The 100 Greatest Classic Rock Albums of All Time: #1. Sticky Fingers (3 Viewers)

[Anarchy99]

Since the last album posted was Heart, their version of Gimme Shelter is quite good. Generally speaking, Heart / Ann WIlson covers are usually well done (and there are a ton of them). IIRC, Nancy Wilson took a hiatus from the band for almost 10 years in the 90's and early 00's (and doesn't seem to be performing with the rest of the band in the video).

 

[Stoneworker]

All the talk of Dylan and Zappa reminded me of Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie.

Seemed every classic rock station in the country played that song on Thanksgiving. Great tradition.

 

[rockaction]

Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie.

Wow, memories. My friend and I took a road trip/vacation from CT to RI with his family once. His father played this song for us on the way. We were in tenth grade and didn't really get it. We didn't get the sixties counterculture and what that had meant (our school certainly wasn't teaching modern American history) so we made fun of his father a bit. He took it with his good nature and grace that we'd come to expect from him. Recently, I found out that particular friend had passed away and I hadn't known about it. I thought of Allce's Restaurant and his father and how much fun we had with it -- us just being dumb kids driving to the beach. My friend predeceased his gracious father. He had late-stage lung disease. Heartbreaking. RIP, Greg. You're missed here.

 

[Ghost Rider]

All the talk of Dylan and Zappa reminded me of Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie.

Seemed every classic rock station in the country played that song on Thanksgiving. Great tradition.

Mention of that reminds me of Martian Boogie by Brownsville Station. No clue how much that was played in other parts of the country, but that is one of those songs that would often get played on the klassics show here on KSHE. I have to be in the right mood for those types of songs, but they have their place.

 

[Stoneworker]

Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie.

Wow, memories. My friend and I took a road trip/vacation from CT to RI with his family once. His father played this song for us on the way. We were in tenth grade and didn't really get it. We didn't get the sixties counterculture and what that had meant (our school certainly wasn't teaching modern American history) so we made fun of his father a bit. He took it with his good nature and grace that we'd come to expect from him. Recently, I found out that particular friend had passed away and I hadn't known about it. I thought of Allce's Restaurant and his father and how much fun we had with it -- us just being dumb kids driving to the beach. My friend predeceased his gracious father. He had late-stage lung disease. Heartbreaking. RIP, Greg. You're missed here.

Heartfelt story. Thanks for sharing

 

[timschochet]

All the talk of Dylan and Zappa reminded me of Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie.

Seemed every classic rock station in the country played that song on Thanksgiving. Great tradition.

Everybody loves that tune. I’m not the biggest fan. But I do really like “Highway in the Wind” from that album.
I think one of his best songs (and perhaps his only actual rock song) is “Coming Into Los Angeles” from his previous album.

 

[Raging weasel]

All the talk of Dylan and Zappa reminded me of Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie.

Seemed every classic rock station in the country played that song on Thanksgiving. Great tradition.

I assumed it was just a Detroit thing

 

[northern exposure]

I may conflate with rock radio again but I heard a lot of Dylan on the radio. I’m pretty sure classic rock stations also played “Lay Lady Lay”; “Tangled Up In Blue” and a few others, but my memory could be failing.

Honestly if it’s just because of your criteria for “classic rock” then that’s cool. I was just surprised to hear it.

Same here on Dylan. Thought he was on classic rock radio a lot. Found one of the mid-90s “Firecracker 500” lists from the station that I listened to growing up. Seven Dylan songs on it (more than Queen, Tom Petty, and ELO combined).

https://www.rocklists.com/alltime48.html

I know someone that may not like this list:

24. Billy Joel - Piano Man

25. Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

I think there is more than just some"one" that won't like the list.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

All the talk of Dylan and Zappa reminded me of Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie.

Seemed every classic rock station in the country played that song on Thanksgiving. Great tradition.

I assumed it was just a Detroit thing

It was played in NY and NJ on Thanksgiving my whole life.

 

[timschochet]

84. Elton John- Madman Across The Water (1971)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Levon, Tiny Dancwr, Madman Across The Water

The Wikipedia page for this album describes it as progressive rock. Obviously that’s always been a pretty broad term but I really don’t get it here. Is it because of Rick Wakeman’s presence?

