Joe's Jams 09.25.08: Top Classic Rock Songs 150-101
Posted by Joe Rivett on 09.25.2008
Part two of this series to determine what is above average classic rock...
Disclaimer
- I came up with this list based on what I would listen to if two songs were on the radio. This list is not what I think are the most impressive songs, it is simply what I would pick.
– I don't include Metallica as they would really flood the list and I'm not sure I want to label them classic rock.
- I consider the Beatles to be Oldies.
- My hope is that you don't own all of these songs and will try downloading some which is really the purpose of all of my columns.
150. Jethro Tull: My God – A great long song with a Christmas flute solo in the middle.
149. Black Sabbath: Die Young – Heavy metal mixed with harmonica.
148. Led Zeppelin: Immigrant Song – Ah AhAHHHHHHHHH AH!
147. Steely Dan: My Old School – Love the chorus.
146. Pat Benetar: Heartbreaker – Pat Benetar sounds hot.
145. Pink Floyd: One of These Days – The bass is in the beginning grabs your attention
144. Who: Won't Get Fooled Again – Would be a perfect song for the Obama campaign
143. Doobie Brothers: China Groove – One of the most memorable guitar licks.
142. Rush: Freewill – Geddy Lee's voice takes some time to like but once you like it, you are hooked.
141. Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil – This song is textbook samba mixed with rock and roll.
140. ACDC: For Those About to Rock – I always liked this song but Artie Lange made it cooler.
139. Scorpions: The Zoo – I love the wah wah pedal at the end.
138. Foreigner: Long Long Way From Home – I love the synthesizer in this one.
137. Skid Row: I Remember You – Sebastian Bach is so good that he has done opera and Broadway.
136. ZZ Top: Sharp Dressed Man – One of the catchiest guitar riffs ever.
135. Who: Pinball Wizard – Part of one of the greatest albums ever.
134. Lynyrd Skynard: Freebird – I love the beginning of Freebird but the guitar solo just goes on way too long at the end and is indulgent.
133. Rush: YYZ – One of the better instrumentals in rock history.
132. Bryan Adams: Summer of 69 – I like Bryan Adams' voice in this song.
131. Europe: Final Countdown – It is a cheesy song but I always find myself listening to it.
130. Edgar Winter Group: Frankenstein – What makes this song so great is that the sound conjures up an image of Frankenstein.
129. John Melloncamp: I Need A Lover – Most of John Melloncamps hits sound the same but this one stands out.
128. Boston: Amanda – One of the better love songs. It is too bad it took Boston forever to release their third album.
127. Steely Dan: My Old School – Women are cruel.
126. Police: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic – Sting's voice is incredible and I like it the most in this song.
125. Allman Brothers Band: Ramblin Man – As I've grown older, I'm really getting into country sounding rock songs.
124. Alice Cooper: Welcome to my Nightmare – This is on a disturbing concept album and is a great way to start the nightmare.
123. Jackson Browne: Stay – A great cover of a doo-wop song. Jackson has a very real sounding voice in this one.
122. Procol Harum: A Whiter Shade of Pale – A great keyboard melody.
121. Cream: White Room – Cream's best song by far.
120. CSN: Suite - Judy Blue Eyes – I like hearing a group of guys sing and harmonize.
119. Lou Reed: Take a Walk on the Wild Side – I remember this song being on when I took my Nana out to lunch. She made the comment: "I didn't know people still used the term 'colored girls'." I then told my Nana that this song was written in 1972.
118. Eagles: Peaceful Easy Feeling – I love Glen Frey's voice and another great country-rock song.
117. Dio: Holy Diver – Nobody sings with more passion than Ronnie James Dio.
116. Scorpions: Holiday – Didn't do well on the charts and I never heard it on the radio but I heard it on an album and it became my favorite on the album.
115. Elton John: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – I remember when I saw John/Joel live, I was amazed how much better of a performer Elton John is.
