The best Rock and roll song ever written?

[delkfor3]

I'll go with Eric Claptons "Layla", with "Freebird" a very close second. What's the best rock song ever written?:wildcatface

[Littlemeyer]

"A Day in the Life" by The Beatles. A true Lennon/McCartney collaboration, and you can CLEARLY hear their distinct styles in each part of the song. Sgt. Pepper's was probably my least favorite of the post-1965 Beatles' albums, but this song was a great way to end what, at the time, was a pretty ground-breaking album.

[Buddah]

Littlemeyer wrote:
"A Day in the Life" by The Beatles.Â* A true Lennon/McCartney collaboration, and you can CLEARLY hear their distinct styles in each part of the song.Â* Sgt. Pepper's was probably my least favorite of the post-1965 Beatles' albums, but this song was a great way to end what, at the time, was a pretty ground-breaking album.

i agree about Day In The Life. most people hate sgt pepper because it took them by such a suprise, it was like the last song on revolver ( tommorow never knows) carried over to sgt pepper.. i like it personally. though syd barrett Pink Floyd and beach boys did that style before the beatles, but never got credit for it. though smile was never relased. pet sounds was.

[Littlemeyer]

If I remember, Sgt. Pepper's was McCartney's response to the Beach Boys Pet Sounds. Don't take that the wrong way...I like Sgt. Pepper, just not as much as I like every other album from Rubber Soul on up to Abbey Road. :thumbup

[bigsky]

Gimme Shelter or Satisfaction or Last Time

Rave On or Not Fade Away

[Buddah]

bottle rockets is a masterpiece littlemeyer.. owen sucks as an actor, but he is a great writer... bottle rockets, royal tennubuams, rushmore

[Jeff Craddock]

bigsky wrote: Gimme Shelter or Satisfaction or Last Time

Rave On or Not Fade Away



Good choices. If I had to pick one, "Gimme Shelter", with "Johnny B. Goode" and "Whole Lotta Shakin" right up there.

[Littlemeyer]

Buddah wrote: bottle rockets is a masterpiece littlemeyer.. owen sucks as an actor, but he is a great writer... bottle rockets, royal tennubuams, rushmore
:thumbup It certainly is a masterpiece! An oft overlooked masterpiece, at that...

"Gimme Shelter" is a good choice. If I could pick a couple more, I'd go with "Twist and Shout" with John Lennon singing, and more recently, "Cold Hard B____" by Jet. :ggrin: Seriously. Its a fun song.

[HOMEYCAT]

Twist And Shout (Beatle's Version)

Benny and the Jets.

Roll Over Beethoven

Money (The Kingsmen)

Wake Up a lil Susie

Jailhouse Rock

Crossroads (Cream)

Runaway (Del Shannon)
Locomotion (Carol King)

Hey Baby ( Bruce Channel)

Dream Baby (Roy Orbison)

[BowlingGreenUKGrad]

Tough question.

I think the mostunderrated rock song ever is Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet.

[baldcat]

Geez, this is a toughie.

Somebody to Love-Queen

Stranglehold-Ted Nugent

Highway To Hell- AC DC

One Way Or Another-Blondie

[Spanish Moss]

The best rock n' roll song,

Louie Louie by the Kingsmen

It may be the most controversial song ever recorded. No one could understand the lyrics and radio stations didn't know if they should play it or ban it.

It is the subject of so many urban legends we still don't know the truth about it. :)

[Grub]

Stairway to Heaven - no doubt for me.

[ukgrad]

Ditto... i also have to say comfortably numb

Grub wrote:
Stairway to Heaven - no doubt for me.

[WildcatRick]

Turn The Page

Long Time

Bohemian Rhapsody

[Buddah]

ukgrad wrote:
Ditto... i also have to say comfortably numb

Grub wrote:
Stairway to Heaven - no doubt for me.


i have to agree on both.. there is just a vast array of material to trim it to a single song. can't do it.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Stairway to Heaven

Cat Scratch Fever..... by Ted Nugent

Just got Paid...by ZZ Top

Carry on my Wayward Son..... by Kansas

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Roadhouse Blues - The Doors

You Really Got Me Now - The Kinks

Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd

[Terry L. Wildcat]

:cool:Sympathy for the Devil..."pleased to meet you..."

