THE 200  MOST ESSENTIAL AMERICAN ROCK SONGS: #120-111. 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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*120

VOODOO CHILE

Jimi Hendrix

In 1968, Jimi Hendrix and his group proved that there was more to their musical vision than just the legendary axeman with the 'Electric Ladyland' album. "Voodoo Chile" was one of the key tracks on that watershed LP.

*119

MRS. ROBINSON

Simon & Garfunkel

'The Graduate' is still revered as one of the films that defined 1968. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reshaped a leftover song idea into a pop classic. "Mrs. Robinson" reached #1 in the U.S.A.

 

*118

ME AND BOBBY McGEE

Janis Joplin

"Me And Bobby McGee" became a posthumous #1 hit for Janis Joplin in 1971. Lifted off her classic 'Pearl' LP, the vocalist blended blues, country and rock.

*117

HOT STUFF

Donna Summer

Donna Summer never liked restricting herself to just disco. For "Hot Stuff", rock was injected into the dance beat. The result was a #1 hit in 1979 and a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. 

*116

JEREMY

Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam began constructing its own version of grunge with 'Ten' in 1991. "Jeremy" was a disturbing song that helped the band break through to the mainstream.

 

*115

PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG

James Brown

With "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", James Brown revolutionized rhythm. In 1965, the Grammy winning disc topped the Soul Chart and made the Pop Top 10.

*114

ROCK'N ME

Steve Miller Band

Written and produced by Steve Miller, "Rock'n Me" spent time at #1 during 1976. The track gives a shout-out to various American locations including Phoenix, Philadelphia and Atlanta.

*113

MR. TAMBOURINE MAN

The Byrds

The Byrds raised Bob Dylan's profile with a remake of the folk singer's "Mr. Tambourine Man". In 1965, the single shot to the chart summit in America. Its success kick-started the mid-Sixties folk rock revival.

 

*112

RIKKI DON'T LOSE THAT NUMBER

Steely Dan

Steely Dan created some of the finest album rock of the 1970s. "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" was a 1974 hit single from the group's 'Pretzel Logic' album.

 

*111

HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS

Bob Seger

Bob Seger penned "Hollywood Nights", a hit disc from his 'Stranger In Town' album. He co-produced the track with Punch Andrews. It exemplifies the West Coast rock tradition. 

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