I asked a number of people this question from my previous post.
If someone who didn't know anything about Rock'n'Roll asked you to play 6 songs that would describe Rock'n'Roll, what 6 songs would you pick.
Below are the answers that everyone gave me. A few of you also offered explanations regarding your choices so I have included those as well.
All lists and comments below are cut and pasted, so if I got anything wrong or messed up your names. please let me know.
If anyone wants to have their 6 songs included, just include them as a response to this post.
You will find my 6 songs at the very end......Enjoy! :)
*********************
Jude H.
Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
I Am the Walrus - The Beatles
When the Levee Breaks Led Zepplin
Gloria - Van Morrison (Them)
Rolling People - The Verve
25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago
*************************
Sandy S.
There obviously are SO MANY choices!
I tired to place myself as someone who was trying to explain what rock and roll music was to someone who was from another country or not old enough to know, etc.
I unfortunately, am old enough to remember the beginnings of rock and roll music. To me, and just myself only, much of today's music or much of anything beyond the eighties qualifies as "rock and roll" music. It is rock, hard rock, pop rock, classic rock, but NOT rock and roll.
My six song choices (in no particular order)
Twist And Shout/The Beatles
Good Vibrations/The Beach Boys
Light My Fire/The Doors
Like A Rolling Stone/Bob Dylan
Rock N' Roll/Led Zeppelin
Jack And Diane/John Melloncamp/Tie
R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A./John Melloncamp/Tie
More that deserve are Chuck Berry: Johnny B. Goode, Elvis: Jailhouse Rock, Bill Hailey: Rock Around The Clock, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and many other pioneers of rock and roll. To me, that would and should explain how rock and roll was formulated and how it evolved and why it still exists.
*************************
Jeffrey T.
The song list ends at about 1980, stopping the story 30 years early.
Does the analysis/exercise presume that were are putting a
flattering/positive description of rock n¹ roll?
Would the describer be required to demonstrate some of the popular dreck too?
My six songs to explain to the 80 year old that he didn¹t miss anything:
Ain¹t nothin¹ but a hound dog² Elvis Presley
The Streak² Ray Stevens
Superbowl shuffle² 1985 Chicago Bears
I want action² Poison
The right stuff² New Kids on the Block
Livin¹ la vidda loca² Ricky Martin
How¹s that?
(just jokes)
********************************
Bill T.
hey TJR
I've read the book or at least most of it. let's set the record
straight. black musicians laid the foundation of "Rock 'n' Roll". Little Richard and Chuck Berry were well known ones.
there had to be unknown older blues guys that influenced them. Elvis and all these later white guys were basically imitators. volumes have been written on that subject.
I would have a tough time including all, but a good top Six could
include:
Good Golly Miss Molly Little Richard
Johnny Be Good (tonight) Chuck Berry
Rock me Baby (all night long) several older artists (from waaaay back)
Jail House Rock (one of the better Elvis) Elvis Presley
Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee could rock) Jerry Lee Lewis
Layla (it's a Classic) Eric Clapton/Derek and the Dominoes
There are dozens, maybe hundreds more, but I only get to pick six!
***************************************
Jim
OK, I'm game...
Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley)
A Hard Days Night (The Beatles)
Like a Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan)
Hey Joe (Jimi Hendrix)
God Save The Queen (Sex Pistols)
Feels Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
In compiling my list, I thought about the 'game changers', those groups or individuals who forced a change in popular music, or who captured the change in rock music the best.
*********************************
Dale M.
Hey hey
How' bout
What'd I say; Lucille( L Richard); Johnny B Goode
I Want To Hold Your Hand (Beatles)
LIKE A ROLLING STONE (Actually, I believe the list could stop RIGHT HERE,but...) Gimme Whole Lotta Love; Purple Haze,
...impossible, but fun trying! rock on!
***********************************
Wild Bill
long tall sally, little richard
chuck berry johnny b goode.
jerry lee lewis, great balls of fire.
beatles, i wanna hold your hand.
stones, satisfaction
elvis, jailhouse rock.
12 bar stuff is cool.
************************
Francisco R.
what a great question,
i'd have a slightly different list i think,
in no particular order:
Chuck Berry: Johnny B. Goode
The Clash: Should I Stay Or Should I Go
The Beatles: Twist & Shout
Neil Young: Cinnamon Girl
The Rolling Stones: Rip This Joint
Bob Dylan: Like A rolling Stone
okay it's a little predictable, but those were the ones i couldn't live without at this moment while i type.
.......oh and number 7, Iggy Pop & The Stooges: Raw Power
it counts.
******************************
Rick B.
Great Question! I would pick:
1) The Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
2) The Yardbirds - Train Kept a Rollin'
3) The Animals - It's My Life
4) The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
5) Stevie Wonder - Black Man
6) Tom Petty - Swingin'
Rock 'n' Roll is action that reflects the times it exists. Rock 'n' Roll should always be rocking the beat and the times it lives in while never backing down.
*******************************
TJR
.....And in no particular order, here are mine.
I made my list very fast. I tried not to over think it. Then I walked away from it and when I came back I added a little commentary to each song choice.
No Particular Place to Go - Chuck Berry
(I almost chose Johnny Be Goode, but I thought this song better summed up the fun of Chuck Berry's music)
Love Me - Phantom
(This is a little known lost classic from the 50's - Seek this song out It's Rock in it's purest form).
Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones
(This song has one of the coolest grooves ever and represents a real shift into darker and more mature lyrical themes)
Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
(One of the most powerful songs ever with lyrics that mean something new to each generation)
Where The Streets Have No Name - U2
(Rock becomes a powerful force all that is positive)
A Day in the Life - The Beatles
(Rock meets high art)
**********************************
Thanks to everyone who took part. Remember, you can add your 6 by just responding to the post.
*************************************
1 comment: