(1980 to Present) Favorite Upbeat, Pure Rock Songs?

sopsych · 12-03-2012, 11:41 AM

What are your favorite upbeat, pure rock songs? "Pure" as in guitars, drums, vocals, and little else (not much horns, keyboards, and so on). From 1980 through the present day, please.

Try to limit favorites to songs that got some airplay and that the public might remember.

Necromancer · 12-03-2012, 12:45 PM

That is a hard one for me, picking from the 80s and so on. It seems like it might be easier choosing one from the 70s era, for me anyway. Maybe something more blues/rock orientated like Rebel, Rebel by David Bowie or something by the Rolling Stones. Defining Pure Rock is subjective to say the least. Maybe a three piece band, bass, guitar and drums only. I actually cant think of anyone from the 80s that fits that venue right off hand.

sopsych · 12-03-2012, 06:09 PM

Damn Yankees, Bad Company (mostly with Brian Howe), The Scorpions, and Van Halen all fit that, although VH used keyboards on many songs with Hagar in 1986 and 1988. Also, that was a common arrangement for hair metal bands like Motley Crue, Poison, and Cinderalla.

VEGANGELICA · 12-03-2012, 06:38 PM

How about some Tom Petty songs like "American Girl"? I checked a performance video and saw they were singing and playing drums, two guitars, bass, and keyboard...but I don't think the keyboard is prominent in the song (except in the little interlude). This is one of my favorite upbeat-sounding rock songs:

American Girl performed by Tom Petty - YouTube

The other group that comes to mind is The Pretenders, who I feel had some upbeat pure rock songs (although maybe they're a bit soft?), such as "Back on the Chain Gang".

sopsych · 12-03-2012, 09:50 PM

"American Girl" is from the 70's

Let's stick to original releases, not later non-single live versions.

VEGANGELICA · 12-04-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopsych

"American Girl" is from the 70's

Let's stick to original releases, not later non-single live versions.

Darn it, you're right. The sad thing is, I thought I'd checked its release date, too.

I'll try again.

The Pretenders - "Talk of the Town" (1981. ha!)
(except it's not that upbeat :/)

Pretenders Talk Of The Town - YouTube

The Primitives - "Crash" (Official Video) (1988)

The Primitives | Crash (Official Video) - YouTube

And for an excellent example of what song production must do, compare the fixed-up version of "Crash" above with this live performance below:

The Primitives - "Crash" (live)
I...I was disappointed by Tracy's singing. The vocals sounded so...so...wimpy and unenergetic. And not even quite in tune!

The Primitives - Crash (Live) - YouTube

^ On second thought, maybe these aren't rock. I don't know. Shoot. (Checking.) Ack!

The Primitives are indie pop. Sorry!! E for Effort, Eh?

**Janszoon** · 12-03-2012, 10:54 PM

I have no idea if the general public is familiar with it, but "Good Morning Aztlán" by Los Lobos is a personal favorite upbeat, pure rock song by a famous rock band from the tme period in question. There's something about this song that just always puts me in a fantastic mood.

Surell · 12-04-2012, 09:46 AM

1980 to present definitely blew for rock music, it doesn't even get Funhouse by the stooges. Since I can't go there,

Celebrated Summer by Husker Du.

hip hop bunny hop · 12-05-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surell

1980 to present definitely blew for rock music, it doesn't even get funhouse by the stooges. Since i can't go there,

celebrated summer by husker du.

no before 1980 music sucked hippies were everywhere dude

Surell · 12-06-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hip hop bunny hop

no before 1980 music sucked hippies were everywhere dude

I think that may be a generalization.

12-03-2012, 11:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
sopsych Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: indoors Posts: 722	(1980 to Present) Favorite Upbeat, Pure Rock Songs? What are your favorite upbeat, pure rock songs? "Pure" as in guitars, drums, vocals, and little else (not much horns, keyboards, and so on). From 1980 through the present day, please. Try to limit favorites to songs that got some airplay and that the public might remember.

12-03-2012, 06:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
sopsych Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: indoors Posts: 722	Damn Yankees, Bad Company (mostly with Brian Howe), The Scorpions, and Van Halen all fit that, although VH used keyboards on many songs with Hagar in 1986 and 1988. Also, that was a common arrangement for hair metal bands like Motley Crue, Poison, and Cinderalla. Last edited by sopsych; 12-03-2012 at 06:24 PM.

12-03-2012, 10:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	I have no idea if the general public is familiar with it, but "Good Morning Aztlán" by Los Lobos is a personal favorite upbeat, pure rock song by a famous rock band from the tme period in question. There's something about this song that just always puts me in a fantastic mood. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

12-03-2012, 12:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Necromancer Divination Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,655	That is a hard one for me, picking from the 80s and so on. It seems like it might be easier choosing one from the 70s era, for me anyway. Maybe something more blues/rock orientated like Rebel, Rebel by David Bowie or something by the Rolling Stones. Defining Pure Rock is subjective to say the least. Maybe a three piece band, bass, guitar and drums only. I actually cant think of anyone from the 80s that fits that venue right off hand.

12-03-2012, 09:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
sopsych Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: indoors Posts: 722	"American Girl" is from the 70's Let's stick to original releases, not later non-single live versions.