Sweet Electric Guitar capturing the essence of Rock.

WRIF is the home of rock n’ roll, and we have no shortage of rock stories here on the site. There are so many unbelievably talented rock artists and bands that have made it to the airwaves over the years, from Led Zeppelin and Metallica, AC/DC and Eddie Van Halen and so very many more. This story would need to be 1,000 pages long to include all of the deserving bands that have graced the earth.

Origin of Rock

Rock music wasn’t always around though. We can trace the origins of rock music back to the mid 1950’s, where it was inspired from earlier upbeat blues and jazz music of the 1940’s. In March of 1951, Jackie Brenston an American saxophonist and singer recorded “Rocket 88.” Several music writers claim this to be the first or at least one of the first songs of the rock ‘n’ roll genre.

 

My Rock Backstory

I have only been a member of the WRIF team for around 4 months. Yet, I have been a rock fan since I was 4 years old. I was born in the late ’90s, so naturally one would assume I would connect with a ton of late ’90s and early 2000’s music. Interestingly enough, I’m a ’90s baby who’s obsessed with ’80s rock. I partially attribute that to my mom being in love with Bon Jovi and my dad introducing me to rock music at an early age. I even trace the love of ’80s rock to playing Guitar Hero as a kid and always preferring to play 80’s hair metal. Although at the time it was mostly because the hair of the bands were awesome. Later, I came to understand the feel of 80’s rock was just more alluring to me. So here is my list of 80’s rock songs that I deem to be the best of the decade.

 

  • Motley Crue - Kickstart My Heart

    “Kickstart My Heart” is by far my favorite Motley Crue track. I never hide it on the air or in person that Motley Crue is my favorite group from the ’80s. Possibly my all-time favorite rock group in general, too. What gets me about this song is the entire introduction. From the guitars mimicking a speeding muscle car to the beat throughout the song, I love this track and have since I was a teen!

  • Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)

    The Beastie Boys hold a special place in my heart. Their music to me caters to the rebel that lives in every teen in the nation. The music video is just awesome too, the satire and intentional craziness of the band’s choices are what I love most. I’ve loved this song ever since me and my best friend would play it every Friday night talking about how we have fight for our right to anything…

  • Beastie Boys - No Sleep Till Brooklyn

    Another Beastie Boys track makes my list. I very much enjoy the music video for this song. Since I was born in 1998, I listened to most of these songs for the first time on YouTube. Meaning I saw the music videos as I would hear the song for the first time. Let me tell you hearing this song as a confused 13-year-old was thrilling. The guitar riff at the end coupled with the Rock/Rap delivery is why this song is an all-time favorite of mine.

  • Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine

    The vocals, the sweet sound of the guitar throughout and longevity that this track has endured are why it makes my list. Guns N’ Roses has such a unique sound combined with sheer ability that I had to include them in the list of my favorites from the 80’s.

  • Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train

    Crazy Train is such an exceptional track that I even included it on my first ever story here at the WRIF! The greatest rock intros! Click here to check out that story if you need a refresher. Love this song because Ozzy really does give you a dozen different unique sounds, beats and tempos all within the first 2 minutes.

  • Skid Row - Youth Gone Wild

    I chalk up my love for this song to similar reasons as the previously mentioned Beastie Boys. The rebellious teen spirit! I mean come on, the Youth Gone Wild? What kid wouldn’t want to break the rules after hearing this. The beat of this track was also a motivating factor for me putting it on the list.

  • Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It

    Noticing a general theme as then rebellious type. Looking inward these songs called to what I perhaps strived to be as opposed to actually was. I wasn’t necessarily the most rebellious, wretched teenager but songs like this can make a kid dream! The music video is also such a treat to watch. Like I said earlier in the post, I watched the music video to all of these tracks as I heard them for the first time. So picture that.

  • Joan Jett & the Blackhearts - I Love Rock 'N Roll

    I could never have made this list without including Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. She is truly iconic for me and interestingly “I love Rock ‘N Roll” is what made me fall in love with Rock ‘N Roll. I don’t remember where I first heard this song, but I do know that I absolutely loved it as a kid. The simplicity of the beat and Joans vocals mixed perfectly together made me want to experience more in the rock world!

  • Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name

    Last yet not least we have Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name”. Again, my mom’s love for Bon Jovi played a role in the initial interest. This tracks high octane instrumentals and the guitar solo near the end is what eternally hooked me. This is the one and only song that I was able to master on Guitar Hero so much that I didn’t even need to look at the screen or Guitar…

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