[Terry L. Wildcat]

Buddah wrote: Littlemeyer wrote:
"A Day in the Life" by The Beatles. A true Lennon/McCartney collaboration, and you can CLEARLY hear their distinct styles in each part of the song. Sgt. Pepper's was probably my least favorite of the post-1965 Beatles' albums, but this song was a great way to end what, at the time, was a pretty ground-breaking album.

i agree about Day In The Life. most people hate sgt pepper because it took them by such a suprise, it was like the last song on revolver ( tommorow never knows) carried over to sgt pepper.. i like it personally. though syd barrett Pink Floyd and beach boys did that style before the beatles, but never got credit for it. though smile was never relased. pet sounds was.
:cool:Buddah, Most folks my age loved The Sgt. from the beginning...it was one of Mel's very, very favorite albums.

[Will Lavender]

Hey! My generation is getting shafted here. :ggrin:

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nirvana

Appetite for Destruction. (Can't pick just one song.)

[HOMEYCAT]

I loved Sgt Pepper's ....but not like I loved theearlier stuff.


And, i agree that My Generation is getting short shrift.

[Radiated]

Tough question.

COmfortably Numb
Stairway to heaven
Enter Sandman
Simple Man
Freebird
Desparado

Allsongs I can listen to over and over.

[KY Native in IN]

Rock and Roll meaning what? any era? 50's when rock and roll was "invented" so to speak? hard rock? punk? metal? rock and roll can mean alot of things as far as style is concerned. probably nit pickin' :shrug:

i'd say for just flat out straight ahead "rockin' " quality...."La Grange" ZZ Top
"panama" Van Halen "johnny b. goode" chuck berry "great balls of fire" jerry lee lewis "rock n' roll" led zeppelin "back in black" ac/dc, "in my dreams" dokken (that one would probably be on my top 10) the list could fill a book the size of war and peace....

not my all time fave songs, but i'd say these are songs that represent rock n' roll - good time, head bobbin', getcha goin' straight up rockin' tunes! IMHO
....great question!

[DenCat]

Too many to choose from. There's not a song listed or an artist or group named that I don't like. There are more to be sure. But for me, a true indicator of how good a song really is, is staying power. I personally think Stairway to Heaven is one of the best,so is Freebird.That is also some of the music I grew up with. Many songs from different eras can and do qualify. I am not sure if some of the music being written today will enjoy the same longevity as songs listed in this thread.

[Buddah]

Will Lavender wrote:
Hey! My generation is getting shafted here. :ggrin:

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nirvana

Appetite for Destruction. (Can't pick just one song.)


lmao.. i thought they were wanting classic stuff

definitely Smells Like Teen Spirit

Better Man, Alive, Black Days, so so many from our generation will.

[VIIBanners]

Machine Gun - Jimi
Three Days - Jane's Addiction
Width of a Circle (Live w/ Spiders From Mars) - David Bowie
One More Red Nightmare - King Crimson
Welcome to the Jungle -G'N'f'n'R (for you Will)
Echoes - Floyd
Helter Skelter- Beatles
Push it - Tool

Anything by Link Wray...especially "Ain't That Lovin' You Babe" and "Switchblade"

I know it ain't one song, but you just can't single one out as the best.

[ukfanman]

Picking only one song is too much because we are all are from different generations and have varying tastes.

As for me, I would have to go with the song that really shook up music.

Johnny-B-Goode by Chuck Berry.

[delkfor3]

Those of you who feel your generation is getting the short end, don't....Just get in there with your opinion, you won't be berated(well unless you think Britney Spears wrote a timeless classic, then you'll probably be booed off the board.;)). "Layla" just happens to one of MY favorites.

