10 Most Overplayed Songs on Classic Rock Radio

Ah yes, a somewhat controversial topic for this week's blog... what songs on the radio are overplayed? Well, I'm attempting to answer this question from the perspective of a 99.9 The Hawk listener. They have roughly 100 songs that are in constant rotation. As you know with my radio show, I try to add a little more variety than that. Most of the songs they overplay are indeed good, so this article isn't about me hating on these songs. Rather, it's me hating on hearing them all the damn time. So, it isn't about overrated classic rock music, it's about overplayed classic rock (though the two can overlap). Also, though I mostly am gathering this list from listening to one station, I'm sure you may have similar experiences. So without further ado, here are the 10 most overplayed songs on classic rock radio.

Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N Roses

With its iconic opening guitar riff, this 1988 hard rock song has now become synonymous with classic rock stations. The stations like "Welcome to the Jungle", sure, but this is certainly their favorite hit from Appetite for Destruction. I personally prefer "Welcome to the Jungle", as Slash's riffs can kinda get repetitive with this song. Like most other songs on the list, I must clarify that I do indeed like this song. But hearing that opening riff a million times has conditioned me to like it a little less.

99.9 The Hawk has an appetite for overplayed songs.

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Again, this is no act of blasphemy, I do indeed like this song! It's a fantastic song. But especially after the movie, wasn't this song maybe just a little... overplayed? It's a fair question to ask. When I was younger, they used to play one of my favorite Queen songs, "Fat Bottomed Girls" a lot. Now, I hardly ever hear it... because they're playing Bohemian Rhapsody! I've discussed the genius of this song before on this blog, a true multi-sectional masterpiece. But there are simply other Queen songs I enjoy more than this one.

It's become iconic... maybe too iconic?

Piano Man by Billy Joel

If you're a classic rock station, you either overplay "Piano Man", or the cheesy 80s Billy Joel stuff. I already covered why mid-late 70s Billy Joel is his peak, as they don't play that material nearly enough! "Piano Man" is a lovely tune, and it surely has me singing along every time. It's probably one of the songs on this list that I least mind being overplayed, especially being the 70s Billy Joel fan that I am. But c'mon, can't they mix in "The Stranger" or "New York State of Mind" every now and then?

It's '9 o clock on a Saturday...

You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

Now this one I certainly don't like being overplayed on classic rock stations. In a previous article, I expressed disgust at how this was chosen as the only AC/DC song for RS's Top 500 songs list. It's not even the best song on that album! Play "Shoot to Thrill" or "Hells Bells" more often, how about that? And while we're at it, let's address the lack of Bon Scott AC/DC (you know, when they had their best lead singer). Sure, they'll play "T.N.T." or "Highway to Hell". But they never have the balls to play "Big Balls".

They need to play more pure Bon Scott AC/DC.

Come Together by The Beatles

Of course as a Beatles fan I like this song. But the reason I'm upset at my local classic rock station is, well... this seems to be the only Beatles song they play! Sure, it's a classic that starts off the amazing Abbey Road album. And it's also Ringo's favorite Beatles song, for what that's worth. But this is the only Beatles song you play? Look, I know 99.9 the Hawk fashions itself as a 70s and 80s station, but don't be afraid to go back to "Twist and Shout" if you need to. There's so many great Beatles songs, and this is literally the only one they play. Oh, and if they're not playing The Beatles' version... they're playing the Aerosmith version, which is worse.

And let's be real, there's plenty of better songs on this album.

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

This song isn't as drastically overplayed as it was when I was younger, and I think I have an explanation. As classic rock pivots more towards 70s and 80s music, this 1967 soft rock classic loses favor. But, that certainly doesn't mean you don't hear it anymore. Van Morrison made one hell of a career out of this song, as I can't exactly tell you another song by him. It's certainly a sweet song that evokes youthful nostalgia. But it's also a song I'm glad to hear be less overplayed, however slow that process may be.

Van Morrison is part of the Del Shannon club in the Rock HOF (got in on one song).

Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie

This collaboration of rock 'n roll legends is amazing... -ly over played. Look, I get the love for this song, but it's in peak overplay mode right now. With the somewhat recent Queen movie and somewhat recent death of David Bowie, the love for these artists has never been stronger. As a result, I heard "Under Pressure" on 99.9 the Hawk twice in one day last week. There's no way that should be happening...that little variety in one day? Again, plenty of other Queen or David Bowie songs you could play instead.

I can't deny this song is great... I also can't deny that there's other songs besides it.

Dream On by Aerosmith

Of all the overplayed songs on my list, this one may be my favorite. I love the insane high notes that Steven Tyler hits at the end of it. It's a solid classic rock anthem, no doubt about it. But much like with other songs on this list, it makes me wonder if hearing it played all the time makes me like it less. Sure, the station likes "Janie's Got a Gun" and "Walk this Way" just fine. But if it were up to them, they'd just rotate between "Dream On" and "Under Pressure" constantly and call it a day.

Steven Tyler proved that unlike today, talent mattered more than looks back then.

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin

I saved the last two for the truly overplayed and overrated territory. How this 8-minute song that mostly rambles on became Led Zeppelin's signature tune, I'll never know. Yes, the hard rock section at the end is awesome, but it takes forever to build up to that. They could've spared me the many minutes of sleepy boredom. So I've made it clear with this opinion that I'm not the hugest Led Zeppelin fan, but I do really like "Black Dog", "Rock and Roll", and "When the Levee Breaks" from this album. I'd say to play those songs the next time you want to play "Stairway to Heaven".

Seriously, "When the Levee Breaks" should be played, I never hear it on the radio.

Free Fallin' by Tom Petty

Tom Petty is another one of those artists that I think has seen a boost in his airplay since his passing. And now, the classic rock stations just won't back down. But anyway, "Free Fallin" seems to be the one they like the most. One simply hears it all the time. Listen, I just don't think Tom Petty was that talented of a singer. He comes in on the Traveling Wilburys' song "Handle With Care", and you can just hear how he isn't George Harrison or Roy Orbison. I hate to break the heart of any Tom Petty fans with this take.

Tom Petty (left) is a Traveling Wilbury in this picture.

So, as a conclusion to this article, I offer you the 10 most underplayed songs on classic rock radio. Y'know, songs we should be hearing more often, but don't!

-The Weight by The Band

-Revolution by The Beatles

-Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin

-All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix

-Turn Turn Turn by The Byrds (there's no 60s love anymore)

-Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel

-Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey by Paul McCartney

-Princes of the Universe by Queen

-Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon

-And... Anything by The Beach Boys