The greatest rock songs are those that still get plenty of air time and attention today. Although every year brings a long list of new musicians, albums and music in general, there are those that overcome the test of time again and again. These songs generally feature typical rock and roll instruments, including guitars, drums and bass. Each presents a combination of lyrics, sound and style that embody the genre while creating something original. Music fans may disagree about which are truly the greatest rock songs of the genre, but the following songs are likely to appear somewhere on the list.
Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets
Rock Around the Clock has been covered by many musicians, including Nora Ney, David Cassidy, Gary’s Gang and the Sex Pistols. The most notable version was the one performed by Bill Haley and His Comets. Rock Around the Clock is based on 12 bar blues. It was originally written by James E. Myers and Max C. Freedman in 1954. Easily ranking among the greatest rock songs, Rock Around the Clock has been played in the 70s sitcom, Happy Days. It was also used in commercials as well as the film American Graffiti. The Germany-based Hydra Records released The Story of Rock Around the Clock: Billy Haley and Friends Volume 3 in 2006. This compilation featured 60 different versions, 30 of which included live performances by Bill Haley.
Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
English rock band Pink Floyd has received a great deal of recognition for many of their songs. Comfortably Numb is among the most popular, giving it a place among the greatest rock songs of all time. Originally given the working title The Doctor, Comfortably Numb was first heard as a part of the band’s double album The Wall which was released in 1979. The song earned a place at 314 on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list created by Rolling Stone magazine. It would also be the very last song performed by Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright and Nick Mason together (which occurred in 2005).
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Free Bird (also written as Freebird) is easily one of the most popular southern rock songs in America as well as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. It was originally released in November of 1974 and would go on to become Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second Top 40 hit to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was given the 19th spot in 1975 while a live version would reach 38th place in 1977. Freebird would also be given an admirable third place on the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos list compiled by Guitar World.
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