Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

In your opinion, what is the greatest rock & roll song ever? And why? You can use whatever criteria you wish; musical skill, composition, tight harmony, meaninfulness of lyrics, kick-arse guitar riffs, amazing drum solos, videos with hot chicks in hot pants, cool cover art, whatever.

Me? Even though I very nearly fall on my knees and worship the likes of BB King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, and Mark Knopfler, I think the A-1 greatest rock & roll song is Save Me by Queen. I think this song has it all; clever composition, a great guitar riff, Freddie Mercury's great voice, and a meaningfulness to which nearly everyone can relate.

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

Just Pick One?...Hmmmmmmm

I think I'll go with Baba O'Riley by the Who

Great Guitar, Great Lyrics, Classic Who sound.

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Wow, it's so very hard to narrow the list down to twenty, let alone just one!!!

I guess if I could only choose just one "best" rock-n-roll song I'd pick ..... damn it I'm having a hard time here.

OK, I'd have to choose "Free Four" (Pink Floyd - Obscured By Clouds) for a couple of reasons:

1. The line "The memories of a man in his old age are the deeds of a man in his prime" is a simple but powerful reminder that we are what we DO to and for others, not what we THINK of ourselves. What we do and what we say have an impact on everything we know of the world and also on the way we perceive ourselves inside that world. Be careful what you do yet be carefree at the same time. Live life fully but don't tread on others.

2. I'm a HUGE Pink Floyd fan so I pretty much had to pick a song from that band. ;)

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Point in time kind of thing...

Over the years:

Magic Carpet Ride
Baba Oreily
Stairway to Heaven
Born to Run
Free Bird
Maggot Brain
Welcome to the Jungle

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

Led Zep "Over The Hills & Far Away"

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Sorry boys, despite all the possible options, there ain't but one clear choice: Voodoo Child. If you need reasons why, you don't know $#!+.

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

Won't Get Fooled Again


MCS

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

And yet, by the definition of many, none of you has yet actually mentioned a real "rock & roll" song.

How 'bout a little Eddie Cochran or Little Richard or somethin'?

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

As much as I want to bring Elvis or Chuck Berry into the deal, I have to say Led Zeppelin's Rock & Roll sure is a fine example of a rock song. :tu

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Might change my opinion tomorrow, but today

"Can't You Hear Me Knockin' " by the Rolling Stones.

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

True. I was using the broader definition of "rock & roll."

From Wikipedia:

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

Knowing that every answer is completely subjective, I'll suggest this one for several reasons.

1. It is epic in length
2. It has blistering guitar work and solid drumming
3. It was performed before 1/2 million people
4. It gives nods to several "classic" rock and rollers
5. It receives a special reward at the end

It's not my favorite, but it may be the greatest ever. :banger

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Not everyone can link to youtube at work, what is the song, Jerry?

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

So hard to pick just one.
Today's pick-"All Along the Watchtower"-Jimi Hendrix

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Sorry Tom. It's "I'm going Home" by Ten Years After...

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Green Grass and High Tides

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R82OM5tzcrk

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Wow, I'm shocked you left one off, Dave (or Tom). ;)


I'd go with Ramble On, but like Tom, it's day to day.

I think it was Miles Davis, or one of his band members, that said something to the effect of "Who's to say what the best of any music style is, my opinion is the only one that matters to me."

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Comfortably Numb.

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Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
Sweet Child of Mine - Guns 'N Roses

Couldn't decide which.

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I love that song! I didn't think another soul in the world knew about it.

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What about "Love Reign O'er Me"?

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I can't pick just one song, the no.1 depends on my mood. But my ringtone is Cult of Personality from Living Colour, and it is my ringtone for a reason.

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That's the greatest song ever! It surpasses the confines of rock-n-roll baybeee!

MCS

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

Make that 3 :) Im a huge Floyd fan.

I acctually consider Pink Floyds - Wish You Were Here to be a great rock song. Its distinguisable by within the first second of its playing due to unforgettable riff, amazing lyrics and meaning and showcases musicianship of the band. Granted there are other songs of theirs I love much much more, but this is one of their best as far as mainstream rock that is still carried on today.

Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion is a good notable mention.

Peter Framptons - Do You Feel Like We Do.. can't believe it hasnt been brought up.

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...a comment which suggests that this is "my favorite", not the "best ever".

Although...popularity does not directly translate to quality, as demonstrated by Swisher.

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

Listen, I know there is no right answer to the question, just as I know opinions are like @$$holes - everybody has at least one, and likely two if they count the one they made themselves. But the electric guitar is the Apollonian heart-and-soul of rock'n'roll (despite your definition of the term), and Rolling Stone's list of best guitarists ever put Jimi first and Duane second. Yet so far only one other person has mentioned Jimi, and no one has mentioned The Allmans, whereas The Who have been all but lionized. Now, I like them myself, but WTF???

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

All good points. But the best rock and roll song does not necessarily mean it was played by the greatest guitarist. I mean, look at "Great Balls of Fire". Let's also remember that Rolling Stone listed Curt Cobain in the top 100. ????

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I think that was a shotgun wedding. :r

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Jessica

If you need to ask by who, you should be taken outside and beaten. (or have your diaper changed)

:banger

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

To judge one song as the best rock & roll is very tough, especially if the person answering the question knows music beyond what the radio plays. I'm going to come out of left field with this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMxHBcqAFro

The Allman Brothers Soulshine

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

Nights in White Satin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9muzyOd4Lh8

House of the Rising Sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C86oH...eature=related

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I'm going to have to go with

"Come On Eileen" by Dexies Midnight Runners after much thought
t:r:banger;s

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Niel Young...Cowgirl in the sand :tu

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No need to be sorry, Jerry, I was just wonderign what you picked. :)

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Midnight Rider would be right up there. :2

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Simple Man
Freebird

I could listen to these songs every day. Great lyrics and great sound

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Eddie Vedder did an excellent version of that last night in Chicago. :tu

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:r:r

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I hate you, Vic. :r

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Throughout my life, as long as I have listened to music, I've sought to find that one song that best fills the artistic and personal void that we all have. We all look for that feeling, but most of us never find it in one song, rather we find it encompassed in a series of songs, drawing strengths from each.


Personally, the closest I have ever come to filling that void has happened twice in my life. The first was when I sat one day and listened to the complete works of Led Zeppelin as they were arranged on the albums. The way the songs are arranged to call and respond to one anthers' musical qualities and nuances is often beyond my ability to describe.

The second time I nearly hit that void was with The Eagles. If I had to pick that one song, it would be Lyin' Eyes. The simple soft rock/country rhythm combined Glenn Frey's vocal clarity and seamless transitions and the backing voices/instruments of the rest of the Eagles hit a certain spot with me. The lyrics, while outright with intent convey a deeper meaning of selfish, deceitful actions and life's consequences for your failures.

My :2

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Maybe not the best, but my favorite live recording of all time.(Frampton Comes Alive) Good choice. You tube version not that version, but still good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rFYbMhcG8

Larry

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

No way I could ever pick just one...

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Live version of FREE BIRD !! :wo

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Zepplin - Stairway to Heaven Great the way it starts slow like a ballad and then cranks at the back end.

Personal favorite from my ute. Kiss - Rock & Roll All Nite :banger

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There's a bunch of really good songs here. I think I'm going to make a playlist of them all on Rhapsody and down load it onto my Mp3 player. Thanks guys! :tu

Re: Greatest Rock & Roll Song - Ever
 

Showing Michigan some home-grown love.



Bob Seger-Travelin' Man

or

Grand Funk Railroad- Closer to Home

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I'm stretching the 'definition' a little, but I believe the absolute best song of all time is :

"Mustang Sally" :banger

Wilson Pickett's version rocks, but nearly everyone else who has covered it kicks it as well. I think I have 8 or more different versions by different artists, & I love each one. It is one song I never tire of hearing.

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Can't forget "Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress"

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:tpd: I can't either

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No song all. It's Elvis!