[Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs
Many music listeners, regardless of generation, probably learned the word “rock” from Western music.
To convey the enduring greatness of Western rock across any era, this article highlights gem-like masterpieces born over more than 60 years of rock history, delivering a curated selection of the best rock songs for those who want to start exploring Western rock.
Articles like this tend to focus on classic oldies, but our lineup also includes artists from the 2000s onward.
So even if you used to listen to rock back in the day, be sure to check it out!
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[Masterpiece Selection] Collection of Classic Western Rock Songs (41–50)
I Was Born To Love YouFreddie Mercury
Queen is a rock band still beloved around the world.
Among them, vocalist Freddie Mercury continues to radiate a charismatic presence despite the time that has passed since his death.
In fact, there was a period when Freddie pursued solo work under his own name.
A signature song from that time is “I Was Born To Love You.” Many might be surprised, thinking, “Wasn’t that Queen?” It’s a masterpiece by Freddie—more powerful and overflowing with love than anyone.
The Final CountdownEurope
If the song title doesn’t ring a bell, you might recognize it from the intro.
Europe is a hard rock band from Sweden.
They’re known for their heavy band sound paired with a soaring high-tone voice.
They were one of the bands that sparked the metal boom in Europe.
Their signature song is “The Final Countdown”! It’s a classic everyone knows.
By the way, the lyrics of this song were inspired by David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”! That’s a surprise, isn’t it?
20th Century BoyT-REX
It’s a famous song that has been used in numerous commercials and even served as the theme for Naoki Urasawa’s manga “20th Century Boys” in Japan.
The opening guitar riff is rough yet unforgettable.
T.
Rex is also well known, alongside artists like David Bowie, as a pioneer of glam rock.
Welcome To The JungleGuns N’ Roses
The opening track from the debut album by Guns N’ Roses, the American rock band boasting over 100 million albums sold worldwide.
Its intro—featuring a guitar riff using a delay effect that creates an echo-like sound, intertwined with an emotional phrase played by the other guitar—gets any rock fan amped the moment they hear it.
Axl Rose’s distinctive vocals and shouts are addictive too, making this one of the absolute musts when talking about hard rock.
ComplicatedAvril Lavigne
This is the most famous track from the debut album of Avril Lavigne, a pioneer of girls’ rock.
Seamlessly blending bittersweet girlish feelings with rock, the song drew many women into the world of rock.
Many of her other songs also deal with themes of romance.
World’s Smallest ViolinAJR
This piece opens with a surging synthesizer riff, featuring an unforgettable, distinctive melody and lyrics that touch the heart.
It’s a track from AJR’s album “OK ORCHESTRA,” released in March 2021, that went viral on TikTok and saw a sharp rise in views for its official music video on YouTube.
It deftly portrays the mental process of comparing one’s own troubles with those of others to put them into perspective, resonating with many people living in the modern age.
It’s a perfect song for anyone who struggles with expressing emotions or longs to be understood.
Born to be wildSteppenwolf
Born to Be Wild, famous as the theme song of the classic 1969 film Easy Rider.
Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve probably heard it in commercials—it’s a song many people know.
The band performing it is Steppenwolf, a hard rock group formed in Canada in 1967.
Their name is said to come from Hermann Hesse’s novel Steppenwolf (The Wolf of the Steppes).
With its powerful band sound, it’s a fiery track that lives up to its title!