100 Greatest Rock Songs Ever! List of Best Downloads
Dec 11 '06
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Review of 100 Greatest Rock Songs Ever – Best Downloads (December 11, 2006)
Last Labor Day I was listening to the radio while doing some work around the house : 0). The local radio station was broadcasting a list of the top hundred some odd rock songs as voted by the listeners. They counted down backwards to the mysterious number one song. I couldn’t help wonder what it would be? Over the years, most rock radio stations would always somehow hold Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” for that top spot – a truly great rock song, but not my first pick.
With the Labor Day countdown, I couldn’t help but notice that the list contained only those songs that the station normally played (over, and over, and over again…). I thought it would be fun to put together a list of my favorite top 100 rock songs. Subconsciously, I always rate songs I hear as “one of the best”, “good”, or “this sucks!”
The top ten on my list have been staple songs that have been my favorites since I was a little boy. These are songs I know every word of. If one of these songs came on the radio, I would NEVER change the station, and usually crank up the volume a bit.
The other songs on my list are also great songs. However, unlike the top ten, these change often. There are hundreds of songs that if I heard one of them right now, I would probably say to myself “why didn’t I include that one?” But, the list was put together over a long period of time and maintained in a spreadsheet and ranked and re-ranked dozens of times.
I know a lot of people would question the list and probably think I am crazy to include one song or another in the list, or ask “why did he put that song before this one?” My answer is: “You are free to put together your own list!” As I indicated, I can be more flexible on songs 11 through 100. (For example, pretty much any Beatles or The Who can be inserted in place of other songs in the list). Maybe I should extend the list to the top 1000? Hmmm…. If you like the list as shown, you might want to download them to your MP3 player.
Well, anyway, here is my list and some insight as to why the songs appear on the list:
1 American Pie Don McLean – I remember when this song first came out on the radio in the early 1970’s! I would stop whatever I was doing and put my ear up to the radio. It turned me on to rock music. The album, American Pie, was the first record I ever bought (I still have it!).
2 Question The Moody Blues – A true thinking man’s song. The words are superbly put together. The questions the song asks are valid ones.
3 Pinball Wizard The Who – This song can be my epitaph! Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve played the silver ball (only on this side of the pond). Gets me in the mood for playing pinball every time I hear it!
4 Hotel California Eagles – A very mysterious song with some amazing guitar playing by the Eagles.
5 Hey Jude Beatles – I could listen to the Beatles all day long and never get tired! This song was the one that pulled the group together at a very difficult time for them. Paul really lets loose in this song “ya, ya, ya, ya…” Amazing. This song is nice and long too! So, if you are listening to it and suddenly have to go to the bathroom, chances are it will still be playing when you return!
6 Kashmir Led Zeppelin – Ah! The real greatest Led Zeppelin song! I love the way this song builds up to a climax. Great stuff!
7 Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin – Once the most played rock anthem on any rock radio station. Nice, smooth rock and roll by one of the masters!
8 Who Are You The Who – This song knocks me out every time! I consider it to be The Who’s swan song, since it is one of the last great songs produced by the band before the death of the great Keith Moon. I really wanna know…..who are you? (Who? Who? Who? Who?)
9 Good Vibrations Beach Boys – The Beach Boys at their very best. Brian Wilson mentioned in earlier interviews that his inspiration for this song was Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles.
10 Won't Get Fooled Again The Who – Really funky stuff! Ahead of its time!
11 She's A Rainbow Rolling Stones – I am also a Rolling Stone’s nut. This song stands out from the rest of their volumes of great songs. I often wondered why it sounded so different? I found out just recently: The Beatles helped out on back-up vocals. The most amazing piano playing on any rock song ever!
12 Bohemian Rhapsody Queen – Ah! Who can’t confess to singing this song out loud while driving down the highway? A truly original classic!
13 Low Spark of High Heeled Boys Traffic – Another great piano rock song! The lyrics do not make much sense, but they are cool just the same!
14 Taxi Harry Chapin – A nice story wrapped up in music.
15 Peace Train Cat Stevens – Any music that advocates peace is worth a listen to me. This song has such a sweet sound. Cat Stevens at his finest.
16 Rocks Off Rolling Stones – The Stones really kicked up in this song. I believe the Stones were at their greatest when Mick Taylor was a part of the band. I love listening to this song particularly on Mondays, while driving to work: “The sunshine bores the daylights out of me!”
