The greatest rock songs of all time innovated, bewildered and inspired passionate reactions. The greatest rock songs of all time are played loudly and in near-perfect rotation on oldie rock stations, devoted rock fans’ playlists and in the struggling music shops still selling them in the form of records. Always there, but never quite overplayed, these songs still deserve our attention.
I’ve looked for clues, studied the proof and have given this a lot of thought. In my opinion, these are the greatest 100 rock songs of all time.
The Top 100 Best Rock Songs of All Time
Top 1 – 10
1. “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
“Stairway to Heaven” is the shortest eight-minute song. It is, in fact, one of a few songs on this list that paid little attention to format restrictions, yet still became a radio hit.
And while I know of all the parodies and the famous signs forbidding guitarists to play these while in music stores, I think it’s a song best appreciated, at least, once a week. I can still remember hearing it for the first time and the impression that the song’s dynamics had on me.
I can remember, also, studying music as a teenager and being floored by its complexity. Finally, I can recall hearing it a few minutes prior to writing this and being just as impressed.
The greatest rock song of all time is bound to be a ubiquitous choice, a standard that we all adhere to. That’s why I believe that Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven” is the greatest achievement in the field of rock.
Led Zeppelin was ranked #2 on Alt77’s list of the greatest rock bands of all time. Check out who came in at the top!
What would you talk to Jimmy Page about if you ever ran into him on the London tube? How about:
- Led Zeppelin Album Ranking
- Led Zeppelin’s Most Underrated 10 Songs
- A Revisited Look at “Led Zeppelin IV”
- Led Zep’s Mud Shark Story
- The Meaning of “The Hermit” in the Artwork for “Led Zeppelin IV”
2. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
Early Queen felt stifled by rock cliches. Yes, the group, singer Freddie Mercury in particular, wanted to play in front of arenas of adoring fans. Sure, they worked hard, touring and releasing music relentlessly, to achieve that goal. But they didn’t make it easy on themselves.
Mercury dreamed of rock’n’ roll as an expanded form of the opera or the ballet. He thought of rock stars as modern depictions of godly beings. And he wrote “Bohemian Rhapsody” as an over-the-top experiment that blended classical and hard rock music. It worked in every regard. “Bohemian Rhapsody” remains one of the greatest songs of all time.
Read more:
- The Meaning of “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- “A Night at the Opera” Reviewed and Revisited
- Queen’s Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
3. “Like a Rolling Stone” – Bob Dylan
It was just another day at the office for future Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan. He’d already written classics before it. Some of them, he’d not even bothered recording himself.
But when the engineer hit the “record” button, and while the band struggled to keep up with the songwriter’s story of an upper-class girl facing the reality of life in the gutter, the air was heavy with magic even by Dylan’s lofty standards.
You know the rest. Bob Dylan was booed by fans of his acoustic folk period. The song became a bona fide hit. And “Like a Rolling Stone” created a place for serious artists within rock music. Years later, I listen to it, and am amazed by how much of a kick it has.
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4. “A Day in the Life” – Beatles
I suppose that John Lennon was always the troublemaker among The Beatles. He was, I believe, the one who always pushed music ideas to their extreme. Sometimes these tendencies lead to the compelling nonsense of “Revolution 9,” other times to the gorgeously bizarre and utterly satisfying “A Day in the Life.”
I think that this is the greatest of all the songs by The Beatles. And while the band is primarily known for its beautiful melodies and clever arrangements, “A Day in the Life,” to my ears, still sounds terrifying. This is an anthem for the end of the world written from the perspective of mundanity. In my book, it’s one of the greatest songs of all time.
I think that you should treat yourself to more of The Beatles by reading Alt77’s articles:
- The Beatles Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
- The Beatles’ Best Obscure Songs
- Paul McCartney’s Greatest 10 Solo Albums
- John Lennon’s Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
- George Harrison’s Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
- “Abbey Road” Reviewed and Revisited
5. “Good Vibrations” – The Beach Boys
They call it “a pocketbook symphony.” Still, that doesn’t quite do The Beach Boys‘ “Good Vibrations” justice, I feel. Symphonies, after all, are designed to be enjoyed by a small, well-educated few. I’ve yet to meet, on the other hand, someone who doesn’t enjoy “Good Vibrations.”
It was an experiment that, like the initially aborted “SMiLE” record, could’ve ended badly. Brian Wilson spent an enormous amount of time chasing “moods” and trying to outdo Phil Spector. The rest is, however, in my estimation, one of the greatest pop-rock songs ever created.
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6. “Johnny B. Goode” – Chuck Berry
It’s supposed to sound, I think, like you’ve just been zapped by electricity. And, if you’re a guitarist, it’s supposed to be a cavalcade of tricks executed masterfully by the ever-showman Chuck Berry.
And while “Johnny B. Goode” is one of the catchiest early rock n’ roll singles, I have to remind myself to pay attention to the songwriting. The storytelling is faultless, and the orchestration is damn clever. I think that Chuck Berry was a masterful songwriter, and “Johnny B. Goode” was his reaching his peak.
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7. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana
I can understand why Kurt Cobain hid his intentions. After all, admitting to being ambitious wouldn’t make him look good in the rock underground from which Nirvana had arrived.
