In terms of ’80s metal classics, however, the tune is the Platonic ideal: a headbanging-worthy repeating riff, gigantic drums, a ripping solo and an indelible refrain - sing it now - " Here I am, rock you like a hurricane."Īlthough the official video is full of ’80s clichés (women dressed as animals, actual zoo animals, absurd sci-fi flourishes), the campy edge of the music never overshadows the ferocious nature of the song. "Rock You Like a Hurricane" propelled the German metal band’s Love at First Sting album into the Billboard Top 10, although the song itself only hit No. It's been championed by The Simpsons, college football teams and a Dave Eggers novel. Since its release in 1984, the Scorpions’ "‘Rock You Like a Hurricane" has become ubiquitous. The story might be slightly turbulent, but the music certainly jams.ĩ8: Scorpions, "Rock You Like a Hurricane" Livgren’s engaging storyline of a man embattled with the voices and visions in his head is driven forward by guitar riffing, organ swells and solos from nearly every member in the band. Next to some of the proggier moments on Leftoverture, "Carry On Wayward Son" feels comparatively restrained and compact, even though it stretches out across nearly five and a half minutes. Once the members heard the initial idea for "Carry On Wayward Son," they knew the songwriting gold that they had on hand and went straight into the recording studio without even pausing to rehearse the track. Luckily, guitarist Kerry Livgren was overflowing creatively with ideas and he still had one song that he hadn’t shared with the band. Taking a short breather to record what would become their fourth album, 1976's Leftoverture, frontman Steve Walsh ran into writer’s block. Like many groups in the time period, Kansas toured and recorded relentlessly, supporting three albums that sold modestly despite their growing live following. The now-familiar a capella intro for "Carry On Wayward Son" was the sonic hook that would help Kansas score their first major hit, a feat that was a long time coming for the band. We're guessing record sales from this song have paid for that ticket many times over by now. "I Can't Drive 55," as Hagar has explained many times, was inspired by a real-life incident that found him pulled over for doing 62 late at night on an empty highway in upstate New York. This new level of fame also paved the way for him to join Van Halen in 1985. We're not saying Hagar was directly responsible for the late-'80s national law changes that allowed states to once again set speed limits higher than 55, but it certainly couldn't have hurt. Nearly a decade of constant touring and increasing record sales – remember "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy?" – had already established Hagar as a rock star prior to the release of his 1984 VOA album.īut the Red Rocker really hit a nerve with the message of the record's first single, which – aided by a truly entertaining video – quickly made him a household name and bona-fide arena headliner. Who better to get our Top 100 Classic Rock Songs list off to a fast start than Sammy Hagar and his anti-speed limit anthem, "I Can't Drive 55?"
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