17 Sweet Is the Night – ELO – Another super band that does not get nearly enough air play on the radio anymore. At one time, I had a cassette tape stuck in my car’s player. I happily listened to ELO for months while driving! Just amazing instrumentals on this song.
18 Truckin' Grateful Dead – A true American Beauty!
19 Gimme Shelter Rolling Stones – I wore out my Stone’s records while in high school from playing them so much. A great party pleaser!
20 Sympathy For The Devil Rolling Stones – A great song to listen to with a headset while running. Great exercise music. Try it!
21 Free Bird Lynyrd Skynyrd – “What song is it that you want to hear?” Another rock epic.
22 Turn, Turn, Turn Byrds – The Bryds were masters of melody. I love what they’ve done to some of Bob Dylan’s songs. This song however was adapted from the bible, book of Ecclesiastes.
23 Time Pink Floyd – A true masterpiece of what I call finely engineered music. I love to crank up the Dark Side of the Moon while outdoors late at night – especially if there is a full moon!
24 California Dreaming Mamas & Papas – A great rhyming song that sticks in my head long after the song is over.
25 True Love Ways Buddy Holly & The Crickets – A pretty ballad that is pretty deep. Love it!
26 Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd – Another Pink Floyd masterpiece with beautiful acoustic guitar.
27 Born To Run Bruce Springsteen – The boss’ epic rocker! Hey! Bruce is from NJ!
28 Superstition Stevie Wonder – One of the funkiest tunes I ever heard! Super cool!
29 Have You Ever Seen The Rain? Creedence Clearwater Revival – A nice song to listen to in the summer time while sitting on the front porch with a cold one while watching the rain come down. A southern gem.
30 Lola Kinks – A fun song. The Kinks letting their hair down a bit, I guess….
31 Love is Alive Gary Wright – A truly under rated song. This is such a powerful, moving rocking song.
32 Smoke on the Water Deep Purple – Brings me back to the 1970’s and my first car – a souped up Chevy Nova. I used to drive around the park with the windows down with this song cranked all the way up! Super cool!
33 Nights on Broadway Bee Gees – One of the great harmony bands! This song has such a sweet sound. I’m not a great Bee Gees fan, but I love to hear this one.
34 Veronica Elvis Costello – A fast moving song with lots of lyrics, in the grand, Elvis Costello tradition. A great melody!
35 This Magic Moment Jay & The Americans – My wife and I chose this song for our wedding song! One of the most played on Valentine’s Day. Jay can really hold a note!
36 Don't Fear The Reaper Blue Oyster Cult – One of the two greatest songs to listen to with headphones! The music kind of spins around in circles. Love it.
37 I'm Your Captain Grand Funk Railroad – Reminds me of cruising, for some reason….
38 25 or 6 to 4 Chicago – Love the use of horns in Chicago’s music. Great, fast paced tune.
39 I've Seen All Good People Yes – I proposed to my wife while this song was playing…Nice chess song.
40 Lucky Man Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Kind of reminds me that there is more to life than materialistic things. Make each day count!
41 Time of the Season Zombies – One of those old songs I love singing to.
42 Pretty Woman Roy Orbison – One of the old crooner’s greatest masterpieces.
43 Locomotive Breath Jethro Tull – The other of the two greatest songs to listen to with a headset! Sounds like a train is moving from one ear to the other. Really cool!
44 Born To Be Wild Steppenwolf – A great song when I am feeling crazy!
45 Suite Judy Blue Eyes Crosby, Stills & Nash – Another pretty ballad.
46 Let It Be Beatles – A true ending to a class act band. Nice message.
47 Powder Finger Neil Young – Love the guitar playing. I play this song on the guitar all the time!
48 California Girls Beach Boys – I wish they were all NJ girls!
49 Someone Saved My Life Tonight Elton John – Another song that has the message there is more to life than money. Very pretty.
50 Oh What a Night Four Seasons – How does Franky hit those high notes?
51 Imagine John Lennon – Great message.
52 Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Genesis – Another one of my favorite songs to listen to while running. I practiced for the NY marathon while listening to this on my walkman.
53 Dear Prudence Beatles – One of the lads prettiest songs.
54 Lady Styx – Nice vocals!
55 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Elton John -
56 Daniel Elton John – Another great song to sing along with.
57 Come Sail Away Styx – One of those songs that start out slow and lead up to high rock action.
58 Rock & Roll All Night Kiss – The ultimate 1970’s rocking song!
59 Peter Frampton Do You Feel Like We Do – This guy played an amazing guitar in his day. Amazing how he makes his guitar talk!
