This year marks the 45th anniversary of Motley Crue (who formed in Hollywood, Calif. in 1981). To commemorate the occasion, Motley Crue and founding bassist Nikki Sixx have shared a heartfelt reflections on the band’s early days (including Sixx humbly reminding his followers that “we all start somewhere”).

What Did Motley Crue Say About Their Anniversary?

Yesterday (Jan. 17), Motley Crue’s social media accounts shared a collage of clips to celebrate the group’s history (with their cover of the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” from 1983’s Shout at the Devil as the soundtrack).

Alongside it, they wrote:

NOW LISTEN UP!

It was January 17th, 1981 when Nikki first jammed with [drummer] Tommy [Lee]. Soon after, [guitarist] Mick Mars and [singer] Vince Neil joined and the rest, as they say, is history…

In “Kickstart My Heart” the lyrics say, “When we started this band / All we needed was a laugh / Years gone by, I’d say we’ve kicked some ass.”

The fans were always right by our side. We don’t know where all of the years went. It went by in a flash. What we can’t forget though, are the four and a half decades of fans who have counted themselves as CRÜEHEADS, supporting us through it all.

To all those Crüeheads, we are in debt and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Happy 45th Birthday to us!

You can see Motley Crue’s post below:

What Did Sixx Say About Motley Crue?

Sixx also took to social media yesterday to post a “Motley Crue 45” logo alongside an in-depth and endearing tale of Motley Crue’s earliest days.

“As time rolls on, you forget the little things—the small, throwaway moments that years later turn out to be the birth of something that changes you… and a lot of other people’s lives,” he began, adding:

Back then, I was pretty much living in a dilapidated house just off Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood. Falling apart. Barely hanging on.
Worth noting, though—it did have a waterbed and an old rotary Bakelite phone ,So yeah, we were doing just fine.

That was the house where I showed a 17-year-old Tommy Lee a pile of songs that would later end up on our debut album [1981’s ‘Too Fast for Love’]. It’s where we first met Mick Mars. It’s where we dreamed, jammed, argued, laughed, and tried to turn noise, attitude, and fun into something you could actually explain.

We rehearsed like madmen. Burned through a few singers before we finally met Vince Neil.

From there, Sixx describes the band as “four broke, ratty kids with nothing but ideas and nerve” and mentions that said is where “the name Mötley Crüe was born” in addition to “about a million other stories that probably shouldn’t be told in polite company.”

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He continued: “The bottom line is this: we all start somewhere. And most of the time, we have no clue what’s about to come out of those first moments. In that house, Mötley Crüe was born 45 years ago. I hope you’ve enjoyed the ride as much as we have. Proud to be part of this band.”

Endearingly, Sixx also thanked “Vince, Tommy, and Mick for decades of loud, dangerous, honest music,” clarifying that he continues to look back on the absolute “creative freedom” they had in having “the balls at that age to play and say” what they did without ever being questioned.

Finally, Sixx concluded: “Thank you. And God bless the Children of the Beast.”

You can see Sixx’s post below:

As time rolls on, you forget the little things—the small, throwaway moments that years later turn out to be the birth of something that changes you… and a lot of other people’s lives.

Back then, I was pretty much living in a dilapidated house just off Lankershim Boulevard in… pic.twitter.com/prjuTbPntM

— 📷 (@NikkiSixx) January 17, 2026

READ MORE: The Best Ballad by 15 Bands of the Hair Metal Era

Fans’ Responses to Motley Crue + Sixx

Given that the people who follow Motley Crue and Sixx probably love the band, it’s no shock that they replied to those posts with similar admiration and fond memories.

Regarding the band’s post, one person asked, “Why is this not a national holiday?!? Guess I’ll have to watch The Dirt again tonight!” Likewise, another follower cheered: “First time hearing your music I was in 7th grade – now I’m almost 55! Where did our years ago! Still crank you up when I hear your music come on in the car”

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One person even rejoiced:

I knew the backstory on the band, but I had no idea that we shared the same birthday! How cool is that? I grew up listening to these guys. They were an important part of my youth. They paved the way for numerous other bands. And they did it their way. Thank you guys…..you’ll always be my #1 band.

Of course, Sixx’s statement was met with equal enthusiasm.

“That just made me feel old!” one person confessed, adding: “Been a fan since the beginning and taught my kids all about good music from the start. You inspired them to play the guitar. Your one of my favorite from just a girl from Idaho!”

Later, someone else said: “Reading this post fills us with reflection, emotion, pride, and apprehension about what the future holds. Many fans are wondering what will happen next. Thank you for every work you’ve created, showing us a part of yourselves. Your music will forever remain in our thoughts.”

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Elsewhere, speculated: “Out of curiosity, what would 1986’s Nikki Sixx say to 2026’s Nikki Sixx? Would they like each other?”

The love shown by – and to – Motley Crue and Nikki Sixx is certainly justified, as the quartet are easily among the biggest rock and metal bands of all time.

Back in 2017, for instance, Motley Crue topped Loudwire’s list of the 10 Greatest Hair Metal Bands due largely to their best record – Shout at the Devil – plus other standouts such as Too Fast for Love,1987’s Girls, Girls, Girls and 1989’s Dr. Feelgood (which remains their best-selling album).

Other Motley Crue News

Earlier this month, Loudwire reported on Falling in Reverse’s Ronnie Radke responding to Tommy Lee calling him an “idiot” in response to “the ongoing drama between [Radke] and the drummer’s wife, Brittany Furlan.”

