Top 14 Most Underrated Rock Songs

These Songs Need More Love
They didn’t get enough radio airplay. Some fans have either forgotten them or probably didn’t even know they exist. But these songs are just as good (if not better) than other more popular tracks.
In case you’re just discovering these, you’re welcome.
14. The Beatles – “Old Brown Shoe”
George Harrisonโs songwriting talent has always been underrated during his time with The Beatles. The man wrote fine songs but he was never given as much credit as John Lennon and Paul McCartney. In fact, some would agree he wasnโt exactly provided with enough opportunities for him to reach his potential while with the Fab Four.
โI started the chord sequences on the piano (which I don’t really play) and then began writing ideas for the words from various opposites: I want a love that’s right / But right is only half of what’s wrong. Again, it’s the duality of things โ yes-no, up-down, left-right, right-wrong, etc.โ โ George Harrison
Itโs a masterpiece and why few people know about it or listen to it on a daily basis, we absolutely do not know. Itโs one of the finest pieces George Harrison ever made and his solo is nothing but pure musical heaven.
13. Pink Floyd – “Summer ’68”
https://youtu.be/-pjKTCDZvco
Itโs an underrated song from the criminally underrated 1970 album Atom Heart Mother. Rick Wright managed to make his mark in rock history when he wrote and sang this track โ if anything, this convinced people of the possibility that Pink Floyd was indeed from a whole different dimension. The opening itself is pure perfection.
The lyrics basically describe touring and meeting groupies in the process.
โthe catchiest and most-accessible track on the albumโฆโ โ Sputnik Musicโs Irving Tan
From the groovy chorus and beautifully unique vocal harmonies to the insanely good solo breaks, it should easily be up there among Pink Floydโs greatest hits. But somehow, it gets lost in the mix which is absurd given how excellent it sounds. Itโs one of those that make you wonder why it didnโt get the recognition and appreciation it rightfully deserved.
Itโs solid and never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat.
12. Metallica – “Trapped Under Ice”
The guitar riffs are mindblowing and the whole song is just something else. The opening alone is like a punch in the face.
It was written from scratch back in Copenhagen, the lyrics tell the story of someone who woke up from a cryonic state. It may be one of Metallicaโs most underrated tracks but itโs now quite famous because they passed up the chance to sing it during their 2013 live performance in Antarctica โ a major bummer if you ask us.
Fun Fact: This was inspired by a demo from Kirk Hammettโs former band Exodus. It was called โImpaler.โ
Itโs fast paced and morbid. As far as metal songs go, itโs on the same level as other Metallica songs but weโre still curious as to why itโs not as well-loved even by hardcore fans. The thing is, it may be underrated but it set the bar high and is actually way better than other cuts.
11. The Killers – “Sam’s Town”
This reminds you of all the classic rock songs you grew up listening to and playing it always brings back so many memories. Itโs catchy and glorious. Written by Brandon Flowers, itโs the title track of The Killersโ underappreciated second studio album.
โWe didn’t use too many vocal effects. On the first album, we used auto-tune, and I didn’t even realize what was going on with these machines and the computer. I was adamant about not using it this time. You really hear what my voice sounds like, for the first time.โ โ Brandon Flowers on the highly ambitious โSamโs Townโ album
The band took a risk and while it paid off in the long run, it wasnโt as loved and well-received as โHot Fuss.โ And we think itโs unfair because this song alone is enough to make you want to listen to the whole album. Critics were harsh so just judge it for yourself.
10. The Clash – “Jimmy Jazz”
This song gets to you in a really good way. You donโt often see this on most peopleโs list of the top 10 greatest tracks by The Clash. And why it never received the credit it absolutely deserved is beyond us. Thereโs attitude, thereโs punk, and thereโs elegance. Seriously, what more can anyone ask for?
