The 45 greatest rock and heavy metal Christmas songs
Featuring a plethora of rock legends
Featuring Nightwish, Alice Cooper, Thunder, Lemmy, Tom Petty, Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Queen, Slade, Black Stone Cherry, The Darkness, Bruce Springsteen, Samantha Fish, Lzzy Hale, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Ricky Warwick, late-great horror legend Christopher Lee, Greg Lake and many more, Planet Rock presents the 45 greatest rock and heavy metal Christmas songs (and anti-Christmas songs) from over the decades.
A yuletide melting pot of original tracks and rocking cover versions, the list features firm festive favourites and a number of more obscure gems… and not a hint of Mariah Carey, Cliff Richard, Wham! or indeed Jon Bon Jovi’s turgid cover of ‘Fairytale of New York’.
Make sure you tune into Planet Rock over the festive period to hear many of these songs on our 'sleigh list', which runs on air until Boxing Day.
In NO PARTICULAR ORDER, here are the 45 greatest rock and heavy metal Christmas songs:
1) The Greedies – ‘A Merry Jingle’
Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott, Scott Gorham and Brian Downey joined forces with The Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones and Paul Cook to form The Greedies in 1979. The fleeting band released just one song together – ‘A Merry Jingle’ – which is a rocking medley of ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas.’
2) Rainbow – ‘Snowman’
Released on their 1983 album ‘Bent Out of Shape’, Rainbow’s ‘Snowman’ is Ritchie Blackmore’s reimagining of Howard Blake’s ‘Walking in the Air’ from the classic animated short film The Snowman. Very proggy and atmospheric, ‘Snowman’ truly kicks in around the two-minute mark when Blackmore unleashes a stratospheric guitar solo.
3) Ronnie James Dio / Tony Iommi / Rudy Sarzo / Simon Wright - ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’
Lifted from the 2008 album ‘We Wish You A Metal Xmas… And A Headbanging New Year’, the late-great Ronnie James Dio fronted this powerful heavy metal reworking of the yuletide carol. Truly epic from start to finish and a pertinent reminder of Dio’s prowess.
4) Twisted Sister - ‘Heavy Metal Christmas’
Featuring elements of the traditional carol ‘The Twelve Days Of Christmas’, ‘Heavy Metal Christmas’ is the only original composition from Twisted Sister's 2006 holiday album ‘A Twisted Christmas’. It’s a howling, glammed-up and preposterously over-the-top stomper centred on the amazing line: “On my heavy metal Christmas my true love gave to me, a tattoo of Ozzy!”
5) Boston – ‘God Rest Ye Metal Gentlemen’
Enduring Massachusetts rockers Boston gave one of the oldest Christmas carols in existence, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, a 21st Century hard rock twist a few years back – and it’s an absolute triumph. In fact, we reckon it’s better than the original!
6) Greg Lake – ‘I Believe in Father Christmas’
It’s far from the heaviest song on this list, but there’s no denying that the late-great Greg Lake’s ‘I Believe in Father Christmas’ is a festive classic. Kept from number one by Queen's ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ upon its release in 1975, lyrically ‘I Believe in Father Christmas’ does critique the commercialisation of Christmas, however, ultimately, it’s a celebration of the holiday season. Lake sings in the final verse: “I wish you a hopeful Christmas / I wish you a brave new year / All anguish, pain and sadness / Leave your heart and let your road be clear.” A pertinent message.
7) Billy F Gibbons – ‘Jingle Bell Blues’
Unveiled to the world in 2021, ZZ Top legend Billy F Gibbons’ ‘Jingle Bell Blues’ is a stomping blues reworking of the 19th Century yuletide staple ‘Jingle Bells’ that’s delivered in Billy’s trademark rock drawl and features epic guitar and harmonica solos. Lyrically, Billy changes some of the words too as he sings “bells on hot rods ring” and “drop-top sleigh.”
8) Bad News - ‘Cashing In On Christmas’
Ade Edmondson (Vim Fuego), Rik Mayall (Colin Grigson), Nigel Planer (Den Dennis) and Peter Richardson’s (Spider Webb) spoof heavy metal band Bad News released a hilarious diatribe against the commercialisation of yuletide – the aptly entitled ‘Cashing In On Christmas’ – back in 1987. Lines include: “This is our Christmas single / Please make it number 1 / And give us all your money / To make our Christmas fun.” Magnificent stuff!
