Art is one of the primary things that separate man from beast, and of art perhaps the most widespread is music. Music comes in many different forms from all around the world, but in the last hundred years or so the way music is shared has changed. Where once particular forms of music were restricted to their homelands, where they were originally created, with the creation of recording technology, first with the phonograph, and broadcasting technology with the radio, it has become possible to share music all over the world. In this vein, from time to time I will be considering a particular type of music here or there and examining some prime examples of it.
My first foray into this territory will be with hard rock. Unlike blanket genres like rock, classic rock, metal, rap, pop, etc., hard rock has a definable set of standards which differentiate the genre from others. Overdriven, sometimes heavily distorted guitar, driving drum beats and rhythms, comparatively fast tempos, and a basis in blues are the primary foundations of hard rock. Hard rock is the form of rock music which eventually lead to heavy metal and punk, and was melded into other derivative forms as well. Everything from melodic death metal to new wave, alternative to rapcore, and grunge to progressive rock can be traced back to certain hard rock roots. Hard rock, in turn, traces its roots through rock and roll, blues-rock, psychedelic, and the early garage rock movement.
Now, the following songs are by no means the only great hard rock songs. Let’s face it, there are probably too many songs in this list already. But, that being said, these are the songs that I feel emphasize the definition of hard rock the best, or perhaps help to define it themselves. And they are some of my absolute favorites as well. I’m curious to hear from any of you as well, so please, do not hesitate to tell me about your favorites, and what you think about these. Without further delay, the greatest hard rock songs of all time…
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - “Purple Haze” - 1967
Take an acid trip, mix it with electric blues, and put the greatest guitarist of all time on lead, and what have you got? Apparently this song was written from a dream Hendrix had involving walking around under water. And while Hendrix has always said it had nothing to do with drugs, the song is both a product of its time and a defining moment for the people who were there to hear it.
Cream - “White Room” - 1968
In very much the crux of the emergence of hard rock Cream put this song out on the album Wheels of Fire. Though it is very psychedelic in its way, its very much more primal hard rock. Blues style is also prevalent in the song, as in most of Cream’s work, as Clapton in particular was very heavily influenced by electric blues players of the previous decade. Oh, and check Clapton’s use of the Vox.
Free - “All Right Now” - 1970
The band Free only lasted a couple years, and only had one big hit here in the states-this one. Nevertheless, they are widely recognized as a pioneer of the genre, and few singers in rock music didn’t take something from Paul Rodgers’s performance here. Nice heavy blues riffs and a good hook make sure the song cooks straight through.
Led Zeppelin - “Black Dog” - 1971
One of Zeppelin’s heavier songs. The call and response between singer and band are a mainstay of electric blues, and this song does it beautifully. One of Led Zeppelin’s best known songs, it tells a story like so many about a man, a woman, and the trouble between. But don’t let that seeming cliché stop you, this song is an experience not to be missed, and never forgotten.
Deep Purple - “Smoke On the Water” - 1972
What is more hard rock than burning down a concert venue? With this song Deep Purple not only provided early metal with a breaking point, but created on of the most recognizable guitar riffs of all time. One that, in fact, is attempted by nearly every budding guitarist as one of their first, and to my personal chagrin, is usually done wrong by them. But hey, its only rock ‘n’ roll.
Slade - “Mama Weer All Crazee Now” - 1972
Slade really set the stage for the glam metal bands that would crop up in the eighties with songs like this and “Cum On Feel the Noize”. Their versions however, are more squarely planted in the rock tradition than in metal, and they show it from their sped up blues format and simple verse chorus response. This song just sort of explodes into a hot mess at the end. And that’s pretty cool.
Alice Cooper - “No More Mr. Nice Guy” - 1973
In between dramatizing stage scenes, featuring snakes, blood, and guillotines, and creating glam, Alice Cooper found the time to make some incredible music. This song was all about the public backlash about his shows as so many “responsible Americans” couldn’t see the difference between the reality of Vincent Furnier as a nice guy and Alice Cooper as an evil bastard. And he got tired of it.
Aerosmith - “Mama Kin” - 1973
Aerosmith launched their debut album in ‘73, and this song was the second single. And it kicked asses and took names. Especially for a song that is all about keeping in touch with your mother and family. The way Tyler just shouts some of his lyrics is very R&B Little Richard, and the whole damn show is put together with a simple, catchy main riff interspersed with saxophone and some awesome lead.