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In a nutshell, and as Loudwire wrote, Furlan “rehashed her 2025 catfish scandal with a Radke impersonator . . . after she shared a series of posts on her Instagram story alleging the Falling in Reverse frontman created fake social media accounts to troll her.” This led Radke to not only reply to her claims but also “reportedly [try] to file a temporary restraining order against her in Los Angeles as a result.” However, “the court denied his request [via People].”

During a brief chat with TMZ, Radke then stated:

Well Tommy, I have a bunch of fans too. They send me stuff and they sent me [Furlan] bringing it up again and saying that I have all these different phone numbers. I have to respond to that. I don’t want all these people thinking that it’s me! I don’t understand, it’s like I’m taking crazy pills at this point. . . . I’m gonna literally email all the metadata to Tommy Lee so he can go over it and he can look at it all. And you know what? If you find anything weird, post it. I implore all of you to post it all.

Days later, Catfish host/producer Nev Schulman entered the arena by suggesting that – as Loudwire put it – “if Radke was completely innocent, he could have discussed it with Brittany and Tommy Lee privately rather than blasting it on social media and offered to help find out who’s been making the fake social media accounts.”

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Last week, Loudwire also published a story about Furlan allegedly filing a restraining order against Radke for harassment. Among other things, Furlan “claimed that Radke begged her to leave Tommy Lee and that the singer stood her up at his house after they made plans to meet up, according to the [TMZ] report.”

While that situation continues to unfold, though, Motley Crue are preparing for their 2026 North American tour (during which they’ll celebrate their 45th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of their Carnival of Sins tour). They’ll be joined by Tesla and Extreme, and they’ll be appearing across the country between the middle of July and the end of September.

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You can check out all the upcoming dates and grab tickets here.

Vinyl Records

Motley Crue – Theatre Of Pain

Regular price $28.33
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So, what do you think of Motley Crue and Sixx’s posts? Do you have any fond memories of Motley Crue? Let us know!

Best Rock Song of Each Year Since 1970

Rock will always continue to roll.

Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire

led zeppelin, immigrant song

Atlantic Records

1970: Led Zeppelin, “Immigrant Song”

It’s rare that a song pulls you in immediately from its opening notes, but the pure power of Jimmy Page’s guitar, John Bonham’s driving drumming and Robert Plant’s primal howl make your ears perk up immediately.

The song was written during a trip to Iceland as part of a governmental cultural mission and conjures up images of Norse mythology.

“Immigrant Song” has remained a pop culture staple over the years, having appeared in the films School of Rock, Shrek: The Third and Thor: Ragnarok, while a cover of the song was part of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo soundtrack.

Runners-Up – Mountain, “Mississippi Queen,” The Guess Who, “American Woman” and Neil Young, “Cinnamon Girl”

LISTEN HERE

led zeppelin, stairway to heaven

Atlantic Records

1971: Led Zeppelin, “Stairway to Heaven”

If ever there was a staple of classic rock radio, this Led Zeppelin jam was it. Clocking in at just over eight minutes, this epic gave you a bit of everything.

“Stairway” begins with a solemn acoustic open, then slowly builds to add electric instrumentation and a quicker pace in the middle before coming to a fiery conclusion complete with wailing guitar and heavy John Bonham drum fills. Robert Plant then pulls things back to its soulful a capella final line.

Runners-Up – T. Rex, “Get It On (Bang a Gong),” The Rolling Stones, “Brown Sugar” and The Who, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”

LISTEN HERE

alice cooper, schools out

Warner Bros.

1972: Alice Cooper, “School’s Out”

What better way to serve up a teen anthem than to write about one of the moments that kids everywhere long for.

The riff for Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” is a classic, with the vocalist belting about the end of the school year, and in this case, the end of school altogether.

Add in lyrics based around a familiar nursery rhyme and it’s musical gold.

Runners-Up – Eagles, “Take It Easy,” Derek and the Dominoes, “Layla” and Neil Young, “Heart of Gold”

LISTEN HERE

zz top, la grange

London

1973: ZZ Top, “La Grange”

ZZ Top had toes tapping in 1973 with the John Lee Hooker-esque boogie blues of “La Grange” off their Tres Hombres album.

If you listen closely to Billy Gibbons’ mumbled lyrics, the song is about a brothel on the outskirts of a Texas town. Have mercy! It’s become one of their signature songs.

Runners-Up – Deep Purple, “Smoke on the Water,” Grand Funk Railroad, “We’re an American Band” and Paul McCartney and Wings, “Live and Let Die.”

LISTEN HERE

lynyrd skynyrd, sweet home alabama

MCA

1974: Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Sweet Home Alabama”

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Southern Rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama” stirred up its fair share of controversy upon its release, calling out singer Neil Young in the lyrics and offering commentary on Gov. George Wallace.

But the song endured the test of time with an infinitely catchy guitar hook and powerful sing-along backing vocals from Merry Clayton and Clydie King.

This gold-selling single also is the band’s highest charting song coming in at No. 8 on the Hot 100 chart.

Runners-Up – Queen, “Killer Queen,”  Golden Earring, “Radar Love” and Paul McCartney and Wings, “Band on the Run”

LISTEN HERE

queen, bohemian rhapsody

Elektra

1975: Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Who could’ve predicted this? Not only the song length but its style seemingly worked against “Bohemian Rhapsody” ever having a chance upon its creation.

But once radio got involved, this bizarre, operatic tale of a lost soul impacted by tragedy found its audience.

The track is essentially three songs in one — opening as a piano ballad, dropping into an operatic mid section and then climaxing with a hard rocking finale.

Upon its initial release, it peaked at No. 9, but got a second shot in the ‘90s thanks to Wayne’s World and climbed all the way to No. 2 on the charts. It’s one of the rare singles to ever achieve Diamond-selling status in the U.S.

