THE 200  MOST ESSENTIAL AMERICAN ROCK SONGS: #130-121. Continues next week.

Caffé Latté celebrates…

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL

AMERICAN

ROCK SONGS

Country, folk and rhythm and blues begat rock ‘n’ roll. This musical form is the spawn of traditional American genres. Here are 200 of the most iconic and defining rock tracks from the United States.

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*130

ENTER SANDMAN

Metallica

Metallica raised the bar for heavy metal when it incorporated a thrash/ speed metal element to its sound. "Enter Sandman" was unleashed in 1991.

 

*129

SHERRY

The Four Seasons

The Four Seasons' string of hits began with "Sherry". It reached #1 in 1962. The group's sound was the bridge from traditional doo wop to mainstream pop.

*128

FUN, FUN, FUN

The Beach Boys

"Fun, Fun, Fun" is a bright and upbeat single from the masters of American vocal harmonies, The Beach Boys. Issued in 1964, the song involves the popular themes of girls and cars.

 

*127

UNDER THE BRIDGE

Red Hot Chili Peppers

In 1992, The Red Hot Chili Peppers released "Under The Bridge". This track sounded like no previous track recorded by the group. Lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis drew from personal experience when writing the lyrics. The single peaked at #2 in America.

*126

MAGIC MAN

Heart

Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson wrote "Magic Man".  The former handled lead vocals while the latter performed rhythm guitar on this track lifted off the 'Dreamboat Annie' album. Heart released the song as a single in 1975.

*125

ROCK AND ROLL ALL NITE

Kiss

In 1975, Kiss began its invasion around the globe with a series of killer tracks, starting with "Rock And Roll All Nite". Written by members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, it was lifted off the album 'Dressed To Kill' and soon became the band's signature song.

*124

SURF CITY

Jan & Dean

Jan Berry and Dean Torrence recorded this surf anthem as a duo. The former co-wrote the track with Beach Boy Brian Wilson. "Surf City" topped the U.S. chart in 1963.

 

*123

CHERRY BOMB

The Runaways

Female rockers The Runaways put out the punk / pop classic "Cherry Bomb" in 1976. The line-up included Joan Jett and Lita Ford. 

*122

WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN' GOING ON

Jerry Lee Lewis

Released in 1957, rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis reached #3 Pop and topped both the  R&B and Country charts Stateside with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On".

*121

WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN

Creedence Clearwater Revival

CCR climbed to #2 in 1970 with "Who'll Stop The Rain". It was lifted off the group's 'Cosmo's Factory' album.

 

Check out the playlist on spotify with new songs added for each update of the countdown.