15 of the Greatest Rock Anthems Ever Produced

All rock anthems are not created equal.

Some anthems leave audiences pumping their fists in the air, demanding more from the minute the first note plays until the minute the last one resonates. The love for that anthem surpasses time, changing musical tastes and even generations. These rock tunes have also stood the test of time and crossed cultural boundaries by delighting audiences all over the world.

In that spirit, this list of 15 of the greatest rock anthems ever produced will leave audiences on their feet, lighters aflame, and begging for more. Turn it up to 11 and blast!

1. “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions” by Queen

In 1977, Queen released the News of the World EP. The album contained the anthemic stomp-stomp-clap of “We Will Rock You” which seamlessly blended into “We Are The Champions.”

Nearly 50 years later, everything from sports arenas to Sweet 16s has recognized the song from the first stomp to the last wail of Sir Brian May’s guitar.

2. “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf

Originally entering the pop culture zeitgeist thanks to its use on the soundtrack for Easy Rider, “Born To Be Wild” was Steppenwolf’s biggest hit and became popular in the burgeoning biker scene.

Some critics even claim that “Born To Be Wild” is the first heavy metal song, in part because of the lyrics, “I like smokin’ lightnin’/heavy metal thunder.”

3. “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Anyone who has ever been to a bar at any point in their life has come across someone who stumbles around, screaming, “Play some Skynyrd!” at the band, the DJ, or even the jukebox.

The chances are high that said barfly petitions for “Free Bird,” the nearly ten-minute anthem that’s become synonymous with the Florida natives.

4. “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen

Few songs have been wholly misinterpreted more than Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 anthem, “Born in the USA.”

Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign used the tune as a theme, much to the ire of Springsteen, who despised Reagan’s policies. The Gipper, clearly, didn’t understand that The Boss protested America’s treatment of army veterans after the Vietnam War.

5. “Alive” by Pearl Jam

Eddie Vedder’s song about discovering the truth of his biological lineage has become the ultimate Gen X stadium anthem.

Rare is the Pearl Jam show, today, that doesn’t feature a performance of the super-smash 1991 single from the band’s groundbreaking Ten album, with the audience singing along to the chorus of “I, oh, I’m still alive.”

6. “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix

One of the most famous guitar riffs of all time comes courtesy of the other-worldly Jimi Hendrix and his song, “Purple Haze.”

The late, great guitar virtuoso mixed elements of psychedelic punk, crunchy Delta blues, and acid rock while wailing about pardoning himself as he kissed the sky.

7. “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd

“If you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?”

While just about every Pink Floyd fan screams along with the bridge, “Hey! Teacher! Leave those kids alone!,” few realize that “Another Brick in the Wall” protested excoriated British boarding schools for their use of corporal punishment.

8. “Rockin’ in the Free World” by Neil Young

Another oft-misunderstood song comes courtesy of the “Godfather of Grunge,” Neil Young. He penned “Rockin’ in the Free World” as an indictment of then-President George H.W. Bush’s domestic policies (particularly the jingoistic “Thousand Points of Light” political catchphrase).

Donald Trump, apparently, didn’t get the memo — which earned him a lawsuit from Young’s attorneys.

9. “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi

The trials and travails of the fictional New Jersey middle-class couple Tommy and Gina have become Bon Jovi’s best-known hit. Bon Jovi released “Livin’ on a Prayer” in 1986, and it remains a popular bar sing-along in the 21st century.

A little-known acoustic version of the song, released in 1992, more effectively drives home the original message.

10. “The Boys Are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy didn’t achieve as much success on American shores as they did in the UK, but their influence on today’s popular music no one can deny.

“The Boys Are Back In Town” reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts after its release in 1976. It is, perhaps, Thin Lizzy’s best-known track from their album, Jailbreak.

11. “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts kept folks stomping and moshing along with their post-punk anthem “Bad Reputation.”

Jett originally wrote the song as a defiant message to the 23 record labels that rejected her solo work before Blackheart Records picked it up. Now, Folgers coffee commercials feature the song.

12. “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath

Despite its use in the Marvel mega-blockbuster of the same name, “Iron Man” — released in 1970 — does not pay musical tribute Tony Stark’s alter ego.

“Iron Man,” according to Black Sabbath bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler, tells an allegory for Jesus Christ, and the story of a prophet who witnesses the impending apocalypse while seeking vengeance on his doubters and tormentors.

13. “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple

With its iconic guitar riff and disturbing lyrics, “Smoke on the Water” remains Deep Purple’s best-known song. However, few fans know that the band based the song on the true story of the 1971 Montreux Casino fire in Switzerland, which Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention started by lighting a flare gun.

The incident was, in fact, directly addressed in the song: “Frank Zappa & the Mothers were at the best place around/But some stupid with a flare gun burned the place to the ground/Smoke on the water, a fire in the sky.”

14. “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister

Another rock anthem shamelessly co-opted by Donald Trump, Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” sings of lead singer Dee Snider’s contempt for “the system” and the teenage propensity to rail against it.

Interestingly, however, Snider was okay with Trump using the song, as the two were friends—but Snider later changed his mind, claiming he didn’t want his fans thinking he endorsed Trump or his policies.

15. “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” by Santana

Peter Green, one of the founding members of Fleetwood Mac, originally penned “Black Magic Woman” and recorded and released the song in 1968 (before Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham joined the band).

Two years later, Santana re-recorded the track, added the Latin-tinged jam session “Gypsy Queen” at the end of it, and shot to the top of the charts. “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” remained Santana’s sole chart-topping hit until 1999, when “Smooth” (featuring Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas on vocals) dropped.