Runners-Up – Aerosmith, “Sweet Emotion,”  KISS, “Rock and Roll All Nite” and Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”

LISTEN HERE

aerosmith, dream on

Columbia Records

1976: Aerosmith, “Dream On”

Not every song is an overnight success. Take for instance Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” which was first released on their 1973 self-titled debut album, climbing only to No. 59.

But as Aerosmith started to build their fanbase a little more, they decided to re-issue the song in early 1976. This time they watched “Dream On” become their first Top 10 hit, climbing all the way to No. 6.

In a somewhat meta moment, the song is reflective of past failures, but champions the idea of persistence while you “dream until your dreams come true.”

Runners-Up – Blue Oyster Cult, “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” Kansas, “Carry on Wayward Son” and Heart, “Magic Man”

LISTEN HERE

eagles, hotel california

Asylum

1977: Eagles, “Hotel California”

Here’s the ‘70s quintessential story song! The Eagles’ epic “Hotel California” was inspired by the band’s own hedonistic experiences hanging out at the Beverly Hills Hotel and describing that period as a loss of innocence.

The band attempted to write a cinematic tale reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode, and the end result is “Hotel California,” which comes to its conclusion with an iconic dueling guitar solo between Don Felder and Joe Walsh.

Runners-Up – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “American Girl,”  Fleetwood Mac, “The Chain,” and Queen’s “We Will Rock You / We Are the Champions”

LISTEN HERE

van halen, runnin with the devil

Warner Bros.

1978: Van Halen, “Runnin’ With the Devil”

Van Halen got off to an impressive start, even if it took radio a bit to catch up with them. “Runnin’ With the Devil” wasn’t a major hit upon its release, but it has become a classic rock radio staple over time.

Car horns give way to Michael Anthony’s bass and a steady Alex Van Halen beat as singer David Lee Roth sings about the “simple life” not being what it often seems to appear.

Eddie Van Halen also gets to show his prowess with a guitar solo midway into the song. This would be one of the first of the band’s many classic tracks.

Runners-Up – Meat Loaf, “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” The Police, “Roxanne,” and Electric Light Orchestra, “Mr. Blue Sky”

LISTEN HERE

ac/dc, highway to hell

Atlantic Records

1979: AC/DC, “Highway to Hell”

“Highway To Hell” from the album of the same name is a brilliant vocal showcase for the late, great Bon Scott. The singer’s growling vocal delivery perfectly compliments the steady beat and raw guitar riffing throughout the song. It’s a definite foot-stomping anthem.

Runners-Up – The Clash, “London Calling,” Pink Floyd, “Another Brick in the Wall” and The Knack, “My Sharona”

LISTEN HERE

pat benatar, hit me with your best shot

Chrysalis

1980: Pat Benatar, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”

Need an empowering, motivational song? Pat Benatar had just the thing for you back in 1980 with “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”

Within the lyrics, Benatar calls out a romantic partner known for breaking hearts to put them to the test, but the defiant message can apply to just about anything with a challenge.

We soon saw this as the song was adopted as a sports anthem as well. It peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and has become one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s signature songs.

Runners-Up – AC/DC, “You Shook Me All Night Long,” Queen, “Another One Bites the Dust” and Loverboy, “Turn Me Loose”

LISTEN HERE

ac/dc, back in black

Atlantic Records

1981: AC/DC, “Back in Black”

The perfect layout of the catchy drumbeat and signature AC/DC riffs helped make AC/DC’s Back in Black title track an instant classic.

New singer Brian Johnson’s raw and pushed to the pedal vocals, much like the song, announced his presence with authority.

As a single, “Back in Black” has been certified triple platinum, going on to become a classic rock radio staple in the years to follow.

Runners-Up – Rolling Stones, “Start Me Up,” Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, “Bad Reputation” and Phil Collins, “In the Air Tonight”

LISTEN HERE

journey, dont stop believin

Columbia

1982: Journey, “Don’t Stop Believin’”

You want hopes and dreams? Perhaps no song in rock history portrays that as well as Journey’s 1982 single “Don’t Stop Believin’” from their Escape album that was issued the year prior.

Jonathan Cain’s keyboards set the base, Steve Perry’s powerful vocals tell the tale and Neal Schon’s guitar work gives it that topper that makes this an instant classic, one that’s spurred many a stadium sing-along or karaoke night features for years to come.

Go ahead, you know you want to raise your fist to the sky.

Runners-Up – The Clash, “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” Stevie Nicks, “Edge of Seventeen” and Joan Jett, “I Love Rock and Roll”

LISTEN HERE

van halen, jump

Warner Bros.

1983: Van Halen, “Jump”

A Van Halen song led by synths?! It’s true, as Eddie Van Halen created what became one of the more recognizable synth parts in rock history with “Jump,” the lead single from the band’s 1984 album.

The corresponding video dominated MTV with David Lee Roth karate kicking and playing to the camera as the remainder of the band shared their exuberance with the song.

The track became their first No. 1 song, and seemingly ushered in a new era of Van Halen as synths would become more prominent in their future works.

Runners-Up – Def Leppard, “Photograph,”  Billy Idol, “Rebel Yell” and U2, “Sunday Bloody Sunday”

LISTEN HERE

twisted sister, were not gonna take it

Atlantic Records

1984: Twisted Sister, “We’re Not Gonna Take It”

In 1984, Twisted Sister delivered the ultimate protest anthem with “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”

Aided by a humorous and defiant video that played in heavy rotation on MTV, this was the song that made Twisted Sister stars. It even drew the ire of the PMRC, who called it out for alleged violent content, something that Dee Snider later got to argue about in the Senate.

Oddly enough, many politicians have attempted to use the song as a rallying cry, while Snider has endorsed several causes and organizations using it to motivate in their public battles as well.

Runners-Up – Van Halen, “Panama,” Prince, “Let’s Go Crazy” and Ratt, “Round and Round”

LISTEN HERE

motley crue, home sweet home

Elektra

1985: Motley Crue, “Home Sweet Home”

If you look up “power ballad” in the dictionary, odds are this Motley Crue classic is mentioned somewhere as one of the defining descriptions.

This 1985 single from the Theatre of Pain album helped cement the hard rocking band’s commercial appeal while also serving as their ode to the road.

The video, which featured some of their concert antics, proved so popular that it caused MTV to invoke what would be called “the Crue rule,” phasing out popular videos from request line fan voting after 30 days.

Runners-Up – Bryan Adams, “Summer of ’69,”  Heart, “What About Love” and Dire Straits, “Money for Nothing”

LISTEN HERE

bon jovi, you give love a bad name

Mercury

1986: Bon Jovi, “You Give Love a Bad Name”

After a couple years of being on the verge of a breakout, “You Give Love a Bad Name” was the song that finally put Bon Jovi in the spotlight. The lead single from the Slippery When Wet album shot to No. 1, and the corresponding video taken from their live performances was all over MTV in 1986.

You could also credit the song as ushering in the hair metal era, much like Nirvana did for grunge later, with Bon Jovi and many of their peers now prominently featured on MTV and radio after the “You Give Love a Bad Name” success.

Runners-Up – Van Halen, “Why Can’t This Be Love,” Europe, “The Final Countdown” and Heart, “These Dreams”

LISTEN HERE

guns n roses, welcome to the jungle

Geffen

1987: Guns N’ Roses, “Welcome to the Jungle”

Though the song is huge now, there was a time when not everyone was on board with Guns N’ Roses’ classic “Welcome to the Jungle.” But Geffen believed in the song, making a deal with MTV to give it a preview in a Sunday 5AM slot.

That’s all it took, as fans started requesting the song and video, with the clip soon hitting heavy rotation based upon requests.

In the years since, it’s become a stadium anthem. The unabashed, raw and aggressive nature of the song connected with listeners, and within a year Guns N’ Roses were the biggest band on the planet.

Runners-Up – Motley Crue, “Girls Girls Girls,” Whitesnake, “Here I Go Again” and Bon Jovi, “Wanted Dead or Alive”

LISTEN HERE

def leppard, pour some sugar on me

Mercury

1988: Def Leppard, “Pour Some Sugar on Me”

Is it possible Def Leppard’s record label didn’t know what they had? “Pour Some Sugar On Me” was the third single from the group’s comeback album, Hysteria, and was issued nearly a half year after the album had been out.

Its release seemingly helped the album, which had been having marginal success to that point, take off and become the classic that it is today. The drum and guitar open is instantly recognizable, with fans longing to then join Joe Elliott in his nimble recitation of the song’s lyrics. The track soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988.

Runners-Up – Living Colour, “Cult of Personality,” Guns N’ Roses, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and Pixies, “Where Is My Mind?”

LISTEN HERE

motley crue, kickstart my heart

Elektra

1989: Motley Crue, “Kickstart My Heart”

By the time 1989 rolled around, Motley Crue were near the top of the rock world, and “Kickstart My Heart” helped secure their legacy as one of the baddest bands in the land.

This adrenaline-infused track is the ultimate workout song and a definite concert high point. In a year without a dominant rock track, this goes as hard as any of the competition.

Runners-Up – Tom Petty, “I Won’t Back Down,” Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Higher Ground” and Neil Young, “Rockin’ in the Free World”

LISTEN HERE

ac/dc, thunderstruck

ATCO

1990: AC/DC, “Thunderstruck”

AC/DC’s career was back on the upswing after dominating the early part of the ‘80s. The song that returned them to the limelight was “Thunderstruck,” the lead single from The Razors Edge album.

It evolved from a rhythmic guitar trick that Angus Young came up with, with the band eventually finding influence in the childhood toy, the Thundersteak.

The result was a high energy anthem with one of rock’s most identifiable guitar riffs that has gone on to become a sports anthem.

Runners-Up – Faith No More, “Epic,” The Black Crowes, “She Talks to Angels” and Warrant, “Cherry Pie”

LISTEN HERE.

nirvana, smells like teen spirit

DGC

1991: Nirvana, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

With the music scene growing a bit stagnant, Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” came along to flip everything on its head.

Seemingly overnight, this aggressive yet catchy cut opened the door not only for grunge, but for many of the alternative rock bands that had been relegated to college stations in the ‘80s.

Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” started a revolution, with the grunge era commencing and then commanding radio for the better part of the ‘90s.

Runners-Up – Pearl Jam, “Alive,” Temple of the Dog, “Hunger Strike” and Alice in Chains, “Man in the Box”

LISTEN HERE

rage against the machine, killing in the name

Epic Records

1992: Rage Against the Machine, “Killing in the Name”

The early ‘90s provided a musical platform to express a lot of dissatisfaction and no one did it better than the politically-minded foursome of Rage Against the Machine.

It took a bit for them to break through as finding a clean curse-free song radio or MTV could play was a challenge. But this defiant rebuke eventually found its audience, fuelling furious concert crowds into a frenzy.

The song has stood the test of time as one of the great anti-establishment songs in rock history.

Runners-Up – Radiohead, “Creep,” Alice in Chains, “Would?” and Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain”

LISTEN HERE

smashing pumpkins, today

Virgin

1993: Smashing Pumpkins, “Today”

A sunny song in the era of grunge? Don’t let the title and the lyric “Today is the greatest day I’ve ever know” fool ya.

“Today” may have seemed like a delightfully joyful ditty on the surface, but the lyrics dwell in depression and desperation, finding a wonderfully ironic contrast.

The song, which hit No. 4 on the Alternative Airplay chart, was one of their first hits, appearing on the Siamese Dream album. It would become one of their most familiar and fan-favorite hits.

Runners-Up – Nirvana, “Heart-Shaped Box,” Stone Temple Pilots, “Plush” and White Zombie, “Thunder Kiss ‘65”

LISTEN HERE

green day, basket case

Reprise

1994: Green Day, “Basket Case”

With grunge going strong, 1994 saw a new wave of pop-punk etching out some space in the alt-rock landscape.

Leading the way was Bay Area trio Green Day, dropping infinitely catchy punk infused songs, including “Basket Case,” a surprisingly upbeat track about dealing with anxiety.

The song spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart, received a Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy nomination and was nominated for nine MTV Video Music Awards.

Runners-Up – Soundgarden, “Black Hole Sun” and Stone Temple Pilots, “Interstate Love Song” and Beastie Boys, “Sabotage”

LISTEN HERE

white zombie, more human than human

Geffen

1995: White Zombie, “More Human Than Human”

White Zombie cornered the market on metallic dance music in the mid-’90s, with Astro-Creep: 2000 yielding one of the funkier yet adrenaline-fueled tracks in their history in “More Human Than Human.”

Making great use of aggressive slide guitar playing and sampled moans, the song stood out as something uniquely different from much of what was going on at the time.

It became the highest charting song of the band’s career and earned them a Best Metal Performance Grammy nomination.

Runners-Up – Oasis, “Wonderwall,” Smashing Pumpkins, “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” and Alanis Morissette, “You Oughtta Know”

LISTEN HERE

rage against the machine, bulls on parade

Epic Records

1996: Rage Against the Machine, “Bulls on Parade”

Rage Against the Machine’s star was ready to explode with their sophomore set, Evil Empire, and “Bulls on Parade” was the song that took them to the next level.

This fiery call out of military aggression commanded attention, but it was Tom Morello’s guitar theatrics that stole the spotlight. His guitar solo mimicked the sound of a vinyl scratch, something that was very unique in the guitar world up to that point.

The song itself enjoyed modest airplay, but has become one of the band’s most recognizable tracks.

Runners-Up – Oasis, “Champagne Supernova,” Garbage, “Stupid Girl” and Sublime, “What I Got”

LISTEN HERE

foo fighters, everlong

Roswell / Capitol Records

1997: Foo Fighters, “Everlong”

Foo Fighters were going through a tumultuous time during the making of The Colour and the Shape. This Dave Grohl love song about his ongoing relationship with Veruca Salt’s Louise Post gave the band their bonafide “closer” for years to come.

It was a bit of a slow-burn ascent for “Everlong,” which benefited from Grohl’s acoustic version played for a radio station giving it a second life. It’s become the band’s ultimate sing-along and has been certified as a double-platinum single.

Runners-Up – Third Eye Blind, “Semi-Charmed Life,” The Wallflowers, “One Headlight” and The Offspring, “Gone Away”

LISTEN HERE

hole, celebrity skin

DGC

1998: Hole, “Celebrity Skin”

What would become of grunge’s heavyweights as the genre started to fade out? Hole made one of the more significant shifts, opting for a more glammy and power-pop infused style on their 1998 smash “Celebrity Skin” from the album of the same name.

The song dissected celebrity culture from the viewpoint of someone in Courtney Love who had lived through her fair share of controversy in the public eye.

“Celebrity Skin” topped Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart and received a pair of Grammy nominations.

Runners-Up – Foo Fighters, “My Hero,” Harvey Danger, “Flagpole Sitta” and Creed, “My Own Prison”

LISTEN HERE

creed, higher

Wind-Up Records

1999: Creed, “Higher”

Come on, let’s go there.

In 1999, Creed issued one of the more uplifting songs of their career, a track that became an anthem and one of rock radio’s biggest hits of the year.

“Higher” topped both the Mainstream Rock and Alternative Airplay charts in 1999, settling for No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it’s since been adopted as a sports anthem.

Runners-Up – Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Scar Tissue,” Limp Bizkit, “Nookie” and Filter, “Take a Picture”

LISTEN HERE

papa roach, last resort

DreamWorks

2000: Papa Roach, “Last Resort”

Papa Roach tapped into something with their 2000 single, “Last Resort.”

The song that introduced the band to a wider audience had a very vulnerable and relatable message, penned by Jacoby Shaddix about a friend who had been going through mental health struggles with suicidal thoughts.

“Last Resort” has one of the more instantly recognizable guitar licks, which actually started with Tobin Esperance creating what would become the song’s hook on piano.

It hit No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart, No. 4 for Mainstream Rock and was the start of a very successful career for the California rockers.

Runners-Up – Deftones, “Change (In the House of Flies),” Blink-182, “All the Small Things” and Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Californication”

LISTEN HERE

linkin park, in the end

Warner Bros.

2001: Linkin Park, “In the End”

The fourth single from Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory breakout proved to be their biggest. Built around a signature piano riff, the song offers a prime showcase for both of the band’s vocalists. Mike Shinoda’s nimble rapping and Chester Bennington’s breath-defying vocals both deliver standout moments.

