Here is the playlist.
Revolution In Black
The song is inspired by the 80s hard rock and metal movement which happened between 1983 and 1987.
The black tops with the bands logo and artwork became the norm and a badge of honor. And you needed to go to the show to get em once upon a time. And from those black tops is how the “revolution in black” title came to me.
Going into the city with mates and all of us decked out in black t shirts, black jeans and black boots or going to a concert with 20,000 other people decked out the same.
Well you can’t get any more revolutionary than that.
Cum On Feel The Noize
The message of getting wild at the rock and roll show resonated straight away. And it was universal, girls and boys, let’s get together and rock the night away.
We’re Not Gonna Take It
The film clip connected straight away. Not because my Dad was like the Dad in the film clip, but because of the rebellion and along with the “I Wanna Rock” clip, the anti-institution it showed.
Seeing other kids decked out in denim with patches from bands sown own, made me want to become a member of this club.
The message of “We’re Not Gonna Take It” is forever. It’s timeless, hence the reason why the song still resonates to this day, and why every politician under the sun wants to use it.
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
The drumming in the intro (which Lars Ulrich said was his inspiration for the “Enter Sandman” intro) along with the dirty sounding guitar riff which goes from an E, to a G and quickly back to the E, then to an A and quickly back to an E and so forth was enough to connect with me.
And those lyrics, “if you’re having trouble with the high school head, he’s giving you the blues” sealed the deal. Who didn’t have an issue with authority growing up in the 80’s. It’s much different today. I feel like kids today have more respect, and the teaching is more tolerant and not like the heavy handed obedience it was in the 80’s.
I can’t even count how many rulers the teachers broke, smashing them off our backs and hands and shoulders. Then again those wooden rules shouldn’t even carry the word wood as part of their name because they broke like corn chips in salsa.
Shout At The Devil
Nikki Sixx and the other dudes in the Crue, knew how to write good catchy songs. While the band was called satanic and what not, the song is actually shouting at the devil and not shouting with the devil. The devil in this instance is the current government and the institutions the government controls.
The simple guitar intro, with the drums and the “call to arms” shout vocals was enough to hooked me in.
Good Enough – Van Halen
“Hello Baby” and EVH kicks in with a riff that takes the riffs from Angus Young and puts them through years of steroid abuse. And the groove laid down by AVH and MA is enough to get the head nodding and the foot tapping. But the star here, is Sammy Hagar and his politcally incorrect, tongue in cheek lyrics. Basically, a fine grade piece of beef is compared to a fine woman and Sammy wants a rack of it.
Two Minutes To Midnight – Iron Maiden
I am sure that every band in the 80’s had a riff like this. It’s a universal riff. But the reason why this song is in this list is the solo section before the build-up. The mood and the emotion I feel when I hear it, I still get goose bumps to this day.
Kiss Of Death – Dokken
George Lynch had it all except a platinum band that featured his name in it. He tried it with Lynch Mob, and while the album “Wicked Sensation” was perfect for me, it didn’t go platinum like Dokken.
And for every success that Dokken achieved as a band, the further apart Don Dokken and George Lynch would drift.
The riffs in this song are amazing, bordering on speed metal and one of the big appeals of Dokken was it could cross over between pop and rock and metal with such ease. From the intro riff, the verse riff, the pre chorus riff, every single note is infectious and perfect. But the star for me is the lead break, when Lynch breaks out for almost a minute of shredalicisous scary licks.
I felt like I needed to practice more after hearing this song. It was like a no brainer.
You Got Another Thing Comin
I got into this song very late (like years after it came out) however its message was still relevant then, and now as it was when it was first released. So when you have a cool lyrical message, a solid F#m groove laid down by Tipton and Downing, a vocal line that sticks, well, you’ve got another good song coming.
Enjoy.
Free Spirits Rising 