List: Top Ten Best RocknRoll Songs Ever Written

What I want to do, is compile a list: The Top Ten Best Rock and Roll Songs ever written. However, I don't want to do it alone - because my picks alone - won't be accurate - as together I think, with different tastes, and opinions, we'll be able to compile a much broader list.

What we can do, is submit our picks and discuss why or why not. Which songs should stay on the list, which ones should be taken off, which songs are better, which ones are equally as good…etc. Perhaps at the end of it, we’ll decide that there should actually be 20 instead of 10 songs. Who knows? What do you think?

*Songs aren't limited to one time period (ex. 60’s, 70’s, now, etc...) You don’t have to submit 10 songs, you can suggest one, and give reasons why you think it should be on this list. If you agree with someone’s nomination, you could star the post, or reply to their post giving more reasons (if there are any) as to why that song should be on the list.

Anyway. Time to discuss!

Here are a few of my picks to get us started:

“Break on Through” – The Doors
This song was extremely hard for me to choose – as being a diehard Doors fan, all of their songs (to me) are pretty great. Minus Light my Fire, but that’s a different topic. Tied for this were: Soul Kitchen, The Crystal Ship, and Break on Through.

I personally thing that The Doors contributed a great deal of awesome works to the music industry, in the short time that they were together/Jim was alive. Most of their songs were dark, broody, and questioned the very “line” that you could cross in terms of lyrical content. Not to mention, that I think the Vocals, Percussion, Guitars, Organ etc, all tie this song into a neat little bow; giving it the perfect balance of a well written and performed melody. So, I submit “Break on Through” by The Doors, to be on the List of Top 10 Best Rock and Roll Songs, ever written. Any ideas on this?

**It is my personal opinion that the Live Version found on the “Essential Rarities” CD, is one of the best versions out there. However I can't find the one with the FULL intro on there...**



“Layla” – Eric Clapton
Like I said, I love Guitars. The guitars at the beginning of this song catch you straight away. They send the message of “Yeah this is a rock and roll song, we’re not screwing around here. We’re not beating around the bush. We’re jumping right into this song.” Clapton’s guitar playing, no doubt should put him on the Top Ten – although there are TONNES of great guitar players (Ex. Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Mark Knopfler, who should all be on there.) Agree or Disagree?



“Cocaine” – JJ Cale
Both Eric Clapton and JJ Cale performed this song, however, I believe JJ Cale wrote it and performed it first. I prefer his version to Clapton’s which is why I am submitting it. Cale’s voice is unconventional, and gives it a unique sound – I think anyway – and I think his version should be on the Top Ten. Hmmmm?



I can’t imagine this list without Bob Dylan. All along the Watch Tower, Positively fourth Street, Tangled up in Blue, Blowing in the Wind – all of these are excellent songs. Or does anyone have any other suggestions for Dylan Songs?

- Carrot

Led Zeppelin - 1969 - Thank You



This song is so full of emotion. It's from Led Zeppelin II, my favorite album of all time. It starts off light and mellow and builds to a frenzied, climatic section and then goes back into sweetness.

Pink Floyd - 1974 - Shine on You Crazy Diamond



From Pulse. The best concert of all time. If you can get the DVD, you won't regret it. Turn it up. I can't say why I think it should be in the top ten. Only listening can do that.

Dire Straits - 1979 - Sultans of Swing



The guitar is the cleanest and clearest ever. Mark Knopfler rocks.

Here's another contribution to the list from me.

Phil Collin - In The Air Tonight.

Oh Good ones guys!!!

See gimmee, I love "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins, and I probably wouldn't have remembered to put it on the list!

Thanks guys!

Any more to add?

- Carrot

Black Sabbath - War Pigs

Danzig - Mother

Black Sabbath - Children of the Sea

OT tops are....

"Do you fell like we do?" - PF
"Stairway to Heaven" - LZ
"Free Bird" LS
"Back in Black" - AC/DC


and "Six, Six, Six" (666) by Degarmo and Key, a Memphis based Group, lyrics below...for ATS-er's review...

"I was feeling kind of restless
So I went out for a walk
And I ran into a stranger
And for hours we just talked
Said I'm waiting for this moment all my life
This is it

And when I asked him to explain it
He just smiled and he told me, six, six, six

He said «Things will get much better
And the night is New Age Eve
I can even change the weather
I can do things you won't believe
I got sings and wonder in my bag of tricks
Hummm tricks !