Still, he had told his bandmates, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, that he wanted to write the ultimate pop song. He’d told them he wanted to emulate Pixies. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” managed those things largely, I believe, because of Cobain’s incredible knack for catchy songwriting. You’ve heard the song a million times. But I doubt that you’ll mind hearing it again. It’s one of the greats.
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8. “London Calling” – The Clash
I think of The Clash as a band that needed to create enemies and opposition to be at its best. Joe Strummer fought against injustice. But without targets at which to launch his lyrical projectiles, the music would simply be too vague.
“London Calling” to me sounds like a battle courageously fought against imminent defeat. That’s, of course, not the case for a band that was soon going to become very successful. But it works. Those enemies, invisible or not, make Strummer and The Clash sound heroic. And it helps “London Calling” to be one of the greatest songs of all time.
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9. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
There are plenty of legends created around the making of “The Wall” and of one of its most enduring songs, “Comfortably Numb.” The pressure was on. Pink Floyd‘s musicians were barely communicating. And Roger Waters, I am sure, was in his natural element. After all, he was fashioning a rock opera based, essentially, on his own story.
I think that “Comfortably Numb” is a two-part song. The first part has the paranoid vocals of Waters as a highlight. The second has David Gilmour’s emotional guitar soloing as the focus. Together they blend to create one of rock’s finest songs.
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10. “Sweet Emotion” – Aerosmith
I’m not sure that any other band quite did sleazy rock’n’ roll as well as Aerosmith did. I know, for a fact, that numerous groups across several generations have tried.
But where did everybody else fail? Just listen closely to “Sweet Emotion”, and it will start to make sense. Joe Perry’s riffs sound like the best part of a symphony condensed into a few notes.
The rhythm section plays simply, precisely throughout. And Steven Tyler is the mad hatter of rock – part poet, part sexual degenerate. This is one of the greatest rock songs of all time and Aerosmith’s best track.
Read more:
Top 11 – 20
11. “You Really Got Me” – The Kinks
You might as well condemn all the bands in the world to play skiffle, or pass blues riffs from one player to the other like they were trading cards. If it wasn’t for “You Really Got Me,” we might not have proper distortion guitar on hit records. Then again, we might not get cheesy heavy metal either. Hm?
Some of the best songs are easy to make up your mind about. You only need to hear the riff of “You Really Got Me” to understand you love it. And, I think, this proves that The Kinks have more than one Davies who deserves the title of “genius.”
12. “Ziggy Stardust” – David Bowie
To be clear, David Bowie wasn’t born an alien. And he wasn’t writing glam-rock concept albums about godlike performers when he was 16 years old. Nah, he was writing folk numbers and peddling pop songs back then.
However, “Ziggy Stardust” was the culmination of all he must’ve been dreaming about. A song that can be played on the radio in any era, as well as a number that ties together a play about the rise and fall of an androgyne rockstar, this is Bowie’s shining moment.
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13. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones
When others were learning classical music on electric guitar, or beginning to think they should join a jazz combo, The Rolling Stones‘ Keith Richard was distorting his guitar sound so that it could sound like a bunch of trumpets playing at the same time. That’s where the iconic riff for “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” Comes from.
Never one to miss a good opportunity, Mick Jagger’s lyrics about being cool and distrustful of the world helped flesh the song out. It hardly matters if this is an enjoyable song, either. This is one of the definitive rock songs.
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14. “Smoke on the Water” – Deep Purple
It’s nice to know that Herr Beethoven can still inspire musicians. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore always felt more comfortable playing classical music than rock. Still, with that grand old riff to “Smoke on the Water“, he glued them all together. The rest is the history of a million beginner guitarists torturing music store clerks around the world.
However, you also get a sense of Deep Purple‘s collective strengths here. At their best, which was right about this time, this was a hard rock orchestra that stuck fear into the heart of competitors.
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15. “Seven Nation Army” – The White Stripes
Who knows how many songs Jack White has written at this point? It could well be in the thousands. Yet, it was that riff that was beamed from his brain to his fingers at a soundcheck that formed the basis for “Seven Nation Army” and resonates with audiences across the world.
The fact that The White Stripes was a cool, underground-beloved indie band and that this song is played routinely at sporting events is just the kind of irony I enjoy.
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16. “Live Forever” – Oasis
You can’t have a nation or a movement without a proper anthem. And while the Britpop Era was built on singalong tunes, none had the power to inspire quite like “Live Forever.” It’s a song that made people think that The Beatles wouldn’t be the pinnacle of rock music after all.
And while early estimates of Oasis were slightly overblown, “Live Forever” is still one of the rock songs that crowds chant while feeling happy for their very existence. That’s quite something!
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17. “Heartbreak Hotel” – Elvis Presley
Was there anything before Elvis Presley strutted on stage? Yes, but that’s something that mostly concerns music historians, not regular audiences. “Heartbreak Hotel,” more than any other early rock’n’ roll number, set a standard for how much grit was needed to produce one of these songs.
While it’s an undeniable standard, and undeniably old, it’s amazing how “Heartbreak Hotel” doesn’t sound dated at all.
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18. “Losing My Religion” – R.E.M.
