Classic Rock Deep Tracks (music)
Classic rock deep tracks from great albums
Opinion by professional musician and library volunteer Michael Schiavo
Although the genre of music known as “Classic Rock” generated its share of hit singles, the era is best known for the albums those songs came from. Bands like the ones listed below dedicated themselves to producing albums that fans could listen to from beginning to end, with little, if any, filler.
Here, I’ve listed a sampling of great tracks from these albums that we hope will inspire you to explore the albums they came from.
Please note that some videos may contain language or images offensive to sensitive listeners/viewers.
Toys In The Attic – Aerosmith (Toys In The Attic)
Although this band had a big rebirth in the 90s, their third album remains probably their best known among Classic Rock fans. “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion” were the big hits, but the album started off with its title track, a short but hard rocking blast of sound and energy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlwL9dn4xVo
Hitch A Ride – Boston (Boston)
Boston’s first album is a classic among classics that gave us the unforgettable “More Than A Feeling”, “Peace of Mind” and “Long Time”. This song was almost hidden away on the vinyl album’s second side, and is track 6 of 8 on the CD. The thing to remember when you listen to this is that every instrument on the recording (and the album) was played by guitarist Tom Scholz – including the drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV3pR87L-T8
Hand of Doom – Black Sabbath (Paranoid)
If you’re looking for the origins of what became known as “Heavy Metal”, look no further than this band’s first two albums. This great song is practically forgotten near the end of the album that included “Iron Man”, “War Pigs” and the title track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJFiGq3Ndxo
You’re All I’ve Got Tonight – The Cars (The Cars)
Often referred to as a New Wave band, The Cars’ early stuff was pure rock and roll. Their first album put them right into the mainstream, and is best known for “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “Just What I Needed”. The vinyl album’s second side led off with this, a straight ahead rocker with some great lead guitar work by the very underrated Elliot Easton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YbqNaXbmTs
On Top of the World – Cheap Trick (Heaven Tonight)
The album that led off with “Surrender” (also prominently featured on their great “Live At Budokan” album), included this tune as its second track. It was the band’s third studio album, and is still considered their best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ENMoiRkSyE
Do Ya – ELO (A New World Record)
This upbeat track is also listed near the end of a great bunch of songs that included “Telephone Line” and “Livin’ Thing”. Although the band is probably best known for the “Out of the Blue” album that followed this one, you can effortlessly listen to this one all the way through to the closer, “Shangri-la”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Y-rfbzmgY
The Chain – Fleetwood Mac (Rumours)
Fleetwood Mac’s best album was also one of the best albums of the 1970s (any genre), known for timeless tracks like “Dreams”, “Go Your Own Way” and “You Make Lovin’ Fun”. This song was created by combining ideas from all five band members, and the result was as good as anything else on the album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDG2m5hN1vo
Blue Morning, Blue Day – Foreigner (Double Vision)
This track came from the band’s second album, known for the single “Hot Blooded” and the title track. Foreigner’s original lineup was unique in that half the members were British, and the other half were American. Singer Lou Gramm had one of the most powerful and identifiable voices in rock, but was overshadowed by legends like Robert Plant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPeU3XgeUaw
Escape – Journey (Escape)
This band started out as a jazz rock band writing instrumental music, but after they brought in vocalist Steve Perry, they moved quickly toward rock stardom. They struck gold with this album, known for the hits “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “Who’s Crying Now” and “Open Arms”, but like the other albums listed here, you can put this on and let it play through to the end, and you’ll enjoy every minute of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSE8cA5zBvI
The Rain Song – Led Zeppelin (Houses of the Holy)
Despite “The Crunge”, this album was one of Zeppelin’s strongest, yielding classic songs like “The Song Remains The Same”, “The Ocean” and “Over The Hills and Far Away”. This song, with yet another unforgettable guitar part from Jimmy Page, also showcased the keyboard work of bassist John Paul Jones, who composed a brilliant string accompaniment and played it on an electric keyboard called a Mellotron.
