10 Most Rocking Todd Rundgren Songs

Feature Photo: Geoffrey Clowes / Shutterstock.com

Todd Rundgren’s career has spanned decades, covering everything from experimental production to radio-friendly pop, but at his core, he has always been a force in rock and roll. Across both his solo work and his time with Utopia, Rundgren has delivered some of the most electrifying, hard-hitting songs in his catalog—tracks that showcase his raw energy, sharp musicianship, and ability to push the boundaries of rock music.

To explore his most rocking moments, we structured this list into two parts. The first half focuses on Rundgren’s solo material, highlighting songs that define his signature approach to rock with blistering guitar work and powerful vocal performances. The second half shifts to his work with Utopia, where his collaborative energy with the band led to a different kind of intensity. To make things even more interesting, we arranged each section in chronological order, allowing a clearer picture of Rundgren’s evolution as a rock artist.

This isn’t about his biggest hits or his most experimental deep cuts—it’s about the songs that truly rock. Whether performed alone or with Utopia, these tracks capture Rundgren at his most explosive, proving that his impact on rock music is undeniable.

SOLO ALBUMS

# 10 – Devils Bite – Runt

With a raw energy that surges through its frenetic instrumentation, “Devil’s Bite” stands as one of the most electrifying moments on Runt, Todd Rundgren’s 1970 debut solo album. . Recorded at I.D. Sound Studios and Los Angeles Record Plant, the track was produced by Rundgren himself, showcasing his growing ambition as both a musician and a studio craftsman. The lineup for Runt featured Rundgren on guitars, keyboards, and vocals, with Tony Sales on bass and Hunt Sales on drums, forming a tight and energetic trio that powered through the album’s harder-edged tracks.

# 9 – Black Maria – Something/Anything?

Todd Rundgren’s Something/Anything? is an album of many moods, but “Black Maria” stands out as one of its most ferocious moments, delivering a slow-burning, blues-infused rock fury. Recorded in 1971 and released in February 1972, Something/Anything? saw Rundgren handling nearly all the instruments and production himself across three of its four sides, a testament to his studio prowess. However, “Black Maria” is one of the rare tracks that features a full band, with Mark Klingman on keyboards, John Siegler on bass, and John Siomos on drums, injecting a live energy into the song’s brooding intensity.

# 8 – Heavy Metal Kids – Todd

With Todd, released in February 1974, Todd Rundgren expanded his sonic palette into even more experimental and theatrical territory. The double album, recorded at Secret Sound Studios in New York, showcased his increasing willingness to blend raw rock energy with eccentric production. “Heavy Metal Kids” is one of the album’s most aggressive moments, a ferocious, distortion-fueled track that embraces chaos both musically and lyrically. Rundgren not only produced the album but also played the majority of the instruments himself, reinforcing his reputation as a one-man creative force.

# 7 – Determination – Hermit of Mink Hollow

Todd Rundgren’s “Determination,” was featured on his 1978 album Hermit of Mink Hollow. Recorded at his Utopia Sound Studios in Lake Hill, New York, Rundgren performed all instruments and vocals himself. This was one of my favorite Todd albums. It was always on my turntable..

# 6 – The Want Of A Nail – Nearly Human

Todd Rundgren’s “The Want of a Nail,” the opening track from his 1989 album Nearly Human, exemplifies his dynamic fusion of rock and soul. Recorded live in the studio between June 1988 and February 1989 at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley and The Plant in Sausalito, California, the song features a collaboration with soul legend Bobby Womack, whose powerful vocals complement Rundgren’s energetic performance. The ensemble of musicians includes guitarists Lyle Workman and Vernon Black, bassists Larry Tagg, Randy Jackson, and Kasim Sulton, keyboardists Roger Powell, Brent Bourgeois, Vince Welnick, Byron Allred, and Nate Ginsberg, percussionists Michael Pluznick and Mingo Lewis, drummer Prairie Prince, and a vibrant horn section comprising Bobby Strickland, Peter Apfelbaum, Jim Blinn, and Mike Rose. Rundgren himself took on the roles of lead vocalist, guitarist, arranger, and producer for the track.

WITH UTOPIA

# 5 – Another Life – Another Live

Marking the transition to the second half of our list, which highlights Todd Rundgren’s collaborations with his band Utopia, “Another Life” serves as a compelling introduction. Featured as the opening track on Utopia’s 1975 live album Another Live, this song exemplifies the band’s progressive rock prowess. The album was recorded in August 1975 during performances at venues such as Wollman Rink in Central Park, New York, and the Cape Cod Coliseum. The lineup for this recording included Todd Rundgren on electric guitar and lead vocals, Mark “Moogy” Klingman and Ralph Schuckett on keyboards and vocals, Roger Powell on synthesizers and vocals, John Siegler on bass and vocals, and John “Willie” Wilcox on drums.

# 4 – Love In Action – Oops! Wrong Planet

Continuing our exploration of Todd Rundgren’s collaborations with Utopia, “Love in Action” is a no-holds-barred rock anthem that drives forward with raw energy and biting social commentary. Featured on their 1977 album Oops! Wrong Planet, the song captures the band’s transition into a harder-edged rock sound, packed with aggressive guitar riffs and an unrelenting rhythm section. Recorded at Utopia Sound Studios with Rundgren at the helm as producer, the track showcases the combined force of Rundgren on guitars and lead vocals, Roger Powell on keyboards and vocals, Kasim Sulton on bass and vocals, and John “Willie” Wilcox on drums and vocals..

Critically, Oops! Wrong Planet marked a shift for Utopia, embracing a rawer, more immediate rock sound. While the album reached number 77 on the Billboard 200, “Love in Action” took on a life of its own as a concert staple, solidifying its reputation as one of Utopia’s hardest-hitting tracks.

# 3 – The Road To Utopia – Adventures in Utopia

Released in 1979 as the opening track of Adventures in Utopia, “The Road to Utopia” was recorded at Utopia Sound Studios, with Todd Rundgren producing. The album was intended to tie into a proposed television series that never came to fruition. Instead, Adventures in Utopia became one of the band’s most commercially successful albums, reaching number 32 on the Billboard 200. The band lineup for this recording included Rundgren on guitars and vocals, Roger Powell on keyboards and vocals, Kasim Sulton on bass and vocals, and John “Willie” Wilcox on drums and vocals.

# 2 – One World – Swing To The Right

“One World” is the closing track on Utopia’s sixth studio album, Swing to the Right, released on February 24, 1982. The album was recorded at Utopia Sound Studios, with Todd Rundgren and Utopia handling production duties. The band consisted of Todd Rundgren (vocals, guitar), Roger Powell (keyboards, synthesizer, vocals), Kasim Sulton (bass, keyboards, vocals), and John “Willie” Wilcox (drums).

# 1 – Welcome to My Revolution – Oblivion

“Welcome to My Revolution” is a track from Utopia’s 1984 album, Oblivion. The album marked a shift in the band’s musical direction, incorporating more electronic elements, including synthesizers and drum machines. It was recorded at Utopia Sound Studios, with Todd Rundgren handling production. The lineup consisted of Todd Rundgren on vocals and guitar, Kasim Sulton on bass and vocals, Roger Powell on keyboards and vocals, and John “Willie” Wilcox on drums and vocals. Oblivion was released on January 23, 1984, and reached number 74 on the Billboard 200 chart.