Here's my selection for this most sensitive and gentle of music genres- it's the 10 best big rock songs. Here we go pop-pickers, and straight in at number ten.....
10 Black Sabbath by BLACK SABBATH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The title track from the first album (great album cover, ... Read review
Advantages: Good for the neck muscles Disadvantages: Always wear a safety helmet
...of music genres- it's the 10 best big rock songs. Here we go pop-pickers, and straight in at number ten.....
10 Black Sabbath by BLACK SABBATH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The title track from the first album (great album cover, incidentally) from 1970. I remember there was a bit of a buzz at the time, a bit of a thing happening relating to witchcraft and the occult. There were several records being segued as a supernatural ... ...and also "Come to the Sabbath" by Black Widow, and "Out Demons Out" by The Edgar Broughton Band.
'Black Sabbath' opens the album, a very heavy rainstorm fades in, peals of thunder crack from the speakers, and an eerie lone church bell rings out doomfully. The big guitar chord crashes in, in time to the church bell, and Ozzie lets fly:
"Satan points at me again
Opens the door to push me in more
Here's my selection for this most sensitive and gentle of music genres- it's the 10 best big rock songs. Here we go pop-pickers, and straight in at number ten.....
10 Black Sabbath by BLACK SABBATH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The title track from the first album (great album cover, incidentally) from 1970. I remember there was a bit of a buzz at the time, a bit of a thing happening relating to witchcraft and the occult. There were several records being segued as a supernatural mix at that time, this track being one of them, and also "Come to the Sabbath" by Black Widow, and "Out Demons Out" by The Edgar Broughton Band. 'Black Sabbath' opens the album, a very heavy rainstorm fades in, peals of thunder crack from the speakers, and an eerie lone church bell rings out doomfully. The big guitar chord crashes in, in time to the church bell, and Ozzie lets fly:
"Satan points at me again Opens the door to push me in Oh Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo, please God help me!"
The song's quite slow and doomy in pace until a slight pause, then a new riff accelerates the tempo and the whole mood starts to rock out, culminating in a big finish. The guitar sounds a little dated now, but despite this the track is still very listenable today. There's the usual occult subliminal message - if you play the record backwards at a slower speed, the message "Eat your sprouts and cabbage" can be heard quite plainly.
9 American Woman - THE GUESS WHO ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A real bobby-dazzler from 1970 by this Canadian rock band. It's the original and has an energy and raw edge that makes all the cover versions seem insipid. An infectious riff paves the way for the lead guitar to make a smoothly sustained entrance, there is also a tasty tabla drum which adds a slightly eastern flavour to the song. Singer Burton Cummings gravel voice hits the punchlines to perfection, but this certainly ain't no love song.
"Don't come knocking around my door I don't want to see your shadow no more"
There's a subliminal message which can be heard at twice normal speed, it simply states " There ain't no Sanity Claus".
8 Frankenstein - THE EDGAR WINTER GROUP ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the 1972 album 'They Only Come out at Night', this is an absolute stormer of an instrumental. It's a pulsating rocker, that's for sure, but there's a nice underlying jazzy feel to it. It thumps along like an express train, guitars and keyboards spiralling through the octaves like there's no tomorrow, and there's no shortage of delightful little instrumental flurries throughout the song. There's a short funky drum solo followed by an ear-piercing sound effect before the band kicks in again, there's no time to catch your breath! Again, a hidden message can just about be detected amongst the opening bars - play backwards and you'll hear the advice " Dont smoke a pipe, it's very nasty".
7 Chop Suey - SYSTEM OF A DOWN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Taken from their 2001 album 'Toxicity', Sweet and Sour might have been more descriptive. In parts it's really manic, rattling on at machine-gun pace, hard to keep up with it. It then suddenly becomes very melodic and appealing, before launching again into overdrive.
Trust in my self righteous suicide, I, cry, when angels deserve to die, In my self righteous suicide, I, cry, when angels deserve to die
The band are Serj Tankian, John Dolmayan, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, they're LA based but of Armenian ancestry. The hidden message when the track is played anti-clockwise says " Our new album 'Mesmerise' has a track called BYOB - if you haven't caught it yet, listen out for it - it's a humdinger!"
6 Nothing Else Matters - METALLICA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the 1991 'Black Album', I like this tasteful helping from the boys because it's...yes, epic! Almost like a folk-song, at times medieval in format, Fairport Convention on Acid, perhaps, but it's nicely structured with little twiddly bits here and there, there's oodles of fabby guitar throughout, and it gathers momentum as it moves along. I think it helped to establish Metallica as more than just a band of thrashers, the song is well-thought out and extremely well-played. Play it backwards to hear a subliminal Norman Wisdom shouting "Mr Grimsdale...".
5 Highway to Hell - AC/DC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Any track from this 1979 album would do for me, so the title track will do just fine. This is the last album to feature the unique voice of Bon Scott, and for me that's a big part of the song's attraction. His sleazy, menacing vocals blend perfectly with the feel of this track. Crisp, meaty drums supply the beat for the guitar chord intro, then in comes the bass and the song rocks along very sweetly. Less frantic than 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and similar hard-hitting rock tracks, but somehow I feel this song captures the essence of the band perfectly. Listen carefully for an obscure devillish voice mixed far back in the track chanting "Torremolinos, Torremolinos".
