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40 Guitar Anthems Everyone Should Know

by D. Minor, Mar 26, 2008

Many of these songs are popular, but some are not. Get to know your inner rock star with these 40 masterpieces.

This is it. This is a list of the songs that have defined the words "rock star." These songs have launched careers and maintained them. There are songs from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s. It isn't ranked, however, because I could never bring myself to put one of these songs over another. I will say, however, that my favorite song from this list is Tax Free by Jimi Hendrix, but that doesn't necessarily mean it has the best guitarwork, which is the point of this list.

  1. 1983. . . (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) - Jimi Hendrix

    2. A sprawling, 13-minute epic. One of the best riffs I've ever heard, and an awesome start to this list.

  2. Alive - Pearl Jam

    3. The solo is two minutes long. Enough said.

  3. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You - Led Zeppelin

    4. Beautiful blend of acoustic and electric. Jimmy Page at his finest. Big plus for catchy refrain.

  4. Back In Black - AC/DC

    5. It's a classic, a staple. It's on every guitar list, and for good reason.

  5. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp - Jimi Hendrix

    6. An obscure choice, but one of my favorites. The opening riff is unbelievably uplifting. At least to me.

  6. Castles Made Of Sand - Jimi Hendrix

    7. Another Hendrix tune (that's going to be a common theme). Kind of a sad song, but Hendrix' guitar work is as masterful here as anywhere.

  7. Dazed And Confused - Led Zeppelin

    8. Serious contender for Best Solo Ever. Plus, the opening (both bass and guitar) is just awesome. Still gives me goosebumps.

  8. Do You Feel Like We Do - Peter Frampton

    9. The opening riff might be the most recognizable from any song on here. I think everyone has heard this song at least once. Great refrain too.

  9. Foreplay/Long Time - Boston

    10. Another artful blend of acoustic and electric. An awesome refrain is a plus.

  10. Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

    11. You knew it was coming. It's probably the best solo ever. It's the ultimate American epic.

  11. Heaven Beside You - Alice In Chains

    12. Another representative of grunge here. The intro has some soul to it, but it is by no means soft. Alice in Chains at their finest.

  12. House Burning Down - Jimi Hendrix

    13. More Hendrix. The intro is awesome, but the verse and chorus are even better. Solid all the way around.

  13. (I Cant Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones

    14. Another very recognizable riff. A little repetitive, but when it's this good, who's keeping track?

  14. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly

    15. This song is a winner. Top five best riffs ever, without a doubt.

  15. Iron Man - Black Sabbath

    16. I AM IRON MAN! Another one of those songs that everyone seems to know. It would be heresy not to include this one.

  16. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry

    17. The original guitar anthem. Some of the younger fans might not appreciate it, but this is what influenced the greats. This is what started it all.

  17. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin

    18. Extremely catchy riff. Almost too catchy. Jimmy Page shows why he's one of the best in the world in the solo.

  18. Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix

    19. The only problem I have with this song is how short it is. If it were four minutes longer, it would be my favorite song by far. Hendrix shows his soul here.

  19. Money - Pink Floyd

    20. David Gilmour shows why Pink Floyd is the best band ever right here. Bonus points for an awesome baseline.

  20. More Than A Feeling - Boston

    21. A song played on every classic rock station ever. It's a staple, and it should be. A truly beautiful piece of art.

  21. Panama - Van Halen

    22. There is no song that better captures the raw energy of Van Halen better than Panama. If this doesn't give you goosebumps, nothing will.

  22. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix

    23. You knew this was coming. You were probably thinking of this song as soon as you started reading this article. Why? It's the most distinctive riff in popular music.

  23. Ramble On - Led Zeppelin

    24. The end of this song is absolutely fabulous. There are very few Led Zeppelin songs which even come close. Jimmy Page at his very best.

  24. Red House - Jimi Hendrix

    25. Hendrix blues at its finest. The solo is widely considered the best blues solo ever. The ending line is one of the best closers in music.

  25. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

    26. In the intro, that's guitar, not bass. Most people don't know that. Either way, this song is highly catchy.

  26. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

    27. The most recognizable song in grunge. This song captured the feelings of an entire generation. It's a true masterpiece.

  27. Smoke On The Water - Deep Purple

    28. THE guitar riff. This song has inspired countless thousands of musicians. In fact, it overshadowed a lot of Deep Purple's other work, which is a shame.

