Another great category for discussion.
My thoughts about what constitutes a "great rock song" may differ from songs that are my own personal favorites. For example, I love the blues. But there are relatively few blues-related songs (either by blues artists or covered by rockers like Clapton, the Stones, Van Morrison, et al.) that are meaningful and are defining as social forces. I define a "great rock song" as having an impact on society and message beyond it just being musical. I look for a MESSAGE that defines the times and a generation. With that in mind, here are my offerings:
LET IT BE (The Beatles -- 1970 hard guitar version, not the Billy Preston electric piano version) -- The swan song of the greatest rock group in history. This song said and defined it all -- the end of the 1960s, the end of innocence, the end of idealism, the end of a generation, the END OF THE BEATLES.....just "Let It Be." Rock n' roll would never be the same after this period -- where The Beatles, Joplin, Hendrix, the Doors, CCR, CSNY, and others were no longer with us. The song basically says -- We did our best to change the world and now it's over and time to move on. The Beatles wrote many songs that were better than this one (Hey Jude, Day in the Life, etc.), but this song defined the mood of a generation like no other.
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (Led Zepplin -- 1971) -- An absolute masterpiece from start to finish. Maybe the best constructed rock ballad leading to a heavy rock anthem ever written. Most of Zepplin's material from the first four albums are absolutely stunning technically and hold up over the test of time (is there any doubt this could be released today and would be a hit?). All the pieces fit together in this song that is "timeless."
HOTEL CALIFORNIA (The Eagels -- 1975) -- Always comes up in the top-10 of the great rock songs of all time. Not as powerful as the previous two in terms of social significance, but this song defined the 1970s and was arguably the best song by a band that was the first to synthesize two very different forms of music (Eagles initially did lots of country tunes, and later evolved into a rock group with a jazz influence, ala the Glen Frey period). Hotel California was a crossover hit, and one of the best songs of the 1970s.
FREEBIRD (Lynard Synard -- 1976) -- Another rock anthem that mixes a message of love and freedom with great guitar, drums, bass, and vocals. As it turned out, this would be the band's defining moment since the band was wipped-out in a plane crash less than a year later.
HIGHWAY TO HELL (AC/DC -- 1978) -- Arguably one of the greatest hard rock songs ever recorded. A tough anti-establishment message that offends mainstream society -- which is basically what rock music has always been at its best.
PRIDE (IN THE NAME OF LOVE) (U-2 -- 1984) -- U-2 launched a renaissance of political activism and social commentary in music, first with "New Year's Day" a year earlier, followed by this smash 1984 hit. U-2 hasn't captured the excitement of this period in the last decade, although they still remain at the top of the rock world.
SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL (Rolling Stones -- 1969) -- The Stones wrote at least two-dozen songs which were more innovative than this one, but this was perhaps the Stone's defining moment in the 35 year musical journey when they were at their peak in terms of being the anti-social counter cultural icons of a generation. After Alatomont Speedway, this song (much like the Beatles Let It be) marked the end of the 1960s, which was the most revolutionary decade in the last two hundred years.
TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING (Bob Dylan -- 1963) Merged intellectualism and rock n'roll for the first time. Made rock a format of poetry in action, with deep messages, and a call to action. What Dylan began in the early 1960s, the Beatles and the Stones ended just 7 years later.
I'll be interested in reading other's thoughts....
-- Nolan Dalla