Note: You can listen to all the songs for free, but it requires a Lala.com account. It only takes a few moments!

10. Iron & Wine / Such Great Heights

Original: Postal Service

Sam Beam isolated the mellow core of 2003’s hyperkinetic original, slowed it down, and stripped it to the bare essentials. The original Such Great Heights remains a hip techno-pop masterpiece, but after listening to both, Beam’s take is the more credible — I believe the story he tells is his own more than I do Ben Gibbard.

Many people think the Postal Service version is the cover and Iron & Wine the original, which is understandable since both were released on the same eponymous EP in advance of the the Postal Service’s LP Give Up. But it is indeed a Postal Service original.

9. Pearl Jam / Last Kiss

Original: J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers

Not Even Flow, not Better Man, not even Jeremy went as high as Pearl Jam’s 1998 cover of The Cavaliers’s 1964 hit single. The idea to cover the song came about after frontman Eddie Vedder found an old record at an Antique Mall. He convinced the rest of the band to try out the song and eventually they recorded it, spending only a couple thousand dollars mixing the tune, producing one of the band’s most minimalist recordings. It ended up reaching no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, higher than any other Pearl Jam song, and had a similar reception abroad.

As to why Vedder was able to improve on the original, it must be something to do with his naturally morose baritone — love or loathe his voice, few can convey sadness and loss like he can. Regarding the cover, guitarist Stone Gossard said,

You can try album after album to write a hit and spend months getting drum sounds and rewriting lyrics, or you can go to a used record store and pick out a single and fall in love with it.

8. The Beatles / Twist & Shout

Original: The Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers’s cover of the original in 1962 (the song was first recorded by The Top Notes a year earlier) made the song famous: peaked at no. 17 on Billboard’s Top 40 chart. Successful though it was, if that had been the end of it, we wouldn’t be talking about this song now. Once the Fab Four recorded a version of it for 1963’s Please Please Me, it forever entered the public consciousness.

Most people are familiar with Lennon’s smashing lead vocals, the first take of which was used for the recording. But most people don’t know the reason producer George Martin saved this song for last:

Lennon was suffering from a cold, and was drinking milk and sucking on cough drops to soothe his throat. His coughing is audible on the album, and the cold’s effect on his voice is audible in this recording. Even so, he produced a memorable vocal performance, a raucous, dynamic rocker. He later said his voice was not the same for a long time afterward, and that ‘every time [he] swallowed, it felt like sandpaper.’

7. Aimee Mann / One

Original: Three Dog Night

Aimee Mann burst on to the the scene in the 1980s as the frontwoman for the group ‘Til Tuesday. Her later solo career received much critical acclaim but little commercial success; that is, until P.T. Anderson used three of her songs on the soundtrack to his 1999 human interest drama Magnolia.

One song in particular “One”, a cover of the 1969 Three Dog Night hit (itself a Harry Nilsson cover), showcased Mann’s unique talents to a broader audience. Her gruff, melancholic voice is soothing and draws the listener more deeply into the song’s emotion than the original ever did. In fact, it made such an impression on Anderson, it may well be the reason he produced the film in the first place. In Anderson’s words:

I had a lot of ideas floating around in my head, probably too many ideas, and she’s a really good friend of mine, and was privy to stuff she was working on. It was great to have her music as a thing to latch on to, to help corral all the stuff that was sort of circling around in my brain. So I wanted to just adapt Aimee’s songs, like you would adapt a book or a play.

6. Ben Harper / Strawberry Fields Forever

Original: The Beatles

For the soundtrack to 2001’s I Am Sam, Ben Harper recorded his cover of a popular Beatles tune. And while virtually all are terrific (or at least interesting) takes on the classics, I’m going to go out on a controversial limb and assert that Harper’s actually improves on the psychedelic original. This is no small feat, since even to this day original Beatles recordings sound contemporary: there’s something timeless about Lennon & McCartney’s songwriting prowess.

Recorded in 1967 during a particularly difficult time in Lennon’s life — he was exhausted from a long tour, his marriage to Cynthia Powell was failing, and he was taking increasingly larger amounts of drugs — the song required 45 hours over 5 weeks to record and at its heart is a story of his feelings of isolation and loneliness as a child in Liverpool. Ben Harper tapped into these same feelings the way the other artists on the soundtrack didn’t, taking the melody and its meaning to a higher level.

5. The Byrds / Mr. Tambourine Man

Original: Bob Dylan

When the Byrds covered Dylan’s original and included it as the title track of their first album, it went straight to no. 1 in both the US and the UK. They got a hold of an early version of the song, before Dylan released it on his Another Side of Bob Dylan album in 1965, and as a result released it just two weeks after he did. The song is one of just three that was included twice in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, since both The Byrds’ version and Dylan’s own version are included. Both versions also received Grammy Hall of Fame Awards.

4. Matt Weddle / Hey Ya!

Original: Outkast

Outkast’s ubiquitous hit single Hey Ya! received a delicate folk makeover courtesy of Obadiah Parker frontman Mat Weddle in 2006. His open mike cover was uploaded to YouTube and quickly went viral, garnering millions of views in just a few months. Even though Andre 3000’s version was a smash hit single, spent months in the top 5 and won a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative performance, Weddle coaxes out the central heartbreak of the song that was obscured by the original’s pop sensibility.

3. Jeff Buckley / Hallelujah

Original: Leonard Cohen

Transcendent, otherworldly, divine — we run out of superlatives quickly when it comes to Jeff Buckley’s 1994 cover of the Leonard Cohen original. And while there’s something of a cottage industry out of covering Cohen songs, few do it better. Buckley’s version is almost revelation, like the muse that originally delivered it must have gotten mixed up and visited Cohen first when it should have been Buckley all along. There’s not much we can say about this one: just listen to it. You’ll understand.

2. Michael Andrews & Gary Jules / Mad World

Original: Tears for Fears

Arranged by Michael Andrews and sung by Gary Jules, this haunting, low-fi cover version was released on the soundtrack to 2001’s Donnie Darko. Absent the pop synthesizers and high-energy percussion of the 1982 original, the Andrews/Jules version includes only a voice, a piano, and a cello. It’s much slower and simpler than the original, though more richly melodic — it was recorded first as a rough cut to see if director Richard Kelly would be interested; he ended up using that same rough cut for the soundtrack.

