One best rock song of all time, and why.

Subject: Folklore: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: GUEST,brucie
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 06:11 PM

What's the best rock song of all time? But then people name lots and don't often say why. So, how about we each give one and the reason(s) we think so? Name the artist and song title. Name the writer, too. What do you think?

Subject: RE: Folklore: One best rock song of all time, and
From: Blackcatter
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 06:13 PM

That this is a Blues and Folk forum. And that using the header "Folklore" is incorrect.

That being said, define "rock."

Subject: RE: Folklore: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Peace
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 06:40 PM

Pardon me. I stand corrected. Consider it withdrawn.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: annamill
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 08:01 PM

Still, "YOU SHOOK ME" by Led Zeppelin. Whooo Bobby!

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Amos
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 08:18 PM

Now brucie -- don't let a bid of ill-temper dismay you.

I would suggest "ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER", myself, but I can't say why in a few words. There are so many branches and so many classics...


A

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Willie-O
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 08:24 PM

BORN TO RUN. Springsteen. Just because. Gut feeling.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Peace
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 08:40 PM

GO YOUR OWN WAY--Fleetwood Mac. Love it where the drummer comes in. Guitar stuff is great. (Was that from Buckingham Nicks?) Sorry, memory isn't what it used to be (and it never was). Amos, wasn't dismayed. Thought I'd broken a major protocol. Wasn't intentional.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 08:49 PM

REVOLUTION, RADAR LOVE, all along the watchtower and the led zep one mentioned above, BROWN EYED GIRL (is that rock?)

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Cluin
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 08:52 PM

Best rock song I know: Wendell Ferguson's "Rocks & Trees".

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Cluin
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 08:54 PM

Sorry. should more properly be here.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:08 PM

once more...my personal objection to the topic and plea to not FOCUS a thread on rock. Mentioning some performer or song in a relevant context is one thing, but using this as a "rock" forum, just because there are eclectic people here, is not only distracting, but because the folk community is so totally outnumbered by rock fans, it has the potential to dilute the nature of of the whole thing.

It has been a LONG time since I got on my soapbox about this, but this is a particularly obvious departure from the stated purpose of Mudcat.

(no, I have no power, and Max is pretty tolerant...the only way we can deal with this issue is by gentleman's agreement to keep to the topic(s)

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Peace
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:11 PM

Sssooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyy.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:18 PM

a simple "ok, I see your point" would be enough...*grin*

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:24 PM

Poor Brucie. He has finally ventured out to start his FIRST thread after wading through everything from methane to George Bush and what happens? My fear is that this is actually Cousin Bruce Morrow visiting us from the great beyond to see if "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK" has finally been accepted into the realm of the folk tradition.
That by the way is my choice because it represents rock in its purest form at its worst and at its best as did Jerry Lee Lewis.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Cluin
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:32 PM

At least it's music-related, Bill D.

And, like I heard in a beer commercial years ago, "Rock & Roll is actually folk music, `cause it's for folks!"

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:43 PM

...and like the "..ain't never heard a horse sing one" it is a silly, flawed example.

SINSULL, ma'm..."Rock Around the Clock" is categorically, officially, logically, and ETERNALLY excluded from "folk tradition"! Who says so? I do...just ask me! ;>))

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Peace
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 09:52 PM

If I could find some sackcloth and a few ashes right about now . . . .

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 10:04 PM

a hair shirt and 77 "mea culpas" will do JUST fine, Brucie..*grin* ..we ain't heathens here..

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Amos
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 10:42 PM

And if that ain't enough we could try great balls of fire. A true representative of the genre in several dimensions! :>))

A

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Metchosin
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 11:15 PM

MY GENERATION by the Who. It was the first rock and roll song to quintessentially express youth angst and frustration and reject adult values and adult judgements. It was not a sock hop song. (Hope I die before I get old.) Get out your Ricks and start windmilling. Rock 'n roll is folk music and like any folk music, has its fair share of wingeing and self-indulgent crap. I don't care that Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore, I'm more interested in the shipwreck that precipitated his need to do so.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: annamill
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 11:20 PM

Heavy...Man..

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Metchosin
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 11:22 PM

whew! it took me 4 years to come out of the closet on Mudcat........now I'll have to tell my mother I'm not a virgin.....

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Blackcatter
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 01:10 AM

Hello all,

Please note that I didn't say this thread shouldn't be here.

Brucie asked what I think, and I told him. I tend to agree with Bill. Now that the BS threads are at the bottom, I don't have to sift through them to find what I'm looking for. If we get a spate of these types to threads that are clearly music (but in my mind still BS) then ,once again, those of us who primarily come here for folk music, have to waste more time finding it. I spend too much time doing work on the internet. There's a few places I go for either enjoyment or education. Mudcat is both for me.

