10 Classic Rock Albums Every Music Lover Should Own
Some of my favourite memories from growing up are from sitting around my family’s record player, as the sounds of The Beatles, Van Halen, and Rush, amongst others echoed throughout my house. From this young age, my passion for classic rock has only grown, and my interests have been piqued in their own right.
Check out this list of some of the ultimate classic rock albums to start your journey into exploring this expansive, eclectic era of iconic rock ‘n roll.
The Stones Roses- The Stone Roses
Quite easily my personal favorite classic rock album of all time, The Stone Roses perfectly encapsulates the ‘Madchester’ era of music. While teetering on the edge of the classic rock timeline, this album celebrates the origins of the iconic and influential Manchester rock sound.
Stand-out songs such as She Bangs the Drums and Bye Bye Bad Man form a beautiful marriage of a 1960s guitar sound, with the added effect of an 80s electronic beat.
This is definitely the album for you if you are a fan of Inhaler, as the band has shared before they are big fans of the album and draw inspiration from the Stone Roses to incorporate into their own songs.
War- U2
U2’s third studio album has gone down as one of the most iconic albums of all time, featuring the standout opening track, Sunday Bloody Sunday. This groundbreaking album was not only another example of U2’s musical genius but also made a lot of big statements regarding society at the time.
The album’s leading track, Sunday Bloody Sunday in specific recounts the horrors of a massacre in Derry in which civilians were killed by British soldiers while protesting. Whereas Seconds addresses the fear and threat of nuclear war.
While filled with heavy topics, this album was an enormous step for the band, to tackle socially poignant topics and in turn solidified U2 as one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.
Rubber Soul- The Beatles
The Beatles are a band that needs no introduction, however, I do invite you to explore one of their strongest albums, Rubber Soul. Serving as a transitional album between the traditional Beatles albums such as Help! and Hard Day’s Night, to the albums exploring more psychedelic imagery and art rock seen in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour.
Rubber Soul covers the entire spectrum of musical explorations with beautiful love songs such as In My Life as well as Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) but still includes notions of the traditional Beatles sound with the likes of Think For Yourself and Girl.
Loaded- The Velvet Underground
Despite missing out on the top chats in its day, Loaded by The Velvet Underground is a classic example of 1970s rock ‘n roll, with its easy-to-listen flow and charming lyrics, this is the greatest album to throw on at any time.
One of my favourite songs of all time comes from this album, Rock & Roll, which is an almost five-minute-long masterpiece serving as an ode to the art of rock music. The song ties the album together and solidifies it as the perfect album for easy listening. I always reach for this album when I’m laying in the sun or walking around campus.
Morrison Hotel – The Doors
With their fifth album, Morrison Hotel, The Doors have done it once again, creating the perfect blend of rock ‘n roll and with a blues influence.
The album’s opening song, Roadhouse Blues is the perfect song for starting that long road trip or for a summer day with friends. The heavy rock-sounding guitar is complemented by a harmonica and electric piano, to bring in the blues influence that The Doors adored.
The album’s standout and another one of my favourite classic rock songs is Peace Frog. Aside from its enticing, heavy opening riff on electric guitar, the song details events experienced through lead singer Jim Morrison’s life, as well as major events going on around the world at the time.
Freedom Flight- Shuggie Otis
While many of us are probably familiar with the hit song, Sweet Thang due to our Harry Styles Love on Tour concert trauma (being as in 2021 this song played before Harry appeared on stage) this album itself is an easy listen and encapsulates the meaning of classic rock.
However, this album has much more to show than just the introductory song for Mr Styles, as Shuggie Otis has put together a perfect easy listening album with a psychedelic feel and fun lyrics, with the likes of songs such as Ice Cold Daydream and Strawberry Letter 23.
However, Otis isn’t afraid to bend the rules of psychedelic, class rock as he includes a seven-minute rock ballad entitled, Purple, featuring stretches of instrumental solos, breaking the boundaries of traditional rock expectations.
Full Moon Fever- Tom Petty
One of the most iconic Americana rock albums, Full Moon Fever, will take you back to summer in the 1980s. With a retro sound, and solid musical production this album creates a great listening environment.
The two opening songs Free Fallin’ and I Won’t Back Down are iconic album openers, with both rising on the charts to become huge hits across the world. However, these hit records shouldn’t overshadow the remaining classics on the album.
Depending on You provides the perfect song to blast with the windows down, cruising down the highway, or for a day spent out on the lake. And Zombie Zoo shows a different side of Petty, with a very psychedelic-inspired sound.
Some Girls- The Rolling Stones
With an expansive discography, it’s hard to pick just one of the Rolling Stones’ iconic albums to include on this list, however for me Some Girls simply stands above the rest.
One of the most well-known classic rock anthems in the world, Beast of Burden, calls Some Girls it’s home. Despite its popularity, the song isn’t just a simple hit, but a true classic rock masterpiece.
The opening track, Miss You, is the perfect culmination of the album’s vibe. With a funky guitar riff and a more electric dance sound, you can’t help but dance when this song queues up on your Spotify. This album is a fun, upbeat classic rock album that has not one skip. It’s perfect for a day out exploring a new city and having your main character’s moment come to life.
Are You Experienced- Jimi Hendrix
Widely recognized for being one of the most influential guitarists of a generation, Jimi Hendrix proves himself to be quite the lyricist with his album, Are You Experienced.
The opening riff of Purple Haze immediately drew me in upon my first listen, and it’s an album I’ve been hooked on ever since. The mix of a hard/acid rock sound with a psychedelic influence gives the perfect vibes for a drive with the windows down this summer.
Rumours – Fleetwood Mac
One of the most iconic albums of all time, not just within the classic rock category, Rumours is quite literally a masterclass of lyricism and song production.
The thrill of hearing the band’s drama play out throughout the entirety of the album introduces listeners to the classic 1970s cliche of ‘sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll. Listening to this album, I feel as though I’m a part of the band, watching the drama play out between Lindsey and Stevie.
If you are looking to have your main character moment and pretend to be a part of Daisy Jones and the Six, you have got to give this album a spin.
