…if you wanna rock n Roll! And we do. The things that our parents used to say to us when we were younger, like “Time passes faster the older you get”, and “You’ll regret it if you don’t eat your veggies!” and “They don’t make ‘em like they used to”; we all used to think they were crazy! Well, I hate to break it to you guys, but most of what our parents said to us when we were younger actually turned out to be true; it just took us reaching their age to really understand! Especially the part about “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”. Usually, when someone says this, they’re talking about how music is so very different these days than what it was when they were younger. Many films have been made, and books have been written about the nostalgia associated with the era of classic rock: bell bottoms, platform boots, extreme makeup, long hair and face-melting guitar riffs. The good news is that you don’t need to wonder how they used to make em, because classic rock is still around, so you can hear it for yourself! There’s never a bad time to break out the ACDC, Led Zeppelin, KISS, Black Sabbath or The Doors; whether you want to throw a themed party, lay by the pool on a hot summer’s day or just dance to some of the best tunes around. Let’s check out some of the best classic rock songs that have been popular for decades and aren’t going away any time soon.
Purple Haze- Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was famous for many reasons; joining the 27 club, being one of the first black men to have a classic rock career, and for his stupendous guitar riffs. There’s something about Hendrix’s music that just seems to come from a completely different place because no earthly musician could ever have written anything that good. His blend of psych and more commercial elements cemented his place in rock n roll history. His music is as incredible today as it was the first day it was written, but Purple Haze is a step above the rest. The man was and is a legend, the kind of musician that only comes around once in a lifetime.
A Whole Lotta Love- Led Zeppelin
There must be few people left in the world who don’t know Led Zeppelin’s name. In the 70s, and still for some people today, their level of fame and success was almost god-like. They re-defined a genre and have been the inspiration for countless musicians who didn’t quite fit the mold to make whatever kind of sound they wanted to. Zeppelin always aimed to take you on a trip through the fantasy world and across continents and into the depths of the human mind. A Whole Lotta Love is a classic example of their bluesier side. Robert Plant’s delicious vocal, coupled with Jimmy Paige’s steady, rock-solid guitar, launched the band into the rock ‘n roll stratosphere. Its frenzied, full sound only gives you one chance to catch your breath before galloping off with your heart again.
Barracuda- Heart
While classic rock was, by all accounts, a male-dominated field, don’t mistake Ann and Nancy Wilson for groupies. While it might not scream what most people think of to be classic rock, Heart’s Barracuda is still a powerful factor on the dance floor. Its abrasive, metallic, catchy chorus will work its way into your head, and the vocals, something very different for women at the time, accent it perfectly. It hangs tough with the most well-known of classic rock acts and has influenced singers and songwriters from Joan Jett to Miley Cyrus.
Tom Sawyer- Rush
Ok, we’ll say it, Rush is not everyone’s cup of tea. Progressive rock has always been a hotly discussed genre, with some claiming the musicians are spitting in the face of the way paved by classic rock ‘n rollers, and others arguing the first lot just don’t have the musical ear to understand it. I think the truth, as usual, falls somewhere in the middle. Bands like Rush, who embraced a math-y, progressive style of music, do not follow in the footsteps of their predecessors but rather make their own way. Tom Sawyer is a perfect example of the old and new colliding in one song, the time signature changes, the fantastical lyrics – Rush is the bridge between classic rock like ACDC and a more modern way of doing things. They sing the holy hell out of every song they’ve ever written, and the pitch-perfect leads and harmonies on Tom Sawyer are no exception.
Wrap Up
If we’re honest, this list could have gone on forever, but instead of taking up all your time, we’ve provided you with a short cross-section of some of the classic rock songs that have never stopped being popular. Did your favorite make the list?
