Top 10 Rock Songs of All Time

Here are the top 10 rock songs of all time, as voted on by fans and critics alike.

Introduction

Rock music is a broad genre of popular music that originated as “rock and roll” in the United States in the 1950s, and developed into a range of different styles in the 1960s and later. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, a style which drew heavily from the genres of blues, rhythm and blues, and from country music. Rock music also drew attention to electric guitars, bass guitars, drums, pianos, and horns.

The sounds of rock are usually dictated by guitarists, who often produce guitar riffs that outline the song’s melody. A “cover” version of a song is a new performance or recording by someone other than the original artist or composer. Although rock is sometimes used to refer to specific genres or subgenres within rock music (such as hard rock or punk rock), “rock” generally refers to rock music as a whole.

The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”

1. The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”
2. Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven”
3. Pink Floyd – “Comfortably Numb”
4. Queensryche – “Silent Lucidity”
5. Metallica – “One”
6. Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
7. Guns N’ Roses – “Paradise City”
8. AC/DC – “Back in Black”
9. Aerosmith – “Dream On”
10. Deep Purple – “Smoke on the Water”

Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven”

Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” is widely considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The band’s already-iconic status was cemented with this 1971 release, which hits on all the classic rock staples – Jimmy Page’s legendary guitar work, Robert Plant’s soaring vocals, and John Bonham’s pounding drums. The result is a song that has stood the test of time and remains as popular as ever, nearly 50 years after its release.

The Rolling Stones – “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”

This song was released as a single in 1965 and became an instant classic. It has been covered by a number of artists over the years, but the original version by The Rolling Stones is still considered one of the best rock songs of all time. The signature guitar riff is instantly recognizable and the lyrics are somewhat suggestive for their time. The song is about materialism and a general “ dissatisfaction” with life. It remains one of the most popular songs by The Rolling Stones and is often considered their best work.

Bob Dylan – “Like a Rolling Stone”

Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The song was released in 1965 and quickly became a hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is known for its complex lyrics and catchy melody, and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.

Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze”

Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” is a timeless classic and one of the best rock songs of all time. The song was released in 1967 and Hendrix was 28 years old at the time. The song became an instant hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations”

The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations” is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time. It was released in 1966 and became an immediate hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song features a unique blend of genres, including surf rock, pop, and psychedelia. It is also notable for its use of electronic instruments, such as the theremin.

Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is one of the most iconic rock songs of all time. The song was released in 1991 as the lead single from Nirvana’s second album, Nevermind. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was a huge commercial success, spending six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and establishing Nirvana as one of the biggest rock bands of the 1990s. The song’s success is all the more impressive given that it was not released as a radio single or promoted with a music video. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain reportedly wrote “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in response to feeling disconnected from the popular culture of the 1980s. The song’s lyrics capture the frustration and angst of teenage life, making it an anthem for disaffected youth around the world.

The Doors – “Light My Fire”

The Doors’ signature tune, “Light My Fire,” was released as a single in 1967 and quickly went to #1 on the Billboard charts, where it stayed for an impressive seven weeks. It remains one of the most popular and enduring rock songs of all time, and its impact was compounded by its use in the iconic film The Doors.

Chuck Berry – “Johnny B. Goode”

It’s hard to overestimate the importance of Chuck Berry. He was one of the architects of rock and roll, and his songs have been covered by everyone from the Beatles to Jimi Hendrix. “Johnny B. Goode” is arguably his most iconic song, and it’s certainly one of the most influential rock songs of all time. The song tells the story of a young man from the country who makes it big in the city, and its simple yet catchy guitar riff has been copied by countless other artists. If you want to hear where rock and roll came from, this is the song to listen to.