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.
**********************************************
*190
WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW
The Shirelles
New York City's Brill Building was an epicentre of pop songcraft. Among its staffers was the romantically involved couple Gerry Goffin and Carole King. They penned "Will You Love Me Tomorrow". In 1960, its chart-topping success kick-started the girl group era.
*189
IN DREAMS
Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison used imagery and a clever twist on many of his songs. Dreams were a recurring theme too. As his 1963 single "In Dreams" unravels, we discover that the idyllic relationship he is singing about exists only in his imagination.
*188
RUNAROUND SUE
Dion
Dion adapted the doo wop style of rhythm and blues for a wider mainstream audience. The 1961 disc "Runaround Sue" climbed all the way to #1 in America.
*187
NOVEMBER RAIN
Guns N' Roses
Axl Rose's epic "November Rain" was unleashed by his group Guns N' Roses in 1992. Along with a #3 peak on the US chart, the track made the Top 10 in many other countries.
*186
DUST IN THE WIND
Kansas
The 1978 hit single "Dust In The Wind" had an indisputable influence on the sound of American rock while drawing from groups such as prog rock.
*185
SAY GOODBYE TO HOLLYWOOD
Billy Joel
Billy Joel had decamped for the West Coast after his debut album flopped. His career hadn't progressed far enough in California, so the singer/ songwriter headed back East to NYC. "Say Goodbye To Hollywood" captures his mood at the time. It was included on the 1976 LP 'Turnstiles'. The homecoming paid off. Joel would be inspired enough to record his best selling albums.
*184
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN'
Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra declared an empowering message on the international #1 smash "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'". In 1965, her 'take no shit' attitude struck a chord without losing any of her sassy appeal.
*183
PARADISE BY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT
Meat Loaf
Overblown and bombastic, 'Bat Out Of Hell' remains a one of a kind classic album release. "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" finds Meat Loaf centre stage, adorned with sound effects and a thrilling guest vocal from Ellen Foley.
*182
LIVING IN AMERICA
James Brown
Always larger than life, James Brown stakes his ground on "Living In America", a song included on the 'Rocky IV' film soundtrack. It peaked at #4 in 1986.
*181
ROCK 'N' ROLL HIGH SCHOOL
The Ramones
Simple and straight to the point, "Rock 'N' Roll High School" exposed a pop audience to the American punk group The Ramones in 1979.
Check
out the playlist on spotify with new songs added for each update of the
countdown.
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