# hard rocking songs from bands that surprised you **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 1, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349 "2020-02-01T23:36:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/21 "2020-02-02T16:19:02Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > … he once complained that too many people got the wrong impression of him as a balladeer because of “Your Song.” And Daniel. And Rocket Man. But in reality, he’s just a very diverse musician. Look at the song Madman Across the Water. That’s practically prog rock with a touch of metal. Neil Diamond tears it up pretty nicely with [In My Lifetime](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dza3LMoycfw). Interesting that he went with such an atypical style for a song where he looks back over his career. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/22 "2020-02-02T16:21:26Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > [The Osmonds - Crazy Horses](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXQVSTfhoRo) is usually in the discussion on this topic. Yep. This is the first song/group I thought of as soon as I saw the thread title. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/23 "2020-02-02T16:28:40Z")
Missed the edit window. Cher was in a hard rock band back in the late 70’s called Black Rose. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/24 "2020-02-02T17:47:06Z")
In the U.S. the group Nazareth only had one hit song, an overwrought remake of the ballad “Love Hurts”. It was years before I figured out that a classic rock favorite, " Hair of the Dog" was by the same group, and in fact was the B-side of the Love Hurts single. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/25 "2020-02-02T18:22:33Z")
Oh, I’d say Nazareth rocks pretty hard on [Razamanaz](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpeI5Z4vO-4). The first band that I though of is known for being pretty mellow, but the Moody Blues had some pretty up tempo rockers like _Ride My See Saw_, _Higher and Higher_ and _Question_. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4bbf92/32.png) [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Hamsandwich)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/26 "2020-02-02T18:53:44Z")
Not sure if it qualifies as “hard rocking” but I had to find out for myself that Kenny Rogers recorded this gem: [“Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meJP410N9Gg) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/27 "2020-02-02T22:31:39Z")
> [@whitetho](#): > > In the U.S. the group Nazareth only had one hit song, an overwrought remake of the ballad “Love Hurts”. It was years before I figured out that a classic rock favorite, " Hair of the Dog" was by the same group, and in fact was the B-side of the Love Hurts single. I’d say about 98% of what Nazereth did went for the hard rocking thing, with the odd ballad, like LH. > [@blondebear](#): > > Oh, I’d say Nazareth rocks pretty hard on [Razamanaz](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpeI5Z4vO-4). > > The first band that I though of is known for being pretty mellow, but the Moody Blues had some pretty up tempo rockers like _Ride My See Saw_, _Higher and Higher_ and _Question_. “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock’n Roll Band)” was probably their hardest thing they did. There was a hard rocking band called AC/DC who did a hard rocking song called _Back in Black_, which was performed, here, by someone, well, slightly less hard rocking: [Wing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqa-HYihaZo). (ok maybe not the most hard-rocking rendition ever performed, however in Wing terms, man - she _rips_.) ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/28 "2020-02-03T07:52:26Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > The chorus for that number doesn’t exactly scream hard rocking to me, so I’ll go with “Life In the Fast Lane” and “Dirty Laundry”, the second one somewhat neutered, admittedly, by the new wavy keyboard line. I was going to nitpick that Dirty Laundry is Don Henley solo, but according to Wikipedia it did feature Eagles members on the recording and they do play it as a band in concert so I guess it could also be called an Eagles song. However, it makes the stylistic difference less surprising since it wasn’t _written_ as an Eagles song. ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/29 "2020-02-03T11:02:34Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > [The Osmonds - Crazy Horses](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXQVSTfhoRo) is usually in the discussion on this topic. That video is a blast! I don’t think their synchronized dancing helps their “rocker” street cred much, but it’s fun to watch. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/30 "2020-02-03T11:07:56Z")
> [@TheBoltEater](#): > > How about “Ridin’ the Storm Out” from REO Speedwagon? At least the live version they usually play on the radio - the original recorded version is certainly tamer. > > Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk “Roll with the Changes” is another great rocker by REO. They took a turn toward a poppier sound on **Hi Infidelity** , and it worked - that album sold zillions. ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/31 "2020-02-03T11:21:29Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > …There was a hard rocking band called AC/DC who did a hard rocking song called _Back in Black_, which was performed, here, by someone, well, slightly less hard rocking: [Wing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqa-HYihaZo). > (ok maybe not the most hard-rocking rendition ever performed, however in Wing terms, man - she _rips_.) I’m speechless. I am without speech… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/32 "2020-02-03T12:23:50Z")
