DocHolliday
Footballguy
Cream did a great job with this album but it is nothing special compared to most of the albums already listed. This would not crack my top 100.
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
The 100 Greatest Classic Rock Albums of All Time: #1. Sticky Fingers (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter timschochet
- Start date
Brunell4MVP
Footballguy
Same. I used to be a big Clapton fan. I am less so now. I don't think Cream wrote great songs. They had the individual pieces of a great band, Yet they made 7 albums (I think), and none of them do much for me anymore. The longevity of their songs is fairly poor.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
They made four albums, one of which was a double with one studio disc and one live disc, and one of which was a short one released just after their breakup with three live songs and three studio songs. Countless compilations and live albums came out afterward.
BassNBrew
Footballguy
I'm guessing Dhamas didn't make your top 100? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inxs1gCLE5M
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
Better than Layla?
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Not in my book. Layla and Blind Faith were his two best albums, IMO.Better than Layla?
timschochet
Footballguy
39. Bruce Springsteen- Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)
Classic rock radio hits: Prove It All Night, Badlands, The Promised Land, Racing In the Street, Factory
The ultimate blue collar album. Bruce sings about the factory, earning a buck the hard way, a sort of New Jersey version of John Steinbeck. It certainly helps his theme that this is his best collection of songs save one.
Badlands
A strong anthemic beginning to the record. Probably deserves to be considered one of his top ten songs ever.
Adam Raised a Cain
Another song the Boss fans consider a classic, but I can take or leave it. His vocals at the end of this annoy me.
Something In the Night
One of his best deep cuts. Gorgeous opening leading to a great melody and melancholy lyrics.
Candy’s Room
I would like this better without the spoken opening, it’s an interesting tune but that nearly ruins it.
Racing In the Street
A true classic. Distinctive Springsteen and so good.
The Promised Land
Another great anthem. “Mister I ain’t a boy” Simple lyrics but timeless.
Factory
The fans loved to sing along to this. And it’s incredibly catchy. Again a simple melody but he manages to express a lot within it.
Streets of Fire
one of many Springsteen songs where he gets more and more excited as it goes along, there’s a pretty good guitar solo in the middle.
Prove It All Night
The album closes with another Boss classic. Hard not to love this.
Classic rock radio hits: Prove It All Night, Badlands, The Promised Land, Racing In the Street, Factory
The ultimate blue collar album. Bruce sings about the factory, earning a buck the hard way, a sort of New Jersey version of John Steinbeck. It certainly helps his theme that this is his best collection of songs save one.
Badlands
A strong anthemic beginning to the record. Probably deserves to be considered one of his top ten songs ever.
Adam Raised a Cain
Another song the Boss fans consider a classic, but I can take or leave it. His vocals at the end of this annoy me.
Something In the Night
One of his best deep cuts. Gorgeous opening leading to a great melody and melancholy lyrics.
Candy’s Room
I would like this better without the spoken opening, it’s an interesting tune but that nearly ruins it.
Racing In the Street
A true classic. Distinctive Springsteen and so good.
The Promised Land
Another great anthem. “Mister I ain’t a boy” Simple lyrics but timeless.
Factory
The fans loved to sing along to this. And it’s incredibly catchy. Again a simple melody but he manages to express a lot within it.
Streets of Fire
one of many Springsteen songs where he gets more and more excited as it goes along, there’s a pretty good guitar solo in the middle.
Prove It All Night
The album closes with another Boss classic. Hard not to love this.
Last edited:
DocHolliday
Footballguy
Badlands is outstanding to me. It’s a good song but I probably like it more than I should. I don’t even know why I like it so much. The driving beat? Short but sweet guitar and sax solos? Bruce’s vocals? Must be the combo of the parts.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
This is the one Bruce album I like from start to finish.
timschochet
Footballguy
It’s a great song. Not my favorite on the album but superb.
Raging weasel
Footballguy
I've never heard any of these songs
DocHolliday
Footballguy
Its a fantastic album.
timschochet
Footballguy
38. The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Are You Experienced (1967)
Classic rock radio hits: Purple Haze, The Wind Cries Mary, Hey Joe, Fire, Foxey Lady, Are You Experienced?
Arguably the greatest debut album of all time (though I personally have a few others ranked here even higher). But Jimi and his British friends essentially created psychedelic rock, and hard rock, right here. This is a monster.
Purple Haze
One of the greatest rock songs of all time. Scuse me while I kiss the sky may be the best lyric ever.
Manic Depression
Awesome deep cut, with amazing lead guitar (of course) and his trademark vocals.
Hey Joe
Blues song and so so good. A timeless classic.
Love or Confusion
So this gets a little too psychedelic even for me. Not a song I enjoy listening to that much.
May This Be Love
Another good deep cut and I especially love the drums here.
I Don’t Live Today
More great drums and another incredible guitar riff.
The Wind Cries Mary
I think this is Hendrix’s finest song. Both the lyrics and melody are outstanding and the sound is phenomenal. One of my very favorite songs ever.
Fire
Great hard rock and roll.
Third Stone from the Sun
OK this is really weird. For me it is almost unlistenable. Many critics have this album in their top 10. The reason I have it at #38 and not higher is basically because of this tune and “Love or Confusion”, both of which I skip over.
Foxey Lady
The spelling bugs me but this is more great hard rock and roll like Fire.
Are You Experienced?
And this is possibly the best psychedelic rock songs of all time. And it sounds even better after you’ve dropped a hit of acid. Do I speak from personal knowledge, you ask? I do.
Classic rock radio hits: Purple Haze, The Wind Cries Mary, Hey Joe, Fire, Foxey Lady, Are You Experienced?
Arguably the greatest debut album of all time (though I personally have a few others ranked here even higher). But Jimi and his British friends essentially created psychedelic rock, and hard rock, right here. This is a monster.
Purple Haze
One of the greatest rock songs of all time. Scuse me while I kiss the sky may be the best lyric ever.
Manic Depression
Awesome deep cut, with amazing lead guitar (of course) and his trademark vocals.
Hey Joe
Blues song and so so good. A timeless classic.
Love or Confusion
So this gets a little too psychedelic even for me. Not a song I enjoy listening to that much.
May This Be Love
Another good deep cut and I especially love the drums here.
I Don’t Live Today
More great drums and another incredible guitar riff.
The Wind Cries Mary
I think this is Hendrix’s finest song. Both the lyrics and melody are outstanding and the sound is phenomenal. One of my very favorite songs ever.
Fire
Great hard rock and roll.
Third Stone from the Sun
OK this is really weird. For me it is almost unlistenable. Many critics have this album in their top 10. The reason I have it at #38 and not higher is basically because of this tune and “Love or Confusion”, both of which I skip over.
Foxey Lady
The spelling bugs me but this is more great hard rock and roll like Fire.
Are You Experienced?
And this is possibly the best psychedelic rock songs of all time. And it sounds even better after you’ve dropped a hit of acid. Do I speak from personal knowledge, you ask? I do.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Are You Experienced is one of those 60's albums that had a different release in the U.S. and the U.K. Some of Jimi's earlier songs were released as singles, so it's hard to get a true sense of what should qualify as being on the album.
Purple Haze, Stone Free, Hey Joe, and The Wind Cries Mary were not on the initial release and added later (or on different versions in different countries). Still a great album . . . but maybe not so great without those songs.
Purple Haze, Stone Free, Hey Joe, and The Wind Cries Mary were not on the initial release and added later (or on different versions in different countries). Still a great album . . . but maybe not so great without those songs.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
This wasn't a deep cut in my neck of the woods.
timschochet
Footballguy
Maybe not in mine either. I just couldn’t remember hearing it. But as I move up in the rankings it’s getting harder and harder to list the songs that appeared on classic rock radio. For some of the stuff coming up I might as well just list the whole album.
Doug B
Footballguy
No problem -- list the ones you think, as you've been doing. Then throw it to the house to chime in on what was played on their CR stations.
Around here, it was the six you named and "Manic Depression".
DocHolliday
Footballguy
This album has to be on the list for Jimi’s guitar playing alone. As a guitar player though, if I listen to too much Jimi, I wonder why I even bother picking up the guitar.
I love Jimi’s version of Hey Joe. That is how you make a song your own.
zamboni
Footballguy
My favorite Cream song by a fair amount. Clear homage to the Byrds with Clapton's soaring leads and jingly-jangly 12-string Rickenbacker that was a hallmark of Roger McGuinn. And incredible harmonies between Bruce and Clapton.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I will preface this by saying that Hendrix was obviously a legendary figure and one of the most influential guitarists ever...but I have never been a big fan. I mean, all his known songs are solid/good tunes, but he's just never been an artist I went out of my way to hear.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
SMDH.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
Plus Manic Depression and I Don't Live Today on my stations.
