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Perfect Rock 'n Roll Song
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What is the paradigmatic classic rock song? Here are my candidates, more or less in rank order.
The song has to have a killer riff, be hard and not candy-ass, and make sense. Likely candidates
are pretty much limited to the period 1965-1975, though I would not totally eliminate a song on
the basis of year.
Derek and the Dominos: Layla
The beautiful riff and also a shift between rock 'n roll and something mellower. Obviously,
you've got an advantage if your guitar players are Duane Allman and Eric Clapton.
Stones: Bitch
A perfect Stones song: a driving, basic riff: a model and a high point of the rock form.
Led Zepplin: Black Dog
Fundamental to the history of hard rock/metal.
Janis: Move Over
Certainly the most amazing vocal performance of any song listed.
Jefferson Airplane: Somebody to Love
A hippie paradigm that rocks.
AC/DC: You Shook Me All Night Long
Yow. Perfect.
Ramones: Blitkrieg Bop
I didn't want to start listing punk songs. But this fits on more or less all counts, actually.
Jerry Lee Lewis: Great Balls of Fire
Early, of course. But the whole attitude is there. You broke my will. But what a thrill.
Cream: Sunshine of Your Love
Obviously.
Stones: Brown Sugar
Zep:You Shook Me
One of Plant's great moments. Blues.
Doors: Break on Through
or Hello, I Love You
Aerosmith: Walk This Way
There could be others here, even "Rag Doll," a great song.
Jethro Tull: Aqualung
A tad pretentious. Still.
Stones: Under My Thumb
Pretty much the classic statement of the total abusive sexism that informs this genre
fundamentally.
Allman Brothers: ?
Lynyrd Skynyrd: What's Your Name
or Gimme Three Steps
or That Smell
Beatles: Come Together
Their only candidate (like I say, it can't be candy-ass), though too slow. Great riff, lyric.
Little Richard: She's Got It
(see great balls of fire)
Heart: Barracuda
Great riff. Great moment in female cock rock.
Stones: Jumpin Jack Flash
I Can't Get No Satisfaction
Deep Purple: Smoke on the Water
Silly, but fundamental.
Black Sabbath: Iron Man
Silly, but fundamental.
Kiss: Rock and Roll All Night
Very silly, but fundamental.
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