Top 10 Favorite Songs

10. Bob Dylan (1964). “The Times They Are a-Changin”. The Times They Are a-Changin. No other song in the world speaks more true to the time it was released in. Written as an ode to the modern, changing world Dylan spoke with the people of the day and reminded them the fleeting time they were all apart of, marked with war, debate, and strife.

9. Led Zeppelin (1970). “Moby Dick”. Led Zeppelin II. Finally defining their styles and delivery in the instrumental “Moby Dick”, Page and especially Bonham (in his nearly 10 min drum solo) showed their true capabilities to the world and greatness of the music they could produce.

8. Led Zeppelin (1975). “10 Years Gone”. Physical Graffiti. The greatness of “10 Years Gone” comes in how it displays the talent, greatness, and ability of every member of Zeppelin from Jones to Bonham. The bass, the guitar, the drums, and the vocals are more tied together here than in any other song in Zeppelin’s massive set lists over the years; great example of band chemistry.

7. Jimi Hendrix (1968). “All Along the Watchtower”. Electric Ladyland. Originally a Bob Dylan single, Hendrix’s added guitar truly earned the song global recognition even from Dylan himself who though that Jimi’s guitar was well deserved and fit almost naturally with the song as if it had been written to accustom it. Jimi’s signature licks and guitar style dominate the song as do his raspy but powerful lyrics.  

6. Queen (1975). “Bohemian Rhapsody”. A Night at the Opera. It is impossible not to recognize the operatic style of “Bohemian Rhapsody”. From ballads, to hard rock solos, this song has it all and is still known as one of if not the most elaborate single in rock history. The contrast from beginning to end is a true ride and serves as a testament to the song’s and Queen’s impact in the rock world.

5. Led Zeppelin (1971). “When the Levee Breaks”. Led Zeppelin IV. A true homage to Zeppelin’s bluesy style, “When the Levee Breaks” lugs on dictated by Bonham’s hammering bass drum and Page’s looping guitar. From harmonica’s to distortion over Plant’s voice, the song produces quite a profound effect.

4. Black Sabbath (1970). “Planet Caravan”. Paranoid. Besides its blatant psychedelic mood and delivery, “Planet Caravan”, while drifting from Sabbath’s usual hard delivery, explores the unknown much like many other Sabbath songs. Its unique sound and lulling lyrics paired with Iommi’s smooth jazz playing throughout define the greatness of the song.

 3. Black Sabbath (1970). “Hand of Doom”. Paranoid. This song is Sabbath incarnate. A chugging bass thanks to Geezer Butler, a powerful chorus, and an explosive verse and solo at the hands of Iommi alongside Ozzy’s allusions to war, drugs, and violence define the true awesomeness of “Hand of Doom”; an original metal classic.

2. Led Zeppelin (1975). “Kashmir”. Physical Graffiti. Zeppelin’s variety in their music is well known it defined them, but in “Kashmir” these eastern influences culminated rhymically and melodically into a real musical masterpiece. Known by its iconic strings beside Page’s guitar playing, the song stands as a brilliantly unique and an undeniable anthem to Zeppelin’s legacy.

1. Black Sabbath (1970). “War Pigs”. Paranoid. Simultaneously creating the metal genre and preaching the corruption and evil of the time, Sabbath shouted at the dictators and evil of the world with “War Pigs”. With Iommi’s god-like solos and melodic climaxes, paired with Ozzy’s ringing vocals, the song plunges into the depths of the dark-side of human nature, and it does so masterfully.