  28. Spanish Castle Magic - Jimi Hendrix

    29. It was on the original Guitar Hero, and with good reason. Spanish Castle Magic is the epitome of hardcore Hendrix.

  29. Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin

    30. It's obligatory. You knew this one was coming. The eight-minute epic that solidified Led Zeppelin's place among the rock gods.

  30. Sunshine Of Your Love - Cream

    31. The riff is catchy, but the solo is a true masterpiece. Clapton's guitar was never better.

  31. Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns "n" Roses

    32. As awesome as the intro is, the ending is even better. True mastery through and through.

  32. Sweet Leaf - Black Sabbath

    33. If you haven't heard this song, you are really missing out. Personally, I think this is Black Sabbath's best song, but I'm probably in the minority on that one.

  33. Tax Free - Jimi Hendrix

    34. You've probably never heard this song, which is really a shame. My personal favorite among instrumentals. Hendrix shows why he was the best there ever was.

  34. Them Bones - Alice In Chains

    35. More grunge. If it weren't so short, it would be much better. It is nearly perfect the way it is, though.

  35. Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix

    36. The intro is great, and the rest of the song is even better. This song really shows Hendrix' talents.

  36. Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix

    37. That's not a typo. Voodoo Chile is very different from Voodoo Child, but just as good. It's 15 mintues long, but it flies by.

  37. Who Are You - The Who

    38. Pete Townsend really struts his stuff here. A true classic rock anthem.

  38. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

    39. A very sad song. It evokes a lot of memories for me and for many other people. The opening is awesome, and the solo is the most soulful I've heard.

  39. YYZ - Rush

    40. Prog rock at its absolute best. Most consider it to be Rush's best song, and for good reason.

  40. Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie

    41. Amazing song, through and through. It's flawless. If you haven't heard it, you're really missing out.

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Comments (39)
#1 by Hollowman21, Mar 27, 2008
You should add some real solos listen to some metal and find out what a real solo is.
#2 by Dinorokr53, Mar 27, 2008
You include Goons & Roses and Alice In Chains but omit Eric Clapton and The Allman Bros. Band? Obviously the list needs to be longer or you need to broaden your listening.
#3 by Max, Mar 27, 2008
bull**it! No Metallica? their solos defined the entire friggin' metal scene! Stop listening to Britney and Justin! poser! (btw I agree with Hollowman21)
#4 by HeGGeR86, Mar 27, 2008
OMG WTFUX NO METUL?!?!!

lord...

calm down, if you took the time to read the title, "40 Guitar Anthems Everyone Should Know"

clearly, this is a list of the guy's personal choices, maybe he doesn't listen to metal, maybe he doesn't listen to Clapton or the Allman brothers, he never once said he was discounting them, this is just merely his list of 40 songs he thinks everyone should know...its clearly not meant to be a definitive list, nor is it in any way saying these are the best 40 guitar anthem songs ever...he's merely listing 40 songs of his choosing, and of his liking that he thinks other people, possibly metal heads or other people who may not know them, would (and should) listen to.

Good list D. Minor all great songs!
#5 by chruch, Mar 27, 2008
Cliffs of Dover

and more metal
#6 by D. Minor, Mar 27, 2008
@ the people who say "metal has real solos": Please reread the title and description. Nowhere did I use the word solo until my actual write-ups began. Secondly, I don't listen to metal and therefore I don't know many songs from that genre. This means that I am less likely to include metal songs.

@ whoever insulted Alice In Chains: AiC was one of the defining bands of grunge. Whatever your favorite metal band is sounds the same as all the other metal bands.

@ whoever said I omitted Clapton: lol.

@ Max: I don't care if Metallica defined the metal scene. The metal scene, imo, sucks hard. Defining a scene that sucks does not make a band good, it makes a band bad.

@ chruch: Yea I realized I forgot Cliffs of Dover after I made the list. My bad there.

@ people who agreed with me: I appreciate the compliments and encouragement.
#7 by percyob1, Mar 27, 2008
no metal?...jeeez...sabbath is on the list for christ sake (excuse my language please)...i love metal dudes but i also listen to other styles and genres because you can't help what you like...i listen to metal because i happen to like it not because i've ever wanted to fit in with a crowd...hendrix was awesome...zep were awesome...skynard was awesome...floyd were awesom etc...many of these songs are classics that everyone should listen to at least once and then, and only then, can you decide whether you like the song or not...thank you d minor for an awesome list:-)
#8 by Guitar_hero, Mar 27, 2008
The Allman Bros man .. where they at?
#9 by LadyRammstein, Mar 27, 2008
May I make a few suggestions here

1. Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd, best outro ever.
2. November Rain- Guns N Roses, possibly some of Slash\'s best guitar work.
3. Grace - Jeff Buckley, the intro is simply amazing
4. The First Cut Is The Deepest - Cat Stevens, everyone knows the song the minute they hear the guitar.
5. Layla - Eric Clapton, seriously dude how could you miss this?
6. Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf, some of the best guitar work ever. (and that was an effects pedal NOT a motorbike btw)
7.Mutter - Rammstein, I\'ll forgive because you probably haven\'t heard the song but its got a recognizable rift.
8.1979 - Smashing Pumpkins, you live under a rock if you cant recognize the intro.
9.Hysteria & Stockholm Syndrome - Muse, again how could you miss?
10.Woman, Minds Eye & Apple Tree - Woflmother, you live under a rock right? these guys are Australia\'s new AC/DC
11. Speaking of, Thunderstruck & TNT - AC/DC, *shakes head*
12. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath, clearly you have not heard enough Black Sabbath.
13.Cocain - JJ Cale, listen to the song, you\'ll know why its here
14.Zombie - The Cranberries, you do listen to Irish music right?
15.Wonderboy - Tenacious D, simply brilliant.
16 She Moves In Mysterious Ways - U2, awesome rift in that song.
17.Ashes to Ashes - Faith No More, EVERYBODY knows this one.

I\'ll leave it there. Its obvious you only listen to Jimi Hendrix, personally i only like Foxy Lady by him.
#10 by Superfluous Moniker, Mar 27, 2008
Needs \"The Painter\" by Deep Purple. And a lot less Hendrix. He takes up 27% of your list and he got all the deep cuts.

Also: Smells Like Teen Spirit was an anthem of something, but it sure as hell wasn\'t guitar.
#11 by Superfluous Moniker, Mar 27, 2008
Needs \"The Painter\" by Deep Purple. And a lot less Hendrix. He takes up 27% of your list and he got all the deep cuts.

Also: Smells Like Teen Spirit was an anthem of something, but it sure as hell wasn\'t guitar.
#12 by Alias Unknown, Mar 27, 2008
Heart - Crazy On You. Crazy intro. Those chicks can rock!
#13 by tina, Mar 28, 2008
why don\\\'t i see the master, Stevie Ray Vaughan.....COLD SHOT, COULDN\\\'T STAND THE WEATHER, SCUTTLE BUTTIN\\\' to name but a few !!!!
#14 by Loogibot, Mar 28, 2008
D.Minor, you have the exact taste in music I have, only I like a metal a bit more but like grunge a bit less. Overall, nice list.
#15 by LoseTheLeader, Mar 28, 2008
First of all, you have chosen good songs for the list, but your reasons for choosing them are all wrong. Several of your descriptions are, in a nutshell, you saying that everyone else has them, so you should as well.

As has been stated before in the comments, you chose from a very small pool of artists. There is so much music out there, and your top 40 is from about fifteen artists. I understand this is your opinion, but you may want to do some more research into music before making a top 40 public. Even if you had done research, you couldn\'t expect everyone to agree with you.

This list assumes that all epic rock anthems came from the seventies through the early nineties with the exception of a couple (\"Seven Nation Army\"). I understand the last ten years of music have been lackluster (Good going, music industry, trying to produce an \"image\" instead of a \"sound\") but that doesn\'t mean there wasn\'t more than one song.

Also, by saying that metal sucks, you\'re doing exactly what those who said your list sucks did. You\'re no different. Accept that people are going to make their suggestions and that some are going to be more adamant than others. Metal bands have just as much talent as any other kind of band, but it\'s a different kind of talent. Some like it, some don\'t. You also can\'t ignore the fact that metal music has influenced music just as much as any other genre.

Before you rush to conclusions about me, I did read the title. Again, I know it is your opinion. I know the title says \"Should\" and not \"These are the best songs ever made, don\'t argue with me because you\'re wrong.\" I\'m not ignorant, I\'m just offering my opinion.

