# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/141 "2013-05-18T03:30:15Z")
If you’ve ever heard [Love Sculpture’s version of The Sabre Dance](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WAWnMkHHHE), you’ll surely agree it’s the best rock instrumental of all time. By far. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/142 "2013-05-18T15:14:09Z")
Either YYZ by Rush or [Genesis The Brazilian](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFJ7AazmrcQ) I’ll also nominate [Genesis Second Home by the Sea](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lTtrtIaiiM). It is a separate song, although it is always performed after Home by the Sea ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/143 "2013-05-18T17:38:24Z")
Is this list still not finished? [**Scorpions** - _Coast To Coast_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ltwSKsTcFM) [**Ted Nugent’s Amboy Dukes** - _Hibernation_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxlIIioU8UI) [**Little Feat** - _Day At The Dog Races_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzNeFYcIIc4) [**War** - _City Country City_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZmeFGmiQDI) [**Manfred Mann’s Earth Band** - _Waiter, There’s A Yawn In My Ear_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4xrHbRVdpw) [**Grand Funk** - _Flight Of The Phoenix_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU7V3XPah4E) (and an [extended remix](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-FYXVuG_Qs) if you’re into that sort of thing) [**Sea Level** - _Storm Warning_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzTA4NWCheE) or [- _Midnight Pass_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t46kxrYQYSM) [**Gov’t Mule** - _Sun Dance_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUiyg9hoMx0) with Chris Squire [**String Cheese Incident** - _MLT_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i1rCpuRLOU) There are probably others. ---
**Author:** ![Docta\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Docta\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Docta_G)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/144 "2013-05-18T18:52:59Z")
“Best”? Are we teenagers again? ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/145 "2013-05-18T21:20:53Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Good question. To keep it simple let’s define it as an instrumental by a band or artist normally known for having lyrics. Country rock instrumental. [Late Winter, Early Spring](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW09-6x5ycc) by John Denver ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/146 "2013-05-18T21:58:50Z")
Maybe not “rock” rock, but howzabout Embryonic Journey - Jefferson Airplane? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/147 "2013-05-18T22:56:30Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Either YYZ by Rush or [Genesis The Brazilian](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFJ7AazmrcQ) > > I’ll also nominate [Genesis Second Home by the Sea](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lTtrtIaiiM). It is a separate song, although it is always performed after Home by the Sea If you want to bring Genesis into this I would take either of these songs instead (one long, one short, both old): [Los Endos](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbxswV2a6l0) (7:08 - live concert video - c.1976) [Horizons](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjSuEh-T9fw) (1:42 - from the album _Foxtrot_ - 1972) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/148 "2013-05-18T23:28:15Z")
> [@Docta\_G](#): > > “Best”? Are we teenagers again? “Again”? I think you mean “still”. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/149 "2013-05-18T23:47:59Z")
TDN, since you specified rock, I’m going The Call Of Ktulu (Metallica spelled it funny, I may not have spelled it their way, and I know I didn’t spell it H.P.'s way) by Metallica. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWGOEWdV13M) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/150 "2013-05-19T00:01:40Z")
> [@Katie\_Mae](#): > > Water Song (Hot Tuna) Hooray for Jorma!/Katie I would have voted for Water Song, and Mann’s Fate, but the zombie specified rock, that’s why I went Metallica. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/151 "2013-05-19T00:44:25Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > [The orchestral arrangement.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IrWyZ0KZuk&feature=player_embedded) I hate those. From Yngwie to Metallica to Steve, they all seem so pretentious to me, and heavy rock guitar to me never seems to blend well with orchestral arrangements. If Vai had learned his parts on violin, I’d be ecstatic. I know he can compose and read music like Zappa. I wish he was more of a multi-instrumentalist, as much as I enjoy his quirky guitar playing. But orchestral it ain’t (to me). ETA: The beginning part is great. I kinda wish he’s let the oboes, french horns and whatnot attempt to play the whole thing without distorted guitar. It is after all a very nice melody. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/152 "2013-05-19T00:50:04Z")
Or at least afforded his volume a lesser part, upon re-watch. Still pretty neat though. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/153 "2013-05-19T02:11:17Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > 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. Apache is also [the best music video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4glASbEh4) of all time. Of all time! 🙂 (I also vote Frankenstein) ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/154 "2013-05-19T02:33:29Z")
[“Maggot Brain” by Funkadelic](http://youtu.be/dh3bleXWaCk). Eddie Hazel’s legendary, mind-melting guitar solo. Because the musicians are African-American, maybe you don’t think of this as _rock_. But just listen to it. This piece is definitely _rock_ all the way, in the school of Hendrix. ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2013, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/155 "2013-05-19T23:51:34Z")
Chiming in late with another vote for _In Memory of Elizabeth Reed_, much better piece of music than _Jessica_. Though maybe I like Liz Reed better because I heard it before Jessica. And another vote for Dickie Bett’s _Hand Picked_, also. _Pegasus_ from **The Allman Brothers** later album \* Enlightened Rouges\*. The title track from _Quadrophrenia_ is a good one, along with _The Rock_. Don’t laugh but [Topaz](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wid73ikVojc) by pre-Steve Perry **Journey** is worth a listen. I always thought it was a Carlos Santana song, you can hear his influence through Gregg Rollie & Neal Schon. Not quite as good is [Kohoutek](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRKZ_f67vTw), but certainly worth a listen. And speaking of Santana, not sure if anyone mentioned _Incident at Neshabur_ upthread, kinda heavenly, angelic sounding near the end. ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/156 "2013-05-20T07:07:17Z")
If God announced the world was about to be shut down and we could have just one last dance before demolition began I would ask for **Sleepwalk,** by Santo and Johnny. If I may include an instrumental break in a long vocal, I would pick Traffic’s **Low Spark of High Heel Boys.** Or the long version of The Doors’ **Light My Fire**. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/157 "2013-05-20T13:48:14Z")
Ok, this has gone on long enough. The best rock instrumental might be [Jack the Ripper](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27FcEC0wJPk) by Link Wray and the Raymen, but even that is really just a hair away from rocking as hard as [Intoxica](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uYNncKzykA) by the Centurians. (Seriously, that live version is singular, they are a MACHINE) Sheesh, I’m in a surf band, trust me. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2013, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/158 "2013-05-21T12:32:41Z")
Mentioned a few times already, **Rumble by Link Wray**. Why? Because it got [banned](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumble_%28instrumental%29) because it might have turned us all into punks and no-goodniks. How’s that for a powerful instrumental! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198.md?page=7)