Few bands have been part of rock n’ roll’s evolution quite like The Guess Who, first as a 1960s garage rock combo successful across Canada, and then as 1970s arena rockers of international renown. It’s true: these days, most listeners will recognise the group for a couple of songs that are played incessantly on classic rock radio stations.

However, I think that the group’s work extends well beyond that. The Guess Who is one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and here are 10 of its greatest songs. 

The 10 Best Songs by The Guess Who

10. ”It’s My Pride” 

The times they were a-changing, and the fresh-faced members of The Guess Who wanted to make sure they would measure up. 

On their US debut, “Shakin’ All Over,” garage rock tracks get mixed with Merseybeat and the occasional ballad. It’s the former that catches most of the attention. “It’s My Pride” is a spirited, confident track that, for its day, sounds unpolished and rocking. 

9. ”Clock on the Wall” 

“Clock on the Wall” didn’t chart and isn’t very fondly remembered. This all means that Jim Kale and Garry Peterson’s break-off version of the band could possibly perform it. 

But it’s a great song if you’re into 1960s novelty tunes. You can hear traces of psychedelia creeping in, and you can hear a band learning to fashion songs for the charts. It’s an underrated gem if you ask me. 

8. ”Clap for the Wolfman”

At the heart of the matter, The Guess Who was always just a fun band. And, besides, that’s all that rock n’ roll was supposed to be. 

“Clap for the Wolfman” is a sweet, rather goofy tribute to Wolfman Jack, one of the great radio disc jockeys. 

It was something of a last commercial stand for the band, who, by this time, were also writing material like “Atilla’s Blues,” and “Road Food,” almost daring global audiences to ignore them. 

7. ”Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon”

To its credit, The Guess Who, in whatever version audiences caught it, always brought some fire to performances. By the new century, the group had staged a comeback and defiantly opted to return to their collective roots. 

This meant that most live shows from that era began with “Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon,” a song originally recorded in 1972, an unashamed anthem about country living back in Canada. I can understand its enduring appeal up North. 

6. ”No Time”

By the time that The Guess Who took another swing at “No Time,” the group’s ship was about to come in. 

This was a hit on its own, and while it’s one of the group’s best, I find its success surprising. Sure, The Guess Who could match bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, the ones steadying themselves to dominate the rock scene of the 1970s, for guitar bombast. Randy Bachman always had a clean, mean tone. 

However, “No Time” shows that The Guess Who always adopted the bitter-sweet tones and the grooves one would most often associate with mid-1960s pop. 

5. ”Share the Land”

“Share the Land” ended up being one of the band’s biggest hits. It even reached #10 on the U.S. charts. And, I suppose, it’s a case of perfect timing. 

The band had a few “let’s all get together” songs meant to fit with the anti-war protests in the U.S. and the hippie movement. This one sounds most of the time, and that’s by design. Cummings delivers a good, soulful vocal performance here over lyrics about people finding ways to support each other. 

4. ”No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature” 

Look, we’re all products of our time. And if on “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature,” it sounds like The Guess Who reaching for the psychedelic rock and hippie trends a little late in the game, it’s likely because: a. They were trying to stay relevant and b. They were genuinely of the psyched-out rock scene. 

“No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature” is a great, hazy tune about mysterious acquaintances and skies seemingly collapsing in on you. And, notably, I find, this was the B-side for “American Woman.” 

3. ”These Eyes”

Back in their home country, arguably, “These Eyes” is the band’s most enduring song. However, back there, like Rush and Triumph, The Guess Who’s oeuvre is known by the vast majority of even casual rock listeners. 

“These Eyes” was written by Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman (later member of stadium rockers Bachman-Turner Overdrive). Something of a garage rock power ballad, “These Eyes” is one of the all-time great breakup songs. 

2. ”Shakin’ All Over”

Yeah, I think that it’s great, fun and sinister, much like an old episode of Scooby Doo. Of course, the fact that “Shakin’ All Over” isn’t an original is something often the stick used to beat The Guess Who with. 

But, apart from choosing this Johnny Kidd & the Pirates song to get famous in Canada and get a lot in the door down South, this version of “Shakin’ All Over” captures the excitement of early distorted guitars and rock combos as the deliverers of thrilling dance music. 

1. ”American Woman” 

It’s one of the biggest classic rock radio songs of all time, and likely one of the most misunderstood songs to have this kind of appeal. Yes, a good chunk of the people who ever heard it remember the song for its brilliant guitar riff and its “American woman stay away from me” hook. 

However, the lyrics seem written from the perspective of a foreigner, albeit someone from nearby Canada, looking at the imperialistic ways of the U.S.A., especially in light of the intervention in Vietnam, and shouting that they want no part in this. 

It may be overplayed, but, for once, that’s done for a reason. “American Woman” is the shining moment in The Guess Who’s career.