Here are 50 songs, in alphabetical order, that warrant turning your stereo up to 11.
1. "25 or 6 to 4" – Chicago
A '70s megahit, I love its jam session style, and it features brilliant guitar and horn work.
2. "Africa" – Toto
It's basically impossible to have a negative reaction to this song.
3. "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" - McFadden & Whitehead
I'm not much for disco music, but this one grooves, and the bass line is incredible!
4. "All Along the Watchtower" – Jimi Hendrix
Originally a great song by Bob Dylan; Hendrix took it into the stratosphere. The guitar solo is perfection.
5. "All Star" – Smash Mouth
"SOMEBODY ONCE TOLD ME..." you know the rest. I have a love/hate relationship with it.
6. "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2" – Pink Floyd
"We don't need no education..." Blast it after a bad day of class.
7. "The Anthem" – Good Charlotte
A fitting title.
8. "Basket Case" – Green Day
Might be the definitive punk rock track of the 90's. It features a stand-out performance by drummer Trè Cool."
9. "B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe" – Kendrick Lamar
One of the newest songs on this list. The title speaks for itself.
10. "Blitzkrieg Bop" – Ramones
A punk classic.
11. "Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen
If you don't all of the lyrics to this song, I might think a little less of you.
12. "Break On Through (To The Other Side)" - The Doors
The opening track of their first album; what a legendary introduction.
13. "Bulls on Parade" – Rage Against The Machine
A rap metal classic featuring creative and unforgettable guitar work from Tom Morello.
14. "Burnin' For You" – Blue Öyster Cult
One of the best guitar songs of the early '70s.
15. "Burning Down The House" – Talking Heads
A must-listen for college students
16. "Crossroads" – Cream
"I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees,
Asked the Lord above 'have mercy, now save poor Bob, if you please... '"
Eric Clapton & co. revitalized and transformed this song originally by Robert Johnson.
17. "Crosstown Traffic" – Jimi Hendrix
I love the tempo of this one.
"Ninety miles an hour, girl, is the speed I drive."
18. "Detroit Rock City" – Kiss
The guitar riffs of this song never get old!
19. "Do You Realize??" - The Flaming Lips
Lovely alternative rock song.
20. "Fortunate Son" – Creedence Clearwater Revival
An anti-war, swamp rock anthem.
21. "Fox On The Run" – Sweet
Great glam rock song I discovered thanks to "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2"
22. "Frankenstein" – The Edgar Winter Group
The definition of a RIFF.
23. "Free Fallin'" - Tom Petty
"AND I'M FREE... FREE FALLIN'..." Singing the chorus never gets old.
24. "Highway Star" – Deep Purple
A perfect driving song.
25. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - The Proclaimers
The chorus will undoubtedly get stuck in your head.
26. "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" - R.E.M.
A fitting song, really, given today's political situation.
27. "It's Tricky" – RUN-DMC
A staple of rap-rock.
28. "Jump Into the Fire" – Harry Nilsson
A severely underrated vocalist, I love his freewheeling vocal performance here.
29. "Layla" – Derek & The Dominos
All-time great guitar riff, especially the slide guitar work from Duane Allman.
30. "Learn to Fly" – Foo Fighters
It's full-throttle drumming never lets up.
31. "Let it Happen" – Tame Impala
Released in 2016, it's one of my favorite songs of the decade.
32. "Like a Rolling Stone" – Bob Dylan
Learning the lyrics to this monumental release is a MUST.
33. "London Calling" – The Clash
They're known as "The only band that matters" for a reason.
34. "Make a Change" - Durand Jones & The Indications
Probably the most obscure song on this list; I love its retro soul vibe.
35. "Mississippi Queen" - Mountain
I first discovered them years ago while playing "Guitar Hero III," an underrated band.
36. "Move On Up" – Curtis Mayfield
Clocking in at nearly 9 minutes long, it never gets old.
37. "Mr. Brightside" – The Killers
An anthem song.
38. "Numb" – Linkin Park
One of the definitive alternative rock songs of the 2000s.
39. "Out of Touch" – Hall & Oates
I remember this one from the video game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City."
40. "Radar Love" – Golden Earring
"I've been drivin' all night, my hand's wet on the wheel." PERFECT driving song.
41. "Reach Out I'll Be There" – The Four Tops
An amazing release from the legendary "Motown" record label.
42. "The Real Me" – The Who
The bass guitar lines and drumming on this one is INSANE and cannot be overstated.
43. "Redbone" – Childish Gambino
I love the vibe of this one.
44. "Ride Like The Wind" – Christopher Cross
A first-rate addition to the lesser-known subgenre "Yacht Rock."
45. "Runnin' Down A Dream" – Tom Petty
Heavy, brilliant guitar shredding on this one.
46. "Running on Empty" – Jackson Browne
I know this one from "Forrest Gump."
47. "S.O.B." - Nathaniel Rateliffe & The Night Sweats
I love how its stripped-down style transforms into a punchy soul song.
48. "Satisfaction" – The Rolling Stones
C'mon, you know why this one's here.
49. "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" - Elton John
One of his most energetic songs; I love its rapid-fire speed.
50. "Take On Me" - A-ha
"At one point, this was considered to be an American national anthem, but then we stuck with the national anthem we have." - Jimmy Fallon
A Spotify link to all 50 songs is here.