BassNBrew
Footballguy
I feel the same way about the Boss. I would never have one of his tunes on a playlist but don't dispute that he needs to be highly ranked.
timschochet
Footballguy
37. AC/DC- Back In Black (1980)
Classic Rock Radio Hits: You Shook Me All Night Long, Back In Black, Hell’s Bells, Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution, Shoot to Thrill
After years of struggle, they finally have their breakthrough record (Highway to Hell, ranked #57 on this list), only to lose their distinctive and dynamic lead singer to alcohol poisoning. Most bands would just fold at that point. Instead, AC/DC hired another lead singer and recorded one of the greatest hard rock albums of all time. The rest is history. Listening to this music yesterday and this morning, I feel no different than the first time I heard it. It’s timeless and awesome and if you don’t love it then you don’t love rock and roll.
Hell’s Bells
Love the way this song begins, gloomy and foreboding, before exploding. I’m listening on my headphones and the sound of Young’s guitar is so amazing.
Shoot to Thrill
Such great guitars again. One reviewer wrote that Brian Johnson sings on this album like he’s got a cattle prod shoved up his rectum. Great description.
What You Do For Money Honey
Unlike other hard rock bands like Led Zeppelin, there is no sly double entendre here or subtle messaging: AC/DC makes things very clear. And crude. Great guitar solo.
Givin The Dog A Bone
Seems like the exact same guitar riff as Hells Bells, but it’s so great that who really cares? Not me.
Let Me Put My Love Into You
I got the power, any hour. Again no subtlety here. Wonderfully awful lyrics.
Back In Black
Greatest opening to a rock song ever. Bar none I think. Not overplayed (how can it be?)
You Shook Me All Night Long
See my comments on the last song, Never gets old, does it?
Have A Drink On Me
After the two monster hits you might be expecting filler here but it isn’t. This is really strong rock and roll.
Shake A Leg
Did I mention how great these guitar riffs are? Also Johnson’s vocals remind me a little of early Robert Plant here.
Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution
I love the softer bluesy opening to this. Such a great song.
Classic Rock Radio Hits: You Shook Me All Night Long, Back In Black, Hell’s Bells, Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution, Shoot to Thrill
After years of struggle, they finally have their breakthrough record (Highway to Hell, ranked #57 on this list), only to lose their distinctive and dynamic lead singer to alcohol poisoning. Most bands would just fold at that point. Instead, AC/DC hired another lead singer and recorded one of the greatest hard rock albums of all time. The rest is history. Listening to this music yesterday and this morning, I feel no different than the first time I heard it. It’s timeless and awesome and if you don’t love it then you don’t love rock and roll.
Hell’s Bells
Love the way this song begins, gloomy and foreboding, before exploding. I’m listening on my headphones and the sound of Young’s guitar is so amazing.
Shoot to Thrill
Such great guitars again. One reviewer wrote that Brian Johnson sings on this album like he’s got a cattle prod shoved up his rectum. Great description.
What You Do For Money Honey
Unlike other hard rock bands like Led Zeppelin, there is no sly double entendre here or subtle messaging: AC/DC makes things very clear. And crude. Great guitar solo.
Givin The Dog A Bone
Seems like the exact same guitar riff as Hells Bells, but it’s so great that who really cares? Not me.
Let Me Put My Love Into You
I got the power, any hour. Again no subtlety here. Wonderfully awful lyrics.
Back In Black
Greatest opening to a rock song ever. Bar none I think. Not overplayed (how can it be?)
You Shook Me All Night Long
See my comments on the last song, Never gets old, does it?
Have A Drink On Me
After the two monster hits you might be expecting filler here but it isn’t. This is really strong rock and roll.
Shake A Leg
Did I mention how great these guitar riffs are? Also Johnson’s vocals remind me a little of early Robert Plant here.
Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution
I love the softer bluesy opening to this. Such a great song.
timschochet
Footballguy
So good what the hell, I’m going to listen to the whole album again.
10 songs, 10 spectacular openings. I am tired of You Shook Me. Been tired of it since about 1990. Always thought Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution was a vastly under-rated tune.
I always thought the guitar solo in What Do You Do was the same as the lyrics for Given the Dog. Like you can sing "Giving the Dog a Bone..." when he's playing that solo. Fits perfectly together
#37 seems pretty low for this one, but at least it's here.
Doug B
Footballguy
I think our local CR stations were probably the outliers here, so this is not a criticism -- just a comment:
Local classic-rock radio, when that radio format was young, didn't touch anything hard or heavy. AC/DC included. Had to wait until about the early 90s to start getting AC/DC, Van Halen, and such.
