The 10 Essential Bob Seger Songs You Need To Know

Bob Seger’s voice became one of the most recognizable in music, and his gritty, heartland rock helped him soar to the top. He produced radio-friendly tunes that endured because of his sound, which spoke to blue-collar America. These ten key tracks are a fantastic place to start if you want to get into his music.

10. Like a Rock
Because it was included in a long-running Chevy truck commercial, “Like a Rock,” one of Seger’s most famous songs, became a cultural landmark. In addition, it’s a potent meditation on youth, resiliency, and time.

9. Against the Wind
This emotional ballad about nostalgia and life’s hardships is the title tune from his 1980 album. It became one of Seger’s greatest hits because of its mellow melody and reflective lyrics.

8. Old Time Rock and Roll
After Tom Cruise danced to it in his undies during Risky Business, this rock and roll anthem—which honors the genre’s origins—became even more iconic. It is an enduring homage to vintage rock.

7. Hollywood Nights
This upbeat song introduced Seger to a wider audience. His experience in Los Angeles served as inspiration for the vivid depiction of a small-town youngster enmeshed in the glamour and mayhem of Hollywood.

6. Night Moves
One of Seger’s most beloved songs, “Night Moves” tells the story of youthful romance and coming-of-age experiences. Inspired by American Graffiti, it’s a nostalgic and deeply personal track.

5. Turn the Page
The loneliness and weariness of traveling are captured in this eerie lullaby. Later, in 1998, Metallica covered it, bringing Seger’s storytelling prowess to a new age.

4. Lookin’ Back
“Lookin’ Back,” a socially aware song that was published as a single in 1971, criticizes materialism and mindless conformity. It is still a favorite among fans even if it only peaked at No. 96 on the Billboard Hot 100.

3. Lucifer
This bluesy rocker, which was released in 1970 with the Bob Seger System, has a groove that sets it apart from his early discography and some of Seger’s gritty vocals.

2. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man
Originally released as a single, this upbeat song—which became the title track of Seger’s 1969 debut album—was the one that made him famous.

1. 2 + 2 = ?
This early protest song, which was a potent anti-war song from 1968, demonstrated Seger’s unbridled energy and audacious lyricism. Anyone interested in learning more about his early years should listen to it.