9) Alice Cooper / John 5 / Billy Sheehan / Vinny Appice - ‘Santa Claws Is Coming To Town’
Taken from the aforementioned ‘Metal Xmas’ album, Alice Cooper and his cohorts brought a bit of Halloween to the Christmas season with this horrorshow reconstruction of the children’s’ favourite. Look, they’ve even taken the trouble to change ‘Claus’ to ‘Claws’ for extra menacing effect.
10) Lemmy Kilmister / Billy Gibbons / Dave Grohl - ‘Run Rudolph Run’
Another ‘Metal Xmas’ highlight, Lemmy, Billy and Dave’s version of the Chuck Berry Christmas ditty is undoubtedly heavier (mainly thanks to the late-great Lemmy’s iconic drawl) yet it stays true to the song's early blues-rock routes.
11) Slade - ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’
Due to its omnipresence during the Christmas period, there are many naysayers who can’t abide Slade’s 1973 classic ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’. However, they’re completely wrong as it's an irrefutable stone-cold classic. No arguments! Penned by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, it’s estimated that the track brings in around £500,000 in royalties every year. Little wonder Noddy has hailed it as his “pension plan.”
12) Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - 'Christmas All Over Again'
The late-great Tom Petty’s original holiday song ‘Christmas All Over Again’ was written for the 1992 charity album A Very Special Christmas 2, which raised money for the Special Olympics. Thoroughly charming and full of festive cheer, the feel-good song ends with Tom Petty reciting his Christmas Wishlist including a new Rickenbacker, two Fender Bassman’s and a new xylophone.
13) Halford - ‘We Three Kings’
Rob Halford's eponymous outfit Halford released the album ‘Halford III: Winter Songs’ in 2009 that melded original compositions and covers of traditional holiday favourites. Pick of the bunch is their blistering metal interpretation of the Christmas carol ‘We Three Kings’ that somehow works perfectly. Hallelujah, indeed!
14) Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)
The closing track on The Ramones’ 1989 album ‘Brain Drain’, as the title suggests ‘Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)’ is both a celebration of the Yuletide period (“All the children are tucked in their beds / Sugar-plum fairies dancing in their heads / Snowball fighting, it's so exciting baby”) and also a call for peace between a warring couple (“I loved you from the start / 'Cause Christmas ain't the time for breaking each other's heart”). The song was later used on the soundtrack to the widely panned 2004 film ‘Christmas with the Kranks’.
15) Dokken - ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’
The Los Angeles metallers recorded their version of the 1934 festive song for the 2007 compilation album ‘Monster Ballads Xmas’. Like many on this list, it starts innocently enough with child-like keyboard plonks before Dokken launch into their muscular, riff-heavy interpretation of the track. Musically, it has parallels to ‘Dream Warriors’ from the ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3’ soundtrack – frankly, they missed a trick not changing the lyrics to "Freddy Krueger is coming to town."
16) The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)
At their commercial peak five months after the release of ‘Permission To Land’ in 2003, The Darkness released their festive anthem ‘Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)’. Charting at Number 2 (narrowly missing out on the festive top spot), the brilliant track is now a firm Christmas favourite and has no doubt earned The Darkness a fortune in royalties. Fair play to them!
17) Dee Snider & Lzzy Hale - 'The Magic of Christmas Day'
The Twisted Sister and Halestorm stars united during lockdown in 2020 to record a new version of the Snider-penned festive song ‘The Magic of Christmas Day’. Snider originally wrote ‘The Magic of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone)’ for his wife Suzette in the mid-90s, however a few years later a certain Celine Dion recorded a version of the track for her 1998 Christmas album ‘These Are Special Times’. The new hard rocking version is obviously far superior to Celine Dion’s song.
18) Anvil and Bumblefoot - ‘Frosty The Snowman’
Yet another zenith from the ‘Metal Xmas’ compilation, influential Canadian metallers Anvil joined forces with Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal for their take on the popular 1950s Christmas song. The result was an in-your-face interpretation that’s buoyed by serious riffs from Bumblefoot.
19) Black Stone Cherry – ‘Santa Is Back’
In 2011, Kentucky’s prodigal sons Black Stone Cherry recorded a cover of the Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller penned/ Elvis Presley performed 1957 anthem ‘Santa Is Back’. A typically rip-roaring festive gem, the band even gave the track away for FREE on Planet Rock’s website. Top lads.
20) The Smashing Pumpkins - 'Christmastime'
Recorded during the ‘Adore’ era in the late nineties, ‘Christmastime’ is a celebration of all the lovely things about Christmas. Musically, it’s a beautiful and very traditional festive song with its sleigh bells, dainty xylophone plonks and even a recorder solo, while Billy Corgan sings truly heart-rending lines like: 'We watch the children playing / Beside the christmas tree / The presents are wrapped up / It's beautiful and secretly the gifts still hide / The fun awaits for you inside.' Bless him.
21) Amon Amarth - 'Viking Christmas'
Viking-themed death metallers Amon Amarth are self-professed “heathens” who enjoy nothing more than partaking in a bit of “fighting, plundering and crushing skulls.” Don’t we all?! However, when it comes to Christmas it brings out their more tender side as typified by the heart-warming chorus: 'When it's Christmas, Viking Christmas, I have tears in my eyes / When I remember my childhood days and all those Christmas Eves / A sparkling tree, marveling eyes and all those presents / I can still smell the roast and gingerbread / Nobody can escape the magic of Christmas.' Lovely stuff.
22) Def Leppard – ‘We All Need Christmas’
Def Leppard’s 2019 acoustic ballad ‘We All Need Christmas’ is a heart-warming festive anthem complete with obligatory sleigh bells. The Sheffield rock legends describe it as ‘fireside-ready with its uplifting, hopeful spirit and sense of seasonal soul.’
23) Spinal Tap - ‘Christmas With The Devil’
Opening innocently enough with atmospheric keyboards and some obligatory sleigh bells, Spinal Tap then take us into much darker (and comedic) realms with their festive song about Lucifer. Hilarious lyrics include “There's a demon in my belly / And a gremlin in my brain / There's someone up the chimney hole / And Satan is his name” and “No bells in Hell / No snow below / Silent night, violent night.” A gloriously daft song that deserves to be turned up to 11.
24) Manowar – ‘Silent Night’
The mythology obsessed heavy metal veterans covered Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr’s 1818 Christmas carol ‘Silent Night’ at the start of the millennium and it’s a surprisingly tender rendition. It’s only when the guitars kick in two thirds of the way through that Manowar deliver some of the bombast we know and love them for.
25) AC/DC: ‘Mistress For Christmas’
The highly divisive 1990 song opens with the spoken words “Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells / Jingle All The Day / I Just Can't Wait Till Christmas Time / When I Can Grope You In The Hay” and only intensifies in its sleaziness when Brian Johnson starts blasting his way through the tune in his idiosyncratic style with Angus, Malcolm, Chris and Cliff providing the musical muscle. Admittedly, the lyrics are extremely cringey and arguably the worst of AC/DC’s career, but, musically at least, ‘Mistress For Christmas’ packs a punch.
26) Queen - ‘Thank God It’s Christmas’
Penned by Brian May and Roger Taylor, Queen’s ‘Thank God It’s Christmas’ wasn’t exactly a festive blockbuster (à la Slade) when it was released in 1984, however it has grown in stature over the ensuing four decades. Considering the turbulent past 12 months, the lyrics take on extra resonance right now: “Oh my love / We've had our share of tears / Oh my friends / We've had our hopes and fears / Oh my friends / It's been a long hard year / But now it's Christmas / Yes, it's Christmas / Thank God it's Christmas.”
27) GWAR - 'Stripper Christmas Summer Weekend'
The horror costume wearing band unleashed ‘Stripper Christmas Summer Weekend’ on limited edition 7” vinyl only in 2009 and it’s a festive stomper of the highest calibre.
28) Nightwish – ‘Walking in the Air’
Nightwish founding member and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen has stated in interviews that Howard Blake’s 1982 song ‘Walking in the Air’, written for the animated film The Snowman, is his favourite song ever. In 1998, the Finnish symphonic metallers duly covered ‘Walking in the Air in spectacular style. Flaunting Tarja Turunen’s vocal prowess, the track stays true to the original with a slight rock edge. The cover was regularly performed live by Nightwish in the late 90s and early noughties.
