Music

The Lists

By Benjamin Edwards

Before you get pissed off at me:

Think in a social and cultural context with a focus on changing or shaping Rock as a genre. After careful deliberation, I decided not to include Motown, country, folk, jazz, pop rock, rap, or post-1970s R&B. So, no token homage to Marvin Gaye, Johnny Cash, Miles Davis, Bo Diddley, Louis Armstrong, Madonna, Public Enemy, or Jesus Christ. If you've got problems with these decisions, you can either fornicate yourself with an iron stick or contact me at ben@deekmagazine.com. I like arguing.

Greatest Rock Songs

10. " London Calling"

- The Clash

9. "Imagine"

- John Lennon

8. "Smells like Teen Spirit"

- Nirvana

7. "Suite Judy Blue Eyes"

- CSNY

6. "Layla"

- Derek and the Dominoes

5. "Roll Over Beethoven"

- Chuck Berry

4. "Stairway to Heaven"

- Led Zeppelin

3. "Good Vibrations"

- Beach Boys

2. "Sympathy for the Devil"

- Rolling Stones

1. "Like a Rolling Stone"

- Bob Dylan

Why:

The same year Dylan shocked the world by going electric at the Newport Folk festival, he created the most brilliantly crafted, socially relevant and marvelously poetic pieces of music in history. And it was almost done as a fluke (the song was recorded in one take with a guy off the street, who played keyboards). If there was any doubt that rock music needed a significant lyrical presence to counterbalance the popularity of the Beatles new-fangled musical style, "Like a Rolling Stone" provided the proof and incited a conscious revolution - a rebellious presence against social inequality and governmental injustices. So eat that.

Greatest Rock Albums

10. "Velvet Underground and Nico"

- Velvet Underground and Nico

9. "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols"

- Sex Pistols

8. "Disraeli Gears"

- Cream

7. "Dark Side of the Moon"

- Pink Floyd

6. "Let It Bleed"

- Rolling Stones

5. "Blue"

- Joni Mitchell

4. "Bringing It All Back Home"

- Bob Dylan

3. "Pet Sounds"

- Beach Boys

2. "Who's Next"

- The Who

1. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"

- The Beatles

Why:

Sergeant Pepper is the quintessential rock album, complete with a concept that flows throughout, where no song can be left off the album.

Sorry - it's the best album ever.

Greatest Rock Artists

10. Led Zeppelin

9. Bob Marley & the Wailers

8. Joni Mitchell

7. Eric Clapton

6. Jimi Hendrix Experience

5. Elvis Presley

4. Chuck Berry

3. Bob Dylan

2. The Beatles

1. Rolling Stones

Why:

More than anything, the Stones will never be confused of being in any other category. Some who think Dylan, think folk - same with the Beatles and pop. The Stones will always be synonymous with Rock and Roll, and everything that accompanies it: Obscene amounts of money, booze, drugs, torrid affairs, rebellion, altercations with the law, huge concerts with $120 cheap seats, stark-raving mad fans, longevity and most importantly, unbelievable music highlighted by guitar, drums, vocals, bass and whatever else they could make loud noises with. They're not the most talented songwriters (Dylan, Mitchell) or the most talented on their instruments, (Hendrix, Clapton) or even the most socially relevant musicians ( Presley , Berry , Marley) on this list, but they are certainly the best band, and the paradigm of what every aspiring rock musician should want to be.