When the song was released as a proper single in 2003, it became a runaway hit, reaching no. 1 for a brief time in the UK — a feat the original, itself a single, never accomplished. In 2004, CNN asked Tears for Fears about Andrews/Jules cover. Frontman Roland Orzabal said they loved it; he graciously acknowledged he thought it better than his own original and that it caused the band to rethink the song.

1. Jimi Hendrix / All Along the Watchtower

Original: Bob Dylan

Really, you could take all these songs, put them in any order you like, and you’d still have a solid list so long as this song remains at #1. There’s no greater example of one artist capturing the spirit and and power of another artist’s song and breathing new life into it than Hendrix’s cover of All Along the Watchtower. He connected with it on a different plane and created something altogether new as a result.

Now, a song like this is not recorded over night: it was the result of months and months of effort. Hendrix became increasingly dissatisfied as the song progressed and overdubbed more and more guitar parts, moving the master tape from a four-track to a twelve-track to a sixteen-track machine. Sound engineer Tony Bongiovi recalled:

Recording these new ideas meant he would have to erase something. In the weeks prior to the mixing, we had already recorded a number of overdubs, wiping track after track. [Hendrix] kept saying, ‘I think I hear it a little bit differently.’

In live performances since, Dylan himself has subsequently played it more and more like Hendrix’s version. Dylan described his reaction to hearing Hendrix’s version thus:

It overwhelmed me, really. He had such talent, he could find things inside a song and vigorously develop them. He found things that other people wouldn’t think of finding in there. He probably improved upon it by the spaces he was using. I took license with the song from his version, actually, and continue to do it to this day.

He went on to say, “I liked Jimi Hendrix’s record of this and ever since he died I’ve been doing it that way… Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it’s a tribute to him in some kind of way.”

Honorable Mentions:

- Nirvana / The Man Who Sold the World (David Bowie)
- Dixie Chicks / Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
- Ryan Adams / Wonderwall (Oasis)

30. David Bowie — The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)

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David Bowie’s five decade-long (and counting) career making hit albums and memorable songs is perhaps best known for the period when he assumed the gender-bending role of “Ziggy Stardust”. He performed in character all throughout the tour that followed the release of this album and if you want the full experience, be sure to listen to Ziggy Stardust in its entirety, rather than as individual tracks. Recently, Ziggy Stardust has had a revival with the resurgence of glam rock: Bowie’s hit “Suffragette City” is a RockBand favorite.

29. Aerosmith — Toys in the Attic (1975)

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Aerosmith may have released a multitude of albums over the years, but none has the distinction of Toys in the Attic. This album did not start it all but it did push them to the forefront of rock’n'roll — this is the one that put them on the map, critically and commercially.

The band would later team up with hip-hop legends Run-DMC to remake the album’s most famous song “Walk This Way” and bridge the divide between rap and rock. The second notable track you’ll find is “Sweet Emotion”, which was composed as an ode to the tension between bandmember’s wives and which ultimately lead to the dissolution of the original lineup in the 1980s. “Sweet Emotion” went on to become a pop phenomenon, with its smooth intro and fresh harmonies, and gave the album a sound that would be copied for years.

28. Black Sabbath — Paranoid (1970)

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Paranoid, Black Sabbath’s early 1970s release, will always serve as one of the first commercially successful heavy metal albums. Front man Ozzy Osbourne’s [deleted] (thanks Odie) vocals alongside Tommy Iommi’s legendary guitar gave the album a hardness and head-banging quality that became their signature trait throughout the band’s career.

Paranoid provided us with a reason to get crazy and play the air guitar all night long. During my days as a wrestling fan in the 1980s, I can remember how pumped I would get when the tag team The Legion of Doom walked out to the ring with “Iron Man” as their intro song. You could feel the crowd’s excitement through the TV.

27. Billy Joel — The Stranger (1977)

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The Piano Man joins our list with the album that made him an overnight star. Earlier albums also had hit songs, but The Stranger remains Billy Joel’s masterpiece. Many of the songs went to #1 and includes memorables tracks like “Moving Out (Anthony’s Song)”, “Only the Good Die Young” and “Just the Way You Are”.

Billy Joel at times has been more on the pop side of music but this album has many rock qualities; his sound continues to influence rock vocalists across musical genres, such as Garth Brooks, Jason Mraz and One Republic. Despite its smooth piano and good nature, the album has some deceptively rebellious lyrics as well. “Only the Good Die Young”, for instance, refers to a boy trying to convince a Catholic School girl to do the deed with him:

They say there’s a heaven for those who will wait
Some say it’s better but I say it ain’t
I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
the sinners are much more fun…

Creepy, yet so smart and appealingly bad that its rock qualities come out from under the pop veil.

26. The Doors — LA Woman (1971)

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In 1971 The Doors released the album LA Woman to critical acclaim and introduced us to the band’s most bluesy album to date. The most memorable track is the album’s finale “Riders on the Storm”. It features a plaintive, eerie quality that it would be enough to make our list on its own merits as a great song.

The album would be the last with Jim Morrison as frontman after his death from drug-related causes. When listening to the album, one senses that Morrison may have been coming into his own and maturing as a writer and musician; it’s sad to think this was his swan song. Thankfully we have this gem that will last forever in our memories.

25. Bruce Springsteen — Born to Run (1975)

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While I admit that I am not the biggest Bruce Springsteen fan, 1975’s Born To Run is his best album to date and maybe his most complete as a musician. The title track is amazing and the awards and lists that it appears on are a testament to its greatness and longevity as a classic rock song. “The Boss” hit it big with this album and I have to give it credit despite my personal feelings.

24. AC/DC — Highway to Hell (1979)

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Despite Highway to Hell being AC/DC’s sixth studio LP, it was by far the album that launched them to world wide stardom. The gritty hard rock album is loaded with head-banging guitar riffs and percussive brilliance.