That being said, what about my original question - what exactly is rock? Is rock only professional? Is rock only electric? Does rock have only certain beats?

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Peace
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 01:31 AM

My posting of this thread under folk was a stupid mistake. It should be under BS, and I'm very sorry it isn't. I had no sooner pushed the button when the thought struck me. It's a good thing I don't control any nuclear triggers. I do apologize to those who object; you are right to do so. That said, rock has as many definitions as folk, so I do hope you get a definitive answer to your question. To me, it is folk with electric stuff, and drums, etc. But we see where that goes. Brubeck's "Take Five" was rock to me. Styx wasn't. Cooder is rock, but some will choose to call his stuff Tex/Mex or blues. Good by me. Can't answer you, Blackcatter. I thought The Ventures were rock, but I didn't think Duane Eddy was. Chubby Checker was, but Elvis--other than his cover of Perkins' stuff (and a few others) wasn't. Beats me!

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Blackcatter
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 01:43 AM

Thanks brucie, no need for a mea culpa. You would have gotten statements if you put it under BS as to why you expected people to discuss music there.

As to answer the original question - I haven't a clue what's the best rock song. I doubt I could seriously narrow it down to 100 options. And once again, I don't know what rock is supposed to be. I've been recently deciding the generes of my MP3s to make them easier to work with when playing DJ at the local dance. I have about 30+ genres, including patently stupid ones such as Latin, Indian (asia, not American Indian), & JPop (which is pop music from Japan).

Also what the hell is "alternative?" It used to be music that almost no radio station would play. Now there are dozens of stations that proudly play nothing but alternative. And the classic rock stations decry the fact that no one is contiuning to play rock like the Stones, Eagles, etc. Totally ignoring that there are groups like the ataris and Jimmy Eat World who are, in many respects, just basic rock bands.

Soca is another genre that is confusing. "So" - soul & "ca" - calypso, yet the songs can include latin, reggae, funk, technodance, hip-hop and more.

And people wonder why I love Irish (oh, sorry, Celtic).

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: alanabit
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 02:31 AM

A great rock song, which is one of the type which could be with us for some time is Springsteen's, "DOWNBOUND TRAIN".
    I had a girl, I had a job, I had something going mister in this world
    I got laid off, our love went bad, times went hard
    Now I work down at the car wash where all it ever does is rain
    And I feel like a rider on a downbound train...
To me, that is Woody Guthrie in spirit and is one of the best of a genre which documents our age. A lot of rock songs don't say much, but there are plenty of good writers who may well be adding something which will last. I think "Downbound Train" is a good example. It is folk in spirit if not in sound.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: GUEST,Guest, Kathy
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 03:34 AM

Once I'd got through my rock music phase and expanded into folk I was surprised to find that some of my favorite rock songs have folk origins.

I'm thinking of Led Zepp's version of "Hangman". [GALLOWS POLE]

Can't think of one specific favorite tho', it depends what sort of mood I'm in

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 08:48 AM

Wow, a whole lotta Zeppelin goin' on!

I gotta say "SINCE I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU " from the third Led Zeppelin album (and other releases). Because: each time they played it it was different, the guitar (folk instrument) solo is killer, the theme (labour and love lost) is timeless (folk), the style is minor blues, it easily shows its roots to a time before rock and doesn't require electricity to be played, and best of all, because I said so.

I first heard this song when it was first released and has been my favourite rock song ever since. What's that, 30 years? I heard Plant/Page play it a few years ago at the SkyDome in Toronto, not the best room for sure, and just when many of the guitar players in the audience were likely thinking that Page had lost his chops they played "Since I've Been Loving You". It shook me. Geez he was good!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: SueB
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 10:11 AM

Everybody all together now:

Get your motor running
Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
And whatever comes my way
BORN TO BE WILD....

Okay, so maybe it's not the best, but people karaoke to
it all over the world - wait, is that a good thing or a bad thing!

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Sam L
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 10:48 AM

Seems to me that although rock fans may outnumber folkies, I'd still expect more interesting answers about rock songs from folkies. It would also be interesting to ask a classical crowd, a jazz crowd--probably the least interesting group to ask would be rock fans. For my money, anyway.

The question asks best rock song, and why, which isn't too confusing really. But it's hard--I'm thinking maybe Peggy Sue, because it directly exemplifies the bottled energy thing at the heart of rock, and Buddy Holly projects the self-conscious and vaguely confused psychology I chose to associate with it. He's not exactly ironic, but seems uncertain whether to laugh at himself for his own strongly felt emotions--he had a mature sort of immaturity. Maybe the Everly Brothers--but I can't pick the song.

