10 Classic Rock Songs That You Turn Up To Eleven!

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Ronnie Van Zant said it best, “Turn It Up.” We all remember those words at the start of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic track “Sweet Home Alabama.” It is one of those songs that we turn up immediately when we hear those opening guitar chords. Of course, there are hundreds of songs that we hear on the radio or on random play on our iPhones or cd players or whatever it is you listen to music on. WE CRANK the volume up immediately when we hear that special song that gets the blood flowing better than a little blue pill. Sometimes, all it takes is one or two notes to recognize the song, and we turn it up to 11 baby! That’s what this article is really all about. It’s kind of like the game show Name That Tune, but instead, we already know the name of the song. We crank it. It’s about the ones that leave no doubt instantly that it’s time to start banging our heads against the wall or steering wheel or when we hear those wonderful classic rock and roll notes that signify this is one of our favorite songs of all time. Turn it up!

These are in no particular order, just the first ten that came to mind.

# 10 – Fool For The City

We open our 10 Classic Rock Songs That You Turn Up To Eleven list with the high-spirited Foghat song “Fool For The City.” This one gets you on the first beat of the song with that roaring guitar lick. Foghat opened up their Fool For The City album with this cut, and they’ve been opening up their concerts ever since with the famous track. When I was interviewing Roger Earl the other day and asked him what song they would be opening up their new shows with, I tried getting that question back into my mouth before I let it out because I realized they always open up with “Fool For The City.” Roger Earl and Brian Bassett just looked at me like, “really, why would you ask us that?” Because I’m a fool for the city, that’s what I felt like saying. Anyway, this one gets me; it’s been getting me since I was 16 and still does.

# 9 – The Ocean – Led Zeppelin

Continuing with our list, we turn to the greatest Rock Gods of all time, Led Zeppelin. I think, in fact, I know that we want to turn up pretty much every Led Zeppelin song immediately. It’s incredible how many times we have listened to every single Led Zeppelin album, and we never ever get tired of any of the songs. Of course, there are some we love more than others, but this one has a special place in our hearts. It’s one of John Bonham’s greatest moments on record.

# 8 – Unchained – Van Halen

Like Led Zeppelin, just about every Van Halen song in the band’s catalog, we want to turn up when we hear them play unexpectedly out of nowhere. We happen to be fans of both the Hagar and Roth years. How could you not like both catalogs? They released so much great stuff. Nonetheless, our favorite Van Halen album will always be Fair Warning. This song gets you charged up and ready for action instantly.

# 7 – There’s Only One Way To Rock – Van Halen Live Version Of Sammy Hagar’s Solo Track

And speaking of Van Halen…… We were huge Sammy Hagar fans before he ever joined the band. Sammy Hagar’s Standing Hampton album will always be our favorite Sammy Hagar record. This Killer cut, “There’s Only One Way To Rock,” was featured on the album. The version we really love the best is the live version of what Sammy did with Van Halen. They used to play the song second in their live shows. It was very cool to hear Eddie Van Halen play this lick. The live version was released on the Van Halen Live: Right Here, Right Now. The two CD set was released in 1993.

# 6 – That Smell – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Landing in the number six spot on our 10 Classic Rock Songs That You Turn Up Immediately list, we present Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic track “That Smell.” Released on their final studio album issued just days before the crash, “That Smell” showcased that the band was indeed about to embark on a new chapter. With Steve Gaines in hand, the band had released an album that had taken Southern rock to a new level of depth. No song on the album demonstrated it more than this one.

# 5 – Roadhouse Blues – The Doors

If there ever was a Doors song that fueled your passion for getting into some good clean trouble, it was The Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues.” Jim Morrison gets in your face instantly with his roar circling around Robby Krieger’s furious blues guitar lick. Let it roll baby. “Roadhouse Blues” was released on The Doors’ fifth studio album, Morrison Hotel. When you hear Morrison reference Lonnie before that solo, he was referring to Lonnie Mack, who played on the cut.

# 4 – Rosalita

Bruce Springsteen’s standout live performances of “Rosalita” will forever be known as some of the most spectacular highlights of his performing career. Usually performed at the end of his shows in the 1970s, the album version released on the Wild, Innocent, and E Street Shuffle sounded like a live version itself, even though it was recorded in the studio. I never get tired of this one. The second I hear that guitar, everything else around me stops existing.

