# Is there a better rock song than Rocks Off? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839 "2015-03-12T16:42:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/21 "2015-03-15T11:30:54Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Can we all agree that, between Beggars Banquet and Exile, the Stones had the best four-album/five record streak ever? It’s almost like an extended single release. Oh yeah. I would add Some Girls to that list, but regardless, that run is just amazing. I tend to play Sticky Fingers a bit more than Exile, but both are an embarrassment of riches. And yes, the end outro bit to Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’ is wonderful. Bobby Keys discussed it a bit in his autobio - how it came together in the wee hours and he knew he would be expected to contribute a lead, but not much more. That organic interplay in that music is so great to hear. Hmm, may have to break out the Telecaster today (even though Keef was likely using a cool old Les Paul Custom with a cool paint job…): [Photo Storage](http://s20.photobucket.com/user/open-g/media/keithLPcustom.jpg.html) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/22 "2015-03-15T13:02:56Z")
Not even close to the best Stones song and forget about best rock song. For the Stones I would go with _Sympathy For The Devil_ For all of Rock, I lean towards \*\*\*Kashmir \*\*\*by Led Zep. It is a hard driving song indeed. Worthy candidates: _Baba O’Riley_ by the Who. _Riders on the Storm_ by the Doors. \*Whipping Post \*by the Allman Brothers. Love _Ramblin’ Man_ but probably a little to countrified to content for best rock song. _Johnny B. Goode_ by Chuck Berry _Purple Haze_ by Jimi Hendrix _Enter Sandman_ by Metallica Other Great songs of Rock that aren’t all that rocking in the end: Imagine, Hey Jude, Respect, ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/23 "2015-03-15T13:25:34Z")
I wasn’t trying to take the Thread title literally - just a fun opportunity to gush a bit about that era Stones. Riders on the Storm?! Really? ---
**Author:** ![CheshireKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheshirekat/32/1207_2.png) [@CheshireKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheshireKat)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/24 "2015-03-15T13:42:39Z")
For me it’s Gimme Shelter, followed by [Locomotive Breath](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJkmHQ2q--I) by Jethro Tull for making you wait with anticipation for over a minute. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/25 "2015-03-15T13:52:34Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I wasn’t trying to take the Thread title literally - just a fun opportunity to gush a bit about that era Stones. > Riders on the Storm?! Really? Well, to each their own but honestly I posted to a thread where what to me is an inferior Stones songs is being lauded as the greatest. So I should be allowed my pet song. I should have included _Close to the Edge_ or \*And You And I \* or maybe _I’ve Seen all Good People_ but I know how little love for Prog Rock there is on this board. _Lucky Man by ELP_ is another of my favorites. Wooden Ships by CSN is great but so folky. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/26 "2015-03-15T14:15:19Z")
Rocks Off is a fine song, but I doubt anyone is really pushing it to the tippy-top of the list. It kicks off one of the all-time great albums, and when the sax and trumpet come in in the middle, I happen to just love that incredibly simple, powerful addition… I know Doors folks dig that song, so there ya go. I am a sucker for British metal band UFO’s live album, Strangers in the Night, featuring Michael Schenker on some wonderful lead guitar. We all have our go-to’s… ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/27 "2015-03-16T16:32:38Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Well, to each their own but honestly I posted to a thread where what to me is an inferior Stones songs is being lauded as the greatest. So I should be allowed my pet song. I should have included _Close to the Edge_ or \*And You And I \* or maybe _I’ve Seen all Good People_ but I know how little love for Prog Rock there is on this board. _Lucky Man by ELP_ is another of my favorites. Wooden Ships by CSN is great but so folky. Those are all great songs, but I think this thread is leaning more towards songs that “rock out”. Sounds like you’re more into stuff that has a certain ethereal quality (I’m not sure that’s exactly the right term but hopefully you know what I mean). ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/28 "2015-03-16T19:07:26Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Oh yeah. I would add Some Girls to that list, but regardless, that run is just amazing. See, I don’t get why Some Girls is rated so highly. It’s a really good record, arguably the last such record the band made, but I don’t see it ranking with the Perfect Four (BB, LIB, SF, EOMS). ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/29 "2015-03-16T19:17:19Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > I’m a bit of an outlier, because I think Sticky Fingers is better than Exile. But my favorite Stones song? “Loving Cup.” > [@NDP](#): > > No, you’re not. I also think Sticky Fingers is a better album. Still, Exile is a _close_ second. Add me to the choir. _Sticky Fingers_ has been my all time favorite album since I first heard it some 30 years ago, although I learned to love a lot of albums since then which are strong contenders. > [@dropzone](#): > > Can we all agree that, between Beggars Banquet and Exile, the Stones had the best four-album/five record streak ever? It’s almost like an extended single release. Seconded, I’m sure I stated almost exactly the same point some time here on the board. For me it started with Jimmy Miller’s first production job “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and ended with “Exile”. The rest of their seventies output was hit and miss, with “Some Girls” a last high point, but after “Tattoo You” they lost it, at least in the studio and in songwriting. Now “Rocks Off” is a