Here are 50 songs, in alphabetical order, that warrant turning your stereo up to 11.

1. "25 or 6 to 4" – Chicago

A '70s megahit, I love its jam session style, and it features brilliant guitar and horn work.

2. "Africa" – Toto

It's basically impossible to have a negative reaction to this song.

3. "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" - McFadden & Whitehead

I'm not much for disco music, but this one grooves, and the bass line is incredible!

4. "All Along the Watchtower" – Jimi Hendrix

Originally a great song by Bob Dylan; Hendrix took it into the stratosphere. The guitar solo is perfection.

5. "All Star" – Smash Mouth

"SOMEBODY ONCE TOLD ME..." you know the rest. I have a love/hate relationship with it.

6. "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2" – Pink Floyd

"We don't need no education..." Blast it after a bad day of class.

7. "The Anthem" – Good Charlotte

A fitting title.

8. "Basket Case" – Green Day

Might be the definitive punk rock track of the 90's. It features a stand-out performance by drummer Trè Cool."

9. "B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe" – Kendrick Lamar

One of the newest songs on this list. The title speaks for itself.

10. "Blitzkrieg Bop" – Ramones

A punk classic.

11. "Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen

If you don't all of the lyrics to this song, I might think a little less of you.

12. "Break On Through (To The Other Side)" - The Doors

The opening track of their first album; what a legendary introduction.

13. "Bulls on Parade" – Rage Against The Machine

A rap metal classic featuring creative and unforgettable guitar work from Tom Morello.

14. "Burnin' For You" – Blue Öyster Cult

One of the best guitar songs of the early '70s.

15. "Burning Down The House" – Talking Heads

A must-listen for college students

16. "Crossroads" – Cream

"I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees,

Asked the Lord above 'have mercy, now save poor Bob, if you please... '"

Eric Clapton & co. revitalized and transformed this song originally by Robert Johnson.

17. "Crosstown Traffic" – Jimi Hendrix

I love the tempo of this one.

"Ninety miles an hour, girl, is the speed I drive."

18. "Detroit Rock City" – Kiss

The guitar riffs of this song never get old!

19. "Do You Realize??" - The Flaming Lips

Lovely alternative rock song.

20. "Fortunate Son" – Creedence Clearwater Revival

An anti-war, swamp rock anthem.

21. "Fox On The Run" – Sweet

Great glam rock song I discovered thanks to "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"

22. "Frankenstein" – The Edgar Winter Group

The definition of a RIFF.

23. "Free Fallin'" - Tom Petty

"AND I'M FREE... FREE FALLIN'..." Singing the chorus never gets old.

24. "Highway Star" – Deep Purple

A perfect driving song.

25. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - The Proclaimers

The chorus will undoubtedly get stuck in your head.

26. "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" - R.E.M.

A fitting song, really, given today's political situation.

27. "It's Tricky" – RUN-DMC

A staple of rap-rock.

28. "Jump Into the Fire" – Harry Nilsson

A severely underrated vocalist, I love his freewheeling vocal performance here.

29. "Layla" – Derek & The Dominos

All-time great guitar riff, especially the slide guitar work from Duane Allman.

30. "Learn to Fly" – Foo Fighters

It's full-throttle drumming never lets up.

31. "Let it Happen" – Tame Impala

Released in 2016, it's one of my favorite songs of the decade.

32. "Like a Rolling Stone" – Bob Dylan

Learning the lyrics to this monumental release is a MUST.

33. "London Calling" – The Clash

They're known as "The only band that matters" for a reason.

34. "Make a Change" - Durand Jones & The Indications

Probably the most obscure song on this list; I love its retro soul vibe.

35. "Mississippi Queen" - Mountain

I first discovered them years ago while playing "Guitar Hero III," an underrated band.

36. "Move On Up" – Curtis Mayfield

Clocking in at nearly 9 minutes long, it never gets old.

37. "Mr. Brightside" – The Killers

An anthem song.

38. "Numb" – Linkin Park

One of the definitive alternative rock songs of the 2000s.

39. "Out of Touch" – Hall & Oates

I remember this one from the video game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City."

40. "Radar Love" – Golden Earring

"I've been drivin' all night, my hand's wet on the wheel." PERFECT driving song.

41. "Reach Out I'll Be There" – The Four Tops

An amazing release from the legendary "Motown" record label.

42. "The Real Me" – The Who

The bass guitar lines and drumming on this one is INSANE and cannot be overstated.

43. "Redbone" – Childish Gambino

I love the vibe of this one.

44. "Ride Like The Wind" – Christopher Cross

A first-rate addition to the lesser-known subgenre "Yacht Rock."

45. "Runnin' Down A Dream" – Tom Petty

Heavy, brilliant guitar shredding on this one.

46. "Running on Empty" – Jackson Browne

I know this one from "Forrest Gump."

47. "S.O.B." - Nathaniel Rateliffe & The Night Sweats

I love how its stripped-down style transforms into a punchy soul song.

48. "Satisfaction" – The Rolling Stones

C'mon, you know why this one's here.

49. "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" - Elton John

One of his most energetic songs; I love its rapid-fire speed.

50. "Take On Me" - A-ha

"At one point, this was considered to be an American national anthem, but then we stuck with the national anthem we have." - Jimmy Fallon

A Spotify link to all 50 songs is here.