When writing Alt77’s list of the Greatest Alternative Rock Bands of All Time, I chose R.E.M. to sit on top. When making that decision, I didn’t consider “Losing My Religion” at all. No, it was because of all the other incredible releases the band had at this point.
“Losing My Religion” was a bonus to an already stellar career. A mandolin-driven number written about the despair of losing one’s essence, there are few rock songs that connected to more people than this one.
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19. “Baba O’Reilly” – The Who
The Who was a bunch of clashing ideas turned into a band. They were one of the loudest bands on Earth, but known to whine about their feelings in ballads. They hated each other, but possessed extraordinary chemistry. And their leader, Pete Townshend, was a hippie with a mansion.
The Who had a rock opera to lean on. But it takes many songs for that to play out. “Baba O’Reilly,” on the other hand, is a mini hard-rock opera about the state of the youth, complete with clever synth hooks and thunderous Roger Daltrey shouts.
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20. “God Save the Queen” – Sex Pistols
Some songs build a connection with audiences because they speak of love or loss. However, “God Save the Queen” was impactful because it seemed to suggest some great revolution was on hand. Not everyone wanted to fight the British monarchy quite like Johnny Rotten. But everyone who heard it had something they felt an intense disgust towards.
The amazing thing, in my opinion, is that while critics at the time tried to convince the public that the Sex Pistols were a bunch of hoodlums who couldn’t play their instruments, “God Save the Queen” still sounds better than 99.9% of modern records.
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Top 21 – 30
21. “Bittersweet Symphony” – The Verve
It was floating in the ether, but it was The Verve who got to it first. “Bittersweet Symphony” more than any other song pointed the way to the future of rock music. Using samples, blues song structures, and Richard Ashcroft’s swaggering vocals, this was the start of a new era. Amazingly, it’s a rock song that still sounds fresh.
22. “Purple Haze” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Jimi Hendrix may not have, technically, invented guitar chords. However, he was the first to put them on the radio. “Purple Haze” was a demonstration of not only his virtuoso skills. It was also a showcase of how loud, distorted guitars were going to play a part in creating hit singles. A classic!
23. “Highway to Hell” – AC/DC
The thing about Bon Scott’s AC/DC is not that it was rude, loud, or boisterous. It was all those things, but mostly it was fun. “Highway to Hell” is a standard cover for hard-rock bands, and I hate hearing anything but the original. It’s because the real thing is so fun and charisma-driven that it cannot be replicated.
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24. “Jeremy” – Pearl Jam
The grunge bands were usually mopey and angry about society. However, with “Jeremy“, Pearl Jam became the first to direct that distrust at something palpable – the education system. A mournful song that somehow became a stadium anthem, “Jeremy” still packs a left hook punch.
25. “Iron Man” – Black Sabbath
Imagination, as it turned out, was the greatest thing that rock musicians could come equipped with. Black Sabbath‘s “Iron Man” is pure fantasy. It’s Geezer Butler’s dark messiah Sci-Fi fitted to the nastiest guitar riff Tony Iommi could have conceived.
Ozzy Osbourne’s career is a topic best investigated at length. Read more about:
26. “Radar Love” – Golden Earring
A great groove is all you need! However, more often than not, it’s the hardest thing for the musicians in a rock band to produce. You need skill, discipline and a real swing to the rhythm.
Golden Earring, having acquired great live experience, could settle into a great groove easily. That’s the secret ingredient that makes “Radar Love” one of the truly great road trip anthems. Just avoid crashing like the hero of the song.
27. “The Trooper” – Iron Maiden
Did you use to read adventure novels as a kid? Well, Iron Maiden specialise in soundtracking those. And, at their very best, on the song “The Trooper,” Steve Harris and his cohorts capture the pure exhilaration of dreaming yourself up as a hero in one of those scenarios.
Besides, Maiden is more inventive than the vast majority of their heavy metal counterparts. From Harris’s 16th notes meant to sound like charging battalions, to the duelling guitars, this is fantastic.
28. “Bastards of Young” – The Replacements
The Replacements were known for two things – outrageous behaviour and great songs. Sometimes, these two things clashed against each other. Rarely, as on “Bastards of Young,” these two things came together perfectly.
An anthem of teenage angst, an “us against the world song,” “Bastards of Young” is, in my opinion, one of the greatest rock songs ever produced.
29. “Ace of Spades” – Motörhead
Motorhead‘s Lemmy Kilmister claims to have consumed so much speed that many of his golden years were erased from his memory. Fortunately, a lot of that period was distilled into “Ace of Spades.” There aren’t many rock songs that sound as exciting each time you hear them, and few like it that never outstay their welcome.
30. “Message in a Bottle” – The Police
The Police snuck into the music industry as a “punk rock band.” However, musical complexity was always on the mind of this trio. On “Message in a Bottle,” sophistication and power are blended excellently. Sting’s fantastic singing is centre stage. However, it’s the riffs and fills played by Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland that really give the song its depth.
Top 31 – 40
31. “Waiting for the Man” – The Velvet Underground
What must it have been like to be on the dirty streets of New York City in the 1960s? Pretty wild, probably, huh? Fortunately, we have a detailed account.