4 The Pusher - STEPPENWOLF ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Taken from the band's first album in 1968, this song famously opened the movie "Easy Rider" when Phil Spector played a cameo role as a dealer. It's haunting yet hard-hitting, the stark guitar chords mix well with the organ sound, and John Kay's angry vocals hit exactly the right note, so to speak. This, is a glorious one - off!
"The dealer for a nickel Lord, will sell you lots of sweet dreams Ah, but the pusher ruin your body Lord, he'll leave your, he'll leave your mind to scream God damn, The Pusher"
Play it in slow motion to detect at the first chorus a group of dogs barking out 'Jingle Bells'.
3 Child in Time - DEEP PURPLE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've chosen this after some deliberation, I had considered 'Black Night' with it's pulsating rhythm, and 'Highway Star' or 'Lazy' from 'Machinehead'. However I settled on this epic track from 'In Rock' (1970) because it's....again, epic! Starts with a quite gentle organ intro and a few taps on the cymbal, gradually gaining weight and volume before hitting the accelerator on overdrive. Ritchie Blackmore squeezes the hell out of his guitar in the rip-roaring mid-section, before the whole thing cools down and the pretty intro is reprised. There's some quite unreal vocals from Ian Gillan, and I always look forward to one small part of the song - it's the bit where he sings " Wait for the ricochet" and on that final word the drums come in on each syllable, I always have to play the air drums on that small section. It's a big, big track, and listen out for the haunting whispered message almost hidden towards the end - " Fish and chips twice, please, and a can of orange".
2 Whole Lotta Love - LED ZEPPELIN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm going for the obvious with this one, mainly because I can remember hearing it for the first time and thinking there was something going on here! The song is actually a Willy Dixon number originally called 'You Need Love', the Small Faces covered it on their first album but called it 'You Need Lovin', and then Zep did this version in 1969, but alas gave no credit to old Willy for the original! Naughty! A simple enough riff I suppose, but Plant's vocals supercharge the song, the percussion break in the middle build up to a cracking finish, in fact the drums drive the song brilliantly throughout, John Bonham's contribution to Led Zep's music cannot be overstated, he gave them fantastic power and rhythm. "Way down inside....woman! You need.....Loooooooooove" sings Plant, falling over a cliff. If played at eight times normal speed and backwards, you can just about hear the word "Stilton" at the end of the percussion break.
1 November Rain - GUNS 'n ROSES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From 1991, the ultimate in big epic rock tragedies, Axl pours his heart out, while Slash just wants a cigarette. It's a massive production, with a nice piano intro that begs for the drums to thump in at the right moments, there's a nice guitar break and even some plucked violins towards the end. Simply a classic, and one that never seems to grow jaded or tired.
"'Cause nothin' lasts forever And we both know hearts can change And it's hard to hold a candle In the cold November rain"
The subliminal message as the track fades out simply states " there is no message here".
Ten big rock songs - thanks for sticking with it (if in fact you did!)
Advantages: you will rock out! Disadvantages: rocking out may not be your cup of tea.
...is just going to be 10 songs which I love and that I believe to be possibly the most enduring rock songs of all time.
So what makes music ‘rock?’ it seems such a stupid term to name a musical genre after, I mean, Dance music is about dancing, Classical literally is classical. Pop is popular and R’n’B is Rhythm and Blues, all quite self explanatory. Its not as if ‘Rock,’ tells you much about what the music sounds like, if I was to sum it up in a ... ...that every one of these 10 songs are at least 20 years old and with the exception of the Judas priest and iron maiden songs, 30 years old. But the fact is the greatest rock music was made 30 years ago, its become almost classical in its popularity, consistent but never mainstream.
I hope you have enjoy my half assed ramblings about the glory of ‘old skool’ rock music. If I have encouraged any of you to download one of these songs or even buy a record ...
Bolly_eggs 03.03.2005 (23.03.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 10 Best Rock Songs
Advantages: Some very good tracks Disadvantages: No snippets to listen to!!!
...remembered I can never pick 10 best tracks because my list changes all the time.
Anyway, for your delight and delectation, below is a list of 10 classic tracks, some of which you might have heard, some you might not, but all of which you should listen to at least once in this life.
1. Roxy Music – If there is something
Track 2 on the first album and perhaps the first of the classic romantic Roxy tracks. The lyrics seem to suggest a more ... ...f**king good song though!”
10. Gary Wright – Dream weaver
Even now, a strange, almost “trippy” beginning gently introduces you to “the dream weaver train”, enticing you to leave “tomorrow behind”. A classic late night track, ideally listened to cuddled up next to the love of your life. Another 4 minutes of classic rock heaven, this may be familiar to some from “Wayne’s world”
I ...
