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10 Perfect Songs To Turn Your Kids On To Classic Rock is a list that tells it like it is. If your parent; a father or mother and you are looking to do a good job parenting or at least trying to do a good job parenting, then there are just certain things in life that you need to teach your kids. First, of course, is waking up and getting to school on time. Second, is to brush your teeth morning and night. The third is to be a good person, don’t bully, don’t be an idiot. And of course, finally, teach your kids to love rock and roll. Do we really want to raise our kids listening to rap music? You might not have any choice about that. Kids are going to listen to what they want to listen to. Nonetheless, it’s always worth a shot. We are here to help. These 10 songs, while we can’t guarantee they will work, are probably pretty good choices to turn your kids on to the wonderful world of classic rock and roll. Let us know how they did for you.
# 10 – Close To The Edge – Yes
We open up our 10 Perfect Songs To Turn Your Kids On To Classic Rock list with the classic Yes song entitled “Close To The Edge.” Come on, we have to include at least one progressive rock song. “Close to the Edge” is the title track from the album Close to the Edge, released by Yes in 1972. The recording sessions took place between April and June 1972 at Advision Studios in London. The album was produced by Eddie Offord in collaboration with the band. This 18-minute track is often considered a magnum opus not just for the band, but also for the entire genre of progressive rock. The musicians on the album are Jon Anderson on vocals, Steve Howe on guitars, Chris Squire on bass, Rick Wakeman on keyboards, and Bill Bruford on drums.
The song is divided into four sections: “The Solid Time of Change,” “Total Mass Retain,” “I Get Up, I Get Down,” and “Seasons of Man.” Each section blends seamlessly into the next, maintaining a thematic continuity built on intricate instrumentals, complex time signatures, and metaphysical lyrics. In this world a very short attention spans and there’s a little bit of a risk to use this song however it’s just so good. The lyrical content is said to be inspired by Hermann Hesse’s spiritual book Siddhartha, and it delves into themes of existentialism, spiritual quests, and the cyclical nature of life and time. Rick Wakeman’s use of the Mellotron and the Moog synthesizer adds an ethereal quality that melds perfectly with Steve Howe’s intricate guitar work and Jon Anderson’s soaring vocals. The album peaked at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, indicating its commercial success as well.
# 9 – Slow Ride – Foghat
Continuing with our 10 Perfect Songs To Turn Your Kids On To Classic Rock list we take a listen to the legendary track “Slow Ride,” by our good friends Foghat. We know this one will work because when the video game Guitar Hero came out over a decade ago, the kids went nuts over this song. “Slow Ride” was released in 1975 as the opening track on their fifth studio album, Fool for the City. The album was recorded at Suntreader Studios in Sharon, Vermont, and produced by Nick Jameson, who also played bass on the album as a temporary member of the band. The other members featured on this track are “Lonesome” Dave Peverett on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Rod Price on lead and slide guitar, and Roger Earl on drums. “Slow Ride” peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while Fool for the City itself was certified Platinum in the United States.
# 8 – Layla – Derek And The Dominos
They may have released only one album, but Eric Clapton, Duane Allman and Friends came up with one of the greatest albums ever released. This is a classic among the classics. How could they not fall in love with that opening guitar riff? The chorus just slams you against the wall. And oh that ending. The song defines classic rock as an art form. Tell them to use that line on their music teacher in school.
“Layla” was released in 1970 as part of their album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Recorded between August and October 1970 at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, the album was produced by Tom Dowd. The musicians featured on this track include Eric Clapton on vocals and guitar, Duane Allman on slide guitar, Bobby Whitlock on keyboards, Carl Radle on bass, and Jim Gordon on drums. “Layla” reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
# 7 – Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
If you’re going to try and turn your kids on to classic rock and roll then you got to give them a little bit of Rolling Stones in there. Heck, you could even argue that they’re not old they just released a brand new album. And isn’t that cool? Have you heard Hackney Diamonds? It’s fantastic. We are giving you this information about each song even though you probably know it, but in case you forgot and the kids ask. Although they probably won’t.
“Gimme Shelter” was released by The Rolling Stones on their 1969 album Let It Bleed. Recorded in February and March of that year at Olympic Studios in London, the song was produced by Jimmy Miller, who worked closely with the band during a pivotal period in their career. The core musicians on this particular track were Mick Jagger on vocals, Keith Richards on guitar and backing vocals, Charlie Watts on drums, and Bill Wyman on bass. The song also features Merry Clayton on backing vocals, whose powerful voice adds a haunting dimension to the track. Love those oohs.
# 6 – More Than A Feeling – Boston
Boston’s “More Than A Feeling,” was another big-time Guitar Hero track. It’s also been included in many compilations of classic rock music. Remember when we first heard this song and how we were blown away by it? The guitar parts, the vocals, and just the song itself stand out as one of the greatest classic rock songs of all time. “More Than a Feeling” was released in 1976 as a part of Boston’s self-titled debut album, Boston. The song was recorded at Tom Scholz’s basement studio and was produced by John Boylan and Tom Scholz, the band’s founder. Scholz, an MIT-trained engineer, used his technical skills to create a polished, multi-layered sound that helped redefine the sonic landscape of rock music at the time.
The lineup on this iconic track includes Tom Scholz on lead and rhythm guitars, as well as keyboards, Brad Delp on vocals, Sib Hashian on drums, Barry Goudreau on rhythm guitar, and Fran Sheehan on bass. “More Than a Feeling” was a smash hit upon its release. The single reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while the album Boston became one of the best-selling debut albums in U.S. history, certified 17x Platinum.
