#ThreeTuneTuesday rolls around again, and this week leans into pure hard rock foundations. These are the kinds of songs that didn’t just top charts, they helped define what loud, heavy, riff-driven music was supposed to sound like. Each track comes from a band that reshaped rock in its own way, and all three still hit with the same force decades later.
The first pick is “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin, released in 1969 on the album Led Zeppelin II. This song is built around one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history, courtesy of Jimmy Page. Robert Plant’s vocals are raw and aggressive, while John Bonham’s drumming gives the track its relentless pulse. The middle section dives into experimental studio effects that were bold for the time, making the song feel dangerous and forward-thinking. It’s not just a hit, it’s a statement piece that announced Zeppelin as a dominant force.
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The second selection is “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC, released in 1980 on the album Back in Black. This track marked a massive moment for the band following the death of Bon Scott, introducing Brian Johnson as the new lead singer. Instead of playing it safe, AC/DC delivered one of the most enduring rock anthems ever recorded. The riff is simple, the rhythm is tight, and the chorus is impossible not to shout along with. It’s hard rock stripped to its essentials, and that’s exactly why it works so well.
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The third song is “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath, released in 1970 on the album Paranoid. This track is fast, heavy, and direct, especially compared to much of Sabbath’s darker and slower catalog. Tony Iommi’s guitar riff drives the entire song, while Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals deliver a sense of urgency and anxiety that perfectly matches the title. “Paranoid” helped lay the groundwork for heavy metal as a genre and remains one of the most influential rock songs ever recorded.
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What ties these three songs together is how effortlessly they balance power and simplicity. None of them rely on flashy tricks or overproduction. They’re driven by riffs, rhythm, and attitude. That approach is exactly what made them timeless and keeps them in heavy rotation today.
This week’s #ThreeTuneTuesday is a reminder of where hard rock and metal really came from. Before the genre splintered into countless substyles, these bands set the blueprint. Turn these tracks up loud, listen to the musicianship, and it’s easy to hear why they still stand tall as rock essentials decades later. Thanks @ablaze for continuing to support this weekly event.