To me this is a collection of Elton John tunes during his best years as an artist, and including some of his greatest hits along with a few of my favorite deep cuts. This album was well represented on my 31 Middle Aged list. But I don’t hear anything particularly prog rock. What am I missing?

Tiny Dancer
The iconic bus scene from Almost Famous has renewed this terrific tune for new generations to enjoy. One of his very best songs.

Levon
Another Elton song that deserves to be ranked among his very best. Watching the film Rocket Man I learned that Bernie would write the lyrics first and then Elton would write the melody. I can’t make sense of that in my head, particularly on a song like this one.

Razor Face
Qu my list of favorite Elton deep cuts of all time. So so good.

Madman Across The Water
Actually meant to be included on the previous album, Tumbleweed Connection. A brilliant rocking piano ballad.

Indian Sunset
Taupin’s commentary on the plight of native Americans is, IMO, the weakest song on the record.

Holiday Inn
Another great deep cut. Amazing how many great songs he had during this period.

Rotten Peaches
And yet ANOTHER really good tune. Please refer above.

All The Nasties
This one seems like OK filler.

Goodbye
A sweet ballad to end the record.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Ha, I think Indian Sunset is great.

 

[Mookie Gizzy]

Rotten Peaches

 

[zamboni]

I'm not the biggest Elton fan, but I wouldn't dispute any of his early '70s albums from this countdown.

 

[Gr00vus]

84. Elton John- Madman Across The Water (1971)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Levon, Tiny Dancwr, Madman Across The Water

The Wikipedia page for this album describes it as progressive rock. Obviously that’s always been a pretty broad term but I really don’t get it here. Is it because of Rick Wakeman’s presence?

To me this is a collection of Elton John tunes during his best years as an artist, and including some of his greatest hits along with a few of my favorite deep cuts. This album was well represented on my 31 Middle Aged list. But I don’t hear anything particularly prog rock. What am I missing?

Tiny Dancer
The iconic bus scene from Almost Famous has renewed this terrific tune for new generations to enjoy. One of his very best songs.

Levon
Another Elton song that deserves to be ranked among his very best. Watching the film Rocket Man I learned that Bernie would write the lyrics first and then Elton would write the melody. I can’t make sense of that in my head, particularly on a song like this one.

Razor Face
Qu my list of favorite Elton deep cuts of all time. So so good.

Madman Across The Water
Actually meant to be included on the previous album, Tumbleweed Connection. A brilliant rocking piano ballad.

Indian Sunset
Taupin’s commentary on the plight of native Americans is, IMO, the weakest song on the record.

Holiday Inn
Another great deep cut. Amazing how many great songs he had during this period.

Rotten Peaches
And yet ANOTHER really good tune. Please refer above.

All The Nasties
This one seems like OK filler.

Goodbye
A sweet ballad to end the record.

Best album you've listed so far. My favorite Elton John album, even if I'd be happy never to hear Tiny Dancer ever again.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I’d love to hear why Elton John is classic rock but Bob Dylan isn’t. This seems kind of arbitrary.

Madman is a great album though. Not sure it would make my 100 but not sure it wouldn’t.

 

[Anarchy99]

I’d love to hear why Elton John is classic rock but Bob Dylan isn’t. This seems kind of arbitrary.

Madman is a great album though. Not sure it would make my 100 but not sure it wouldn’t.

There are a lot of albums that party fit and partly don't. To me, the one clear classic rock Elton album is Yellow Brick Road. That one has a half dozen tracks that still get played on FM rock radio. Madman had some popular songs, put I don't remember hearing them all that often on "rock" stations. Levon got played some. Tiny Dancer was played a lot . . . . but IIRC that was on adult contemporary and on pop stations. IMO, the Madman album (while still a strong album) doesn't really fit the mold of "classic rock," while Yellow Brick does. Maybe that's just me..

 

[Pip's Invitation]

There's a certain Elton album that I would not be surprised if it ended up at #1, given its legendary reputation and Tim's love of Elton.

 

[timschochet]

I’d love to hear why Elton John is classic rock but Bob Dylan isn’t. This seems kind of arbitrary.

Madman is a great album though. Not sure it would make my 100 but not sure it wouldn’t.

Here are the Bob Dylan songs that I have heard on classic rock radio:

Like A Rolling Stone- from an album from 1966, which is a year before my cutoff date

Lay Lady Lay- from an album that I don’t think is strong enough to be on this list.

Knockin On Heaven’s Door- from a soundtrack album with mostly score music.

Hurricane- From an album that I don’t think is good enough to be on this list.

And that’s it. During the time that this list is concerned with, 1967-1981, Bob Dylan released one great studio album, Blood On The Tracks. It’s one of the greatest records of all time and one of my favorites, with some of his absolute best songs. But none of them get played on classic rock radio. At least not in my neck of the woods.

That’s my explanation and I’m sticking to it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I’d love to hear why Elton John is classic rock but Bob Dylan isn’t. This seems kind of arbitrary.

Madman is a great album though. Not sure it would make my 100 but not sure it wouldn’t.

Here are the Bob Dylan songs that I have heard on classic rock radio:

Like A Rolling Stone- from an album from 1966, which is a year before my cutoff date

Lay Lady Lay- from an album that I don’t think is strong enough to be on this list.

Knockin On Heaven’s Door- from a soundtrack album with mostly score music.

Hurricane- From an album that I don’t think is good enough to be on this list.

And that’s it. During the time that this list is concerned with, 1967-1981, Bob Dylan released one great studio album, Blood On The Tracks. It’s one of the greatest records of all time and one of my favorites, with some of his absolute best songs. But none of them get played on classic rock radio. At least not in my neck of the woods.

That’s my explanation and I’m sticking to it.

I hear Tangled Up in Blue on the radio all the time. But the rest of BOTT, only occasionally on public radio-type stations.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I’d love to hear why Elton John is classic rock but Bob Dylan isn’t. This seems kind of arbitrary.

Madman is a great album though. Not sure it would make my 100 but not sure it wouldn’t.

Here are the Bob Dylan songs that I have heard on classic rock radio:

Like A Rolling Stone- from an album from 1966, which is a year before my cutoff date

Lay Lady Lay- from an album that I don’t think is strong enough to be on this list.

Knockin On Heaven’s Door- from a soundtrack album with mostly score music.

Hurricane- From an album that I don’t think is good enough to be on this list.

And that’s it. During the time that this list is concerned with, 1967-1981, Bob Dylan released one great studio album, Blood On The Tracks. It’s one of the greatest records of all time and one of my favorites, with some of his absolute best songs. But none of them get played on classic rock radio. At least not in my neck of the woods.

That’s my explanation and I’m sticking to it.

I hear Tangled Up in Blue on the radio all the time. But the rest of BOTT, only occasionally on public radio-type stations.

I remember Simple Twist of Fate getting airplay but I can’t remember if it was classic rock stations (WBAB or K-Rock) or WNEW and the Long Island Rock station (drawing a blank). But like I said Dylan got a ton of airplay on NY and LI rock stations.

 

[Doug B]

No “Hurricane” on Southern-fried CR stations … but one of Dylan’s that did get a ton of play was “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35”. Surprised others haven’t mentioned it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I remember these Dylan songs on the FM stations in Philly in the '80s:

Blowin' in the Wind
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Like a Rolling Stone
Positively 4th Street
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
I Want You
Just Like a Woman
Lay Lady Lay
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Forever Young
Tangled Up in Blue

They also played the following '80s singles when they were current: Sweetheart Like You, Jokerman, Tight Connection to My Heart, The Usual, Silvio, Everything Is Broken and the Dylan and the Dead version of Slow Train Coming.

 

[zamboni]

Seems strange to draw a “classic rock” line between Dylan and Elton. Yet another example of why genre labeling is so disingenuous to so many artists.

 

[Zegras11]

Seems strange to draw a “classic rock” line between Dylan and Elton. Yet another example of why genre labeling is so disingenuous to so many artists.

binky = your face is so disingenuous.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I have never heard this album, as Elton has always been an artist for me that I like, but never really went out of my way to hear outside of a handful of songs or so. I do like the well known songs from this record, however.

 

[timschochet]

83. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Second Helping (1973)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Sweet Home Alabama, Don’t AsK Me No Questions, The Ballad of Curtis Loew

Skynyrd’s second album is NEARLY as good as their first, which we will get to later. A “second helping” of southern blues rock by one of the two best bands ever at dispensing this type of music.