The Velvet Underground‘s “Waiting for the Man” puts you in the role of a villainous, chemically addicted individual stalking the bad neighbourhoods of NYC. And it showcases, I believe, Lou Reed’s songwriting gift better than nearly all other tunes.
32. “Hocus Pocus” – Focus
Focus’s musicians were wild Dutchmen looking to outweird the rock crowds. They were also excellent musicians, capable of compressing the essence of their band into just a few riffs.
The main theme for “Hocus Pocus” is so good that, essentially, it is looped across the entirety of the song. It’s so good that it’s been featured in countless commercials. And, it’s so darn good, I think, that it still rings out as one of the best rock songs you can ever play over your stereo.
33. “Last Nite” – The Strokes
There was something in the air in the early 2000s in New York City. And The Strokes had the confidence to grab it. Poppy, gutsy and always exciting to hear, “Last Nite” shows why guitar music, when done right, will always be cool and draw in audiences.
34. “Paranoid Android” – Radiohead
Radiohead were the most progressive-friendly band of the Britpop era. “Paranoid Android” was written by assembling a number of unfinished songs. And it’s that approach of pasting these tunes together that makes the song sound eerie and edgy. A dynamic, ambitious composition, this was art-rock for a period when rock singles were getting shorter and shorter.
35. “Hey Jude” – The Beatles
At the heart of it all, great rock tunes, usually, are the ones that trap in it a melody so beautiful that everyone wants to join in singing it. The Beatles may have other songs that are more complex or profound. Arguably, however, the Fab Four don’t have a song that invites itself to be sung quite as much as “Hey Jude.”
36. “Black Magic Woman” – Santana
Santana didn’t just incorporate Latin grooves and married them to guitar-based rock. Carlos Santana also brought in local mysticism, everything that the band played early on.
Santana’s cover of the Fleetwood Mac classic “Black Magic Woman” bristles not just with emotion but with an undercurrent of Latin American magic.
37. “Ain’t Talkin ‘Bout Love” – Van Halen
Eddie van Halen could play sensationally fast, intricate solos across his guitar fretboard like nobody else. However, the guitar player could also cut to the chase. “Ain’t Talkin’ ”Bout Love” is built on an excellent, pop-friendly riff.
It also captures the energy of early Van Halen, a band that had gigged hundreds of times, making its stellar, classic debut album.
38. “The Mercy Seat” – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
There were few things scarier in the world than Nick Cave‘s music. Its origin seemed to lie in something primaeval and violent. And all those tendencies came together gruesomely beautifully for “The Mercy Seat.”
A song about a condemned man’s final words, “The Mercy Seat”, rises and rises just like the tension before an execution. It’s one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded in a studio.
39. “Refugee” – Tom Petty and Heartbreakers
Tom Petty, by most accounts, possessed an incredible ability to zoom in on the essentials. Although there were many great early songs by The Heartbreakers, none of them captured the band’s strengths quite like “Refugee.”
Here, Petty manages to blend his Southern rock roots with the pop songs favoured by 1980s radio and creates a bona fide classic.
40. “Born to be Wild” – Steppenwolf
It’s a song often parodied in movies depicting squares thinking they are cool. But there’s a good reason for this. Everyone feels a little bit cooler when they’re blasting “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf. In fact, you listen to that rhythm guitar, and it’s easy to convince yourself that by doing this, you’ve committed some kind of crime.
Top 41 – 50
41. “Breaking the Law” – Judas Priest
Judas Priest‘s classic roster didn’t just possess more talent than most contemporaries. The musicians also had a hunger for success that was unlike most bands. You can hear it in “Breaking the Law.” Their disobedience is to remain unsuccessful. With a memorable twin-guitar riff and Rob Halford’s operatic rock screams, Priest realised its full potential.
42. “Pump It Up” – Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Early Elvis Costello records are a wonderful thing. Rarely has one rock musician been angrier and, also, a better composer. However, “Pump It Up” is neither the punk-rock, reggae, nor soul-searching pop that Costello was known for. No, this is one of the greatest power-pop songs of all-time. It’s a song of pure exhilaration written about despondency.
43. “I Fought the Law” – The Bobby Fuller Band
Rock n’ roll should be on the side of those on the margins of society. And, if ever there was an anthem for this, it’s “I Fought the Law.” A rebel anthem about facing unimaginably powerful opponents, The Bobby Fuller Band, and later The Clash, makes you feel like James Dean playing Billy the Kid when you play this.
44. “Hotel California” – Eagles
Eagles‘ “Hotel California” isn’t missing anything. It’s one of the greatest rock compositions pound for pound. It contains esoteric lyrics about California as a dangerous gold-dust dream. It includes incredible dynamics and fantastic orchestration. And, of course, it tops everything up with the best guitar duel caught on tape, courtesy of Joe Walsh and Don Felder.
45. “In Bloom” – Nirvana
Kurt Cobain’s Nirvana was an unstoppable force despite the songwriter’s claims that they couldn’t care less about success. And, to be fair, Cobain knew the best places to take ideas from. “In Bloom” sounds like a mash-up of 1960s garage-rock and 1990s dirty grunge. It’s an earworm and one of the great rock singles. No wonder they released it twice!
46. “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” – The Clash
The Clash told listeners that once they embraced them fully, they would no longer need any other band. And, in many ways, they were right.