[TopCats©]

Terry L. Wildcat wrote: Buddah wrote: Littlemeyer wrote:
"A Day in the Life" by The Beatles. A true Lennon/McCartney collaboration, and you can CLEARLY hear their distinct styles in each part of the song. Sgt. Pepper's was probably my least favorite of the post-1965 Beatles' albums, but this song was a great way to end what, at the time, was a pretty ground-breaking album.

i agree about Day In The Life. most people hate sgt pepper because it took them by such a suprise, it was like the last song on revolver ( tommorow never knows) carried over to sgt pepper.. i like it personally. though syd barrett Pink Floyd and beach boys did that style before the beatles, but never got credit for it. though smile was never relased. pet sounds was.
:cool:Buddah, Most folks my age loved The Sgt. from the beginning...it was one of Mel's very, very favorite albums.

Not only that, but it was probably the most revolutionary recording, meaning breaking new avenues in recording and style.

The beach boys weren't original.They copied the stylings of Jan and Dean.

Here's some of my favorites:

1950's : Summertime Blues Eddie Cochran; La Bamba Richie Valens; Lonely Tear Drops Jackie Wilson; Sleep Walk Santo and Johnny; Peggy Sue Buddy Holly; Lucille Little Richard

1960's: Let it be me Everly Brothers; Stand by Me Ben E King; Baby it's You The Shirelles; I want to hold your hand Beatles; Dead Man's Curve Jan and Dean; House of the Risin' Sun Animals'; Satisfaction The Stones; My Girl Temptations; Unchained Melody Righteous Brothers; Wild Thing Troggs; For What it's Worth Buffalo Springfield; Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison; Born to Be Wild Steppenwolf; Get Together Young Bloods;

But my favorite is the Whippin' Post Allman Brothers.

[Old Blue]

These are all great ones. I'll add "Hey Jude" to the list as well. Always one of my favs. There is no "best song." It's just a matter of taste and personal preference.

[Arkansas Cat Fan]

TopCats© wrote:
Here's some of my favorites:

1950's : Summertime Blues Eddie Cochran; La Bamba Richie Valens; Lonely Tear Drops Jackie Wilson; Sleep Walk Santo and Johnny; Peggy Sue Buddy Holly; Lucille Little Richard

1960's: Let it be me Everly Brothers; Stand by Me Ben E King; Baby it's You The Shirelles; I want to hold your hand Beatles; Dead Man's Curve Jan and Dean; House of the Risin' Sun Animals'; Satisfaction The Stones; My Girl Temptations; Unchained Melody Righteous Brothers; Wild Thing Troggs; For What it's Worth Buffalo Springfield; Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison; Born to Be Wild Steppenwolf; Get Together Young Bloods;


Great songs, all of them. I would add "Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson). I know it's not popular to like his music anymore, but he made some great songs.

[Sir Richard F. Burton]

Like a Rolling Stone-Dylan----Born to Run-Springsteen

A tie for me both are not just well written but they both are great to shout with friends in a bar whilst drinking and that is my definition of GREAT.:beer::beer:

http://search.bobdylan.com/albumpic/highway.jpg

http://www.cc.jyu.fi/%7Etomroim/born.jpg

[Old Blue]

I just can't go with Billie Jean. Liked it at the time, but he just creeps me out anymore. Hey, kudos to whoever mentioned Summertime Blues, by the way. It's a little obscure these days, but what a fun song to sing and play.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Old Blue wrote: I just can't go with Billie Jean. Liked it at the time, but he just creeps me out anymore. Hey, kudos to whoever mentioned Summertime Blues, by the way. It's a little obscure these days, but what a fun song to sing and play.



Michael Jackson and rock-n-roll in the same sentence ? :rolleyes::shrug:

[Old Blue]

I also have to admit that Sir Richard is right on the money with "Like a Rolling Stone" and "Born to Run", but he also has to acknowledge that "Thunder Road" by Bruce and "The Weight" by The Band should also make the list. To me, those two songs are the best two first verses ever written. Of course, with "Thunder Road," it's very hard to define exactly where the first verse ends.

[surveyor]

I'd give the following some serious consideration for best rock `n roll song:

Baba O' Riley - The Who

Rock and Roll - Led Zeppelin

Jail House Rock - Elvis

Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis

Ramblin' Gamblin' Man - The Bob Seger System

Long Time - Boston

Walk This Way - Aerosmith

Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones

[bigsky]

Been thinkin about this.

