Top 10 Rock Artists Trademark Songs
#10: “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
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Journey It’s amazing how “Don’t Stop Believin’” is more popular NOW than it was when it was released. Upon its release in 1981, the song performed relatively well, hitting #9 on the Billboard 100 and #8 on the Mainstream Rock chart. However, as we’re sure you are aware, the song has enjoyed a huge resurgence in recent years thanks to its appearance on the finale of “The Sopranos”. After the episode aired, the song shot to the top of the digital charts and became the highest-selling digital song which was originally released in the 1980s. Yeah, we were just as surprised as you are.
#9: “Blitzkrieg Bop” (1976)
Ramones This song was the Ramones’ debut single, and despite themselves, they never topped it. That’s not to say that the band didn’t enjoy an illustrious career; it’s just so damn hard to top what is one of the best rock songs of all time. The song is now widely considered to be a classic, and the song’s signature chord pattern is an iconic piece of rock music. “Blitzkrieg Bop” has remained incredibly popular throughout the years, most notably at sporting events, where the “Hey! Ho! Let’s go!” chant has become commonplace. Now it will be in your head for the rest of the day. Have fun!
#8: “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” (1981)
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Joan Jett & the Blackhearts If you love rock and roll, then you certainly know this song. Hell, you know this song even if you don’t like rock and roll. While this track was originally written and performed by the Arrows, Joan Jett’s version is the one we all remember. It was an immediate success, staying at #1 on the Billboard 100 for seven weeks, and it has since been inducted into the Grammys Hall of Fame. That guitar riff is now a thing of legend, and Jett’s vocals are ridiculously easy to sing along with. It’s not hard to see why this song caught on.
#7: “Wonderwall” (1995)
Oasis Sure, it's way overplayed, but why is it overplayed? Because secretly you still love it. But what's not a secret is just how well the song performed: it is the band’s best-selling single in the UK, and it spent ten weeks at the top of the US Modern Rock chart. It has also enjoyed a host of accolades, including the #1 spot on Triple J’s Hottest 100 of the Past 20 Years. Whatever your opinions are regarding the Gallaghers, it’s almost impossible to refrain yourself from singing along to this one.
#6: “Johnny B. Goode” (1958)
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Chuck Berry Well, we can all thank Marty McFly for this one. “Johnny B. Goode” is inarguably Chuck Berry’s signature track, and it is one of the most important rock songs in history. It was a huge commercial success in the late 1950s, and it is considered to be the first song which focused on the rock and roll lifestyle, a theme which is now a staple of the genre. Its legacy is also undeniable; it is frequently placed on various Greatest Songs of All Time lists, and it even secured a spot on the Voyager Golden Record, which represented the greatest human achievements of the time. It’s a trademark piece, indeed.
#5: “Smoke on the Water” (1973)
Jonathan Emile No Smoke (Official Music Video)
Deep Purple We bet all the guitar shop employees are cringing in their seats right about now. “Smoke on the Water” is not only Deep Purple’s trademark song, but it’s also one of the most recognizable rock songs in history thanks to its unique central theme, which is the go-to tune for any new and aspiring guitarists. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has enjoyed considerable success throughout the years. It is now known as one of the most recognizable rock tracks of all time, even if it is a little overplayed nowadays.
#4: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991)
Nirvana It’s undeniable - Nirvana changed the face of rock and roll forever. With the immediate success of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, alternative rock officially entered the mainstream, and Nirvana became one of the world’s biggest bands. Despite an important career full of fantastic songs, “Teen Spirit” is arguably their most successful, hitting #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and placing second on Rolling Stone’s best singles of the year list. The song spoke to an entire generation, and it quickly became an anthem for Generation X. While Nirvana may have better songs, it was this one which changed the face of music.
#3: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975)
Queen Queen is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most important rock bands in the history of music. They enjoyed a huge amount of success in their heyday, and they are still widely respected and played today. Despite a very, very long list of absolute classics, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is arguably their most important work, and one that has beautifully stood the test of time. The song was enormously successful upon its release in 1975, and it really hasn’t let up since. It’s hard to pick a Queen trademark song, but if there's going to be one, this has to be it.
#2: “Stairway to Heaven” (1971)
Led Zeppelin Like Queen, Led Zeppelin has enjoyed one of the most illustrious and important careers in rock history, and their discography is filled with classic and influential pieces. However, perhaps none are as important or popular as “Stairway to Heaven.” While there may be those tired of it today, we can’t stress enough how important and popular this track was in the 1970s. Although it was never released as a single, it enjoyed commercial success and critical acclaim in equal measure, and it’s now widely considered to be one of, if not THE, greatest rock song ever. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Tom Sawyer” (1981) Rush “Seven Nation Army” (2003) The White Stripes “You Really Got Me” (1964) The Kinks
#1: “Hotel California” (1977)
Eagles Ever since its release in 1977, “Hotel California” has been a mainstay on the radio and in popular culture, and it’s not hard to see why. Its famous dueling guitar solo is universally beloved, and it’s often considered to be one of the greatest guitar moments in the history of rock. Its lyrics are also vague and unclear, which has led to a huge amount of discussion and debate regarding the meaning of the song. Plus, it’s just awesome as hell. The Eagles are one of the world’s most popular bands, and this is their most popular song.
