25 Best Rock Songs of All Time

If you’re a fan of rock music, there is no other genre that can match it. Rock and roll has a rawness and energy to it that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s an art form born in the 1950s, and despite its popularity taking a hit in the age of the internet, rock and roll will never die. Rock music is released through albums, a collection of art released by bands and artists. For so long, to promote it, labels would release singles as promotion. On radio and MTV, certain songs would catch fire, becoming timeless over the decades. These 25 rock songs best represent the different eras of the genre. To spice things up a bit, no band or artist can appear more than once.

Tool first debuted in the early 1990s. A decade later, they represented the best of the early 2000s on their third album Lateralus. Their third single, “Lateralus,” was butchered in its radio release, which cut out over three minutes of the 9:24 runtime. Lead singer Maynard James Keenan uses the Fibonacci sequence to build the song around. A true work of genius, it builds and builds until a frantic finish.

24

“In the End” by Linkin Park (2000)

Nu-metal had its day during the late 90s and early 2000s. As other bands came and went, Linkin Park remained because they were so much more than a fad. From the beginning, they were taking over the rock world on their debut album Hybrid Theory. Its last single, “In the End,” came out on one of America’s worst days, September 11, 2001. With hip hop and piano playing over Chester Bennington’s vocals and Mike Shinoda’s underrated rap vocals taking the lead, a song of utter hopelessness became even more heartbreaking for the era it came out in.

23

“Jump” by Van Halen (1984)

Van Halen was a mostly upbeat band with riffs and lyrics that were all about fun. They were sometimes criticized for not being deep enough, and captured their share of gripe for the pop and synth sounds found on their album 1984. For fans, however, it’s the perfect personification of the band. 1984 is best highlighted by “Jump.” Eddie Van Halen’s synth riff lead into David Lee Roth’s double meaning lyrics, turning from a statement about ending your life to one about the hope of jumping in and living it.

22

“Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden (1994)

Soundgarden‘s most successful album, Superunknown, came out at the end of grunge, just a month after Kurt Cobain‘s death. One huge song, however, kept grunge hanging on. “Black Hole Sun” is the band’s most popular single. It’s a blend of genres, with grunge meeting old school hard rock and a bit of the Beatles. Chris Cornell‘s lyrics are a bit nonsensical, but his vocals are as hypnotic as ever. By restraining themselves, Soundgarden found perfection.

21

“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes (2003)

The White Stripes had been around for years, with plenty of critical acclaim, before 2003’s album Elephant. The first single was “Seven Nation Army”, a blast of heavy rock straight to the eardrums. With Jack White’s now legendary riff and Meg White’s energetic pounding of the drums, “Seven Nation Army” has only gotten bigger over the years. Today, it has become a sporting event anthem to rival Queen‘s “We Will Rock You.”

20

“Light My Fire” by The Doors (1967)

The Doors didn’t last long, but they were very prolific during their short years together before the death of Jim Morrison in 1971. Their first album, 1967’s self-titled The Doors, epitomizes who they were. You probably best know the three-minute radio version of “Light My Fire,” but on the album, it clocks in at seven minutes, with added experimental sections. The song opens with Ray Manzarek‘s organ solo. His mastery dominates the entire song, a richness of energy layered with Morriron’s soothing, deep vocals of desire.

19

“Man in the Box” by Alice in Chains (1990)

In 1990, Nirvana hadn’t broken out yet and grunge wasn’t even a term. Before it all stood Alice in Chains on their debut album, Facelift. As big as the band would get over the next few years, they were never better than on the album’s second single, “Man in the Box.” The song opens up with Jerry Cantrell’s ferocious guitar riff, before giving way to Layne Staley’s impossible voice. Although written about censorship and control, Cantrell’s struggle with drug addiction gives the powerful lyrics a more personal twist.

18

“Jeremy” by Pearl Jam (1991)

Pearl Jam‘s 1991 debut album, Ten, put them at the top of the grunge movement, right there with Nirvana. The track listing is filled with now classic rock such as “Alive” and “Even Flow.” One, however, stands out from the rest. “Jeremy” is infectious without even paying attention to the lyrics. It transforms though when you examine Eddie Vedder’s haunting vocals about a teenage boy pushed over the edge into a heartbreaking final act. More tragic, Vedder wrote the song based on the real life Jeremy Wade Delle, who took his life in front of his classmates.

17

“Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses (1987)

In 1987, Guns N’ Roses‘ debut album, Appetite for Destruction, took over the rock world. Although every track is hard rock mastery, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” is the one that sticks out the most. Slash‘s opening guitar riff is like an alarm bell calling you to attention. The entire band is in perfect harmony, anchored by Axl Rose’s unmistakable voice as he sings about love without remorse.

Metallica was the most successful heavy metal band of the 1980s. For a new decade, however, they took a huge risk by adopting a more commercial sound. What could have made them sellouts only made the group even better. 1991’s self-titled album begins with their most famous song, “Enter Sandman.” It starts off with a riff from Kirk Hammett that will rev up your soul. As Lars Ulrich‘s drums and Jason Newsted‘s bass kicks in, James Hetfield’s dark lullaby wakes up the masses who had fallen asleep in the era of late-80s hair metal dullness.