Shortly after the album was produced, lead singer Bon Scott died of alcohol poisoning, which opened the way for Brian Johnson to take over the vocal reins. No disrespect to Scott, but AC/DC is what it is today because of the raspy screaming of Johnson. If you listen to both singers on the track “Highway to Hell”, Johnson is magnificent and steers the band in a huge way.

23. Van Halen — Van Halen (1978)

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Has there been a band with as much controversy but still continuity throughout the years as Van Halen? The band’s first release Van Halen takes us back to a time before all the infighting and egos and stands as one of the most successful debut albums ever.

What separated Van Halen at the time was the innovation of guitarist Eddie Van Halen and the overtly eccentric vocals of lead singer David Lee Roth. “Runnin’ With the Devil” is a classic and highlights all the band’s strengths. With the success of 1984 six years later, Van Halen would achieve “diamond” status for sales on two LPs in a short time, proving their staying power.

22. The Eagles — Hotel California (1976)

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The Eagles might have made this list with just a single — that is how important and endearing the title track is to most fans. Don Henley’s rough voice together with the dueling guitars played by Don Felder and Joe Walsh make it a truly unique song.

On the surface, the lyrics seem almost comical. But upon further inspection they provide a tale of excess and debauchery that can overtake anyone who achieves huge success in the City of Angels. “Hotel California” is another powerful reminder of the price of fame and many of the costs that come along with the American Dream.

21. Elton John — Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

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Elton John has been making hits for so many decades it is hard to keep track of all of them. On Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, John and long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin created an inspired record with a slew of hit singles that have endured as classics for years.

The title track, “A Candle in the Wind” and the piano bar favorite “Bennie and the Jets”, are the album’s highlights. But make no mistake: the album is fabulous from top to bottom and shows just why Elton John is one of the kings of classic rock.

20. Pink Floyd — Meddle (1971)

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Pink Floyd’s sixth studio album was their first major release to give us a glimpse of the pure genius that makes them as relevant today as nearly 40 years ago. Meddle was a six song album that took many turns in terms of style and focus. The opening track “One of These Days” is a harrowing instrumental with one creepy line:

One of these days I’m going to cut you into little pieces.

It lures you in before the song swerves into fast drums and guitars. The final track, the rock opus “Echoes”, is a twenty-three minute musical escape that will take you on an emotional journey of musical brilliance.

19. Bob Marley and the Wailers — Exodus (1977)

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Every one of Bob Marley’s albums can be considered a classic. Exodus in particular gives the listener the best overall example of what makes a complete Marley album, with extraordinary tracks like “Turn Your Lights Down Low”, “Jammin’” and “Three Little Birds”. Every track is beautifully written and engineered with that rough, characteristially unpolished sound that we are accustomed to on Wailer LPs. The album may not be as iconic as Legend, but it is every bit as good.

18. John Lennon — John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)

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There may never be a more sinister person in the annals of rock’n'roll than the one that most Beatles fans hold accountable for the breakup of the Fab Four. It may have been the beginning of the end for the band when John Lennon married Yoko Ono but Lennon was far from finished in the music industry.

In 1970 he and his wife had already recorded several tracks together in addition to some unreleased solo work from the end of his time with The Beatles. The end product was an album entitled John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and to date it remains Lennon’s most critically acclaimed solo work. Rolling Stone honored it by taking the #22 spot on its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. “Mother”, “Working Class Hero” and “God” have provided us with some of the Lennon’s best vocals ever.

17. Lynyrd Skynyrd — (pronounced ‘lĕh-’nérd ’skin-’nérd) (1973)

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Is there a more famous classic rock ballad than “Freebird”? Lynyrd Skynyrd’s LP (pronounced ‘lĕh-’nérd ’skin-’nérd) didn’t introduce us to southern rock but may have made it mainstream. “Simple Man” is one of the most beautiful songs of the era and “Gimme Three Steps” is another fun sing-along-diddy that makes this album worthy classic rock.

16. Simon and Garfunkel — Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)

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While not a classic rock album in the strictest sense of the word, Bridge Over Troubled Water is paramount in its influence over all genres of music. The duo (and this album especially) are credited with giving bands like Coldplay, Deathcab for Cutie and The Shins a template for their style of simple, catchy melodies with profound lyrics.

We guarantee that the same silver-haired sixty-somethings that listened to this album over 35 years ago are still buying music influenced by them without even knowing it. If you still don’t think it’s rock, just listen to “The Boxer” and try not to feel your head bob ever so slightly.

15. Rush — 2112 (1976)

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The twenty minute suite “2112″ that covers the entire first side of this album is so good it defies logic — it is seriously hard to believe that the sound you hear is just a three man band. Surely there are two drummers, right? No, Neil Peart is that good. There has to be two different singers, no? Turns out Geddy Lee’s vocals are so superb that you get a rocking rocker and a sweet lyricist in one voice.

This LP put Rush on the map and for legions of die-hard fans it is the Holy Bible of rock. Over thirty years later these guys still hang with the best of them and hopefully some day will take their rightful spots in the Rock’n'Roll Hall of Fame.

14. Supertramp — Crime of the Century (1974)

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On 1974’s Crime of the Century Supertramp gave us one of the best albums from the decade, and in a single song list could have had enough tracks for a greatest hits LP. The album kicks off with “School” and if you have not heard this song live, I encourage you to download or purchase the Live in Paris Album, because it will change your life. Further tracks including “Dreamer”, “Rudy” and “Crime of the Century” round out an stellar lineup.

Together with 1979’s Breakfast in America — also a contender for this list — Supertramp solidified their status as amazing musicians and one of rock’s most underrated groups.

13. Queen — A Night at the Opera (1975)

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The 1975 Queen release entitled A Night At the Opera (in reference to the Marx Brothers film), had a little known hit that went unnoticed by most of the public for about fifteen years. “Bohemian Rhapsody” was Queen’s version of a mini rock opera that was made most famous by the 1992 Mike Myers movie Wayne’s World.

The entire album is wrought with classic Queen tracks including “You’re My Best Friend” and “Love of My Life”. As one of the biggest acts in the world during the 1970s, Queen constantly put out amazing albums, and A Night at the Opera is no exception.