Local classic-rock radio, when that radio format was young, didn't touch anything hard or heavy. AC/DC included. Had to wait until about the early 90s to start getting AC/DC, Van Halen, and such.
AAABatteries
Footballguy
My running playlist has several of these songs. Fantastic album.
Although @Anarchy99 is correct about the various releases of Are You Experienced?, based simply on this release, I would agree with most "critics" and go much higher. Back in Black is just a GREAT kick *** rock and roll album, but I go back to many comments from the placement of the debut Van Halen album. I still think that if you place the two side by side, I would take the Van Halen album over Back in Black, but in my opinion they both belong higher than you have them now. No appeasing the masses.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Mine played some pretty heavy stuff, but it was before 1976 or so - Zep, Sabbath, Hendrix, Deep Purple, etc..... They eventually filtered in the "newer" stuff like VH & AC/DC around the same time yours did.
rockaction
Footballguy
Jimi at 38?
Hmmm . . . that seems really, really low. I don't know. In high school, he was really the only classic rock I could stand. I loved that album, and the deeper cuts I heard in my later years only solidified its greatness.
Hmmm . . . that seems really, really low. I don't know. In high school, he was really the only classic rock I could stand. I loved that album, and the deeper cuts I heard in my later years only solidified its greatness.
timschochet
Footballguy
38 of all time. OF ALL TIME. There is not a lot of albums left.
Damn you guys are picky.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I throw a flag on this one. It's not of all-time. It's of 1967-1981.
rockaction
Footballguy
Just contributing to the thread over here by way of criticism.
All the questioning of your rankings must be having a cumulative effect, because that was pretty tame criticism where I pretty much I admit I'm not an expert because I'm not a huge fan of the genre.
But I'll accept the charge of being picky.
timschochet
Footballguy
That’s like, all time for me man.
Tau837
Footballguy
IMO the 3 best albums revealed so far for this exercise, as Tim described it are Back in Black, Are You Experienced?, and Van Halen. I'd put them in that order but wouldn't really argue putting those in any order. IMO the fact that the first two are #37 and #38 and VH is #60 is a perfect illustration that VH is way too low.
And I really think all 3 of them should be higher. I realize there is a lot of quality still to come, but I feel like they would all be top 20 for me.
And I really think all 3 of them should be higher. I realize there is a lot of quality still to come, but I feel like they would all be top 20 for me.
Last edited:
BassNBrew
Footballguy
Probably hate the NFL and love the Back Street Boys genre. Favorite Olympic sport synchronized swimming?
rockaction
Footballguy
The deep-dish pizzas of music.
rockaction
Footballguy
Bloated, constipated, and flatulent in the worst of ways.
rockaction
Footballguy
But I really don't feel that way anymore. I can see and identify the criticism, though.
DocHolliday
Footballguy
Back in Black has been worn thin but it is still spectacular. Every song kicks ***. The guitar work is outstanding but that isn’t saying enough. This is the only album I would consider placing higher than the VH debut and they both belong in the top 10.10 songs, 10 spectacular openings. I am tired of You Shook Me. Been tired of it since about 1990. Always thought Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution was a vastly under-rated tune.
I always thought the guitar solo in What Do You Do was the same as the lyrics for Given the Dog. Like you can sing "Giving the Dog a Bone..." when he's playing that solo. Fits perfectly together
#37 seems pretty low for this one, but at least it's here.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Back in Black is the one AC/DC record I can listen to from start to finish. I don't do it often, but it's always a fun listen whenever I do. The 13-year old me thought You Shook Me All Night Long was the greatest thing ever when MTV randomly starting playing the video regularly in 1987. And the title track to this record is still one of the best rock songs ever.
timschochet
Footballguy
36. Elton John- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Classic rock radio hits: Bennie and the Jets, Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting, Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Candle In the Wind, Harmony, Grey Seal
Elton John’s double sided magnum opus is filled with hits and memorable songs. It remains his most popular recording and rightfully so. A magnificent representation of one of the greatest artists of the rock era.
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Many people regard this as his greatest effort. I don’t but it’s certainly up there. The instrumental first half alone would be enough to make it legendary.
Candle In the Wind
Always one of Elton John’s most famous songs, it became an absolute monster when in the late 90s he altered the lyrics and subject matter from Marilyn Monroe to Princess Diana. The original featured here remains a classic.
Bennie and the Jets
Simply put what makes this so superb beyond the sublime melody is his piano playing. One for the ages.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Obviously another classic and I think that, although it would be several more years before Elton revealed himself publicly, he was already here attempting to subtly let people know that he was a “Friend of Dorothy”.