29) Magnum - ‘On Christmas Day’
The British heavy metallers’ festive song ‘On Christmas Day’ is an anti-war anthem about the 1914 Christmas truce when French, German and British soldiers downed their weapons for a day and ventured into no man's land to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs. Musically uplifting and with potent lyrics to boot, Magnum’s ‘On Christmas Day’ is a real festive gem.
30) Bruce Springsteen – ‘Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town’
The Boss’s excellent rock n' roll version of the ‘Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town’ was recorded live at C. W. Post College in Brookville, New York on December 12, 1975 and got its first official release on a Sesame Street compilation album called ‘In Harmony 2’ seven years later. A true festive staple, the fact that Bruce is fighting back laughter for much of the song only adds to its charm.
31) Corey Taylor: ‘X-M@S’
The Slipknot Stone Sour singer’s tongue-in-cheek anti-Christmas diatribe was released in December 2010. Complete with a hilarious animated video, the song by self-professed “Scrooge” Corey sees him lambast Christmas with lines like “Now every year the malls are just a madhouse / Full of empty pockets, thoughts and smiles / Just the smell of Eggnog makes me vomit / And those coloured lights are f---ing infantile", before he reaches the chorus of “If I ain't drunk then it ain't Christmas / You know where to stick those jingle bells.”
32) Samantha Fish - ‘Run Run Rudolph’
Blues singer Samantha Fish’s beguiling version of ‘Run Rudolph Run’ (renamed ‘Run Run Rudolph) sounds as though it could be lifted from a hypothetical Quentin Tarantino helmed Christmas album. Yes, it’s THAT good!
33) Status Quo ‘It’s Christmas Time’
Penned by the much-missed Rick Parfitt, ‘It’s Christmas Time’ was released in 2008 and didn’t get the widespread recognition it deserved, peaking at a lowly Number 40 on the UK album chart. A shame as it's a typically no-nonsense three-chord tour-de-force from the Quo with added sleigh bells, tinsel and festive cheer.
34) The Who – ‘Christmas’
Penned by Pete Townshend, ‘Christmas’ is the seventh track on The Who's 1969 rock opera ‘Tommy’. Lyrically, the song is written from the perspective of Tommy’s father and his concerns on Christmas morning about the future of his “deaf, dumb, and blind” son. Fortunately, Tommy’s fortunes later change when he receives a pinball machine and becomes a ‘Pinball Wizard’. The rest, they say, is history.
35) Sabaton – ‘Christmas Truce’
In 2021, history obsessed Swedish rock behemoths Sabaton shared their new festive anthem ‘Christmas Truce’ with the world. Just like The Farm’s ‘All Together Now’, ‘Christmas Truce’ is inspired by the true events on Christmas Eve 1914 when during World War I British and German soldiers met in no man's land and exchanged gifts, took pictures and some even played football. The rare moment of peace and harmony was never repeated during World War I and slaughter was soon resumed. Sabaton said: "Christmas Truce was our highest priority when we decided to write songs about World War One. Not only was it the most requested topic from our fans, but it was, for us, the most emotional story from the war. This song took us years to create since we wanted the music to reflect the mood honestly and it was a big challenge, but we feel we managed to write a song that captures the spirit of this day, over a century ago."
36) King Diamond - 'No Presents For Christmas'
Released on Christmas Day back in 1985, if there’s anyone who deserves a lump of coal in their stocking then it’s King Diamond. The sleigh bell tinkle and ‘Jingle Bells’ prelude only serves as the calm before the storm as amidst a cacophony of riffs King Diamond screeches through a diatribe against good ol’ St Nick. Now one of the band’s signature songs, it’s still performed live to this day.
37) Christopher Lee – ‘The Little Drummer Boy’
Back in 2012 when he was 90 years old, late acting legend Christopher Lee unleashed a fearsome festive EP called ‘A Heavy Metal Christmas.’ The songs fused vocals in Lee’s doomy voice together with chugging riffs and crushing music. Pick of the bunch is undoubtedly this absolute rager, ‘The Little Drummer Boy’. The EP was so well received that Lee released a second one in 2013. What a hero.
38) 220 Volt - 'Heavy Christmas'
Like a certain brand of wood stain, 220 Volt’s relentless ‘Heavy Christmas’ does exactly what it says on the tin. Surprisingly catchy but with absolutely no nonsense and no jingly frills, ‘Heavy Christmas’ is thundered along by power riffs, pummelling drums and epic breakdowns. Awesome stuff.
