Some you may know, some you may not...but here is MY top ten rock songs.
10. Jethro Tull, Aqualung.
Tull brilliantly combined rock, folk and story telling to create "Aqualung". Although not really a "single" per se, it is a rock classic that fired off a horde of imitations.
9. The classic and greatest one hit wonders of all time, The Knack came and went on 5 minutes of foot tapping rock that epitomised what a great pop song should be.
8. Traffic were an English "revolving door" band that sometimes featured Steve Winwood. They performed this amazing fusion of blues, rock, African beat and ballad in the little known but hugely respected "Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys".
7. That a song of power and beauty could come from such a band of redneck rockers shocked the world. Must be why God took them before their time.
6. First album from Nirvana, and they nailed it. What would they have done if Kurt hadn't eaten his gun? Its just a shame that the thousands of imitators that this band spawned couldn't even get close to this powerful and hard hitting rock powerhouse.
5. They had a lot of great songs, but Floyd's spine tingler, "Comfortable Numb" has been covered more times that a nun's chest by some of the luminaries of the rock world and stands apart from their album standards.
4. It was the soundtrack to a war, and created the myth that the Stones were devil worshippers, and even when that bongo riff starts up in 2015, it still chills the spine as a 71 year old Jagger snarls cynicism and hypocrisy that's as relevant now as it was then.
3. Bob Dylan (as you an hear in the video) was heckled by former fans when he converted from strict acoustic folkie to full electric fusion. In the process, he fused rock roots with socially biting folk poetry and observation that changed the musical landscape forever. although not the full song, it illustrates the reaction he initiated. Even The Beatles paid tribute to "Mr Jones".
2. Often argue as the greatest "single" of all times, it was never intended to be. From Led Zeppelin 4, a tour de force that merged all Zeps influence of folk, blues and hard rock on one of the finest albums of all time...but no song merged different musical forms into a coherent masterpiece like "Stairway To Heaven". Does anyone remember laughter?
1. The Beatles invented modern pop and rock, but their masterwork was neither rock, nor poppy, and it came from their period of decline, shortly before it ended forever. Although its McCartney's in all respects, its essentially a Beatles song that crossed age, cultural and social divides. Everyone knew the choral fade out like the backs of their hands..."nah, nah, nah nah nah nah nah". Re-interpreted by thousands, including Otis Redding, this song was both simple, complex and uplifting. The greatest rock song ever recorded.
Nice selection. Some might say a little tame and or mainstream but very respectable. :thumbup:
Thnak you, Renee. Kind of you to say so.
Some amongst us do not agree. However it must be said she...er, I mean they...think that "Thriller" defined rock music.
No accounting for taste.
Thriller set a bar for music video production so in that regard, it was an influential song. But hey, I'm talking to a guy who thinks "Hey Jude" was the best rock song ever so.... ac_razz
Thriller sucks. The best thing Michael Jackson ever did was die.
Quote from: "Renee"
Thriller is not on my list.
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Renee"
Thriller is not on my list.
Thank God, you had me worried. :laugh3:
Quote from: "RW"
Quote from: "Renee"
Thriller is not on my list.
What list?
ac_dunno
I just need two more and I'm travelling!
Dont we have a tread for music? (The Pulse)
Yes, but it needs a subbie. Cant add "categories" to the thread.
Quote from: "SPECTRE"
The guns n roses cover is awesome.
I saw this live before Dime bag died. This is easily one my favorite rock songs ever. I still get chills to this day when dime bag let's loose. You need to blast this one.
I take this over teen spirit
I'm a year and a half clean and this song will always have a special place in my heart.
I knew my husband was the guy for me when he played this for me. I'm a rather Gothic romantic.
much like mastocating!!
this song will always rock.
kind of offended metallica wasn't in your top ten. You know what they say old man....go hard, or go home :wink:
mad love for this album
another fav from Pantera
That'll do for now lol.
