The 100 Greatest Songs of 1970 #1. Bridge Over Troubled Water (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

55. Black Sabbath “Iron Man” (from Paranoid)

https://youtu.be/5s7_WbiR79E

Disclaimer: I really hate the opening of this song: “I AM IRON MAN”- so silly. But it gets better after that, and since we ARE talking about the most famous guitar riff in rock history (except perhaps for “Smoke on the Water”?) a certain amount of respect is deserved. 
Unfortunately for me, as a UCLA Bruins football fan, this tune has been used my entire life by the Bruin Marching Band as a celebration of UCLA’s defense- whenever the Bruins make a big tackle, a sack or interception, “Iron Man” is played. But since the UCLA defense has historically been either uniformally dreadful or non-existent, this hasn’t been such a great association in my mind. 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

and since we ARE talking about the most famous guitar riff in rock history 

You've never heard this song?.....

 

[Dr. Octopus]

55. Black Sabbath “Iron Man” (from Paranoid)

https://youtu.be/5s7_WbiR79E

Disclaimer: I really hate the opening of this song: “I AM IRON MAN”- so silly. But it gets better after that, and since we ARE talking about the most famous guitar riff in rock history (except perhaps for “Smoke on the Water”?) a certain amount of respect is deserved. 
Unfortunately for me, as a UCLA Bruins football fan, this tune has been used my entire life by the Bruin Marching Band as a celebration of UCLA’s defense- whenever the Bruins make a big tackle, a sack or interception, “Iron Man” is played. But since the UCLA defense has historically been either uniformally dreadful or non-existent, this hasn’t been such a great association in my mind. 

Love that the put Larry David in the background images.

 

[rockaction]

55. Black Sabbath “Iron Man” (from Paranoid)

https://youtu.be/5s7_WbiR79E

Disclaimer: I really hate the opening of this song: “I AM IRON MAN”- so silly. But it gets better after that, and since we ARE talking about the most famous guitar riff in rock history (except perhaps for “Smoke on the Water”?) a certain amount of respect is deserved. 
Unfortunately for me, as a UCLA Bruins football fan, this tune has been used my entire life by the Bruin Marching Band as a celebration of UCLA’s defense- whenever the Bruins make a big tackle, a sack or interception, “Iron Man” is played. But since the UCLA defense has historically been either uniformally dreadful or non-existent, this hasn’t been such a great association in my mind. 

Purple Haze

The opening chord to A Hard Day's Night

The list goes on...

 

[Gr00vus]

Heck, Iron Man isn't even the greatest Sabbath guitar riff, let alone the history of all guitar riffs ever.

 

[timschochet]

Heck, Iron Man isn't even the greatest Sabbath guitar riff, let alone the history of all guitar riffs ever.

I never wrote “greatest”. I wrote “most famous”. 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I never wrote “greatest”. I wrote “most famous”. 

But is it?

 

[timschochet]

But is it?

It’s the first lesson from the School of Rock: 

https://youtu.be/yMvpJDbWX_c

 

[rockaction]

The riff is a monster riff. It's well known. Absolutes are just tough to come by in music, that's all, really. Calling something the "greatest" or "most famous" allows debate. You're the perfect foil, tim. I hope you take the debate in the spirit it is intended to be in.

 

[FairWarning]

I never wrote “greatest”. I wrote “most famous”. 

Over Smoke on the Water?

love me some Sabbath, unfortunately Iron Man hasn’t aged well.  

 

[timschochet]

The riff is a monster riff. It's well known. Absolutes are just tough to come by in music, that's all, really. Calling something the "greatest" or "most famous" allows debate. You're the perfect foil, tim. I hope you take the debate in the spirit it is intended to be in.

I take everything personally. 

 

[timschochet]

Over Smoke on the Water?

love me some Sabbath, unfortunately Iron Man hasn’t aged well.   

I can’t agree with this. IMO it sounds pretty much the same as it did in 1970. (And I was 5 in 1970, and “Iron Man is one of the very few songs on this list that I’m pretty sure I remember hearing in 1970.) 

