Feb 18, 2003 10:05 AM
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(Updated Feb 18, 2003 10:33 AM)
For those who don't know what exactly'rock music' is, here is a brief description which I had copied from a magazine long back.
Rock: The supreme genre in music. Most of the other genres may well be defined as a subgenre of rock. It is characterized by bouncy melodic guitar riffs, fast drums and catchy https://lyrics.
Almost everyone feels compelled to have a favorite type of music and some songs which they prefer to others. Personally, I always preferred classic rock, hard rock and especially those with a dash of metal. So it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that most of my top 20 songs will be from bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Dire Straits and Blind Guardian. I'll try my best to keep metal bands out since this is only about rockers.
What is so special about Rock? Some of the most influential and amazing music has been produced by rock artists. Take for e.g. Bob Dylan, who although not by any means the best singer of his era, was a great songwriter. Teamed with bouncy melodic guitar riffs and fast drums, the lyrics of most songs which I like allow for one giant satirical package; and therein lies their genius. Here are 20 rock songs with reasons why I like some of them. These are songs which I like and I can't guarantee that everyone else will too.
Dire Straits - Lady Writer: One big flaw in this song is that the lyrics are so-so. But Mark Knopfler, more than makes up for it by the way he sings and finger picks the guitar.
System of Down - Toxicity: I didn't like it the first time I heard it but now I listen to it around once a week.
Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris: I heard this one on the radio but had missed the name of the song and the artist and for close to a week I spent all my free time trying to find it.
Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall: Pink Floyd, in my honest opinion, are grossly overrated, but The Wall is a decent album and this song(ABITW part 2) is good.
Rolling STones - Wild Horses
Ozzy Osbourne - Mama I'm Coming Home
Black Sabbath - Paranoid: Probably the one song that most Indian rockers have heard. Ozzy sings about being fed up with his life and Iommi palm mutes while playing to produce a good song. Megadeth also played this.
Led Zeppelin - The Battle Of Evermore: The theme of this one is Eowyn fighting against the Nazgul(Tolkien) and it has all the traits of a Led Zeppelin number.
Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone: One of the angriest songs I've ever heard. The Rolling Stones' version was also pretty good.
Eagles - Hotel California(acoustic): When they reunited, the eagles played Hotel California with a pretty nice solo at the beginning. Now this song is one of the most popular ones in the history of music.
Blind Guardian - Nightfall: The only reason why I haven't got many BG songs hear is that they are a metal group. But Nightfall can be considered hard rock. The theme is about the rebellion of the Noldor after the destroying of the two trees of light by Melkor.
Led Zeppelin - Kashmir: I love this one. It is related to Tolkien and Robert Plant's voice does give me the elvish feeling at times. And Jimmi Page matches it with superb guitar playing.
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody: Some people say queen are grossly overrated. I agree, some songs are overrated but not Bohemian Rhapsody.
Led Zeppelin - Black Dog: Well, what can I say about this one, except that it is a typical 70's rock song.
Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing: The final solo of this song is one of the best I've ever heard and Mark Knopfler is the most most accurate and cleanest guitarist I've ever heard.
Bob Dylan/GnR - Knocking on Heaven's Door: This song has been covered by maximum number of artists. I have 12 different versions by different artists. But the original and the one by Guns n Roses are by far the best two. The lyrics are typically Bob Dylan style. It is about someone who has fallen in a battle and is about to'knock on heaven's door'. GnR have a couple of decent solos, but the vocals in the Bob Dylan version is my favourite.
Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell: I was hooked to this one for a long time. Ozzy, once again, sings superbly and Iommi has a decent solo.
Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song(in the forest): Who says there is no perfect song? Although it falls more into the metal category, it still is a song I feel all rockers should listen. It is totally amazing how Hansi changes his voice from time to time to match his fabulous lyrics to perfection. The lyrics, like a lot of BG songs are based on Tolkien, though Bard's Song has no direct reference. The guitar riffs, especially the intro and solos are amazing. Also, this is the first song I played on my own without any tabs from the internet.
Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven: Arguably, the greatest song most people will ever hear. A guitar riff and chord sequence which everyone recognizes, but the lyrics? Robert Plant decides to spice up Jimmi Page’s guitar effort by singing about an old woman and a peculiar bustle in her hedgerow. For me, unclear but not nonsensical lyrics can be one of the most appealing parts of a song.
I find it quite dissappointing that there isn't a separate place for metal songs. Metal, even though, originated from Rock is now regarded as a completely different genre. Here are my favourite metal songs.
Anathema - Fragile Dreams: Anathema is a band I started hearing only recently. And they are a bit soft but alternative 4 is an excellent album.
Megadeth - Holy Wars: They are a decent group and Holy Wars was the first Megadeth song I heard.
Kamelot - Center of the Universe: They are quite unheard of and even I haven't heard many songs but this is one worth mentioning.
Iron Maiden - Phantom of the opera
Metallica - Unforgiven(both parts)
Blind Guardian - Valhalla: Valhalla, according to Norse mythology is where people who die in battle go and stay.
Nightwish - Kinslayer: I wouldn't call Nightwish lyrics superb but the songs are. Kinslayer is about the kinslaying by the Noldor led by Feanor.
Anathema - Alternative 4: Haunting and deep.
Nightwish - Crownless: Fast and furious is what defines Nightwish. I tried playing like this one but gave up long back. Slower stuff like Iron Maiden;) is what I should stick to.
Metallica - Nothing else Matters: Slow and steady, it builds up with magnificent guitar playing.
Metallica - enter Sandman: This was the first Metallica I ever heard. In fact this was the first metal song I ever heard. You can see for yourself, its impact on me.
Iron Maiden - Aces High: I like the guitar playing.
Blind Guardian - Mirror Mirror: Related to Tolkien. The first solo rocks.
Blind Guardian - Nightfall: Related to Tolkien.
Cradle Of Filth - Bathory Aria: I like the way the vocalist sings, but don't listen if you have a weak heart.
Nightwish - Phantom Of The Opera: Really haunting music.
Iron Maiden - Fear Of The Dark: Excellent, like all Iron Maiden stuff. I love playing the intro on my guitar. Its easy and cool.
Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name: A true masterpiece. Not many songs can beat it.
Blind Guardian - Imaginations From The Other Side: Yeah, not many songs can beat Hallowed be Thy Name, but IFTOS can, in my opinion.
Blind Guardian - Bard's Song: Its soft, a bit too soft for some metal listeners but its MY personal favourite and will remain that way for a long time. I listen to it close to 4 times a day.
Blind Guardian, as you can see, are my favourite metal band along with Iron Maiden but my all time favourite is Led Zeppelin, the Gods where music is religion.