   Also the Velvet Underground's Sweet Jane, for similar rumbly reasons, the energy and psychology. David Bowie's Young Americans. Jethro Tull's Sweet Dream--but Ian Anderson was always a little too much of a grown-up to expose the mixed-up emotions I'm looking for. Elvis--the song didn't always matter so much, he'd make a nothing song into something. Led Zepplin is hard to pick a song--like Picasso it's more just their whole approach and the whole pile of their stuff. Bob Dylan has good rock tunes, but not the kind of first-person identification with a brave-faced but-vulnerable song that I suppose would be quality I'm looking for. Rock is for young hard-felt emotions, for Romeo and Juliet, and their punky friends. The Beatles Don't Let Me Down has a lot going for it, but is a little too relaxed on the surface. Same with the Everly Brother's Til I Kissed Ya.

    Lots of people do good boisterous rock tunes, and I like those public-spirited community servive announcements--Let's all Dance like Crazy things--but why pick one over another? Who cares who wrote one? I suppose I'm thinking the great ones got a little more interesting, first-personal in feeling, if not necesarily exactly first-person. I think the great tunes are the ones where the public thumpiness got invested with a little wary or anxious undertow, a heightened drama. After that, lots of interesting things developed, but in other directions, away from rock, into rock-pop, other rockified things. I guess that's what I think.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: radriano
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 10:57 AM

Selecting the "all-time best" of any category is an excercise in futility.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: mike the knife
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 12:08 PM

Second on Born To Run by Springsteen- Covers all of the bases lyrically, is musically interesting, and just *feels* right. If you've ever seen him perform it live, you'll know what I mean.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 12:20 PM

I have had a very nice PM exchange with Brucie, and appreciate his agreement that rock is NOT appropriate for major threads in a folk forum.

as to statements like Metchosin's... "Rock 'n roll is folk music and like any folk music, has its ...."    ummm...then what do we need two different words for? Why not just put ALL music in one big pile?

If 'folk' is to have a meaning, it needs to not mean anything one chooses. I understand that the 'edges' of any definitions get fuzzy, but we need some way to describe old, acoustic, often anonymous, non-commercial, etc., music with tune styles and subject matter that is 'different'
that what rock and most singer/songwriters employ. "Folk" has been co-opted and diluted until, by meaning almost anything, it means nothing. "Traditional" is well down the same path...."why, Dylan and Elvis shore ARE 'trad' now..." I'm sure Dylan and Elvis would be amused to discover they are lumped together in some peoples minds..*grin*

look in the DigiTrad database..'most' stuff there tends toward that long attempt at a definition in red (it should be even longer)...I ask those who want to include rock & roll under 'folk'...what would you have me call the stuff noted in red?

duly submitted this 6th day of November, 2003, by the Mudcat semi-official curmudgeon and purist snob (who will push the soapbox back under the bed now, as standing up here makes me entirely too good a target!)

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Sam L
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 01:16 PM

I don't see why you have to consider rock to be folk to grant folkies permission to have opinions about it, just for futile fun.

Sure it's futile. So what? So is Everything.

I saw a film about bluegrass once which quoted an anonymous old-timer on the subject of Elvis. "I don't like to say it, but to me his doings were foolish". Wish he was here.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Amergin
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 01:26 PM

beat on the brat by the ramones...

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: PoppaGator
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 01:26 PM

Purism arguments aside --

"Like A Rolling Stone," hands down, for:
- Defining "rock," as opposed to "rock 'n' roll."
- Being such a joy to sing, and to sing-along with (as an "anthem") -- although "Brown Eyed Girl" might be even better by this criterion.
- Bonus points for connection to "folk music" as a Dylan song.

My honorable mentions:

"Louie Louie," which defines a tradition of its own, garage-rock, which has become a kinda sorta latter-day folk form of its own, for those who are willing to see it that way.

Anything sung by Little Richard (that's "r&r," i.e., pre-"rock.").

Everything sung and played by Henry Roeland Byrd, aka Professor Longhair (just a personal note -- don't expect anyone else to agree).

"Watchtower," indeed, which wasn't a rock tune until covered by Jimi. As reinterpreted -- but not necessarily in the orignal "John Wesley Harding" form -- this one might be even better than my nomination for "best."

"Born to..." or "Born in..." -- several great alternatives, cited above (Springsteen, Steppenwolf, probably a few more...)

I have spoken! ;^)

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Peace
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 02:10 PM

But are we "talkin' 'bout the pompitous of love"?

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 02:22 PM

Well seein' as Bill D has retired the soapbox, my favorite is Humble Pie's version of the Beatles "I am the Walrus". It is craftally arranged, has emotion, drive, and even a nicely woven chorus of "colored girls". And, boy, does it absolutley kick. A must hear for anyone who considers themself to be in the know about late 60's to early 70's rock music.

