Rock music has evolved considerably since its origins in the early half of the 20th century, passing through numerous stages and incorporating various influences along the way.
The evolution of rock music continues to this day, with many new sub-genres and styles constantly emerging. It’s also worth noting that these categories often overlap and many bands could fit into multiple categories. The labels are just a way to understand the general trends in rock’s evolution.
Best Rock Songs by Year
1955: “Rock Around the Clock” – Bill Haley & His Comets
1956: “Heartbreak Hotel” – Elvis Presley
1957: “Jailhouse Rock” – Elvis Presley
1958: “Johnny B. Goode” – Chuck Berry
1959: “What’d I Say” – Ray Charles
1960: “I Walk the Line” – Johnny Cash
1961: “Stand By Me” – Ben E. King
1962: “Green Onions” – Booker T. & the M.G.’s
1963: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – The Beatles
1964: “House of the Rising Sun” – The Animals
1965: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones
1966: “Good Vibrations” – The Beach Boys
1967: “All You Need Is Love” – The Beatles
1968: “Hey Jude” – The Beatles
1969: “Whole Lotta Love” – Led Zeppelin
1970: “Let It Be” – The Beatles
1971: “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
1972: “Smoke on the Water” – Deep Purple
1973: “Money” – Pink Floyd
1974: “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
1975: “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
1976: “Hotel California” – Eagles
1977: “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions” – Queen
1978: “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits
1979: “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
1980: “Back in Black” – AC/DC
1981: “Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey
1982: “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
1983: “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
1984: “Jump” – Van Halen
1985: “Money for Nothing” – Dire Straits
1986: “Livin’ On A Prayer” – Bon Jovi
1987: “Sweet Child o’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses
1988: “One” – Metallica
1989: “Love Shack” – The B-52’s
1990: “Thunderstruck” – AC/DC
1991: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana
1992: “November Rain” – Guns N’ Roses
1993: “Creep” – Radiohead
1994: “Black Hole Sun” – Soundgarden
1995: “Wonderwall” – Oasis
1996: “1979” – The Smashing Pumpkins
1997: “Bitter Sweet Symphony” – The Verve
1998: “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)” – The Offspring
1999: “Learn to Fly” – Foo Fighters
2000: “Last Resort” – Papa Roach
2001: “How You Remind Me” – Nickelback
2002: “The Middle” – Jimmy Eat World
2003: “Seven Nation Army” – The White Stripes
2004: “American Idiot” – Green Day
2005: “Best of You” – Foo Fighters
2006: “Dani California” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
2007: “Icky Thump” – The White Stripes
2008: “Sex on Fire” – Kings of Leon
2009: “21 Guns” – Green Day
2010: “Radioactive” – Kings of Leon
2011: “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele (This song blends pop and rock elements)
2012: “Lonely Boy” – The Black Keys
2013: “Do I Wanna Know?” – Arctic Monkeys
2014: “R U Mine?” – Arctic Monkeys
2015: “Believe” – Mumford & Sons
2016: “Burn the Witch” – Radiohead
2017: “Run” – Foo Fighters
2018: “Four Out of Five” – Arctic Monkeys
2019: “Harmony Hall” – Vampire Weekend
2020: “Shame Shame” – Foo Fighters
2021: “Greta Van Fleet” – My Way, Soon
2022: “Won’t Stand Down” – Muse
2023: “Lost” – Linkin Park
List of 31 Rock Genres With Brief Explanations