When I asked him to explain
He just smiled and he told me, six, six, six
Six, six, six

I said, «Jesus won't you save me from this evil man of sin
I have read about his future, I don't want to go with him»
And when I looked he had gone
But he had left a note that said
«My number is, my number is, my number is
Six, six, six»

Remember me, remember me, remember me,

Said my number, my number, my number is six, six, six

When morning came I laughed
At what I tought was just a dream
And I went to call my neighbor
And tell him all I'd seen
But when I reached for my address book
I felt sick
Ooh sick

Cause, written across the page,
Every number there was six, six, six
six, six, six

Flight 666 .... departing - WELCOME
six, six, six"

I'd do details, but I'm in a peaked mood, after doing some mix work.

10. Guns n' Roses - Live and Let Die
09. AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long
08. Boston - Rock n' Roll Band
07. Motely Crue - Kick Start My Heart
06. Def Lepard - Pour Some Sugar On Me
05. Guns n' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
04. AC/DC - Back In Black
03. Aerosmith - Dream On
02. Bryan Adams - Run To You
01. Guns n' Roses - Paradise City

Werd

[edit on 16.9.2008 by Shugo]

Elvis Costello - Blame it on Cain



Elivs Costello - Pump it Up

Mad Season - River of Deceit

The Toadies - Possum Kingdom

Soundgarden - Rusty Cage

Jane's Addiction - Stop!

Pearl Jam - Do the Evolution

Monster Magnet - Silver Future

[edit on 9/17/2008 by eye open doors]

Originally posted by Shugo

10. Guns n' Roses - Live and Let Die
06. Def Lepard - Pour Some Sugar On Me
05. Guns n' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
03. Aerosmith - Dream On
01. Guns n' Roses - Paradise City

Live and Let Die is an excellent song! I would put the rendition by The Beatles on however, but keep Paradise City or Sweet Child o Mine.

Velvet Revolver (Guns and Roses minus Axl) does some pretty great stuff - I dont know that it should be on the Top 10, but Slash's guitar playing is pretty phenomenal in some of their stuff.
- Sucker Train Blues
- Dirty Little Thing

Poor Some Sugar on Me - I also would put this one too! This is a great song.

Dream On is another great one I would definitely put on the list. I always liked Sweet Emotion as well - but that's just cuz I have a deep love for Great Guitar playing and especially in that song. Bending those notes at the beginning of the song, I think anyway, sounds great.

- Carrot

Great taste in music guys! Here's a few of my favorites:

Rush 2112 (go figure)
Eagles/Hotel California (This is LateApexer313's absolute favorite song.)
Blue Oyster Cult/Don't Fear the Reaper
Janis Joplin/Me and Bobby McGee
Don McLean/American Pie (a classic)

Just a few to ponder.

Rush

OMG! Totally Agree Rush with all your picks!

Hotel California, Don't Fear the Reaper, and Me and Bobby McGee are all on my list of favorites!!

I prefer Janis' version to Kristofferson's, but that just a matter of opinion. Something about her wailin' voice, makes that song wonderful.

- Carrot

"Clears throat for radio voice."

Here's Electric........Light........Orchestra and Don't Bring Me Down.!


You got me runnin goin out of my mind,
You got me thinkin that Im wastin my time.
Dont bring me down,no no no no no,
Ill tell you once more before I get off the floor
Dont bring me down.

You wanna stay out with your fancy friends.
Im tellin you its go to be the end,
Dont bring me down,no no no no no no no no,
Ill tell you once more before I get off the floor
Dont bring me down.

Dont bring me down,grroosss
Dont bring me down,grroosss
Dont bring me down,grroosss
Dont bring me down.

What happend to the girl I used to known,
You let your mind out somewhere down the road,
Dont bring me down,no no no no no,
Ill tell you once more before I get off the floor
Dont bring me down.

Youre always talkin bout your crazy nights,
One of these days youre gonna get it right.
Dont bring me down,no no no no no,
Ill tell you once more before I get off the floor
Dont bring me down.

Dont bring me down,grroosss
Dont bring me down,grroosss
Dont bring me down,grroosss
Dont bring me down.

