Top 10 American Rock Songs

Oh geez. Bold pick for sure but i instantly have respect out the wazoo for it. Kind of begs the question though of what is the difference in a pop song vs rock song??

Good Vibrations is a music theory masterpiece and technical grand achievement that it sort of short changes the song to pigeon hole it in one category imo.

Another great achievement to me is the song Pyramid Song by Radiohead. Hardly a “Rock” song and not nearly popular enough to make any charts, but the same people who really appreciate Good Vibrations from a music theory perspective hold that song up as one of the great achievements in music.

Back to question though of “what is rock vs pop”... imo it’s simply higher than normal Gain on a Guitar textured song and the major chords should be played by guitar even that rule is often broken by the piano. Elton John is very much playing Rock music with piano driven major chords especially Emajor which is the quintessential “modern rock” major chord.

But my pick for #2 which we can discuss:

2. Hotel California - Eagles

...

(and I don’t really care for the Eagles)

 

Blitzkrieg Bop

I’m sure Beach Boys could easily fill out a list of 10 on their own, much like Elvis. These kinds of things are better with one per artist IMO.

 

I don't love the band myself but I feel like there should be an Aerosmith song on this list, and Dream On is the one that sticks out IMO.

 

i love the beach boys and their music is as american as it gets, but are they rock?

my list is basically which artists i think best represent "american rock". so if i was going to another country where they didnt know much about american culture this would be my "american rock" playlist for them.

dylan - like a rolling stone
hendrix - voodoo child
van halen - aint talkin 'bout love
creedence clearwater revival - fortunate son
neil young (sorry canada, he belongs to us) - cinnamon girl
tom petty - runnin down a dream
pixies - gouge away
little richard - rip it up
fugazi - public witness program
chuck berry - you cant catch me

 

Foo Fighters - Everlong (my #1)

Nirvana - Smells like Teen Spirit
Guns and Roses - Welcome to the Jungle
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge

 

This is a very bold list to come up with

November Rain

 

As I'm trying to come up with a few songs, I'm realizing that neither of the 2 greatest bands of all time are American.

The Police - British
Rush - Canadian

I'll have to think about this and return to the thread later.

 

I have to admit I only thought of them when they popped up on YouTube's recommended list, but these girls (and guys) deserve consideration for this one, IMO...



EDIT: Props to YouTube again (although it's probably more like honorable mention material)...



and...

 

+1 for fortunate son

 

Once in a Lifetime

for a rock song from anywhere I’ll take War Pigs

 

Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe

 

One of my all time favorites.

 

Me and Bobby McGee (Joplin)

Freebird

Born to Run (Springsteen)

Ramblin' Man (Allman Brothers)

Turn the Page (Bob Seger)

 

I Want YOU, to Want ME

 

One- Metallica
Carolina Drama- The Recanteurs

 

Wow. I don't think Beach Boys would hit my top ten, but I enjoy them almost every time I hear them.

So many interesting bands and songs to consider. Cali tends to get ignored, but X and Tool are from SoCal. I honestly wouldn't mind throwing a couple of early ZZ Top songs into the mix just for fun. I would not allow the Eagles or Skynyrd anywhere near my top ten.

The New York area offers us so much too: Television... The Feelies have some amazing cuts... Sonic Youth would be in my top 10 but would have a hard time deciding what cut or two to put in there.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an American band.

Kinda like an MVP -- I guess we could argue all day about what "Top" means to us.

 

I saw the Beach Boys in Houston at the beginning of April,1966. The Lovin' Spoonful opened. A great concert, but the concert in March of 1967 at the Music Hall was far better. I remember them playing Wouldn't It Be Nice, God Only Knows, and Good Vibrations, one after the other. Beautifully done. It just carried you away.

 

Are you suggesting a geographic sampler?

ZZ Top, Janis Joplin etc

J Geils, Aerosmith etc

Bob Seger, Ted Nugent etc

Velvet Underground, Ramones etc

 

For me, the greatest American Power Ballads (APB's) are our contribution:





honorable mention, 3zz top songs, aerosmith. Grand Funk, CCR, Allman bros, CS&N etc just hard for me to move those out of folk; similarly, others out of pop, "rap-rock" or metal. Grunge "rock" was great, but not among the very best to me, Pearl Jam Nirvana Alice in Chains etc. Then similarly great but still lesser tier like Fleetwood Mac chili peppers and journey so many others, all some great songs but hard to even say rock songs much less greatest rock songs. Too many great not greatest American rock. If we opened it up worldwide, wouldn't be as interesting of a discussion I guess.

Edit all due respect to OP, I think we all missed the point here. Because i think this thread is really more about how great the BB's GV's is. IDK that anyone would disagree. Let's just take a minute to appreciate it, on BT's behalf. Edit 2: "God only knows" tho