Making A List: Top Ten Rock Songs in Two Minutes

Posted on by Kevin Brennan

Hey everybody! The Stereo Dictator is back with a list that is sure to stimulate some conversation: The Top Ten Songs of the 20th Century in Two Minutes!

This post is inspired by a friend of mine who recently asked me to come up with the top ten rock and roll songs of the 20th century in in two minutes. Having lived through most of the last five decades, my reference point was songs which had great influence and/or worldwide appeal, not necessarily the best ten songs I have ever heard.

Take a look at my list and let me know what you think. If you like, send in your own list, but be sure to follow the rules by timing yourself and giving consideration to every decade from the 50s forward.

Yes, I know my list stops in the 70s, but that’s as far as I got after two minutes. I did not have the luxury of coming up with a list of 50 songs and paring it down to ten. Besides, I like my list.

1. “Rock Around The Clock” – Bill Haley and the Comets

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2. “Johnny B. Goode” – Chuck Berry

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3. “Hound Dog” – Elvis Presley

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4. “Louie Louie” – The Kingsmen

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5. “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” – The Beatles

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6. “You Really Got Me” – The Kinks

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7. “Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones

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8. “Like A Rolling Stone” – Bob Dylan

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9. “Smoke On The Water” – Deep Purple

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10. “We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You” – Queen

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Let the criticism begin!

10 Comments on “Making A List: Top Ten Rock Songs in Two Minutes”

  1. Harder than it 1st appears to be. Didn't get that cerebral about it. Just brain dumped 10 rawking songs. Got my 10 in 1:47. Left it as is vs. rethinking in remaining 13 secs. Here goes:

    AC/DC – Back in Black
    Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama
    Foghat – Slow Ride
    Ram Jam – Black Betty
    KISS – Shout It Out Loud
    The Beatles – Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
    Stones – Satisfaction
    Zeppelin – Rock-n-Roll
    Rush – Tom Sawyer
    Grand Funk – We're an American Band

    Whew.

  2. OK, top 10 rock songs in no particular order.

    Barracuda – Heart
    Communication Breakdown – Led Zeppelin
    Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top
    Gimme Shelter – Rolling Stones
    Burning Like A Flame – Dokken
    Kickstart My Heart – Motley Crue
    More Than A Feeling – Boston
    Roxanne – The Police
    Don't Stop Believing – Journey
    Gimme Three Steps – Lynyrd Skynyrd

  3. Nice work for a 2 minute Drill! Um…one criticism and it is a BIG one: Bo Diddley?! No Bo Diddley. If you just want to add the Bo Diddley Beat instead of a single tune, that works for me.

    Bill Haley? OK, you get that one. It was a big deal at the time.

    Get Queen out of there.

    Change the Elvis song the “That's Alright Mama”.

    Add “Rocket 88” to the list. Ike Turner was more than a wife beater with a serious cocaine problem… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_88

  5. okay im trying to make a song up it has to be rock for my boyfriends band well i have only made up like sad and country songs up how would i make a rock song up????help!

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