By Anshuman, Batch of 2018
Classic rock is not just a genre of music. It is an attitude and a way of life.
Here is a collection of a diverse group of songs which emulate the very essence of rock music.
These songs range from the early 60s to the late 90s and cover ultra famous bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Who and Radiohead as well as lesser known ones such as Blind Melon and Collective Soul.
1. Song : Have you ever seen the rain?
Artist : Creedence Clearwater Revival
What it’s about : The perennial truth that:
– Life is peppered with disappointments
– One shouldn’t lose heart over such a simple fact.
Listen for: The intense vocals and 60’s retro vibe.
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2. Song : Squeeze Box
Artist :The Who
What it’s about : Intercourse
Listen for: It’s a song by a massively famous band about INTERCOURSE.
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3. Song : Karma Police
Artist : Radiohead
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4. Song : No Rain
Artist : Blind Melon
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5. Song : Free Bird
Artist : Lynyrd Skynyrd
What it’s about : Men being free birds metaphorically (and sexually).
Listen for: The song has one of the best rock solos of all time, as touted repeatedly by critics, magazines and people all over the world.
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6. Song : Nobody’s fault but mine
Artist : Led Zeppelin
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7. Song : Free Fallin’
Artist : Tom Petty
What it’s about : Realizing the worth of someone after they’ve left you
Listen for: Tom Petty nails the chorus.
(PS- The song is so good that John Mayer did a cover!)
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8. Song : I can see for miles
Artist : The Who
What it’s about : The lead guitarist (Pete Townsend) reminding his wife (Karen) that even though he’s on the road, he’s keeping a ‘watch’ on her.
Listen for: Townsend plays a ‘one-note’ guitar solo in the song
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9. Song : Love her madly
Artist : The Doors
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10. Song : While my guitar gently weeps
Artist : George Harrison and Eric Clapton
What it’s about : Losing someone to a self-destructing habit (such as substance abuse)
Listen for: ERIC CLAPTON AND GEORGE HARRISON PERFORMING TOGETHER
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11. Song : Carry on my wayward son
Artist : Kansas
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12. Song : Behind blue eyes
Artist : The Who
What it’s about : A lot of things : Pangs of loneliness, amorous relationships with groupies, no confidantes in the world of rock, etc.
Listen for: Excellent guitar playing. The song starts off slowly with acoustic tones and then soon transcends into 80’s rock with distorted guitars and forceful singing
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13. Song : Runnin’ down a dream
Artist : Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
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14. Song : Going to California
Artist : Led Zeppelin
What it’s about : The song was originally about earthquakes, but then became about the search for a woman.
Listen for: John Paul Jones plays a mandolin for this song
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15. Song : Fortunate Son
Artist : Creedence Clearwater Revival
What it’s about : The haves and the have-nots
Listen for: Motivating lyrics and the uptempo classic rock feel
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16. Song : Black velvet
Artist : Alannah Myles
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17. Song : Karma Chameleon
Artist : Culture Club
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18. Song : Rock you like a hurricane
Artist : Scorpions
What it’s about : Nothing decipherable. It’s more of an attitude.
Listen for: Has been labeled ‘The perfect Rock Anthem” by the Rolling Stones
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19. Song : Don’t stop believing
Artist : Journey
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20. Song : Africa
Artist : Toto
What it’s about : The singer is ambivalent about leaving Africa, the country he loves, to pursue the woman he loves, back home.
Listen for: Excellent use of the synthesizer and the amazing vocals
(PS – The songwriter, David Paich, had never been to Africa when he wrote the song)
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21. Song : Shine
Artist : Collective Soul
What it’s about : A prayer in the form of a rock song
Listen for: Heavy grunge themed music. The song also frequents the 100 greatest Rock Songs list maintained by VH1
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22. Song : Castles made of sand
Artist : Jimi Hendrix
What it’s about : An amalgamation of 3 different stories about counting your chickens before they hatch
Listen for: Jimi Hendrix. Enough said.
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23. Song : Battle of Evermore
Artist : Led Zeppelin
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24. Song : We will rock you
Artist : Queen
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