# Favorite "Rock" Instrumental **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 11, 2010, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913 "2010-08-11T05:06:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Naganeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e95f7d/32.png) [@Naganeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naganeen)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/1 "2010-08-11T05:06:27Z")
For various values of “Rock”. Personally, the lyrics of a song are far more likely to hook me than the music, no matter how sublime. But even I appreciate a truly outstanding instrumental when it comes around. Everyone knows (and most love) [Jessica](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oidm5Zfw_SA) by the Allman Brothers Band. What’s not to love? But I think I like [Little Martha](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRl3Gsy2ANE) even more. Booker T and the MGs with [Green Onions](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bpS-cOBK6Q&feature=related), selected by at least one person with **way** too much time on their hands as the [best ever](http://www.listology.com/story/best-rock-instrumentals-all-time). Black Mountain Side is a contender, particularly when paired with [White Summer](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JyAy96GC78) I can still remember the first time I put on a cassette of Master of Puppets and heard [Orion](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzMJhOwBLqw), lo these many (many, sigh) years ago. But the one that I listen to over and over. The one I can listen to until my ears bleed and never feel “Well, I’ve heard that enough,” is [Chanty](http://video.nate.com/210401655) \*\* by Son Volt. It’s 1:28 that will stop, albeit briefly, whatever raging idiocy my mind has twisted itself into and force me to just listen. Your favorites? \*\* While the others are all links to a studio version of the song in question on Youtube, I can’t find one for Chanty. This link goes to a Korean site with a 30 second clip that backs a Volkswagen TDI commercial. Which, in some ways is fitting, considering that’s where I first heard the song and spent months trying to track down the artist and title. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/2 "2010-08-11T06:27:33Z")
I’d seriously consider Tomoyasu Hotei’s [Battle Without Honor or Humanity](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnfFTVjRpLI)one of the greatest rock instrumentals of all time. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/3 "2010-08-11T08:54:10Z")
“Frankenstein” by the Edgar Winter Group. “Pick Up the Pieces” by the Average White Band. “Moby Dick” by Led Zeppelin. For various values of “rock,” I’d also consider “Wipe Out” by the Surfaris and “Pipeline” by the Chantays. And for instrumental regardless of genre, I’d have to mention the “Pink Panther” theme by Henry Mancini. Yeah, it’s not rock, but it’s still hella-cool. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/4 "2010-08-11T08:59:38Z")
I’d have to go with most of the Black Mages playlist. I especially like [Those Who Fight Further](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaZOGhESWmg). I have a couple of their CDs, and I’m thinking of buying some more. ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/5 "2010-08-11T09:01:03Z")
So glad you asked. I once again have the honor of sharing with y’all my favorite piece of intrumental music. The late Mrs. Remains, shocked me by having this played for our first dance. [“Black napkins”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzbpgBPJfUs) by Frank Zappa. This version is played by Franks son, Dweezil. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/6 "2010-08-11T09:19:35Z")
There’s so many: \* Interstellar Overdrive\* by Pink Floyd (from The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn) _Every Step Of The Way_ by Santana (from Caravanserai) _We Love You Lil_ by Eric Burdon And The Animals (from The Twain Shall Meet) _Peaches En Regalia_ by Frank Zappa (from Hot Rats) _Lower Your Eyelids To Die With The Sun_ by M83 (from Before The Dawn Heals Us) _Calvary_ by Quicksilver Messenger Service (from Happy Trails) - if you allow the single cry of “Who did he think he was?” _Birdman of Alcatraz_ by Rick Wakeman (from Criminal Record) _Earth_ by The Third Ear Band (from The Third Ear Band) To name but a few. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/7 "2010-08-11T09:36:36Z")
I like several of the songs already named. John Frusciante’s 3 minute solo/coda at the end of the RHCPs’ **Turn It Again** is orgasmic. He said it was a tribute to Hendrix, and you can hear it. Neil Young’s **Emperor of Wyoming** is perfect in every possible way. So is Mark Knopfler’s **[Going Home](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EyoXb4DtHA)** from his Local Hero soundtrack. ---
**Author:** ![Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harvey_The_Heavy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/8 "2010-08-11T09:41:23Z")
[YYZ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XsYuHbXZUk) by Rush [Transylvania](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY0RZriJ3gk) by Iron Maiden [Asleep In The Desert](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCBYpv8MmtY) by ZZ Top ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/9 "2010-08-11T10:31:24Z")
I prefer [Booker T & the MG’s “Time is Tight”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUGsZgkjrco) to “Green Onions.” [The Red Elvises, “El Niño”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JodrQ_ybF5E) reminds me of [Dick Dale’s “Misirlou”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9rg2uP_xXk), and both are great. [“Pipeline” by The Chanteys](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omG-hZfN6zk) is a classic, with good reason. [The Viscounts version of “Harlem Nocturne”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfAv8yAaHps) is full of sax-y goodness, and [Link Wray’s “Rumble”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NAq4HyoNe4) is menacing. I have a fondness for [“Lana’” by Tangerine Dream](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJVouCbneGM), from the\* Risky Business \*soundtrack. Geez I love YouTube. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/10 "2010-08-11T10:36:22Z")