Sojoko 05.04.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 10 Best Rock Songs
Advantages: Sex, drugs and rock and roll Disadvantages: Sex, drugs and rock and roll
My most recent album reviews have all been on modern bands, so I'm going back to my rock roots with this absolute leviathan of a challenge. Man, to pick only ten from the countess thousands of classics… how on earth…?! I've set up a few simple rules to make life a bit easier, and to ensure my final list is as diverse and as entertaining as possible:
- Only one song per band (otherwise they'd all be by The Stones and Zeppelin)
- Rock only! Obvious ... ...rock alone - no punk, metal, indie, funk etc
- Finally, no covers. These can be fantastic, like Hendrix's version of Dylan's Watchtower, but for this rock list, we are talking writing and not just performing. Sorry Jimi.
So here we go… in no particular order…
10) The Rolling Stones performing Sympathy for the Devil
In truth, any Stones song could have made it onto this list; Brown Sugar, Jack Flash, Satisfaction, The Last Time, Honky Tonk… but ...
black_dog 06.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 10 Best Rock Songs
Advantages: The best Songs ever! Disadvantages: No doubt you'll disagree!
...it down to my top 10 favourite rock songs.I hope that you disagree with me,I love a good arm wrestle!
10.T Rex 20th Century Boy
This is a fabulous song with an excellent instantly recognisable riff.T Rex whom were of course fronted by the eccentric Marc Bolan were to explode onto the Glam scene in the early 1970s.No ones record collection is complete without a best of T Rex. Even if the lyrics dont make sense, it will make you want to don a pair ... ...to be played on 11.Not 10 but 11 to enjoy its full on hairy maness of a song.If you dont have this album in your record collection then you need to!It is the law.
4.Jimi Hendrix All Along the Watchtower
Taken from the Hendrix collection Cornerstone.This is an absoulute corker of a song.A great blues/rock number which will have you reaching for your kaftan. This man can make sounds with a guitar than any other person can only dream of.
I can play ...
kittyfluff 05.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 10 Best Rock Songs
Lots of guitars, squealy vocals and thumping drums. Let's rock!
Number: 10
Artist: VAN HALEN
Song: Why Can't This Be Love?
Year: 1986
Why: From the opening, huge riff-laden guitar bits to Sammy Hagar's vocals, this epitomises all that was good and bad about rock in the 1980s. "Woah-oh here it comes/That funny feeling again" sung Hagar like a confused schoolboy just finding his hormones. Purists will despise the fact that I've included a post-David ... ...9
Artist: IRON MAIDEN
Song: Run To The Hills
Year: 1982
Why: They taught the Darkness everything they know. The squealing guitars riffs, the thunderous drums and the slightly tongue in cheek take on rock as a whole, ver Maiden were Spinal Tap reincarnate. Bruce Dickinson and boys for all their satanic and demonic imagery were nice boys who preferred a cuppa and game of footie over a sacrificial killing any day. This track about the pillaging ...
waynehorrigan 04.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 10 Best Rock Songs
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Advantages: None Disadvantages: Bozo's that think they are punk rockers
In no particular order
10. Iggy and the Stoogies - Raw Power
"I'm a street walking Cheetah, with a hyde full of Napalm"
The opening song on the raw power album (possibly the bestrock and roll album in the world ever). It starts as it menas to go on dripping with attitude and sweat. The entire band were on top form here, raw guitars, primal drumming and Iggy's amazing vocal performance. Pure Genius
9. Poison Idea - Feel the Darkness
"At midnight my Black heart is truning, Blue"
This was recorded by the best ever line up of Portlands least favorite sons. Starting off with stupendious and relentless Bass line by Myrtle Tickner, complimented by Thee Hippy Slayers awesome drumming. Then Pig Champion and Mondo's guitars kick in alsolutley stunning. Lyrically you really don't want to know what Jerry A is singing about.
8 ...
Advantages: For all you rockers!!! Disadvantages: limited to 10 :-( could put hundreds up here!!!!
Ok before i begin i would firstly like to state that with my top 10songs, they are the bestrock tunes you will ever hear!! Rock On!!! :-)
All of these short song reviewsi nclude the chorus. Just to give u a taster of their meaning!
10.
Switchfoot - Meant To Live
"We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside"
This tune is mainly recognised for its excellent presence in Spiderman 2 the movie as the main theme tune! I think that this tune has got to be one of the greatesest made because when your playin it full blast and actually listen to the lyrics as well as the amazing instrumentals used you get an immense shudder down your spine right up until the last ...
Advantages: The songs and everything Disadvantages: nothing really
but its still a bit slow.
9th track
when you're gone
this is a slow song with would be great for a slow dance with someone you are in love with and is more like a love song and best for a romantic night in.
10th Track
Hollywood
Is more of a rocksong it has a great beat and the singer but there is one con about it you can not dance to it even though the start of it sounds great with guitars and drums it starts to have less instruments and then you hit the chorus and it starts again with the drums and guitar
They are some of my favourite songs on the C.D. I don?t know where I would be with out this C.D this means more to me than anything in the house for the exception of my husband and the cats and hamster.
I have to love them more because they are not replaceable while writing this review I'm listening to these tracks ...
donnamarie2004 20.08.2004 (30.08.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Cranberries
