Best Rock Artists and Songs
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
By Kiera Short
My friends know that I have the best music taste, so I’m here to share some of my favourite bands and songs that you may not know. I listen to many different artists, so it was a struggle making these lists and picking favourites. I did try to pick ones that are really good, and probably lesser-known, so I hope you enjoy.
Firstly, the artists and bands. I would like to make some honorary mentions to Nirvana, David Bowie, Queen, The Offspring, The Who, Nickleback, Jimi Hendrix, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, who were all very close to making the list. I still recommend listening to them if you haven’t heard them before.
T.Rex
To begin, my favourite band is T.Rex, an amazing English band who formed in 1967, and disbanded in 1977 following the lead singer, Marc Bolan’s, death. Their genre is accurately described as ‘electric glam rock.’ Throughout their years, they had many band members, however the main ones were Marc Bolan, the lead singer, Mickey Finn, and Steve Currie. They were very popular, being mentioned in the movie ‘Baby Driver,’ albeit briefly, and one of their popular songs ‘Cosmic dancer’ being used in ‘Billy Elliot’ the movie. They were then inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. Some of their most popular songs include: ‘Get it on’ (their most popular song reaching no.1 in UK and top 10 in the US), ‘Cosmic Dance’, ‘Hot Love’, ‘Jeepster, ‘20th Century Boy’, and ‘Ride a White Swan’.
My Favourite Songs (but are definitely not limited to):
Ride a White Swan
Metal Guru
Mambo sun
Woodland Rock
The King of the Mountain Cometh
Planet Queen
Born to Boogie
Groove a little
Children of the Revolution
Get it on
Green Day
Next is Green Day, who formed in 1987 in the United States. They are a pop-punk/punk-rock band who recently performed at the Super Bowl opening ceremony. I went and saw them last year, and can confirm that they are amazing performers. The concert was the best I have ever been to (although I have only been to see them and KISS, but it still counts), and I would love to see them again. I first found them on ‘Rage’, which was a TV channel that played music videos early in the morning (or at least what was early for a ten year old!). I used to wake up when my dad put it on, and would watch it with him. It was then that I heard Green Day for the first time, and I later started listening to them more when I found their CDs in my dad’s collection. Their most popular songs are from their ‘American Idiot’ and ‘Dookie’ albums, for which they have won five Grammy Awards. Their most recent album was released in 2024, titled ‘Saviors’, which was followed by The Savior’s’’ tour, also celebrating the 30th anniversary of ‘Dookie’ (1994), and the 20th anniversary of ‘American Idiot’ (2004).
My Favourite Songs:
American Idiot
Holiday
Good Riddance
The American Dream is killing me
Minority
We are the Waiting
Jesus of Suburbia
Extraordinary Girl/Letterbomb
Whatsername
21 Guns
The Police
Next, The Police, who formed in 1977 and broke up in 1986. However, they did have a reunion tour from 2007 to 2008. They are an English pop-rock band, regarded as the first most popular new-wave band as they achieved success, eventually being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Their lead singer was Sting (a great stage name might I add),their guitarist was Andy Summers, and their drummer/percussionist was Stewart Copeland. Their most popular songs are ‘Every Breath You Take’, ‘Roxanne’, and ‘Message In A Bottle’, and their most popular album was Synchronicity’’ (1983).
My Favourite Songs:
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Message in A Bottle
Synchronicity I
Be My Girl - Sally
King Of Pain
So Lonely
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da (Yes that is the name, quite literally the best name ever)
Soundgarden
Emerging from the United States in 1984, Soundgarden became very popular and a part of the ‘Grunge’ movement along with other bands such as Nirvana and Alice in Chains. They split up in 1997 with lead singer Chris Cornell forming another band, but also releasing solo songs. They were also one of Kurt Cobain’s–the lead singer of Nirvana–favourite Grunge bands. I also found them on ‘Rage’ through their music video of ‘Black hole sun’, quite frankly one of the weirdest music videos I’ve seen. Their most popular albums were ‘Superunknown’ (1994) and ‘Down on the Upside’ (1995).
