The golden era of classic rock is some span of years that begins in the 1960s and runs through the 1970s. But that doesn’t mean that’s the only time period when the sounds that made the genre so important were flourishing. The 1980s, 1990s, and even later all include moments when music boasted that big, buzzy guitar sound, swelling vocals and skeleton-shaking drums.
Here below, we wanted to explore three modern songs that could easily pass for classic rock tracks. Three tunes that if they happened to land on your favorite classic rock radio station you wouldn’t skip a beat or bat an eyelash—though you might continue your head-banging. Indeed, these are three modern tracks that could easily pass for classic rock.
[RELATED: No Skips: 4 Classic Rock Albums You’ll Never Have to Fast-Forward]
“A Symptom Of Being Human” by Shinedown from Planet Zero (2022)
For the Jacksonville, Florida-born band, their 2022 album Planet Zero was a breakout hit. Featuring crashing guitars and big, mountainous rhythms, the album proved the group is a mainstay in modern rock and roll. But part of their appeal is they connect way back to the roots of classic rock, too. And this acoustic-driven song, which crescendos into a swelling chorus, shows just why. The song, which is about the mysteries of the mind and consequences of being human, will be played on classic radio in decades to come. And on it, lead singer Brent Smith offers,
Sometimes I’m in a room where I don’t belong
And the house is on fire and there’s no alarm
And the walls are melting too
How about you?
I’ve never been the favorite, thought I’d seen it all
‘Til I got my invitation to the lunatic ball
And my friends are comin’ too
How about you?
Don’t worry, it’s all just a symptom of being human
“Take Me Away” by Ayron Jones from Child of the State (2021)
When you’re from Seattle and can play guitar like Ayron Jones can, the comparisons to Jimi Hendrix are bound to come. But Jones has established himself as his own man. To date, Jones boasts several Billboard No. 1 rock hits on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. And this song from his 2021 LP Child of the State shows he is one of rock’s rising stars. But he is no shooting star. His light will remain in the rock universe for decades to come. And on this track, he sings,
The day my
The day my f—–g mom abandoned me
Was the day I learned to lie
She kissed my face and said she’d be right back
Before she walked away and cried
So take me away (take me away)
Take me away
From this lonesome place
From this lonesome place
“Heat Above” by Greta Van Fleet from The Battle at Garden’s Gate (2021)
This group sounds so much like a classic rock band that some even use it as a criticism. But to that we say pssshaw! Either you enjoy great rock and roll or you don’t and Greta Van Fleet is great rock and roll. With soaring vocals, big wave-splash guitars, and rhythms that rattle your inner gears, the Michigan-born rocking family band is elite. And this song from their 2021 LP displays all that. On the track, which is about the power of love in the face of mortality, lead singer Joshua Kiszka offers,
Can you feel my love?
Rising with the heat above
Life’s the story of
Ascending to the stars as one
Marching across the land
Is a peaceful army joining the band
Walking hand in hand
To an anthem loudly sung where they stand
Can you hear that dreadful sound?
Fire still burning on the ground
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Photo by Neil Krug, Courtesy of Republic Records
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