has been covered many times by a wide range of artists, including Otis Redding, Devo and Britney Spears.

Answer: (Don't Fear) The Reaper (Blue Öyster Cult)

Written by the band's lead guitarist and founding member Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" is Blue Öyster Cult's best-known song, and their biggest hit. The song is still regularly performed live by the veteran American hard rock band, who still has a strong following in spite of having been without a record deal for almost 20 years. Though "(Don't Fear) the Reaper" deals with eternal love and the inevitability of death, its music - dominated by Buck Dharma's stellar guitar - is anything but gloomy.

The song has been celebrated in the "Saturday Night Live" skit "More Cowbell" (2000), featuring Christopher Walken, and referring to the song's prominent use of the percussion instrument.

Answer: Roadhouse Blues (The Doors)

Written by legendary frontman Jim Morrison, "Roadhouse Blues" first appeared on The Doors' fifth studio album, "Morrison Hotel" (February 1970), and was shortly afterwards released as a single in a slightly shorter version. The song, a concert staple for the band, showcases guitarist Robby Krieger's skills, underpinned by Ray Manzarek's piano. "Roadhouse Blues" has been covered on numerous occasions - notably by English band Status Quo, and by Blue Öyster Cult on their live album "Extraterrestrial Live" (1982), with Robby Krieger guesting on guitar.

Answer: Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)

Featured on Led Zeppelin's ambitious double album "Physical Graffiti" - their first release on their own label Swan Song - "Kashmir" was written by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant, with contributions from drummer John Bonham. The song, influenced by Arabic and Eastern music, was inspired by a trip Plant took in a desolate area of southern Morocco. Since its release, "Kashmir" was played by the band at almost every concert - including their reunion show at London's O2 in 2007; a live version with an orchestra of North African musicians was recorded by Page and Plant for their 1994 album "No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded".