Best Rock & Roll Anthem

[Cindy]

We have a really bad TV show in Aus, run on a budget of 2 cents, they count down the best 20 of anything. Last week it was the twenty best R&R anthems. And yes it was dated. It ended up with AC/DC It's along way to the top if you want to R&R. Next was the Stones & I've forgotten the track (but it wasn't brown sugar (see below)), 3rd was Queen, We will Rock you.

I didn't agree with any of them. Now be gentle I'm mature so my opinions will reflect that. But: the Best R&R anthems? I'm not sure how to define anthem so this thread may cause some debate as well. My definition at the moment, is a track that changed, or is pre-eminent, in the industry. And as any woman will state, I have the right to change my opinion .


For me now, and it may change, top three in no order.

Stones: Brown Sugar - a new era of style from them, mix of R&B with a very hard edge.

Led Zepplin: Stairway to Heaven. Just so different, lost in the mystique of music.

AC/DC: It's a long way to the top... Fantastic, true, and who in the hell would play b->-bleeped-<-ipes in a R&R song.

I'd love to include a Queen track but nothing strikes out as IT.

Love to hear opinion, please try and explain why, not just, this track is great.

Luv

Cindy

[Jamie-o]

My take on "anthem" would be a song that rouses people's passion and loyalty about something.  The sort of thing they would play at a sporting event or a political rally.  Something that will make you stand up and cheer.

I'd love to include a Queen track but nothing strikes out as IT.

As a long-time major Queen fan, I have to admit this statement rankled me a bit.  But I suppose I'll forgive you.  Eventually. 

I probably would have chosen "We Are the Champions" over WWRY, though.  It's not my favorite Queen song by a long shot, but it just seems more anthemic to me.  Though if we go with your definition, I'd probably choose "Bohemian Rhapsody" because it challenged people's notions of what you could do with a pop song, and it (arguably) also was used for the first music video. 

I would probably toss out Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" as a possibility, just because it has that great, instantly recognizable riff.

If we're talking songs to get people's feelings up about R'n'R, the Stones' "I Know It's Only Rock'n'Roll" seems like a good option.

And how about Gary Glitter's "Rock'n'Roll Part 1"?

[Cindy]

Jaime
I like your definition. Sorry about Queen. My problem is thinking of a track that does Freddie justice as the greatest front man ever (IMHO). SOW has THE riff' but what else?

Cindy

[Jamie-o]

Jaime
I like your definition. Sorry about Queen. My problem is thinking of a track that does Freddie justice as the greatest front man ever (IMHO). SOW has THE riff' but what else?

Cindy

True about SOtW.  Using your original definition, (as I said in my post when I modified it while you were replying  ) for Queen I'd go with Bo-Rhap.  Though as far as showing off Freddie's voice goes, probably "Too Much Love Will Kill You" (pity about the cheesy keyboards, though) or better "The Show Must Go On"

[Cindy]

I think Bo-Rhap is in a special place by itself, I'd love to debate where and equvalent songs, sounds daft - Knights in White Satin (Moody Blues)?

Yea to the Show Must Go On.


I was thinking through some Who tracks.

I may end up listening to music again. I've been in a funk for so long!!

Cindy