Sweet Home Alabama
Turn it up. Arguably the greatest southern rock song of all time. The Kid Rock ripoff pisses me off every time I hear it.

I Need You
A terrific deep cut bluesy ballad that reminds me of the Free album, Fire and Water, which appeared earlier on this list.

Don’t Ask Me No Questions
Nice little rocker that got some radio play back in the day.

Workin’ for MCA
More kick *** rock and roll. This band’s guitar work is so so good.

The Ballad of Curtis Loew
One of this band’s greatest songs. Anthemic and representative of everything that makes these guys so legendary.

Swamp Music
Straight up blues, and one of my favorite deep cuts.

The Needle And the Spoon
Another tremendous rocker, this one about a darker subject. They’re not arguing with Neil Young this time; they agree with him.

Call Me The Breeze
Album ends with even more blues. What’s not to love?

 

[zamboni]

83. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Second Helping (1973)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Sweet Home Alabama, Don’t AsK Me No Questions, The Ballad of Curtis Loew

Skynyrd’s second album is NEARLY as good as their first, which we will get to later.

Good pick here - gratified to hear that the debut will be here later.

Sweet Home Alabama
Turn it up. Arguably the greatest southern rock song of all time. The Kid Rock ripoff pisses me off every time I hear it.

How can anyone not like the poetic rhyming genius of:

While we were trying different things
And we were smoking funny things

 

[Doug B]

83. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Second Helping (1973)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Sweet Home Alabama, Don’t AsK Me No Questions, The Ballad of Curtis Loew

Five of these tracks (not "Curtis Loew", though) appeared on the hugely popular 1989 compilation Skynyrd's Innyrds. To your radio hits listing, I would add at least "Call Me the Breeze" and "Working for MCA" -- at least for around-here classic rock radio.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

83. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Second Helping (1973)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Sweet Home Alabama, Don’t AsK Me No Questions, The Ballad of Curtis Loew

In my neck of the woods they played Sweet Home Alabama and Call Me the Breeze.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

83. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Second Helping (1973)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Sweet Home Alabama, Don’t AsK Me No Questions, The Ballad of Curtis Loew

In my neck of the woods they played Sweet Home Alabama and Call Me the Breeze.

Same. I’ve never heard Questions or Curtis Loew on the radio ever.

 

[pacman_fl]

83. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Second Helping (1973)



Call Me The Breeze
Album ends with even more blues. What’s not to lo

Since he won't appear anywhere on the list, can we pause for a moment and recognize the greatness of JJ Cale? The original is wonderful in its own right (as is all Cale's work), but this is my favorite Skynyrd piece even though it was one that Ronnie didn't actually write.

 

[Ghost Rider]

The piano solo in Call Me the Breeze still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Amazing.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

83. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Second Helping (1973)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Sweet Home Alabama, Don’t AsK Me No Questions, The Ballad of Curtis Loew

In my neck of the woods they played Sweet Home Alabama and Call Me the Breeze.

Same. I’ve never heard Questions or Curtis Loew on the radio ever.

I’ve heard Curtis a few times

 

[zamboni]

The piano solo in Call Me the Breeze still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Amazing.

Always thought that Billy Powell was the underrated glue of the band.

 

[timschochet]

82. Crosby, Stills & Nash- Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Long Time Gone, Wooden Ships

This folk rock superstar group (it featured key artists from the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and the Hollies) was really the true beginning of the “Laurel Canyon” music period which dominated soft rock in the 1970s. Classic rock radio stations have generally retained the more “rock” songs from this group, while ignoring some of their hits or otherwise well known tunes that are more of the “singer-songwriter” type.

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Stephen Stills’ homage to his ex-girlfriend Judy Collins is possibly his greatest ever composition. A medley similar to some of what Paul McCartney is known for, and featuring the exquisite three part harmony that would make this group unique, this tune has lasted the test of time. It has to be on any list of the greatest classic rock radio songs of all time (perhaps that will be my next list, lol.)

Marrakesh Express
Nice pop song by Nash that was actually a top 40 hit when it was released, but by and large radio has forgotten it.