The Clash approached many genres with the same level of excitement. However, it’s when playing boisterous garage-rock, as on “Should I Stay Or Should I Go,” that the band is, undeniably, at its best.
47. “See Emily Play” – Pink Floyd
Syd Barrett was one of the most imaginative artists to ever touch an electric guitar. Pink Floyd’s “See Emily Play” is one of the very best songs of the 1960s. And it’s largely, I think, because each time that you hear it, it feels like you’re witnessing a small miracle. How did early Pink Floyd do that? Hard to say, but we’re glad they did.
48. “Debaser” – Pixies
Pixies had access to ideas that most bands could never think of integrating into their music. “Debaser” features beautiful Beatlesque melodies, aggressive Hendrix-style chords, and lyrics inspired by Buñuel and Dalí. This, more than any other, is the song that inspired 1990s grunge and alternative rock. And it’s a real rush to hear every single time.
49. “Welcome to the Jungle” – Guns N’ Roses
While most 1980s Los Angeles bands were busy teasing their hair and writing pop songs about girls and parties, the members of Guns N’ Roses felt like outlaws in the glitz of L.A. “Welcome to the Jungle” isn’t a rock single so much as a declaration of war.
All of the gutsiness, however, wouldn’t have worked were it not for Axl Rose’s brilliantly tuned and often demented-sounding lead vocals. Other than Sex Pistols, I’m not sure that there’s much like this out there.
Deepen your understanding of the Guns N’ Roses phenomenon by reading more:
50. “Proud Mary” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Are all the classics written already? Don’t despair! There’s always time for writing a new kind of history. And that’s what John Fogerty did with the endlessly groovy “Proud Mary.” And, sure, while nobody has the gruff vocals to sing it quite like Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Fogerty, “Proud Mary” is covered around the world as if it were written centuries ago.
Top 51 – 60
51. “Killing in the Name” – Rage Against the Machine
“Killing in the Name” proves that effective protest songs are more than just sloganeering. In fact, many can’t even make up the words on this one.
Still, this is arguably Rage Against the Machine‘s most famous song. It is the palpable anger that drives it, which, in turn, is a result of the era in which it was made.
Built on one of the most memorable riffs of the ’90s, courtesy of Tom Morello and Zach de la Rocha’s vitriolic vocals, this is one of the most important alternative rock songs of all time.
52. “Man in the Box” – Alice in Chains
“Man in the Box” is a colossally dramatic composition, a slice of operatic metal. Of course, this blend of heavy metal and raw emotion, an innovation embraced by Alice in Chains, paved the way for the creation of grunge.
“Man in the Box,” despite its lyrics about loss of agency and control, has become a modern standard. Vocalists use it to demo their singing skills, and guitarists target it to demo their wah-wah pedals. It is, by now, a classic!
53. “Born to Run” – Bruce Springsteen
For many U.S. admirers, it was Born Springsteen who epitomised the very best about early rock n’ roll – the idealism, soulfulness and energy. The weight of expectations would have crushed lesser artists.
“Born to Run,” however, was the anthem that all those fans knew Springsteen could deliver. One of the great road songs, a tune about desperately escaping toward a better life, “Born to Run” will always have a place in the rock n’ roll history books.
54. “Tom Sawyer” – Rush
Rush was always an enterprising group. That ambition did not refer merely to musicianship, even though this power trio was made up of proficient musicians. Yes, Rush also wanted the airwaves.
“Tom Sawyer” was conceived as a pop-forward prog-rock exercise. Its lyrics, which reference the Mark Twain adventure book, and the forward-thinking production provided Rush with the radio staple that the group so strongly desired.
55. “Shake, Rattle & Roll” – Big Joe Turner
Power! That’s what I hear when I listen to “Shake, Rattle & Roll.” It’s so much power, in fact, that it puts many of the heavy metal records that I own to shame. Big Joe Turner‘s recording has something primaeval about it.
But I can’t just listen to it just once! This is an earworm if I ever heard one. With these qualities, it’s no wonder that so many decades later, “Shake, Rattle & Roll” still sounds fresh and vital.
56. “La Grange” – ZZ Top
There’s a blues-rock band in every major city in the world covering “La Grange” this weekend, probably. The parts are easy enough to learn. However, they’re extremely hard to master.
ZZ Top‘s simple boogie is a mighty intricate thing. And Billy Gibbons’ stories of debauchery in the Texas desert created an identity for ZZ Top, something on which they’ve always been able to build. “La Grange” is one of the great boogie-rock tunes.
57. Bob Marley – “I Shot the Sheriff”
Bob Marley‘s ability was to blend Jamaican music and American pop-rock with protest lyrics that sounded like sing-alongs. The lyrics on “I Shot the Sheriff” are positively indignant with subordination to authority.
Marley and The Wailers, however, have a knack for delivering the song with enough softness and hooks that “I Shot the Sheriff” is a rock radio staple first and, secondly, protest music.
58. “Blitzkrieg Bop” – Ramones
The Ramones invented their own musical language. They did it by adapting to their relative musical naivety and their genius eccentricities.
“Blitzkrieg Bop” is a teenage anthem, a kind of revved-up “Ballroom Blitz” with 1950s chord progressions played at full speed.
