Great Classic Rock Songs That Should Have Been Hits
Some great classic rock songs were never chart-toppers. – Author: Anne Erickson, Photo via Jim Rakete
Classic rock is such a blockbuster genre, encompassing great classic rock songs such as Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Because the classic rock gerne has so many major hits, that also means there are a lot of fantastic classic rock songs that never got the attention they deserved. Listening to music of the past, there are so many gems that stand out, and these songs could have been huge if they had been released at a different time or simply gotten more promotion. In that spirit, let’s honor some great classic rock songs that never got the attention they deserved.
Great Classic Rock Songs That Didn’t Get Enough Attention
Cream, “Rollin’ and Tumblin'”
“Rolling and Tumblin'” is a blues standard, which Hambone Willie Newbern first recorded in 1929. It’s a legendary song and “great Delta blues classic,” and when Cream recorded their version of it, that took it to the next level. Cream’s version arrived on their 1966 debut, “Fresh Cream,” and is widely considered the best known version of the song. But, it should have been a No. 1 hit, and it wasn’t.
Deep Purple, “April”
Deep Purple are known for their popular 1972 hit, “Smoke on the Water.” As someone who’s seen Deep Purple in concert before, it’s safe to say the crowd always lights up with excitement when the band finally gets into that song at the end of the set. But, the famed English rock group has many more enchanting songs, and one of them is “April,” off their 1969 self-titled release, also known as “Deep Purple III.” With enchanting lyrics such as, “April is a cruel time, even though the sun may shine,” and Deep Purple’s dark metal atmospheres, this is such a great song and should have been bigger.
Jimi Hendrix, “Castles Made of Sand”
When Jimi Hendrix released his “Bold as Love” 1967 album, the track “Castles Made of Sand” stood out. It never became a hit, but it had all the makings of one, with a wild mix of rhythm and lead guitar and beautiful, soul-searching autobiographical lyrics. If you’re a guitarist, you’ll especially appreciate the intricate nature of this track.
Led Zeppelin, “Achilles Last Stand”
Led Zeppelin went mainstream with their 1971 No. 1 hit “Stairway to Heaven,” but there is so much more to this special band. “Achilles Last Stand” is a gem, and it appears as the first track on the band’s seventh studio album, 1976’s “Presence.” This song could never have been a radio single, mainly because it’s more than 10 minutes long and one of the band’s longest songs ever. It works for Tool, but not back in the Zeppelin era. That said, “Achilles Last Stand” is an opus, very complex and fascinating at every turn. Even though it wouldn’t have worked a single, it should have gotten more attention.
Uriah Heep, “Gypsy”
Uriah Heep actually announced their retirement in September 2024. Throughout their career, this band hasn’t really gotten the mass attention they deserve. “Gypsy” is a shining example of a classic rock song that could have been a hit. The song, which arrived in 1970, marked the debut single from the British progressive rock band and has a fascinating structure, because it has no real chorus. Perhaps having no chorus didn’t help it chart, but either way, it could have been a lot more popular.
Find Audio Ink Radio’s tally of the greatest classic rock bands of all time here.
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