THE 200  MOST ESSENTIAL AMERICAN ROCK SONGS: #50-41. 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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*50

I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

Marvin Gaye

The smooth cool of Marvin Gaye's reading of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" buried previous efforts by The Miracles and Gladys Knight & The Pips. Issued in 1968, the remake reached #1 and became Motown's best selling single to date.

*49

NUTBUSH CITY LIMITS

Ike & Tina Turner

Produced by Ike Turner, wife Tina belted out a tribute to her hometown on "Nutbush City Limits". In 1973, this song made her one of the perennial female rockers. Her mighty vocal delivery injects the power of soul and the blues.

*48

BLITZKRIEG BOP

Ramones

Debut single "Blitzkrieg Bop" announced the arrival of The Ramones in 1976. The band heralded a musical revolution with its brand of American punk rock.

*47

KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan starred in a 1973 western entitled 'Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid'. The anthem "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" was included on its soundtrack, further cementing his revered place among American songwriters.

*46

LIGHT MY FIRE

The Doors

The Doors had us under their spell as soon as the first chords of "Light My Fire" hit our eardrums. This, the group's second single, was the first to crack the Top 40, ultimately reaching #1 in 1967. Ray Manzarek's keyboard work enchanted listeners. Lead vocalist Jim Morrison seductively sealed the deal.

*45

RUNNING ON EMPTY

Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne wrote and produced the title track from his 1977 live album. The single peaked at #11.

 

*44

DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'

Journey

A small town girl, a city boy and a midnight train: the ingredients of an American rock radio staple. The never say die attitude of the lyrics brings it all home. Journey unleashed this pop nugget in 1981. It made the US Top 10.

*43

BE - BOP - A - LULA

Gene Vincent

Rock pioneer Gene Vincent scored an early rock 'n roll classic with "Be-Bop-A-Lula" in 1956. The single became a Top 10 smash. Vincent recorded the rockabilly track with his backing band The Blue Caps.

*42

HOLD THE LINE

Toto

Toto released its self-titled debut album in 1978. "Hold The Line" became the band's first hit single, peaking in the Top 5. The track was penned by David Paich and produced by the group members. 

*41

I WON'T BACK DOWN

Tom Petty

The defiant track was written by Tom Petty with ELO's Jeff Lynne for the former's 1989 album  'Full Moon Fever'.

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