Bad Company - “Bad Company” - 1974
Remember Free? Well their singer and drummer teamed up with the guitarist of Mott the Hoople and the bassist from King Crimson to create the super group Bad Company. And what better for a super group than to write their own theme song? A Western-theme crops up here that is often found in hard rock songs, with the ideas of personal strength and freedom being common to the music and to our ideals of the time. Great stuff.
Boston - “Smokin’” - 1975
This song is exactly what the title says: Smokin’. Without the “g”. Seriously, it’s an out-of-control 18-wheeler with the devil at the wheel and nothing is gonna stop it from barreling you over. Unless you just don’t like music. Maybe not even then. Organ solo, a true staple of 70s hard rock, a rolling bass riff and guitar to make Hell freeze over and a voice that makes angels cry. No seriously. I’ve seen it.
Kiss - “Detroit Rock City” - 1976
A lot of people have looked at Kiss’s crazy makeup, bizarre stage theatrics, and have decided they don’t like them. Then they hear a Kiss song and it completely changes. Despite whatever misgivings one has about their appearance, they are playing good old fashioned hard rock, and they are doing it for real. This song has some of the best hard rock bass and drumming there is, and everything else is pretty damned good too. Plus, dual guitar solo.
Thin Lizzy - “The Boys Are Back In Town” - 1976
This song is the epitome of the feel good rock song, and I can vouch for that. I’ve never seen anyone listen to this song, myself included, and be anything but happy by the end of it. Dual lead guitar, excellent bass, and a voice that melts the hearts of women and makes men feel more manly just for listening. Makes me wish I was coming back to town.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - “That Smell” - 1977
Though Skynyrd is primarily known for their obvious Southern overtones, what is Southern Rock but a mix of delta blues and country with rock and roll. That seems like hard rock to me. This song was technically supposed to be a wake up call to the band, who were killing themselves with booze, drugs, and general recklessness. The opening lines were a reference to Gary Rossington’s car accident involving alcohol, his new car, and an old oak tree.
Heart - “Barracuda” - 1977
It was often hard for women to make it in the hard rock and metal scenes. They found much more approval in pop music, and when that wasn’t what they wanted, could find a home in the punk rock movement. That didn’t stop two sisters from tearing a hole straight through our rocker’s hearts (sorry, felt I really needed a pun). This song is a big FU to a record company who tried to make a buck off the sisters by claiming they were lesbians. Which is not a thing you do, especially to two hard rockers who are just as likely to physically kick your ass as crush you in a song.
Ted Nugent - “Cat Scratch Fever” - 1977
Three tone blues riff. A rough, uneven voice. Obvious sexual innuendos. It doesn’t get much more cliché. But then, who cares? This is hard rock, after all. Over the top is acceptable, and often encouraged. Ted Nugent was moderately successful before his solo departure, but after he went alone he became “The Nuge“, “The Motor City Madman“, and about a hundred other ridiculous nicknames. And I think it works for him just fine.
Ram Jam - “Black Betty” - 1977
Technically a blues cover, or a folk cover, or something, this is pretty much the only song by this band that anyone knows. Which is unfortunate for them in some ways, but the song does rock. My research has led me to believe that this song is an adaptation of a Revolutionary War march sung by soldiers of the Continental Army, which would make it one of the oldest “American” songs. But research is fickle, and I can’t find much hard evidence to support this. So, who knows. It doesn’t really matter, I guess, for this. Because as far as this is concerned, it’s an awesome hard rock song. The end.
The Who - “Who Are You?” - 1978
Even though The Who were playing really complex pieces by this point, they were still sticking to roots. The blues structure might not figure heavily in this song, but stylistically, they are still singing and playing the blues (listen to that opening guitar riff). As far as hard rock goes, you really don’t get any harder than the Who, who for a long time were listed as World’s Loudest band, with performances reaching 126 Decibels, easily enough to literally knock someone out.
Foreigner - “Hot Blooded” - 1978
This song is so self-confident it doesn’t even try to be fast. It’s loud enough, heavy enough, without trying to run down the street. Even the solo comes across as taking its sweet time, knowing well enough that it can keep you listening. Overtly sexual, though without the typical obvious innuendos, this song is completely straightforward and goes one way only. But this is hard rock, so there’s nothing wrong with that.
AC/DC - “Highway to Hell” - 1979
This song is probably THE defining moment of Hard Rock. The song is actually about the Hell of life on the road, but that didn’t stop everyone and their mama from saying AC/DC were Satanists and Devil-Worshippers…An image which they didn’t agree with, but has seemed to agree with them. Live fast and die hard is the rocker’s way, and this song is perfect for both.
