Monday Music List - Great Unrecognized Rock Songs
Everyone has their favorite rock song and of course there is some consensus on the great ones: Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin, Satisfaction by the Stones, Shook Me All Night Long by AC-DC, Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. But there are a number of great rock songs by familiar artists that for some reason or other have been ignored. These songs definitely rock and should be mainstays on stations like KQ or 93X or on hard rock compilation albums. So in no particular order….
Rearview Mirror – Pearl Jam. From the album Versus, this song is a classic slow build to an over the top rev-up. The guitar solo at the end is killer and Eddie Vedders’ vocals are of course top notch.
Turn on the News – Husker Du. From Zen Arcade, this is song is a great album closer and includes a component of all good rock songs: The shout out. “turn on (turn on) turn on the news…� Again great guitar work and meaningful lyrics.
Hash Pipe – Weezer. This one is a little different with the falsetto verses but the bass line is so crunchy that you have to consider it as one of the best. This song actually gets played from time to time on 93X.
One – Metallica. Creepy story about a grossly maimed war vet. The guitar solo at the end is so mind blowing stupendous you can’t ignore it.
Common People – William Shatner and Joe Jackson. O.k. Don’t laugh but this song rocks! Shatner’s reciting the lyrics over Joe Jackson’s singing them destroys me everytime. One of the best songs released in the last five years, easily.
Gary’s Got a Boner – The Replacements. From Let It Be, if it wasn’t for the goofy subject matter this song would probably be considered a classic. With enough guitar hooks to supply a local cover band for a year, it is a shame this song is so criminally overlooked.
Jesus Christ Pose – Soundgarden. From Badmotherfinger, Chris Cornell’s vocal work is amazing and the bass is massive. Add about three layers of guitars and you have a song that will jump start anyone who listens to it. I once threw like 5 strikes in 7 balls once bowling after this song came on the jukebox.
What overlooked rock songs have I missed?
Comments
"One" is possibly one of the greatest songs ever.
I'm surprised Shane has not jumped in with a U2 offering yet?
Posted by: Snyder | June 24, 2008 02:04 PM
Sabotage - Beastie Boys (Weren't we talking awesome bass line?)
I'm Going Hungry - Temple of the Dog (speaking of awesome vocals Mr. Cornell)
Killing in the Name Of - Rage against the Machine (super angst!)
Creep - Radiohead - (tell me we all didn't relate to this song - awesome build up too)
Thunderkiss 1965 - White Zombie (makes me want to go all goth and break stuff)
Man in the Box - Alice and Chains (ebb and flow of a classic rock song)
Closer - Nine Inch Nails (disturbing, but great music)
Alive - Pearl Jam (I still think this song changed the music scene more than Smells Like Teen Spirit)
Posted by: zooomx | June 24, 2008 02:19 PM
I agree that every one of those songs absolutely rock, but I labeled this post "unrecognized" rock songs so I didn't include most of them. (although Thunderkiss 1965 would have been a good selection). Heck listen to a hard rock station for an hour and I will almost guarantee you'll hear Man in the Box, Alive, and Sabatage.
Same with any U2, there is no U2 song that is unrecognized.
One of my favorite Beavis and Butthead episodes was when they were watching Creep, at first they thought it sucked but when it kicked in with the kchk kchk guitar they were just floored. I think most people had the same reaction.
Posted by: Freealonzo | June 24, 2008 02:30 PM
I agree there's likely no U2 song that's unrecognized, but I'd be surprised if that stopped Shane from trying...
Posted by: Snyder | June 24, 2008 05:54 PM
Here's a few "lesser known" rock tunes that I have enjoyed:
Knockin 'em Back- Paul Westerberg
Zip City - Drive By Truckers
The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn - The Pogues
Posted by: Jett T. | June 24, 2008 08:44 PM
Oh, I should have included Love Removal Machine by the Cult. The song shamelessly rips off Led Zeppelin riffs left and right but if you're going to rip someone off for a rock song, it might as well be Zeppelin.
Posted by: Freealonzo | June 25, 2008 07:45 AM
I thought of a couple more, both from the Arctic Monkeys - Fake Tales of San Francisco and A Certain Romance. Good Stuff.
Posted by: Jett T. | June 25, 2008 06:31 PM
There is one U2 song that I think is overlooked:
"Lady with the Spinning Head" off of the One single.
So, I believe I tried and succeeded. Just try to disagree.
Posted by: Shane Nackerud | June 26, 2008 09:06 AM
You're the man, Shane. No one is denying it.
Posted by: Freealonzo | June 26, 2008 12:51 PM
Oh, and I also think "Corvette" by Golden Smog is also overlooked.
Boo-yah!
Posted by: Shane Nackerud | June 27, 2008 09:28 AM
Rip This Joint and Rocks Off from Exile On Main Street are two great Stones cuts that never get radio play. Granted, the "hits" from that record (Tumblin' Dice, Happy) certainly deserve their permanent-rotation status on classic rock radio, but these two songs just fucking rock.
I used to think My Name is Jonas from the first Weezer record was a somewhat overlooked gem, but Guitar Hero (Rock Band?) certainly has raised the profile of that great little song.
Posted by: Jeff L. | June 27, 2008 01:10 PM
Also Religivision from Soul Asylum pretty much tears it up.
Posted by: Freealonzo | June 27, 2008 07:06 PM
New Day Rising-Husker Du
Gentlemen-Afghan Wigs
Rise Above/Six Pack-Black Flag
Just Like Heaven-Dinosaur Jr.
You Don’t Know Me-Drivin’ N Cryin’
Sunless Saturday-Fishbone
All My Life-Foo Fighters
Helmet-Unsung
Ocean Size/Mountain Song-Jane’s Addiction
Jesus Built My Hot Rod-Ministry
Ace of Spades-Motorhead
Shallow-My Bloody Valentine
March of the Pigs-Nine Inch Nails
Morning Glory/Rock N’ Roll Star-Oasis
Rock Music-Pixies
You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire-Queens of the Stone Age
Bullet In The Head-Rage
Against The Machine
We’re Coming Out-The Replacements
Attack-System of The Down
Institutionalized-Suicidal Tendencies
Low Self Opinion-Rollins Band
Posted by: Timmy B. | July 11, 2008 06:38 PM
Broken-Pantera
Posted by: Timmy B. | July 11, 2008 06:43 PM
Hey thanks Timmy B, exactly what I was looking for.
Posted by: Freealonzo | July 14, 2008 02:05 PM