SPIN PLAYLIST: The 30 Greatest Instrumental Songs Ever

g under p
g under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,237
edited May 2011 in Other Music
In the latest issue of SPIN, we caught up with Explosions in the Sky, the Texas-based band who've taken wordless music to unexpected heights. But they're hardly the first to rock with their traps shut. Since the 1950s, pop, rock, jazz, metal, and no-wave have produced tons of classic tracks sans frontperson. Below, a brief history of the greatest instrumental songs, and what made them memorable. Plus, stream a selection of the picks in our player.

SPIN PLAYLIST: The 30 Greatest Instrumental Songs Ever

Have your own favorites? Post them in the comments!

I see Funkadelic, Joe Satriani, Miles Davis and a RUSH song made their list...

Peace
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Horos
    Horos Posts: 4,518
    YYZ should top the list.

    Eruption is awesome but so short.

    Satch Boogie is much better than Surfing With An Alien.
    #FHP
  • Newch91
    Newch91 Posts: 17,560
    No "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed"? Really?
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  • Bushleaguer28
    Bushleaguer28 Posts: 776
    For me YYZ isnt even Rush's best instrumental. That would go to La Villa Strangiato.

    Ill go with Peaches en Regalia to top the list
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  • uninnocent-
    uninnocent- Posts: 5,959
    Bushleaguer28 wrote:
    For me YYZ isnt even Rush's best instrumental. That would go to La Villa Strangiato...

    agreed.

    also missing is a ton of nine inch nails, especially "just like you imagined".
  • g under p
    g under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,237
    uninnocent- wrote:
    Bushleaguer28 wrote:
    For me YYZ isnt even Rush's best instrumental. That would go to La Villa Strangiato...

    agreed.

    also missing is a ton of nine inch nails, especially "just like you imagined".

    I said this from the Love and Despise of RUSH thread....

    g under p wrote:
    Ha Ha :lol: Even though the instumental La Villa Strangiato is far better than YYZ especially LIVE. Some fans and most non fans have no clue that LVS is far better especially Alex's solo :D

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • Horos
    Horos Posts: 4,518
    g under p wrote:
    uninnocent- wrote:
    Bushleaguer28 wrote:
    For me YYZ isnt even Rush's best instrumental. That would go to La Villa Strangiato...

    agreed.

    also missing is a ton of nine inch nails, especially "just like you imagined".

    I said this from the Love and Despise thread....

    Ha Ha :lol: Even though the instumental La Villa Strangiato is far better than YYZ especially LIVE. Some fans and most non fans have no clue that LVS is far better especially Alex's solo :D

    g under p wrote:
    Ha Ha :lol: Even though the instumental La Villa Strangiato is far better than YYZ especially LIVE. Some fans and most non fans have no clue that LVS is far better especially Alex's solo :D

    Peace
    I also love LVS but the trade off between bass and drums in YYZ is what makes it my fave. I didn't post in your love and despise thread but I'm a lover.

    Did you see them on South Park? Unfortunately Alex killed himself.
    #FHP
  • JOEJOEJOE
    JOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,827
    I think "Sparks" by The Who belongs on the list.
  • g under p
    g under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,237
    Bushleaguer28 wrote:
    For me YYZ isnt even Rush's best instrumental. That would go to La Villa Strangiato...
    Horos wrote:
    g under p wrote:
    uninnocent- wrote:

    agreed.

    also missing is a ton of nine inch nails, especially "just like you imagined".

    I said this from the Love and Despise thread....

    Ha Ha :lol: Even though the instumental La Villa Strangiato is far better than YYZ especially LIVE. Some fans and most non fans have no clue that LVS is far better especially Alex's solo :D


    Peace
    I also love LVS but the trade off between bass and drums in YYZ is what makes it my fave. I didn't post in your love and despise thread but I'm a lover.

    Did you see them on South Park? Unfortunately Alex killed himself.

    rushsignature.jpg

    I don't know if you've seen this but give it a look.....a cover
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OknfQ0AY ... e=youtu.be

    I don't have much time to watch that show or much of anything else but I'm sure it was good though.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • Of The Aggie
    Of The Aggie The ATX Posts: 1,550
    uninnocent- wrote:
    also missing is a ton of nine inch nails, especially "just like you imagined".

    +1
  • Digital Twilight
    Digital Twilight Posts: 5,642
    Orion - Metallica
  • FinsburyParkCarrots
    FinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcpkUNqrjQU
  • Brisk.
    Brisk. Posts: 11,578
    Think of the amount of amazing Post-Rock bands...

    :roll:
  • SVRDhand13
    SVRDhand13 Posts: 27,009
    Digital Twilight wrote:
    Orion - Metallica

    Absolutely.
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  • g under p
    g under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,237
    SVRDhand13 wrote:
    Digital Twilight wrote:
    Orion - Metallica

    Absolutely.

    I agree too, I love the slow quiet start to that song then it just kicks into gear like a raging storm. So Many others could be listed, depends on one's musical taste.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • he.who.forgets
    he.who.forgets Posts: 4,593
    while this song may not have the dynamics of many of those on the list, being it's only the guitar, I think Classical Gas is one of my favorite instrumentals ever
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeHgNqbdBKs
    We were but stones your light made us stars
  • intheflesh
    intheflesh Posts: 170
    Any Colour You Like, Obscured by Clouds - Floyd
    Whale and Wasp - AIC
    LIttle Wing, Lenny - SRV
    was it?....
  • SG Ghaz
    SG Ghaz Posts: 148
    Page won't open for me, but I agree with Sparks and Orion; they should be there. Also, Deep Purples Weiss Heim if it isn't there.
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  • pj8
    pj8 Posts: 408
    STP - No Memory
    R.E.M. - Endgame (was my favorite r.e.m. song for a while)

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