The Indepent: Muse song named greatest riff of the 21st century

Rock trio Muse are the greatest riff merchants of the 21st century, music fans said today.

The band's 2001 track Plug in Baby - which reached number 11 in the UK singles chart - has been named the best guitar riff of the past decade.

And the poll - for Total Guitar magazine - also placed the group, whose guitarist Matt Bellamy created the memorable lines, at number five with Knights Of Cydonia.

Total Guitar asked readers to name the ultimate guitar riff of the past 10 years, which is celebrated in a special "monster riffs" edition of the magazine on sale today.

Bands such as Green Day, Kasabian, Biffy Clyro, Elbow, Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers all made the top 50, which strips out the 60s and 70s acts which often dominate such lists. Last year a poll found that 1968 track Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix was the greatest all-time riff.

Bellamy's winning riff is deceptively difficult to play, according to the magazine's experts.

Stephen Lawson, Editor of Total Guitar magazine said: "I think Muse won because Matt Bellamy is a guitar hero for the 21st century. He's genuinely innovative, a real creative type who comes up with unique guitar parts. I'm sure it helps that his riffs are catchy too.