Youth Gone Wild - Skid Row

Master the Iconic Riff from "Youth Gone Wild"

Skid Row’s Youth Gone Wild is a high-energy anthem packed with attitude, aggression, and pure rock ‘n’ roll spirit. The opening riff, driven by raw power and precision, is an essential piece for any guitarist looking to capture the essence of late-‘80s hard rock. In this note-for-note lesson, we break down the techniques used in this classic riff, helping you refine your playing and expand your skillset.

The Youth Gone Wild riff embodies the punchy, tight rhythm work characteristic of Skid Row’s sound. With its blend of power chords, palm muting, and syncopated rhythms, this riff offers a fantastic workout for developing both right-hand picking accuracy and left-hand fretboard control. Andy James breaks down this classic riff in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists Behind "Youth Gone Wild"

The guitar work on Youth Gone Wild was brought to life by Skid Row’s dynamic duo—Dave "Snake" Sabo and Scotti Hill. These two players helped define the late-‘80s and early-‘90s hard rock and metal scene with their powerful riffing, blazing solos, and harmonised lead work. Their ability to balance aggression with melody made them a standout pair in an era of technical guitar heroes.

Dave Sabo’s playing leans into classic metal influences, with precise picking and a strong sense of rhythm. Scotti Hill adds flair with expressive bends and harmonics, bringing a more blues-influenced edge to the band’s sound. Together, they created the signature energy that made Skid Row a force to be reckoned with.

Techniques Featured in the "Youth Gone Wild" Riff

Power Chords

Power chords are the backbone of countless rock and metal riffs, and Youth Gone Wild is no exception. The song’s riff relies heavily on these two- or three-note chords to create a thick and aggressive sound. Mastering power chords helps develop left-hand strength and right-hand precision, making them an essential tool for any rock guitarist.

Palm Muting

Palm muting adds the tight, chugging feel that gives the riff its driving momentum. By lightly resting the palm on the strings while picking, you create a percussive, controlled attack that enhances rhythm playing. Learning palm muting will greatly improve your ability to play metal and hard rock riffs with precision.

Syncopated Rhythms

One of the key elements that make the Youth Gone Wild riff so infectious is its use of syncopation. Rather than following a straightforward rhythmic pattern, the riff plays around the beat, making it sound more dynamic. Understanding syncopated rhythms will improve your timing and ability to groove within a band setting.

Slides

Slides connect different sections of the riff smoothly, adding a fluid and expressive quality. Sliding between power chords or single notes enhances phrasing and provides a seamless transition between different parts of a riff. Incorporating slides into your playing will help you develop smoother fretboard movement.

String Bending

Although more prominent in the solo, slight bends appear in the riff to give it extra character. String bending is a fundamental technique that adds expression and emotion to a guitarist’s playing, making it an invaluable skill to master.

Pick Slides

A defining feature of many hard rock and metal riffs, pick slides add an aggressive, textured sound that enhances the energy of the song. By dragging the pick down the strings, you create a screeching effect that’s a staple of high-energy rock performances.

Why Learn This Riff?

• Enhances rhythm playing: The combination of power chords and palm muting helps you tighten up your rhythm guitar skills.
• Improves timing and feel: Syncopation trains you to play in the pocket and develop better rhythmic precision.
• Strengthens fretting hand control: The slides and power chord movements improve left-hand dexterity.
• Adds rock ‘n’ roll attitude to your playing: Pick slides and muted chugs give your guitar tone an extra edge.

By mastering the Youth Gone Wild riff, you’ll gain essential techniques that can be applied to countless other rock and metal songs.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Slides
• String Bending
• Pick Slides

This lesson provides a deep dive into one of Skid Row’s most iconic riffs, giving you the tools to develop a rock-solid rhythm guitar foundation. Whether you’re a fan of the band or simply looking to improve your playing, learning Youth Gone Wild is a must for any aspiring rock guitarist!