The Forbidden Songs (and Perfect Ones) to Play When Trying a Guitar in a Store

Every guitarist dreams of testing that legendary riff in a music store. But some songs have been played one too many times. Discover which are the forbidden ones—and which riffs actually show off your guitar (and save the clerk’s ears).

## Introduction

Walking into a music store is like stepping into paradise for any guitarist. Shining strings, amps whispering “try me”, guitars looking down at you from their stands like sirens ready to lure you in.

And yet, behind the shop owner’s smile there’s often a whole web of sound triggers: riffs they’ve heard so many times they could play them in their sleep. There are “forbidden” songs, turned into global memes, that every musician has tried at least once — and that every seller secretly hopes never to hear again.

In this article from the Muviber Music Social Club, we’ll look at: the songs you should absolutely avoid if you want to stay on good terms with the shop staff, the perfect alternatives to test an instrument, and a few “joker” riffs that can actually earn you bonus points if you play them with taste.

## The “forbidden” songs: guitar-store memes

Some riffs are so iconic they’ve become unwritten laws in the musician world. And yet, they’re also the most banned ones in music stores.

1. “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin

The meme of all memes. From the famous ban in Wayne’s World to jokes on every forum, “Stairway” is the symbol of the songs you just don’t play.

2. “Smoke on the Water” – Deep Purple

The riff that taught the whole world power chords.

3. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses

That arpeggiated riff is gorgeous, but if three customers have already played it before you…

4. “Wonderwall” – Oasis

Not really an “electric guitar” song, but in acoustic rooms it’s a full-blown seasonal plague.

## The recommended songs to try a guitar

Now that we know what not to play, here’s a playlist of songs that really let you hear how a guitar sounds — and that won’t trigger emotional alarms in the salesperson.

1. “Little Wing” – Jimi Hendrix

Perfect to test dynamics and clarity. The arpeggiated parts show how the pickup reacts to a light touch. Search “Hendrix Stratocaster” on Muviber.

2. “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits

An incredible test for players who want to hear definition and the clean tone of single coils.

Mark Knopfler would approve — but only if you don’t use a pick.

3. “Gravity” – John Mayer

Smooth lines, modern blues — perfect to check sustain and attack response. Explore his gear on Muviber.

4. “Back in Black” – AC/DC

If you want to test classic overdrive, this is the final exam.

Bonus: it’s almost impossible not to feel powerful when that riff kicks in.

5. “Lenny” – Stevie Ray Vaughan

Clean, reverb, feel. If you can play it well, the shop owner might even offer you a coffee.

Careful: don’t try it if the guitar is out of tune. You might break hearts.

## Bonus track: the “risky but forgivable” ones

“Enter Sandman” – Metallica
“Under the Bridge” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Come As You Are” – Nirvana
“Message in a Bottle” – The Police

Play them only if you really know them. The line between “wow, nice” and “please stop” is as thin as a .009 string.

## Trivia

In 2015, a UK music shop put up a sign that said:

No Stairway, No Smoke, No Wonderwall. It went viral, and today it’s become a global tradition: many shops have their own list of “forbidden songs”.

But in the end, the truth is simple: music is meant to be played. Just… maybe, at a reasonable volume.

## FAQ

What’s the most hated song in guitar stores? “Stairway to Heaven” wins by far, followed by “Smoke on the Water”.

What’s a good song to test an electric guitar? “Little Wing” by Hendrix or “Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits are both great to evaluate dynamics.

Can I try one of my own riffs? Absolutely. In fact, it’s the best way to tell if a guitar is really “yours”.