This is one of the most influential songs of all time. It’s a song that still retains its incredible intensity and continues to inspire imitators.
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59. “I Want You to Want Me” – Cheap Trick
It all came together for Cheap Trick on “I Want You to Want Me.” But it had to. What else was this Chicago band going to do? Calling it a day was simply not an option.
This Beatlesque anthem to self-appreciation sounded alright in the studio, sure. But it was when Cheap Trick opened it up to the public that things really started to work. The band’s performance of “I Want You to Want Me” at Budokan in Japan is, positively, legendary.
60. “Sunny Afternoon” – The Kinks
Ray Davies’ songwriting was, more often than not, simply perfect. Not only were his chord progressions clever and his melodies easy to remember. Davies had his unique brand of irreverent humour that he managed to sneak into his songs.
The Kinks‘ “Sunny Afternoon” is a bitter and cynical tune. But each time you hear those post-chorus harmonies, you’re forced to play it again. If that’s not the mark of a truly great song, I don’t know what is!
Top 61 – 70
61. “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits
In 1978, Dire Straits turned pub-rock about the misfortunes of a pub-rock band into one of the biggest songs in the world. A bona fide road trip classic, “Sultans of Swing” is more than the sum of its parts.
Sure, this is a sound built on an appreciation for Bob Dylan and, especially, J.J. Cale. But, really, it’s the finesse of Mark Knopfler’s guitar playing that pushes this over the top.
62. “Black Dog” – Led Zeppelin
The legend is that the heavyweight guitar riff of “Black Dog” originated when Jimmy Page misinterpreted a Peter Green part. I suppose we have to thank this beautiful mishap.
“Black Dog” captures Led Zeppelin at the top of its game, a bombastic rock band capable of playing to gigantic crowds. Off the epochal “Led Zeppelin IV” album, “Black Dog” is a swaggering rock classic.
63. “Master of Puppets” – Metallica
Metallica had already triumphed in the speed wars against its thrash metal rivals. With “Master of Puppets”, the Californian quartet added a new layer of complexity to its music.
In fact, it’s the way that those intricate guitar riffs blend together here that makes “Master of Puppets” into a mini-metal opera. No wonder it still has so many fans.
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64. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
While it’s a controversial classic rock song, there’s no denying that Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” also set a template. There aren’t many Southern rock groups that can claim not to be inspired by it.
It’s fitting because the classic riff itself is inspired by The Rolling Stones, while the lyrics, essentially, quote contemporary news headlines. Music-wise, “Sweet Home Alabama” stands the test of time, even though some of the song’s sentiment is suspect.
65. “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” – Elton John
What kind of songs is Elton John known for? Piano ballads, you say? You’re not entirely wrong. But the vivacious “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” shows that there’s more to his music.
“Saturday” remained the opening song across most of John’s live career. It’s one of the great brawling anthems in rock n’ roll.
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66. “Locomotive Breath” – Jethro Tull
There were plenty of good, mostly British, progressive rock bands in the 1970s. Jethro Tull managed to stand out through a mixture of wit, cynicism and ambitiousness. All of those are reflected in “Locomotive Breath.”
The fact that “Locomotive Breath” is also a restless rocker goes a long way in explaining Jethro Tull’s status among general rock audiences. “Locomotive Breath” is one of the finest rock songs you’re ever likely to hear.
67. “School’s Out” – Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper was a sensation even before this song. In fact, the band and singer of the same name were sensations the first time they walked down a Detroit street dressed in their stage clothes.
But “School’s Out” just had its finger on the pulse of the world. It’s an anthem of teenage rebellion in the purest sense. And it’s no wonder that the song’s appeal hasn’t dimmed.
68. “Shakin’ All Over” – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
There’s very little that beats “Shakin’ All Over” in terms of pure eerie thrills. And while Johnny Kidd & The Pirates first released this in 1960 and The Guess Who covered it a few years later, since then we’ve seen the rise of genres like industrial rock and black metal, yet very little even comes close.
That spidery guitar riff and the hypnotic groove are required study material for all would-be rockers. And, indeed, “Shakin’ All Over” is one of the most influential songs of all time.
69. “Epic” – Faith No More
“Epic” is one of the strangest alternative-rock hits of all time, and, in some ways, one of the best advertisements for the genre. Comedy meets virtuoso singing here, and genres like funk and classical intersect.
Sure, “Epic” opened Faith No More up to more than just funk-metal enthusiasts. It’s the best-known song by one of the greatest risk-takers on this list, in my opinion.
70. “Walk on the Wild Side” – Lou Reed
Lou Reed was something of a visionary. The Velvet Underground, his earlier band, had emphasised percussive elements and eerie instrumental touches. Meanwhile, at the start of his solo career, Reed maintained his aura of weirdo guru by introducing the general rock public to New York characters they were unlikely to meet otherwise.
“Walk on the Wild Side,” however, is not just an advertisement for Andy Warhol’s Factory scene. Powered by that memorable bass riff, it’s one of the most pleasing-sounding songs ever recorded.
Top 71 – 80
71. “Can’t Stop” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
At his most dedicated, John Frusciante can practice for twelve hours a day. Occasionally, all that playing leads to a guitar riff as magical as “Can’t Stop.”