12. Michael Jackson — Off the Wall (1979)

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As with Simon and Garfunkel, Michael Jackson may not be considered classic rock in the true sense of the definition, but his influence across all genres is undeniable. Off the Wall became his first major success and exposed to new audiences glimpses into the sound and the voice that would sell millions of albums and turn Michael into the biggest pop star the world has ever see.

A party isn’t a party without “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” or “Rock With You”. Despite Michael’s lack of hard rock appeal, we felt more than confident with his spot on this list.

11. Led Zepplin — Houses of the Holy (1973)

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Houses of the Holy may not have the huge hits of other Zeppelin classic albums, but make no mistake, what it lacks in star power it makes up for in technical achievement. The track “The Song Remains the Same” opens up the album is perfect in scope and range and prepares you for the rest of the LP. Songs like “D’yer Mak’er” and “Over The Hills And Far Away” round out one of the ’70s greatest scores of rock and symphony that can play on repeat all day long.

10. The Who — Who’s Next (1971)

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There are times when a single album by a band defines its career — The Who have provided us with many of this caliber of greatness. But among all their classic albums one stands alone in its groundbreaking success: Who’s Next. The influence of the album reaches across generations and continues to be used today in modern movie soundtracks.

The opening to “Baba O’Riley” may be one of the most famous song intros ever while songs like “Behind Blue Eyes” and “Won’t Get Fooled” remind us why The Who ranks among the all time greatest. If you don’t have Who’s Next in your catalog, then consider your classic rock collection incomplete.

9. Pink Floyd — Wish You Were Here (1975)

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Of all the rock bands that achieved notoriety in this decae, Pink Floyd may be the most decorated. There weren’t a ton of hit singles on this album in particular but the many millions of albums sold reflects how large their following continues to be to this day. “Wish You Were Here” may be the band’s musical touchstone. With only four tracks on the album they needed each one to count — and they succeeded.

The twenty-five minute opus “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” is as impressive for its instrumentals as it is for its brilliant lyrics. Those lyrics are mostly in tribute to old bandmate Syd Barrett. The song was split into two parts which worked magnificently as the first and last tracks. The other three songs, most notably “Wish You Were Here”, are great on their own and form a story that focus the pain and sorrow of the band toward the former guitarist.

I challenge anyone to listen to the entire album and not come away feeling in awe.

8. Stevie Wonder — Talking Book (1972)

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Stevie Wonder has one of the top five best male singing voices ever (be on the lookout for an upcoming list). On his 1972 release Talking Book, Wonder puts his soaring vocals on full display. Hits like “You are the Sunshine of My Life” and “Superstition” show off Wonder’s versatility and genius when it comes to making both love songs and rock songs. We may think of “Little” Stevie Wonder as a child star, a piano player or a ballad machine, but make no mistake: the man can rock as well.

7. The Beatles — Let it Be (1970)

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This album provided further proof that the kings of rock still had it, even in their last days as a group. Some of the bands most memorable songs including “Get Back”, “Don’t Let Me Down” and “The Long and Winding Road” were included on the bands final album release Let It Be.

Wanting their fans to accept the break-up and move on, The Beatles produced the album as a finale to cap off their unparalleled career. While all the members went on to do solo work, the success of The Beatles was never matched. Despite the numerous hits from the band, Let It Be remains the swan song of an all-too-short career for the boys from Liverpool who lead the charge of the British Invasion into the U.S.

6. The Rolling Stones — Exile on Main Street (1972)

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While Exile on Main Street may not have the hits with the most radio play or billboard charts success, some say it is the Stones’s most complete album to date. On tracks like “Tumbling Dice” and “Sweet Black Angel” the pure soul of the group comes through. When you listen to the Stones, at times it is hard to believe that this is an English band — the jazz and blues influence is so clear in all their music (especially on this album) you’d be forgiven for mistaking them for a southern American rock act.

The album debuted at #1 and was warmly greeted by critics as a “masterpiece”. The Stones have released a huge catalog of music, but Exile on Main Street may be the most genuine and plenary success of their careers.

5. Marvin Gaye — What’s Going On (1971)

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What most would consider to be a pure R & B album, we see as contributing graciously to the history of rock’n'roll. Marvin Gaye’s groundbreaking What’s Going on mixes many elements of groove, rock, classical and blues, to produce an album that, as with other albums on our list, crosses genres and boundaries.

The title track is one of the smoothest songs ever made and “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” continues the amazing song list. Gaye’s voice is truly magic and his untimely and tragic death lends to his legacy, but this album would have been among the best regardless. Please listen to “Inner City Blues” and tell me you don’t feel the groove of this musician doing some of his greatest work.

4. Led Zepplin — IV (1971)

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It is one of the most debated songs in rock history. Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”, from their Led Zeppelin IV LP has caused classic rock’s biggest fans to divide themselves. Some see it as a pop sensation with little substance, others (myself included) find it to be the consummate rock anthem, that countless others have been inspired and covered with some success, but never matching the original.

The album is the definition of rock’n'roll. You’ll find other hits like “Black Dog” and “The Battle of Evermore” on this terrific album that mixes clever writing with amazing arrangement. It’s an album for the ages.

3. Fleetwood Mac — Rumours (1977)

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Fleetwood Mac’s album Rumours represents one of the few times that overplaying doesn’t detract from the magic. A critical and commercial success, Rumours does not have a flawed song in its playlist. To go over each track would be a very long list in itself, but the songs like “Don’t Stop”, “Go your own way”, “The Chain” and “Goldust Woman” are worth pointing out for their brilliance.

The band’s tumultuous internal relationships can be heard on most of its tracks, which no doubt provided the inspiration and passion that for one of the greatest albums in history. Just how influential is this album? Take a look at the over 1,500 attempts to cover the bass solo on “The Chain”.

2. The Clash — London Calling (1979)

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Yes, this is a punk album, but the Clash’s London Calling transcends genres and has become one of the greatest classic rock albums of all time. Nobody in his right mind would fail to include this album in the top 10 of his “best albums”, especially if you’re talking about just the 1970s. We likewise feel so strongly about it that it almost takes a seat at the top of our list. We know that it was released in December of 1979 (barely qualifying for the list) but its sound is much more appropriate to the decade that brought it fame.

