The media watchmojo.com produced the "Top Ten" series, and this issue is "Top Ten Rock Anthems". Iconic, totemic songs are not necessarily the best works of musicians, but they must be songs that are extremely highly sung and will make people's blood boil when they hear them.
First prize, Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven (1971). The Band Zeppelin's single, included on the band's untitled fourth album (often referred to as Led Zeppelin IV), was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and lead singer Robert Plant. The eight-minute song spans folk rock, avant-garde rock, and hard rock. Jimmy Page's guitar solo in the song is also considered one of the greatest guitar soloists. The song was the most played song on music radio in the seventies and is considered the most popular rock song. Rolling Stone magazine named the song the 31st in "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Further reading: "Led Zeppelin Zeppelin Fiftieth Anniversary".
Second place, Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (1975). Queen single, from the band's concept album A Night at the Opera, was written by lead singer Freddie Mercury. The nearly six-minute-long song consists of five parts, with styles spanning both hard rock and avant-garde rock. The song is one of the highest-selling singles of all time, selling more than 6 million. In 2018, the song became the most played song from the twentieth century online, with 1.6 billion downloads. Rolling Stone magazine named the song number 163 on "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Further reading: Queen Made in Paradise.
Third place, The Beatles - Hey Jude (1968). The Beatles' single, which was not included on the studio album, was the first single released by Apple Records, founded by the Beatles, and was written by lead singer and bassist Paul McCartney, signed by Lennon-McCartney. The seven-minute-plus song, with a four-minute chorus section, was the first time many radio stations made an exception to air the full version of the song. Rolling Stone magazine named the song the 8th on "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." In 1968, John Lennon cheated on Japanese artist Yoko Ono and separated from his wife, Cynthia. Paul McCartney wrote this warm song for Lennon and Julian, the son of his ex-wife Cynthia, encouraging Julian to come out of the haze of his parents' divorce. Not only did Paul write the song, but he also came to Cynthia's house with a bouquet of flowers and offered to take care of the mother and son for the rest of their lives. The song's original name was Hey Jules, but was changed to Hey Jude for rhyme. Interestingly, Julian Lennon himself didn't know the song was written by Uncle Paul for his five-year-old self until many years later. Further reading: "The Beatles White Album Fiftieth Anniversary (Part 1)" and "The Beatles White Album 50th Anniversary (Part 2)."
Fourth, Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2 (1979). Pink Floyd's single, included on the concept album The Wall, was written by lead singer and bassist Roger Waters, and the song is divided into three parts, set in three places on the album's first half of the album. Rolling Stone magazine named the song the 375th on the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Read more: Pink Floyd: On The Wall 40, Pink Floyd: The Wall 40 Part 2.
Fifth, The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfation (1965). The Rolling Stones single, included on the album Out of Our Head, was composed by lead singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards. Keith Richards wrote the song's iconic riff in a dream. Rolling Stone magazine named the song number 2 on "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Read more: The Rolling Stones and the End of the Sixties.
Sixth place, The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again (1971). The Who's Band Single, included on the album Who's Next, is the album's last song, written by guitarist Pete Townshend. Rolling Stone magazine named the song the 133rd on "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." The song was the last song that band drummer Keith Moon performed live. Further reading: Two Sides of the Moon: Keith Moon, the Crazy and Gentle Drummer.
Seventh, Derek and the Dominos - Layla (1971). The Derek and the Dominos single, and the title track for their only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, was composed by lead singer and guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Jim Gordon. Inspired by a seventh-century Tale of Arabic legend, the song was a love song by Eric Clapton to George Harrison's then-wife, Pattie Boyd. Rolling Stone magazine named the song number 27 on "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Extended reading: "Lovers are not as good as brothers [Live Aid] [video]".
Eighth place, The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations (1966). The Beach Boys single, the song was scheduled to appear on the album Smile, while this one was not completed, later appeared on the band's 1967 album Smile Smile, the song was composed by band members Brian Wilson and Mike Love. Rolling Stone magazine named the song number 6 on "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Read more: About Pet Sounds.
Ninth place, Eagles - Hotel California (1977). The Eagles single, also the title track for the band's eponymous album, was composed by lead guitarist Don Felder, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Glenn Frey, and lead singer and drummer Don Henley, with a double guitar solo ensemble by Don Felder and Joe Walsh. Rolling Stone magazine named the song the 49th in "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Further reading: Eagles Strike the Sky forever.
Tenth place, The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze (1967). The Jimi Hendrix Experience's second single, included in the American version of the band's debut album Are You Experienced?, was composed by lead singer and guitarist Jimi Hendrix, shaping the shape of psychedelic rock. Rolling Stone magazine named the song number 17 on "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." Read more: Are You Experienced.
In addition, the video was nominated for the following songs:
Chuck Berry - Johnny B Goode (1958)
The Doors - Light My Fire (1967)
Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water (1973)
Aerosmith - Dream On (1973)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird (1974)
The Clash - London Calling (1979)
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
The following songs are re-nominated:
Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel (1958)
Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone (1965)
John Lennon - Imagine (1971)
Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen (1977)
Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing (1978)
Neil Young - Hey Hey My My (Into the Black) (1979)
Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA (1984)
Bon Jovi - It's My Life (2000)
Finally, ten Chinese rock songs were nominated:
Lo Tai Yo - LuKang Town (1982)
Cui Jian - Nothing (1986)
Black Panther - Landless Self-Contained (1991)
Tang Dynasty - Internationale (1992)
Beyond - Sea and Sky (1993)
Zheng Jun - Naked (1994)
Dou Wei - Advanced Animals (1994)
Wu Bai & China Blue - White Pigeon (1999)
Xu Wei - Blue Lotus (2002)
Universal Youth Hostel - Kill the Shijiazhuang Man (2010)
What else is missing, welcome to add!