GREATEST ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME

[sxesven]

If that was an ironic post, you are now my favourite user.

[Terri]

Originally Posted by sxesven

Whoever decided that Stairway to Heaven was a great song?

Well, I believe many people did. I'm not one to support mainstream music, but the sheer technical aspects of the song are worth being noticed. The enchanting (even said to be satanic) lyrics, the guitar solo, the emotion, the length of the song, everything is outstanding to many people, including myself. When a song hits mainstream, it can either be garbage, or popular for a reason. I think Stairway became a mainstream song because it was a fantastic song to many people. Not mainstream because a bunch of twits think they looked cool or felt different when they listened to their music.

Originally Posted by sxesven

Why not mention all their good (rock) songs? Black Dog, Communication Breakdown, Dazed and Confused! That said, Led Zeppelin, like every other 'classic' rock band, is vastly overrated.

I'm not too sure if I adressed this point, but great rock songs aren't the best songs. Songs on my list aren't even songs that I favor that much. They are songs that captured the generation, the time. I own every Zeppelin album, and I do agree. They have many great songs, actually countless great songs. Once in a while, there is a single that can capture a whole time, for no reason. For example, Britney Spears "hit me baby". Good song? Not really. Any meaning? I'd say no again. Great songs usually fall back on timing. Whenever our generation becomes bored of the same ****, anything different becomes a phenomenon.

Originally Posted by sxesven

How ironic is that Smells Like Teen Spirit is considered such a rock classic?

Originally Posted by sxesven

You see, Smells Like Teen Spirit is hardly an impressive song, and, ironically (like I said before, now here's why!) it was exactly the one song that Kurt Cobain completely hated.

.

I think even this song can relate to the Britney Spears analogy. It was new, it was different at the time. Nobody looked like that (or at least people were exposed to). When that song came out it was 'the 90's'. It was all the rage. You can't think 90's without STP, NIN, Nirvana, ect...I am guilty of loving that song, it being one of my favorite songs.


I am also guilty of anti-new music. yeah, shoot me. I don't see mutilizing, sell-out guys drowned in make-up gracing Pop Beat as serious. I don't see strumming a few power chords with tweaked out amps to be considered a good guitar player. I'm not shallow, I don't think I'm better because I don't listen to it, I'm just not fond of it.

I personally cannot help but to fall back on statistical, classic rock songs because not only did I grow up on it, but it's hard to find music today that can match up to it. You can't find guitar players, song writers or anything that would compare. You're lucky if somebody screams for more than 4 minutes to please 10 yr old goths.

I am in no way justifying you're opinions, while reading your post I was interested in some points you brought up. Again, nobody is right or wrong. I'm not putting you under the spotlight.

[qwerty]

Originally Posted by sxesven

Sorry, and no offence here, but I find the almost obligatory emphasis people apparently need to lay on 'classic' (or 'actual', whichever non-descriptive name you prefer) rock completely ridiculous. Now, I'm in favour of having a broad view of music, not limiting oneself to just this or that. Some folk have the idea that this apparently means that thou shalt obey 'the classics'. Wrong.

Moreover, and linked with my problem with 'classic' rock, is the general disdain for whatever is modern. Now, I'll be the last to say bands like My Chemical Romance or Slipknot or Editors contributed even but one tiny iota to rock, but to write off whatever is happening these days as modern ergo vastly inferior to whatever happened way back when is just ridiculous. I trust you've all heard modern rock masterpieces comme Funeral (The Arcade Fire), Blueberry Boat (Fiery Furnaces), Turn On the Bright Lights (Interpol), In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel), etcetera etcetera? Importantly, this is what people tend to call the 'tip of the iceberg'. I could compose you a list of 100 essential rock records of the last ten years in a matter of minutes that qualitatively, songwise etc. completely outdo the vast majority of what's in the 'classic' rock canon.

Thank you so much for posting that. I highly agree with your post; I couldn't have stated it better. It's weird how so many people just make such huge generalizations and think that older rock songs are better than modern ones. It's actually sad how some people don't even give modern rock bands a chance and just dismiss it as inferior to the "classics;" I find it pitiful that they restrict themselves to listen to songs from one era and reject songs from others.