Guinnivere
Crosby and Nash without Stills. A ballad in the mold of some of the more eclectic British folk songs of the time, like Pentacle. A lot of people adore this tune. I’ve never really been a fan.

You Won’t Have to Cry
More folkie goodness of the kind this group does best.

Pre-Road Downs
Another nice Nash tune that got radio attention when released but not much since.

Wooden Ships
Written with Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane (they recorded their own version). One of their best songs.

Lady of the Island
This short ballad reminds me of mid-60s Simon & Garfunkel.

Helplessly Hoping
My favorite CSN song. Sometimes played on easy listening stations, not so much on classic rock. But I love the melodies, the harmonies. So good.

Long Time Gone
Crosby’s best contribution to the album is terrific rock music, and one of the group’s most well known songs.

49 Bye-Byes
Another really good Stills deep cut, with some nice organ work.

 

[zamboni]

Love the CSN pick. I'm one of those that loves "Guinnivere" - my favorite tune of theirs.

 

[timschochet]

Love the CSN pick. I'm one of those that loves "Guinnivere" - my favorite tune of theirs.

I know. So many people love it. I just find it kind of dull but I’m probably an outlier.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love the album but….not gonna go there….

 

[zamboni]

Long Time Gone
Crosby’s best contribution to the album is terrific rock music, and one of the group’s most well known songs.

Always think of the beginning of the Woodstock film/documentary when I hear this.

 

[timschochet]

I love the album but….not gonna go there….

You need to keep your mouth shut and just accept my arbitrary, completely illogical and inconsistent rules!

(Damn I sound like the government…)

 

[Anarchy99]

I love the album but….not gonna go there….

You need to keep your mouth shut and just accept my arbitrary, completely illogical and inconsistent rules!

(Damn I sound like the government…)

For a minute there, I thought it was my wife posting.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love the album but….not gonna go there….

You need to keep your mouth shut and just accept my arbitrary, completely illogical and inconsistent rules!

(Damn I sound like the government…)

I had already complied officer.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

82. Crosby, Stills & Nash- Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Long Time Gone, Wooden Ships

This folk rock superstar group (it featured key artists from the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and the Hollies) was really the true beginning of the “Laurel Canyon” music period which dominated soft rock in the 1970s. Classic rock radio stations have generally retained the more “rock” songs from this group, while ignoring some of their hits or otherwise well known tunes that are more of the “singer-songwriter” type.

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Stephen Stills’ homage to his ex-girlfriend Judy Collins is possibly his greatest ever composition. A medley similar to some of what Paul McCartney is known for, and featuring the exquisite three part harmony that would make this group unique, this tune has lasted the test of time. It has to be on any list of the greatest classic rock radio songs of all time (perhaps that will be my next list, lol.)

Marrakesh Express
Nice pop song by Nash that was actually a top 40 hit when it was released, but by and large radio has forgotten it.

Guinnivere
Crosby and Nash without Stills. A ballad in the mold of some of the more eclectic British folk songs of the time, like Pentacle. A lot of people adore this tune. I’ve never really been a fan.

You Won’t Have to Cry
More folkie goodness of the kind this group does best.

Pre-Road Downs
Another nice Nash tune that got radio attention when released but not much since.

Wooden Ships
Written with Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane (they recorded their own version). One of their best songs.

Lady of the Island
This short ballad reminds me of mid-60s Simon & Garfunkel.

Helplessly Hoping
My favorite CSN song. Sometimes played on easy listening stations, not so much on classic rock. But I love the melodies, the harmonies. So good.

Long Time Gone
Crosby’s best contribution to the album is terrific rock music, and one of the group’s most well known songs.

49 Bye-Byes
Another really good Stills deep cut, with some nice organ work.

Way too low. One of the very best albums from your designated time period, even with Lady of the Island, which is dreck.

My stations played the majority of these songs -- only Lady of the Island and 49 Bye-Byes never showed up.

I took this and Deja Vu in the "Pick a Pair" draft. What I said there:

One of the very first non-children's records I remember hearing is So Far, the CSNY compilation that came out in 1974. My parents had it on cassette and played it regularly. So they were a favorite from the getgo, deepened when I started seriously delving into Neil's work when I was in high school.