This Song Has No Title
One of my very favorites by this artist. So pretty.
Grey Seal
The original version of this appeared on his second album, Elton John. But this one featuring the full band is superior.
Jamaica Jerk-Off
The first mistake on the record, which originally was intended for recording in Kingston before moving to France. Elton trying to be reggae and it just doesn’t work IMO.
I’ve Seen That Movie Too
Some nice soft jazz here. Always liked this.
Sweet Painted Lady
A terrific deep cut. John and Taupin have so many of these largely forgotten great songs.
The Ballad of Danny Bailey(1909-1934)
I think this is supposed to be a message song but I’ve never thought much of it. I tend to skip over.
Dirty Little Girl
Love his vocals here and the guitar. Good rock song.
All the Girls Love Alice
Starts off as a pretty good tune but the slow down for the chorus is just really strange and doesn’t work for me.
Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
Of all Elton John’s biggest hits this is probably the one that rocks the hardest. Never one of my very favorites but it’s certainly fine.
Roy Rogers
Another very good ballad.
Social Disease
A little bit like “Honky Cat” which makes it good stuff. Fine deep cut.
Harmony
The record ends with another of his most famous ballads. The chorus is simply gorgeous.
Classic rock radio hits: Bennie and the Jets, Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting, Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Candle In the Wind, Harmony, Grey Seal
Elton John’s double sided magnum opus is filled with hits and memorable songs. It remains his most popular recording and rightfully so. A magnificent representation of one of the greatest artists of the rock era.
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Many people regard this as his greatest effort. I don’t but it’s certainly up there. The instrumental first half alone would be enough to make it legendary.
Candle In the Wind
Always one of Elton John’s most famous songs, it became an absolute monster when in the late 90s he altered the lyrics and subject matter from Marilyn Monroe to Princess Diana. The original featured here remains a classic.
Bennie and the Jets
Simply put what makes this so superb beyond the sublime melody is his piano playing. One for the ages.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Obviously another classic and I think that, although it would be several more years before Elton revealed himself publicly, he was already here attempting to subtly let people know that he was a “Friend of Dorothy”.
This Song Has No Title
One of my very favorites by this artist. So pretty.
Grey Seal
The original version of this appeared on his second album, Elton John. But this one featuring the full band is superior.
Jamaica Jerk-Off
The first mistake on the record, which originally was intended for recording in Kingston before moving to France. Elton trying to be reggae and it just doesn’t work IMO.
I’ve Seen That Movie Too
Some nice soft jazz here. Always liked this.
Sweet Painted Lady
A terrific deep cut. John and Taupin have so many of these largely forgotten great songs.
The Ballad of Danny Bailey(1909-1934)
I think this is supposed to be a message song but I’ve never thought much of it. I tend to skip over.
Dirty Little Girl
Love his vocals here and the guitar. Good rock song.
All the Girls Love Alice
Starts off as a pretty good tune but the slow down for the chorus is just really strange and doesn’t work for me.
Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
Of all Elton John’s biggest hits this is probably the one that rocks the hardest. Never one of my very favorites but it’s certainly fine.
Roy Rogers
Another very good ballad.
Social Disease
A little bit like “Honky Cat” which makes it good stuff. Fine deep cut.
Harmony
The record ends with another of his most famous ballads. The chorus is simply gorgeous.
Mookie Gizzy
Footballguy
My dad had all the Elton albums from beginning up to Blue Moves. I probably played this album growing up more than anything else. Unknown to me the album had a small skip at the beginning of Danny Bailey. I only discovered it when I got it on CD and there was a line I didn’t remember being there
AAABatteries
Footballguy
I have to admit, for years (and pretty much still) I've avoided this song - it just grated on me after the whole Princess Di stuff. But it really is a fantastic song.
The whole album is a monster, and the title song is no exception - love it.
Actually is my favorite. So good.
He crumbled to the peer pressure of everyone mocking him throughout. We know this is #1 in Tim's heart. There are some terrific individual songs here but I prefer Tumbleweed Connection. But what do I know?
To each their own, but these are two of my favorite Elton songs of all time.
timschochet
Footballguy
Peer pressure lol. FTR my top 50 or so on this list has been set in stone, in the exact order it is now, for months. I have tinkered with 51-100.
Incidentally Tumbleweed Connection is also my favorite album by Elton John. But it’s not eligible for this draft as there aren’t two songs on it that appeared on classic rock radio on a regular basis.
Similar threads
