Our top 10 Helix songs list presents ten of the best songs released by a band prominent in the Canadian heavy metal and hard rock scene. The band was formed in 1974 during a music competition for the best Canadian band. Its founder drummer Bruce Arnold teamed up with five other members, including lead vocalist Brian Vollmer to form the band’s initial lineup. At its inception, the band chose the moniker The Helix Field Band. However, the name changed to Helix after some time.
After some while, the band scored several shows as the backing band to the American rock and roll country singer-songwriter Del Shannon (well-known for his single hit, “Runaway”). Helix released two independent LPs Breaking Loose (1979) and White Lace & Black Leather (1981). One of the notable songs from the band’s debut LP is a cover of Del Shannon’s track “Thinkin’ It Over.”
The band’s lineup transformed, leaving only one original member, vocalist Brian Vollmer. Capitol Records approached Helix for a recording contract. This was after rejecting the band three times. In 1983, the band released its LP No Rest for the Wicked. The album is home to one of the best Helix songs, “Heavy Metal Love.”
Helix went band to the studio to record its fourth studio album, Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge (1984). Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge (1984) blended hard rock, heavy metal, and glam metal elements. The LP is by far one of the best Helix album releases. It peaked at number sixty-nine on the Billboard 200. Walkin’ the Razor Edge (1984) is home to the band’s most renowned hit “Rock You.” It is also home to a cover of A Foot in Coldwater’s “(Make Me Do) Anything You Want” and a cover to Crazy Elephant’s “Gimme Gimme Good Lovin.”
Helix released its fifth LP Long Way to Heaven (1985). The album managed position one hundred and nine on the Billboard 200 chart. “Deep Cuts the Knife” and “The Kids Are All Shackin'” are the two best songs from this moderately successful album. This album was later followed by the release of Wild in the Streets (1987).
Wild in the Streets (1987) featured the power ballad “Dream On,” a cover to a 1982 hit by the Scottish hard rock band Nazareth. The album reached number twenty-seven on the Canadian albums chart. Despite being Gold-certified in the band’s homeland, Wild in the Streets (1987) only managed position one hundred and seventy-nine on the Billboard 200.
The band ushered in the ’90s with its studio album Back for Another Taste. Back for Another Taste (1990) performed similarly to Wild in the Streets (1987) on the Billboard 200. “Running Wild in the 21st Century” and “The Storm” are the two most popular hits from the album. After this album, the band was out of contract with Capitol Records.
Later in 1991, the band released The Early Years, reissuing all tracks from its first two independent LPs. The Early Years was released under A&M Records. Sadly, the band was involved in an accident where its guitarist Paul Hackman lost his life. After recovering from the shock, the album released the album, It’s a Business Doing Pleasure (1993). The band released the hit “That Day Is Gonna Come,” a tribute to the late Paul Hackman.
Eleven years later, the band was back with the album, Rockin’ in My Outer Space (2004). The album didn’t bring the band mainstream success. Three years later, the band released The Power of Rock and Roll. While the album might not have charted, it featured “Fill Your Head with Rock,” the theme ode to the Sweden Rock Festival in 2007. This album was the band’s last release by a major record label.
Helix went on to release a Christmas CD in 2008 under the title A Heavy Mental Christmas.
The band has released three more albums, Vagabond Bones (2009), Bastard of the Blues (2014), and Old School (2019). However, none of the albums managed to chart. While the band’s glory might seem to have diminished, Helix made its mark at its prime, leaving us with several reputable hard rock and heavy metal hits. Here are the best Helix songs of all time.
#10 – Fill Your Head with Rock
Opening up our top 10 Helix songs list is the hit “Fill Your Head with Rock.” The song is featured on Helix’s album The Power of Rock and Roll (2007). “Fill Your Head with Rock” is an energetic hard rock ballad that serves as the title track to the album. The song was penned and used as the theme song for the Sweden Rock Festival in 2007.
Its title is inspired by a Kim Mitchell song under the same name. Kim Mitchell’s version was also used as the theme song of the Sweden Rock Festival. John Hockley directed the music video to “Fill Your Rock with Head,” featuring live scenes from the band’s 2007 performances.
#9 – Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’
“Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'” is one of the band’s most successful cover songs. The song is the most renowned hit single by the American bubblegum pop band Crazy Elephant. The original version peaked at number twelve on both the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100. Helix featured its cover to the song on its most successful album, Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge (1984). Other artists who covered this hit include Dusty Springfield, Sonny Stitt, Leif Garrett, Brian Cadd, and Adrenalin.
#8 – Good to the Last Drop
Coming in at number eight is the rip-roaring hit “Good to the Last Drop.” “Good to the Last Drop” finds the band departing from its heavy and hard feel to a more melodic release. Helix goes romantic with this song that finds the singer craving more love from his significant other. The song is one of the musical gems from the band’s album Back for Another Taste (1990).
#7 – The Kids Are All Shackin’
“The Kids Are All Shackin'” is among the few songs by the band that made it to the charts. Helix released this pulsating hit on Long Way to Heaven (1985). The band was inspired to pen and release this song after receiving a letter from a Polish fan. “The Kids Are All Shackin'” rose to the seventy-seventh position on the Canadian Singles Chart.
#6- Dream On
Number six on the top 10 Helix songs is the thrilling cover “Dream On.” The song is among the last of Helix’s releases before Capitol Records dropped the band. Originally, the song was released by the Scottish rock ensemble Nazareth in 1982. Helix released the song five years later on Wild in the Streets (1987).
#5 – Running Wild in the 21st Century
Back for Another Taste (1990) is home to the fantastic hit “Running Wild in the 21st Century.” “Running Wild in the 21st Century” is one of the heaviest songs from the album. This upbeat song managed to rise to the first position on the RPM Cancon chart. “Running Wild in the 21st Century” was awarded the MuchMusic Award for the Heavy Metal Video of the Year in 1990.
#4- Deep Cuts the Knife
“Deep Cuts the Knife” is one of the best Helix songs penned by the late Paul Hackman and Bob Halligan Jr. The song finds the vocalist singing about the emptiness he feels since the love of his life said goodbye. “Deep Cuts the Knife” sounds more melodic than the band’s usual heavy metal and hard rock vibes. The song managed to rise to the twentieth position on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart.
#3- (Make Me Do) Anything You Want
The third song on our top 10 Helix songs is the band’s most compelling cover hit “(Make Me Do) Anything You Want.” Originally, the song was released by the Canadian rock band A Foot in Coldwater. Helix released its rendition to the song on Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge (1984). The band’s version peaked at number forty-four on the Canadian Singles Chart.
#2- Heavy Metal Love
“Heavy Metal Love” is a grooving hit from the band’s album No Rest for the Wicked (1983). The song featured the band’s first accompanying music video. Helix was overwhelmed to know that the song had a massive impact on TV. The song was among the first releases on Capitol Records. “Heavy Metal Love” was a huge success in the US, peaking at number twenty-three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
#1- Rock You
Number one on the top 10 Helix songs list is the stunning rock ballad “Rock You.” The song is featured on the band’s most successful album Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge (1984). “Rock You” is hailed by many due to its catchy call and response refrain. The song was penned by Bob Halligan Jr., offering it to Helix, who were looking for more songs for their 1984 album.
The track rose fast to become the band’s most popular and best song. “Rock You” managed to rise to number twenty-seven on the Canadian Singles Chart. The song received massive airplay on Canadian radio stations. Canadian rock band Sum 41 covered the song for the soundtrack to the 2002 Canadian movie Fubar.
Photo: Tabercil, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 10 Helix Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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