These two records were the culmination of the movement started by the Byrds to fuse Dylan-type lyrics with Beatles-type music, and there were a huge deal at the time. I truly believe CSNY could have approached the popularity of the Beatles had they been able to keep their #### together. (Heck, they did a sold-out stadium tour a year before the Stones did.) But with the egos involved, that was never going to happen.

Neil's involvement was an accident, necessitated by the fact that Stills played almost all the instruments on the first album, requiring hired hands to flesh out the sound live. After a few attempts at hiring a keyboardist failed, Atlantic's Ahmet Ertegun convinced Stills to bring in Neil to recreate the magic they had with Buffalo Springfield. Never mind that that band broke up in large part because they couldn't stand each other. Intricately produced Beatley stuff wasn't really Neil's thing, nor was harmony singing, but he realized there was something special and signed on. He wasn't around much for the Deja Vu sessions, but integrated himself perfectly by contributing two fantastic originals and ripping it up on guitar on a few other tracks.

These albums are basically the soundtrack of my life.

 

[shuke]

I love the album but….not gonna go there….

This is definitely classic rock.

 

[AAABatteries]

These threads are fun to read because of the discussion and debate about the inclusion and placing of the songs and albums. Then the bonus of just listening to some great music.

The debate on every page about what is or isn’t rock is not fun.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I love the album but….not gonna go there….

This is definitely classic rock.

Yes - but so is Blood on the Tracks.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes was a massive classic rock staple back in the 90s, at least here it was, so this is an obvious pick. I was never wild about the rest of the album, but I get why it's on here. The next album, the one with Young, is the one album of theirs where I like the majority of the songs. The band was more miss than hit for me, but their hits are biggies.

 

[Anarchy99]

These threads are fun to read because of the discussion and debate about the inclusion and placing of the songs and albums. Then the bonus of just listening to some great music.

The debate on every page about what is or isn’t rock is not fun.

I find it interesting to see how many of these artists got my money. I have 15 of the 19 albums listed so far. In terms of performances, I have seen Billy Joel and Elton John multiple times and also went to Styx, Journey, Tom Petty, Heart, and CSN. Also saw Don Henley and Robert Plant multiple times (but not The Eagles or LZ). At least everything cost way less back then.

 

[Stoneworker]

I love the album but….not gonna go there….

This is definitely classic rock.

Yes - but so is Blood on the Tracks.

Doc, I'm just curious for discussion purposes only what is your broad definition of classic rock?

 

[timschochet]

81. Creedence Clearwater Revival- Willie and the Poor Boys (1969)

Classic Rock Radio Hits: Fortunate Son, Down on the Corner, Midnight Special

Throughout the 80s and part of the 90s, CCR was definitely a big part of the classic rock radio playlist. Then for whatever reason these songs were relegated to Oldies radio, where they are now played alongside 60s Motown, pre-1967 Beatles, and the like. But I think the earlier designation is the right one for the purposes of this list.

Willy and the Poor Boys is one of 3 outstanding albums released by this band in the same year, 1969. That’s an amazing output. All 3 albums will have a place here.

Down on the Corner
Obviously one of the band’s best known tunes. As the iTunes reviewer writes, “irresistibly bouncy.”

It Came Out of the Sky
Very traditional Chuck Berry style rock and roll, complete with his guitar riffs.

Cotton Fields
Very catchy deep cut that sounds a little like “Lodi”, but also like traditional country. The Band gets a lot of credit for creating what is now known as “Americana” music in this same year of 1969, but CCR was doing the same kind of thing nearly as well.

Poorboy Shuffle
Harmonica based instrumental

Feelin’ Blue
Nice slower bluesy rocker, if a little bit repetitive

Fortunate Son
Might win my vote for this band’s best song ever, along with “Proud Mary”. Fogerty seems pretty angry about the unjust nature of the draft and the Vietnam War. Supposedly the “Senator’s son” was Al Gore.

Don’t Look Now
They already did Chuck Berry; this song is early Elvis.

Midnight Special
Fogerty puts his spin on old time gospel. Absolutely terrific.

Side O’ the Road
Another instrumental, this one featuring lead guitar. Straight up blues.

Effigy
Another anti-war tune, though the message “who is burning?” seems a little vague. Pretty nice guitar solo.