THE 200  MOST ESSENTIAL AMERICAN ROCK SONGS: #20-11. Concludes next weekend. A new countdown begins 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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*20

BECAUSE THE NIGHT

Patti Smith Group

An unfinished song written by Bruce Springsteen was presented to Patti Smith, who completed the composition that evolved into "Because The Night" as recorded by the "Godmother of Punk" herself for the 1978 album 'Easter'.

 

*19

WAKE UP LITTLE SUSIE

The Everly Brothers

Don and Phil Everly harmonized over catchy guitar work on "Wake Up Little Susie" in 1957. The disc topped the Pop, Soul and Country charts.

*18

SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT

Nirvana

One of the defining watershed tracks of the modern rock era, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" catapulted Nirvana into the mainstream. The grunge anthem was unleashed in 1991 and included on the influential band's 'Nevermind' album.

*17

AIN'T THAT A SHAME

Fats Domino

Fats Domino's role in bridging the once disparate worlds of R&B and rock 'n' roll cannot be overstated. His contribution was essential. "Ain't That A Shame" was one of his many crossover tracks, coming out in 1955. Although his original version made the Pop Top 10 (and #1 Soul), a watered-down tame remake by Pat Boone became the #1 hit in the same year. 

*16

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'

Bob Dylan

The title track from Bob Dylan's 1964 album 'The Times They Are A-Changin'' remains an inspiring folk record. It is filled with optimism, something that cannot be said about many of his compositions. Set against the upheaval of the 1960s, it captured a time and mood.

*15

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE

Jerry Lee Lewis

When "Great Balls Of Fire" was released in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis was poised to rival Elvis Presley. Controversy interrupted his trajectory. The song still captures the thrill and excitement of rock's seminal recordings.

 

*14

HOTEL CALIFORNIA

Eagles

The seed for the 1977 #1 single "Hotel California" came from Eagles guitarist Don Felder. His bandmates Don Henley and Glenn Frey completed the epic track. It remains one of the quintessential American soft rock recordings.

 

*13

TUTTI FRUTTI

Little Richard

Its original lyrics, alluding to anal sex, were too explicit for 1955 sensibilities. Little Richard made adjustments and crafted one of the finest early rock tracks. "Tutti Frutti" opens with the primal cry "a-wop-bop-a-loo-mop-a-lop-boom-boom". The song's raw energy remains relentless for the duration.

 

*12

JAILHOUSE ROCK

Elvis Presley

In rock 'n' roll's early years, the genre proved it was an easy fit with the big screen. Elvis Presley was one of the first rockers to star in a series of film vehicles. In 1957, the title song from the motion picture 'Jailhouse Rock' topped the Pop, Country & Western and Soul charts.

 

*11

PROUD MARY

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Somehow, John Fogerty managed to craft a song that sounded like it had existed for decades before it was issued as a new track by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969."Proud Mary" brings together elements of Americana with swamp rock, blues, gospel, R&B and country.

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

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