39) Wizzard – ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’
It would be unfair to have Slade's festive classic 'Merry Xmas Everybody' on our list without including Wizzard's own 1973 anthem 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.' Slade may have won the race to Number 1 half a century ago, but both songs have become ubiquitous yuletide staples.
40) Thunder – ‘Christmas Day’
Far removed from many upbeat festive tracks on this list, Thunder’s 2017 song ‘Christmas Day’ is decidedly melancholic. Planet Rock’s very own Danny Bowes said at the time of its release: “It’s inevitable that some people will think that (it’s naff), but when they hear the song, they’ll know straight away it’s a pretty sad song that just happens to be called Christmas Day.” The accompanying video centres on a solemn Danny at a Christmas party while all those around him are having a cracking time.
41) Terrorvision – ‘Our Christmas Song’
Tequilia imbibing Yorkshire rockers Terrorvision unleashed their original Christmas song, the aptly entitled ‘Our Christmas Song’, in 2019. A feel good rock and roll stomper, the song is packed with nostalgic lyrics about all that is great about Christmas. Commenting on the track, Terrorvision said: "Our Christmas Song is a festive present to our fans, and anyone else with a love of the heady days of pop music, when the Christmas No.1 mattered and the main event on Christmas day was settling down to watch Top of the Pops with the last few segments of your chocolate orange, washed down with a cheeky swig of your Gran’s Snowball.”
42) Chris Squire & Alan White - ‘Run With The Fox’
Late-great progressive rock icons Chris Squire and Alan White recorded their beguiling festive song ‘Run With The Fox’ in autumn 1981 shortly after the split of Yes. Featuring co-written lyrics by King Crimson’s Peter Sinfield, from the opening recorder parts the track is four minutes of enchanting festive brilliance.
43) Tarja Turunen – 'Frosty The Snowman'
A quarter of a century on from Nightwish’s phenomenal cover of ‘Walking in the Air’, former vocalist Tarja Turunen unveiled her dramatic take on ‘Frosty The Snowman.’ What could be considered something of a novelty tune, Turunen’s interpretation of ‘Frosty The Snowman’ is powerful, dramatic, ethereal, haunting and truly beautiful.
44) Bon Jovi – Please Come Home for Christmas
Jon Bon Jovi’s 2020 take on ‘Fairytale of New York’ is an aural atrocity while Bon Jovi’s original 2023 festive song ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas’ isn’t much better, however Bon Jovi’s take on Charles Brown’s festive anthem ‘Please Come Home for Christmas’ is a delight. Also covered by the likes of the Eagles and Willie Nelson, Bon Jovi’s magnificent version charted at Number 7 in the UK in 1994.
45) Ricky Warwick - 'All I Want For Christmas… Is Christmas!' ft. Joe Elliott and Billy Duffy
Black Star Riders, Thin Lizzy and The Almighty frontman Ricky Warwick premiered an upbeat and rocking festive song called ‘All I Want For Christmas… Is Christmas!’ in 2024. Ricky’s joyous Christmas song sees him unite with rock royalty again in the shape of The Cult’s Billy Duffy on guitar and Def Leppard frontman / Planet Rock presenter Joe Elliott on vocals.
