YOU ARE HERE: zharth.net / Zharth's Music Log / Week 98 (Long Live Rock)
(Originally finalized on September 26, 2024)
Preface: Although I said I wasn't going to do a second week of rock 'n' roll songs, part of the reason is because I wanted to keep a slot open for songs that have the word "rock" in their title, without the word "roll". It's a smaller well to draw from, but not exactly a small one, either. And there are some good selections in there. Let's listen to a few of them.
Monday: AC/DC - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) [For Those About To Rock, 1981]
Comments: You ever notice how prog bands tend to over-indulge in pretentious concepts? This is a problem that simple bar band AC/DC never had. What they do have is a lot of songs about the merits (and cheap thrills) of rock 'n' roll. Let There Be Rock is one of my favorites, but since I already used it for my Songs About Music theme, here's another one, that notably features singer Brian Johnson cueing up a series of cannon bursts to accentuate the chorus.
Tuesday: The Who - Long Live Rock [Odds & Sods, 1974]
Comments: According to The Who, people were saying "rock is dead" as early as 1974. Seems to me like rock was still going strong at that time, at least through the end of the decade. Regardless, the sentiment is appreciated. The music scene is constantly evolving, for better or worse. And rock has evolved with it, but it definitely feels like its moment has passed. Still, rock never really died, it just went underground (to be with the other rocks?).
Wednesday: Neil Young - Rockin' In The Free World [Freedom, 1989]
Comments: One of the greatest rock songs ever written and performed, and one of Neil Young's greatest hits - among a great many others - you'd be forgiven for being surprised that it was released in 1989. After a decade of artistic experimentation, and following Neil's emancipation from soul-destroying record exec David Geffen, it marked a return to form that would continue with 1990's Crazy Horse comeback, Ragged Glory.
Thursday: The Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane [Love At First Sting, 1984]
Comments: Another one of the most popular songs of all time with the word "rock" in its title, this is no doubt the track that made German band The Scorpions into a household name - internationally (albeit 12 years after their debut). I had a friend in high school who listened to rap music, and we always argued over our opposing music tastes. This was the one cross-over rock song that he was willing to admit he liked.
Friday: Van Halen - And The Cradle Will Rock... [Women And Children First, 1980]
Comments: Their phenomenal debut being a hard act to follow, Van Halen's subsequent albums would sprinkle a few hits here and there, at least until 1984, after which the band famously switched singers. One of those hits is this track from their third album, the title of which reminds me of a different song by Irish blues rock guitarist Rory Gallagher - Cradle Rock. Though, to be fair, it's not as well known, and I have Joe Bonamassa to thank for turning me on to it.
Saturday: Bad Company - Rock Steady [Bad Company, 1974]
Comments: Speaking of phenomenal debut albums, here's another track from Bad Company's self-titled debut from 1974, featuring the inimitable voice of Paul Rodgers, who traded guitarist Paul Kossoff in Free for Mick Ralphs from Mott The Hoople. It's tempting to want to attribute the name of one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' most frequent recurring foes to this song, but all indications are that it's instead a reference to a style of Jamaican music sandwiched between ska and reggae. I think I'll hold steady on the rock, if you don't mind.
Sunday: Great White - Rock Me [Once Bitten, 1987]
Comments: You know, when all is said and done, an awful lot of these songs ended up being from the '80s - I did not expect that. But then, the best rock songs don't necessarily have the word "rock" in their titles. (Also, I'd hazard a guess that "rock 'n' roll" was more popular in earlier years, before being truncated due to frequent use). We'll finish the theme with an original song (not to be confused with Rock Me Baby) that aptly demonstrates the talents of a group that started out as a Led Zeppelin cover band. It was either that or Rock'n Me, and I actually prefer this one. (I don't dislike the Steve Miller Band, but their music is a little laidback for my tastes).
Honorable Mentions: If I wanted to create some symmetry with my rock 'n' roll theme, I'd list Detroit Rock City by KISS as an honorable mention. But then there's also Rock of Ages by Def Leppard - and while we're doing huge hits by bands I'm only lukewarm about, there's also the iconic We Will Rock You by Queen. The list just keeps on growing, and those aren't even among my favorites! So I'll just leave it to you to fill in however many blanks you'd like.