[Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs

BoredomBuzzcocks

Buzzcocks-Boredom

The punk movement in the UK sparked by the Sex Pistols and The Clash was followed by the New Wave movement.

One of the bands that ignited this movement was Buzzcocks.

Members who had formed Buzzcocks later went on to form and find success in bands like Joy Division and The Smiths.

Although Buzzcocks disbanded in 1981, they resumed activity in 1989 and continued to work energetically.

However, their founder Peter passed away in 2018, and today the band continues with different members.

Their classic “Boredom” is an irresistible track for fans of punk and New Wave!

If I Had A Gun…Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – If I Had A Gun… (Official Video)

An emotional ballad that sings of deep love and devotion.

Its beautiful, memorable melody and lyrics—depicting a strong resolve to do anything for a loved one—leave a lasting impression.

Released as a single from the November 2011 album “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds,” it achieved a high position on the UK rock chart and later earned Silver certification.

The song garnered particular acclaim in Japan, reaching No.

2 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

The music video features a wedding scene, visually expressing the song’s world.

It’s a perfect track for moments when you want to reaffirm your feelings for someone special or immerse yourself in a romantic mood.

CreepRadiohead

Radiohead – Creep

Back when Radiohead were shouting “I’m a creep,” their debut single was defined by a noisy, American alternative rock–influenced guitar sound.

Starting with a hush of arpeggios, the song is marked by Jonny Greenwood’s striking “ga-gak” guitar stabs.

Its lyrics, laying bare self-loathing and loneliness, resonated with many listeners, and after its release in September 1992, it became a major hit—especially in the United States.

It was later reappraised in the UK as well, climbing to No.

7 on the charts.

Although the band have long since moved beyond the template they established with this track, there’s no doubt that this song—still steeped in the atmosphere of the early 1990s—remains a classic in the history of rock music.

Are You Gonna Go My WayLenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way (Official Music Video)

The title track from the 1993 album by American singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz, who is also active as an actor.

In Japan, the intro, which features a catchy guitar riff, is often highlighted, so you’ve probably heard it in various contexts such as commercials and variety shows.

The song was also nominated for the Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance, and has garnered strong support from rock fans worldwide.

It’s a number we’d like not only Western rock enthusiasts but also those less familiar with rock or Western music to listen to at least once.

ComplicatedAvril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne – Complicated (Official Video)

This is the most famous track from the debut album of Avril Lavigne, a pioneer of girls’ rock.

Seamlessly blending bittersweet girlish feelings with rock, the song drew many women into the world of rock.

Many of her other songs also deal with themes of romance.

Let’s DanceDavid Bowie

Let’s Dance (2018 Remaster)

David Bowie’s smash hit “Let’s Dance,” released in 1983.

His past performances and numerous anecdotes made him famous as a musician with an occult aura.

However, this track is often described as “major-label Bowie.” Set to a mid-tempo, danceable rhythm section topped with his sexy vocals, it’s a song with an irresistible groove, full of mood and emotion.

A classic that stands as one of the signature works of his career.

No One KnowsQueens of the Stone Age

Queens Of The Stone Age – No One Knows (Official Music Video)

While originating from the underground genres known as stoner rock and desert rock, Queens of the Stone Age have leveraged their unique sensibilities to achieve immense popularity not only in their home country of the United States, but also across Europe.

This work is a single from the album “Songs for the Deaf,” released in November 2002, and it reached No.

1 on the U.

S.

Modern Rock chart.

Featuring Dave Grohl as a guest drummer, it’s an early masterpiece that balances esoteric musicality with commercial success and showcases the power of a killer guitar riff.

The lyrics, which depict a state where one’s sense of reality becomes unstable, portray the process of finding meaning even as one’s worldview collapses, letting listeners experience a sensation that oscillates between ecstasy and an existential crisis.