I'm sure it's happened to you before at some point or another. You hear a song and instantly, your mood changes. Now, I'll listen to just about any genre of music, from country and classical to rap and folk. Literally, anything. But I can honestly say that every time I listen to classic rock, and I'm talking about the good stuff, I get chills. Instantly. I'm not sure where I learned to love it so much. Growing up, my mom listened to whatever was on the radio along with some dance/club music. My dad listened to country, mostly, but dabbled with rock here and there. I really discovered it on my own, and right away, I was hooked.
There's something about the entire rock and roll era that fascinates me. The 60s and 70s, when rock first became popular, were culturally enshrined. It was a time of cultural, scientific, technological and social revolutions. Social taboos like racism and sexism relaxed. Music played a huge role in uniting people and it sometimes addressed problems at hand. The long-awaited emergence and the acceptance of rock and roll by the majority of Americans showed positive change and good times. Not only that, but classic rock musicians were truly talented. Most of them wrote their own songs and valued the quality of their music before anything else.
The artistry within classic rock songs, the guitar-driven sound as well as the poetry and meaning behind the lyrics, makes my blood run cold each time. Every sound and note from every instrument: guitar, drums, bass, etc., can be heard. Classic rock from the 60s and 70s has been the inspiration for movies and documentaries. Some of them include: Almost Famous, The Doors, Woodstock, Tommy, and The Wall. The fact that films were made shows the influence the music had and the foundation it left behind especially for rock bands today.
Maybe I'm just an old-soul because I'd prefer John Bonham, Jim Morrison, and Eric Clapton over Fetty, Rihanna, and Drake. Or maybe if you listen to a few of my favorite classic rock songs then you'll know why.
1. "Free Bird" - Lynryd Skynrd
2. "Simple Man" - Lynryd Skynrd
3. "Layla" - Derek And The Dominos
4. "Wonderful Tonight" - Eric Clapton
5. "Paradise City" - Guns N' Roses
6. "Welcome To The Jungle" - Guns N' Roses
7. "Whole Lotta Love" - Led Zeppelin
8. "Good Times Bad Time" - Led Zeppelin
9. "Over The Hills And Far Away" - Led Zeppelin
10. "Going To California" - Led Zeppelin
11. "Wish You Were Here" - Pink Floyd
12. "Comfortably Numb" - Pink Floyd
13. "Money" - Pink Floyd
14. "Stranglehold" - Ted Nugent
15. "L.A Woman" - The Doors
16. "People Are Strange" - The Doors
17. "The End" - The Doors
18. "Baba O'Riley" - The Who
19. "Melissa" - The Allman Brothers Band
20. "Purple Haze" - Jimi Hendrix
21. "Sultans Of Swing" - Dire Straits
22. "America" - Simon & Garfunkel
23. "Fever Dog" - Stillwater
24. "Simple Man" - Lynyrd Skynryd
25. "Captain Jack" - Billy Joel
26. "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" - Billy Joel
27. "Vienna" - Billy Joel
28. "Like A Rolling Stone" - Bob Dylan