Lead singer Joe Strummer passed away in 2002, which brought an end to the kings of punk, but the music lives on. With a combination of punk, rock, reggae and political activism, London Calling features hits like “Train in Vain”, “Lost in a Supermarket”, “The Guns of Brixton” and the self-titled single “London Calling”. What’s scary about this album is that each track is independent, yet builds on the previous track with impressive results. Where most punk acts sell albums based on the attitude and lyrics, The Clash managed to combine those attributes along with being devastatingly good musicians — all evident on this exceedingly superb album.

1. Pink Floyd — Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

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Arguably one of the best albums of all time, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon was one of the original concept albums, and along with Sgt. Pepper’s, may be the best. To understand its popularity we have to acknowledge that the album has sold close to 50 million copies and, after debuting #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts, it remained on the list for an astonishing 741 consecutive weeks thereafter. It is an impossible record considering the next closest is Johnny’s Greatest Hits by Johnny Mathis which was on the list for what looks like a paltry 490 weeks in comparison.

Building on the moderate success of previous albums, Pink Floyd set out to create a masterwork of storytelling as well as build a live show directly around the album. Similar to previous studio albums, you can hear the influence of the late Syd Barrett (Floyd’s original guitarist and founder, who went mad from excessive drug use) on this album. But Dark Side of the Moon was the first album where Pink Floyd developed a characteristic sound that would permeate all future albums and influence millions in the process. Whether because of its sales record, total weeks on the Billboard chart, or its wide-reaching influence on contemporary rock musicians, no other album captures the spirit of 1970s music evolution better than Dark Side of the Moon, so naturally it takes our top spot.

To appreciate the greatness of this album, check out Dark Side of Oz, which sets the album to the Wizard of Oz motion picture with remarkable and eerie results.

Rolling Stone and the New York Times magazine identified a “Golden Age” of rap as the period in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Accordingly, many artists on this list are from that time period. This is by no means a comprehensive list, so feel free to comment below if you feel like your favorite artist deserves to be included.

In order to understand what makes hip-hop music great and why we ranked these albums the way we did, we first have to understand the elements that make for great music production of any kind: lyrics and music.

Lyrics

Hip-hop lyrics are as complex as any other form of poetry. In fact, iambic pentameter is often an essential part of a good rap song. In addition to pentameter, some artists also use polysyllabic rhymes, which helps to identify the best songs. Other hip-hop and rap songs tell stories, some promote political agendas. Not all rap lyrics are great, though, and some can even be downright silly. But taken together, the best hip-hop songs make creative use of lyrics and rhyme.

Music

Hip-hop usually features original compositions but you’ll also find a combination of music sampled from other sources. Much in the same way Vaughn Williams took a theme from Thomas Thallis to create one of the classical masterpieces of the twentieth century, hip-hop artists take the music of others and produce masterpieces of their own. Nas took the basic elements of Michael Jackson’s Human Nature and created one of the best songs of the ’90s. (Admittedly there are some out there who merely take an old song with a good hook, then rap over it without adding significantly in any way — I’m looking at you, Puff Daddy.)

20. Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 (Guru, 1993)

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Rap, as we know it today, began as nothing more than some old Jazz and R&B albums with a couple of poets rapping over the music. Guru collaborated with some of the greatest jazz musicians of all-time to make a series of albums called “Jazzmatazz.” With artists such as Branford Marsalis and Donald Byrd, the album was bound to be amazing. There are four Jazzmatazz albums but the first and third ones are the best by far.

Check out “Loungin” for a great introduction to the entire Jazzmatazz series.

19. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (Lauryn Hill, 1998)

Being the first hip-hop album to win the “Album of the Year” award at the Grammys is no small accomplishment, which is why this album is perhaps one of the best all-around albums on the list. From a purely musical perspective, the vocals of Lauryn Hill are hard to beat — if you’re not familiar with her talent, then Sweetest Thing is a good place to start.

Hill first became famous as the female vocalist for the Fugees but her best work is this first solo album, which is a true work of art. Perhaps the most fun track on the entire album was “Doo Wop (That Thing).” Lauryn Hill’s real gift is her ability to combine both amazing singing with great rap rhymes — quite a rare feat.

18. Don’t Sweat the Technique (Eric B. & Rakim, 1992)

Although it probably deserves to be higher on the list, this classic album from Eric B & Rakim is worth looking early on the list. The album has strong jazz elements mixed with complex, polysyllabic lyrics that make it an instant classic. The title track “Don’t Sweat the Technique” is the album’s best track.

17. Message from Beat Street: Best of (Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, 1994)

The Message is an anthem for anyone who listened to hip-hop in the ’80s. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five are some of the most sampled artists in hip-hop and even those who are not hip-hop fans will recognize lines such as: “It’s like a jungle sometimes makes me wonder how I keep from going under.”

16. Mecca and the Soul Brother (Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, 1992)

Inspired by the soul-stirring sounds of Tom Scott’s saxophone, Pete Rock and CL Smooth put together one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all-time, T.R.O.Y., which was inspired by the death of a close friend of the band. This album is a staple in any good hip-hop collection since so few artists have managed to combine such amazing jazz standards with flowing lyrics. Almost every song on the album begins with an interlude from a classic funk song (such as “When She Made Me a Promise“,) thus connecting hip-hop to its deep funk roots.

15. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (OutKast, 2003)

In 2004, OutKast won “Album of the Year” Grammy for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, making it only the second hip-hop album to win. The album captures the sound of Atlanta hip-hip like no other, combining elements of rap, hip-hop, rock and even pop to create songs like “Hey Ya” which was, unsurprisingly, the most succesful single from the album.

Thanks to a viral video featuring the Peanuts characters dancing to “Hey Ya”, a wider audience discovered one of the best hip-hop albums of all time that it might have missed out on.

14. Train of Thought (Reflection Eternal, 2000)

“If you can talk you can sing, if you can walk you can dance” — this is how the track “Africa Dreams” starts out on this great album. Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek combined their talents to produce an album under the name “Reflection Eternal,” a triumphant effort with many influences, including jazz and traditional African drums.