Queen - “Another One Bites the Dust” - 1980
I’ve had fights with some Queen fans, especially regarding this song and “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Why? Because I think this one is better. This is Queen hardcore and in your face. A revenge song, complete with machine guns and explosions, and all of it was created from the regular instruments played at varying speeds through the playback. No synthesizers, sort of a call back to the music 20 years before. And check out that bass.
Pat Benatar - “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” - 1980
Another of the few women hard rockers, Benatar said bring it with this tune. Even though she says the word “cookie” several times in the song, it doesn’t take away from the badassery, especially ending every chorus with fire away. The guitar and drums are pretty hot throughout the whole thing too. She doesn’t like performing the song now because of it’s popularity, but I say, it popular ‘cause it’s good.
The Rolling Stones - “Start Me Up” - 1981
The Rolling Stones may very well be the band that started it all, at least insofar as hard rock is concerned. The thing is, the Stones rarely sat and did one thing at a time. By the 1980’s they had touched rock, blues, country, psychedelic, progressive, reggae, and about 20 other things. In 1981 though, with “Start Me Up” they really hit the hard rock nail on the head.
Blue Öyster Cult - “Burnin’ For You” - 1981
This band is often overlooked by people examining classic rock, and there seems to me to be zero reason for this. I’ve never heard a BOC song I didn’t like. This one is actually some of their softer fare, which generally extends into metal and progressive directions, but as far as hard rock it has everything you could possibly want: Good rhythm, awesome guitar solos, and an undescribed woman who is at the heart of the singer’s affections.
Rush - “Limelight” - 1981
Rush is generally very progressive, and this song is to an extent as well, but it has its roots in good old hard rock, more than any other song on the album. The song was written by Neil Peart about being uncomfortable with the band’s fame and fortune. Unlike a lot of songs in the 80s hard rock scene, this one is not relying on a ballad style format, which is simply reflective of the fact that Rush is coming from an altogether different direction. Maybe because they’re Canadians. Or maybe not.
REO Speedwagon - “Take It On the Run” - 1981
That’s right. No broken heart, no second chance. If you’re doing me wrong, you’re out of here. This song is a different take then most hard rock songs sung between jilted lovers. It may be kind of soft sounding for a hard rock song, the acoustic guitar, and mellow voice, but this song isn’t taking crap from no one.
Whitesnake - “Here I Go Again” - 1982
Ignoring the cheesy 80s intro (or embracing it, as I do) this song is straight hard rock. David Coverdale, the founder of the band, was previously the singer of Deep Purple, so there should really be no question of legitimacy, as there sometimes is with 80s hair bands. Suffice it to say that these guys rock, and this song rocks. Enough said.
Golden Earring - “Twilight Zone” - 1982
The only band I know that happens to be Dutch is Golden Earring. And they rock. So, the Netherlands is 1 for 1 in my book. Any song that talks about bullets hitting bones is going somewhere, and this song is a combination of a bad trip and a spy narrative. In some ways, it might be too much epic to handle. Especially if you listen to the 8 minute album version. It blows my mind every time.
ZZ Top - “Got Me Under Pressure” - 1983
ZZ Top formed in ‘69 between three guys who loved the blues. With Eliminator in particular, the band embraced the heavier side of their music, and this song is by far one of the best. It cooks along like a runaway train and just doesn’t stop ‘til the end. Billy’s gravely voice really does the song justice, and Dusty and Frank provide the chug. A hard rock masterpiece if ever there was one.
Def Leppard - “Rock of Ages” - 1983
These guys were some of the real deal hard rockers of the 80s. They had the same look and ‘tude of the other 80s bands, but they had all the ability and presence to back themselves up too. Early in the song it is sung that “it’s better to burn out than fade away” and ironically in about 10 years hard rock would do just that, only to be reborn from the ashes. But that’s a different story.
The Scorpions - “Rock You Like a Hurricane” - 1984
Starts into a dramatic guitar solo, dramatic rhythm guitar and bass, dramatic drum beats, dramatic vocalizing and lyrics…The Scorpions were very hair, very 80s. Take everything over the top and you’ll break into heaven, or something. And I think it works, at least the way it’s done here. You can still hear the basic blues riff through the song, but by 1984 it had become something different, not necessarily better or worse, but different for sure.
