Don’t we all just love a good and catchy song, that sort that takes you on a crazy
sing along journey and leaves you wanting more and more. Well, that's what a great anthem does to you, it makes you want to
jump to your feet and celebrate your existence through simultaneous adrenaline fueled bursts of karaoke. A great anthem gives you that surrealistic feeling of being one with the song and all it entails. It makes you feel alive.
The fact is everyone loves a good anthem, be it punk, indie, heavy metal or even a pop anthem. Anthems aren’t just songs with great lyrics, anthems are meant to mean more than just that. Some anthems like Metallica’s “seek and destroy,” signify the intent to find and obliterate an adversary, which i believe is what heavy metal fans looks for in a killer heavy metal anthem. It doesn't really matter what the song is about, if its catchy, and gets the blood flowing, then its bound to be an awesome rock anthem.
Great rock anthems aren’t solely about the singing, the lyrics, or just the instruments, they're about how these aspects are used in perfect harmony to make a song endearingly catchy. Take
for example the absolute lack of supporting instruments on Queen’s “we will
rock you,” the songs rhythm was merely forged from what is not complex but rather simply clapping hands and the stomping of feet. That added to the great
lyrics, makes for one hell of a sing along session.
Here are my top 10 rock anthems
10. Rock of ages-Def Leppard
When it comes to the 80’s, Def Leppard was one of the bands that owned the hard rock circuit, and with an album like “Pyromania,“
there’s no need to wonder why. With the song Rock of ages, Def Leppard had a song that's catchier than most of their other work. Of course pour some
sugar on me and photograph are their standout songs, but Rock of ages gets you on
your toes from the moment you hear Joe Elliot sing the opening words, up to when the song ends.
9. Blitzkrieg Bop –The Ramones
Often sited as being the greatest punk rock
song ever, this less than three minute punk classic is an insanely
catchy anthem. The song starts off with a crazy distorted riff by the legendary Johnny Ramone, which sets the scene for what is to be a
incredibly rigorous sing along session. I hate to say this but i can never resist trying to imitate Joey Ramone's carefree singing style, he makes the song catchy that way.
8. Smell like teen spirit -Nirvana
Whats are the chances that there exists a rock
music fan who doesn’t know of this great grunge song? Close to zero, i
should hope. Smells like teens spirit isn't just a great Grunge song, it is one of the
greatest rock songs ever. Everything about the song is just phenomenal, from
the opening riff by the inspirational Kurt Cobain, to Dave Grohl's incredible drumming. I mean what's there not to love about what is quite literally
the greatest grunge song of all time.
7. I love rock n roll - Jett Joan and the Blackhearts
Jett Joan might have taken a while before finally being inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame, but with a song like this one, who can say she didn't deserve it. There's just
no denying how anthemic this song sounds, each and every bit of it is catchy. From the monstrous riff to the chorus which makes you want to just throw your hands up in
the air and sing along to lines like, “I love rock n roll, play it all the time on the
jukebox baby.”
5. My Generation-The who
Lets put aside the fact that this song has one
of the finest bass solos ever, and lets focus on Pete Townshend’s lyrics and how
Rodger Daltrey toyed around with them in a helter skelter sort or way to turn
this song into a classic rock anthem. Daltrey’s intentional utilization of
stuttering while he sang the verses really gives the song an absurd vibe, but
at the same times makes it fun to sing along to. Townshend’s lyrics are pure
genius, they envisage the stubbornness of youth with hint of irony that we're all sure Pete never thought would come back to haunt him. The irony here is in the line, “I hope i die before i
grow old.” This is ironic because you see, Pete Townshend has now lived to be over
70 years. So what now Mr Townshend? Are you going to say 70 is still too young to be classified as old.
6. Born to be wild – Steppen wolf
Steppen wolf might not be as famous as most of the other bands on this list, but with this song, these Canadian Rockers made sure we’d never forget the fact that we were born
to be wild. The song opens with a classy blues
riff that sounds like the revving of a car engine, the riff has a keith richards-esque feel to it, but that's just my opinion. If the opening riff
doesn’t get you all pumped up and ready to go, then John Kay’s laid back bluesy singing style will.
4. Living on a prayer - Bon Jovi
We all love a good sad song, and If this one doesn't catch your fancy, then i don't know what will. The lyrics of the song are about a couple trying
to keep hope alive as they struggle with unemployment and poverty. As far as hard rock is concerned, this Bon
Jovi song sits up there with greatest hard rock songs of not just the 80’s, but of all time. The song tightens
its grip on you with each word Jon Bon Jovi sings, and when you hear the chorus, it make you wanna lose yourself in the song. And i almost forgot, it has quite the riff.
3. Rockin in the free world-Neil Young
For a insanely skilled guitarist like Neil Young,
making iconic songs isn't something hard. His song writing approach is what you'd call, prophetic. With Rocking in the free world, he takes on
the political and social state of the USA in the 80's. Of course he had to display his insane guitar skills while doing so.
2. We will rock you-Queen
Yes, “we are champions,” is also quite the anthem, and Bohemian Rhapsody is leagues ahead of any Queen song, but with
we will rock you, Queen really outdid themselves. They proved to everyone that you don't need instruments to
make good music, all you need is Freddie mercury, a few hands and some feet. Its actually hard to listen to this song
without getting the urge to clap your hands and stomp your feet as you sing a long to the words. In my opinion, this song is like the blue print for all anthems, it quite literally has everything an anthem needs to be great. From the simple lyrics to the group chorus that encourages fans to sing along to it. This song is nothing short of legendary.
1. Born in the USA-Bruce Springsteen
This song is anthemic, right down to the incredible
synthesizer riff that drives the song. You don't even have to be a citizen of the USA to love and sing along
this patriotic masterpiece. The phrase “born in the USA,” as sung by Bruce
“The boss” Springsteen, has forever been immortalized in the hearts of American patriots. This song gives you an idea of what it means to be an American, and the message of American patriotism in it, is louder that Steve Tylers’
absurdly colored attire. I personally cant listen to this song
without throwing my fist up in the air, just so i feel like an American, even if its for just five
minutes.
Honorable mentions
Thunderstruck - ACDC
Welcome to the Jungle-Guns N Roses
Rock you like a hurricane-The scorpions
Crazy train-Ozzy Osbourne
Rock n roll-Led zeppelin
