3 Classic Rock One-Hit Wonders That Have Become Cultural Standards

Of course, classic rock is not a new genre. The term came about thanks to a bit of hindsight. As music fans gained some distance from the salad days of rock and roll (namely, the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s) they began to think of the songs from those eras as classic. And the term stuck. Now, with each passing decade, more and more songs are added to the classic rock hopper.

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Here below, we wanted to examine three such songs that have lasted in marked ways over the years. More specifically, we wanted to look at three classic rock one-hit wonders from over the eras. A trio of songs that not only made an impact in their time but have lasted through the years to become mainstays in the zeitgeist. Indeed, these are three classic rock one-hit wonders that have become cultural standards.

[RELATED: No Skips: 4 Classic Rock Albums You’ll Never Have to Fast-Forward]

“Layla” by Derek & The Dominos from ‘Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs’ (1971)

A song of rampant emotion. Guitar solos wailing into the night. Vocals that seem to tear at the fabric of space and time. This song has become synonymous with passion and classic rock fervor. Just saying the song title, and you conjure up explosive ideas and bombastic sonic style. Even though the song is not technically an Eric Clapton song, the famed British guitarist makes it his ow,n and it has become one of his most famous releases. There will never be a time when rock fans don’t listen to this one.

“Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry from ‘Wild Cherry’ (1976)

A fun, goofy song that boasts a lot of musical aesthetic appeal. It’s both popular for its straight-up rock prowess and its humorous lyrics. As lore would have it, the song was born of a request. The band was playing in a club, and a patron approached them to ask if they could play something funky. The result later on was the composition of this track, which combines rock licks and race relations all in one. As a result, it will never go out of style. Play it again!

“Cum On Feel The Noize” by Quiet Riot from ‘Metal Health’ (1983)

A loud, rollicking, rambunctious song about volume and sonic force, this song, which was originally released by the band Slade in 1973, was more famously covered by Quiet Riot a decade later in 1983 on their LP, Metal Health. There is such a quintessential rock growl in this song from the band’s lead singer that it sticks in our brains like the Platonic Ideal of what a 1980s rock jam is supposed to be. For that alone, it remains part of the cultural zeitgeist today.

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