[Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs
Many music listeners, regardless of generation, probably learned the word “rock” from Western music.
To convey the enduring greatness of Western rock across any era, this article highlights gem-like masterpieces born over more than 60 years of rock history, delivering a curated selection of the best rock songs for those who want to start exploring Western rock.
Articles like this tend to focus on classic oldies, but our lineup also includes artists from the 2000s onward.
So even if you used to listen to rock back in the day, be sure to check it out!
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- [2025] Songs You’ll Want to Listen to This Summer! Popular and Recommended Classic Rock Tracks from the West
- [2025] Recommended for people in their 50s! A roundup of timeless, crowd-pleasing Western music classics
- Famous Western songs everyone knows: a roundup of classic tunes you’ve heard somewhere before
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- [2025] A roundup of classic UK rock songs: from the latest tracks to timeless staples!
[Masterpiece Selection] Collection of Classic Western Rock Songs (41–50)
I Was Born To Love YouFreddie Mercury
Queen is a rock band still beloved around the world.
Among them, vocalist Freddie Mercury continues to radiate a charismatic presence despite the time that has passed since his death.
In fact, there was a period when Freddie pursued solo work under his own name.
A signature song from that time is “I Was Born To Love You.” Many might be surprised, thinking, “Wasn’t that Queen?” It’s a masterpiece by Freddie—more powerful and overflowing with love than anyone.
World’s Smallest ViolinAJR
This piece opens with a surging synthesizer riff, featuring an unforgettable, distinctive melody and lyrics that touch the heart.
It’s a track from AJR’s album “OK ORCHESTRA,” released in March 2021, that went viral on TikTok and saw a sharp rise in views for its official music video on YouTube.
It deftly portrays the mental process of comparing one’s own troubles with those of others to put them into perspective, resonating with many people living in the modern age.
It’s a perfect song for anyone who struggles with expressing emotions or longs to be understood.
Let It BeThe Beatles
A song by the British four-piece rock band The Beatles, who are arguably known by everyone around the world.
It begins with a piano intro that blends wistfulness with a kind of divinity, and it’s a timeless classic in rock history where you can revel in The Beatles’ characteristically catchy melodies and harmonies.
The guitar solo unfolds lyrically with just the right number of notes to complement those wonderful melodies without being overshadowed, elevating the track and making it clear why The Beatles are called a legendary band.
It’s a song that many people have likely heard at least once, but it’s one I hope you’ll listen to again carefully from start to finish.
To Be With YouMr. BIG
A four-piece American hard rock band that enjoys immense popularity in Japan, Mr.
Big released this song in 1991 and it became a No.
1 single in the United States.
While the band initially drew attention as a group of virtuoso musicians at the time of their debut, this track showcases beautiful vocal harmonies set against a prominently featured acoustic guitar.
It also marked a turning point in the band’s musical direction, becoming a number that demonstrated to the world their appeal went beyond sheer technical prowess.
Thnks fr th MmrsFall Out Boy
A track where an energetic band sound, catchy melodies, and smart lyrics blend perfectly.
Released as a single from the 2007 album “Infinity on High,” it charted in multiple countries.
With lyrics that wryly look back on a failed relationship, it overflows with the emotional delivery and clever wordplay characteristic of Fall Out Boy.
It’s a recommended listen when facing the end of a romance or trying to move forward from past experiences.
Packed with the appeal of Fall Out Boy, this song embodies the fusion of 2000s emo and pop rock and has left a lasting mark on music fans.
Walk This WayAerosmith
There was a time when rock was rock and hip-hop was hip-hop, kept in separate lanes.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this one collaboration between Aerosmith and RUN DMC broke down that wall.
Seamlessly fusing the dynamism of hard rock with the bouncy appeal of hip-hop, the track can be seen as a forerunner of the crossover boom that took off in the 2000s.
Although released in 1975, it hasn’t faded one bit in the Reiwa era; it continues to reign as an insanely fresh floor anthem that effortlessly leaps over the constraints of genre.
The Final CountdownEurope
If the song title doesn’t ring a bell, you might recognize it from the intro.
Europe is a hard rock band from Sweden.
They’re known for their heavy band sound paired with a soaring high-tone voice.
They were one of the bands that sparked the metal boom in Europe.
Their signature song is “The Final Countdown”! It’s a classic everyone knows.
By the way, the lyrics of this song were inspired by David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”! That’s a surprise, isn’t it?