Where’s all the Good Music at? Pt 1 — A Gentle Introduction

I’m always excited to talk to someone about music, especially those who are trying to figure out where to begin with the older stuff. Though I don’t sing / play, I can’t imagine being without listening to music (got to thank my mom for introducing me). I need music when I work / work out / drive / relax. Guess it was only a matter of time before I started writing about it.

I’ll begin with an introduction to rock music. To ease folks in I will start with the 80s and the ones with the big choruses / bigger hair and stadiums filled with people that sang along (to this day!). We will then slowly go back in time.

Here’s a playlist for those who have either been scared by the noise or by the people banging their heads like a possessed person while listening.

1. The Final Countdown by Europe — you just have to listen to opening tune and your mind gets transported back in time
2. Don’t Stop Believing by Journey — one of the most famous opening lines and choruses that are still used in TV shows and movies today
3. Living on a Prayer and You give love a bad name by Bon Jovi — these songs are almost twins, couldn’t decide between them.
4. Here I go again by Whitesnake — not sure why this isn’t as famous today as the others from the generation. Loved the video!
5. Rock you like a hurricane by Scorpions — wore out my cassette playing this song over and over again. This is the version I dig!
6. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor — the theme of the Rocky series. We can debate about whether it is more pop than rock, but that’s splitting hairs
7. Heat of the Moment by Asia — another one of those gems I discovered much later in life
8. Pour some sugar on me by Def Leppard — tough to pick one from Def, worth checking out their tracks
9. Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams — One of the best at getting the crowds to sing along and elevate the performance.
10. Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks — she shows she’s still got it.

I have linked to the versions I like, but there are other good original / live / cover versions out there that are definitely worth checking out.