114. Steve Miller Band: Jungle Love – "You live in a world of illusion, where everything is peaches and cream."
113. Mott the Hoople: All the Young Dudes – Written by David Bowie and is a fun chorus to sing when you are drunk.
112. Sammy Hagar: There's Only One Way to Rock – A million ways to make love but only one way to rock. I am dying to know if there is a significance to 8:05.
111. Tom Petty: I Won't Back Down – I love the way Tom Petty says the word "Down."
110. Doors: LA Woman – This is another song that makes you want to drive fast.
109. Rush: Red Barchetta – There is a lot of Rush on this list so get used to it.
108. Led Zeppelin: Rock and Roll – I love the beginning of this song.
107. Blackfoot: Highway Song – Similar to Freebird but I like it better.
106. George Thorogood: I Drink Alone – The proud to be an alcoholic song.
105. Eagles: Seven Bridges Road – Once again I like guys harmonizing.
104. Hollies: Long Cool Woman – This song is fun and catchy.
103. Focus: Hocus Pocus – Download the shorter version as it is much better and less repetitive.
102. Rush - Tom Sawyer – Neil Pert is one of the greatest drummers ever and it shows in this song.
101. Ozzy Osbourne: Crazy Train – One of the greatest intros in a rock song.
Here is an email responding to my putting the song Poison by Alice Cooper on the list.
Hi Joe,
On your list of Top Classic Rock Songs - #200-#151 you comment: "...I wonder why I never hear it on radio."
I'm a huge fan of A.C. and am frustrated and perplexed by the lack of his material on the air.
Alice said it himself in an interview that no matter what he does he doesn't seem to be able to make it on the radio. Radio stations have agendas, namely dollar bills, and seem to attach a certain stigma to the name "Alice Cooper". He can't even get nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for crying out loud.
With the renewed interest in classic rock and the birth of many radio stations seemingly catering to this genre of music you would think that Alice Cooper the solo artist would be embraced as much if not more than Alice Cooper the group. As far as I'm concerned, ACG is not played often enough either and the same tracks are played over and over again. There are so many songs to choose from.
He's not the only one getting this treatment though which is why A.C. became a radio host. He too realized the need for good classic guitar rock on the air and wanted the forgotten bands and tracks heard again, including his. He also treats us with behind the scenes stories that can only be told by the man himself because he was there and lived the life.
I saw him Friday night and he was in top form. As usual his daughter Calico was part of the show. This time she was joined on stage by her mom Sheryl and sister Sonora Rose. Alice met Sheryl when she was one of the dancers on the Welcome to My Nightmare extravaganza.
I'm looking forward to his next show built around his latest "Along Came A Spider".
When was the last time someone recorded a "concept album"? And a creepy one at that.
But to answer your last comment NIN's Year Zero was a (great) concept album and did have elements of creepiness... I guess
Posted By: Jcon (Guest) on September 25, 2008 at 06:57 AM
It's kind of depressing to think that the bands you listened to in your teens are now considered "Classic Rock".
While I may quibble with the rankings of some of these songs (Behind Blue Eyes adn Won't Get Fooled Again belong in the top 50), I can't deny the case of most of them being on the list.
Posted By: Michael L (Guest) on September 25, 2008 at 08:58 AM
I am another fan of Alice who is happy to see a number of his great songs on your list. One way we AC fans can combat the lack of his songs on the radio waves is to call in an request them. I do that on the local college and rock stations and sometimes it works. I figure that airing an Alice song is a great way to to introduce new listeners to an important, yet overlooked rock icon.
Posted By: geriyac (Guest) on September 25, 2008 at 11:01 AM
I will admit i did not "study" the lists,but i noticed the lack of Cheap Trick. Hopefully they will make an appearance on the next list.
And Motley Crue was your fave band in 2nd grade? You make me feel ancient dude, i was out of high school by the time you were getting into the Crue.
Posted By: gutter (Guest) on September 29, 2008 at 06:08 AM
why is my old school there twice
dammit
Posted By: BL4L (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 12:08 AM