“The Blast” is one the better dance tracks of the last ten years, although it did not enjoy the kind of commercial success it deserved. In addition to great music, this album contains one of the greatest lines in all of hip-hop. Referring to artists who rap about violence and materialism Talib Kweli says:

“These cats drink champagne and toast to death and pain
Like slaves on a ship talking about who’s got the flyest chain”

13. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (Wu-Tang Clan, 1993)

Towards the end of the Golden Age of hip-hop, West Coast rappers like Dr. Dre seemed to be enjoying most of the commercial success — but the Wu-Tang Clan was also making some great hip-hop, which helped to keep East Coast hip-hop relevant. C.R.E.A.M is one of the best hip-hop songs of the ’90s.

12. Innercity Griots (Freestyle Fellowship, 1993)

Although this is by no means the most commercially successful album on this list, it is important because it blends elements of jazz, bebop and poetry that is rarely heard. The best single off the album is called “Inner City Boundaries” because it blends elements of Avante Garde poetry with hip-hop beats.

11. Doggystyle (Snoop Doggy Dog, 1993)

The lyrics of this album are misogynistic, violent and promote the use of drugs and alcohol. But don’t let that get in your way, because what Snoop Dogg does musically cannot be denied: the album was praised by Rolling Stone when it debuted and enjoyed huge commercial success. Doggystyle was strongly influence by ’70s-era bands such Parliament and featured the vocal talents of Nate Dog and Warren G. “What’s My Name” is a standard at any West Coast hip-hop party.

10. Sugar Hill Gang (Sugar Hill Gang, 1980)

Although strictly speaking this album from the Sugar Hill Gang is not a musical masterpiece, it did do something that no other hip-hop album did before it: made it onto the Billboard charts. It was 1979, when disco was still king but the Sugar Hill Gang brought rap into the mainstream. The song “Rapper’s Delight” managed to reach #36 overall on the Billboard chart and opened the door for hip-hop in the mainstream.

9. Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star (Black Star, 1998)

Mos Def and Talib Kweli can trace their musical roots directly to the Golden Age of East Coast hip-hop: you can hear it in the way their music often features positive messages coupled with jazz-inspired beats. In addition to combining the talents of Talib Kweli and Mos Def, Black Star featured the vocal talents of Common and musical skills of DJ Hi-Tek. “Respiration” is perhaps the best track on the album, but it’s “Definition” that shows Mos Def’s musical flexibility. He brings in reggae elements paired with beats from DJ Hi-Tek.

8. Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) (Digable Planets, 1992)

Digable Planets took hip-hop back to its jazz and poetry roots in 1993 with songs like “The Rebirth of Slick.” The entire album sounded like it was recorded in a smoke filled Jazz club during open mic night. “Nickel Bag of Funk” is another classic off that featured a unique bridge.

Although they achieved Gold album status with Reachin’, Digable Planets never managed to make another album that enjoyed as much commercial or critical success.

7. Return of the Boom Bap (KRS-One, 1993)

KRS-One is perhaps the most influential figure in Golden Era East Coast hip-hop. His lyrics address complex societal issues and he is harshly critical of those artists who contribute little to the hip-hop genre. One of the best tracks, “Higher Level“, represents the pinnacle of his talent, in which he RS-One addresses such weighty issues as the historically inaccurate depictions of Jesus and the slave mentality of African-Americans.

Needless to say, any rapper who addresses such deep issues will not enjoy widespread commercial success — white kids in suburban shopping malls are not going to line up to buy such albums, so it is not surprising that he has not had many mainstream hits. KRS-One did have some great albums with his group Boogie Down Productions; he continues to challenge the hip-hop community to think about the messages it convey in its music.

6. The Chronic (Dr. Dre, 1992)

No album captures the West Coast Gangsta culture like this classic from Dr. Dre. The album is slow and methodical, but somehow manages to be a dance club standard despite its relatively low BPM. Dr. Pepper even made a commercial highlighting how slow beats made Dr. Dre famous.

5. Illmatic (Nas, 1994)

Some people have criticized Nas for really only having one truly great album: Illmatic. But to be honest that would be like criticizing Michaelangelo for not really painting anything other than the Sistine Chapel. “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” was one of the greatest hip-hop songs of the ’90s and the album received much critical acclaim when it was released — it’s really what put Nas onto the hip-hop map. Nas has had hits since Illmatic, such as “If I Ruled the World” with Lauryn Hill, but nothing has come close to his masterpiece debut.

4. The Low End Theory (A Tribe Called Quest, 1991)

During the Golden Age of hip-hop there was a group of artists that referred to themselves and the Native Tongues: their focus was on positive lyrics that contained heavy jazz influences. Anyone who listened to hip-hop in the late ’80s to early ’90s knows at least some of the words the the song “Scenario.” and “We’ve Got the Jazz” uses the sounds of Green Dolphin Street to make one of the most underrated songs in all of hip-hop.

3. Ready to Die (Notorius B.I.G., 1994)

With his debut album, Biggie Smalls redefined East Coast hip-hop and usher in a new age of commercial success for literally dozens of rappers. Juicy is an inspiring song about how a rapper can pull himself out of poverty and serves as an anthem for almost all aspiring hip-hop artists. Big Poppa is a dance club staple, and One More Chance is the song the made Faith Evans. The album’s title, Ready to Die, was perhaps prophetic since Notorious B.I.G. was murdered at the age of 25.

2. Planet Rock: the Album (Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force, 1986)

Many people may recognize Afrika Bambataa’s classic “Renegades of Funk” although it wasn’t until Rage Against the Machine covered it that it enjoyed its most commercial success. Afrika Bambaataa are among the most sampled artists on this list: their sound is a blend of ’70s P-Funk, ’80s New Wave and modern hip-hop. They were true pioneers.

