Top 10 Classic Rock Songs

Inspiring entire radio stations dedicated to the genre, classic rock defines a set of songs primarily ranging from the 1960s to 1980s. These Top 10 Classic Rock Songs are staples of the music genre and will always be referred to as classics for years to come. Turn up AOL Radio's Classic Rock station to hear these unforgettable jams (and many more) from the best era of rock 'n roll. While these songs were picked by listeners, tell us what your personal top 10 classic rock songs are in the comments.

10) The Beatles: 'Let It Be'

Did you know? The title track to the Beatles' final album before their break up, 'Let it Be' was written by Paul McCartney and based off a dream the singer-songwriter had where his mother -- who had died of cancer when McCartney was fourteen -- came to him and said, "It'll be all right, just let it be."




9) The Rolling Stones: 'Gimme Shelter'

Did you know? "[It's] a kind of end-of-the-world song, really. It's apocalypse; the whole record's like that," Mick Jagger said of 'Gimmer Shelter,' a song about the Vietnam War. Does it sound familiar? The song was also featured in the films 'Casino,' 'The Departed,' and 'Goodfellas.'

8) Pink Floyd: 'Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2'

Did you know? This classic rock song is 'Part 2' of a three-part series, all written by Pink Floyd's Roger Waters. 'Part 2' is a classic protest against strict schooling and shot to number-one in the UK and US -- providing the band's first and only number-one hit.

7) Lynyrd Skynyrd: 'Free Bird'

Did you know? You might be aware that this 9-minute classic rock track is often yelled at concerts before encores (regardless of artist or genre), but did you know that Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird' live versions would go over 14 minutes? It was also often played during the band's second encore, not first.

6) Pink Floyd: 'Comfortably Numb'

Did you know? According to an interview he did with Rolling Stone, Roger Waters was inspired to write 'Comfortably Numb' after an experience he had after being injected by tranquilizers for stomach cramps, which he called "the longest two hours of my life ... trying to do a show when you can barely lift your arm."

5) Led Zeppelin: 'Black Dog'

Did you know? Despite being one of the band's most recognizable tracks, 'Black Dog' was actually written as a song that was complex enough that people couldn't dance or groove to it. Zeppelin bass player John Paul Jones gets credit for crafting the main riff. The 1971 album this track appeared on was ranked at #66 in a list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in Rolling Stone magazine.




4) Lynyrd Skynyrd: 'Sweet Home Alabama'

Did you know? When Ronnie Van Zant says "Turn it up" in the beginning of the song, it was not originally intended to be in the song. Instead, he was just asking the producer and engineer during to turn up his headphone volume so he could hear the track better. Van Zant, along with the song's other 2 writers -- Ed Kingand Gary Rossington -- are also not from Alabama.

3) Aerosmith: 'Dream On'

Did you know? This song only peaked at #59 on the national charts, but has been featured on almost every Aerosmith greatest hits and live compilation to date. Boston's favorite band has also been covered by everyone from Tori Amos to The Game.



2) Eagles: 'Hotel California'

Did you know? The Eagles are one of the most successful recording artists of the 20th century, and this classic rock song helped them get there. The winding lyrics have many interpretations, but writer Don Henley once commented, "My only regret would be having to explain it in detail to you, which would defeat the purpose of using literary devices in songwriting and lower the discussion to some silly and irrelevant argument about chemical processes."


1) Led Zeppelin: 'Stairway to Heaven'

Did you know? 'Stairway to Heaven' is the most requested song on FM radio stations in America, even though it was never released as a single in the states.









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10 Best Beatles Songs
Filed under: Best Songs, Top 10 Lists

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