THE 200  MOST ESSENTIAL AMERICAN ROCK SONGS: #60-51. 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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*60

UP AROUND THE BEND

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Lifted off CCR's 'Cosmo's Factory' 1970 album, "Up Around The Bend" features the most memorable guitar riff in the group's catalogue.

 

*59

HIT THE ROAD JACK

Ray Charles

In 1961, "Hit The Road Jack" reached #1, further expanding Ray Charles' fan base. This single was a popular fusion of secular music and gospel's call and response. 

*58

SOMEBODY TO LOVE

Jefferson Airplane

Originally recorded by The Great Society under the title "Someone To Love", the re-branded "Somebody To Love" bloomed when covered by Jefferson Airplane. The Top 5 single was included on the group's 1967 album 'Surrealistic Pillow'.

 

*57

EIGHT MILES HIGH

The Byrds

The influential band The Byrds issued "Eight Miles High" in 1966. It was banned for perceived drug references but still managed to chart in America and internationally. The track remains a defining moment in psychedelic pop.

*56

COLD AS ICE

Foreigner

Foreigner's self-titled debut album hit stores in 1977 and spawned the Top 10 smash "Cold As Ice". The thrilling radio staple features Mick Jones' guitarwork and the powerful vocals of Lou Gramm.

 

*55

SWEET HOME ALABAMA

Lynyrd Skynyrd

In 1974, Lynyrd Skynyrd's 2nd album 'Second Helping' featured the anthem "Sweet Home Alabama". It is the archetypal version of Americana and southern rock.

*54

LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

Bon Jovi

Hair metal group Bon Jovi unleashed "Livin' On A Prayer" to the masses in 1986. The glam metal and pop/ rock track sped to #1 in the U.S.

*53

OHIO

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Protest songs were all the rage during the 1960s and rightly so. Nixon was in the White House, young lives were being lost in the Vietnam War and civil rights were being denied to African-Americans. "Ohio" was penned by Canadian Neil Young after the Kent State shooting of students. It was recorded by Young, British musician Graham Nash and American bandmates David Crosby and Stephen Stills. The former 3 members had begun as a trio in 1968. Young was added to the line-up in 1969. "Ohio" was released the following year.

 

*52

LIDO SHUFFLE

Boz Scaggs

'Silk Degrees' took studio musicianship to another level. Precision was key on the 1976 classic LP by Boz Scaggs. He was skilfully backed up by highly respected session musicians, many of which went on to form the rock group Toto. "Lido Shuffle" reached #11 in America and #13 in Britain.

 

*51

LYIN' EYES

Eagles

"Lyin' Eyes" boasted rich harmonies, country, soft rock and pop. The track was lifted as a single from the 1975 Eagles album 'One Of These Nights'. As well as peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100, the disc reached #8 Country and #3 Adult Contemporary.

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