The Greatest Rock Songs of All Time:
70) Thin Lizzy – ‘Emerald’ (1976)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
69) Rush - ‘2112’ (1976)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
68) Pink Floyd - ‘Wish You Were Here’ (1975)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
67) Pink Floyd – ‘Time’ (1973)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
66) Led Zeppelin – ‘When The Levee Breaks’ (1971)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
65) Led Zeppelin – ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’ (1970)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
64) Journey – ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ (1981)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
63) Def Leppard – ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ (1987)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
62) Van Halen – ‘Jump’ (1983)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
61) UFO – ‘Rock Bottom’ (1974)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
60) The Cult – ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ (1985)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
59) Rush – ‘Xanadu’ (1977)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
58) Jimi Hendrix – ‘Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)’ (1968)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
57) Aerosmith – ‘Dream On’ (1973)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
56) UFO – ‘Love To Love’ (1977)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
55) Black Sabbath – ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
54) AC/DC – ‘For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)’ (1981)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
53) Thin Lizzy – ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ (1976)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
52) UFO – ‘Doctor Doctor’ (1974)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
51) Iron Maiden – ‘Fear of the Dark’ (1992)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
50) Boston – ‘More Than A Feeling’ (1976)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
49) Blue Öyster Cult – ‘(Don’t Fear) The Reaper’ (1976)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
48) AC/DC – ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ (1980)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
47) Iron Maiden – ‘Run to the Hills’ (1982)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
46) Gun N’ Roses – ‘November Rain’ (1991)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
45) Pink Floyd – ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ (1975)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
44) Gun N’ Roses – ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ (1987)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
43) Rush – ‘Tom Sawyer’ (1981)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
42) Metallica – ‘One’ (1988)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
41) Metallica – ‘Master of Puppets’ (1986)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
40) Jimi Hendrix – ‘All Along the Watchtower’ (1968)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
39) Gun N’ Roses – ‘Paradise City’ (1987)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
38) The Rolling Stones – ‘Gimme Shelter’ (1969)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
37) Deep Purple – ‘Burn’ (1974)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
36) Bruce Springsteen – ‘Born To Run’ (1975)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
35) Foo Fighters – ‘Everlong’ (1997)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
34) Metallica – ‘Nothing Else Matters’ (1991)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
33) Eagles – ‘Hotel California’ (1976)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
32) Deep Purple – ‘Highway Star’ (1972)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
31) Black Sabbath – ‘Heaven and Hell’ (1980)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
30) Iron Maiden – ‘The Number of the Beast’ (1982)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
29) Tenacious D – ‘Tribute’ (2002)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
28) Rush – ‘The Spirit of Radio’ (1980)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
27) Bon Jovi – ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ (1986)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
26) AC/DC – ‘Let There Be Rock’ (1977)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
25) Free – ‘All Right Now’ (1970)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
24) Black Sabbath – ‘War Pigs’ (1970)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
23) Led Zeppelin – ‘Rock and Roll’ (1971)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
22) Iron Maiden – ‘The Trooper’ (1983)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
21) Black Sabbath – ‘Paranoid’ (1970)
The 70 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time
20) The Who – ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ (1971)
A Top 10 hit upon its release in 1971 as a trimmed down three-minute single, to truly understand the brilliance of 'Won't Get Fooled Again' you have to listen to the sprawling eight-and-a-half-minute album version. Pete Townshend wrote 'Won't Get Fooled Again' as a critique about power and revolution, and the song is loosely broken down into three thematic parts – the uprising in the first verse, the overthrow of power in the middle, and the new regime being a replica of the old regime later in the song, hence lines like "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."
19) Deep Purple – ‘Child in Time’ (1970)
Loosely inspired by the Cold War and themes of inhumanity, Deep Purple's progressive rock opus is a musical odyssey of the highest calibre. Embracing the quiet/loud dynamic, throughout the all-too-short 10 minutes each band member is at the top of the game - from Ritchie Blackmore's searing riffs to Ian Gillan's emotionally wrought (and oft screeching) vocals to Jon Lord's ominous organs to the pulsing rhythms of Roger Glover and Ian Paice. A monumental and magnificent rock epic.
18) Metallica – ‘Enter Sandman’ (1991)
The opening track and lead single from Metallica's 1991 self-titled album (aka 'The Black Album'), 'Enter Sandman' opens with Kirk Hammett's plaintive guitar playing before crushing guitars and sonic fury are unleashed on the listener. True it's not as raw as some of Metallica's earlier songs, but 'Enter Sandman' is a heavy metal masterclass that fuses nightmarish lyrics with thunderous music and searing riffs.
17) Led Zeppelin – ‘Whole Lotta Love’ (1969)
Colossal sounding, dirty-as-hell, gloriously lewd and sonically experimental, 'Whole Lotta Love' needs very little introduction. Jimmy Page's iconic riff is one of the purest and most timeless riffs he ever created with Led Zeppelin, while John Paul Jones and John Bonham give the track poise, rhythm and muscle. However, it's Robert Plant who manages to grab the headlines with his sexually charged and highly lascivious lines like "Way down inside", "I'm gonna give you every inch of my love" and, of course, "I wanna be your backdoor man!"
