Top 10 REO Speedwagon Songs

Photo: Sjgkfe [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]

One of our favorite piano players in classic rock history is Neal Doughty. For many, that is a name nowhere near as familiar as those of other rock piano players such as Elton John, Billy Joel, Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, and so on. However, hardcore rock fans of the band REO Speedwagon will sing the highest praise to Mr. Neal Doughty. If it weren’t for Neil Doughty there would be no REO Speedwagon as he has served as the founding member of the band and to this day continues to be REO Speedwagon’s longest-running member.

Our top 10 REO Speedwagon songs list aims to present some of the best from a classic rock band that took full advantage of the MTV boom in the early 1980s. Or we could say MTV took extreme advantage of them as they had become very popular on the channel. The band had been together for ten years before MTV was launched in 1981. Nonetheless, the music video channel loved the band and helped catapult the group into superstar status.

# 10 – Keep On Loving You

Well, why not open up or top 10 REO Speedwagon songs list with the band’s biggest single of their career? The REO Speedwagon song “Keep On Loving You” was released on the chart-topping Hi Infidelity album. The record was released in 1980. It was an album full of hits, all driven by the album’s first single, “Keep On Loving You.” The song hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song went on to achieve platinum status, making it the band’s biggest-selling single. (Remember when music fans actually used to buy music?)

# 9 -157 Riverside Avenue

This is why we love Neal Doughty. We thought it would be best to segue back ten years to the band’s first single, released in 1971. The song is based on the standard three-chord blues progression. Nonetheless, Doughty’s piano playing drives the tune hard. On lead vocals is Terry Luttrel, who sang lead with the band up until 1972. This is a very different sound from the one on their mega-hit “Keep On Loving You,” which opened this top 10 REO Speedwagon songs list.

# 8 – Music Man

Goodbye, Terry Luttrell, and hello, Kevin Cronin. On REO Speedwagon’s second album, Kevin Cronin replaced Terry Luttrell on lead vocals. The excellent track “Music Man” was written by Kevin Cronin. The song “Music Man” opened up side two of the album. Great drumming, backed by a fabulous rhythmic guitar and piano groove, set this one on fire. Great stuff from the band early on. Many people do not realize how great a rock and roll band REO Speedwagon was in those early days.

# 7 – Can’t Fight This Feeling

Okay, I guess we will have to get to this song eventually. It was a massive hit for the band. You can’t write a top 10 REO Speedwagon songs list without including it. The song isn’t really one of our favorites, but we can’t deny its popularity. It was the band’s only other number-one single, besides “Keep On Loving You.” The song “Can’t Fight This Feeling” was released on the album entitled Wheels Are Turnin’. The album was released in 1984. It was the same year rock fans saw mega-selling albums from artists such as Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, The Cars, Metallica, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and many others. It was one of the best years for music on record.

# 6 – Reelin’

Just listen to this song’s great opening riff. Those guitar and piano licks will melt your rock and roll heart. As we continue our top 10 REO Speedwagon songs list, we once again turn to the early years. The song features Mike Murphy on vocals. The album did not sell well and is among REO Speedwagon’s lesser-known records. Nonetheless, this one is a great track and very underrated.

# 5 – Keep The Fire Burning’

This great track, “Keep The Fire Burning,” served as the opening single from the album Good Trouble. It was a highly anticipated album because it was the follow-up to their huge record High Infidelity. The album was released in 1982. We really like this one. It defines a great mixture of pop and rock. The song’s energy is highly addictive.

# 4 – Take It On The Run

The following four REO Speedwagon songs on this list showcase the band’s ability to write and record great rock and roll, with songs that enjoyed tremendous commercial success. The song “Take It On The Run” was released on the album High Infidelity. It was actually the fifth single the band released from High Infidelity. Five big hit singles from one album are pretty impressive.

# 3 – Roll With The Changes

The classic REO Speedwagon song “Roll With The Changes” was released on the album You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish. If there ever were an album with a fantastic and bizarre title, it would be You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish. The album was released in 1978. The song “Roll With The Changes” lit many turntables on fire when it was first released. I actually watched my turntable catch fire when the music was playing. Be careful with your iPhone when you play this very hot track.

# 2 – Ridin’ the Storm Out

As we close in on our number one spot on our top 10 REO Speedwagon songs list, we turn to an early track recorded in 1973. The song “Ridin’ the Storm Out” was released on the band’s third album, entitled Ridin’ the Storm Out. The song was also the album’s opening track. Mike Murphy sang lead vocals on the track. You can hear that early 1970s classic rock Foghat, Blue Öyster Cult type sound all over this. A little “Don’t Fear The Reaper,” in this one. Do you hear it?

# 1 – Time For Me To Fly

We close out our Top 10 REO Speedwagon songs list with the fantastic song “Time For Me To Fly.” It doesn’t get much better than this one song. The song “Time For Me To Fly” was released on the You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish album in 1978. The song did not fare well on the charts, peaking at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. Regardless of its chart position, we think this is the best REO Speedwagon song ever released. What do you think?