# What is the best rock instrumental of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 21, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198 "2012-08-21T19:41:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/101 "2012-08-23T19:57:35Z")
“Listen” Tears for Fears… “Songs from the Big Chair”… ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/102 "2012-08-23T20:18:06Z")
No love for ELP’s “[Fanfare for the "Common Man](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OLWgrr671g)”? It gets bonus points for being a new arrangement of a classical work. Also, are we talking the best instrumental sing, or the most virtuoso of performances by the musicians. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/103 "2012-08-23T20:46:22Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > That has got to be the weirdest list in the history of lists. Why, just because the list of “100 Greatest Rock Instrumentals” has 250 items on it? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/104 "2012-08-23T21:25:28Z")
Two more rock instrumental candidates from the surf genre: “Unto The Resplendent” - The Mermen “Hearse Full Of Souls” - Evan Foster …and the classic one-hit instrumental wonder, “Popcorn” by Hot Butter (fabulous as background music for a table tennis match). ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/105 "2012-08-23T21:36:16Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > _For The Love Of God_ by Steve Vai. [The orchestral arrangement.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IrWyZ0KZuk&feature=player_embedded) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/106 "2012-08-23T21:45:22Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > … and \*\*Miserlou \*\*by Dick Dale. … > [@Sigmagirl](#): > > “Misirlou” by Bobby Fuller. I. … Little bit of a hijack … If you are a big fan of Misirlou like me (I have about 20 different versions), make sure to search for both spellings – Misirlou and Miserlou. They are the same song, but both iTunes and Rhapsody have multiple versions on each list that don’t appear on the other. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/107 "2012-08-23T21:51:53Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I nominate the second half of _Layla_. It really is a different song by a different author. If \*Funeral for a Friend \*counts, then so should this. Layla piano ending. Without question. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/108 "2012-08-23T22:11:06Z")
[quote=“OtisCampbellWasRight, post:11, topic:632198”] [quote=“Eonwe, post:10, topic:632198”] I’ll also suggest _Jessica_ by The Allman Brothers. > [@](#): > > In the same vein, one could argue In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, also by the Brothers Allman. Stole my post. A classic! ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/109 "2012-08-23T22:21:05Z")
No question that posting “Jessica” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” pretty much made the rest of the thread a posting of other favorites, since the candidates for the best were given right at the top. Which is better? “Jessica” is the purest example of American stomp and cheer guitar-based Southern cookin’ music. “Elizabeth Reed” might have an even better melody. But it has that drum solo. But that melodic line… Damn motorcycles. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/110 "2012-08-24T01:58:05Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Since this has become a “list all the instrumentals you can think of” thread, let’s get some **R.E.M.** up in here: > > [White Tornado](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxZP2eV2Y2A) Yep, some of Bill Berry’s best drum work evident there. I also like “Endgame.” [QUOTE=Chicagojeff] “Listen” Tears for Fears.. “Songs from the Big Chair”.. [/QUOTE] I’ve already violated many of the rules of instrumentals in my lists, but I was so tempted to put “intros to ‘The Working Hour’ and ‘Broken’ from TFF’s Songs from the Big Chair.” That is a great, great record. I can’t believe I left these off as well: Living Colour, “Ology” New Order, “Elegia” - I’ve decided I will play this on the first day of my classes this semester as students enter the room. 🙂 ---
**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:** [August 24, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/111 "2012-08-24T02:00:27Z")
Pete Haycock did an album of instrumentals that I really like. Here he is playing [Dr. Brown I Presume](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK9a-yMluag). ---
**Author:** ![Greekfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Greekfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greekfreak)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/112 "2012-08-24T06:56:16Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Little bit of a hijack … > If you are a big fan of Misirlou like me (I have about 20 different versions), make sure to search for both spellings – Misirlou and Miserlou. They are the same song, but both iTunes and Rhapsody have multiple versions on each list that don’t appear on the other. Do you have the one my people grew up with? [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BZ4mobFCgo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BZ4mobFCgo) ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/113 "2012-08-24T07:12:05Z")
There should be a couple of Brian May pieces in the short list. instrumentals from: movie “Flash Gordon” the wedding song “We will rock you” “Don’t stop me now” ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/114 "2012-08-24T17:19:51Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Here’s a great one from the vaults. “Flute Thing” from Blues Project. Written by Al Kooper and flute work by Andy Kulberg. There’s a live version called “Electric Flute Thing” that’s longer and a bit shaggier, like most 60s live work, but is equally good in its way. > > While we’re in the 60s let me make another stop at Quicksilver Messenger Service. “Edward, the Mad Shirt Grinder” is an all-time classic, already mentioned, but they had fine instrumentals on almost every album. “Gold and Silver,” “The Fool,” “Calvary,” “Cobra,” “Spindrifter,” all with very different sounds because of their ever-changing lineup. The lost great 60s group. Right On, Bro! Except for David Freiberg’s stoned-out vocal interlude, “The Fool” is instrumental heaven from first to last. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/115 "2012-08-24T17:26:22Z")
Tough question. For me, the classics are “Frankenstein,” “Apache,” “Wipe Out,” Miserlou," “Pipeline,” and “Jessica.” I’ll nominate “Frankenstein” as my favorite of that bunch. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/116 "2012-08-24T17:41:38Z")
Europa (Moonflower album) - Carlos Santana Hand Picked (Highway Call album) - Richard Betts and Vassar Clements and, of course, I’ll join the Jessica bandwagon. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/117 "2012-08-24T18:06:04Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > No question that posting “Jessica” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” pretty much made the rest of the thread a posting of other favorites, since the candidates for the best were given right at the top. > > Which is better? “Jessica” is the purest example of American stomp and cheer guitar-based Southern cookin’ music. “Elizabeth Reed” might have an even better melody. But it has that drum solo. But that melodic line… > > Damn motorcycles. It really [needs to be linked to](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRDivUb5EeA). I’m always amazed at folks who lump the Allman Brothers into the “Southern Rock” category. They were a _Prog_ band, that just happened to be from the South. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/118 "2012-08-24T19:10:24Z")
Not a rock band , but totally a rock instrumental: “[The Roots of Coincidence](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6KaUiqLZcs)” by the Pat Metheny Group. ---
**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:** [August 24, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/119 "2012-08-24T19:17:09Z")
As much as I like “Jessica” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”, I’d have to pick the post drum solo half of “Mountain Jam” as the best rock instrumental. Followed very closely by Carlos Santana’s “Toussaint L’Overture.” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/120 "2012-08-24T19:40:20Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > It really [needs to be linked to](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRDivUb5EeA). > > I’m always amazed at folks who lump the Allman Brothers into the “Southern Rock” category. They were a _Prog_ band, that just happened to be from the South. Personally, I think that’s a good thing. The Allmans were not prog to me. Prog bands don’t really jam over two simple chords. (Yes, I know there’s a couple more chords in there, but it’s mostly just A and D.) Maybe a jam band, but no more prog than the Grateful Dead or Phish are. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198.md?page=7)