"All Along the Watchtower" would get my vote over most Dylan songs, because of it's iteration as a Jimi Hendrix song. Dylan electrified folk and ushered in much of the 65-72 folk rock thingy, but a number of groups took the ball and ran.

Also, Derek & the Dominoes, & Stevie Ray Vaughn covered Hendrix's "Little Wing" and all three versions are awesome. That should get it up there in consideration.

Soul has not showed up much on here, but "Wait Till the Midnight Hour" should see some recognition for it's longevity. Mustang Sally has to be rocknroll.

[Old Blue]

Actually, I think the best soul or "R&B" song is either "My Girl" by the Temps or "Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin. The lead vocals by Ruffin and Marvin on both are fabulous. And again, both should be added to the list.

[Sir Richard F. Burton]

bigsky wrote: Been thinkin about this.

"All Along the Watchtower" would get my vote over most Dylan songs, because of it's iteration as a Jimi Hendrix song. Dylan electrified folk and ushered in much of the 65-72 folk rock thingy, but a number of groups took the ball and ran.

Also, Derek & the Dominoes, & Stevie Ray Vaughn covered Hendrix's "Little Wing" and all three versions are awesome. That should get it up there in consideration.

Soul has not showed up much on here, but "Wait Till the Midnight Hour" should see some recognition for it's longevity. Mustang Sally has to be rocknroll.

Hendrix also did Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" @ Monterry is a classic.

[NC Cat]

Won't Get Fooled Again
Ohio
All Along the Watchtower
Down by the River
Fortunate Son
Satisfaction

Tough to narrow it down. There are so many great rock songs! I could go on and on...and probably will on a later post.

[HOMEYCAT]

I agree. I just named some of my favorites.I realize "Wake Up a lil Suzie" doesn't belong with this list, but I found the Everly Bros. irresistable and felt they deserved a mention in our little hall of fame.

[UK78ALUM]

For there even to be rock and roll, you have to go back to the originator, the emancipator, the architect of rock and roll. From Macon Georgia, Richard Penniman.

http://us.ent1.yimg.com/images.launch.yahoo.com/000/010/921/10921945.jpg

Therefore, my song choice would be Tutti Frutti, mainly because of its opening hook.

Dave

[surveyor]

I'd argue rock `n' roll roots can be significantly attributed to this man as well:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/BoDiddley.jpg

[Arkansas Cat Fan]

HOMEYCAT wrote: I agree. I just named some of my favorites.I realize "Wake Up a lil Suzie" doesn't belong with this list, but I found the Everly Bros. irresistable and felt they deserved a mention in our little hall of fame.



I loved the Everly Bros. They are Kentuckians from Mulenburg County, I think. (Sorry if I spelled that wrong.:blush:) Their harmony was fabulous. Put "Let it be me" on the all time great list.

[UK78ALUM]

The beach boys weren't original.They copied the stylings of Jan and Dean.

I always laugh when I see this comment, considering J&D's two big hits were written by Brian Wilson. (Surf City and Sidewalk Surfin'). Other hits were co-written by Brian Wilson, most notably, Dead Man's Curve. That song, and other car songs, were co-written by a DJ at our favorite radio station, KFWB, Roger Christian. He was always the one to break the latest BB release.

As to the Beach Boys greatest influences regarding stylings, it was actually a group called the Castells. They had a great West Coast hit called "So This Is Love". It's a beautiful song, well worth checking out.

But back to your statement, the facts are somewhat different than what you stated...

When Torrence and partner Jan Berry teamed up in high school, they took a path still well worn by dreamers today: they formed their own band in the hopes of hitting it big. In 1963-after Torrence served a stint in the military-the twosome caught a break by playing shows with another new group making the rounds: the Beach Boys. The rest, as they say, is history.

Jan Berry was an egotisticaljerk, Dean Torrence was a talented visual artist (and went on to design dozens of album covers for various artists) but the originator of the surf sound and the true musical genius remains Brian Wilson.

