Rock all right... Review on Twenty Best Rock Songs

Selecting 20 greatest rock songs of all time is like counting the brightest stars at night. You and I can differ at which ones are the brightest… but it’s still fun counting the stars and discovering new ones! Here goes my list(my taste is more on the melodic side with preference for rhythm and thoughtful lyrics):

1. Message In A Bottle – The Police

Andy’s fast paced guitar with the ever outstanding Copeland on drums and Sting’s high pitched vocals make this the quintessential Police number - carefree abundance of youthful energy! The lyrics are just as beautiful(Love can mend your life but love can break your heart.)

1. Budapest – Jethro Tull

Flute is unique to Tull, and with the Budapest, Ian Anderson shows how to match it as sweetly as can be possible with the electric guitar. It’s a long track that builds slowly and cranks up just enough to end on a high(leaving you the melody to hum.)

1. Monty Got A Raw Deal – R.E.M.

My personal favorite from the album “Automatic for the people”. The whole album is a gem with tracks like “Drive”, “Man on the Moon” and “Everybody Hurts”. This is a slow rock number with nice acoustic guitar feel.

1. Time Waits For No One – Rolling Stones

Rolling Stones at their longest and melodic best with a prolonged lead that shows Keith’s mastery over the guitar and keyboards that flow in and out to create a timeless tune.

1. One – U2

At a time when U2 were contemplating break-up and had switched to experimenting with synthesized sounds, this track revels in simple guitar-bass-drums combination. A thoughtful and somewhat dark lyrics – all about relationships as Bono claims – got the band to refocus on their energies and carry on.

1. Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac

Mythical and mystical is how I’d describe this song. Stevie Nicks co-wrote this with the guitarist Lindsey Buckingham with whom she had a rather public love affair. Has a lonely feel to the song. The live version is just as magnificent with Mick Fleetwood pounding on the drums at the end.

1. Eden – 10, 000 Maniacs

The last album that the maniacs recorded with Natalie Merchant. She’s got the voice from heavens! Beautiful and what a range of scales she can do; though this song has a very narrow range in which she operates. Smooth and delicate.

1. Heavy Fuel – Dire Straits

It’s hard to describe this song. Mark Knopfler can never be loud, let alone hard! But this song has all that and more. Fantastic lyrics sung in an almost narrative voice coupled with distortion laden guitars that’s sure to get you rocking! Yes if you wanna run cool, you got to run On heavy, heavy fuel.

1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond – Pink Floyd

Syd Barrett left a lasting impression on the rest of the band members to conjure up this gem. Sung in two parts that featured on either side of the album. The masters of psychedelic rock make this a befitting farewell song for one of their founding members.

1. The Battle of Evermore – Led Zeppelin

Sandy Denny(of Fairport Convention) joins Robert Plant in a folksy-rock-ballad track. This appears in the same album that contains “Stairway to Heaven”. These are two diverse styles but have been hugely successful(the latter being the most prominent.)

1. Is This Love – Whitesnake

David Coverdale(once member of Deep Purple) gets into a groovy love ballad with enough power packed guitars that make it a near classic.

1. Jeremy – Pearl Jam

IMO by far the best grunge band ever. Eddy Vedder betrays his age in a powerful and lyrically strong track and equally disturbing video.

1. Cheap Sunglasses – ZZ Top

This track has the trademark blues and quirky guitar chops that made the ZZ Top an American craze.

1. Roadhouse Blues – The Doors

Who doesn’t love Jim Morrison? A tight song to “woke up in the morning and got myself a beer…”

1. Road to Hell – Chris Rea

Apparently written while stuck in a traffic jam. A so-called gentle rock number made powerful by Chris’s heavy raspy voice and fluid guitar work.

1. Starter – The Cardigans

Leaving their sunny-pop style  for a mature, somewhat broody and angst filled lyrics and a musical sense that borrows nicely from electronica is what this song is all about. Nina Parson's syrupy vocals crashing against the crisp drums and sonic loops in the background create a perfect mood.

1. Lovesong – The Cure

Probably the most popular number until “Friday, I’m in Love”. This organ-keyboard combination with Robert Smith’s somewhat saddened voice makes for a great song. The remixed version by the band is just as good.

1. Suicide Blonde – INXS

Almost a dance number with high-octane harmonica/saxophone, drums and plucky guitars. Michael Hutchence is an enigmatic performer and their live version is true rocker.

1. Run to You – Bryan Adams

The sweet collegian rocker that Bryan Adams is, makes this an unlikely hit from his staple of power ballads mixed with rock aggression. No, Bon Jovi can’t even match this one!

1. Barracuda – Heart

Women doing hard rock and being successful at it are few in numbers(am not being sexist, it’s the fact!) Heart would perform amazing Led Zepplin covers for their live shows and after once such show, a journalist’s comment infuriated Ann Wilson so much to write this absolute rock number.

Alright, am almost done. Almost because there’s “It’s Getting Old” by Goldspot. Check out our very own Siddharth Khosla lending a fine voice, poignant lyrics and popish timing to this great tune. This is a band to watch out.