Every Tuesday I like to drop the needle on three songs that never get old, no matter how many times you hear them. This is not about discovering something new. It is about revisiting the kind of tracks that defined an era and still hit just as hard today.
This week is all about eighties hard rock. Big riffs, louder drums, and bands that knew how to own a stage. This was a time when attitude mattered just as much as talent, and the best bands had both.
Three songs, three bands, and all gas from start to finish. These are the kind of tracks you do not play quietly.
First up is Guns N’ Roses with Nightrain. This one feels raw in the best way. Straight off Appetite for Destruction, the song captures the band before everything got massive. Slash’s guitar work is sharp and aggressive, while Axl Rose delivers that signature vocal that sounds just on the edge of chaos. It is fast, loud, and exactly what made early Guns N’ Roses stand out.
Next is Mötley Crüe with Kickstart My Heart. This is pure adrenaline. From the opening rev to the pounding drums, the song never lets up. Nikki Sixx’s real life story behind the track adds another layer, but even without that, it stands on its own as one of the most high energy songs of the era. It is built to be played loud.
The third pick is Skid Row with 18 And Life. This one slows things down just enough to hit harder emotionally. Sebastian Bach’s vocals carry the weight of the story, and the band backs him with a powerful, gritty sound. It is one of those songs that blends melody with edge perfectly.
What ties these three tracks together is attitude. There is nothing polished or safe about them. They come from a time when rock bands leaned into excess, energy, and identity.
Another thing that stands out is how strong the vocals are across all three songs. Each singer had a distinct sound that you recognize immediately. That kind of individuality is part of what made this era so memorable.
The guitar work also deserves attention. Riffs that stick, solos that actually mean something, and tones that cut through everything else. This was peak guitar driven rock.
That is what makes this week’s Three Tune Tuesday so fun. It is a reminder of a time when rock music was loud, unapologetic, and built to be felt as much as heard.
Turn it up and let these tracks do what they were meant to do. Some songs are not background music, and these are three perfect examples.