One of Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ biggest stadium anthems, the energy of “Can’t Stop” remains irresistible.
72. “Livin’ On a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi wrote fantastic songs. And the band could play them brilliantly. Besides that, the songs were also soulful, as is the case with “Livin’ On a Prayer.”
But the songs also had bombast. It’s no wonder that this remains a staple at concerts or sporting events.
73. “Evil” – Interpol
There was a dark, mysterious energy that Interpol was always chasing. On “Evil,” when writing about serial killers, Interpol captured it better than on any other song.
Led by Carlos Dengler (one of the greatest modern bassists) and his memorable riff, “Evil” is one of the best indie-rock songs of the 2000s.
74. “Rebel Yell” – Billy Idol
“Rebel Yell” is one of the catchiest rock songs written during the 1980s. And while Billy Idol‘s charisma is undeniable, it’s Steve Stevens’ incredible rhythm playing and solo leads that are the most memorable element of this banger.
75. “You Shook Me All Night Long” – AC/DC
There’s always been an incredible swing to AC/DC‘s music. It’s a hard element to replicate. And it’s an element that doesn’t require unnecessary sophistication, just an otherworldly feel and precision.
Technically, “You Shook Me All Night Long” is one of the simplest songs AC/DC ever wrote. Practically, it’s also one of the greatest rock songs ever written.
76. “Go Your Own Way” – Fleetwood Mac
The version of Fleetwood Mac that was active in the late 1970s could’ve just been a rock soap opera if they hadn’t brought all of their troubles into their music.
“Go Your Own Way” is one of the ultimate breakup songs, powered by a Lindsey Buckingham performance that’s as mean and intense as can be.
77. “Black Hole Sun” – Soundgarden
Oh, to think that Soundgarden pre-1994 was primarily known as a bludgeoning heavy metal machine! Meanwhile, “Black Hole Sun” is a bad trip, Beatlesque fantasy that showcases Chris Cornell’s striking vocals and his gift for writing memorable melodies.
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78. “Basket Case” – Green Day
I was no punk. I was just a kid. But I heard “Basket Case” on MTV and fell in love with its sound. Millions of others across the world felt the same about Green Day. And judging by the song’s enduring popularity, millions still feel the exact same way.
79. “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2” – Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd‘s “The Wall” was a complex rock opera full of philosophical concepts. Meanwhile, “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2” gave the story a climax, a slogan (“We don’t need no education!”) and provided the album with a funk-rock masterpiece complete with one of David Gilmour’s finest guitar riffs.
80. “Break on Through” – The Doors
Jim Morrison and The Doors were there to challenge norms and play exotic rock’n’ roll. No other song better captured this than the group’s debut, the brilliantly chaotic, William Blake-quoting “Break on Through.”
Top 81 – 90
81. “Symphony of Destruction” – Megadeth
Of the thrash metal bands, Megadeth‘s compositions were often the most complex. With “Symphony of Destruction”, Dave Mustaine stripped things back and delivered an anthemic, radio-friendly, yet still heavy rock classic.
82. “The Boys Are Back in Town” – Thin Lizzy
The greatest American-sounding rock anthem belongs… to an Irish group! Thin Lizzy‘s dual-guitar attack and Phil Lynott’s storytelling came together perfectly on the immortal ode to machismo, “The Boys Are Back in Town.”
83. “Walk” – Pantera
Dimebag Darrell could outplay the vast majority of guitar players. But his greatness, and that of Pantera in fact, also lies in the ability to do less with more. When Dimebag’s riffs and Phil Anselmo’s vocals lock in, few songs are heavier than “Walk.”
84. “Walk This Way” – Aerosmith
Steven Tyler didn’t just scream menacingly high notes. He was also a great drummer and a fantastic lyricist. All of these qualities come together on “Walk This Way.” The wacky bravado can be heard across the track. But it’s that rhythm that made Run/DMC want to co-opt Aerosmith for a very famous cover.
85. “Town Called Malice” – The Jam
The Jam‘s “Town Called Malice” is built around one of the greatest bass riffs of all time, courtesy of Bruce Foxton. Pair that with Paul Weller’s blue-eyed soul singing and lyrics about life in a small English town, and you have a true classic.
86. “Whipping Post” – The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band became an unlikely ambassador for all things U.S. South. Luckily, the band had what it took to put the area in the best possible light. “Whipping Post” is the blues transformed into something as grandiose as a rock opera, one of the truly great songs.
87. “Paranoid” – Black Sabbath
“Paranoid” was written in haste and released to fill space on the group’s sophomore album. That kind of pressure paid off. Black Sabbath‘s “Paranoid” is one of the most direct and memorable hard-rock songs, a real testament to minimalism in heavy rock.
88. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” – Oasis
Oasis‘ “Don’t Look Back in Anger” may have started out as just another ode to The Beatles by the Fab Four’s ’90s counterparts. However, through the years, this Noel Gallagher-penned and sung classic has become something of a working-class anthem in England. It’s a fantastic song!
89. “My Best Friend’s Girl” – The Cars
There’s likely no other three-chord song that’s as complex as “My Best Friend’s Girl.” The Cars are one of the greatest bands in power-pop, a group that could create radio hits that were to the point yet amazingly sophisticated beneath the surface.
