Cheap Trick became one of the coolest bands in rock history by getting rid of all the heavy, morbid stuff that was the obsession of most of their contemporaries. Funny, perpetually in a light disposition and capable of outperforming most, Cheap Trick is one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

It’s time we celebrate the achievements of a magnificent power-pop band. These are Cheap Trick’s 10 best songs.

Cheap Trick’s 10 Greatest Songs

10. “Southern Girls”

If you want confirmation of Cheap Trick’s early greatness, you may just find it on “Southern Girls.” In fact, the band’s sophomore album, “In Color,” refined and defined the band’s formula for years to come.

The singing and playing are incredible, I think. Yes, Cheap Trick can rock with the big boys. But it’s the effortless, sunshine-drenched power-pop of the song’s hook that really sells it.

9. “The Flame”

Power ballads have rejuvenated many careers of ailing classic rock bands. Cheap Trick took the leap with “The Flame,” and the risk paid off. In 1988, Cheap Trick was suddenly back on the charts. I can’t blame them.

The band, notoriously, didn’t love “The Flame.” But, if anything, the song takes ample advantage of the unnideable singing ability of Robin Zander. While it might be a little sappy, Cheap Trick still manages to do something special with the rock ballad.

8. “Mighty Wings”

Cheap Trick’s musicians were always complete pros. They knew what sold. That’s one of the reasons why they put Robin Zander and Tom Petersson on the covers of their early records. That’s why they always play the hits.

“Mighty Wings” was provided to Cheap Trick and recorded for the 1986 “Top Gun” soundtrack. While not an original composition, the fun pop hooks do manage to capture the essence of what makes the song tick. Fortunately, the success of the tune kept the band in business throughout an otherwise difficult decade.

7. “Hello There”

“Hello There” is written almost as if Cheap Trick’s musicians foretold of a world in which they’d be playing on the world’s important stages for decades to come.

The short and gutsy “Hello There” is a rock extravaganza’s intro. It all made sense best when it was the opening song for the legendary “Cheap Trick at Budokan.” That’s one of the great live albums in my book.

6. “California Man”

Cheap Trick’s musicians were, first and foremost, great fans of great bands. Guitarist Rick Nielson was particularly fond of the legendary 60s band The Move.

That affection and an ear for catchy tunes made the band cover “California Man” and release it as a follow-up to the highly successful “Surrender.”

The single went nowhere fast. But it’s been turned into a fan favourite and one that the band has to play each concert.

5. “Ain’t That a Shame”

Cheap Trick always seemed to belong to a different time. And the band encouraged that image of itself by releasing many, and often great, covers of classics.

“Ain’t That a Shame” is a Fats Domino number reworked so as to become a concert staple. Bun E. Carlos’ drum groove and Zander’s singing really move the track and help deliver the excitement that crowds craved from their rock n’ roll.

4. “She’s Tight”

It’s a good thing that Cheap Trick’s members always appeared to be lovable, clean-cut individuals. Otherwise, the lyrics to “She’s Tight” might read as a Gene Simmons song rejected for KISS releases because of too much sexual innuendo.

Sleazy but fun, “She’s Tight” plays upon the band’s strengths at a time when it needed to the most. The classic rock single stalled at number 65 on the Billboard charts. Time, however, has been kind on both the tune and the band behind it.

3. “If You Want My Love”

Robin Zander is most certainly one of the greatest singers in rock n’ roll history. And the vocalist doesn’t even have to rely on past glories, having maintained much of his range through the years.

The Beatlesque “If You Want My Love” was a perfect way for Zander to exercise his skills and show them off to the world. I have dreams of singing as good as that, but usually I wake up screaming.

2. “Surrender”

Cheap Trick’s music was always easy to like. These were songs that cross over genres. This was music that was fun and light. And when the compositions were at their best, the world could really get behind the quartet. I can hear why.

“Surrender” is a cheeky tune delivered as a warning from a father to a song about girls. The hilarious lyrics and undeniable hook turned it into one of the great rock tunes that references the culture itself and the controversial activities that accompany it.

1. “I Want You to Want Me”

Is there a breezier, more rocking number than “I Want You to Want Me?” That’s unlikely, I believe.. And it’s what Budokan audiences must’ve felt on that night in 1978 when the band performed there.

“I Want You to Want Me” shows that the band had learned plenty from pop masters like The Beatles and Big Star, as well as from stadium rockers like Led Zeppelin and KISS.

It’s Cheap Trick’s best song and one of the greatest rock songs ever produced. Radio stations will never tire of playing it, and for good reason.