# Your top three rock and roll songs of all time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [November 28, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884 "2024-11-28T01:07:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/141 "2024-12-20T02:02:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > With this many entries (and repeats), I don’t think pointing out obvious omissions would be out of order. Notable absences: Woolly Bully - Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran Hippy Hippy Shake - Chan Romero, The Beatles, The Swinging Blue Jeans…take your pick, “One, Two, Three, For Goodness Sake…” ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/142 "2024-12-20T06:01:22Z")
But only the album cut of “Green Eyed Lady”, not the scissored version played on AM radio. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/143 "2024-12-20T19:09:37Z")
I have the album cut of Green-Eyed Lady on my phone. Great groove. The organ adds so much to the song. I have a My Favorite Hits Folder on my phone. I play it when I’m down or stressed and want to feel better. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/144 "2024-12-20T23:31:16Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Lots of other Rolling Stones songs, but no Jumpin Jack Flash ? Now that we can post obvious omissions, I want to include “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and: It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock’n’Roll) - AC/DC Born On The Bayou - Creedence Clearwater Revival ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/145 "2024-12-21T11:32:40Z")
“We’re An American Band” Grand Funk Railroad “(You Shook Me) All Night Long” AC/DC “Brown Sugar” Rolling Stones ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/146 "2024-12-21T20:56:42Z")
Not sure how we got this far with no “Proud Mary,” but it belongs here. (No, not Tina Turner’s version). ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/147 "2024-12-22T07:15:15Z")
I dunno. There are some great suggestions here, but honestly some feel more like pop songs or easy listening to me than rock and roll. Your mileage may vary. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/148 "2024-12-22T15:04:21Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Xt9W_tf32dQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Space Truckin' (Remastered 2012)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt9W_tf32dQ) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ct7RlOtGJpA/maxresdefault.jpg "Doctor, Doctor (Re-Recorded - 2023 Remaster)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct7RlOtGJpA) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4hhlQU0zDpA/maxresdefault.jpg "AC/DC - Highway to Hell (Live - from Countdown, 1979)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hhlQU0zDpA) ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/149 "2024-12-22T15:05:19Z")
I’ll be asking the mod’s to close the thread now, doesn’t get any “more better” RnR than that! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/150 "2024-12-22T16:28:24Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > There are some great suggestions here, but honestly some feel more like pop songs or easy listening to me than rock and roll. The OP did note: > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Three, _and just three_, of your top rock and roll songs as you _personally_ define “rock and roll”. So, yeah, YMMV, for certain. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/151 "2024-12-22T16:44:19Z")
I’ve learned from this thread that my definition of Rock n Roll is magnitudes narrower than most people’s. IMO, 95% of pop music after 1967 doesn’t qualify as Rock n Roll. Most of it is just Rock music which is something else. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/152 "2024-12-22T16:52:25Z")
I’d just like to point out that my 3 choices spanned the years 1947 - 1959. 😉 j ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Gordon\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_G)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/153 "2024-12-22T17:03:22Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > > [@Gordon\_G](#): > > > > The poignant lyrics can resonate on a very personal level, even without a strict parallel to the listener’s own story. > > … > > . . . And “Like a Rolling Stone” really is one of the very greatest songs of all time. > > I thank you for responding. Of course, these things are subjective, so far be it from me to knock anyone’s “top” song, but I disagree that this is a great song. Poignant lyrics can help, but _in my humble opinion_, they can’t save this droning mishmash. > > [Nor, apparently, can an all-star back up band.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHj9Vkol9kA) I almost always prefer the original release of a song, whether by Dylan or not, over any covers or repeats. Dylan likes to experiment when he sings the same song again, good for variety but seldom as good as the original. HOWEVER the rendition you linked to is IMO almost unbelievably horrible! Is it famous as the worst singing by Bob Dylan ever? ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/154 "2024-12-22T17:29:13Z")
Yep, that was painful ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/155 "2024-12-22T18:31:52Z")
Layla-Clapton Dr. Love-Kiss I Wanna Be Sedated-Ramones ---
**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:** [December 22, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/156 "2024-12-22T18:35:53Z")
I don’t know if it qualifies as an “obvious” omission, but after seeing clips of Ringo joining Paul at the O2 Arena I think “Helter Skelter” is worth a mention. The rear projection effect for that song blew my mind when I saw it on an earlier tour. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/157 "2024-12-23T04:11:49Z")
> [@Gordon\_G](#): > > I almost always prefer the original release of a song, whether by Dylan or not, over any covers or repeats. Dylan likes to experiment when he sings the same song again, good for variety but seldom as good as the original. Unfortunately, the last time I saw Dylan about fifteen years ago, he sounded more like Hervé Villechaize than the Dylan of old. His opening act, Mark Knopfler and his band, was awesome however. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/158 "2024-12-23T05:57:10Z")
Someone should nominate a Bob Seger song. His _Live Bullet_ album rocked my house many times. I’m lucky the cops didn’t get called. I already used my three nominations. But _Fire Lake_ and _Katmandu_ are strong contenders to consider. _Nutbush City Limits_ is a Ike & Tina cover. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Gordon\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_G)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/159 "2024-12-23T15:27:59Z")
The Beatles are almost my favorite group but I couldn’t think of a single Beatles song that could make a Top Three list. Others might have agreed: There are several mentions of the Beatles but only 2 or 3 songs that were mentioned even twice: “Revolution”, “Day in the Life.” (There are several Beatles songs I prefer to either of these.) “Gimme Shelter” is an all-time favorite but I went with “Angie” for my RS entry. If allowed to specify a specific rendition, I might have chosen a “Gimme Shelter” rendition featuring Lisa Fischer, e.g. the YouTube coded as 6yGFuX2KDQs ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884/160 "2024-12-23T23:22:04Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Someone should nominate a Bob Seger song You are correct, sir. _Beautiful Loser_ from ‘Live Bullet’ ('75), or _Travelin’ Man_ from the same album are worthy, had I not already given my 3. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-three-rock-and-roll-songs-of-all-time/1010884.md?page=9)