#10 Billy Squier
#9 Judas Priest
#8 U2
#7 Guns N Roses
#6 AC/DC
#5 Nirvana
#4 Oasis
#3 Shawn Mendes
#2 Bruno Mars
#1 The Script
#10. Light my Fire - Doors
Although I am not a big Doors fan, I have to give props to a darker, distinctive sound in a time that was all about peace and love. Their first hit, Light my Fire is an introduction to this truly original sound. I also give them props for sticking it to Ed Sullivan by keeping to their original lyrics and singing the line, "Baby we can't get much higher". You have to give props to a song that embodies conviction and controversy.
Some really good musical selections here people. :thumbup:
#9. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
Too sexually explicit for the UK, Satisfaction played mostly on pirate radio made it over to the US as the Stones first American hit. It eventually came to light in the UK hitting the top of the charts. The beauty of the song, is the three note guitar riff. As a guitar learner, I can appreciate it's simplicity because it's easy to play. In that regard, it's a very accessible song.
#8. Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen
Although not the "best" version of the song, this is Cohen's song originally so his version stands. Over 300 artists have done versions of this song all over the world including Bob Dylan, Bono, Willie Nelson, Bon Jovi, Neil Diamond, etc. I find it one of those songs that really lends to interpretations from the performing artist. It's a song that singers love to sing (including me in the shower) and one that I see really sticking to our musical ribs for years to come.
#7. Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
Two words - guitar solos. David Gilmour's guitar solos (yes two) are some of the best ever recorded. The echo in the song lends to the feeling of isolation stemming from illness. This song is touted as one of Pink Floyd's best and I have to agree.
#6. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Hitting the radio airways over 3 million times since release, it's still played on radios today. The guitar itself is legendary with the guitar solos voted some of the best of all time. This song will be played for decades to come.
I'm posting Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart fame doing Stairway to Heaven during a tribute to Led Zeppelin bringing the band to members to tears. Although Heart didn't make my top ten, these sisters rock hard and deserve props.
#5. All Along the Watch Tower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
Although originally written by Bob Dylan, most people identify this song with Jimi Hendrix making it one of the greatest cover songs of all time. Dylan himself said Hendrix really developed the song to what it is today and when it performs it, he tributes Hendrix. This is yet another song that has be covered by some serious heavy hitters like Neil Young, Grateful Dead, U2, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, Eddie Vedder, Supertramp, Dave Matthews Band, etc.
#4. Respect - Aretha Franklin
Franklin picked up this Otis Redding song and launched it to anthem status for politicized movements including feminism and civil rights.
#3. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
This song has everything - amazing guitar solos, opera, heavy metal, fatalistic lyrics - except a chorus. The abrupt changes in style, tone and tempo was uncommon in most mainstream pop and rock songs of the time. Freddie Mercury also strongly guarded the meaning of the lyrics to the song. This song performed by Queen saw two separate trips up the charts almost two decades apart, which was unheard of. Thanks Wayne's World for bringing this song back to my generation.
#2. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
This song made the then folksie Dylan a pop icon solidifying him as a true musical leader. This song had a huge impact on both popular culture and rock music itself. I think Bruce Springstein described this song the best when he said:
#1. Imagine - John Lennon
Rolling Stone magazine has described Imagine as Lennon's "
Well, credit where its due. A fine and worthy list. Grats. Good vibes and baaaaad attitudes abound.
BTW, its BRYAN Ferry.
Corrected and thank you.
Quote from: "RW"
Hitting the radio airways over 3 million times since release, it's still played on radios today. The guitar itself is legendary with the guitar solos voted some of the best of all time. This song will be played for decades to come.
I'm posting Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart fame doing Stairway to Heaven during a tribute to Led Zeppelin bringing the band to members to tears. Although Heart didn't make my top ten, these sisters rock hard and deserve props.
I have never heard that rendition by Heart.
:smiley_thumbs_up_yellow_ani:
I love it because of the reaction of the band members. I found it so well done and very touching.
Quote from: "RW"
I agree RW.
ac_smile