Seven Nation Army is the most recent song that is inarguably classic rock. One reason I love the White Stripes is they prove the rock canon will always remain open to anyone who wants a shot at entering it. They are also a nice bridge between mainstream and indie rock, which will hopefully allow a bunch of 2000s-10s artists to achieve classic rock status (Tame Impala are well on their way)
"There are only so many times you can listen to “Hotel California” and “R.O.C.K. in the USA” without wondering if there is something else out there."
Are you sure about that?
Seriously though, I think of Classic Rock as being the genre I know the best, but out of that list of the top songs there were only a few I really, really like. Most were just what I would classify as good, not great. There's at least one I can't stand, and a couple I don't think I know. (Odds are I would recognize them if I listened to them.) And then there's Stairway to Heaven.
Every year when I was in high school ('85-'89), there would be a group of kids who would strongly lobby for Stairway to Heaven to be the theme song for the senior prom. It never was, because the kids who were lobbying for it were not the kind of students who would actually get organized and be responsible for planning the senior prom. Or anything, really. And that's locked in as my mental association with Stairway to Heaven: it's the stoner's song. (Which is not to say it's a bad song. I like it, but it's not #1 in my rating.)
Finally, if you think Rock music mythologizes itself the most, I can tell you haven't listened to much Country music.
Hi Chris. This is superb and I have opinions! As always, evaluating music is almost completely subjective. In decreasing order of positivity:
1. I've thought for many years that "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is one of the best songs from the 1980s. It belongs among the greatest rock songs.
2. It's not surprising that "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad" dropped off the list. The studio version with Duane Allman has a manic quality to it, too fast. But the live version from the album In Concert by Derek and the Dominos (recorded in October 1970) is amazing, and I'm not alone in that assessment. This version is approximately 9:30 in length. The quartet generates so much heat — it is arguably Clapton's greatest moment.
3. I hope I'm not hurting feelings here, but the fact that "Kashmir" is rated in the top ten of classic rock songs is mystifying to me. There must be forty songs by Led Zeppelin I enjoy more.
Two things: your book arrived from the publisher today. The other is, do you subscribe to Sean Ross’ newsletter “Ross on Radio”? (Non-Substack.) He’s been following Kansas City’s KCMO, a classic hits station pulling down an enormous (15.plus) share, without leaving the 1980s. You’ll find it interesting, I think.
Fascinating read. As someone who primarily listens to music from the 20th century, the idea of “classic rock” is so convoluted but it’s always my #1 genre of music on Spotify. I don’t mind grouping 90s music into classic rock, but 2000s is a stretch due to the explosion of emo rock.
Seven Nation Army is the most recent song that is inarguably classic rock. One reason I love the White Stripes is they prove the rock canon will always remain open to anyone who wants a shot at entering it. They are also a nice bridge between mainstream and indie rock, which will hopefully allow a bunch of 2000s-10s artists to achieve classic rock status (Tame Impala are well on their way)
Another amazing read. I love this sort of number-crunching. Chris, is there a way to buy a signed copy of your book directly from you?
What a fantastic analysis! At 70 years old, it feels like vindication for loving this genre. Thanks, Chris!
"There are only so many times you can listen to “Hotel California” and “R.O.C.K. in the USA” without wondering if there is something else out there."
Are you sure about that?
Seriously though, I think of Classic Rock as being the genre I know the best, but out of that list of the top songs there were only a few I really, really like. Most were just what I would classify as good, not great. There's at least one I can't stand, and a couple I don't think I know. (Odds are I would recognize them if I listened to them.) And then there's Stairway to Heaven.
Every year when I was in high school ('85-'89), there would be a group of kids who would strongly lobby for Stairway to Heaven to be the theme song for the senior prom. It never was, because the kids who were lobbying for it were not the kind of students who would actually get organized and be responsible for planning the senior prom. Or anything, really. And that's locked in as my mental association with Stairway to Heaven: it's the stoner's song. (Which is not to say it's a bad song. I like it, but it's not #1 in my rating.)
Finally, if you think Rock music mythologizes itself the most, I can tell you haven't listened to much Country music.
Hi Chris. This is superb and I have opinions! As always, evaluating music is almost completely subjective. In decreasing order of positivity:
1. I've thought for many years that "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is one of the best songs from the 1980s. It belongs among the greatest rock songs.
2. It's not surprising that "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad" dropped off the list. The studio version with Duane Allman has a manic quality to it, too fast. But the live version from the album In Concert by Derek and the Dominos (recorded in October 1970) is amazing, and I'm not alone in that assessment. This version is approximately 9:30 in length. The quartet generates so much heat — it is arguably Clapton's greatest moment.
3. I hope I'm not hurting feelings here, but the fact that "Kashmir" is rated in the top ten of classic rock songs is mystifying to me. There must be forty songs by Led Zeppelin I enjoy more.
Thanks! I have your book on order.
Two things: your book arrived from the publisher today. The other is, do you subscribe to Sean Ross’ newsletter “Ross on Radio”? (Non-Substack.) He’s been following Kansas City’s KCMO, a classic hits station pulling down an enormous (15.plus) share, without leaving the 1980s. You’ll find it interesting, I think.
Fascinating read. As someone who primarily listens to music from the 20th century, the idea of “classic rock” is so convoluted but it’s always my #1 genre of music on Spotify. I don’t mind grouping 90s music into classic rock, but 2000s is a stretch due to the explosion of emo rock.