90. “Roundabout” – Yes
Possibly no progressive-rock band was as ambitious as 1970s Yes. And, none of them was a more surprising rock sensation than this quintet.
“Roundabout” almost magically captured the band’s vision and collective ability in just a few minutes of music. It’s the crossover prog-rock hit that demands the listeners’ attention.
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Top 91 – 100
91. “Summer Babe – Winter Version” – Pavement
When all the rock bands were busy developing their sound for radio airplay, Pavement never sounded like they were trying. This is part of what makes “Summer Babe” still such an exciting-sounding rock track. This is the sound of slacker rock made by impossibly cool dudes unburdened by the desire for fame.
92. “Closer” – Nine Inch Nails
There were many tense and sexy industrial rock songs released by Nine Inch Nails. None of them, however, had the immediate impact of “Closer.” For a while, in the 1990s, the song was the de facto soundtrack for movies about psychos and killers. It’s a song that has a strange kind of pop appeal.
93. “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads
Talking Heads were too nervous to be a standard rock band, and too nervous to fit into punk-rock. On the other hand, David Byrne and the group had just the right elements to give a proper representation of the fearsome, strange New York City of the 1970s. “Psycho Killer” is one of the best songs of the era.
94. “Bad Company” – Bad Company
Bad Company is one of the only supergroups that, to my mind, is any good. These weren’t merely elite musicians, but ones whose abilities grew by playing together. It’s certainly daring to name your first single. debut album and band using the same moniker. However, “Bad Company” is such a strong song that it immediately rewards the decision.
95. “Space Oddity” – David Bowie
Before David Bowie was a glam-rock superstar, he was trying to make it as a singer-songwriter. “Space Oddity” showed just how talented Bowie was at penning songs and how smart he was about using media attention to his advantage. “Space Oddity” became a hit during the first moon landings, but its fame is eternal.
96. “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” – Genesis
In terms of theatricality and high-minded concepts, few 1970s prog-rock bands could equal Genesis. “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” is both the pinnacle of those achievements and the finale. Not just the title track of a complex concept album, “Lamb” is a mysterious, dynamic rocker that captures Peter Gabriel’s early singing style at its best.
97. “Easy Livin'” – Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep spent a very long time hero-worshipping Led Zeppelin. By the time “Easy Livin'” was released, considerable commercial success had been achieved despite the odds. That’s why the song, fittingly, is a celebration of 1970s hard-rock excess, both sonically and in terms of the story it tells.
98. “Aqualung” – Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull may have been one of the biggest names in progressive rock. However, Ian Anderson’s mindset of anger and distrust makes him an almost proto-punk, if only in his personal philosophy. “Aqualung,” a song about an old beggar and the people who ridicule him, is one of Tull’s best, most aggressive songs, and contains a guitar intro that is among the most famous ever recorded.
99. “Stay with Me” – Faces
Faces could out-boogie the swaggering The Rolling Stones on a good day. And, “Stay with Me,” the naughty boogie rock anthem of this brilliant, short-lived group proves it. The song is equal parts drunken stumble and romantic bravado. It features Ron Wood trading guitar licks with Rod Stewart’s smoky vocals, and it’s a bona fide rock classic.
100. “Clap Hands” – Tom Waits
Arguably, the most interesting period of Tom Waits‘ recording career is also the most bizarre. By the time of “Clap Hands,” Waits had fully embraced an experimental approach that included self-designed instruments, mysterious stories of people living on the outskirts of society, and a singing voice that sounded like a flat tyre being dragged across gravel. “Clap Hands” is the most instantly pleasing of an array of glorious compositions.
Notable Mentions
101. “Mysterious Ways” – U2
102. “Drive” – R.E.M.
103. “Nutshell” – Alice in Chains
104. “Interstate Love Song” – Stone Temple Pilots
105. “Where the Wild Roses Grow” – Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave
106. “Iris” – Goo Goo Dolls
107. “The Way” – Fastball
108. “Disco 2000” – Pulp
109. “Come as You Are” – Nirvana
110. “Today” – The Smashing Pumpkins
111. “Friday I’m in Love” – The Cure
112. “Freak on a Leash” – Korn
113. “Mr Jones” – Counting Crows
114. “Adam’s Song” – blink-182
115. “A Horse with No Name” – America
116. “Say It Ain’t So” – Weezer
117. “Zombie” – Cranberries
118. “Runaway Train” – Soul Asylum
119. “Mother” – Danzig
120. “Cannonball” – The Breeders
121. “Dreams” – Fleetwood Mac
122. “Everlong” – Foo Fighters
123. “Fade Into You” – Mazzy Star
124. “Don’t Cry” – Guns N’ Roses
125. “Creep” – Radiohead
126. “Strawberry Fields Forever” – The Beatles
127. “Motorcycle Emptiness” – Manic Street Preachers
128. “Kickstart My Heart” – Motley Crue
129. “What I’d Say” – Ray Charles
130. “Semi-Charmed Life” – Third Eye Blind
“The 100 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time” Playlist
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All due respect, how does Won’t Get Fooled Again by the Who, arguably the greatest rock band, not make the top 10??