1. Fear of a Black Planet (Public Enemy, 1990)

The brilliance of this album is clear from the very beginning. The album opens with a song entitled “Contract on World Love Jam” which features sound clips from influential leaders such as Desmond Tutu. It’s definitely one of the deepest and most socially-conscious albums of all-time. Here is a list of just some of the songs and issues addressed:

Racist portrayals of blacks in Hollywood — “Burn Hollywood, Burn”

Interracial Children — “Pollywanacraka”

Black unity and racism — “Brothers Gonna Work it Out”

Drug abuse — “Can’t Do Nuttin’ for Ya Man”

Slow response time of 911 in poor black neighborhoods — “911 is a joke”

Negative response to Public Enemy’s lyrics — “Incident at 66.6 FM”

Black empowerment — “Power to the People”

Rallying to fight racism — “Fight the Power”

The album received plenty of deserving accolades since it was released almost 20 years ago. At the time it was truly revolutionary… The video for “Fight the Power” was directed by a young Spike Lee and the song was later used in his movie Do the Right Thing. On the album, you’ll hear a young Alan Colmes talking with lead singer Chuck D about the controversial nature of Public Enemy’s music.

On account of its powerful and influential lyrics, inventive sound, lasting influence and commercial success, Fear of a Black Planet tops our list. Everything about this album epitomizes the Golden Age of hip-hop.

Punk has used multiple costumes, hair styles, and distinctive sounds and has gone through many transformations. I created this list not to point out the best punk bands or my favorites, but to provide a sort of history that shows examples of bands that were and continue to be major contributors to the formation of today’s music.

50. No Use for a Name

A west side 90’s melodic punk band that had more of a skater punk style in their earlier years.

49. Total Chaos

This street punk band comes out of California with a hardcore, in-your-face style and brings great old school sound into the new age.

48. Storm Troopers of Death (aka S.O.D.)

New York hardcore punk band with a metal-influenced sound and controversial lyrics.

47. Face to Face

A trendy band out of California whose biggest success comes from the mid-1990s.

46. Screeching Weasel

Chicago band that really made a name for itself in the early ’90s with a new-age Ramones sound.

45. The Vandals

California punk band that brought more of a fun and humor concept to their music.

44. Big D and the Kids Table

Boston area band that blends ska and punk beautifully.

43. Down by Law

A solid band with lyrics about everyday pain and loneliness.

42. The Dead Milkmen

Snotty punk band with a sense of humor hailing from my hometown of Philadelphia.

41. Husker Du

This underground band had screaming hardcore vocals that eventually shifted to a more alternative rock style; they influenced a lot of the late ’90s grudge and alternative bands.

40. Propagandhi

A Canadian punk band that is, well, anti-everything, but brings a vicious skate style all its own.

39. Sick of It All

New York band that started out as punk. Now more of a hardcore sound.

38. Lagwagon

With albums like “Duh” and “Trashed”, this Fat Wreck Chords label band turned out to be one of the best punk rock bands of the 1990s.

37. Rancid

Created by the former members of Operation Ivy, Rancid helped steer punk in a new direction in the mid-1990s.

36. Stiff Little Fingers

This Northern Ireland act started out classic rock and eventually turned punk.

35. D.I.

A Southern California punk band that delivered a darker side to punk rock.

34. The Germs

LA punk rock band that only survived together long enough to make one great album (“GI”).

33. D.O.A.

A Vancouver punk band that is known for one of the first hardcore punk sounds.

32. Dag Nasty

Founded by the former guitarist of Minor Threat, this band delivers a more melodic and slower sound, later referred to as “emo-core”.

31. Circle Jerks

The original lead singer of Black Flag formed this punk band; their style is less raw but similar to his former act.

30. T.S.O.L

A horror punk band out of California with a sick, dark style.

29. Reagan Youth

Left-winged hardcore punk band out of Queens, NY, that helped establish the New York hardcore scene.

28. Agent Orange

Launching the “surf punk” sound, Agent Orange became a success among the skate-core scene.

27. Social Distortion

Big part of the hardcore punk 80’s explosion that later turned rockabilly.

26. Angry Samoans

With offensive lyrics and raw edge they forced their way into the greats of hardcore punk rock.

25. Fear

One of the original LA punk bands, Fear is credited for helping developt the American punk sound.

24. D.R.I.

Starting out punk then later crossing over to trash metal, this Texas band influenced many of the greats.

23. Subhumans

Formed in 1980, one of the best hardcore punk bands ever out of the UK.

22. Operation Ivy

A ska-core band that was short-lived but managed to make a superb record, “Energy”.

21. Damned

One of the first UK bands to tour the United States, the Damned were also leaders of the Gothic punk sound.

20. Pennywise

These California natives have a similar style to Bad Religion but they are definitely unmistakable.

19. NOFX

Established in the mid-80s and blowing up in the ’90s, this skate punk rock band used all its earlier influences to create a unique sound.

18. The Stooges

Out of Michigan, best know for Iggy Pop’s onstage antics.

17. Suicidal Tendencies

Leading the crossover to thrash, this band didn’t stay punk for long but were great while they were.

16. 7 Seconds

The band of brothers out of Nevada emerged with their own sound and message. They inspired many to the straight edge movement.

15. Agnostic Front

This New York act combined a hardcore street punk sound with lyrics from everyday upsets and contributed heavily to the local hardcore scene.

14. The Exploited

This Scottish punk band is true to the scene. It started off “oi’” and later evolved into one of the greatest hardcore punk bands off all time.

13. Descendents

Part of the California greats that brought a unique style with unique lyrics.

12. Bad Brains

A hardcore punk band with a fusion of reggae and jazz that came out of Washington D.C. They are definitely one of the pioneers of the American hardcore genre.

11. Adolescents

This is one of the most influential on this list, a big part of the ’80s punk revolt. Their debut album is one of the top selling punk records of all time.

10. Crass

A pioneer of punk music and the anarcho-punk movement, this English punk band advocated anti-hate and direct action messages.

9. Bad Religion

The best lyrics in the business for attacking social and political issues, this Southern California band put the harmonies and hooks into punk rock music.

8. Black Flag

This west coast band took the Ramones’s style and turned it into what many regard as the first hardcore punk rock sound. The first four years were good, but it’s not until Henry Rollins joined the band that they went from good to great.

7. The Misfits

Glen Danzig’s first and best band, the Misfits’s totally unique sound is often referred to as horror punk. The Misfits is another important key to the hardcore punk genre and nobody matches their sound.

