Ever since it first appeared, it was more than obvious that rock music had the power to change the world. That was only proven to be true during the ’60s and ’70s. This period is roughly the one that gave us some of the most iconic songs in recent history.
Even though it’s pretty hard to assemble this list, here are the top 10 rock songs of all time.
- Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
By far the most iconic tune of this century, Stairway to Heaven has become the anthem of a whole generation. What Led Zeppelin managed to create is probably not going to be replicated for quite some time.
- Hotel California – Eagles
Hotel California is considered to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing songs to ever be recorded. It carries a very dark message, but the music is simply perfect in all aspects.
- Layla – Eric Clapton
Originally recorded by Derek & The Dominoes, this tune is one of the hits that really launched Clapton into popularity. That intro riff carries tangible energy that moves the listener in ways that are hard to explain.
- Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Featured on their debut album from 1973, Free Bird was one of Skynyrd’s earliest and best hits this band has delivered. It is by far one of the songs that marked an era.
- Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Talent such as the one Freddy Mercury had appears once in a century and Bohemian Rhapsody is a perfect proof of that statement. This is one of those songs that will never go out of style.
- Voodoo Child – Jimi Hendrix
One of the biggest icons of rock music, Jimi Hendrix, was the master of electric guitar. His prowess in both technique and creativity is perfectly encapsulated by the legendary song Voodoo Child .
- Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger’s voice is said to be the voice of a whole generation, a whole movement. Satisfaction is one song by The Rolling Stones that infused the masses with energy to achieve social changes.
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses are by far one of the most influential rock bands to ever hit the stages around the world. Sweet Child O’ Mine defined what this band was capable of, and how big of a reach they had.
- Smoke On The Water – Deep Purple
If there’s one song every guitar player learns right away, it’s Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple. This tune is by far one of the most recognizable rock songs in the world.
- Black Sabbath – Paranoid
Credited as one of the bands which sparked the advent of metal music, Black Sabbath showed us the grittier side of rock with their song Paranoid.