Rock and Roll Question for the Community

[kairos12]

If Aliens arrived here and asked only one question, "Can you give me one song that best typifies Rock and Roll Music?"

What song would you choose?

I came up with the Stones (I can't get no) Satisfaction.

Your thoughts?

[Callmecrazy]

1. This one:

[pipi_k]

2. One of my all time favorites

Which would be the version of "Whole Lotta Love" on the album "The Song Remains The Same" by Led Zeppelin

[Scuba]

3. Hmmmm. Maybe this one ...

or this one ...

[elleng]

5. With YOU, Scuba!

[malthaussen]

24. Chuck Berry pretty much defines Rock and Roll

I tend to have a narrow definition of RnR, as opposed to just rock. By my definition RnR pretty much died in the mid-sixties and other subgenres of rock took over.

-- Mal

[elleng]

32. Yes, and

I 'learned' to dance with

[malthaussen]

33. Me, I've been barefootin' every since I was two!

-- Mal

[Le Taz Hot]

31. Johnny B.Goode

is the only answer. The Stones ripped off almost everything they did from other people. But Buddy Holly is a close second.

[liberal N proud]

4. Rock and Roll Band

Boston

It signifies rock and roll music.

[pipi_k]

6. Love them...

My favorite song is "Long Time"

[liberal N proud]

7. I can't play Boston in the car

Too many tickets and every one was while listening to Boston.

[rocktivity]

8. This song, because it contains the LYRIC that best typifies rock and roll music

Get up
And get your grandma outta here
Pick up
Old Jim is workin' hard this year
And baby
Do the things he says to do
Baby, if you're feeling good
And baby if you're feeling nice
You know your man is workin' hard
He's worth a Deuce

Honey
Don't put your man behind his years
And baby
Stop cryin' all your tears
Baby
Do the things he says to do
Do it

Baby, if you're feeling good
And baby if you're feeling nice
You know your man is workin' hard
He's worth a deuce

And baby, if you're feeling good
Yes baby if you're feeling nice
You know your man is workin' hard
Yeah




rocktivity

[Capt.Rocky300]

9. I gotta go with Steppenwolf's...........

"Born To Be Wild".

[kairos12]

11. Saw them in concert in

Houston in 1968. I was a bit young and couldn't see around the gigantic Hells Angel sitting in front of me. Great moment.

Thanks

[Sweet Freedom]

10. I agree

Satisfaction.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

12. So many I love

I grew up in the 60s and played guitar in bands in that era. There are so many different styles of performers in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. I'd love to meet some aliens and roll a joint with them while listening to these three (but I could have chosen so many others).

[femmocrat]

13. "Rock Around the Clock" -- Bill Haley and the Comets. nt

[RebelOne]

14. Bill Haley's Rock Around The Clock

He was the first rocker.

[Ahpook]

15. Stones or

Aerosmith


EARLY Aerosmith

[Raine1967]

16. This: You say you want an evolution:

....

Not really, I would probably try to communicate to them that Rock & Roll is like the Universe, ever changing and expanding...

Natural selection is not just science.

[lovemydog]

17. My Generation - The Who

[Archae]

18. This song, "Hey Bulldog" by the Beatles.

They were at their creative peak at the time.

[lovemydog]

19. That's an inspired choice

I'd forgotten about this song. Listened to it just now and wow, what a classic. This is fun because I always think of other songs too. Like the Beatles cover of Twist & Shout, and the version by the Isley Brothers too.

[LeftOfSelf-Centered]

20. Here's the perfect song:

"Vernix" by The Wildhearts.

It illustrates a bunch of different styles of rock, all in one song and in less than 3:30.

What, you thought I was gonna post something anybody recognized?

[kwassa]

21. All Down the Line

The Stones

[Jetboy]

22. Major props to those who said 'Rock Around the Clock.' This was the first rock-n-roll song that

many people heard, including some from my generation who first heard it on Happy Days. I rate it #2 all time. It is the #1 selling rock-n-roll record of all time. Johnny B Goode is a fine pick as well.

My pick though is the Rolling Stones' 'Rip This Joint' for a number of reasons.

1. This song is up-tempo rock-n-roll derived straight from the fifties. This makes certain that there is no question about the genre- it's rock-n-roll and not some sub-genre or even the slightly higher brow 'rock music'.

2. Piano and horns both played an enormous role in early rock-n-roll and they drive this song as well. And they drive it like a fully blown '49 Merc! The guitar isn't even needed in this song but 2 of the very best are playing anyway.

3. You can dance to it. 1950s style on speed.

4. The lyrics. Memphis is mentioned- check; plus name-dropping a Larry Williams song, 'Short Fat Fannie' The Stones criss-cross the country and, well LOOK-OUT!

5. 'Rock This Joint' is the name of an early r/b rnr song from 1948 by Jimmie Preston. 'Rip This Joint' is in no way based on the earlier song but they both feature rollicking piano and horn tracks and crazy rock-n-roll lyrics about partying (in a house / around America) One of the reasons that the Stones (and Beatles and other Brit invasion) were so great was their thorough appreciation and understanding of American music. They did their homework whereas many American's of the same era did not.

I love 1950s rock-n-roll the best, but my list of top 10 rock-n-roll songs has 'Rip This Joint' #1 and then 9 songs from the 50s.

[Ohio Joe]

23. Elvis Costello - Radio Radio

It has it all.

[Enrique]

25. "Stay with me"

Faces

[lame54]

27. I saw your response after posting mine

[Enrique]

30. that settles it

"Stay with me" must be the right answer.

[lame54]

26. It would have to be this one...

[Coventina]

28. I'd pick Buddy Holly's "Rave On"

But "Rock Around the Clock" is a good choice as well.

[LynneSin]

29. That's a tough, originally I would suggest either Kashmir or Whole Lotta Love

Because of my love of Led Zeppelin.

But in the end I would pick Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd.

[Boom Sound 416]

34. Joan Jett

[Gidney N Cloyd]

35. "Get Back"

Though I'd worry the aliens would take it the wrong way. No sense offending our new rock & roll alien overlords.

[Doc_Technical]

36. "The Doctor"- West, Bruce, and Laing

[NRaleighLiberal]

37. Beatles - "Rock and Roll Music"!