 

[rockaction]

"Smoke On The Water" is one of the ringtones on my Mom's iPhone. It's an organ that goes "Do do do. Do do do do. Do do do. Do do." I suspect "Smoke On The Water" has a rightful claim to at least be up there.

La la la. La la la la. La la la. La la.

 

[FairWarning]

I can’t agree with this. IMO it sounds pretty much the same as it did in 1970. (And I was 5 in 1970, and “Iron Man is one of the very few songs on this list that I’m pretty sure I remember hearing in 1970.) 

I just think their catalog runs so deep, its not a top 10 Ozzy song by BS.  

 

[northern exposure]

You've never heard this song?.....

Or this one from the same band:

https://youtu.be/0cPXwc-5Kw8

 

[Leroy Hoard]

In terms of iconic riffs, Keith might be the GOAT.

 

[timschochet]

54. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young “Carry On” (from Deja vu)

https://youtu.be/lh67x9iDCjg

This was a combination of two unfinished Stephen Stills’ songs- the main one being “Questions” from his Buffalo Springfield days. It’s gotten radio play ever since mostly due to its stellar harmonies and guitar work. 

 

[Bracie Smathers]

56. Van Morrison “Caravan” (from Moondance)

https://youtu.be/YYJJ55oD02A

Gypsy Robin, Sweet Emma Rose, tell me everything I need to know 

One of those songs where the lyrics are meaningless to me but I love singing them because they roll off the tongue so well. The latter is particularly true of nearly every song off this album, but this is one of the special ones. Famously sung live with The Band in The Last Waltz. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFzwQfBnWWI

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I have to admit I have heard this song before and I love it. But, I never knew who sang it.

reaction.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I am sure everyone reading in this thread is aware of the Badfinger story. Every time I hear their music I am shaken by all the tragedy that happened to this band.

wait, wut?

you know all about the tragedies behind Badfinger ...but you didn't know "What Is Life" was George Harrison or that the Stones played "Jumpin Jack Flash?"

what the hell are you tryin' sell fella????

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I never wrote “greatest”. I wrote “most famous”. 

But is it?

all I can envision with this conversation  

 

[HellToupee]

I am sure everyone reading in this thread is aware of the Badfinger story. Every time I hear their music I am shaken by all the tragedy that happened to this band.

There needs to be a proper documentary on their story .

 

[timschochet]

53. Led Zeppelin “Immigrant Song” (from Led Zeppelin III)

https://youtu.be/RlNhD0oS5pk

I mentioned earlier that the third album by Led Zeppelin is mostly acoustic, but this is the exception: a classic song about the ice and snow in which the band rocks as hard as they ever did. 

 

[rockaction]

Any time a band seriously mentions Valhalla as a mystical reference and we give that reference credence, hipsters everywhere hoist their PBRs and justify their mulleted existence among us.

YOU WON'T BURN THIS KORAN, MAN!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Any time a band seriously mentions Valhalla as a mystical reference and we give that reference credence, hipsters everywhere hoist their PBRs and justify their mulleted existence among us.

YOU WON'T BURN THIS KORAN, MAN!

Wait mullets are hip now?

 

[rockaction]

Wait mullets are hip now?

They're not hip, they're hipster, circa 2010. Like the web site that used to declare "LOOK AT THIS ####### HIPSTER" and was simply a series of photos of hipsters living in Baltimore and Brooklyn. Totally different animal than actually being hip.

 

[rockaction]

Hey, anyone wanna see the shirt I just ordered for me and my stepniece's husband who are now divorced.

Check out the 1970 feel.

Sweet, sweet shirt

 

[DocHolliday]

Over Smoke on the Water?

love me some Sabbath, unfortunately Iron Man hasn’t aged well.  

Agreed.   It was cool until about 1990 or so for me.  Sabbath has so many better songs. Life is too short to listen to worn out tunes.  

 

[DocHolliday]

53. Led Zeppelin “Immigrant Song” (from Led Zeppelin III)

https://youtu.be/RlNhD0oS5pk

I mentioned earlier that the third album by Led Zeppelin is mostly acoustic, but this is the exception: a classic song about the ice and snow in which the band rocks as hard as they ever did. 

