Tired of the same old classic rock lists dominated by the usual suspects? We’ve shaken things up. This list of the Top 100 Classic Rock Songs still features the legends, from Aerosmith to ZZ Top, but with a twist: each artist is represented by only one essential track.
Consider this a musical showdown, where every artist puts their best song forward.
We know what you’re thinking: “Was the right song chosen for each artist?” and “Is it ranked correctly?”.
Naturally, leaving out iconic songs from even the greatest bands was unavoidable. Even with 100 slots, countless arguments arose about who was left out as this list came together.
Creating this list of top 100 classic rock songs was no easy task (office debates were intense!), but it’s created one incredible playlist that’s ready to rock.
100: Sammy Hagar – “I Can’t Drive 55”
Kicking off our top 100 classic rock songs countdown with high-octane energy is Sammy Hagar and his speed-limit-defying anthem, “I Can’t Drive 55.”
Sammy Hagar behind the wheel in the music video for his hit song “I Can’t Drive 55”
Sammy Hagar had already solidified his rock star status with years of touring and hits like “Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy” before his 1984 album, VOA. However, “I Can’t Drive 55,” the album’s lead single, truly struck a chord. Boosted by a wildly popular music video, it propelled him to household name status and arena headliner fame.
While we can’t definitively say Hagar single-handedly caused the late-’80s shift allowing states to raise speed limits above 55 mph, it certainly didn’t hurt! This newfound fame also paved the way for his joining Van Halen in 1985.
The inspiration for “I Can’t Drive 55,” as Hagar has recounted, came from a real traffic stop for doing 62 mph on an empty New York highway late one night. We imagine the song’s success has more than covered that speeding ticket by now.
99: Kansas – “Carry On Wayward Son”
The instantly recognizable a cappella intro of “Carry On Wayward Son” became the sonic hook that finally earned Kansas their breakthrough hit, a long-awaited moment for the band.
Kansas performing their iconic song “Carry On Wayward Son” live on stage.
Like many bands of the era, Kansas toured relentlessly and released three albums with modest sales despite a growing live following. During a break to record their fourth album, 1976’s Leftoverture, frontman Steve Walsh faced writer’s block.
Fortunately, guitarist Kerry Livgren was brimming with ideas and had a song he hadn’t yet shared. Upon hearing the initial concept for “Carry On Wayward Son,” the band recognized its songwriting brilliance and immediately entered the studio, skipping rehearsals to capture its raw energy.
Compared to Leftoverture‘s more progressive tracks, “Carry On Wayward Son” feels relatively concise and focused, despite its nearly five-and-a-half-minute length.
Livgren’s captivating narrative of a man grappling with inner turmoil is propelled by driving guitar riffs, soaring organ melodies, and solos from almost every band member. The lyrical journey might be turbulent, but the music is pure rock gold.
98: Scorpions – “Rock You Like a Hurricane”
Since its 1984 release, Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Hurricane” has become a cultural phenomenon. It’s been featured in The Simpsons, championed by sports teams, and even inspired a Dave Eggers novel.
Album cover for Scorpions’ “Love at First Sting” featuring their hit song “Rock You Like a Hurricane.”
“Rock You Like a Hurricane” propelled the German metal band’s Love at First Sting album into the Billboard Top 10, although the song itself peaked at No. 25 on the singles chart.
However, in the pantheon of ’80s metal classics, this track is the quintessential example: a headbang-worthy, repeating riff, thunderous drums, a blistering guitar solo, and an unforgettable chorus – “Here I am, rock you like a hurricane.”
While the official music video embraces ’80s clichés (animal-print outfits, actual zoo animals, sci-fi elements), the campy visuals never overshadow the song’s raw power. “Rock You Like a Hurricane” remains badass even when performed by an orchestra. Try not to pump your fist while watching the Scorpions perform it with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
97: Electric Light Orchestra – “Don’t Bring Me Down”
Electric Light Orchestra’s 1979 smash hit “Don’t Bring Me Down” may be Jeff Lynne’s most direct and iconic musical statement.
Jeff Lynne performing with Electric Light Orchestra, singing “Don’t Bring Me Down.”
A Jeff Lynne song is instantly recognizable, often starting with that signature booming bass drum sound, heard on hits for Tom Petty (“Running Down a Dream”), Roy Orbison (“You Got It”), and even The Beatles (“Free as a Bird”).
“Don’t Bring Me Down” features those drums and, surprisingly, little else. It was the first ELO track released without strings, making it remarkably stripped-down by the band’s typically elaborate standards.
Recorded in Munich during sessions for ELO’s 1979 Discovery LP, “Don’t Bring Me Down” emerged almost fully formed from Lynne. He wrote it on piano and immediately created the backing track himself, using a slowed-down drum tape from a previous song to create its trademark beat. It’s even rumored that no other ELO members played on the track.
This makes “Don’t Bring Me Down” pure, vintage Lynne, possibly more so than any other ELO hit. While Electric Light Orchestra had many members over the years, from their second album onward, the band became essentially a vehicle for Lynne’s exceptional songwriting and arranging talents.
“Don’t Bring Me Down” became ELO’s biggest hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 in the UK, also charting high in Canada and Australia. By 2007, it had achieved an astonishing two million radio airplays according to BMI. Even as “Evil Woman,” “Mr. Blue Sky,” and “Livin’ Thing” fade into history, “Don’t Bring Me Down” might endure as Lynne’s greatest recorded legacy.
96: Molly Hatchet – “Flirtin’ With Disaster”
The triple-guitar onslaught of Jacksonville’s Molly Hatchet takes our list on a full-throttle mission with “Flirtin’ With Disaster,” challenging the hearing of rock fans everywhere.
Album cover for Molly Hatchet’s “Flirtin’ With Disaster” featuring their signature song.
Like a rock avalanche, “Flirtin'” charges forward with the commanding presence of Danny Joe Brown, whose distinctive, booming vocals are instantly recognizable.
“Flirtin’ With Disaster” is a classic road song, telling a tale of fast living, hard partying, and pushing limits. Running out of money? Check. Corruption? Check. A feeling that maybe a change is needed? Check.
Brown and Molly Hatchet deliver it all at breakneck speed. Sadly, the song seems to foreshadow Brown’s own health issues, which led to his departure from the band in 1980.
Although he would later return to Molly Hatchet, further health problems forced him to leave again before his passing in 2005. A revised version of Molly Hatchet continues to perform today, proving they remain a force to be reckoned with.
(Continued with songs 95-1)
(Note: I will continue generating the rest of the list in subsequent turns to respect length constraints, following the same style and instructions.)