[spookshow]

Originally Posted by qwerty

It's weird how so many people just make such huge generalizations and think that older rock songs are better than modern ones. It's actually sad how some people don't even give modern rock bands a chance and just dismiss it as inferior to the "classics;" I find it pitiful that they restrict themselves to listen to songs from one era and reject songs from others.

i agree -- it's such a shame to see people limit themselves and not experiment with all the great music out there. I'm personally not a big fan of the older rock music, but i am willing to give it a try and do sometimes find a brilliant "older"
rock song (e.g Metallica's Enter Sandman)

i don't see the point in labelling rock "old" or "modern" -- because these days there's such variety! and then you get bands who sound like they're from a completely different era (sometimes planet )

[sxesven]

Originally Posted by Terri

Well, I believe many people did.

Exactly my point (aside from that it's mainstream media). Define many people. Again, I think this is merely the result of consensus. If you'd realise how many people dig something because many people dig it, you'd be shocked. My point is that that's such a horrible state we're in, as it seems the vast majority of mankind can't even decide for theirselves on what they like.

Originally Posted by Terri

I'm not one to support mainstream music,

Well, okay, but this doesn't really matter, does it? And in fact, aren't we all fans of Ayumi Hamasaki here? Whichever way we're looking at it, she's mainstream - commercial as hell, even. I personally couldn't care less about whether something's mainstream or not, it's just that I like to decide for myself whether I like it or not. Just to make sure: this isn't where the problem lies. I don't care if a good rock song (or any song, for that matter) is mainstream or not, as long as it is good I'm hooked.

Originally Posted by Terri

but the sheer technical aspects of the song are worth being noticed. The enchanting (even said to be satanic) lyrics, the guitar solo, the emotion, the length of the song, everything is outstanding to many people, including myself. When a song hits mainstream, it can either be garbage, or popular for a reason. I think Stairway became a mainstream song because it was a fantastic song to many people.

I thorougly disagree. Stairway to Heaven is a preposterous work of horrid aesthetics; another 'classic' composition that was indeed bound to appeal limitlessly to those who had no idea what epic songs cóuld actually be. Stairway to Heaven's being highlighted as so very impressive is completely awkward if you consider what was happening musically even during that time already (and before!); it's a highly unremarkable composition at the very best.

Originally Posted by Terri

Songs on my list aren't even songs that I favor that much.

Isn't this really the problem? You don't even favor them; in fact, consensus has led you to believe that these songs are indeed true rock 'classics'. It's exactly the problem I'm addressing.

Originally Posted by Terri

Whenever our generation becomes bored of the same ****, anything different becomes a phenomenon.

Agreed, but I beg to differ still: a: we're measuring popularity here. It may be perfectly obvious that popularity isn't by a longshot any criterium for what is a good piece of music. B: what does it really say? It's exemplary for the generation, for the times? I highly disagree; it's as if we're saying that the entire society at some point was completely indulged in Baby One More Time, or Stairway to Heaven for that matter. This is wrong, so very wrong! We mustn't generalize; so much more happened. The fact that these examples stand out to most folk is their (mainstream) airplay and popularisation.

Originally Posted by Terri

I think even this song can relate to the Britney Spears analogy. It was new, it was different at the time. Nobody looked like that (or at least people were exposed to). When that song came out it was 'the 90's'.

True, and yet this hardly validates its inclusion in the 'classic' rock canon. See my point above; how good something is is not supposed to be measured by popularity or whatever.

Originally Posted by Terri

You can't think 90's without STP, NIN, Nirvana, ect

Ouch. I will get back to this in an hour or so, don't have the time now.

Originally Posted by Terri

I am also guilty of anti-new music. yeah, shoot me. I don't see mutilizing, sell-out guys drowned in make-up gracing Pop Beat as serious. I don't see strumming a few power chords with tweaked out amps to be considered a good guitar player. I'm not shallow, I don't think I'm better because I don't listen to it, I'm just not fond of it.

I personally cannot help but to fall back on statistical, classic rock songs because not only did I grow up on it, but it's hard to find music today that can match up to it. You can't find guitar players, song writers or anything that would compare. You're lucky if somebody screams for more than 4 minutes to please 10 yr old goths.

Same for this, I'll get back to it in an hour or so.

I'm not putting you under the spotlight.

