What is the best rock song of all time?


Slowhandfan52
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Slowhandfan52
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09/14/2014 3:52 pm
"The sound of rock is traditionally centered on the electric guitar, which emerged in its modern form in the 1950s with the popularization of rock and roll.The sound of an electric guitar in rock music is typically supported by an electric bass guitar pioneered in jazz music in the same era, and percussion produced from a drum kit that combines drums and cymbals. This trio of instruments has often been complemented by the inclusion of others, particularly keyboards such as the piano, Hammond organ and synthesizers. A group of musicians performing rock music typically consists of between two and five members. Classically, a rock band takes the form of a quartet whose members cover one or more roles, including vocalist, lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, bass guitarist, drummer and occasionally that of keyboard player or other instrumentalist.

Rock music is traditionally built on a foundation of simple unsyncopated rhythms in a 4/4 meter, with a repetitive snare drum back beat on beats two and four. Melodies are often derived from older musical modes, including the Dorian and Mixolydian, as well as major and minor modes. Harmonies range from the common triad to parallel fourths and fifths and dissonant harmonic progressions. Rock songs from the mid-1960s onwards often used the verse-chorus structure derived from blues and folk music, but there has been considerable variation from this model."

That's about as close as I can get to defining Rock. To define Rock in it's purest sense, IMHO is to attempt to remove all the sub-genres from it such as Blues-Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal, Etc. which is darn near impossible, but if you narrow it down to the definition shown above and take away the rules of all the genres you are left with just plain "Rock". Understand that this is just my opinion, and is also my poor attempt to define what is basically impossible to define, but that's how I came up with "Born To Be Wild". I'd be interested in anyone else's definition of "Rock"

Thanks for not falling asleep!:)
# 1
Terranaut
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Terranaut
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09/14/2014 5:29 pm
Best live performance: Machine Gun - Hendrix
Heroes and Villains - Beach Boys
Quadrophenia Overture - The Who

I give up
# 2
michaelmunn59
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michaelmunn59
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11/16/2014 7:30 pm
I'd say "Johnny B Goode", "Blue Suede Shoes", or "Heartbreak Hotel"
# 3
mcclainrp
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mcclainrp
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11/25/2014 8:59 pm
Bubbles in the Wine, L. Welk & Orchestra, Wunnerful! Wunnerful!
# 4
jude_may
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jude_may
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12/21/2014 1:57 am
im not sure , but I bet Robert Johnson wrote it.
# 5
palerider1
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palerider1
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12/29/2014 1:32 pm
Mirror, Mirror by Def Leppard
Nobody Rides for Free by RATT
Fire Woman by The Cult

Awesome songs with awesome guitar riffs.
# 6
jang7
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jang7
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12/29/2014 9:03 pm
Since it hasn't been mentioned yet..."Panama" by Van Halen. Eddie's just the man on guitar!
# 7
SJWeissen
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SJWeissen
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12/30/2014 8:44 am
I realize it wouldn't be what is traditionally thought of as "the best rock song of all time", that would mostly likely be Johny B. Goode or something by the Beatles, the Who or the Stones, but. My all-time favorite guitar song, and one I think is sadly under appreciated is Joe Walsh's Rocky Mountain way. From the fairly simple but highly effective rhythm guitar, to the slide work, into the amazing talk-box solo, back to the slide solo. The tones Mr. Walsh was able to get for that song and the change in those tones threw the song are simply amazing.

I wouldn't call it the greatest rock song of all time but Rocky Mountain Way along with Life's Been Good are the two songs that made me want to first pick up a guitar, and I still think they are two of the greatest guitar songs of all time.
# 8
twohutnuts
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twohutnuts
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01/02/2015 8:07 pm
Originally Posted by: SunKing1The borders of rock are diffuse, I don't know if A Day In The Life would count? What about Bohemian Rhapsody or Comfortably Numb? Anyway, I'll go with Stairway to Heaven...



Good songs, maybe add in there "Hey Jude" or even "Locomotive Breath"...There really are too many to make that decision
# 9
WarrenG1
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WarrenG1
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04/08/2017 10:49 pm

Mystery Achievement By the Pretenders

Honorable mention

Paradise by the Dashboard Light - Meatloaf

Love Reign O'er Me - The Who

I Fought the Law - Various Artists, personal fave is from The Clash


# 10
bturner0
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bturner0
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04/10/2017 12:43 am

Gimme Shelter by the Stones.


# 11
montereyfrankie
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montereyfrankie
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04/14/2017 6:23 am

Sugar Sugar by the Archies


# 12
Papa Rich
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Papa Rich
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04/18/2017 4:49 pm

Oh boy. This is one of those questions where, if you answer now, as soon as you hit the Post button you think of five other songs.

Stairway to Heaven

Aqualung

Thick as a Brick

Welcome to the Jungle

Baba O'Reilly

Crimson and Clover

Cocaine

Nothing Really Matters

Sorry, can't pick no. 1


# 13
kenbobbyjones
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kenbobbyjones
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05/02/2017 1:32 pm
Originally Posted by: pesetasBoston's Don't Look Back. http://youtu.be/KiOqHLVxZvA

Sweet!!


# 14
Guitar Tricks Admin
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Guitar Tricks Admin
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05/04/2017 5:01 pm

"Time" by Pink Floyd. That is the only correct answer!

- Billy


If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us.
# 15
Ishgood
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Ishgood
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05/06/2017 6:03 am

ACDC Long way to the top or Stones Gimme Shelter or Chuck Berry Never can tell or Stevie Ray Life by the drop or

NO WAIT. I GOT IT. SKYNYRD SWEET HOME ALABAMA.

Well, man, tough to rule out the Stones. I gotta say Mick Jagger is having more fun than anyone in the world up there on stage and that is what its really all about.

Hmmmm. Maybe it hasn't been written yet. Think Ill get to work on it.


# 16
stratmanjimbo
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stratmanjimbo
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05/07/2017 10:57 pm

Papa Rich got it right with his first choice!! Piece of cake answer!! Song has it all!! Jim C.


# 17
Tom Sklenar
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Tom Sklenar
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10/07/2017 7:29 am

Queen - Show must go on


# 18
tonymontanazone
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tonymontanazone
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10/07/2017 11:59 am

Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven


Sry for poor english

# 19
jimcroisannt
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jimcroisannt
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02/26/2018 10:26 am

Janis Joplin - Piece of My Heart


# 20

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