I have my problems with the modern music industry, but one of the largest problems is how little effort is put into the songs, despite the resources available. Modern songs sometimes have up to 10 writers on the lyrics, and they still come out repetitive and boring. Thus, I decided to make a list of my favorite rock songs that show the ingenuity and skill of musicians of days past.

1. "Bohemian Rhapsody" -- Queen.

This song is one of the greatest songs of all time-- not just one of the greatest rock songs, one of the greatest overall. It opens with a ballad-style intro, and the lamentation of the narrator, telling of how he "just killed a man," and his expression to his mother of his uncertainty of the future. Then it turns into an operatic style, with countering highs and lows, before finally closing with the typical heavy rock style. Keep in mind, only Freddie Mercury wrote the lyrics -- one man; all the lyrics.

2. "Stairway to Heaven" -- Led Zeppelin.

This is the quintessential rock song. Opening with a slow, yet incredibly well-known guitar solo, it then leads into the story of a lady who is trying to get to heaven, but finds that it isn't exactly what it seems to be. Then, it picks up the pace, yet keeps the small instrumentation, until finally growing to the finale. This was performed in 2012 at the Kennedy Center Honors by Ann Wilson of Heart, Jason Bonham, son of Zeppelin's late drummer John Bonham, and a full choir. The performance brought Page, Plant, and Jones to tears, and received a standing ovation. If you can get a standing ovation from Led Zeppelin playing their trademark song, you've reached the pinnacle of your musical career.

3. "Faithfully" -- Journey.

Journey is one of the greatest bands from the '80s, but choosing "Don't Stop Believin'" was too easy an option. Yes, it's a good song, but it's so cliche. Personally, "Faithfully" is my favorite Journey song. The power ballad tells of Jonathan Cain's love for whomever he may have been writing to. It is something that, I feel, is, musically, even better than "Don't Stop Believin'."

4. "Here I Go Again" -- Whitesnake.

Maybe I have something for power ballads, but they are such great songs when done correctly. And this is another example of one done correctly. Opening slow with minimal instrumentation, it suddenly rises at the chorus and stays there. It tells the story of one who is always destined to roam around, never finding a final rest. Plus, who doesn't want those cars from the music video?

5. "Baba O'Riley" -- The Who.

OK, before I continue, let's clear something up: The title of this song is, has been, and will always be "Baba O'Riley." I don't care if you think it's "Teenage Wasteland," you're wrong. Now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about this song. Lyrically, it is a satire of the general reaction to Woodstock and the generation of euphoria and drugs. Pete Townshend himself said it was about this, but often listeners think it is a serious view on this, and that it is promoting this lifestyle.

6. "Come Sail Away" -- Styx.

Now, it may be because I learned piano as my first instrument, but I have always enjoyed the intro to this song. It is clear, recognizable, and almost soothing. After telling of the adventures at sea, it turns into a more heavy rock feel, and tells about "angels," which, despite how seemingly convincing of an argument was given during high school, actually are aliens. Cause you know, it's the '80s.

7. "American Pie" -- Don McLean.

This is the longest song to ever top the Billboard Top 100 chart. It is in essence a social commentary on the '60s. McLean is lamenting how, especially after the death of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper, music and culture started to decline to a point where it just wasn't what it used to be. Drugs and Woodstock took over, and everything started getting out of control.

8. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" -- Simon and Garfunkel.

OK, so maybe I like this song more because it's name is essentially a translation of my last name from the Swiss-German origin. (Brücke -- Bridge, Bach -- River; Brücke-Bach, to Brubaker, to Bridge over River) Anyway, it is very minimal in its composition, with essentially just a piano part behind the vocals. Yet, it is such an emotional song, possibly due to this. The lyrics tell of how the singer will always be there, no matter what. With the piano following the part, it just creates a feeling that is soothing, and touching.

9. "Let It Be" -- The Beatles.

So I couldn't make this list without adding a Beatles song to it. It was a really tough decision as to which to pick, but I went with "Let It Be." Again, probably because I played piano, but I really enjoyed the simple piano basis for this song. Plus, the lyrics are another good inspirational message.

10. "Highway To Hell" -- AC/DC.

To continue off what I said about Journey and "Don't Stop Believin'," "Back in Black," in my opinion, is the most overplayed rock song of all time. It has been beaten to death and beyond. Personally, I like "Highway to Hell" better, because of how true the lyrics hold for the time of rock. It is the track that most rock bands were taking, so I felt this worked so well for the time period.

11. "Layla" -- Derek & The Dominos/Eric Clapton.

And finally, the guitar song of guitar songs. So Eric Clapton is the singer, and did remake it in his solo career, but he originally co-wrote and performed it with Derek & The Dominos, so I'll include both artists. Either way, it opens with a fast, minor key guitar solo with lyrics overtop, but it has two main countering guitar parts. Then, about halfway through, it changes keys to a major one, adds a piano, but continues to have the countering melodies. No lyrics, just a three-and-a-half minute guitar/piano solo.