It’s a darker song, with the lyrics expressing the frustration of trying to break through to an unwilling subject.

Ultimately, it connected with fans, who helped catapult the song to No. 1 Alternative Airplay and No. 3 Mainstream Rock. It remains the most streamed song in the group’s catalog.

Runners-Up – Nickelback, “How You Remind Me,” Puddle of Mudd, “Blurry” and Jimmy Eat World, “The Middle”

LISTEN HERE

foo fighters, all my life

Roswell / RCA

2002: Foo Fighters, “All My Life”

The centerpiece of Foo Fighters’ One By One album, “All My Life” proved to be one of the heavier songs in the band’s catalog, with its chugging, then driving guitar and drum work.

The track spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart, becoming not only one of the biggest rock songs of the year, but also of the entire 2000s decade.

Foo Fighters won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for the track.

Runners-Up – Audioslave, “Cochise,” Queens of the Stone Age, “No One Knows” and Nirvana, “You Know You’re Right”

LISTEN HERE

evanescence, bring me to life

Wind-Up Records

2003: Evanescence, “Bring Me to Life”

That voice! In what had mostly become a boys club in the rock world, Evanescence took their seat at the table in 2003 with Amy Lee’s soaring vocals on their breakout single, “Bring Me to Life.”

The group initially had to compromise with their label, adding a rapped guest turn from 12 Stones vocalist Paul McCoy that fit in with the nu-metal scene of the time, Iit helped initially selling the track and getting radio involved, though Lee has professed her love for performing the rap-less version of the song in the years since.

The track topped the Alternative Airplay chart, won the group a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance, has since been certified as a triple-platinum single and has been credited for breaking down barriers for many of the women rockers of today.

Runners-Up – Audioslave, “Like a Stone,” White Stripes, “Seven Nation Army” and The Darkness, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”

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my chemical romance, im not okay i promise

Reprise

2004: My Chemical Romance, “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)”

Relationships can be exhausting, and My Chemical Romance may have captured that as well as anyone with their mid-2000s hit single, “I’m Not Okay (I Promise).”

This highly infectious and big energy track finds singer Gerard Way putting his partner on notice that a change is needed.

“I’m Not Okay (I Promise) was the band’s first hit radio song, climbing to No. 4 on the Alternative Airplay chart, while going on to be certified as a platinum single.

Runners-Up – Green Day, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” Seether featuring Amy Lee, “Broken” and Blink-182, “I Miss You”

LISTEN HERE

nickelback, photograph

Roadrunner Records

2005: Nickelback, “Photograph”

Who knew we all could relate to Nickelback so well? Chad Kroeger has stated that the band’s hit “Photograph” is mostly autobiographical, but the experiences shared are broad enough to be relatable to a large fanbase.

There’s just something about growing up in a small town, and the song does a good job of capturing that nostalgia, perhaps even inducing a tear or two by its conclusion.

“Photograph” hit No. 1 Mainstream Rock, crossed over to peak at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and it’s been certified as a double-platinum single.

Runners-Up – System of a Down, “BYOB,” Fall Out Boy, “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down” and Nine Inch Nails, “The Hand That Feeds”

LISTEN HERE

my chemical romance, welcome to the black parade

Reprise

2006: My Chemical Romance, “Welcome to the Black Parade”

The ‘70s gave us Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and in the 2000s we got My Chemical Romance’s equivalent in “Welcome to the Black Parade,” the centerpiece of their conceptual The Black Parade album.

The song follows the story of a man in his final stages of life being visited by death in the form of his fondest memory from childhood. The epic track starts soft with Gerard Way singing over plaintive piano notes eventually turning into a rollicking anthem of reflection.

“Welcome to the Black Parade” peaked at No. 1 for Alternative Airplay and crossed over to hit No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Runners-Up – Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Dani California,” Nickelback, ‘Rockstar” and Panic! At the Disco, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”

LISTEN HERE

paramore, misery business

Fueled By Ramen

2007: Paramore, “Misery Business”

Paramore caught their big break with “Misery Business,” the lead single from their sophomore set Riot!.

The song has a bit of a complicated history for Hayley Williams, who penned the vitriolic track about her then boyfriend’s ex while she was a teenager.

Years later, Williams admitted to taking issue with her own lyrics, feeling they were anti-feminist. Despite the problematic content, the song remained hugely popular with the band’s fanbase and Paramore have returned it to sets with Williams inviting fans to sing instead of revisiting the troublesome lyrics herself.

The song remains one of the biggest selling rock singles of the 2000s, achieving six times platinum sales status.

Runners-Up – Foo Fighters, “The Pretender,” Sixx: A.M., “Life Is Beautiful” and Alter Bridge, “Blackbird”

LISTEN HERE

shinedown, second chance

Atlantic Records

2008: Shinedown, “Second Chance”

Family dynamics can be tricky, but there was something very relatable to many music listeners in Shinedown’s 2008 hit song “Second Chance.”

Singer Brent Smith wrote the song about his relationship with his parents and making the decision to go against their wishes in pursuing his music career.

“Second Chance” hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped Adult Top 40 chart en route to reaching triple-platinum sales status.

Runners-Up – Cage the Elephant, “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” Kings of Leon, “Sex on Fire” and Seether, “Rise Above This”

LISTEN HERE

halestorm, i get off

Atlantic Records

2009: Halestorm, “I Get Off”

This is where it all started for Halestorm, with “I Get Off” serving as the introductory single from the band’s self-titled 2009 debut album.

Lzzy Hale exudes sultry sexuality in the verses, complemented with emboldened, powerful vocals in the chorus.