16) Motörhead – ‘Ace of Spades’ (1980)
Motörhead purists might argue that there are better songs in the band's formidable musical arsenal, but 'Ace of Spades' is easily Lemmy, Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor and "Fast" Eddie Clarke's most popular and enduring tracks. Pure musical alchemy, 'Ace of Spades' opens with Lemmy's pummelling bass intro before crashing drums and whirring guitars enter the fray and Mr Kilmeister spouts gambling themed lyrics in his idiosyncratic guttural growl. Exhilarating and electric.
15) AC/DC – ‘Highway to Hell’ (1979)
The second highest placing Bon Scott-era AC/DC song on our countdown, 'Highway to Hell' is three-and-a-half minutes of primal, powerful and perfect guitar-drive rock. Like so many riffs in AC/DC's legendary repertoire, Angus Young's riff is truly timeless, while Bon Scott is at his commanding best. With 'Highway to Hell', AC/DC once again proved that simplicity is often the key to rock n' roll brilliance.
14) AC/DC – ‘Thunderstruck’ (1990)
Powered by scintillating riffs from Angus and Malcolm Young, rabble-rousing chants, screeching vocals from Brian Johnson and muscular rhythms from Chris Slade and Cliff Williams, 'Thunderstruck' is the sound of AC/DC at their most electrifying and one of the standout moments of the post-Bon Scott era. Such is its popularity, 'Thunderstruck' was the first AC/DC track to surpass one billion views on YouTube.
13) Gun N’ Roses – ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ (1987)
Of course, it wouldn't be a Greatest Rock Song poll without Gun N' Roses' signature song 'Sweet Child O' Mine' rearing its head. The 'Appetite for Destruction' anthem is so all-pervading and ubiquitous that even Slash says he "cringes" when he hears his iconic riff in public, however, ignoring the over-exposure, there's no doubt that 'Sweet Child O' Mine' is a rock classic.
12) Iron Maiden – ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’ (1982)
Iron Maiden's fifth song to appear on our countdown is 'The Number of the Beast' classic 'Hallowed Be Thy Name'. Performed on every Iron Maiden tour – except the Maiden England World Tour and The Book of Souls World Tour – for the past four decades, the Steve Harris penned seven-minute epic details the macabre story of a prisoner about the be hanged. Not only is it one of Iron Maiden's greatest songs from their legendary back catalogue, it's also one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
11) Deep Purple – ‘Smoke on the Water’ (1972)
Ritchie Blackmore's instantly recognisable guitar riff on 'Smoke on the Water' was voted the Greatest Rock Riff of All Time by Planet Rock listeners five years ago, and the seminal song has duly been voted into the Top 20 on our new poll. Blackmore noted years later that he took inspiration from Symphony No. 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven, and he owes the deceased composer a lot of money. Thematically, 'Smoke on the Water' was inspired by the devastating fire at the Montreux Casino in Switzerland in December 1971 where the band had decamped to record what would become their sixth album, 'Machine Head.'
10) Meat Loaf – ‘Bat Out of Hell’ (1977)
The opening track on Meat Loaf's debut album of the same name, as statements of intent go, they don't get much better than 'Bat Out of Hell.' The brilliantly bombastic track's lyrics were described as "a rock 'n roll sci-fi version of Peter Pan" by songwriter Jim Steinman, while musically it's gloriously overblown and the perfect vehicle for the late-great Meat Loaf's theatrical and impossibly powerful voice. An irrefutable rock magnum opus.
9) AC/DC – ‘Back in Black’ (1980)
Opening with one of the greatest riffs in rock history, AC/DC's title track from their blockbuster 'Back in Black' album was written in response to the death of Bon Scott. New frontman Brian Johnson was asking not to be morbid when penning the lyrics, and, duly, the track is a celebration of the rock legend. Johnson noted years later: "I just wrote what came into my head, which at the time seemed like mumbo, jumbo. 'Nine lives. Cats eyes. Abusing every one of them and running wild.' The boys got it though. They saw Bon's life in that lyric."
8) AC/DC – ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ (1977)
The seventh AC/DC song to feature in our Top 70 is the band's riff-heavy hard rock anthem 'Whole Lotta Rosie.' Written by Angus Young, Bon Scott, Malcolm Young, 'Whole Lotta Rosie' details a mind-blowing one-night stand Scott had with a Tasmanian woman called Rosie. A mainstay of AC/DC's live shows since it was released (only 'The Jack' has been performed live more), more recent performances of 'Whole Lotta Rosie' have featured a giant inflatable Rosie on the stage's backdrop.