# 3 – Back In Black – AC/DC

“Back in Black” stands as one of the most iconic rock anthems of all time, encapsulating both AC/DC’s resilience and their bold comeback after the devastating loss of their original frontman, Bon Scott. Released on the Back in Black album in July 1980, the track was a tribute to Scott while also introducing the world to Brian Johnson, the band’s new lead vocalist. The song was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, with production by the legendary Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who had previously worked with the band on Highway to Hell. The sessions were fraught with challenges, not just because of the immense emotional pressure the band was under but also due to the volatile weather in the Bahamas, where tropical storms regularly disrupted the recording process.

Musically, “Back in Black” is a masterclass in hard rock simplicity and precision. It opens with one of the most instantly recognizable guitar riffs in rock history, courtesy of Angus Young, setting the tone for a track that’s as gritty as it is defiant. Malcolm Young’s rhythm guitar holds the foundation together with unwavering authority, while Cliff Williams on bass and Phil Rudd on drums drive the song with relentless energy. Johnson’s gravelly vocals, a stark contrast to Scott’s, cut through the wall of sound, delivering lyrics that both mourn and celebrate. Though the song doesn’t explicitly ask for help in the conventional sense, the underlying narrative speaks to the band’s need to move forward, survive, and thrive after tragedy—a message that resonated deeply with their fans.

Critically, “Back in Black” was lauded for its production quality, tight musicianship, and raw emotion. The album shot to number one in multiple countries, and the song became one of the band’s most successful singles, cementing their status as rock legends. In the U.S., Back in Black peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since been certified 25x Platinum by the RIAA, making it one of the best-selling albums in music history. Its accompanying music video, which features the band performing in their signature no-frills, high-voltage style, became a staple on MTV during its early years, adding to the song’s mystique and enduring appeal. To this day, “Back in Black” remains a cornerstone of AC/DC’s live performances and a timeless symbol of rock and roll resilience.

# 2 – Separate Ways – Journey

I could listen to Steve Perry sing all day and night. From 1976 to the early 80s, Journey released some of classic rock’s all-time great albums. It was spectacular how the band could rock hard yet still deliver near-perfect pop rock music gems that became big-time radio hits. This song blew me away the first time I heard it. The sound quality was striking. Neal Schon’s guitars up against Jonathan Cain’s keyboards, all being pushed hard by Steve Smith on drums and Ross Valory’s bass was mind-blowing. Yet, it was the sound of Steve Perry’s voice engineered perfectly to cut across that powerful instrumentation that made this one jaw dropping.

Released as the lead single from their Frontiers album in January 1983, the song embodies the melodic power and anthemic rock sound that made Journey one of the defining acts of the early 1980s. Written by keyboardist Jonathan Cain and lead vocalist Steve Perry, the song was recorded in Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California, with Mike Stone and Kevin Elson producing. “Separate Ways” became a massive hit, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

# 1 – Draw The Line – Aerosmith

We close out our list of 10 classic rock songs that you turn up immediately with our favorite Aerosmith song, “Draw The Line.” I think the Draw The Line album has always been the band’s most underrated record. It was released in the shadows of Toys In The Attic and Rocks, which were classic rock gems. So is this one. That bass line gets me every time. I can’t believe I haven’t blown my speakers playing this one.

Released as the title track of their fifth studio album Draw the Line in December 1977, the song represents the frenetic energy and raw, unpolished edge that made Aerosmith a defining force in 1970s rock music. The album was recorded at The Cenacle, an abandoned convent in New York, where the band sought to capture their signature sound amid personal turbulence and rising fame.

Produced by long-time collaborator Jack Douglas, “Draw the Line” features all the hallmarks of Aerosmith’s iconic style: Joe Perry’s snarling, blues-drenched guitar riffs, Tom Hamilton’s thumping bass, Joey Kramer’s thunderous drumming, and Steven Tyler’s inimitable vocals, full of swagger and attitude. The song’s lyrics reflect the band’s frustration with the pressures of success and the rock star lifestyle, with Tyler urging listeners to draw the line and take control—a call for boundaries in a world of excess. The track barrels forward with a relentless pace, capturing the chaotic spirit of the era in both its sound and theme.

While Draw the Line didn’t reach the commercial heights of the band’s earlier releases like Toys in the Attic or Rocks, the song itself became a fan favorite and a staple of their live shows. It peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100, but its impact extended far beyond chart positions. Critics praised the track for its unfiltered energy and authenticity, with many seeing it as a reflection of Aerosmith’s ability to stay true to their rock roots despite the chaos surrounding them.

Updated March 9, 2025