Rock is not a meek genre by any means. Arguably, it’s the most in-your-face genre if used to its full power. While rock has gone through softer eras, it will always be a genre you want to play loud and proud. The three rock classics below shouldn’t be played at anything other than full volume. If you don’t, you’re seriously missing out on the full scope of the experience. If your speakers aren’t nearly exploding at the sound of these rock hits, you need to rethink some things.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Shoot To Thrill” by AC/DC
AC/DC’s “Shoot To Thrill” can’t really sound quiet. No matter how hard you try to resign this song to background music, Brian Johnson’s vocals will always cut through any other noise. He’s not an artist we’d deem easy listening.
The band has several songs that could end up on this list, but “Shoot To Thrill” is the one that first comes to mind. This track is endlessly energetic and corrosive. This is rock in its truest form—there is no dampening this song’s fervor. Best not to try.
“American Girl” by Tom Petty
Tom Petty’s “American Girl” isn’t as spirited as “Shoot To Thrill,” but it’s still a song that demands full volume. This breezy rock song is the kind of track you want to be jamming down the highway to, windows down, volume knob maxed out. This song could work as a soft background track, but that would obscure its true purpose.
This song doesn’t get much play at anything other than full volume. The undisputed classic doesn’t have many haters, making it always a welcome addition to any listening session. It would come as a shock if anyone didn’t instinctively turn the volume way up when “American Girl” comes on.
“Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” is one of the weirdest, most distinctive rock songs ever. The opening vocal riff is known by almost every rock fan the world over. It’s impossible to let this song go by quietly. It demands to be front and center.
You would be doing a massive disservice to this song if you played it at anything other than full volume. You’d be weakening its attitude and vigor. You have to match this song’s enthusiasm with your own listening habits.
(Photo by Watal Asanuma/Shinko Music/Getty Images)
More The List
-
CIRCA 1966: Singer Mick Jagger of the rock and roll band "The Rolling Stones" performs onstage in circa 1966. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Aerosmith Aerosmith, Steven Tyler, Vorst-Nationaal, Brussels, Belgium, 31st October 1993. (Photo by Goedefroit Music/Getty Images) -
UNSPECIFIED – JANUARY 01: John LENNON between 1970 and 1973. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images) -
1972: (L-R) Jim Hodder, David Palmer, Denny Dias, Donald Fagen, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and Walter Becker of the rock band "Steely Dan" pose for a portrait in 1972. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
Kyu Sakamoto. (1941-1985) Japanese singer, best known outside Japan for his international hit song "Ue o Muite Aruko" (known as "Sukiyaki" in English-speaking markets), which was sung in Japanese and sold over 13 million copies. It reached number one in the United States Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963, making Sakamoto the first Asian recording artist to have a number one song on the chart. (Photo by Sjöberg Bildbyrå/ullstein bild via Getty Images) -
Picture taken in 1974 in Stockholm shows the Swedish pop group Abba with its members (L-R) Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus posing after winning the Swedish branch of the Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Waterloo". – Sweden's legendary disco group ABBA announced on April 27, 2018 that they have reunited to record two new songs, 35 years after their last single. The quartet split up in 1982 after dominating the disco scene for more than a decade with hits like "Waterloo", "Dancing Queen", "Mamma Mia" and "Super Trouper". (Photo by Olle LINDEBORG / TT News Agency / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo credit should read OLLE LINDEBORG/AFP via Getty Images)