“I Get Off” yielded the first of many anthemic tunes in the band’s career. It peaked at No. 6 on the Mainstream Rock chart and has since achieved platinum sales status.

Runners-Up – Pearl Jam, “The Fixer,” Alice in Chains, “Check My Brain” and Thirty Seconds to Mars, “Kings and Queens”

LISTEN HERE

deftones, diamond eyes

Reprise

2010: Deftones, “Diamond Eyes”

There was plenty of interest in how Deftones would move forward after Chi Cheng’s auto accident that left him comatose and later would claim his life. The band returned in 2010 with Diamond Eyes, their best received album in a decade, which contained the stellar title track.

With a lurching swing in the verses and a melodically heavy chorus, Deftones eased into a loud-quiet dynamic with Chino Moreno painting a visual of bonding with a loved one in a diamond-lit sky.

Runners-Up – Linkin Park, “Waiting for the End,” Muse, “Resistance” and Godsmack, “Cryin’ Like a Bitch”

LISTEN HERE

five finger death punch, under and over it

Prospect Park

2011: Five Finger Death Punch, “Under and Over It”

Fame has its pitfalls — negative commentary, gossip and jealousy are all things that hit home.

Five Finger Death Punch singer Ivan Moody perfectly summed up his feelings of exasperation after seeing rumors about his private life spread on social media.

“Under and Over It” is a hard-hitting, driving rocker that soon became a fan favorite. It peaked at No. 6 on the Mainstream Rock radio chart.

Runners-Up – Seether, “Country Song,” Red Hot Chili Peppers, “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie” and Foo Fighters, “Rope”

LISTEN HERE

halestorm, love bites so do i

Atlantic Records

2012: Halestorm, “Love Bites (So Do I)”

Halestorm vocalist Lzzy Hale serves up plenty of bravado and aggression in trying to sway a romantic interest away from his girlfriend.

This hard-driving song was inspired by Hale’s love of thrash, and the lyrics show some wicked wit. The group garnered plenty of recognition with the track, which went on to receive the Best Hard Rock / Metal Performance Grammy.

Runners-Up – Alice in Chains, “Hollow,” Soundgarden, “Been Away Too Long” and Dead Sara, “Weatherman”

LISTEN HERE

bring me the horizon, can you feel my heart

RCA

2013: Bring Me the Horizon, “Can You Feel My Heart?”

This was the big turning point in Bring Me the Horizon’s career, as the band transitioned from their deathcore and metalcore early days to something a little more alt-rock leaning.

“Can You Feel My Heart?” came about as the band had welcomed keyboardist Jordan Fish into the group and his impact on the writing can be felt with the more electronic-heavy style.

The song itself impacted fans as it addressed coming to terms with one’s own issues.

Runners-Up – The Pretty Reckless, “Heaven Knows,” Halestorm, “Freak Like Me” and Stone Sour, “Do Me a Favor”

LISTEN HERE

the pretty reckless, follow me down

Razor & Tie

2014: The Pretty Reckless, “Follow Me Down”

The Pretty Reckless’ hot streak continued in 2014 as “Follow Me Down” was released as the fifth and final single from the band’s Going to Hell album.

The raucous rocker encapsulated the feelings of getting lost in an intense relationship and like “Heaven Knows” and “Messed Up World” before it, rose all the way to No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Chart.

Runners-Up – Royal Blood, “Figure It Out,” Three Days Grace, “Painkiller” and Chevelle, “Take Out the Gunman”

LISTEN HERE

five finger death punch, jekyll and hyde

Prospect Park

2015: Five Finger Death Punch, “Jekyll and Hyde”

It’s time for Five Finger Death Punch to unleash. Chugging guitar riffs and pulse-pounding drum beats fuel the band’s single “Jekyll and Hyde.”

This Got Your Six offering comes from a point of aggression, ready to erupt after putting on a face for public perception and pushing the demons down from the surface.

Music fans could relate, pushing the song to No. 3 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

No. 3 Mainstream Rock

Runners-Up – Halestorm, “Amen,” Shinedown, “Cut the Cord,” Zac Brown Band with Chris Cornell, “Heavy Is the Head” and The Struts, “Could Have Been Me”

LISTEN HERE

disturbed, the sound of silence

Reprise

2016: Disturbed, “The Sound of Silence”

Disturbed had some success with covers prior, but their take on the Simon & Garfunkel classic “The Sound of Silence” was all the buzz in early 2016.

The song, featured on their Immortalized album, shot to No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. It also earned a Grammy Nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance based off the group’s appearance performing the song on the late night show, Conan.

To top it off, David Draiman received a letter of praise from Paul Simon after the Conan performance, later telling Loudwire, “Your ultimate wish is for the artist to hopefully give you their blessing. It’s rare if they end up getting pissed off by it (laughs), but it is a possibility and it is really, really nice when you get a songwriter as terrific as Paul to reach out to say that he appreciated what you did with one of the most well known songs of all-time.”

Runners-Up – Blink-182, “Bored to Death,” Deftones, “Prayers / Triangles” and Starset, “Monster”

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greta van fleet, highway tune

Lava / Republic

2017: Greta Van Fleet, “Highway Tune”

Rock had gotten a little stale in the 2010s, but then a brand new voice came along to shake things up.

Greta Van Fleet’s “Highway Tune” debuted here at Loudwire in April 2017, with fans immediately drawing comparisons between singer Josh Kiszka and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant.

The [mostly] sibling rock band became one of the year’s breakout bands, with “Highway Tune” topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and kicking off a career as one of the late 2010s most popular acts.

