Veteran rockers Night Ranger might be celebrating their 31st year as a band, but that doesn’t mean that they’re slowing things down one bit. The band just released their 11th studio album High Road on June 10 and they’ll be on the road playing shows around the globe for the rest of 2014.
For some good road trippin’ music, we asked bassist/vocalist Jack Blades, drummer/vocalist Kelly Keagy and guitarist Brad Gillis to give us a Spotify playlist of some of their favorite songs and they were happy to oblige. They chose a rockin’ list of tunes with some of their favorite songs from their own catalog spiked in, including several songs from the new album.
Enjoy the playlist and read the band’s comments on each song below!
“White Room” – Cream
Love the timpani in the intro. It is one of the most unusual sounding vocal tracks. One of the coolest ‘Wah Wah’ solos in the history of rock ‘n roll in the 2nd verse…”I’ll wait in the cue”….. love it!
“Burn” – Deep Purple
Glenn Hughes and David Coverdale do trading lead vocals on this one. A big uptempo rock track that is one of Purple’s best. There are some classical parts in the solo. Inspired a legion of rock bands.
“Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)” – Jimi Hendrix
Dreamy. Like being in the ocean while the waves wash over your body. Trippy sign of the psychedelic times…listen and just drift away.
“Radioactive” – Imagine Dragons
Really cool song. I like the vocalist — more songs need this emotion in the vocals.
“High Road” – Night Ranger
I love this song. It almost didn’t make it on the album. It was the last song we looked at — always some of the best stuff comes at the end of a recording process…NR’s “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” was the last song written for our Dawn Patrol record.
“I’m Coming Home” – Night Ranger
Just what it feels like when you’ve been on the road forever and all you want to do is get home!
“Just Give Me a Reason” – P!nk, Nate Ruess
It’s a very familiar sounding melody. I like what’s going on in the verse with the interplay between the singers. Start with a great lyric and melody and end with a great song.
“Allentown” – Billy Joel
This was a big album for me in the early 80’s. I was into every song. The lyrics on this reflected the hard times in PA. We played this non-stop when it came out.
“Knock Knock Never Stop” – Night Ranger
A great driving in your car song. Cool double vocal trade–rock ‘n roll NR style.
“Only For You Only” – Night Ranger
One of my favorite Jack Blades vocals. Piano intro drips with attitude and emotion.
“Maybe I’m Amazed” – Paul McCartney
I sang this song in nightclubs in 1975/1976. McCartney’s vocal performance is amazing on it. First time I ever heard guitar chucka chucka’s in a verse…attitude and McCartney breaking new ground.
“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” – Judas Priest
Big song, the groove is addicting. I can never get enough of the “beast from the east”. One of my favorite all-time rock tracks –JP rules.
“Panama” – Van Halen
The perfect single. This a driving fast in your car on the open highway song! Kick ass American rock ‘n roll times 10!
“The Boys of Summer” (acoustic) – Night Ranger
Great double vocal with Kelly and Jack trading verses and then coming together in the chorus. /summer of 84 had some great songs released…”Sister Christian” and “The Boys of Summer” to name a few.
“Hotel California” – Eagles
I never get tired of these lyrics. I’m not always sure what they mean, but no matter where you are you’ll always stop and listen to it. Who doesnt know every word to this song?
“With A Little Help From My Friends” – Joe Cocker
I always remember how Joe Cocker stole the show at Woodstock 1968. That performance always struck me as the advent of air guitar. What an artist he is — A classic lesson in how to take someone else’s song and make it totally your own…especially a Beatle song–Joe KILLS it!
“Bold As Love” – Jimi Hendrix
This is my favorite Hendrix lyric. It’s incredible, his description of colors and in the way they relate to your emotions. So powerful!
“Dazed And Confused” – Led Zeppelin
Led Zep’s first record. This dark and overwhelming track has so many parts that the journey seems to never end… and you don’t want it to. When I heard this song by Led Zeppelin, it changed my life.
“The Wizard” – Black Sabbath
The first time I heard this was in 1970, I think it blew the speakers in the jukebox! It’s so haunting that I had to own it.
“Say It With Love” – Night Ranger
The music is very exciting and the verse so interesting. The chorus opens up really big! I love this chorus. Night Ranger at their adventuresome best.
“Pretty Maids All In A Row” – Eagles
Joe Walsh wrote (and sang) one of the most memorable songs on Hotel California. Joe Walsh shines on vocals and of course guitar…such a distinctive voice.
Jury – Trapeze
Glenn Hughes’ voice tears my head apart on this track. Killer guitar riff. Glenn sang the high harmony on Night Ranger’s “(You Can Still) Rock in America”…what a voice Glenn still has.
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