fine rocker, what I especially love about it is Charlie’s drumming. Like everybody who loves rock ‘n’ roll, I’ve heard countless Stones covers or bands which tried to emulate their sound, but nobody came close in the drum section, and “Rocks Off” is a prime example of his sound. Love you, Charlie. Funnily, just yesterday I had a similar thread in mind about songs that just _rock_ after listening to the MC5. So here are two of theirs which totally smoke: [MC5 - Sister Anne](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu32QpGkO2A) [MC5 - The American Ruse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSGoeAh0QWM) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/30 "2015-03-16T21:32:47Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > Those are all great songs, but I think this thread is leaning more towards songs that “rock out”. Sounds like you’re more into stuff that has a certain ethereal quality (I’m not sure that’s exactly the right term but hopefully you know what I mean). My feeling too, that is why I listed \*\*\*Kashmir \*\*\*in my first post and didn’t list the less rocking songs. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/31 "2015-03-16T22:05:25Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > My feeling too, that is why I listed \*\*\*Kashmir \*\*\*in my first post and didn’t list the less rocking songs. And, to be clear, **Kashmir** is a fine choice. Best Zep song - just wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/32 "2015-03-16T23:06:36Z")
kashmir ranks up there but I’d put Aerosmith’s Dude Looks like a Lady against Rocks Off start to finish and every single note in between. It’s got everything, horns, sax, vocals, guitar solo. All of it belted out in full strut mode. It literally drives hard all the way through. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/33 "2015-03-17T01:34:28Z")
\*Won’t Get Fooled Again \* is my favorite; _Gimme Shelter_ is my favorite Stones song. Jimi’s _Fire_ is mighty fine as well. ---
**Author:** ![Graymalkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@Graymalkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Graymalkin)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/34 "2015-03-17T02:08:32Z")
Yes, Einsteinshund, MC5 could do it! American Ruse is great, but they, too–like the Stones–could take a Chuck Berry song and add about 100 mph to it, as they did with Back in the USA (on same album as American Ruse). Thanks for the US ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/35 "2015-03-17T15:47:24Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Not even close to the best Stones song and forget about best rock song. > > For the Stones I would go with _Sympathy For The Devil_ > > For all of Rock, I lean towards \*\*\*Kashmir \*\*\*by Led Zep. It is a hard driving song indeed. > > Worthy candidates: > _Baba O’Riley_ by the Who. > _Riders on the Storm_ by the Doors. > \*Whipping Post \*by the Allman Brothers. Love _Ramblin’ Man_ but probably a little to countrified to content for best rock song. > _Johnny B. Goode_ by Chuck Berry > _Purple Haze_ by Jimi Hendrix > _Enter Sandman_ by Metallica > > Other Great songs of Rock that aren’t all that rocking in the end: > Imagine, Hey Jude, Respect, Hmmm…not sure exactly how to describe the song “category” if you will but few of those mentioned above fit with what I was looking for. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/36 "2015-03-17T15:51:10Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I won’t say a bad word about any of the Stones songs mentioned. > > However, I often think the ultimate rock and roll song is Faces [Stay With Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSQp7YOPdJ8). > mmm A very worthy nomination! I’m still trying to decide which Replacements song to put forth…even without piano or horns. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/37 "2015-03-17T17:47:14Z")
[Bastards of Young](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl9KQ1Mub6Q)? But the Mats, as much as I love them, don’t really belong in a discussion of straight-up rock-n-roll. It’s not just that they’re missing the piano and horns, it’s that they didn’t try to make grand rock songs. They were going to play their three chords, spit out the lyrics, suck down a bottle of Jack (not necessarily in that order), and fuck you if you don’t like it. When I think of “Rock Songs,” they’re as much for the audience as for the performers, and the Replacements couldn’t have cared less what the audience thought about their shows. The [Black Crowes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XQJY2DumfvA#t=84), on the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/38 "2015-03-17T18:16:14Z")
For me the best rock song is Iggy Pop’s [Repo Man](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfivq3Ou4_M). Really good drum work, a nice bass line, the lyrics are kind of nonsensical but that’s rock music for you. Iggy basically put the song together [just before it was recorded](http://io9.com/the-weirdest-things-you-never-knew-about-the-making-of-1673079559) which makes it all the more impressive. I don’t know if he still sings this song or not and he didn’t when I saw him in concert years ago, but he should. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/39 "2015-03-17T20:14:56Z")
This is in heavy rotation for me lately - [Heavy Bells - J. Roddy Walston & The Business - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LfmGZBuN78) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839/40 "2015-03-17T23:58:48Z")
Not even the best Rolling Stones song, which is _Gimme Shelter_. Martin Scorsese has used it in at least two different films to accompany pivotal action sequences. So, in answer to your question, no. As to those who mistakenly believe that _Exile on Main Street_ is the best Stone’s album, I think it drags in a number of spots. _Sticky Fingers_ is raw, monstrous and alive in every single lick. A non Stones contender for best song would be _Mr. Tambourine Man_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-better-rock-song-than-rocks-off/714839.md?page=3)