Dave

[KY Native in IN]

Arkansas Cat Fan wrote:
HOMEYCAT wrote: I agree. I just named some of my favorites.Â*Â*I realize "Wake Up a lil Suzie"Â* doesn't belong with this list,Â* but I found the Everly Bros.Â* irresistable and felt they deserved a mention in our little hall of fame.Â*

Â*

I loved the Everly Bros.Â* They are Kentuckians from Mulenburg County, I think.Â* (Sorry if I spelled that wrong.:blush:)Â* Their harmony was fabulous.Â* Put "Let it be me" on the all time great list.

Western Kentucky, and actually Kentucky in general has always been a hotbed of musical talent and innovators! Muhlenburg County was home to the Everly's as you said as well as Merle Travis, he influenced Chet Atkins and basically created a style of awesome guitar playing....Bill Monroe was from Ohio County, the Father of Bluegrass....and many, many musicians if not from KY, have roots or connections to the Commonwealth!....

[KY Native in IN]

UK78ALUM wrote:
The beach boys weren't original.Â*They copied the stylings of Jan and Dean.

I always laugh when I see this comment, considering J&D's two big hits were written by Brian Wilson.Â* (Surf City and Sidewalk Surfin').Â*Â* Other hits were co-written by Brian Wilson, most notably, Dead Man's Curve.Â*Â* That song, and other car songs, were co-written by a DJ at our favorite radio station, KFWB, Roger Christian.Â* He was always the one to break the latest BB release.

As to the Beach Boys greatest influences regarding stylings, it was actually a group called the Castells.Â* They had a great West Coast hit called "So This Is Love".Â*Â* It's a beautiful song, well worth checking out.

But back to your statement, the facts are somewhat different than what you stated...

When Torrence and partner Jan Berry teamed up in high school, they took a path still well worn by dreamers today: they formed their own band in the hopes of hitting it big. In 1963-after Torrence served a stint in the military-the twosome caught a break by playing shows with another new group making the rounds: the Beach Boys. The rest, as they say, is history.

Jan Berry was an egotisticalÂ*jerk, Dean Torrence was a talented visual artist (and went on to design dozens of album covers for various artists) but the originator of the surf sound and the true musical genius remains Brian Wilson.

Dave


brian wilson is a musical genius!

[VirginiaBlue]

Picking the best of anything is hazardous, and especially anything in the arts and entertainment area. It's all so subjective. If we all liked the same thing there would only be one or two rock bands to begin with, right?

Many years ago I remember seeing the results of a big survey on the subject, and the winner was...."That'll Be the Day" by Buddy Holly.

I personally would vote for something by Ray Charles, like "What'd I Say". I know that had a bigger effect on me than any other song, ever.

[HOMEYCAT]

ROCKIN' ROBIN! She rocks in the treetop all the day long

Rockin' an' aboppin' an' a singin' a song!

All the little birdies on Jaybird Street

Love to hear da Robin go tweet, tweet, tweet!

Rockin Robin! -tweet, teedly deet!!


:cool::dude::ggrin::cool:

[Terry L. Wildcat]

HOMEYCAT wrote: ROCKIN' ROBIN! She rocks in the treetop all the day long

Rockin' an' aboppin' an' a singin' a song!

All the little birdies on Jaybird Street

Love to hear da Robin go tweet, tweet, tweet!

Rockin Robin! -tweet, teedly deet!!


:cool::dude::ggrin::cool:




:cool:I owned The Robin on 45...the flip side was "Over and Over" and The Dave Clark Five did a great cover during the British Invasion.

Johnny B. Goode and Satisfaction are also on my list.

[bleedbluelady]

HOMEYCAT wrote: ROCKIN' ROBIN! She rocks in the treetop all the day long

Rockin' an' aboppin' an' a singin' a song!

All the little birdies on Jaybird Street

Love to hear da Robin go tweet, tweet, tweet!

Rockin Robin! -tweet, teedly deet!!


:cool::dude::ggrin::cool:



That got my feet tapping and head bobbing. :cool::D

[Terry L. Wildcat]

bleedbluelady wrote: HOMEYCAT wrote: ROCKIN' ROBIN! She rocks in the treetop all the day long

Rockin' an' aboppin' an' a singin' a song!