My Favourite Songs:
Black hole sun
Hand of God
4th Of July
Burden in My Hand
Outshined
Flowers/Icehouse
Finally, Flowers (currently known as Icehouse), formed in 1977 as an Australian rock band. It was in 1980 when they gained popularity that they changed their name to avoid conflict with another popular band at the time. In all honesty I haven’t listened to any of their post-name change songs. I just absolutely adore their first album as Flowers, called ‘Icehouse,’ which is where they got their current name from. Their hit songs ‘Great Southern Land’ and ‘Electric Blue’ led to their popularity, and ultimately their induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006, which is an Australian Hall of Fame for Australian musicians across numerous genres.
My Favourite Songs:
The entire ‘Icehouse’ album, all 36 songs
Can’t help myself
Send Somebody
Not My Kind
Nothing To Do
Sister
Walls
Next, the individual songs. These are all amazing, and I highly recommend listening to them - aren't in any particular order.
‘The stroke’ by Billy Squier
Released in 1981, rock genre.
I found this song on a vinyl single from dad (I highly recommend borrowing vinyls or CDs from your dad or uncles; they will have some of the best music ever). Borrowing my dad’s CDs and vinyls was the best decision, I have found so many good songs, like this one, and a lot of the following songs.
‘Baby it’s you’ by Promises
Released in 1978, pop genre.
Again, I found this on vinyl. They were very much a ‘one hit wonder’ band, and this was their most popular song, and I highly recommend giving it a listen. They are on Spotify, however, I would suggest searching for the song rather than the band.
‘I’m Down’ by the Beatles
Recorded in 1965, pop-rock genre.
Yes, I know the Beatles are very popular, but this is literally my favourite song of theirs. I found it on vinyl from dad on the B-side of their “Help!” single where it was initially released, but it was later included in their Past Masters album.
‘Schools out’ by Alice Cooper
Released 1972, hard rock genre.
I will definitely be listening to this on repeat after my last HSC exam. Again, I found it on vinyl (There is a bit of a trend here, my music taste was definitely influenced by my dad). It was a very popular song when it was released, reaching no.7 on Billboard Hot 100 (US), and no.1 UK singles Chart in 1972.
‘What’s my scene’ by Hoodoo Gurus
Released 1987, pop-rock genre.
To break the cycle of finding songs on vinyl, I found this one on the radio and asked my dad, as I so often do, ‘What’s the name of this song?’. I then found it on spotify, and have loved it since. They are an Australian band, and this was their most popular song. I absolutely love this song.
‘People are Strange’ by the Doors
Released in 1967, rock genre.
I do have a few of their other songs on vinyl from my dad, however not this one, but I found it on Spotify when I was listening to almost all of the Doors’ songs. I love it so much, it's such a vibe, a bit goofy but just amazing!
‘Sharp dressed man’ by ZZ top
Released in 1983, rock genre.
I first heard this one when my brother would play those videos of ‘most iconic guitar riffs’ on YouTube. This was very much up there, and it was also one of their most popular songs (‘La Grange’ is their biggest hit). I highly recommend listening to this. It is beautiful and an absolute masterpiece.
‘Whiskey in the Jar’ by Metallica
Released 1998, heavy metal genre.
I found Metallica through my dad’s CD collection, and listened to them more on Spotify. That was where I found this album, which I unfortunately don’t have on CD. It's breaking my heart! I love so many of their songs but this one is by far my favourite.
‘Send me an Angel’ by Scorpions
Released 1990, rock genre.
I’m not quite sure how I actually found this band. I think it was through those Spotify recommendations that just start playing after your playlist finishes, but I’m glad I continued listening, I really like this song.
‘Holy Diver’ by Dio
Released 1983, heavy metal genre.
Again, I’m not sure how I found it, maybe it just appeared one day! It is an amazing song, and album (the album has the same name as the song ‘Holy Diver’). This song is so good ,and I cannot recommend it enough.
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