Youre lookin good just like a snake in the grass,
One of these days youre gonna break your glass.
Dont bring me down,no no no no no no no no,
Ill tell you once more before I get off the floor
Dont bring me down.

You got me shakin got me runnin away
You get me crawlin up to you everyday,
Dont bring me down,no no no no no,
Ill tell you once more before I get off the floor
Dont bring me down.

Blue Oyster Cult (B.O.C.) - (Don't Fear) The Reaper



Have fun with this one kiddies!

[edit on 18-9-2008 by gimmefootball400]

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic


Yes to Shine on You Crazy Diamond and to Sultans of Swing.

Would add Floyds, Dogs of War, Led Zep's Nobodys fault but My Own and Aerosmith needs to be on there somewhere

YEAH, some ELO is good.

Hmm what else would I put on there..

"Only the Good Die Young" - Billy Joel

"What is and should never be" - Led Zeppelin

"All along the Watchtower" - Jimi Hendrix - Now I love the Dylan version, but I would put a different Dylan song on, just because I wouldn't want to put the same artist twice...and This version is pretty kick a**.

"Mony Mony" - Billy Idol" Now, Im a huge fan of most of these songs being from the 60's and the 70's...but I think this is a great rocking out song...

But like I said, they dont have to be from any particular time period - I'm just partial to the 60's and 70's.

- Carrot

Anything that in any way spun off of the Yardbirds, and I'm game.

With the possible exception of one 8-minute-diatribe I've heard badly played in music shops by amature musicians so freaking many times I want to...
...

Curse you, Guitar Hero. :bash:

[edit on 20-9-2008 by asmeone2]

Here are some more that are up for discussion:

Fortunate Son - CCR

China Girl - David Bowie

American Woman - The Guess Who

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

Here Comes a Regular - The Replacements (one of my favorites)

Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkle

Itchycoo Park - The Small Faces (Rymes with Orange actually does a more rocking version)

Stuck in the Middle - Stealers Wheel

Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf

Joy to the World - Three Dog Night

Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison


- Carrot

AC/DC - Hells Bells



Quite possibly one of AC/DC's best songs.

Love most of the songs listed so far.

To the discussion I would add:

"Stay With Me" by the Faces
Gotta love this raucous and ratty little blues-rocker. It's got the sound of a really good bar band. It just so happens the members of the band play really big bars these days. Simply iconic with Rod Stewart's distinctive vocals over Ronnie Wood's guitar work. Ronnie Lane on bass and Kenney Jones on drums gave them a tight rhythm section, and pushing it all over the top was the wild honky tonk keyboard style of Ian MacLagan. Does it really get much better than this?

"Barracuda" and "Crazy on You" by Heart
I can listen to Ann and Nancy Wilson all day long. Soaring vocals and inspired, crunching guitar all together. They wanted to be Amerca's answer to Zeppelin, and while they might have fallen short of the mark (and who wouldn't?), they still made their mark on the recording industry and then some with their music in the 70s before they found a resurgence in the 80s. These two songs sum up everything that is great about them though. Women who really rock. They get it right in these tracks, every step of the way.

"Gimme Some Lovin'" by Spencer Davis Group
It's got a good, driving beat with that instantly recognizable bass line, an organ pumping out over the top, and yes, it can even fill your cowbell prescription. It's been covered a billion times, but this recording remains by far my favorite and is by far the most widely used version when called on for soundtracks.

"Black Betty" by Ram Jam
They're not gonna win points for delivering sublimely insightful lyrics for this, but this song flat out rocks. Driving beat with a great stripped down rock sound. Another classic bluesy bar room rocker.

Stop Hey What's That Sound" by Buffalo Springfield
This was one of the great protest songs of the late 60s, and I know that every one of you has heard this song at some point. Stephen Stills wrote this one and Neil Young played guitar on the track. It was all written in a world not unlike what we're facing now. Just seems like there's a lot more apathy for our situation today though than back then.

"Are You Gonna Go My Way?" by Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz tapped into the 70s for this track and somehow made it modern. It's rock, soul, and funk in a tasty mix of crunching guitar chords, and driving rhythms that perfectly complement his vocals.

I could go on for days and days talking music, but I'll stop there for now to let everyone digest that a bit.

[edit on 9/29/2008 by TheDemonHunter]