Now, here are a few songs that I would have included:

\"Layla\" by Derek and the Dominoes (Eric Clapton)
Most songs of the \"Absolution\" album by Muse
\"Whole Lotta\' Love\" by Led Zeppelin
\"New Noise\" by Refused (You probably haven\'t heard it and probably wouldn\'t like it. It\'s punk music, it\'s hardcore music, it\'s loud...)
\"Yellow Ledbetter\" by Pearl Jam
Most songs off of the \"Americana\" album by The Offspring
\"Black Magic Woman\" by Santana
\"Mother\" by Danzig
\"Killing in the Name\" by Rage Against the Machine

These aren\'t my favorite songs, though. Just songs I think everyone should hear.
#16 by Ringo, Mar 28, 2008
No beatles?
#17 by ASDF, Mar 28, 2008
Doesn't really matter if there's no metal or anything on the list, but the fact that you included Freebird is epic failure. That song is awful.
#18 by tronty, Mar 28, 2008
Thought I'd chuck in:

I am the Resurrection: Stone Roses - yes its over dubbed at the end, but the lead out is f'ing funky

How Soon is Now: The Smiths - Marr is probably the most underrated guitarist, check out his current work with Modest Mouse..

Man Sized Rooster: Supergrass

Now one Knows: Queens of the Stone Age (although there may be a whole Grohl as a drummer thing going on there...)
#19 by LadyRammstein, Mar 28, 2008
@ Lose the leader. I agree with the entire Absolution album (a must listen i would have to say)

and i absolutely forgot Killing in the name of, brilliant song live i must add.

I also agree that this strapping young lad needed to research a little more before making such a list public. (im presuming the author is male because no female would listen to that much Hendrix)
#20 by percyob1, Mar 28, 2008
i agree with ladyrammstein...comfortably numb is an awesome song, a song which i have been listening to for some twenty years (not continuously you understand :-)) and it still makes my hairs stand on end, the solo at the end, was for me, jaw dropping the first time i heard it, and still is...rammstein have some awesome anthems also...mutter is good and also may i suggest wilder wein?
#21 by ClassicRocker, Mar 28, 2008
Lose some of the Hendrix and add in some Rory Gallagher. If you don't know any Rory Gallagher, FIND OUT. "Calling Card" and "Top Priority" are good albums to start with.
Lose "Freebird" too...
And yep definitely add in "I Am The Resurrection". Stonker!
"Parisian Walkways" by Gary Moore also deserves an honourable mention.
"Sylvia" and "Hocus Pocus" by the Dutch group Focus from the 70s are great guitar tracks.
#22 by ClassicRocker, Mar 28, 2008
Me again.
I had thought on first pass that you had mercifully managed to avoid the dire "Smoke on the Water" but then I just noticed you have put it in. Back you go to the bottom of the class.
That song is complete and total rubbish. Every guitar shop should have a sign right next to the "No Stairway to Heaven" sign saying "No Smoke On the Water". In bigger letters.
If I never hear that track again it will be too soon. Also, it put me off everything else Deep Purple ever did so it is an ANTI-anthem - it KILLED a band's reputation for me.
#23 by reverie, Mar 28, 2008
BECAUSE OF GUITAR HERO
#24 by D. Minor, Mar 28, 2008
Whoever said to lose some of the Hendrix. . . lol. It was all I could do not to put more Hendrix on.

Smoke on the Water deserves to be on there. Same with Free Bird. If you don't like these songs, there is something wrong with you.

And it's not "BECAUSE OF GUITAR HERO." It's "BECAUSE THE AUTHOR LIKES MUSIC."
#25 by percyob1, Mar 28, 2008
what people like is relative to the person, its no different when you get an 'official' 40 greatest...list it's still the personal opinion of a small amount of individuals. for instance i don't like the Beatles (i hear you hiss) not because i think they're rubbish but because i personaly just don't like their style (i shall prepare for the backlash) ;-)
#26 by Anonymous, Mar 28, 2008
HE CANNAT DO IT CAPTAIN!!! HE IS NAY BUT ONE MAN!
#27 by ClassicRocker, Mar 28, 2008
I don't like Smoke on the Water. There is nothing wrong with me. I might just as easily say there is something wrong with you because you don't acknowledge Rory Gallagher (or quite a few other guitarists, and guitar anthems, which haven't earned a mention).
I will tell you why I don't Smoke on the Water.
It is because it is such a simple, easy riff, that any idiot can pick up an electric guitar and in 30 seconds work out how to play it. This then convinces them that playing the electric guitar is easy, man, there's nothing to it. Turn it up loud, put on the distortion and hey, it sounds even better. And a host of poor, untutored, unskilled guitarists have ensued, who think they're god's gift to music. Here's the key though... did you ever hear any amateur play the WHOLE SONG? No... they just get stuck on the opening riff. The rest of the song isn't so easy. You have to THINK for that bit. And you have to sing, and be in time, and all that. You can't rely on your volume knob or effects pedal. Even Ritchie Blackmore is embarrassed by it, and he wrote it.
The reason why I don't like Free Bird is it's such a miserable song. If the guy is free as a bird now why does he sound so pissed off about it? And the other reason is that it's been totally played to death.
#28 by keyboardologist, Mar 28, 2008
What about JOURNEY? STYX? YES? By the way, I don't know if it's the same song from the 1940's, but Johnny Winter did a version of "Just Like a Woman," that was stellar. And as far as Rush goes, (one of my favorite bands) YYZ, I think, is best noted for the drum solo. Neal Peart ROCKS!! How about: "Sprit of the Radio?" Stevie Ray, Steve Gaines, Warren Hayes? Lot mre to add to the list. Rick Derringer?
#29 by LadyRammstein, Mar 29, 2008
@percyob1: Wilder Wein for sure! Richard & Paul are both excellent guitarists (and Richard is good for writing music)