Runners-Up – Linkin Park, “One More Light,” Queens of the Stone Age, “The Way You Used to Do” and Nothing More, “Go to War”

LISTEN HERE

ghost, dance macabre

Loma Vista

2018: Ghost, “Dance Macabre”

After mining their doomy/gothic influences in their early career, Ghost honed their sound to be something a little more commercially accessible.

The band really showed off their pop rock sensibilities, employing an incredibly infectious foot-stomping beat on their anthemic “Dance Macabre” off the Prequelle album, finding new fans in the process.

The song reached the top of the Mainstream Rock chart.

Runners-Up – Bring Me the Horizon, “Mantra,” Fever 333, “Made an American” and A Perfect Circle “Disillusioned”

LISTEN HERE

falling in reverse, popular monster

Epitaph

2019: Falling In Reverse, “Popular Monster”

Falling in Reverse hit on something with their cathartic, but aggressive single “Popular Monster.”

Singer Ronnie Radke raps through the verses, exploring growing tension with his inner demons as the music builds from a gothic piano opening into something more heavy and crushing.

The song topped the Mainstream Rock chart and has become one of Falling in Reverse’s signature tracks.

Runners-Up – Badflower, “Heroin,” Godsmack, “Under Your Scars” and Bring Me the Horizon, “Medicine”

LISTEN HERE

mammoth wvh, distance

EX1

2020: Mammoth WVH, “Distance”

Wolfgang Van Halen started his solo career with a song that touched many music fans. He rolled out the rock ballad “Distance” as a tribute to his father Eddie Van Halen shortly after the musician’s death in November 2020.

The emotionally raw song had been created while Wolfgang was dealing with his father’s declining health.

The song topped the Mainstream Rock chart and kicked off what’s been an impressive start to Mammoth WVH’s career.

Runners-Up – Five Finger Death Punch, “A Little Bit Off,” Corey Taylor “Black Eyes Blue” and Ayron Jones, “Take Me Away”

LISTEN HERE

limp bizkit, dad vibes

Suretone Records

2021: Limp Bizkit, “Dad Vibes”

Welcome back, Limp Bizkit! After eight years, Fred Durst and company dropped a new song, re-entering the rock world with “Dad Vibes” off their Still Sucks album.

This irresistible, groove-laden banger reminded us what we initially loved of Limp Bizkit from their late ‘90s / early 2000s heyday, with Durst leaning into the good time trolling vibes.

Runners-Up – Guns N’ Roses, “Hard Skool,” Turnstile, “Holiday” and Dirty Honey, “California Dreamin’”

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bad omens, like a villain

Sumerian Records

2022: Bad Omens, “Like a Villain”

Bad Omens emerged from the metalcore fray with their 2022 album The Death of Peace of Mind, with “Like a Villain” leading the way.

The song shows some growth from their previous efforts while encapsulating what they had already done well.

Electronic heaviness and crushing basslines underlie Noah Sebastian’s raw vocal performance, which mixes more high-sung tender moments with full-fledged screaming. It may fall under the metalcore banner, but there are definitely some emotive moments, as Sebastian sings about digging deep into a toxic relationship.

Runners-Up – My Chemical Romance, “The Foundations of Decay” and Jelly Roll, “Need a Favor” and Paramore, “This Is Why”

LISTEN HERE

mammoth wvh, another celebration at the end of the world

BMG

2023: Mammoth WVH, “Another Celebration at the End of the World”

After a successful debut album, Wolfgang Van Halen kicked off Mammoth II with a banger of a track that showed no signs of a sophomore slump.

“Another Celebration at the End of the World” begins with interplay between the drums and guitar, kicking into a high energy beat and muscular riffs before showcasing some solid guitar soloing midway in.

Runners-Up – Guns N’ Roses, “Perhaps,” Dirty Honey, “Won’t Take Me Alive” and Foo Fighters, “Rescued”

LISTEN HERE

Linkin Park, From Zero album cover, the emptiness machine

Warner

2024: Linkin Park, ‘The Emptiness Machine”

Linkin Park couldn’t have hit it more on the head with a song to re-introduce the band after seven years of recording inactivity. A slow-building verse from Mike Shinoda brings back the familiar co-voice of the band against an electro-beat backdrop, a brief piano-pullback and then bang, here’s the power vocals introducing new singer Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara fame.

It worked on record, it worked live. In one fell swoop, Linkin Park fans got the payoff they’d been waiting for since talk of a reunion began. The track stirred up some nostalgic vibes from the band’s initial era while also showing fans the band’s new way forward. It wasn’t only the year’s most eventful song, but it was a damn catchy track that rightfully took its spot among the band’s best singles.

Runners-Up: The Warning, “Sick,” The Funeral Portrait Featuring Spencer Charnas, “Suffocate City” and Green Day’s “Dilemma”

LISTEN HERE

mammoth the end artwork

BMG

2025: Mammoth, “The End”

While Wolfgang Van Halen spent the last few years trying to carve out his own legacy apart from his father, “The End” sees him embracing his musical DNA rather than distancing himself from it.

With this flashy but balanced song, he’s demonstrating musical and personal growth, taking us fans on the journey with him, even if the reasons are deeply personal.

As a musician, Wolfgang has been in such a unique spotlight from his teenage years in Van Halen to cutting his teeth in the studio and on the road with Tremonti, all before climbing the ladder with Mammoth. His story has been told for more than half of his life and “The End” underscores the notion that the best parts are still ahead.

Runners-Up: Deftones, “My Mind Is a Mountain”; Limp Bizkit, ‘Making Love to Morgan Wallen”: Linkin Park, “Up From the Bottom”

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