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[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!

Playlist

[Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastIt’s My LifeBon JoviA classic hit by the globally popular Bon Jovi
2eastSmells Like Teen SpiritNirvanaThe revolutionary grunge anthem: Nirvana’s soul
3eastDon’t Look Back In AngerOasisA masterpiece shining with reverence for the Beatles, rock for a new era
4eastBohemian RhapsodyQueenLegendary Queen masterpiece with a surprising musical structure
5eastLaylaDerek and the DominosEric Clapton's masterpieces, guitar classics
6eastSunshine of Your LoveCreamRock classics: the lyrics of love and their appeal
7eastStairway to HeavenLed ZeppelinA quintessential long-form track by Led Zeppelin
8eastEnter SandmanMetallicaMetallica’s masterpiece that depicts darkness and fear
9eastMr. BrightsideThe KillersAn iconic song by The Killers that represents the 2000s
10eastSmoke On The WaterDeep PurpleDeep Purple’s classic song “Machine Head”
11eastBack in BlackAC/DCAC/DC’s classic with a powerful rock sound
12eastJumping Jack FlashThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones' blues rock
13eastDon’t Stop Believin’JourneyAn anthem of hope from 80s rock
14eastAround The WorldRed Hot Chili PeppersA breathtaking song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
15eastIf You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)The 1975A song depicting romance in the digital age
16eastZITTI E BUONIMåneskinAn innovative track from an Italian rock band
17eastBrianstormArctic MonkeysA popular British rock band, a classic hit
18eastReptiliaThe StrokesThe Strokes’ signature song “Reptilia”
19eastDrownBring Me The HorizonA moving heartfelt song by a British band
20eastBrown SugarThe Rolling StonesA classic by the Rolling Stones, the best rock 'n' roll!
21eastWe Are the ChampionsQueenQueen's classic song 'We Are The Champions'
22eastPurple HazeJimi HendrixJimi Hendrix's signature songs
23eastHigh HopesPanic! At The DiscoHigh Hopes, a cheer song filled with high hopes
24eastHotel CaliforniaThe EaglesThe Eagles’ classic song “Hotel California”
25eastSeven Nation ArmyThe White StripesThe White Stripes’ classic songs and legend
26eastThe PretenderFoo FightersThe Foo Fighters’ classic song “The Pretender”
27eastThroneBring Me The HorizonTransition from metalcore to pop rock
28eastJumpVan HalenVan Halen’s groundbreaking song
29eastI Don’t Want to Miss a ThingAerosmithAerosmith’s famous song from the film Armageddon
30eastGET UPShinedownShinedown’s moving masterpiece “GET UP”
31eastBasket CaseGreen DayThe appeal of the punk rock band’s signature song “Incision.”
32eastThe Vengeful OneDisturbedA classic song by a heavy metal band from Chicago
33eastI Was Made For Loving YouKISSA disco-style rock hit by KISS
34eastDirty Deeds Done Dirt CheapAC/DCThe Appeal of AC/DC, a Representative Band of Hard Rock
35eastEye Of The TigerSurvivorA rock song that evokes courage, a famous theme song
36eastWelcome To The Black ParadeMy Chemical RomanceThe representative emo band, My Chem
37eastWhen Doves CryPrincePrince’s classic song “When Doves Cry”
38eastBorn to be wildSteppenwolfAn iconic biker movie song, Steppenwolf’s signature track.
39eastThe End Of The GameWeezer80s–90s-style, melody-rich rock song
40eastNumbLinkin ParkLinkin Park’s signature songs that express emotion and society
41eastRebellionLinkin Park ft. Daron MalakianLinkin Park releases the hit song “Rebellion.”
42eastWith or Without YouU2U2 is a globally active Irish band.
43eastI Was Born To Love YouFreddie MercuryFreddie of Queen: A masterpiece of love and passion
44eastWorld’s Smallest ViolinAJRAJR’s moving masterpiece that sings about struggles of the heart
45eastLet It BeThe BeatlesA classic song by the Beatles, a piece filled with melancholy and divinity.
