‘Purple Haze’ — The Jimi Hendrix Experience
On Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest songs, “Purple Haze” is ranked No. 17. It was written by Jimi Hendrix and released as the second single from The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967. This is one of his most well-known songs, and it is credited with introducing many people to his unique psychedelic rock sound. It frequently appears on lists of the greatest guitar songs, including Q magazine’s No. 1 and Rolling Stone’s No. 2. It was voted the fifth-best Jimi Hendrix song by Rolling Stone readers in 2013. In case you did not know, the lyrics go, “Excuse me while I kiss the sky.” He did not say, “Excuse me while I kiss this guy.” The more you know!
‘Purple Haze’ — The Jimi Hendrix Experience
‘London Calling’ — The Clash
The Clash wrote one of their most iconic songs while going through personal difficulties and being concerned about global events. They had no management at the time but a lot of debt. “We felt that we were struggling,” said lead vocalist Joe Strummer, “about to slip down a slope or something, grasping with our fingernails. And there was no one there to help us.” This came out as the only single in the UK from the eponymous album. In 1980, it climbed to No. 11 in the charts and became the highest-charting single band until they released “Should I Stay or Should I Go” a decade after that.
‘London Calling’ — The Clash