I’m trying to write something that could actually be of some constructive value to you all, instead of just listing out predictable favourites that everyone has heard.
So here is my list of top 20 rock songs - that you probably may not have heard. But should. They are in no particular order of preference.
1) Deep Purple - Pictures of Home.
Actually, this one is quite well known. But its hardly ever on any of the touring setlists. rarely known as one of the’hits’. Please listen to it if you are a classic rock lover, and if you haven’t got Machinehead. Blackmore goes wild on the solo, and Lord, on organ, follows the guitar solo. Rather better lyrics on this one than most purple songs, by the way.
’here in this prison of my own making,
year after year I have grown,
into a hero, but there’s no worship,
where have they hidden my throne?’
2) Led Zeppelin - Ten Years Gone.
Lovely introduction on electric guitar . with a little distortion. Makes for very good introspective rock. This one too, has some of the better lyrics Robert Plant came up with. Zeppelin were not really known for lyrical abilities. we all know the story of how they got their name. but did you know Ian Anderson once told Plant’With my lyrical abilities, and your music, we could be a rather good band’. Not surprisingly, they did’nt get along too well. Anderson later admitted completely forgetting that Plant wrote the https://lyrics.
3) Jethro Tull - Velvet Green.
This is one of the best musical accomplishments of Tull. The entire songs from the woods album is awesome, but this one song is worth the price of the album. From Purple and Zeppelin to Tull is a big lyrical step, and you’d have to watch out for all the puns and alliterations that Tull always seem to magically incorporate in their songs.(’Well the long restless rustle of high heeled boots call, and I’d probably be bound to deceive you after all’ - that ones from another song though)
4) Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride
A wonderful band, not very popular nowdays though. Lots of experimentation on this track. Pulled it off. Check it out.
5) Genesis - Cinema Show.
Genesis is one of the most interesting bands I have ever come across. Older Genesis was progressive Rock like nobody had ever heard before. Wild, wild songs with wild themes, and maniacal time patterns. There were actual instances of the band playing in 4/4 and Tony Banks playing 3/4 on Keyboard and managing to carry it off musically accurately. While we all know what that Phil Collins person went and did to the band, early Genesis will never fail to amaze the classic rock listener. This track is vintage. starting with guitar arpegios(one of the trademark Genesis sounds) and with some lovely flute pieces and vocal synchronization. Also, I don’t think its in a consistent time - but, what do you expect from Peter Gabriel.(who unfortunately, became commercial too, when he went solo)
6) Yes - Roundabout.
Listening to Yes is a little like reading Zen stories - it throws your mind off the conditioned response it has been used to. No conditioned response to Yes. Great musicians, coming up with this kind of stuff is kind of scary, makes us all realise how musically immature we are.
7) Bob Dylan - It’s all over now, baby blue.
Extremely touching song. The sudden chord change(you’ll know it when you hear it) in each verse works wonders for the emotional appeal of the song. Quite unusual chord, it is. I think its an E7. And of course, its Dylan, so, three dimensional lyrics to this one. Tremendous lyrical references -’all your seasick sailors’, ’your empty handed army’, ’the vagabond who raps at your door’, ’take what you can gather from coincidence’.
8) David Crosby - Guinevere.
There are many versions of this song, the one on’So Far’ isnt that good. The really good one is the solo version that David Crosby sings on some other album. Notable for its sudden 3/4 timing in the middle of 4/4. Lovely shift.
9) Heart - Magic Man.
What a voice the singer of Heart has. Two sisters, I believe, figure in the band. Powerful voice! Nice lyrics on this one too’winter nights we sang in tune.’
10) The beatles - Free as a bird.
I think this was John Lennon’s work? Wonderful chords and an extremely emotional song.
11) Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
I know all of you have heard this one. But a little note on this song. Knopfler mostly always sings in D Min on the earlier dire straits albums. Down to the waterline, ladywriter, and sultans have more or less quite similar chords. The’guitar george’ he sings about, is widely believed to be George Harrison of the Beatles, though of course, the band denied it.(BTW, The beatles denied Lucy in the sky with diamonds= lsd, and dylan denied tamborine man is about dope).’And harry doesnt mind, if he doesn’t make the scene’. George Harrison used to play rhythm guitar(but he’s strictly rhythm, he doesnt want to make it cry or sing). Interesting, huh?
This song did wonders for the Fender Stratocaster. And to the art of air guitaring. Who has not air guitared to its solos?
12) Rush - Tom Sawyer.
Rush is not immediately likable to the novice rock listener. Apart from being a three piece band, that uses a lot of electronical gadgets(drummer, for instance, has a LOT of drum triggers), Rush takes concentration to hear. I am not a big fan of the band, but I recognise genius when I hear it. Brilliant song this.
13) Lynard Skynard - Free Bird.
The original song was about 5 minutes, then they added a little solo, then a little more, then a little more. and before you knew it, it had become a monstor outro solo that has become legendary. Hear it in forest gump in the pseudo-suicide scene. The solo, I mean.
14) Jethro Tull - My God
Oh this one is a masterpiece.’This one’s for the man up there’. The songs length doesnt particularly work in its favour, but wonderful lyrics, again, it’s Tull!
’So lean upon him gently, and dont call on him to save,
you from your social graces, and the sins you wish to waive’
15) The Police - Message in a bottle
One of the most instantly likable rock riffs. Am sure everyone has heard this song. Sting sure was great back then. I cannot believe what crap he composes nowdays.
16) Queen - Seven seas of Rhye
’Fear me you lord and lady preachers,
I descend upon your earth from the sky,
I command your very souls, you unbelievers,
Bring before me what is mine - the seven seas of Rhye
Can you hear me you - privy councilors?
I stand before you naked to the eye.’
Powerful lyrics, though few of us actually know what the hell they meant. Someone said Mercury was great at composing songs nobody could figure out.
17) Stairway to heaven - errr. who was it again? The name slips my memory. errr.
No description is necessary.
18) America - ventura highway.
America is a wonderful band in the league of CSNY when it comes to vocal harmonies. Lovely song this, a must hear.
19) Emerson, Lake and Palmer - from the beginning.
Most of ELP is NOT like this song. I don’t like ELP much. This song is pure genius though.
20) The Stragglers - Golden Brown
This one’s in the Snatch soundtrack. Great harpischord. lovely chords. BTW Golden Brown refers to heroin. Just so you know.:-)
Anyone agrees with this list?:-)
Comments welcome.