> [@LLCoolL](#): > > I’m speechless. I am without speech… Too bad **Wing** isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/33 "2020-02-03T14:00:19Z")
“Rebel. rebel” by David Bowie is a pretty rocking song from an artist better known for Space Oddity ([David Bowie - Rebel Rebel • TopPop - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy-rvsHsi1o&feature=emb_logo)) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/34 "2020-02-03T14:22:06Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > “25 or 6 to 4” - Chicago. Terry Kath was a monster on guitar. That is not nearly the only song that highlights his incredible work. It wasn’t until after he accidentally killed himself that the band turned completely poppy. He really should have been as legendary as Duane or Jimi. I believe the only reason why he’s not is because by choice he was in a band where he didn’t have to be the focus of every song. Even the ones he wrote. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/35 "2020-02-03T14:43:36Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Many, many years ago when I first heard “Helter Skelter,” I was surprised that the Beatles could sound that heavy. > [@syncrolecyne](#): > > While Helter Skelter is the noisiest Beatle’s song, I always thought “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” was also a “metal-like” song - with its length and meter changes. I’d nominate the B-side single version of [“Revolution”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLGzRXY5Bw). > [@Ludovic](#): > > I was going to nitpick that Dirty Laundry is Don Henley solo, but according to Wikipedia it did feature Eagles members on the recording and they do play it as a band in concert so I guess it could also be called an Eagles song. However, it makes the stylistic difference less surprising since it wasn’t _written_ as an Eagles song. The Eagles sound changed towards a harder rock sound considerably with the addition of Don Felder and later Joe Walsh replacing Bernie Leadon. It also played a big part in their break-up. Speaking of Don Henley’s solo material. “I Will Not Go Quietly” on his _End of the Innocence_ album is probably his hardest rocker with backing vocals from Axl Rose. The thread winner is, of course, Blur’s “Song 2” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/36 "2020-02-03T14:52:45Z")
If I was going to choose an Eagles song that was remotely “hard-rocking” it would have to be “The Greeks Don’t Want No Freaks” off _The Long Run_. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/37 "2020-02-03T15:04:45Z")
Stray Cats Rock This Town was less hillbilly and more hard rock from the rockabilly band. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/38 "2020-02-03T15:11:43Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > [Casanova](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g4G_oX-JMc) - probably the hardest-hitting song Roxy Music ever recorded. It has sort of a heavy-funk groove. Sick bass part. Wasn’t the majority of their material more or less hard hitting, with dashes of glam/art rock? Too many to name, really - [Out of the Blue](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltn-kcRAqI4) [Editons of You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kxfGPWGaJ0) [Do the Strand](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5X6BifSQ9U) …quite a few more… > [@Ludovic](#): > > I was going to nitpick that Dirty Laundry is Don Henley solo… :smack: I shoulda spotted that. > [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Neil Diamond tears it up pretty nicely with [In My Lifetime](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dza3LMoycfw). Interesting that he went with such an atypical style for a song where he looks back over his career. > [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > [The Osmonds - Crazy Horses](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXQVSTfhoRo) is usually in the discussion on this topic. I had never come across those numbers before. Blown away. Thank-you! ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/39 "2020-02-03T15:26:18Z")
When I first got into Camper van Beethoven, the overall impression was of a laid back, stoner sort of band, with the occasional middle eastern influenced ditty, and songs like the immortal “Take the Skinheads Bowling”. Then I heard [Eye of Fatima (Part 2)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh9cPAXyEVg) for the first time. Has a slow and easy start, but it builds to an awesome, rocking crescendo. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349/40 "2020-02-03T15:49:04Z")
> [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](#): > > Not sure if it qualifies as “hard rocking” but I had to find out for myself that Kenny Rogers recorded this gem: [“Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meJP410N9Gg) Every once in awhile a deep cut that you’ve been listening to your entire life surprises you. I would never have guessed that that was Kenny Rogers & The First Edition. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-rocking-songs-from-bands-that-surprised-you/847349.md?page=3)