7) Alter Bridge - ‘Blackbird’ (2007)
The only song from the 21st Century to feature in our Top 20, 'Blackbird' is the crowning glory of Alter Bridge's second studio album and arguably the highpoint of their illustrious career so far. Lyrically poignant, Myles Kennedy wrote the lyrics for 'Blackbird' about the death of his close friend Mark Morse. Kennedy said: "It's really about seeing the suffering he was going through and hoping he would find his solace soon and be free from all of that." The eight-minute track also features a colossal guitar solo from both Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti that was voted the third greatest guitar solo ever by Planet Rock listeners in 2019.
6) Led Zeppelin – ‘Kashmir’ (1975)
The towering musical behemoth that is 'Kashmir' is Led Zeppelin's second-highest polling song from their fabled back catalogue. A track so good that it has you thumbing at the thesaurus looking for suitable superlatives, it's no surprise that the surviving members of Led Zeppelin regard 'Kashmir' as one of their career zeniths. Jimmy Page said of the track: "The intensity of 'Kashmir' was such that when we had it completed, we knew there was something really hypnotic to it, we couldn't even describe such a quality…. It sounded so frightening at first."
5) Pink Floyd - ‘Comfortably Numb’ (1979)
David Gilmour's transcendental playing on Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb' was voted the Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time by Planet Rock listeners in 2019, and the song itself is rightfully in the upper echelons of our Greatest Rock Songs poll at Number 5. Penned by Roger Waters and David Gilmour, 'Comfortably Numb' is one of the defining moments of their songwriting partnership, yet such was the friction between the two during the recording process that Gilmour later noted it represents "the last embers of mine and Roger's ability to work collaboratively together." Poignantly, 'Comfortably Numb' was the last song Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and the late-great Richard Wright performed together at Live Aid in 2005.
4) Lynyrd Skynyrd – ‘Free Bird’ (1973)
The only Lynyrd Skynyrd to make our Top 70, the Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins penned 'Free Bird' is the band's signature song and truly one of the finest tracks in rock history. Delivered in Van Zant's trademark southern rock drawl, the track opens with him singing "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?", hinting at a man unable to settle down. Just past the midway point, 'Free Bird' morphs into a crescendo of glorious guitar solos and frenetic instrumentation – an life-affirming aural onslaught that still sounds as fresh now as it did almost half a century ago.
3) Rainbow – ‘Stargazer’ (1976)
The standout song from Rainbow's seminal 'Rising' album, 'Stargazer' sees the inimitable, late-great Ronnie James Dio narrate the ominous story of a wizard whose attempt to fly by constructing a tower to the stars leads to the enslavement of countless people. A musically complex, powerful and majestic heavy metal tour-de-force, 'Stargazer' flaunts the imperious talents of the respective Rainbow band members, from Dio's astonishing pipes to Cozy Powell's titanic drums to Ritchie Blackmore's mercurial guitar playing. Nothing short of a masterpiece.
2) Led Zeppelin – ‘Stairway To Heaven’ (1971)
Number 2 on our Greatest Led Zeppelin Songs poll in September 2018 to mark the band's 50th anniversary, 'Stairway To Heaven' is also at No.2 in our Greatest Rock Song poll. Clocking in at just over eight minutes, every second of 'Stairway To Heaven' is iconic; from the opening, Renaissance-tinged finger-picked guitars and recorders to Jimmy Page's legendary solo and right through to Robert Plant's ultimate, plaintive "and she's buying the stairway to heaven" refrain. A true timeless classic that will be listened to in centuries to come.
1) Queen – ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (1975)
Having previously finished at No.2 in our previous Greatest Rock Song poll a decade ago, Queen's timeless and ubiquitous rock epic 'Bohemian Rhapsody' has climbed to Number 1 in 2022. Multi-layered and ambitious in musical scope, the Freddie Mercury penned 'Bohemian Rhapsody' has topped the charts twice in the UK and has been introduced to new generations of fans via 1992's Wayne's World and the 2018 Queen biopic of the same name, Bohemian Rhapsody.
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