Desert Island Lists

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Top 5 Words/Phrases in Classic Rock History

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Author: Bryan Tunick (5 Articles)

Listening to my iTunes this morning, on shuffle, I realized that there are certain words/phrases in Classic Rock, that just drive me nuts. Naturally, they occur in some very famous songs, by some leading bands. As always, there are too many to name, but here’s a try:

5.   “For Those About to Rock…” – For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) by ACDC
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I must admit, I’m not the biggest ACDC fan. I rarely leave them on when they come up, scanned, on my radio (this could be directly linked to my stance against drunk driving), but this undisputable anthem leaves my hands tied on this list. A friend of mine, you know who you are, had this opening as their ringtone for years, thus solidifying the phrase’s place in rock-rearing history for me. Whether it’s my favorite song or not, I can’t help thinking that it should come over the PA at every concert before the headliner takes the stage. Let’s give it up for the band who is willing to support their fans.
4.  “Watch It.” – Jumpin’ Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones
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I have some rather disturbing news regarding this entry. As I was researching this article, I went searching for the lyrics to this song; many of them didn’t include this opening shout from Mick. Lyric archivers, if you’re reading this, CHANGE THAT! These two words serve as a light appetizer for the fine meal that is this song. To this day, if I hear someone scream “watch it!” on the street, I expect Keith’s tubey Telecaster to start rocking a beat after it. So, “watch it”, The stones make the list…
3.  “Wham, Bam, Thank You Mam”- Suffragette City by David Bowie
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When you hear this motto, right before the epic breakdown of this song, it’s pretty clear why the song was included in “Rock Band”, and was used as its major marketing device. What’s more “rock and roll” than this phrase. I don’t care if he may have slept with Mick Jagger in the 70’s, or if he sports make-up, one can’t help, but image all of the women who have lived this phrase at the hands of Bowie. The sheer nature of this cry and Bowie’s epic stardom, make him a shoe-in for this list. Go ahead, argue with me…

2.  “[Maniac Shrieking]” – Speak to Me/Breathe by Pink Floyd

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Okay, I know it isn’t a word or a phrase, but it fits the reason I made this list so let it slide (no true fan would have a problem with this). Forgive my unworthy speculation, but this hollering at the beginning of Dark Side of The Moon (if you haven’t heard it, that means you didn’t start the album from the beginning and you should drop whatever you’re doing and do so… now) serves one purpose. To tell you, the listener, that this album exists outside the realm of sanity. I’ve listened to the incredible CD so many times, that I’m trained, in a Pavlovian style, to abandon all reason at this haunting scream. Oh the power, Oh the power.

1.  “Look Out!”- Helter Skelter by The Beatles

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Whoever classified these moptops as “Pop” should have a listen to this tune. Although, any slef-respecting classic rock aficionado doesn’t have to hear it to know exactly what I’m referring to here. It happens twice through the noise of this classic. Paul (his shout, pure rock and roll, is unmistakable), Shouts “Look Out!” to kick off the chorus. I had the pleasure of witnessing this monumental rock moment in person, at Citi Field in New York, this summer. Take my word for it, it reaffirms your decision to be a Beatles fan all on its own (not that anyone should need to reaffirm that). So, “look out” ’cause The Beatles are coming in at number 1.

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posted by Bryan Tunick in Music and have Comments (3)

3 Responses to “Top 5 Words/Phrases in Classic Rock History”

  1. Justin says:

    “All Aboard Hahaha” Ozzy Ozbourne- Crazy Train.
    “We will, we will rock you”- Queen- We Will Rock You.
    “Help”- Beatles Help
    Just a few that I think warrant mention.

  2. Sean Levinson says:

    -”Mamma Mia, Let Me Go!” would have to be my pick for number one here. I know it’s a legendary phrase because I don’t think I even have to explain what song it’s from or what band wrote it for anyone to remember these classic words. It could even be argued that these five words cemented Queen in rock and roll history books.

    No, it’s not just because of the operatic singing style, but also because of the fact that it let people know that “Bohemian Rhapsody” is such a perfectly structured song that even an abstract phrase like this, well….fits. Yes, Freddie Mercury was “as gay as a daffodil”, but, no pun intended here…who else has the balls to put something like this in a rock song?

    -Props for including some metal in there (although AC/DC hates when they get called that), but there’s another unforgettable phrase that any metal head will bring up in a list like this…and that’s the satanic chanting of “Master! Master! Master…” from Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.

    The album is old enough to be considered classic, and hearing it brings me back to a time when these kids didn’t care how evil or weird they sounded….if it was heavy, Metallica did it.

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