Oh, I know. I just find this an interesting discussion, I don't feel attacked or whatever in whichever way. I'm glad to see some people will actually discuss.

[sxesven]

Originally Posted by Terri

You can't think 90's without STP, NIN, Nirvana, ect

So. Ouch. It's a sad thing that the 90's are generally associated with what you can broadly refer to as grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, STP) and a couple of marginal bands/artists (NIN, RATM) as these being the highlights, or rather even these being the only thing that really happened. How painful. The 90's brought so forth so many amazing records. Where do I start? In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel)! Loveless (My Bloody Valentine)! Viva Last Blues (Palace Music)! Pop Tatari (Boredoms)! Spiderland (Slint)! End on End, Nowhere, Ocean Songs, I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One, etcetera etcetera. Amazing pieces of work that are generally overshadowed by the massive focus on uninteresting work that's generally typified as 'defining of the decade'. The same happened with the 80's, the 70's, the 60's - frankly, with every single decade. The 80's? Wasn't that the age of disco? No, it was the age of Psychocandy (The Jesus & Mary Chain)! Daydream Nation (Sonic Youth)! Today (Galaxie 500)! Songs About ****ing, Closer, The Queen Is Dead, Isn't Anything, You're Living All Over Me, etcetera etcetera. Like I said, the same goes for the 70's and every decade before it.

Originally Posted by Terri

I am also guilty of anti-new music. yeah, shoot me. I don't see mutilizing, sell-out guys drowned in make-up gracing Pop Beat as serious. I don't see strumming a few power chords with tweaked out amps to be considered a good guitar player. I'm not shallow, I don't think I'm better because I don't listen to it, I'm just not fond of it.

Your last sentence kind of saved that paragraph, but with the rest I (quite thorougly) disagree. Making such generalisations about modern music is similar to stating that all 'classic' rock is downright awesome. Sorry, but if this statement is the result of your knowledge of contemporary rock music, I'm afraid that knowledge is close to non-existing. Do you have any idea of what wondrous things are happening in rock nowadays? Go hear Feels (Animal Collective)! Those Who Tell The Truth... (Explosions in the Sky)! Seadrum/House of Sun (Boredoms)! Ta Det Lugnt (Dungen)! 9PM at GFM (Gaji)! Return to the Sea (Islands)! Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada (Godspeed You! Black Emperor)! Go hear Neutral Milk Hotel, Hella, Nervous Cop, Six Organs of Admittance, Sleater-Kinney, The Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, The Fiery Furnaces, Low, Love Is All, Mono, Envy... then come back and give your well-formed opinion.

Originally Posted by Terri

I personally cannot help but to fall back on statistical, classic rock songs because not only did I grow up on it, but it's hard to find music today that can match up to it.

Obviously you are not aware of the likes of revolutionary and amazing artists comme Will Oldham, Joanna Newsom, Sam Beam, Ben Chasney, Jeff Mangum, Animal Collective, Phil Elvrum, UA, Fiona Apple, Jon Brion, Vashti Bunyan, Yamatsuka Eye, Mick Turner, Jim O' Rourke, Keiji Haino, Bill Callahan, Islaja, etcetera etcetera. That said, I think I made my point, didn't I? The emphasis on 'classic' rock, or generally: music, for that matter, is simply ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Terri

You can't find guitar players, song writers or anything that would compare. You're lucky if somebody screams for more than 4 minutes to please 10 yr old goths.

Again with the generalisations... Describing yourself as not being narrow-minded, then going on to write this? I'll just say: go and hear some of the things I recommended, then come back and restate your opinion.

[Terri]

Originally Posted by sxesven

Sorry, but if this statement is the result of your knowledge of contemporary rock music, I'm afraid that knowledge is close to non-existing. Do you have any idea of

Obviously you are not aware of the likes of revolutionary and amazing artists


Again with the generalisations... Describing yourself as not being narrow-minded, then going on to write this? I'll just say: go and hear some of the things I recommended, then come back and restate your opinion.

I can type and comment to all of your opinions, but I rather not because from the few statements you have made, I believe you are moderately oppressive. To recommend me to clarify my opinions, then come back to share them is uncalled for, as well as stating my knowledge is close to 'non-existing' because it does not agree with you. I stand by whatever I previously typed, even if it is viewed as blank.