Bobert

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Sam L
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 03:17 PM

As I understand it, the "pompitous of love" was a corruption of the "puppetudes of love" from a spoken part in The Duke of Earl.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: DaveA
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 04:43 PM

Thanks for reminding me of an old favourite Fred.
Let me put in a plug for "The Duke of Earl", despite it's corruption in Australia as the theme for a shampoo commercial.
And more mainstream, Claptons "Layla", if only for the 5 minute intrumental break - I am never sure which is better, Claptons high guitar or that marvellous pounding piano that sets it all up.
As an interrogative, where does Mr Tambourine Man fit in - rock or folk???
Cheers all,
Dave

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 04:51 PM

" As an interrogative, where does Mr Tambourine Man fit in - rock or folk???"

neither- Pop, with vaguely folkish roots.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 05:44 PM

I love folk music. But I also love rock music. Just as it would be difficult for me to pick one best folk song, it's difficult to pick one best rock song. There are so many artists I like, and so many good songs... what I consider "best" depends on my mood at the moment.

But here are some of my favorites:

Baba O'Riley, the Who. Great guitar riff.

Rebels, Tom Petty. Hey hey hey, I was born a rebel.

Copperhead Road, Steve Earle. Could be considered a folk song. A very well-written piece of music.

Almost everything the Beatles ever did. Sorry, can't pick one here. Too many faves.

Domino, Van Morrison. Some might call it blues. It could go either way. Great horns on this tune.

Beast of Burden, Rolling Stones. Great rock ballad.

Pride & Joy, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Blues, really. Great dirty guitar sound. That was what I loved about Stevie.

Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen. Great kitschy arrangement. Queen had some of the best vocal arrangements of any band in the 70s.

I could go on, but I'd be here forever...

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Sam L
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 06:32 PM

I'm not sure what it has to do with folk music, and maybe it's not a literal connection, but I discovered today that the only way I can really enjoy a ballet is by shouting BALLET!!! at every leap or dramatic gesture. Just try it. Ballet!!! It feels pretty good. My daughter is watching Ballanchine's famous Nutbreaker, which I've sat through many times, but now for the first time I'm really loving it.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Alba
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 06:56 PM

I have quite a few,
Jerry lee Lewis       Boppin at the High School Hop!
Norman Greenbaum's    Spirit in the Sky
Jimi Hendrix          Hey Joe
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band    Next!
Steve Ray Vaughan      Pride and Joy (right there with you on that one Kim)
The Doors             LA Woman
Traffic                Hole in my shoe
Led Zepplin            Immigrant song


      
Sorry about the list these have always ranked as my Fav's along with a few hundred more:>)
Some Music may be BS depending on your taste but it is still Music so I think the threads fine where it is...:>)
JD

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: GUEST,Higgo
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 07:02 PM

Absolutely no contest on this one.
(Well, definately the most powerful "rock ballad" anyway)

The Smashing Pumpkins - Mayonnaise

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Peace
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 07:26 PM

Fred: Didn't know that connection--pompitous/puppetudes. Thank you. I have to put in a bid for "Crawlin' from the Wreckage" by Dave Edmunds. But, ya gotta play it at max volume, full bass, extra reverb and lots of everything else you have on the machine. And because this is the first time you are enjoying it, it will no longer be a nut breaker. (I saw the typo, and where's Freud when ya really need him?)

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Cluin
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 09:30 PM

Jethro Tull's Locomotive Breath
.... just `cause it's so damn good.

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: Amergin
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 09:35 PM

holiday in cambodia-dead kennedys....

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 12:19 PM

I can't believe I left this one out:

Battleship Chains by the Georgia Satellites

Subject: RE: One best rock song of all time, and why.
From: GUEST,Whistle Stop
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 01:05 PM

I think purism is silly; I can't think of a single important musical development over the ages that grew out of purist thinking. And fretting about whether one should dare to discuss rock music in a folk forum where just about everything gets discussed at one time or another is equally silly.

I agree that the topic is too broad to come up with a single "best" song; it makes about as much sense as asking what is the best color, or the best food, or the best word. However, my nomination for the quintessential rock and roll song would be I Saw Her Standing There by the Beatles. It is all about youth ("Well she was just seventeen"), sex ("you know what I mean"), and fun, which are the essential elements of rock and roll. It has a lot of energy, is musically well crafted but completely unpretentious, and the recorded performance by the Beatles cannot be improved upon (I consider the performance to be an essential part of the song, particularly for rock and roll, the development of which is inextricably linked with performance in general, and recordings in particular). Forty years after it was recorded, in spite of massive airplay throughout that time span, it still makes me happy whenever I hear it.

There are many other rock songs out there that also could legitimately claim top honors (including a number that have already been mentioned on this thread), but that's my choice.