I just remember having an image in my head with my first hearing of Mutter, it involved lighter in one hand and a fist through the air and saying "Mutter" it is one of those sorts of guitar rifts.

May I also suggest Man I feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain and Wild Thing (i cant remember who sings that) and Freak by Silverchair if i havent already mentioned it and of course Where is my Mind by the Pixie's (for those of you who claim to of never heard the song its the song played at the end of Fight Club, if you havent seen Fight Club, go and rent it out, Brad Pitt at his finest and I hate Brad Pitt but for Tyler Durden I make my exception. Also stars Helena Bonham-Carter)
#30 by Beatle Lover, Mar 30, 2008
No Beatles? What!!?
#31 by percyob1, Mar 30, 2008
@ladyrammstein

indeed they are...i remember the first time i heard Rammstein, it was Du Hast on the Matrix sountrack cd and i went out to buy sehnsucht...blew me away!!! so did the rest of their albums...wish i could understand the lyrics though...yet even so many of their songs make my hairs stand on end :-)
#32 by OneDay, Mar 30, 2008
No Scorpions? tsk tsk...
#33 by Jannick Genouw, Mar 31, 2008
Just one comment :

I think you are a hendrix fan.
So, maybe you should have made your title a bit clearer. I think you meant that everyone that hasn't heard of these songs, should try to get to know them because they are indeed a very good selection.
Keep up the good work.
#34 by ClassicRocker, Mar 31, 2008
LadyRamm:

"Wild Thing" was originally done by The Troggs.

Covered many times since.
#35 by Solara Man, Apr 2, 2008
Hey D nice job with the anthems!

Maybe do u wanna check out some of my stuff and be friends?
#36 by Michael, Apr 10, 2008
So it looks like this guy only listened to Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Alice in Chains ...

congrats.
#37 by Matt, Apr 18, 2008
you def still need to have Enter Sandman on here, regardless of how much you hate Metallica...

Here's a few i think you could include...
1. ENTER SANDMAN BY METALLICA
2. Cochise by Audioslave
3. Welcome to the Jungle by GNR
4. Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue
5. Fat Lip by Sum 41
6. Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
7. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
8. Walk This Way by Aerosmith
9. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
10. Nothin' But A Good Time by Poison
11. Are You Gonna Be My Girl by JET
12. Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas
13. We Will Rock You (We Are The Champions) by Queen

Those are all definetly anthems that you just want to belt out when the chorus comes in.
#38 by Matt, Apr 18, 2008
And one more thing :-)

I'm not gonna deny that Jimi and Zep are two of my favorites ever, but songs like "Castles Made Of Sand" and "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" are not anthems. Awesome songs yes, but not anthems...
#39 by Jay D, Oct 24, 2008
Stream of Conciousness- Dream Theater (John Petrucci is a Beast)
Betterman- Pearl Jam
No Quarter- Tool (way better than Led Zep\\\'s version)
Hey Joe/ Wind Cries Mary- Hendrix
Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd
Hallowed Be Thy Name- Iron Maiden
La Grange- ZZ Top (a how how how)
Prostatic Fluid Asphyxiation- Whitechapel
Possession- Whitechapel
Under the Bridge- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Killing In the Name Of- Rage Against the Machine
Crazy Train/ Bark at the Moon- Ozzy
Bleed- Meshuggah
Simple Man- Skynyrd
Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp- Led Zep
Emancipation- Knights of The Abyss
Money For Nothing/ Sultans of Swing-Dire Straits
One Last Breath- Creed
Any Billy Squire (haha. you know you like it)
Burnin for you/ Dont fear the reaper- Blue oyster Cult

theres more....im just too lazy


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