To be quite frank with you, you have listed dozens of bands that myself, and many others have never heard of. No, that doesn't make me stupid or "uncool". That also doesn't mean I listen to **** music. Sure, I could list all the bands I listen to that nobody knows of, but I think that will defeat the purpose of this topic. Yes, it makes you appear as you are well-educated about what you say, but it also makes no difference in this topic.

What is so-called revolutionary in your eyes, is not in mine. Same goes for everybody else. What others' find great, you may find it dim.

If it's emo or screamo, if it's good, then I'll listen to it. That still does not change the fact that there are a bunch of ****** bands running around thinking their cool. If a band sucks, it sucks. There's nothing more to it.

Also, it would have been better if this topic was clarifyed as "your favorite rock songs". This seemed like a general topic to me, so I gave a general answer.

My post wasn't meant to offend, although I felt passably offended by your knowledge remark. I never clarifyed that I knew every band, so I didn't expect to be held against it. Discussing is great, but personal comments are not.

[sxesven]

Originally Posted by Terri

I can type and comment to all of your opinions, but I rather not because from the few statements you have made, I believe you are moderately oppressive. To recommend me to clarify my opinions, then come back to share them is uncalled for, as well as stating my knowledge is close to 'non-existing' because it does not agree with you. I stand by whatever I previously typed, even if it is viewed as blank.

Sorry if you took my previous writing as a tad offensive; as I stated before, I'm not wanting anyone to take it personally. Again, this is a pet hate of mine, so consider all of it as rather general. That you took the time and trouble to reply at all gets massive respect from me; I'm not wanting to shoot 'the messenger' or anything, so I'm not aiming this towards you just because you're representing those in favour of the 'classic' rock canon.

Originally Posted by Terri

To be quite frank with you, you have listed dozens of bands that myself, and many others have never heard of. No, that doesn't make me stupid or "uncool".

For starters, I've never stated this makes you either stupid or uncool. However, to make statements about 'greatest' rock songs and then turning out not to know the vast majority of the bands and artists I listed, which aren't just personal underground favourites, well, that's kind of strange. I'm not saying it makes you stupid, and definitely not uncool - in fact, if anything is not something to measure coolness with, it's taste in music. Frankly, if I played some of my personal favourites, like Vashti Bunyan or Devendra Banhart or Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, I'm sure your average hipster kid would deem them most uncool.

Originally Posted by Terri

Sure, I could list all the bands I listen to that nobody knows of, but I think that will defeat the purpose of this topic.

If this relates to the artists I posted, well, think again. Just because you haven't heard of Yo La Tengo, Low, Neutral Milk Hotel, Boredoms, Sleater-Kinney, Joy Division doesn't mean 'nobody' knows of them. These are widely known and widely respected bands - but that's not even my point, as I'm no fan of consensus, like I said. They're just great bands that deserve to be heard.

Originally Posted by Terri

What is so-called revolutionary in your eyes, is not in mine.

I think you can judge whether or not something is revolutionary quite objectively, but that's besides the point.

If it's emo or screamo, if it's good, then I'll listen to it.

You like emo and screamo? Go hear Envy, Yaphet Kotto, Amanda Woodward, Neil Perry, Kaos Pilot.

Originally Posted by Terri

That still does not change the fact that there are a bunch of ****** bands running around thinking their cool. If a band sucks, it sucks. There's nothing more to it.

Well, we finally agree on something then.

Originally Posted by Terri

My post wasn't meant to offend, although I felt passably offended by your knowledge remark. I never clarifyed that I knew every band, so I didn't expect to be held against it. Discussing is great, but personal comments are not.

Again, didn't mean to offend, if you were, sorry.

[Terri]

Originally Posted by sxesven

I'm not saying it makes you stupid, and definitely not uncool - in fact, if anything is not something to measure coolness with, it's taste in music. Frankly, if I played some of my personal favourites, like Vashti Bunyan or Devendra Banhart or Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, I'm sure your average hipster kid would deem them most uncool.

You know, I really don't know what's up with people, but believe me, it's a new trend to like hundreds of bands that are hardly ever listened to. Take myspace for example, there are so many twits with 354354 bands that they probably forget about once they finish typing the name. I suppose it makes them feem 'cool' and 'different' and 'better than the rest of us'. There's a whole bunch of those people out there.

