You may have never heard about these classic rock songs, so let’s bring them back. Hello and welcome to my first music post here in nine months.
“Believe in rock n’ roll, that is the only religion that never lets you down.” Lemmy Kilmister
All of these are from the great 20th century. You may recognize some them but I bet you haven’t heard others. And after you finish with this post you’re gonna love them all.
Let’s begin:
10.Scorpions – Holiday (1979)
Holiday
Lovedrive is considered the best album of Scorpions entire career, and this song is included there. Written by Klaus Meine and released as a single in the US in 1979, Holiday combines the best of Scorpions' formula of a melodic ballad and hard rock. It starts with a nice guitar intro and a quiet voice to later erupt into a charge of good old rock n’ roll to later return to its quiet beginning. Excellent classic from an album that can boast of having the funniest art cover in metal history. “Let me take you far away, you'd like a holiday…
9.The Box Tops – The Letter (1967)
The Box Tops - The Letter (Audio)
Included on the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list, this one reached the number one position and was the second most played song of 1967. Apparently the whole song was inspired by the first line: "Give me a ticket for an aeroplane", suggested by someone else. It was this band’s first and greatest hit. It’s been covered many times, including a cover by Joe Cocker. I discovered this one this year on a video of best songs of the 1960s and now I share it with you. Enjoy.
8.Poison – Life Goes On (1991)
Poison - Life Goes On (Official Music Video)
A nice ballad with a cool video MTV didn’t stop playing during the summer of 1991. Unskinny Bop may be the most well-known song of the 1990 album Flesh & Blood, but this one is my favorite of that album. With one of the best guitar solos of C.C. DeVille’s career, it was the fourth single from Flesh & Blood and it reached number 35 on the charts. Too bad things didn’t go well for the guys of Poison after 1991, grunge and alternative rock took the lead and MTV stopped playing the videos by Poison and other bands. On top of that, there was the incident at the 1991 MTV VMAs. Give this ballad a chance, I know you gonna like it.
7.Jon Bon Jovi – Miracle (1990)
Jon Bon Jovi - Miracle (Official Video)
The first solo album by Jon after a hiatus from his band was the soundtrack for the nice cowboy movie Young Guns II and is definitely worthwhile. Released as the second single after the superclassic Blaze of Glory, Miracle is one of the best songs ever created for singing aloud during a road trip. The video features Jon leading a bunch of motorcyclists and was the first acting credit of the guy that played Joey in Friends. You will want to listen to this one again and again.
6.ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man (1983)
ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man (Official Music Video)
ZZ Top became big in the 1980s thanks to those cool videos were that Ford Eliminator coupé appeared over and over again; gone were the days when people referred to them as “that little band from Texas”. Released in 1983 as the second single of the Eliminator album, it has a hella good guitar solo often included on those lists of best solos of all times. So guys, dress well because the ladies are watching you. RIP Dusty Hill.
5.Pink Floyd – Have a Cigar (1975)
Have A Cigar
The only single released from their extraordinary Wish You Were Here album of 1975. This album included songs that are now considered major classics such as Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Welcome to the Machine and Wish You Were Here, despite none of them were released as singles. A great bass intro by Roger Waters followed by Richard Wright at the keyboards and the rest of the band; it has a kinda funky style with some ironic lyrics about the music industry. David Gilmore refused to sing this one, so Waters brought another singer, a decision he later regretted. In the live versions is Waters the one who sings Have a Cigar. RIP Richard Wright, master of the keyboards.
4.Soundgarden – Burden in My Hand
Soundgarden - Burden In My Hand
A kinda underrated grunge/alternative rock song here and my favorite song from one of the best bands of the grunge era. And grunge was pretty much dead in 1996, nevertheless these guys managed to release a good album that year. Written by Chris Cornell himself, it topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks. Great vocals by a great, almost unreal, singer. RIP Chris Cornell.
3.The Beatles - Here Comes the Sun (1969)
The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (2019 Mix)
Considered one of the greatest songs of their career, The Beatles included this one on the Abbey Road album of 1969 but it was never released as a single. It was written by George Harrison, who also sang the lyrics with McCartney on the backing vocals and Ringo on the drums; apparently John wasn’t there at the moment when they recorded this one. It has become one of the most requested Beatles songs ever and you will find it on lists of best songs never released as singles. I remember when a chorus of people sang this one in the closing of the 2012 London Olympics. Ideal for a relaxing weekend.
2.REO Speedwagon – Take It on the Run (1981)
Take It On the Run
What better than a good old arena rock song to sing while you’re driving? Lead singer Kevin Cronin’s voice is unmistakable from the beginning. This song was the second single of the band’s highly successful album Hi Infidelity of 1980; it reached number five on the charts and is one of the most beloved songs of that era. The album Hi Infidelity was the biggest-selling album of 1981; I wonder if we will ever have another year in music like 1981. So turn on the volume and sing this one aloud!
1.U2 – Stay (Faraway, So Close!) (1993)
U2 - Stay (Faraway, So Close!)
Accompanied by a beautiful video released in the late part of 1993, this is one of U2’s best and most underrated songs. The fifth song and the third single of Zooropa, an album not as good as its predecessor but excellent and groundbreaking to this day. Things haven’t been quite well for the guys of U2 in the last ten years; they seem to have lost the magic, popularity and status they once had of being the biggest band in the world, but Stay will remind you of how good they were back in the day. This song and its video are pure works of art.
Bonus song:
Queen – Headlong (1991)
Queen - Headlong (Official Video)
After the lackluster 1989 album The Miracle, Queen took a little break and came back big with the extraordinary Innuendo in 1991. This album included classics such as The Show Must Go On and Innuendo, and Headlong was the third single of that one. It was the first release in The US for the band’s new label Hollywood Records. The video was shot in the London studio where much of the album had been recorded. It reached number 14 in the UK and was a big seller throughout the rest of Europe. A killer guitar by Brian May, a nice chorus by the whole band and great vocals by Freddie. Incredible how a sick dying man in 1991 sounded better than most of the crap you have to put up with these days. RIP Freddie Mercury, your music and legacy will never be forgotten.
I hope you like all these songs. You can check my other music posts here:
My Favorite Songs of 2021: @thereadingman/5-of-my-favorite-songs
The Most Beautiful Rock Videos Ever Made: @thereadingman/20-of-the-most-beautiful
(Image at the beginning via: https://vinyl-records.nl/index.htm
So, what do you think? Which one of these good old songs is your favorite? Let us know in the comment section below. You can also add other rock songs you like.
This is a post written with my heart so thank you for stopping by and don’t forget to upvote!
Until next time.
Take care.
Orlando.