Unleash Your Inner Rocker: 7 Great Classic Rock Songs

There are those artists in every genre of music whose names are recognized by everyone, whether they are fans or not. Classic rock songs can sometimes give you the chills with awesome guitar riffs, amazing lyrics, or the use of unusual instruments to the genre that just seem to work. But what songs should every rock fan own? What songs should everyone hear at least once? Here is a list of 7 classic rock songs to get you started.

Kashmir Led Zeppelin
Who can forget the opening rhythm of the strings? That pounding melody is burned into your brain as soon as you hear the song for the first time. The whole song leaves a deep impression on its audience. The lyrics may not be understood by all, but you don't need to understand them to appreciate the song. With Jimmy Page's, a guitar legend, subtly mimicry of the orchestral strings in the background of the song, any classic rock fan should have this song in their music library. There is also the amazing drums help to drive home the beat of the song and the words being sung, as well as the use of Moroccan musicians that bring a sense of authenticity to the foreign inspired song. This song definitely has a way of unleashing everyone's inner rocker, you can almost feel them dancing around inside of you as you listen.

Rock and Roll All Nite Kiss
Anyone with even a remote interest in rock has heard this song. This is a classic rock anthem, and in being so, it does its job of getting you singing along with the band. The song, with its lyrics about partying and rocking, two things that go hand in hand, makes you wanna put on your best rocker outfit and head to the bar. The drum beat is hard hitting, the guitar is fast, and the words easily get stuck in your head. This song definitely fits the wild face makeup, outrageous costumes, and stunning light show of the band's concerts. This song definitely has the power to turn any straight-laced business man into a weekend rocker.

War Pigs Black Sabbath
You don't have to attempt this song five times before getting it right on Guitar Hero II to know that it rocks. Ozzy Osbourne is a rock legend and this song, with its opening guitar, sirens, and cymbal rhythms suck you right in. You instantly find yourself tapping your foot and nodding your head to the beat. The fast rocking then slow melodic parts of the song blend together in a way to take you on a rollercoaster ride with the band. And what rocker doesn't love a war song?

Layla Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is another guitar legend who seems to make his guitar almost sing to you while he does. Layla is a great song that is nearly impossible not to sing along with. The drums keep the song moving along, the piano speaks to the soft vulnerability of love, and Eric's voice leaves you feeling like you know exactly what he is talking about. And, like with most songs written about love, you undoubtedly can relate to what Clapton is trying to say in this song. Every classic rocker should have this song in their music library.

Piece of My Heart Janis Joplin
The raspy voice of Janis, the loud and then soft nature of the guitar, and the straight forward lyrics all make this song great. Janis doesn't need overly complicated lyrics for this song to speak volumes. You can hear the emotion in her voice that borders on screaming for a majority of the song without losing its melodic responsibility to the song. You can feel the tormented nature of the situation to which Janis is speaking through her back and forth between soft singing and melodic screaming. The guitar mimicry of Janis's outbursts during the chorus helps to add to the songs emotion. This song is an essential addition to any classic rock fans music library.

Thunderstruck AC/DC
The opening guitar combined with the slight tap of the cymbal is enough to give you chills. Even if you don't know a single thing about playing guitar you can appreciate the difficulty of that opening guitar rhythm. Then when it all starts to come together with the raspy singing of Angus Young, you just wanna get up and dance, rocker style of course. This song will leave any classic rocker Thunderstruck.

Help! The Beatles
It's hard to choose just one Beatles song because every song is worth knowing, but Help! is one of many great Beatles songs that sucks you right in. This song has a universal message , most everyone can recall a time in their life when they needed the help of others to keep going. The guitar, the drums, what can you say about this song to even come close to giving it the credit it deserves. You just have to hear it, own it, enjoy it.

There are more great classic rock songs and bands that everyone should heard, the above 7 is not nearly enough to grow a full appreciation of the instrumental work, the vocal talent, and the lyrical poetry that classic rock has to offer. The above songs, however, are a good place to start, and once that inner rocker is awakened, they may enjoy some Bob Dylan, Van Halen, and maybe a side of Poison? Who knows?!