All the little birdies on Jaybird Street

Love to hear da Robin go tweet, tweet, tweet!

Rockin Robin! -tweet, teedly deet!!


:cool::dude::ggrin::cool:



That got my feet tapping and head bobbing. :cool::D


:cool:Do you guys remember Bobby Day's follow up to "Rockin' Robin"?

[Ralph Cramden]

I can't pick just one so here are a few: Layla, Light My Fire, Whiter Shade of Pale, Gimme Shelter

[blueheretic]

I'm kinda partial to the Led Zeppelin Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You and Queen's You're My Best Friend and Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze, Hey Joe and The Wind Cries Mary.


I think Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You is a Joan Baez cover.

Metallica's One is incredible as is Master of Puppets.

MJ is the King of Pop. Aside from the creepiness, I don't know if I could classify MJ as Rock. He's more alongthe lines of Britney Spears.


If you're gonna bring up Dokken, ya can't leave out Alone Again.


I always thought of Dylan as folk music. Not necessarily rock.

[DaytonKat]

Many great ones already mentioned. To that list I'd like to add a couple that always got my attention....

The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys - Traffic

But today you just read that the man was shot dead
By a gun that didn't make any noise
But it wasn't the bullet that laid him to rest
Was the low spark of high heeled boys
High heeled boys

If I gave you everything that I owned
And asked for nothing in return
Would you do the same for me as I would for you?
Or take me for a ride
And strip me of everything including my pride

But spirit is something that no one destroys
And the sound that I'm hearing is only the sound
Of the low spark of high heeled boys
Heeled boys

Spill The Wine- Eric Burdon and War

I was once out strolling one very hot summer's day
When I thought I'd lay myself down to rest
in a big field of tall grass
I lay there in the sun and felt it caressing my face

And I fell asleep and dreamed
I dreamed I was in a Hollywood movie
And that I was the star of the movie
This really blew my mind, the fact that me,
an overfed, long-haired leaping gnome
should be the star of a Hollywood movie

[sardiscat]

One thing I never thought I would see in my lifetime is "Spill the Wine" nominated for best rock song ever. I kind of like it, especially when I'm drinking wine, but best rock and roll song ever written?

[DaytonKat]

Glad you lived long enough to see it, Sardis, lol. Guess I've always been partial to the idea of an overfed, long-haired leaping gnome being the star of a hollywood movie, lol.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: Roadhouse Blues - The Doors

You Really Got Me Now - The Kinks

Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd


A few more of my personal favorites.

Jamies Cryin, Little Guitars, Unchained - VH

[surveyor]

Full Bug

[blueheretic]

Eruption



Paranoid

[moody85]

These have to be on the list:

Thunder Road

Born To Run

Fool For The City

Slow Ride

All The Way From Memphis

Layla

Saturday Night's Alright For Fightin'

All My Lovin'

Fun Fun Fun

Night Moves

Long Train Running

:cool:

[BigblueDrew]

My top5 are Alright Now- Free, Barbra O'Reilly- the Who, Only You Know and I Know-Delaney and Bonnie(only the version with Duane Allman playing slide guitar), For What It's Worth- Buffalo Springfield and Closer to Home- Grand Funk Railroad. I give an honorable mention to Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry and Hey Jude- the Beatles

[delkfor3]

moody85 wrote: These have to be on the list:



Layla



Yup, that one is defenately on the list, listening toit now on my MP3 player.:thumbup

[bigsky]

It's not even the best song on the album. "Why does love got to be so sad?" and "Tell the Truth" and "little wing" are all better, imo.

[bigsky]

It's not even the best song on the album. "Why does love got to be so sad?" and "Tell the Truth" and "little wing" are all better, imo.

[Jeff Craddock]

bigsky wrote: It's not even the best song on the album. "Why does love got to be so sad?" and "Tell the Truth" and "little wing" are all better, imo.
I would go with "Have You Ever Loved a Woman?", for the guitar work. (But I'm also partial to "Tell the Truth".)