Hi friends, good vibes to all.
A few days ago I came to these parts with a publication a little historical if you will about this genre so well known and loved by hundreds of thousands of people, rock. In that opportunity we talked a bit about the emergence of this style from the 50's to almost today and how it had come to change the way we see and consume music.
But if there was something I missed was to share those songs that marked an era and those that I, in my very humble opinion, consider to be the most iconic and important of the genre and why not those that today continue to set trends and continue to be listened to. We must understand that there are TOO MANY songs so it is very likely that not all tastes are covered, but in the end this is something of perspectives and therefore very subjective so without further ado let's see what they are WITHOUT ANY specific ORDER:
- Satisfaction - The Rolling Stone.
This song I believe was one of the first big hits of the Rolling Stones back in the 60's, in 1965 more specifically. It is said that Keith Richards after a long concert in a hotel woke up in the middle of the night, grabbed his guitar and began to record a melody that haunted his mind until he fell asleep again.
After having listened to it Mick Jagger while resting in a swimming pool wrote in just 10 minutes the lyrics of this masterful piece. The song speaks a little of the two faces of America and how Jagger felt in those times and his vision of the world.
- Hotel California - The Eagles.
This is one of the best known songs and was released on the album of the same name in 1976. The music of this song was composed by Don Felder who was the guitarist of the group while he was relaxed playing a 12-string guitar and the lyrics were written by Don Henley who explains that the song talks a little about the life of the high society in California.
At that time some members of the band did not want this song to be the single because it is more than 6 minutes long and the radios did not handle such long times but Henley insisted that it be taken into account and well, the rest is history. A true classic was born.
- Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen.
What can we say about one of the greatest rock songs of all times. This song that was written entirely by Freddy Mercury is as complex as it is extraordinary because it has it all, vocal interpretations by Freddy, an epic solo from the hands of Brian May and includes several musical styles such as rock, ballad and opera.
The same story happened with this piece as with Hotel California, the record companies were against using it because of its long duration but the band decided to give a copy of the song to a friend in a radio station and he played it up to 15 times in a weekend becoming the classic that it is today.
- Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin.
Personally I think this is the best rock song ever written by Jimmy Paige and Robert Plant. We are seeing a pattern here and that is that this song is also long, over 8 minutes, the band never wanted to release it as a single which helped the album on which it was included, Led Zapellin IV, to be one of the best selling albums in history.
As curiosities we have that the solo that Jimmy Paige makes is said that it was recorded in only one take being logically considered as the best solos of the history. It is also said that the intro was plagiarized from a song called "Taurus" by a band called SPIRIT of which Led Zepellin was the opening act.
- Highway to Hell - AC/DC.
A song that has more than 40 years of having come to light in that mythical album of the same name which was responsible for bringing stardom to this Australian band and to open the doors to the U.S. market. Today the name of the album is still a matter of debate, some say it is because of the many hours on the road during the tours and others claim that it really existed and that it is a route that Bob Scott made from his house to a pub.
- Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd.
One of the most important hits of this British band and that belongs to that double album "The Wall" of 1979. Part of the melody and the chorus was written by David Gilmour and this was going to be part of his solo album but in the end it was discarded and while they are recording The Wall he teaches the theme and Rogers Waters gets the necessary inspiration to finish the lyrics.
Part of the name of this song comes because in a concert Waters was suffering from a great abdominal pain and to be able to give it a doctor gave him a dose of muscle painkillers and in this way he was able to finish. The thing is that during the concert Waters felt in a totally numb state and hence the title of the song.
Como bonus track les traigo par de canciones que de verdad son muy icónicas y no quise dejarlas por fuera:
As a bonus track I bring you a couple of songs that are really iconic and I didn't want to leave them out:
- Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana.
- Let it be - The Beatles.
¡Un abrazo a todos, nos escuchamos en la próxima!
Well my people that's all for today, for me these are some of the most important rock songs. I am aware that many were left out but I didn't want to make it so long, I hope you liked it.
¡A hug to all of you, we'll hear you next time!
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