THE 200  MOST ESSENTIAL AMERICAN ROCK SONGS: #180-171. Continues tomorrow.

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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*180

TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN

Steve Miller Band

Steve Miller wrote and produced "Take The Money And Run" for the group that bears his name. In 1976, the single reached #11 in America.

*179

YOU'RE SO VAIN

Carly Simon

Carly Simon penned "You're So Vain", a 1972 single that eventually topped the US chart. It remains a defining moment for American female singer/ songwriters.

*178

SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Billy Joel

Few singer/ songwriters can frequently tap into the American experience. Among the exceptions are Billy Joel, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and The Eagles' Don Henley and Glenn Frey. On "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant", Joel sets the scene in an Italian eatery before unravelling the tale of a couple named Brenda and Eddie. The suite was included on his 1977 classic album 'The Stranger'.

*177

DOWN ON THE CORNER

Creedence Clearwater Revival

John Fogerty had a knack of taking swamp rock and crafting a distinct mainstream rock style for Creedence Clearwater Revival. "Down On The Corner" reached #3 in America in 1969. 

*176

I WANT YOU BACK

The Jackson 5

Motown launched the dynamic Jackson 5 in 1969 with the irresistible "I Want You Back". It soared to the top.

*175

THE WANDERER

Dion

In 1961, Dion climbed to the runner-up position with his catchy hit single "The Wanderer".

*174

(SITTIN' ON) THE DOCK OF THE BAY

Otis Redding

Having already established his R&B credentials, Otis Redding was poised to cross over to a wider mainstream audience when a plane crash ended his life. Following the tragedy, he finally achieved a #1 single on the US Pop chart.

*173

EVERYBODY HURTS

R.E.M.

Lifted off the brilliant 1992 album 'Automatic For The People', R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" struck a chard all over the globe.

*172

GREEN ONIONS

Booker T & The MGs

The house band at Stax/ Volt was a rarity: consisting of African-Americans and white musicians. "Green Onions" was issued in 1962. In America, the instrumental peaked at #3 Pop and topped the Soul Chart.

*171

DANCING IN THE DARK

Bruce Springsteen

Proving even The Boss can get down and party, "Dancing In The Dark" is Bruce Springsteen's most upbeat track. The disc grooved its way to #2 Stateside.

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