I try not to be obvious. When faced with a ‘rock music with numbers’ writing challenge, the first song that popped into my head was “25 or 6 to 4” followed closely by “Eight Miles High” and “Seven Nation Army.”
As I mulled it over, I realized so many lesser-known number songs, especially rock songs, have stayed with me over the years that I had trouble picking just a couple for a theme.
That’s when I threw up my arms and said I’ll pick one to represent each decade of rock. So, instead of the number songs everyone knows, here’s to the ones you may have missed.
Rock’s Early Years: 1950s and 1960s
The 1950s brought the world a loud, new sound that resonated with teenagers and angered parents. Chuck Berry led the way with smash hits like “Johnny B. Goode” and “Maybellene.”
The obvious pick for Chuck in this context would be his cover of “Route 66.” Anyone over a certain age knows the line “Get your kicks on Route 66.” Like I said about being obvious though…
Before Chuck became mythology, he cut “Thirty Days (To Come Back Home).” Released in 1955, the song was included on the soundtrack for the movie Rock, Rock, Rock! even though it didn’t make it into the film.
His guitar tone is cleaner than in the later years, but his playing style, and the unmistakable backbeat, are there. He’s also singing the lyric “get no satisfaction” long before The Rolling Stones came along, but in fairness to the Stones, his line is “don’t get no satisfaction,” not “can’t get no satisfaction.”
Rock evolved in the 1960s (like every decade) and expanded into a variety of sounds. This may be when “that’s not rock!” originated, but I digress. One of the movements that came about in the 60s was “garage bands” and if anyone personified that sound it was Michigan band ? and the Mysterians.
In case you’re curious, “?” was the stage name of Rudy Martínez. I don’t know if their first single “96 Tears” qualifies as lesser-known or not, as it achieved #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966, but the band never again managed that kind of success and are nowhere near as known as names like The Byrds.
Unlike most rock songs that are guitar forward, “96 Tears” is known for its heavy lean into the organ. Some sources claim it was a Vox Continental, others a Farfisa.
#1 in the country, and I bet half of you couldn’t have told me who Question Mark is!
Classic Rock: The 1970s and 1980s
If the 1960s expanded rock’s sound, the 1970s refined it. Progressive rock soared in the 70s and bands like Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer made their mark.
However, classic, guitar-forward rock was still a huge part of the landscape. I’m going with one where both the album and song titles work: “Four Sticks” from Led Zeppelin IV. Everyone thinks “Stairway to Heaven” when you bring up that album, but “Four Sticks” deserves its place in history.
Named because John Bonham played the whole track with, yes, four drumsticks. Between the time signature and the doubled-up grip, the song never made it into the live rotation; Zeppelin played it live only a couple of times in 1971.
Anyone around in the 1980s knows the Cold War dominated everything. In 1984, Iron Maiden captured this with “2 Minutes to Midnight.” Metalheads consider it canonical; less so in mainstream circles.
This was Maiden’s first single to exceed 5 minutes. “2 Minutes to Midnight” is a scathing, anti-war protest song that doesn’t hold anything back. Although the referenced Doomsday Clock may not be as culturally relevant today as it was in 1984, the message of “2 Minutes to Midnight” still is.
Grunge Takes Over: The 1990s
Nirvana blasted onto the scene with their landmark album Nevermind, and the era of spandex and hairspray was over. Seattle became the hub of rock and the rest is history.
In 1994, Soundgarden released Superunknown containing a song many casual fans miss, “4th of July.” Take grunge, throw in some metal and psychedelic rock, then down tune (CFCGBe tuning for the musicians) and muddy it up more. You have “4th of July.”
Considering it’s about using LSD, I think they nailed the sound.
Rock in the 2000s and Beyond
If I’ve noticed a pattern in rock, it’s that each decade puts its own mark on the genre. So, it’s natural that things changed again in the 2000s. The darkness of grunge faded, and power chords were back.
In 2004, Jimmy Eat World closed their album Futures with “23,” a seven-minute plus cinematic end to the album. The title comes from a lyric about feeling frozen at one age. Nothing announced the end of the 90s like the gap between “23” and “4th of July.”
In 2017, a young Mexican band of Villarreal sisters called The Warning released their debut LP XXI Century Blood. Around the time of release, Daniela “Dany” (guitar and lead vocals) was 17, Paulina “Pau” (drums and vocals) was 15, and Alejandra “Ale” (bass and keys) was 12.
Their ages only matter because the songwriting and musicianship on this album would impress at any age.
The title song is a rocker addressing topics like technology replacing real connection, indifference to suffering, and dehumanization and materialism. In 2017. From a trio with a 12-year-old bassist.
For the final pick, I’m going biblical. Dead Poet Society dropped the album Monarch on Oct. 2, 2026. The album’s song “Psalm 136” hits hard. To understand the song, you should know that Psalm 136:1 is “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good” (NIV). Now read these lyrics: “I was young when I was told that I loved god / But he murdered my mother, took her away in a black box.”
The opening guitar riff is loud and heavy, appropriate for a song about rage aimed toward God. Only history will tell if this ends up being a “lesser-known” song, but if you like modern rock and a song with a deep message, this is one you need to hear.
Your Turn: Name a Lesser-Known Rock Number Song
So, here it is: one numerical song from every decade of rock, minus the ones you already knew. The classics are handed to you; deep cuts must be dug up.
Every decade hides a “96 Tears” somewhere. See what you can find. If it’s a good one, find us on X or Mastodon and let us know in the comments there.