# 5 – Suite Judy Blue Eyes – Crosby Stills & Nash
Not everything has to be loud and fast that you try to get your kids to listen to while attempting to turn them on to classic rock. There’s nothing like some good old-fashioned sweet harmony. Maybe your kids are in chorus class in school singing a lot of boring chorus music. They like to sing so that’s a start. Well, there’s no better group than Crosby Stills & Nash to present the boundless possibilities of rock and roll harmony.
“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” was featured on Crosby, Stills & Nash’s self-titled debut album released in 1969. The album was recorded at Wally Heider’s Studio III in Los Angeles and was produced by the group along with Bill Halverson as the engineer. The song was primarily written by Stephen Stills, and the musicians on this track include David Crosby on vocals and rhythm guitar, Stephen Stills on vocals, lead guitar, and organ, and Graham Nash on vocals and rhythm guitar. It reached No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The album Crosby, Stills & Nash was a commercial success, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart and going on to be certified 4x Platinum in the United States.
# 4 – 2112 – Rush
Everyone needs a little Rush in their life, even your kids. Remember when you first heard this piece of music? I was 15 at the time and never heard of Rush. However, I saw that awesome album cover in Sam Goody’s record store in the Smith Haven mall and bought it just because I thought the picture was cool. I was never expecting to hear what I heard when I put this baby on the turntable for the first time. No one knew who Rush was at the time in the United States. I played the album for all my friends and they were all completely blown away just like I was. I think this one should work.
“2112” is a seven-part suite taking up the entire first side of their 1976 album, also titled 2112. Just in case you forgot, Rush was Geddy Lee on vocals, bass, and synthesizers, Alex Lifeson on guitars, and Neil Peart, who wrote the lyrics and played drums.
It took a while for the album to become known but eventually, 2112 dramatically altered the trajectory of Rush’s career. The album went goi 3x Platinum in the United States and 2x Platinum in Canada. It reached No. 61 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and No. 5 on the Canadian Albums Chart.
# 3 – Blitzkrieg Bop – The Ramones
Maybe many of these classic rock songs are just a little too slow for your kids. You may happen to have kids who are very rowdy or need to move very quickly, all the time, nonstop. We have a classic rock prescription just for you: The Ramones. I used to play the Ramones all the time for my kids when they were babies. It made them stop crying for at least a minute. Then it just got worse.
“Blitzkrieg Bop” appeared as the opening track on the Ramones’ debut album, Ramones, released in 1976. The song was recorded at Plaza Sound, Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and produced by Craig Leon. The iconic lineup for this track includes Joey Ramone on lead vocals, Johnny Ramone on guitar, Dee Dee Ramone on bass, and Tommy Ramone on drums.
# 2 – Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who
If your kids watch a lot of television which they probably most certainly do, then there’s a good chance they’ve heard this song before. If they have ever watched an episode of CSI: Miami, they’ve heard Roger Daltrey’s iconic scream. Of course, Pete Townshend likes to sell all his songs now for use in commercials because he tells us he doesn’t care what we think, which is pretty much what made him a rock star in the first place. Still, this is one of the greatest rock songs ever released. It would be a crime not to try this one.
“Won’t Get Fooled Again” was released in 1971 as part of The Who’s fifth studio album, Who’s Next. The recording took place at the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio and was overseen by producer Glyn Johns. The iconic lineup for this song consists of Roger Daltrey on lead vocals, Pete Townshend on guitar and synthesizer, John Entwistle on bass, and Keith Moon on drums. Upon its release, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. The single reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 15 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Who’s Next, the album it belongs to peaked at No. 1 in the UK and No. 4 in the U.S., and it has since been certified 3x Platinum.
# 1 – A Day In The Life – The Beatles
We close out our 10 Perfect Songs To Turn Your Kids On To Classic Rock list with a Beatles song. How could we not eventually get to the Beatles? No musical group in popular music history has been more impactful than the Beatles. They didn’t just impact pop music; they pretty much changed the world, or at least the US and UK. And maybe Japan too. Well, I guess you could throw in the rest of Europe and Australia and parts of South America…….Oh okay, the entire world. Just the story of The Beatles should be interesting enough for them. If we had to pick one Beatles song to play for them, it would have to be this one.
“A Day in the Life” appears as the final track on the Beatles’ groundbreaking 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The song was recorded at EMI Studios (later renamed Abbey Road Studios) in London and was produced by the legendary George Martin. The lineup includes John Lennon on vocals and acoustic guitar, Paul McCartney on vocals and piano, George Harrison on lead guitar, and Ringo Starr on drums. Additionally, the song features an orchestral arrangement scored by George Martin, who also played the harmonium.
“A Day in the Life” is a work of intricate structure and experimental techniques that broke new ground in popular music. The song is essentially a fusion of two disparate musical ideas—one from Lennon, one from McCartney—seamlessly sewn together by dramatic orchestral crescendos. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band topped the charts in both the UK and the U.S., garnering four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
Updated August 7, 2024
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Thank you for including Rush; by far my favorite band ever. I grew up in Suffolk County and spent many days in Sam Goody in the Smith Haven Mall. I also went to Stony Brook. Rush had such a profound impact on so many. I have an 11 year old daughter and she certainly knows 2112. I owe that band so much. This is a pretty good list. Well done.
Thanks Rich. Long live the Smith Haven Mall!