THE 200  MOST ESSENTIAL AMERICAN ROCK SONGS: #160-151. 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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*160

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT

Eagles

Randy Meisner co-wrote "Take It To The Limit" with bandmates Don Henley and Glenn Frey. The song visits a familiar theme for the rock group, of a protagonist on his own. In 1975, the single reached #4 in America.

*159

I NEED A LOVER

Johnny Cougar

The breakthrough hit for John Mellencamp (then working under the moniker Johnny Cougar) was a rock track entitled "I Need A Lover". Initially issued in 1978, the song was covered by Pat Benatar 2 years later.

 

*158

HEART OF GLASS

Blondie

Blondie's Debbie Harry and Chris Stein imagined "Heart Of Glass" as a reggae song. Australian producer Mike Chapman transformed it instead into a fusion of disco and new wave. The disc shot to the top in 1979.

*157

AMERICAN IDIOT

Green Day

In 2004, Green Day declared war on attitudes in America during the George W. Bush presidency and the war in Iraq with the provocative single "American Idiot".

*156

DO IT AGAIN

Steely Dan

Steely Dan assembled the best session musicians to craft their material. "Do It Again" was one of the group's finest tracks. It was lifted off Steely Dan's 1972 debut album 'Can't Buy A Thrill'.

*155

BLACK BETTY

Ram Jam

When NYC group Ram Jam dropped its cover of "Black Betty", it sparked controversy. Nevertheless, it made the US Top 20 and the Top 10 in Britain, Australia and New Zealand in 1977.

*154

BRASS IN POCKET

The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde co-wrote "Brass In Pocket" with fellow Pretender James Honeyman-Scott. Her vocal is strong, sassy and confident. Although The Pretenders formed in London, Hynde was born in Akron, Ohio. She ultimately proved to be the pivotal member of the group.

*153

I'M WAITING FOR THE MAN

Velvet Underground

Lou Reed penned "I'm Waiting For the Man" which was included on the debut album by The Velvet Underground & Nico. It is a defining punk track from an American perspective.

*152

I GET AROUND

The Beach Boys

In 1964, The Beach Boys reached #1 for the first time with "I Get Around". It was produced and co-written by group member Brian Wilson. It is filled with references to the Californian teen's dream: girls and cars.

 

*151

LUST FOR LIFE

Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop's proto-punk release "Lust For Life" was written by the performer and David Bowie. The title track of the American musician's 1977 album gained more attention following its use in the 1996 film 'Transpotting'.

 

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