If this relates to the artists I posted, well, think again. Just because you haven't heard of Yo La Tengo, Low, Neutral Milk Hotel, Boredoms, Sleater-Kinney, Joy Division doesn't mean 'nobody' knows of them.

Of course there are many people who know these bands, I just made that comment from a general outlook on the music industry.

Again, didn't mean to offend, if you were, sorry.

Thanks for clearing things up, I also give my respect for you replying instead of brushing our little debate off

[sxesven]

Originally Posted by Terri

You know, I really don't know what's up with people, but believe me, it's a new trend to like hundreds of bands that are hardly ever listened to. Take myspace for example, there are so many twits with 354354 bands that they probably forget about once they finish typing the name. I suppose it makes them feem 'cool' and 'different' and 'better than the rest of us'. There's a whole bunch of those people out there.

Very true, and I agree: it's horrible. All these people jumping whatever bandwagon they can catch, it's quite embarrasing frankly, and much worse than just digging 'classic' rock, to be honest, haha. As an advocate of idiosyncracy in music taste (that makes it sound horrid, forgive me) I love seeing true lists of what people really love; but people randomly listing hundreds of bands with the most horrid names (I Ran Out of Toilet Paper and Will Cry Myself to Death Now, Internet Gave Me a Life and Then Took It), I can't get any of idea of what they like, I mean, really like. Indeed, they think it makes them look cool ("Dude, you haven't heard of Diaperman & the Feeble Filantropists?"), while it's just embarassing to see.

Originally Posted by Terri

Of course there are many people who know these bands, I just made that comment from a general outlook on the music industry.

Fair enough.

Originally Posted by Terri

Thanks for clearing things up, I also give my respect for you replying instead of brushing our little debate off

[slashess]

uhh... can we just stop rambling on(good song by zeppelin) and start making more lists, you guys are just mad at the fact that we arent picking your favorite songs

I mean yeah, we all have our opinions...but if it's that bad PLEASE refrain from posting about how none of us like the same things you do

[Vash!!!]

Hehehe...just asking, anyone here likes Bon Jovi cos I did not see that name mentioned here??

[slashess]

bon jovi is okay..people just didnt like them all that much because of their image(theyre from the 80s and people said it was corny metal )

[sxesven]

Originally Posted by slashess

bon jovi is okay..people just didnt like them all that much because of their image(theyre from the 80s and people said it was corny metal )

Which it isn't indeed - it's corny hardrock.

[Scentless Apprentice]

Well, being that I am an obvious Nirvana fan, I must say I love Smells Like Teen Spirit, I consider it a good classic, unlike some of you, oh well though.

Heart Shaped Box is a excellent song though too =)

[HybridTheory]

I want to cry. This is the best thread I have seen on this forum in my 3 years here.

I didn't think you guys liked rock music!

My top 10:

1) Eric Clapton - Layla
2) Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child
3) Van Halen - Aint Talkin About Love
4) Iron Maiden - Fear of the Dark
5) AC/DC - Back in Black
6) Guns 'N' Roses - I can't pick just one here, ANYTHING from Appetite For Destruction
7) Metallica - One
9) Velvet Revolver - Slither
10) Cream - Sunshine of you Love

70s rock is the best. I especially love "Baracuda"!

[tinka69]

I don't know if I would call these the greatest rock songs but they're definitely must listens for old and new indie/rock listeners.

Arcade Fire - Tunnels + Wake Up
AFI - But Home Is Nowhere
The Beatles - A Day In The Life
Billy Idol - White Wedding
David Bowie - Heroes
Faith No More - Epic + Out of Nowhere
Guns 'n' Roses - November Rain
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
Marilyn Manson - Coma White
Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell
Neil Young - Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)
Nightwish - Nemo
Nine Inch Nails - Hurt
Radiohead - Paranoid Android
Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter + Sympathy for the Devil
The Cure - Lovesong
The Police - Message in a Bottle
The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony

[My Rainbow]

GUNS N ROSES - NOVEMBER RAIN

[YuriChan]

For Japanese Rock, I say almost half of B'z discography are pretty badass (in exception of The 7th Blues)! As for Western Rock, I gotta go with the classics like The Beetles, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Deep Purple, and MAAAAYBE Aerosmith!