46eastTo Be With YouMr. BIGMr. Big’s U.S. number-one song
47eastThnks fr th MmrsFall Out BoyA pop-rock classic that captures the pain of love
48eastWalk This WayAerosmithWhere rock and hip-hop meet and merge
49eastThe Final CountdownEuropeLegendary band, Sweden's Europe
50eastBoredomBuzzcocksBuzzcocks, a representative band of punk and new wave
51eastIf I Had A Gun…Noel Gallagher’s High Flying BirdsA moving ballad of love and devotion, a timeless song that resonates with the heart
52eastCreepRadioheadEarly masterpiece by Radiohead, with a noisy tone
53eastAre You Gonna Go My WayLenny KravitzLenny Kravitz’s hit song is popular
54eastComplicatedAvril LavigneA rock song by Avril Lavigne that sings about love.
55eastLet’s DanceDavid BowieDavid Bowie's smash hit song 'Let's Dance'
56eastNo One KnowsQueens of the Stone AgeA leading stoner rock band, globally popular for its distinctive music
57eastJennyNothing MoreA song filled with thoughts for my family and about bipolar disorder
58eastAnother One Bites The DustQueenA classic song by Queen, composed by John Deacon
59eastUnder Your ScarsGodsmackAn emotionally charged adult metal ballad
60eastLondon CallingThe ClashLegendary punk song by The Clash
61eastSuckerJonas BrothersNumber-one songs by the Jonas Brothers
62eastImmigrant SongLed ZeppelinLed Zeppelin’s classic song used in martial arts
63eastWelcome To The JungleGuns N’ RosesThe iconic intro of Guns N’ Roses
64eastDarksideblink-182The charm of punk rock in Blink-182’s classic songs
65eastWay Down We GoKaleoA gritty rock band from Iceland
66eastKiss The Go-GoatGHOSTUnique music where metal and melody fuse
67east20th Century BoyT-REXGlam rock classics related to 20th Century Boys
68eastEvery Breath You TakeThe PoliceGrammy-winning hit by The Police and Sting
69eastVertigoU2U2's signature song, with a powerful rock sound
70eastJohnny B. GoodeChuck BerryChuck Berry, the father of rock and roll
71eastPurple RainPrinceThe moving song from Prince’s “Purple Rain.”
72eastCut The CordShinedownShinedown’s popular song “Cut the Cord”
73eastSurfin’ U.S.A.The Beach BoysEarly surf rock classic by The Beach Boys
74eastDark NecessitiesRed Hot Chili PeppersAn American rock band releases a hit song.
75eastRadioRAMMSTEINThe extreme musical world of Rammstein
76eastFly Like An EagleSteve Miller BandAn iconic song that represents psychedelic rock
77eastJailhouse RockElvis PresleyElvis’s legendary rock ’n’ roll classic
78eastThe ReasonHoobastankA masterpiece that sings of the pain of heartbreak and the hope of self-transformation
79eastFootstepsPop EvilThe Michigan rock band Pop Evil
80eastATTENTION ATTENTIONShinedownShinedown’s hard rock evolution
81eastYou Really Got MeThe KinksUK rock band's explosive signature song
82eastLydiaHighly SuspectA popular American rock trio band
83eastCome as You AreNirvanaA masterpiece that portrays the importance of accepting oneself
84eastDo You Know Who You Are?AtreyuA signature track from Atreyu’s new release, “Long Live.”
85eastFailureBreaking BenjaminA famous song by Breaking Benjamin
86eastPainkillerThree Days GraceA popular song that sings of the need for addiction
87eastPrayers/TrianglesDeftonesDeftones' hit album “Gore”
88eastSexThe 1975THE 1975, the allure of an innovative rock band
89eastFeel Like Makin’ LoveBad CompanyA powerful rock ballad of love and passion
90eastCould Have Been MeThe StrutsA classic by a refreshing British rock band
91eastParanoiaA Day To RememberA famous song by A Day to Remember
92eastX-Ray VisionsClutchClutch’s 2015 single, musical development
93eastComing For YouThe OffspringA punk rock song used as a WWE event theme
94eastTake It EasyThe EaglesFreed from life's pressures with an upbeat song
95eastHello SunshineBruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteen’s latest song
96eastOwner Of A Lonely HeartYESThe History of Jesus’s Debut and Resurrection
97eastparisienne walkwaysGary MooreA famous piece that became well-known thanks to Hanyu’s performance
98eastClocksColdplayA masterpiece that depicts the value of time and moments, and the transience of life.
