Blues-rock is a genre that seamlessly fuses the raw emotion and soulful essence of blues with the electrifying energy and guitar-driven sound of rock. It emerged in the late 1960s and has since produced some of the most memorable and influential songs in music history. In this article, we celebrate the power, passion, and timeless appeal of blues-rock by highlighting a selection of iconic songs that have shaped the genre and continue to captivate audiences to this day.
Top Blues – Rock Songs All Time Voted By Fans
68- A Penny and a Dead Horse – Zodiac
“A Penny and a Dead Horse” by Zodiac is indeed a rock blues song. Zodiac is a German rock band known for their blues-infused sound and classic rock influences. The track “A Penny and a Dead Horse” appears on their self-titled debut album, released in 2012.
The song embodies the essence of rock blues with its gritty guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and a driving rhythm section. It showcases Zodiac’s ability to blend elements of blues, rock, and a touch of psychedelia to create a captivating and energetic composition.
67- The Marshall Tucker Band – Everyday
“Everyday” showcases the band’s ability to blend rock and blues influences seamlessly. The song features bluesy guitar licks, soulful vocals, and a driving rhythm section, all characteristic of the rock blues genre. The expressive guitar solos, in particular, exemplify the band’s blues-inspired style and their ability to create emotive and melodic moments within the song.
66- Susan Tedeschi – Talkin’ About
“Talkin’ About” showcases Tedeschi’s powerful voice, commanding presence, and exceptional guitar skills. The song features bluesy guitar riffs, a driving rhythm section, and a catchy, energetic groove that captures the essence of rock blues.
65- Ben Harper – When It’s Good
“When It’s Good” showcases Harper’s soulful vocals, emotive lyrics, and his blues-infused guitar playing. The song features a bluesy guitar riff, a driving rhythm section, and Harper’s distinctive vocal style, which embodies the raw emotion and depth commonly associated with blues music.
64- Let’s Work Together – Canned Heat
63- Nirvana – Where Did You Sleep Last Night
62- Little Feat – A Apolitical Blues
61- One Way Out – The Allman Brothers Band
60- Black Night – Joe Bonamassa
59- Spoonful – Cream
58- Rush – Here Again
57- Tom Petty – Candy, It’s Good To Be King(Live)
56- Ride On – AC/DC
55- Janis Joplin – Work Me Lord
54- Humble Pie – Four Day Creep
53- Subterranean Homesick Blues – Bob Dylan
52- Grand Funk Railroad – Sin’s A Good Man’s Brother
51- Fleetwood Mac – Oh Well
50- Heartbreaker – Led Zeppelin
49- Pink Floyd – Pigs
48- Janis Joplin – Piece of My Heart
47- Bell-Bottom Blues – Derek and the Dominos
46- The Faces – Around The Plynth
45- Robin Trower – Too Rolling Stoned
44- Bonnie Raitt – Love Me Like A Man
43- Rory Gallagher – Loanshark Blues
42- Johnny Winter – Rollin’ And Tumblin’
41- Ron Wood – Am I Grooving You
40- The Grateful Dead – Tennessee Jed
39- Hendrix – One Rainy Wish
38- Atlanta Rhythm Section – Outside Woman Blues
37- Savoy Brown – Louisiana Blues
36- Hesitation Blues- Hot Tuna
35- Edged in Blue – Rory Gallagher
34- Let’s Work Together Canned Head
33- Delaney & Bonnie & Friends – Comin’ Home
32- rocky mountain way – joe walsh
31- In the Morning- Jefferson Airplane
30- Derek And The Dominos – Key To The Highway,
29- Back Door Man – Doors
28- Yer Blues – The Beatles
27- Oh Pretty Woman – Gary Moore
26- Love in Vain – The Rolling Stones
25- Mississippi Queen Mountain
24- Red House – Jimi Hendrix
23- Slow Ride – Kenny Wayne Shepherd
22- Crossroads – Cream
Cream’s rendition of “Crossroads,” originally written by blues legend Robert Johnson, is an electrifying blues-rock masterpiece. Eric Clapton’s blistering guitar work and fiery solos, paired with the band’s tight rhythm section, make this song a classic that showcases the fusion of blues and rock in all its glory.
21- Move It on Over – George Thorogood
20- The Pusher – Steppenwolf
19- Tush – ZZ Top
18- I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man
17- Tombstone Blues – Bob Dylan
16- Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin
15- Mississippi Kid – Lynyrd Skynyrd
14- Pride and Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan
13- Let Me Love You – Jeff Back
12- Cocaine – Eric Clapton
11- You Need Love – Muddy Waters
10- Bob Dylan – Blind Willie McTell
9- Roadhouse Blues – The Doors
8- The Yardbirds – Shape of Things
7- Stormy Monday – Allman Brothers
The Allman Brothers’ rendition of “Stormy Monday” showcases their ability to fuse blues and rock elements into a captivating performance. The song features intricate guitar work, particularly in the extended solos by Duane Allman and Dickey Betts, which highlight their blues influences and improvisational skills.
6- Still Got the Blues – Gary Moore
“Still Got the Blues” embodies the essence of blues rock with its heartfelt lyrics, soulful vocals, and passionate guitar playing. Moore’s emotional delivery and his ability to convey the pain and longing of lost love make the song deeply resonant. His guitar solos throughout the track showcase his technical prowess and his ability to infuse blues phrasing with a rock edge.
5- Cream – Sunshine of Your Love
“Sunshine of Your Love” encompasses the core elements of blues rock, with its infectious guitar riff, driving rhythm section, and soulful vocals. The song showcases Eric Clapton’s exceptional guitar skills, particularly his use of the “woman tone” achieved by playing through a wah-wah pedal and a Gibson SG. The riff, composed by bassist Jack Bruce, is instantly recognizable and has become one of the most iconic guitar riffs in rock history.
4-Led Zeppelin – Black Dog
“Black Dog” features a driving rhythm, powerful guitar riffs, and Robert Plant’s soulful vocals, all of which are characteristic of the blues rock genre. The song’s foundation is rooted in a blues-based riff played by Jimmy Page, which sets the energetic and captivating tone throughout.
3-Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
“Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” showcases Hendrix’s virtuosic guitar skills, innovative use of effects, and his ability to infuse blues elements into a rock context. The song features a blues-inspired structure, with a dominant riff and a foundation rooted in the blues pentatonic scale. Hendrix’s guitar work in the song is characterized by his expressive bends, aggressive tone, and intricate solos.
2-Stevie Ray Vaughan – Texas Flood
“Texas Flood” embodies the essence of the blues with its gritty guitar riffs, soulful solos, and Vaughan’s emotive vocals. The song showcases his masterful command of the guitar, incorporating elements of blues phrasing, dynamic control, and an unmistakable tone that pays homage to the blues legends who influenced him.
1- Eric Clapton – Layla
, Eric Clapton’s song “Layla” is often classified as a blues rock song. It was released in 1970 as part of the album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs” by Derek and the Dominos, a band formed by Eric Clapton. The song is a powerful and emotional composition that showcases Clapton’s skillful guitar playing and soulful vocals.
“Layla” incorporates blues elements, particularly in its structure and guitar-driven sound. The iconic opening guitar riff, played by Clapton, has become instantly recognizable and is often considered one of the greatest guitar riffs in rock music history. The song’s lyrics also reflect themes commonly found in blues music, focusing on unrequited love and heartbreak.