60 More Than A Feeling Boston – Non-stop energy all the way!
61 Johnny B Goode Chuck Berry – Just a true classic song from a real guitar master!
62 Bridge Over Troubled Waters Simon & Garfunkel – Just a pretty song I like to listen to. Great vocals by Art!
63 All Right Now Free – Great singing! Let’s me know it is alright now!
64 Frankenstein Edgar Winter Group – Super instrumental well put together!
65 Melissa The Allman Brothers Band – One of their many great guitar pieces.
66 Strawberry Fields Forever The Beatles – Another of the Beatles most beautiful songs. Unique instrumentals here.
67 You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet Bachman Turner Overdrive – Spectacular singing! “You, You, You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”
68 You've Lost That Loving Feeling Righteous Brothers – This song is both sad, and in a way, sort of spooky.
69 One Three Dog Night – If you are going to sing a song about a number, what better number to sing about? Very clever song.
70 Badlands Bruce Springsteen – My wife’s favorite Bruce song. Really rocks it up here.
71 Thin Line Kinks – A super pretty song by some ballad masters!
72 A Day In The Life The Beatles – Super use of the piano at the end to finish the song.
73 Dream On Aerosmith – Song is well put together.
74 (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction Rolling Stones - I love the part about the man on TV telling me how white my shirts can be! Rock on!
75 Stuck In The Middle With You Steeler's Wheel – There is nobody else I would rather be stuck in the middle with!
76 Whiter Shade of Pale Procol Harum - A nice sad song to listen to while winding down.
77 Yesterday Beatles – Pure poetry
78 Moondance Van Morrison – A great party song! Gets my foot tapping all the time!
79 For What It's Worth Buffalo Springfield – They just do not write songs like this anymore!
80 White Room Cream – Gives me a good reason to never paint a room white!
81 Night Moves Bob Seger – Brings me back to when I was a teen, vacationing with my family in Virgina Beach: “In the summertime….sweet, sweet summertime.”
82 Do You Believe In Magic Lovin' Spoonful – Just one of those really crisp, clean songs that is great to listen to!
83 Nights in White Satin Moody Blues – Another greatly written song by a super band!
84 The Joker Steve Miller Band – Something about putting fruit in a song makes the song that much better! “I really your peaches …want to shake your tree.”
85 Tempted Squeeze – another fruit song! Tempted by the fruit of another! Great song! Makes me want to eat an apple or something!
86 Eight Miles High Byrds – hmmm….that’s pretty high. Wonder what they are going to do up there?
87 Paradise By The Dashboard Light Meatloaf – A great song to grow up to!
88 American Woman Guess Who – The best kind!
89 A Horse With No Name America - One of the great story songs. Back when it first came out, like many other songs, it was almost over played. Still sounds great!
90 Whole Lotta Love Led Zeppelin – One of their finest! Far out!
91 House of the Rising Sun Animals – Just a cool song. Love to hear, but hardly hear it anymore.
92 Layla Derek and the Dominoes – Nice rock anthem
93 Whipping Post Allman Brothers – Great song to listen to when you are mad at someone! Now, where is that whip…..
94 Piano Man Billy Joel – I love piano in rock songs. This is the quintessential sing around the piano song. Great stuff!
95 Respect Aretha Franklin – The only way to read the title of this song is: “R – E – S – P – E – C – T” (and don’t you forget it!). Song belted out by a true rock and roll momma!
96 Like A Rolling Stone Bob Dylan – Love the stories this man tells. Scrappy voice, but makes his songs that much better!
97 Young Americans David Bowie – A Brit telling us who we are? Hmmm….
98 Heart of Gold Neil Young – A nice, down-homezy song that is fun to play on the guitar too!
99 Wonderful Tonight Eric Clapton – A great drinking song!
100 Light My Fire Doors – Not much of a Door’s fan, but loved the antics Jim Morrison played during the Ed Sullivan show back in the 1960’s. He was told he could not sing “Light my Fire” on TV since it was too provocative. The band did so anyway with gusto!
This is by far the most difficult review I ever tried to accomplish. I hope you enjoy the list! I’d love to read your comments, but please do not ask me why I chose one song over another (I might be tempted to revise the list again!) Maybe a radio station will use it to play the top 100 rock songs for New Years! Thanks for reading and best wishes for happy holidays ahead!
Mike
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