Epic Rock Songs

[Randy Jackson]

So I was thinking recently about compiling a list of "epic" rock songs. What do I mean by "epic"? In this case, I'm talking about lengthy songs (usually five minutes or longer) that have a lot of musical changes or actual movements, where different parts of the song have a different feel and tone. Lyrically there may be a discernible story, but there may not be as well. 

Here's my list so far, in no particular order:

Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin

Bohemian Rhapsod - Queen

Aqualung - Jethro Tull

Paranoid Android - Radiohead

Street Hassle - Lou Reed

Riot - Dead Kennedys

Killing In The Name - Rage Against the Machine

Starship Trooper - Yes

Green Grass and High Tides - The Outlaws

In the Presence of Enemies PT. 2 - Dream Theater

One - Metallica

Martian Boogie - Brownsville Station

Autobahn - Kraftwerk

The End - The Doors

Supper's Ready - Genesis

A Quick One (While He's Away)

An Hour In the Shower - Chicago

Paradise By The Dashboard Light - Meat Loaf

Rat Trap - Boomtown Rats

The Murder Mystery - The Velvet Underground

Brown Shoes Don't Make It - The Mothers Of Invention

Karn Evil 9 - Emerson Lake and Palmer

Band on the Run - Wings

Any thoughts on others? 

One song per artist. 

It needs to be one long song, not a number of short songs stitched together. No medley. 

[Randy Jackson]

Barracuda is a fun song, but it's pretty much a straightforward rock song. 

[Randy Jackson]

Added. 

MethodEng said:

Supper's Ready - Genesis. It takes up most of side 2 (when albums had sides) of Foxtrot.

Is it one song or a collection, that's up to you.

[Randy Jackson]

Great song, but not the changes I'm looking for. 

Travis Herrick (Modular Mod) said:

Let's not forget about Epic by Faith No More.

[Travis Herrick (Modular Mod)]

Sorry, that was meant as a joke because of the title.

Randy Jackson said:

Great song, but not the changes I'm looking for. 

Travis Herrick (Modular Mod) said:

Let's not forget about Epic by Faith No More.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

"The Merman song wasn't quite what I was looking for, and while I'm curious about Voodoo Chile, it seems difficult to find a recording of that song which is not the same as Voodoo Child(Slight Return). If f you have a link, let me know."

I would not have thought the 15:05 version of "Voodoo Chile" would be difficult to find on Youtube, but I can't find it, either. After having read your further comments, I don't think it's what you're looking for, anyway. Since you're obviously working through every suggestion you're not familiar with, I'm going to slow down and give you a chance to catch up before suggesting anymore. I'm curious whether the last three I posted ("A Quick One," "An Hour in the Shower" and "Symphony for the Devil") fit your criteria. Before wasting any more of your time, I want to find out whether or not I'm on the right track. 

[Mickey McLaurin]

"Layla"--Derek and the Dominos

[Dave Palmer]

I don't want to overwhelm you, but here are a few more to consider:

Whipping Post Allman Brothers

Papa was a Rolling Stone Temptations

Karn Evil 9 Emerson Lake and Palmer (not my favorite ELP song)

[Randy Jackson]

Added A Quick One (While He's Away) 

Telegraph Road is lengthy, but I didn't hear the distinct changes I'm looking for. 

doc photo said:

"Telegraph Road" by Dire Straits from their Love Over Gold album. A run time of more than 14 minutes about urban progress/development and the ensuing affect on peoples lives.

[Randy Jackson]

Added the following:

Paradise By the Dashboard Light - Meat Loaf

Rat Trap - Boomtown Rats

The Murder Mystery - The Velvet Underground 

Brown Shoes Don't Make It - The Mothers of Invention

Still considering Symphony for the Devil

[doc photo]

A couple of suggestions from Pink Floyd that I don't think have been mentioned yet -

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Echoes"

[Jeff of Earth-J]

I am pleased to see that three of my suggestions (so far) have made the cut. You seemed reluctant to "load this list up with 70s prog-rock songs" but how do you feel about instrumentals? I see also the Pink Floyd is not yet represented. After having given it a good deal of thought, I think "Atom Heart Mother  Suite" from Atom Heart Mother best exemplifies the kind of "epic" song you are looking for. Whereas not as well-known as something from Dark Side of the Moon or The Wall, it is presented in six distinct movements.

Atom Heart Mother Suite

     a. Father's Shout

     b. Breast Milky

     c. Mother Fore

     d. Funky Dung

     e. Mind Your Throats Please

     f. Remergence

If not that, then perhaps "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast" from the same album.

Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast

     a. Rise and Shine

     b. Sunny Side Up

     c. Morning Glory

If you don't like either of those, there is always Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V) or (Parts VI-IX). 

[Randy Jackson]

I wouldn't say I'm reluctant to load up the lust with 70s prog-rock as I'm sure it will ultimately be well represented. I'm expecting to add tracks by the likes of Yes and ELP to the list and likely more as they're suggested. At the same time, I don't want to overburden the list with them either.

I tend to lean towards exclusion rather than inclusion for this list.