Whether you are squeezed onto the Jubilee line at London Bridge or gliding above the docks on the DLR, your morning transit sets the tone for the entire workday. Most City professionals try to drown out the screech of the rails with passive podcasts or generic lo-fi beats. But if you want a genuine energy boost before stepping into the office, you need electric guitars.

Swapping background noise for a curated commute playlist packed with heavy strings is the easiest way to inject life into your daily ride. Here are three tracks featuring the best guitar riffs of all time that fit the E14 backdrop perfectly—including a Hendrix classic that is surprisingly easy for beginners to learn.

The DLR Swagger: "Do I Wanna Know?" by Arctic Monkeys

There is something cinematic about riding the DLR as the glass towers of Canary Wharf come into view. You need a track with heavy attitude, and Alex Turner’s iconic opening riff delivers exactly that. It is slow, moody, and stomps forward with an undeniable, heavy groove.

From a musician's perspective, this riff is a masterclass in how simplicity wins. It doesn't rely on lightning-fast shredding; it is all about tone, timing, and swagger. For anyone starting out on guitar, learning a riff like this is a massive confidence booster because it sounds massive from day one.

The Tunnel Wake-Up Call: "Back in Black" by AC/DC

When you are three stops deep into the Jubilee line tunnel and your morning espresso hasn't kicked in yet, subtlety is useless. You need pure, unadulterated rock and roll, and Angus Young’s legendary 1980 opening chord progression is the ultimate auditory adrenaline shot.

This track earned its spot among rock royalty because of its punchy, percussive power chords and snappy blues fills between the beats. It forces your brain to pay attention. Mastering those crisp, muted pauses between the chords is one of the most satisfying milestones an adult beginner can achieve on an electric guitar.

The Evening Reset: "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix

The ride home requires a completely different energy. When you shut your laptop after a ten-hour stretch on the trading floor, you don't need aggression—you need decompression.

While much of Jimi Hendrix's catalog is famously complex, "The Wind Cries Mary" is a rare gem: it delivers that rich, soul-drenched Hendrix vibe while being amazingly accessible for beginner hands. The entire main riff revolves around simple major chord shapes sliding smoothly up and down the neck. It is fluid, atmospheric, and serves as the ultimate sonic palate cleanser after a high-pressure day in the office.

Turn Your Headphones Into a Hobby at Kitchen Jam

Listening to a killer riff on your way into E14 is great, but actually playing it yourself is infinitely better. If your daily soundtrack has you quietly air-guitaring on the Canary Wharf escalators, it is time to turn that passive appreciation into a real, tactile skill.

If you want to learn rock guitar London style without stuffy exams or boring solo drills, Kitchen Jam is built specifically for your routine. Located right on your doorstep in the heart of Wood Wharf, we focus on real songs, social group jams, and practical playing. Swap the commute boredom for a fretboard—book a taster session at Kitchen Jam and start playing the tracks that power your daily ride.

< Older Post