While the album, London Calling, has been widely praised by critics and fans, itโs baffling why few actually enjoy this little piece of musical heaven called โJimmy Jazz.โ
โThis is an album that captures all the Clash’s primal energy, combines it with a brilliant production job by Guy Stevens and reveals depths of invention and creativity barely suggested by the band’s previous work.โ โ The New York Timesโ John Rockwell
Maybe one thing worth noting here is how Joe Strummer delivered the song. For that, we have no words โ the man is a musical genius. Period.
9. Velvet Underground – “Venus in Furs”
A song thatโs way ahead of its time but still for some reason, doesnโt get enough recognition. If someone asked you whatโs the first song that comes to mind when you think of The Velvet Underground, chances are, this wonโt be on your list. Of course for those who know and love it, thereโs no denying that itโs the track that sealed the deal and made every other rock band insignificant compared to them.
โThere is no intro or buildup to the song; the track starts as if you opened a door to a decadent Marrakesh S&M/opium den, a blast of air-conditioned Middle Eastern menace with a plodding beat thatโs the missing link between “Bolero” and Led Zeppelinโs version of “When the Levee Breaks”โ. โ Erich Kuersten
For us, itโs the best song in their 1967 album The Velvet Underground & Nico. Itโs haunting, thumping and unforgettable โ you canโt shake the melody out of your system even if you tried.
8. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young – “Country Girl”
Weโll just get this out there and say what every classic rock fan thinks โ todayโs music will never compare to this, nothing will even come close. From the melody and hauntingly beautiful vocal performance to the lyrics โ โCountry Girlโ proved what we already know, that these guys were way ahead of their time. Itโs often overlooked but the moment you play it, it never fails to hit you right in the feels.
โ”Country Girl” was the most unusual song on Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s chart-topping 1970 album Deja Vu. Most of that record was chipper romanticism or reflections on the counterculture. By contrast, “Country Girl” was, like many Neil Young compositions, opaque and inscrutable, though comfortably melodic enough for it to fit onto the album without jarring the listener.โ โ AllMusic reviewer Richie Unterberger
With a fantastic tune and impressive vocals, the song will stay with you for days on end.
7. The Kinks – “This Time Tomorrow”
One of the greatest mysteries in the history of rock โn roll is why The Kinks continue to be the most underrated band of all time. Why though? Even at their finest moment, they were practically ignored. And so it goes without saying that their track โThis Time Tomorrowโ will definitely land a spot on this list.
โI felt that I’d lost contact with my family. Because I’d been in a pop music bubble for five years, and I didn’t know the people around me anymore. ‘This Time Tomorrow’ was about transience, and an ephemeral world. Clouds, and where do we play tomorrow, and what am I doing as a person tomorrow? It’s a floating song, and I was floating into a different era. Going with the flow for a while, until I work out where I want to be.โ โ Ray Davies on the songโs inspiration
Gotta love everything about this track! It’s Davies at his finest!
6. David Bowie – “Oh! You Pretty Things”
If you know about this song and liked it before reading this list, then congratulations, you have an exemplary taste in music! And anyway, there are several David Bowie songs which are so underappreciated but perhaps this one tops the list. Itโs hauntingly beautiful and the opening is simple but splendid because the listener is treated to nothing but the piano and Bowieโs smooth as silk voice.
โDavid wanted it to be very simple but if I remember rightly he kept cocking up the little riff. He did a few bits of it and I did the rest. He did the beginning.โ โ Rick Wakeman
Watching this clip now makes you miss him more. There was always something otherworldly about him โ his voice, his face, his whole presence. But with this song, it reminds you that David Bowie is a god among gods. And weโre hoping that more people will get to appreciate โOh! You Pretty Things.โ
5. Led Zeppelin – “The Battle of Evermore”
Led Zeppelin probably has some of the most popular rock songs of all time โ โStairway to Heaven,โ โKashmirโ and โWhole Lotta Love.โ But on the other side of the spectrum, they also happen to have great tracks which were relatively ignored. Okay, maybe thatโs a bit of a stretch so letโs just say tracks which werenโt given their much-deserved credit. Take this song for example, itโs a masterpiece but itโs not as appreciated as the aforementioned ones.
