The Best Classic Rock Songs of All Time
Paul McCartney and the Beatles have one of the best classic rock songs of all time, according to Audio Ink Radio – Author: Anne Erickson, Photo via Mary McCartney (via Nasty Little Man PR)
Classic rock encompasses the genesis of the musical genre. It’s the very first rock music that swept through the airwaves and into music fans’ hearts. In fact, without classic rock, a bevy of later genres would never have formed, whether that’s grunge, alternative, hard rock, nu-metal or more. It all started with classic rock. So, what are the best classic rock songs of all time?
So, when did classic rock begin? Historians don’t always agree on when the genre first formed. Some believe the classic rock genre started with the Beatles in the early 1960s and then the Rolling Stones. Others say it kicked in when Baby Boomers became teenagers. In my opinion, while the definition of classic rock keeps evolving, instead of adding new songs to the tally, many are defining classic rock as the rock music released between 1964 and 1982.
Classic rock songs are simply timeless. In honor of these legendary tracks, Audio Ink Radio presents its list of the 10 best classic rock songs of all time.
Best Classic Rock Songs of All Time
10. Van Halen, “Jump”
“Jump” was perhaps Van Halen’s most pop-oriented hits, but that’s also what made it so popular. The combination of Eddie Van Halen’s incredible guitar playing with David Lee Roth’s showstopping vocals was a recipe for a pop radio hit. Anyone who thought classic rock couldn’t break through to the mainstream was proven wrong with this 1983 chart-topper.
9. Jimi Hendrix, “Purple Haze”
It’s a tragedy that the world lost Jimi Hendrix when he was just 27 years old. He was an imaginative talent on the guitar and as a live performer. “Purple Haze” features some of the most famous riffs of all time. Equally important, Hendrix’s mix of mind-boggling guitar playing with psychedelia made for an instant classic. It’s one of the best classic rock songs ever.
8. Aerosmith, “Dream On”
Aerosmith have plenty of high-energy rock songs, but when it comes to power ballads, they really rule on “Dream On.” The song, off their 1973 debut, was written by Steven Tyler. It marks their first big hit and is still played on rock radio stations around the world. Eminem also famously sampled the song in his popular 2002 track, “Sing for the Moment.”
7. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”
Joan Jett was one of the earliest female rock ‘n’ rollers. She inspired generations of women to follow, whether that meant picking up a guitar or belting out rowdy vocals. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ signature song is “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” with its very catchy and simple chorus and sing-along melodies. It’s an anthem for anyone who truly loves rocking and rolling.
6. AC/DC, “Back in Black”
Not all classic rock hailed from Britain and the United States. AC/DC brought classic rock all the way from Australia, offering a raging mix of sharp guitars, raw vocals and super hooky choruses. AC/DC’s “Back in Black,” off the band’s 1980 album by the same name, was a game changer. To this day, its initial riff is one of the most famous in all of rock music.
5. Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Queen were the most unique bands to rule the classic rock era. They made doing an opera cool. When “Bohemian Rhapsody” arrived in 1975, nobody had ever heard anything like it. While some may have guessed it would fail for being so different, it actually became one of the most celebrated songs of that era. Penned by lead vocalist Freddie Mercury, the song is drenched in emotion and drama, making it truly one of a kind and one of the best classic rock songs of all time.
4. Led Zeppelin, “Whole Lotta Love”
Led Zeppelin walk that fine line between hard rock and the start of the metal genre. But, at their core, they’re a classic rock band. The group became one of the biggest bands on the planet in the 1970s. Their blues-rock delivery was second to none. Moreover, that combination of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Bonham can simply never be replicated. Nowhere do they shine more than on “Whole Lotta Love.”
3. The Beatles, “Come Together”
When people think of the Beatles, multiple hits often come to mind. But, one Beatles songs is simply more widespread and popular than the others, and that’s “Come Together.” The track, off their groundbreaking 1969 “Abbey Road” album,” was written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It’s got a pure pop melody and the Beatles’ characteristic harmonies, but it also rocks enough to be a kingpin of classic rock.
2. Pink Floyd, “Comfortably Numb”
Pink Floyd are one of those bands that appeal to multiple generations. After all, how many bands have planetariums across America using their music? Pink Floyd released “Comfortably Numb” off their 1979 opus, “The Wall.” The song brings together the talents of David Gilmour and Roger Waters, as they craft an epic, dreamy, electric journey through their musical mastery. What’s more, Walters actually wrote the whimsical lyrics about how he felt after getting a big dose of painkillers on tour with Pink Floyd.
1. The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter”
It’s a never-ending debate. Are the Rolling Stones or Beatles the best rock band of all time? No matter which camp you’re on, it goes without saying that the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” defines what it is to be classic rock. The songs is guitar-heavy, catchy, rocking and has just enough of a pop appeal to please the mainstream. Off the band’s 1969 “Let It Bleed” record, “Gimmie Shelter” is a snapshot of the classic rock genre and one of the most legendary tracks of that era. For that, we’re naming “Gimmie Shelter” No. 1 on our list of the best classic rock songs of all time.
Find Audio Ink Radio’s list of the best classic rock bands of all time here.
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