6. Minor Threat

This Washington D.C. punk band is the definitive “straight edge” band. Their ultra fast short songs became revolutionary in the punk scene; unfortunately, the band’s existence was just as ultra short.

5. Sex Pistols

The originators of the UK punk movement, the Sex Pistols inspired many to be punk rock despite only lasting 2 1/2 years and producing only 1 studio album.

4. Dead Kennedys

DK built the bridge for crossing over the oceans in hardcore punk rock. They took sarcastic lyrics to a whole new level, while attacking social and political issues that paved the way for the punk revolt.

3. The Clash

What can we say? This seminal UK punk band is not afraid to to experiment with their sound. Their 3^rd album, “London Calling”, is widely recognized as one of the greatest in any genre.

2. Ramones

At number 2, the Godfathers of punk rock practically invented the power chord. The importance of this band on rock’n'roll is nearly indescribable and earned their place in the Hall Of Fame.

1. The Sonics

The Sonics were the first true punk band from way back in the ’60s. They never really received much recognition by the mainstream, even though their innovative sound had a little bit of everything blended together. What stands out the most is their ’50s-style blues shouting, raunchy grit, groovy rhythms, and disturbing lyrics. This is the band that started it all a decade before any of the first contemporary punk acts even picked up a guitar.

10. They Don’t Really Care About Us – HIStory Vol. 1

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The only song on our list that was not a mega hit, “They Don’t Really Care About Us” was a Michael doing what he does best on the HIStory Disc 1. Album. It’s a lyrical tribute to those that have suffered persecution because of who they are. Michael stirred up some controversy on the track as well, using a few slurs meant to show ignorance, but inciting protest as they were taken out of context. The song would be re-released with the lyrics changed, but the song was still dynamite.

9. Who Is It – Dangerous

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This song is musically as good as any other and Michael’s superb writing shines through as he chose the theme of infidelity in scripting the lyrics. It is vintage MJ with its smooth vibe and penetrating subject matter. The video was directed by David Fincher before he started making mega big screen hits and takes on a futuristic feel that is reminiscent of the beats.

8. Dirty Diana – Dangerous Bad

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Dirty Diana is an amusing and fun song about “groupies” and their constant need to do anything and everything possible to be close to the stars they covet. The video features Steve Stevens former guitarist for Billy Idol and a young Sheryl Crow playing the sultry enthusiast for Michael’s affection.

7. Rock With You – Off The Wall

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“Rock With You” is an early Michael disco track that has made many dance floors spin with excitement. The song was produced before videos became common place and is a very simple groovy dance tune that has spawned countless covers. With lights glowing from every corner you see Michael smiling big and enjoying the moment as we have all done when listening to this song.

6. Thriller – Thriller

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Known more for the video and album than the song, “Thriller” may be the most monumental album in the history of music. The album has sold millions of copies, was loaded with seven top ten hits and would take home eight Grammys. The video may have formally launched the video generation and was a mini movie in itself. At almost fifteen minutes it was loaded with dancing, acting and plenty of special effects. Director John Landis put together a remarkable feat for its time. The song is underestimated as it is a tremendous dance song that gets everyone moving. Its reach is limitless as you can see in the above video of a southeast Asian prison performing it as part of their discipline routine. When you combine the beats and the pseudo-rap by screen legend Vincent Price, you have an eternal song. Thriller was a defining moment in Michael’s career and would propel him to the status of greatest entertainer in the world.

5. Man in the Mirror – Bad

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Michael Jackson was arguably the greatest entertainer ever, but there is no arguing his humanitarian efforts. He donated millions to charity and was always helping children and the under privileged around the world. Some people say it reflects is dissatisfaction with his own physical appearance but I believe “Man in the mirror” was his call to humanity to take a look at itself and make the necessary changes to heal the world from suffering. It would later serve as the calling card of another groundbreaking American and his bid for the presidency. With his grunts and echoes ever apparent, Michael gave us a song to live by.

4. Don’t Stop Till You get Enough – Off The Wall

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As with “Rock With You”, Michael gave us the ultimate in disco anthems. It is a timeless effort that was the first release on the Off the Wall album and the first song Michael had creative control over. There was a mild controversy as to what the lyrics were inferring and his mother, being a devout “Jehovah’s Witness” was concerned that it had sexual overtones. Michael came out later and assured everyone that the song was about whatever you want it to be about, but it was not about sex. Whether or not it was about sex is a moot point as the song is amazing in its ability to fill the dance floor.

3. Beat It – Thriller

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Michael’s anti-gang anthem was one of his most successful ever and featured many cameos including Eddie Van Halen (who didn’t want to be in the video because he thought the song was only average) and Michael De Lorenzo (NY Undercover star). The song was the third single off of Thriller and would become an international sensation hitting #1 in numerous countries. It also provided a springboard for Weird Al as his spoof song “Eat It” would propel him to fame.

2. Smooth Criminal – Bad

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When Michael Jackson’s “Moonwalker” video was released it was centered around a song off the “Bad” Album entitled “Smooth Criminal”. The song was about child abuse and the video featured Michael as a golden age gangster with Tommy Gun and all. Michael is able to save a few kids from the villain, do a ten minute choreographed dance routine and deliver a colorful and amusing performance at the same time. The aforementioned dance routines in the video are second to none and Joe Pesci as the “baddie” makes it even more special. Smooth Criminal is a perfect song and will always by my favorite.

1. Billie Jean – Thriller

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What can we say about “Billie Jean”? The beats, the hook, the groove and a vintage Michael singing and dancing his way “on the floor in the round”. This single was the reason Thriller went to #1 and is arguably Michael’s greatest song. Honored with tons of awards and accolades “Billie Jean”, was never about a single girl, but as with “Dirty Diana” speaks about the groupies that troubled he and his brothers throughout the years. Whoever she or they were, the song made Michael a sensation and would set in motion a domino effect of hit songs by the man that ruled the music world and was best known as the “King of pop”. Love him or hate him, you have to respect the music as no one created more buzz or delivered more hits than Michael Jackson.