โ”Battle of Evermore” was made up on the spot by Robert [Plant] and myself. I just picked up John Paul Jones’s mandolin, never having played a mandolin before, and just wrote up the chords and the whole thing in one sitting.โ โ Jimmy Page
In case you think you didnโt read that right, yes they made it ON THE SPOT. Besides, itโs not everyday we get to hear a great song that references The Lord of the Rings.
4. Neil Young – “Cowgirl in the Sand”
No one can do it better than Neil Young. As a songwriter and musician, he is the very definition of โperfect.โ His playing is simple but it gets to you. Itโs never sloppy and somehow, his songs always leave a mark. This one is no exception, well maybe aside from the fact that itโs not as popular as his other hits even when it should be.
โOn “Cowgirl in the Sand” everything works. The lyrics are quietly accusative, while the lead guitar, alternately soaring, piercing, and driving, keeps the song surging forward. But it is Young’s singing which is the real key to the success of this track. “Cowgirl in the Sand” demonstrates quite clearly the peculiar depths of Young’s voice.โ โ Rolling Stoneโs Bruce Miroff
We can go on and on about what makes this an excellent track but the fact remains, itโs not as widely recognized as his other hit songs.
3. Van Halen – “D.O.A.”
Itโs kind of sad when people claim theyโre huge Van Halen fans and the only song they know (their favorite apparently) is Eruption. Well itโs not like the band made just that one good track. If you don’t believe us, listen to “D.O.A.” This song kicks so much ass but few know or even appreciate its greatness. The guitar tone alone is a real killer!
โBy combining Eddie Cochran teenage blues, Tom Waits gutter grit and one-chord punk-rock raunch, Van Halen created a poetic anthem of untamed youth thatโs the aural equivalent of the Fifties juvenile-delinquent exploitation film. As acrobatic solo ascends, dives, and spins out of control like a stunt pilot and ends with him wiggling and obnoxious mocking melody with his whammy bar, like a stiff middle finger waved under a police officerโs nose.โ โ Guitar World
Itโs unfortunate that you rarely hear it on the radio and the thing is, you can never play it loud enough.
2. Guns ‘n Roses – “Civil War”
https://youtu.be/E9VhD4SccSE
Guns โn Roses isnโt exactly the first band to come to mind when you think underrated. But youโd be surprised to know they have pretty good songs which are lesser known than the ever popular โSweet Child Oโ Mine,โ โWelcome to the Jungleโ or โNovember Rain.โ With โCivil War,โ GnR took a stand against war with powerful statements like โfeeds the rich while it buries the poor.โ
โBasically it was a riff that we would do at sound-checks. Axl came up with a couple of lines at the beginning. And… I went in a peace march, when I was a little kid, with my mom. I was like four years old. For Martin Luther King. And that’s when: “Did you wear the black arm band when they shot the man who said: ‘Peace could last forever’?” It’s just true-life experiences, really.โ โ Duff McKagan
It didnโt just deal with the Vietnam War but also civil rights in the United States.
1. Queen – “Stone Cold Crazy”
https://youtu.be/T8Rfb1Jtmic
Queen has probably performed all sorts of musical styles but we all know Freddie Mercuryโs versatility โ he can go from opera to hard rock and the transition will be smooth and flawless. With โStone Cold Crazy,โ youโd wonder why it didnโt get the credit and recognition it deserved. If you think they couldnโt play thrash, then youโd be surprised.
โstraight-up punk-rock drumming. […] In essence, Taylor’s groove is a double-stroke roll split between his bass drum and snare drum with some cool accents played on his crash cymbals. Taylor later re-enters with a dramatic and decidedly non-punk fill to restart the groove.โ โ DRUM! Magazine on Roger Taylorโs drumming
This is so bad ass, Metallica decided to do their cover version. Still, we have no idea why this song remains in the shadow of โUnder Pressure,โ โBohemian Rhapsodyโ and โWe Will Rock You.โ More people need to listen to this because it should be appreciated more.