I was going to suggest [Hocus Pocus](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnTGF5G5B6w&feature=related) by Focus, but it has yodeling. So… only one real choice. [Miserlou](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEKywel5nZ0). It this case, Miserlou '95. I don’t think ‘hup hey’ disqualifies it. Edit: Hi-5, Left Blank. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/11 "2010-08-11T10:42:03Z")
Also worth mentioning, both by Link Ray: [Rumble](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NAq4HyoNe4) [Switchblade](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qcQ5yx9O_A) Fun facts: A: Link Ray invented the power chord. B: Rumble was not allowed to be named on American Bandstand, as it was thought it might incite a riot. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/12 "2010-08-11T10:54:30Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > I was going to suggest [Hocus Pocus](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnTGF5G5B6w&feature=related) by Focus, but it has yodeling. FWIW, I’d count it. No words. I’d count “Tequila” as well, if someone were predisposed to nominate it. Shouting out one word, or “Yeah!”, or using voice as a instrument (non-verbal) doesn’t disqualify a song as an instrumental in my happy little world. I’m not the OP though. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/13 "2010-08-11T10:59:51Z")
One of my favourite styles of music is German cosmic music of the '70s, which is all instrumental (and usually very long). So there’s a a lot of Klaus Schulze’s and Tangerine Dream’s stuff that I like; for example, \*Floating \*by Klaus Schulze from Moondawn. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/14 "2010-08-11T11:42:07Z")
[Beck’s Bolero](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1hijzkOrnk) ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/15 "2010-08-11T11:45:25Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > [Beck’s Bolero](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1hijzkOrnk) If we’re talking Jeff Beck, I’d go for Definitely Maybe or Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/16 "2010-08-11T11:48:54Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > > [@WordMan](#): > > > > [Beck’s Bolero](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1hijzkOrnk) > > If we’re talking Jeff Beck, I’d go for Definitely Maybe or Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers. As long as we’re talking Jeff Beck, I’m good. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/17 "2010-08-11T11:57:19Z")
> [@Naganeen](#): > > Everyone knows (and most love) [Jessica](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oidm5Zfw_SA) by the Allman Brothers Band. What’s not to love? But I think I like [Little Martha](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRl3Gsy2ANE) even more. If I could only pick one song of theirs, I would go with [In Memory of Elizabeth Reed](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpTQ38GERx8) (this is live video shot at the Fillmore East in 1970). ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/18 "2010-08-11T12:14:21Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > > [@Naganeen](#): > > > > Everyone knows (and most love) [Jessica](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oidm5Zfw_SA) by the Allman Brothers Band. What’s not to love? But I think I like [Little Martha](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRl3Gsy2ANE) even more. > > If I could only pick one song of theirs, I would go with [In Memory of Elizabeth Reed](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpTQ38GERx8) (this is live video shot at the Fillmore East in 1970). The Brothers didn’t make any shitty music, but Elizabeth is my favorite, too. The boundary crossings of these “nearly rock” things might appeal to some: [Duane Eddy - Rebel Rouser](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--Y3_WVm_4s) [Bill Doggett - Honky Tonk (Parts 1 and 2)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TDxaRIkaBY) ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/19 "2010-08-11T12:19:43Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > > [@Naganeen](#): > > > > Everyone knows (and most love) [Jessica](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oidm5Zfw_SA) by the Allman Brothers Band. What’s not to love? But I think I like [Little Martha](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRl3Gsy2ANE) even more. > > If I could only pick one song of theirs, I would go with [In Memory of Elizabeth Reed](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpTQ38GERx8) (this is live video shot at the Fillmore East in 1970). The last time (or, at least, one of the times) this topic came up, I listed Whippin’ Post, and I think it was you Marley who corrected me by saying that it wasn’t an instrumental. This exemplifies a problem for me because, even now, I have to think hard to remember any singing; the playing is \*so \*good that the singing just becomes reduntant. So, in listing great instrumentals, I have to double check that there aren’t any vocals. I’ll put in a vote for Elizabeth Reed, too. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913/20 "2010-08-11T12:31:57Z")
There’s no doubt this is instrumental, maybe even “rock” but it has some purty pitchers! [Sandy Nelson - Teen Beat (1960)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KypIMAydkLI) And though you’d have to push your definition some, this played on the “rock” station back when I was getting my driver’s license: [“Topsy Part I” Cozy Cole](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBjVs-2aXw0) (Part II is nearby) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-rock-instrumental/549913.md?page=2)