Fantastic song.  

 

[rockaction]

Speaking of Forever 21, you know tim wears these.

https://www.forever21.com/us/2000413640.html?dwvar_2000413640_color=06

 

[timschochet]

Hey, anyone wanna see the shirt I just ordered for me and my stepniece's husband who are now divorced.

Check out the 1970 feel.

Sweet, sweet shirt

More like a 1966 feel? Nico didn’t hang around very long. 

 

[timschochet]

Speaking of Forever 21, you know tim wears these.

https://www.forever21.com/us/2000413640.html?dwvar_2000413640_color=06

I’m not cool enough for that. 

 

[rockaction]

More like a 1966 feel? Nico didn’t hang around very long. 

Ahem. 1970 is just loaded with songs, isn't it?

 

[rockaction]

I’m not cool enough for that. 

Overall, I'd say you're doing pretty well.

Get it?

 

[northern exposure]

In terms of iconic riffs, Keith might be the GOAT.

Yup, don't forget "Can't You Hear Me Knocking".

 

[northern exposure]

reaction.

I knew "My Sweet Lord" and "If Not For You" from the same album were by George.

 

[northern exposure]

wait, wut?

you know all about the tragedies behind Badfinger ...but you didn't know "What Is Life" was George Harrison or that the Stones played "Jumpin Jack Flash?"

what the hell are you tryin' sell fella????

Binky, Binky, you got it all wrong,see. I knew about "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Stones because I posted it as a contender for "most famous guitar riff" or whatever Tim was saying for "Iron Man".

 

[timschochet]

I knew "My Sweet Lord" and "If Not For You" from the same album were by George.

“If Not For You” is a Bob Dylan tune, one of my favorites. The Harrison cover is weak. 

 

[timschochet]

Ahem. 1970 is just loaded with songs, isn't it?

And none of them feature Nico. (Doug Yule, on the other hand…) 

 

[northern exposure]

“If Not For You” is a Bob Dylan tune, one of my favorites. The Harrison cover is weak. 

I wasn't speaking about its greatness, just that I knew it was by GH.

 

[northern exposure]

Hey, anyone wanna see the shirt I just ordered for me and my stepniece's husband who are now divorced.

Check out the 1970 feel.

Sweet, sweet shirt

Rock, you may need to go to the :style: thread stat.

 

[rockaction]

And none of them feature Nico. (Doug Yule, on the other hand…) 

Mon dieu. John Cale on viola. I feel safe that this isn't spotlighting.

No One Is There

 

[rockaction]

Rock, you may need to go to the :style: thread stat.

I have crocs and cargos, too. Whatever you do, don't subject me to Major.

 

[northern exposure]

I have crocs and cargos, too. Whatever you do, don't subject me to Major.

Not to worry, it will be our little secret.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Binky, Binky, you got it all wrong,see. I knew about "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Stones because I posted it as a contender for "most famous guitar riff" or whatever Tim was saying for "Iron Man".

apologies.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Ahem. 1970 is just loaded with songs, isn't it?

It was the beginning of a new age. 

 

[northern exposure]

apologies.

No problem.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

53. Led Zeppelin “Immigrant Song” (from Led Zeppelin III)

https://youtu.be/RlNhD0oS5pk

I mentioned earlier that the third album by Led Zeppelin is mostly acoustic, but this is the exception: a classic song about the ice and snow in which the band rocks as hard as they ever did. 

And all originally in 2:27 flat.

 

[zamboni]

53. Led Zeppelin “Immigrant Song” (from Led Zeppelin III)

https://youtu.be/RlNhD0oS5pk

I mentioned earlier that the third album by Led Zeppelin is mostly acoustic, but this is the exception: a classic song about the ice and snow in which the band rocks as hard as they ever did. 

Iceland - fantastic country 

 

[timschochet]

52. James Gang “Funk #49” (from James Gang Rides Again) 

https://youtu.be/U_qHU_6Ofc0

Weren’t we just discussing great guitar riffs? Here is a Joe Walsh entry, and it holds up to the others pretty well IMO. In a year filled with great rock songs, this one still gets noticed even after all this time.