99eastHard To Say I’m SorryCHICAGOA poignantly dramatic Grammy song from 1982
100eastLet’s DanceDavid BowieDavid Bowie: Revolutionizing Music and Film
101eastThe LumineersNightshade“Shadows of the Night” by a folk rock band
102eastZac Brown Band ft. Chris CornellA joint performance by two acts from different genres and a smash hit
103eastVirtual InsanityJamiroquaiA leading acid jazz band that sings about technology and humanity
104eastYou’ll Never Find MeKornCone of mixture rock, intense music
105eastOne Of UsLiam GallagherLiam Gallagher's new song is captivating.
106eastAmsterdamNothing But ThievesA youthful cry with an unforgettable guitar riff
107eastLo/HiThe Black KeysA classic song influenced by blues rock
108eastHighway TuneGreta Van FleetRock classics with captivating electric guitar
109eastMy Dying TimeBlack Label SocietyA powerful song by a metal band
110eastBored To Deathblink-182The band's new song dominates the charts.
111eastMisirlouDick Dale & The Del TonesDick Dale, a pioneer of surf rock
112eastMy LifeBilly JoelAn iconic song celebrating the freedom of the ’70s, a powerful anthem of self-liberation.
113eastEdge of SeventeenStevie NicksStevie Nicks’s classic rock song
114eastOnce in a LifetimeTalking HeadsThe Talking Heads’ experimental music
115eastPanamaVan HalenVan Halen's rock sound is the best!
116eastSo WhatP!nkHer music that resonates with the heart and her captivating style
117eastPour Some Sugar On MeDef LeppardDef Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me
118eastSummertime BluesThe WhoA classic song by a rock band that represents the United Kingdom
119eastLust For LifeIggy PopIggy Pop’s classic song “Lust for Life”
120eastWon’t Get Fooled AgainThe WhoThe Who’s classic song 'Won’t Get Fooled Again'
121eastThe Mephistopheles Of Los AngelesMarilyn MansonPursuing hit songs and a rock allure
122eastAmenHalestormA hard rock band with a female vocalist
123eastAnother HeartMARK TREMONTIRock track with metal elements
124eastGRAND CANYONPUSCIFERPuscifer’s third hit album
125eastRiseSixx:A.M.A powerful, change-inspiring song: a track by Sixx:A.M.
126eastI Fought The LawThe ClashThe Clash, a representative band of punk rock
127eastAfterallBeartoothThe explosive power of emo rock, moving music
128eastRamblin’ Gamblin’ ManBob SegerAn iconic song by a rock band from Detroit
129eastPressureMuseMuse's distinctive musical style
130eastKickstart My HeartMötley CrüeThe coolest song by Mötley Crüe
131eastLegendarySkilletSkillet: Innovative music with male and female vocals
132eastNever ThereSUM41A punk band's beautifully moving song
133eastShould I Stay or Should I GoThe ClashThe appeal of the legendary punk band, The Clash
134eastShow Me A LeaderAlter BridgeA song of hope and discontent toward leadership
135eastThe OthersideRed Sun RisingOhio rock band, No. 1 hit song
136eastEagle BirdsThe Black KeysThe captivating music of a lo-fi rock band
137eastTake Me DownThe Pretty RecklessA moving masterpiece of a sorrow-filled rock classic
138eastSleeping DogsZakk Wylde ft. Corey TaylorA collaboration track by Zakk Wylde and Corey Taylor
139eastFall Back DownRancidRancid’s classic song celebrating moving friendship
140eastLittle MonsterRoyal BloodThe overwhelming music of Royal Blood captivates.
141eastFeel InvincibleSkilletA classic song by a Christian rock band
142eastI Will WaitMumford & SonsMumford & Sons’ heart-stirring love song