It’s been 42 years since Thin Lizzy released ‘Boys Are Back in Town’ and as songs go, this is dad music at its finest. Dad music or the better-known term ‘dad rock’ has a distinctive sound but defining it isn’t easy. Whilst there is no straightforward explanation, it is typically tied to classic rock hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s, with dad vibes coming through Steely Dan, Queen and AC/DC.
Dad rock is one of those ‘once you hear it, you’ll know it’ genres; the bass guitar takes centre stage, along with the heavy drum beat and a strong hook. The lyrics, in most instances, are filled with masculine-themed, edgy lyrics instead of soft, romanticised vocals. However, the music wasn’t necessarily hardcore rock ‘n’ roll, in fact, they were well-constructed songs.
The music originated from America and the UK and was, typically, enjoyed by the baby boomers through to Generation X, wearing Levi’s 501 Originals, rocking hairstyles inspired by Led Zeppelin or Whitesnake and was an ambitious petrol head. Think Jeremey Clarkson in his Top Gear heyday.
In honour of dad rockers everywhere, Hey Music has put together 75 ultimate dad tunes.
- ‘A Horse With No Name’ – America ‘
- Ace Of Spades’ – Motorhead
- ‘Africa’ – Toto
- ‘All Right Now’ – Free
- ‘All The Young Dudes’ – Mott The Hoople
- ‘American Pie’ – Don McLean
- ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ – Queen
- ‘Baba O’Riley’ – The Who
- ‘Black Magic Woman’ – Santana
- ‘Born In The USA’ – Bruce Springsteen
- ‘Born to Run’ – Bruce Springsteen
- ‘Boys Are Back In Town’ – Thin Lizzy
- ‘Broken Wings’ – Mr. Mister
- ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ – Van Morrison
- ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ – Ugly Kid Joe
- ‘Chelsea Dagger’ – The Fratellis
- ‘Crazy Crazy Night’ – Kiss
- ‘Crazy On You’ – Heart
- ‘Delta Lady’ – Joe Cocker
- ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ – Simple Minds
- ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
- ‘Down Under’ – Men At Work
- ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ – Survivor
- ‘Fight For Your Right’ – Beastie Boys
- ‘Foxy Lady’ – Jimi Hendrix
- ‘Free Bird’ – Lynyrd Skynyrd
- ‘Go Your Own Way’ – Fleetwood Mac
- ‘In The Air Tonight’ – Phil Collins
- ‘Johnny B. Goode’ – Chuck Berry
- ‘Kashmir’ – Led Zeppelin
- ‘LA Woman’ – The Doors
- ‘Layla’ – Derek and the Dominos
- ‘Live And Let Die’ – Paul McCartney & Wings
- ‘Lola’ – The Kinks
- ‘London Calling’ – The Clash
- ‘Love Is The Drug’ – Roxy Music
- ‘Lust For Life’ – Iggy Pop
- ‘Maggie May’ – Rod Stewart
- ‘Money For Nothing’ – Dire Straits
- ‘More Than A Feeling’ – Boston
- ‘Mr Blue Sky’ – Electric Light Orchestra
- ‘Oh Well’ – Fleetwood Mac
- ‘Paranoid’ – Black Sabbath
- ‘Pinball Wizard’ – The Who
- ‘Pride (In The Name Of Love)’ – U2
- ‘Rebel Rebel’ – David Bowie
- ‘Reelin’ In The Years’ – Steely Dan
- ‘Rock And Roll’ – Led Zeppelin
- ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’ – Status Quo
- ‘Rockin In The Free World’ – Neil Young
- ‘School’s Out’ – Alice Cooper
- ‘Seven Nation Army’ – The White Stripes
- ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ – Pink Floyd
- ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’ – The Clash
- ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ – Rainbow
- ‘Smoke On The Water’ – Deep Purple
- ‘Stay With Me’ – The Faces
- ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ – Stealers Wheel
- ‘Sultans Of Swing’ – Dire Straits
- ‘Summer of 69’ – Bryan Adams
- ‘Sweet Child Of Mine’ – Guns & Roses
- ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ – The Rolling Stones
- ‘Take It Easy’ – The Eagles
- ‘Teenage Kicks’ – The Undertones
- ‘The Joker’ – Steve Miller Band
- ‘Two Princes’ – Spin Doctors
- ‘Under Pressure’ – David Bowie & Queen
- ‘Up The Junction’ – Squeeze
- ‘Walk On The Wild Side’ – Lou Reed
- ‘Walk This Way’ – Aerosmith/Run DMC
- ‘We Will Rock You’ – Queen
- ‘Werewolves Of London’ – Warren Zevon
- ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’ – U2
- ‘Wild Thing’ – The Troggs
- ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ – AC/DC