Van Halen - “Panama” - 1984
Ooh! Oh yeah! Uh-huh! The nation of Panama and its canal have nothing to do with this song. Some people think it’s about a stripper, while others (including myself) think it’s about Eddie Van Halen’s Lamborghini. Anyway, this song is a good show of the important link between hard rock and heavy metal since it’s a lot of both. And coming into the 80s, Van Halen was one of the biggest acts at the time. So this song was big stuff. And still is.
Spinal Tap - “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight” - 1984
This band wasn’t even real. They were a parody of 80s metal bands made for a comedy sketch and then a mockumentary called This Is Spinal Tap. By the way, I can’t actually spell the band’s name right here, because there is an umlaut over the ‘n’, which is not a standard character in anything, and the ‘I’ shouldn’t have a dot. But yeah. This song and the band itself are over the top because they are a parody, and yet they were embraced by the hard rock/heavy metal world anyway. If you can’t laugh at yourselves, you’ve no right to laugh at anyone else. But yeah, this is pretty great.
Bon Jovi - “Wanted Dead or Alive” - 1986
You knew this Western theme idea was gonna come back, didn’t you? I told you it would. Jon Bon Jovi was literally comparing his life to that of an outlaw, rolling into town to take whatever gold, wine, and women he wanted with his music before leaving with the dawn. I always wanted to dramatically walk into a showdown on the street to this song and start shooting with the guitar solo. Probably not gonna happen. But I can dream.
Mötley Crüe - “Girls, Girls, Girls” - 1987
The more umlauts, the better. Right? Right?? That’s what these guys say, and as the best live performers I personally have ever seen, I gotta say they got something going for them. Most of the band’s stuff is very metal, albeit 80s hair metal, but this song still has a lot of old blues basis, even if it is covered up by a bit too much distortion. Or a perfect amount, whatever you like. And it’s a very demonstrative hard rock style anthem to the fairer sex. Its simply the way its done. It even inspired a response song over 20 years later, from Lady Gaga. So there.
Guns N’ Roses - “Paradise City” - 1987
Guns N’ Roses brought something new to the table of 80s rock with their debut in 1987. Or, more truthfully, something old. Slash’s smooth, electric blues guitar, Axl’s hardcore yell/whine/shout voice, and the whole band’s no nonsense approach to rock was very reminiscent of both early 70s hard rock and early metal, enough so that even the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, thought they’d be the next Rolling Stones. This song is probably closest to the hard rock roots of all the songs on the best selling debut album of all time, and it’s a trip.
Lita Ford - “Kiss Me Deadly”
Perhaps more than any other female rocker, Lita Ford could kick our asses to the curb with her guitar as well as her vocals. Starting when she was 16 with The Runaways, Lita embarked on her solo career when the band broke up due to creative differences (she wanted to go the hard rock route, Joan Jett wanted to go punk). On this song, she howled and shredded with the best of them, doing what few enough of anyone could do in the 80s: Sing and play lead like it was nothing, second nature.
Hard rock and its derivative heavy metal entered the 90s with top billing in its various forms, but something happened. From Seattle emerged something new, something deep and angsty and…grungy. And this new form of alternative rock, called grunge, nearly swallowed up everything hard rock had done. Glam was out, and with it pop metal. And at the time, that was what the bands that played hard rock were. Older carry-overs like Aerosmith and AC/DC survived, heavier metal like Metallica and Megadeth thrived within their fan bases, and Guns N’ Roses made millions until they basically broke up in ‘94. And when that happened, everybody knew that grunge was the winner of the early nineties. Of course, it didn’t last long, and hard rock had a rebirth in a few years. But, in truth, the hard rock legacy did not arise from scratch, and some grunge songs reflected the “old ways”. In particular, the following two songs are not generally considered hard rock staples, but…they should be.
Soundgarden - “Rusty Cage” - 1992
The heavy distortion actually creates a tone very similar to the much smoother but still as powerful electric blues sound, and the up tempo beat is far more reminiscent of hard rock than most of what we think of grunge. And Chris Cornell, the vocalist of the band, is very roots sounding, having a certain resemblance to the vocals of John Fogerty, Jim Morrison, or Glenn Danzig. Of course, at about 3 minutes it sounds a lot more grunge, but…This is still hard rock played in a grunge style, more than anything else. And it kicks ass.
Stone Temple Pilots - “Interstate Love Song” - 1994
If “Rusty Cage” is hard rock because it’s fast and powerful, this song is because it’s soulful and laid back. Not to say that grunge isn’t a soulful music, but rather that this song is completely different. It has a little of the Western sound I’ve mentioned a couple times, but more than that it’s almost a Southern sound like you’d expect from Skynyrd. And that opening guitar riff is heaven.
