Van Halen’s “Eruption” is a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen. This is the only song on this list that doesn’t have lyrics. I have never heard it referred to as a great rock n roll song before, however, if you have ever shopped in a Guitar Center you would think otherwise. This is one of the top songs that people love to show off with. No one comes close.

What makes this so great? Listen to all the crazy tones that come from the one guitar. Note the non-standard methods Van Halen uses to get sound out of the guitar: the tapping. That was simply not done before. Notice how the song sounds like a cello at times as he uses the volume knob; the non-standard use of harmonics.  We feel that any sound that Eddie can imagine he can create.

“Eruption” sounds like it could have been made into three separate songs. One of the biggest problems with Van Halen was that Eddie was a huge talent but he wasn’t a lyrics guy and wasn’t a singer.  And he was also a pain in the ass to deal with.

Perhaps a solo guitar piece where Eddie doesn’t have to rely on others is the best way to represent Van Halen’s enormous contribution to rock n roll. The only downside is that David Lee Roth is a huge talent too, but alas, none of his songs made the list.

Don’t let the past remind us of what we are not now.

“Suite Judy Blue Eyes” was primarily written by Stills about the ending of his relationship with Judy Collins. The song appears to be a last hail Mary to save the relationship. He expresses that without her he is no fun and he doesn’t recognize himself. He is lonely and suffering. He wants to speak plainly. Why can’t they go away and just be together, alone?

This song is unique because it sounds like three good songs could have been made from this one song. Instead, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young chose to combine the disparate pieces to make one great song. This has only happened a couple times in the history of rock. Two others that come to mind are A Day in the Life by The Beatles and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. So, there are not many songs like this.

Like all CSNY songs, “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” delivers the great harmonies and great guitar work. This is perhaps their most intricate song. There is a lot of experimentation here: there is the combining of the three melodies into one song, the long song length, the Spanish Lyrics, the harmonics on guitar, long solo…Even with all this it was a radio hit.

Suite Judy Blue Eyes Lyrics
It’s getting to the point where I’m no fun anymore
I am sorry
Sometimes it hurts so badly, I must cry out loud
“I am lonely”

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
You make it hard

Remember what we’ve said and done and felt about each other
Oh babe, have mercy
Don’t let the past remind us of what we are not now
I am not dreaming

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
You make it hard

Tearing yourself away from me now–you are free
And I am crying
This does not mean I don’t love you–I do, that’s forever
Yes and for always

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
You make it hard

Something inside is telling me that I’ve got your secret
Are you still listening?
Fear is the lock and laughter the key to your heart
And I love you

I am yours, you are mine
You are what you are
And you make it hard
And you make it hard
And you make it hard
And you make it hard

Friday evening, Sunday in the afternoon
What have you got to lose?
Tuesday morning, please be gone, I’m tired of you
What have you got to lose?

Can I tell it like it is? (help me, I’m suffering)
Listen to me, baby
It’s my heart that’s suffering, it’s a-dying (help me, I’m suffering)
And that’s what I have to lose

I’ve got an answer
I’m going to fly away
What have I got to lose?
Will you come see me Thursdays and Saturdays?
What have you got to lose?

Chestnut brown canary
Ruby throated sparrow
Sing a song, don’t be long
Thrill me to the marrow
Voices of the angels
Ring around the moonlight
Asking me, said she’s so free
How can you catch the sparrow?
Lacy, lilting lyrics
Losing love, lamenting
Change my life, make it right
Be my lady
written by Stephen Stills

The yellow jester does not play…
In the court of the Crimson King.

King Crimson’s “Court of the Crimson King” was never on the radio, and that is unfortunate. This song is amazing. It is only slightly more out there than Stairway to Heaven, Good Vibrations, or Like a Rolling Stone and about the same length.

The song would make for a great music video where the lyrics were animated literally. Imagine some sort of medieval play being reenacted. It is something like a cross between Alice and Wonderland and Dante’s Inferno.

It is difficult to say if there is some underlying symbolism in the lyrics. If there is supposed to be one, it is two layers too removed for my taste. Anyways, it works as it is. The imagery of a guy wandering around and seeing crazy things works great.

Court Of The Crimson King Lyrics

The rusted chains of prison moons
Are shattered by the sun
I walk a road horizons change
The tournament’s begun
The purple piper plays his tune
The choir softly sing
Three lullabies in an ancient tongue
For the court of the crimson king

The keeper of the city keys
Puts shutters on the dreams
I wait outside the pilgrim’s door
With insufficient schemes
The black queen chants the funeral march
The cracked brass bells will ring
To summon back the fire witch
To the court of the crimson king

The gardener plants an evergreen
Whilst trampling on a flower
I chase the wind of a prism ship
To taste the sweet and sour
The pattern juggler lifts his hand
The orchestra begin
As slowly turns the grinding wheel
In the court of the crimson king

On soft grey mornings widows cry
The wise men share a joke
I run to grasp divining signs
To satisfy the hoax
The yellow jester does not play
But gently pulls the strings
And smiles as the puppets dance
In the court of the crimson king

written by Ian McDonald of King Crimson