Reaching for something to write about musically has been a little challenging lately. I have given my readers an extensive list of songs and albums that I think are worth exploring. Judging by the responses, it seems a lot of you like my eclectic tastes and I will continue to put songs out there that need another listen to but today will be a little different.
My theme is a little hard to describe and hopefully by the end of this article you will get it. Stealing a line from Stevie Ray Vaughn just gives you context however, he isn’t on this list.
Today is about music that exemplifies an ethos. Music that is not for the faint of heart or weak of knees. Not so much head-banging rock but songs that are not pretty balads. Songs that you could imagine watching a bar fight to. Playing a game of tackle football with no pads. Music to be tough enough.
I attempted to listen to music of recent vintage. Anything from 2000 and on and tried to find groups or songs that might fit my unusual genre quest. Is Arcade Fire rock? Green Day sucks. Linken Park? They are from the 90’s aren’t they? Stone Horses? Completely forgettable. Once again, the music of today is toned down, conscious blathering by some moderately talented musicians. You want tough from todays artists, go listen to Rap or Hip Hop. No thanks.
So, the point is, I gave present day music a chance. If I want an over produced ballad about love I would be all set but a song to just feel rowdy, not a chance in Hell.
Never a fan of heavy metal, there won’t be much included here but if you ever listen to Godsmack, Metallica, Ministry, Judas Priest and Slayer you know that any one of their songs could be the theme song of a biker bar on a Saturday night.
My songs are a little less slashing guitars and more about adrenaline pumping.
Any list of this sort has to begin with AC/DC. You know I have been a fan for decades and while I may have a few favorites, for this list any song will do. You can’t wake up and listen to “Who Made Who” and not want to go out and take on the World. Try listening to “It’s a Long Way to Rock and Roll” and not do an air guitar or lose yourself in the bagpipes. The only thing AC/DC music does is make you feel like you can take on anyone at anytime.
I will bring up Metallica as my only heavy metal band because not only did they create the greatest entry song for a player in any sport ever in “Enter the Sandman”. The Yankees were smart enough to adopt that song for Mariano Riviera, the greatest closer in baseball history. You can’t not get chills whenever you here that song and James Hatfield’s vocals make you want to punch a hole in a wall somewhere. Give a listen to “Turn the Page”, the old Bob Seger standard. They do a better job with the song than Seger does and again, by the time the song ends, you feel like a million bucks and possessor of more strength than ten men.
Maybe not in the exact genre but J. Giels “Hard Driving Man” from their Full House album gets my adrenaline going every time. Magic Dick on the harmonica. I just want to go out and pick a fight with someone. The song drives to a crescendo at the end, I am ready to go!
Pat Travers Band’s “Boom, Boom (out go the lights)” has to be included here. From the opening drum roll, you know it’s a song about kicking ass. His guitar work and the audience participation is what makes this song such an adrenaline rush.
I have to throw the Sex Pistols in here just because “God Save the Queen” transcends any of the rock from that era in England. Driving beat, driving guitars and lyrics that the Crown must not have been happy about. “She a fascist regime” come on, if that song can’t get your foot tapping and unleash your desire to dive into a Mosh pit, your probably half gone anyway.
Pulling one from my macho stack, I think everyone needs to revisit Ted Nugent and “Stranglehold”. Forget his gun toting politics for a minute, Nugent was a great guitarist and he played everything loud and hard and even when he was fronting The Amboy Dukes you knew he was going to make you deaf and wanting more.
Even though it’s been played out endlessly, “Jailbreak” from Thin Lizzy has to be on this list along with Blue Oyster Cult’s “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll”. Two songs from bands that were similar and different all at the same time.
This isn’t really a heart racing song but I love “Gonna Raise Hell” by Cheap Trick. Clocks in at over nine minutes and its theme supports my article. Tough, gritty, great beat, and hard guitar work. It probably should be the theme song for this article but I just remembered it. Originally, I thought Cheap Trick was a little over rated but on second thought, they were a great rock and roll band and I am happy to include them here.
There obviously are many more songs that can be included here and I will peruse my playlists to find them. If you have any ideas, forward them to me and please do not send me any Ed Sheeran suggestions.
You left out some of the best “motivating” music when you forgot to mention almost anything by Steppenwolf.