Who Sings It Rock Edition is easy to play with or without contestants. It takes advantage of the play-along attraction of interactive games.
Before you begin, follow the guidelines for playing games in the Game Strategy section here.
Then, choose the best method to play this game based on your show and how you’ll use the game.
And finally, follow the specific guidelines for playing Who Sings It here.
How to Play Who Sings It Rock Edition
The game is a bit like Name That Tune, which works for the same reason Shazam and other song identification apps are popular.
The premise is simple: Play a hook or a small part of a song. Contestants (or listeners if using it as a feature) guess who sings it. Choose familiar songs so most listeners can identify the song. If the song is more difficult, provide three multiple-choice options.
Describe the song or provide some lyrics if you want to give a clue.
In every instance, play the song after announcing the answer.
Examples
Here are some examples to get you started. Use the description to craft a clue or add to it yourself. Then use the information when paying it off (and play the song).
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (1991) – This grunge rock anthem is considered one of the most iconic songs of the 1990s. It was Nirvana’s breakthrough hit and brought alternative rock into the mainstream.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen (1975) – With its complex arrangements and lyrics, this prog rock epic was Queen’s signature song. Its music video was also groundbreaking for its time.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses (1987) – The guitar riff of this 80s rock ballad is one of the most recognizable in rock history. It helped cement Guns N’ Roses as major stars.
“Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen (1975) – The title track from Springsteen’s breakthrough album, this song exemplifies his signature melodic heartland rock style.
“Purple Haze” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967) – Considered one of the greatest guitar songs ever, this psychedelic rock track features Hendrix’s innovative distortion and feedback techniques.
“Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne (1980) – Ozzy’s first big solo hit after leaving Black Sabbath has one of metal’s most iconic guitar riffs, played by Randy Rhoads.
“Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses (1987) – The hard rock opener of Guns N’ Roses’ debut album Appetite for Destruction, this song is about the dark underbelly of 1980s Los Angeles.
“Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses (1987) – Another major hit from Appetite for Destruction, this anthemic song contrasts urban troubles with the idyllic “paradise city” the band longs for.
“You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC (1980) – One of AC/DC’s most popular songs, this bluesy hard rock track is full of sexual innuendos and anguished vocals by Brian Johnson.
“Hotel California” by Eagles (1976) – The layered guitars and mysterious lyrics of this rock ballad sparked many interpretations of the meaning behind the “Hotel California.”
“Imagine” by John Lennon (1971) – Released after The Beatles’ breakup, Lennon’s gentle piano ballad has become an enduring classic and call for world peace.
“American Pie” by Don McLean (1971) – This folk rock epic recounts the history of rock music up to the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson.
“Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones (1966) – Driven by Brian Jones’ sitar riff, this dark psychedelic rock song reflected The Stones’ experimentation during the 60s.
“Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin (1975) – Regarded as one of Led Zeppelin’s most complex songs, this hard rock track has an exotic Middle Eastern-inspired melody.
“Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith (1975) – Propelled by a funky bass riff from Tom Hamilton, this blues rocker helped Aerosmith make their big 1970s comeback.
“Layla” by Derek and the Dominos (1970) – Co-written by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon, this melodic rock ballad was inspired by Clapton’s unrequited love for George Harrison’s wife.
“Back in Black” by AC/DC (1980) – The title track from AC/DC’s first album after Bon Scott’s death, this triumphant hard rock anthem features new singer Brian Johnson.
“Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973) – Known for its extended guitar solo at the end, this Southern rock classic is a staple of classic rock radio.
“Baba O’Riley” by The Who (1971) – The synthesizer intro is one of the most iconic in rock. The title combines the names of gurus Meher Baba and Terry Riley.
“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin (1969) – Centered around a heavy blues riff, this proto-metal track showcased Led Zeppelin’s hard rock sound and Jimmy Page’s guitar skills.
“Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. (1991) – R.E.M.’s biggest hit used religious metaphors to describe unrequited love. Its distinct mandolin riff helped define the “Alternative Nation” era.
“Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones (1968) – Mick Jagger sings from the point of view of the devil in this samba-inspired psychedelic rock song.
” Hey Jude” by The Beatles (1968) – Paul McCartney wrote this uplifting piano rock ballad to comfort John Lennon’s son during his parents’ divorce.
“You Really Got Me” by The Kinks (1964) – Pioneering a heavy guitar riff style that influenced metal, this bluesy garage rock smash was The Kinks’ breakthrough.
“Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple (1972) – Deep Purple’s biggest hit tells the true story of a fire at the casino where they were recording their album Machine Head.
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor (1982) – The energetic arena rock theme song from Rocky III helped make Survivor a one-hit wonder.
“Start Me Up” by The Rolling Stones (1981) – Centered on a catchy guitar hook, this straightforward rocker kicked off the Stones’ 1980s comeback.
“Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi (1986) – With big vocals and pop metal sound, this power ballad is still a karaoke favorite today.
“Take Me Home Tonight” by Eddie Money (1986) – Eddie Money scored a hit by teaming up with Ronnie Spector to remake her 60s girl group classic “Be My Baby.”
“Come Together” by The Beatles (1969) – Led by John Lennon’s vocals and Paul McCartney’s driving bass, this bluesy rocker featured cryptic, seemingly nonsensical lyrics.
“Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey (1981) – Journey’s signature arena rock anthem with keyboard riffs and uplifting lyrics is pop culture staple today.
“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones (1971) – One of The Stones’ most controversial songs, this blues rock hit unflinchingly depicts slavery, interracial sex, and drug use.
“Walk This Way” by Aerosmith (1975) – A fusion of rock and hip hop, this song’s lyrics humorously tell a story about losing one’s virginity.
“Yesterday” by The Beatles (1965) – Paul McCartney’s melancholy folk-inspired love song is considered one of the best compositions of all time.
“All Along the Watchtower” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968) – Jimi Hendrix completely transformed Bob Dylan’s original folk rock version into a psychedelic rock classic.
“Desperado” by Eagles (1972) – An emotive country rock ballad encouraging a hardened outlaw not to continue his destructive lifestyle.
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974) – Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Southern rock anthem defending Alabama governor George Wallace and taking shots at Neil Young’s political views.
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970) – This roots rock hit uses rain as a metaphor for trouble ahead. It was released shortly before CCR disbanded.
“Call Me” by Blondie (1980) – Blondie brought together new wave and disco on this synth-driven song produced by legendary Italian composer Giorgio Moroder.
“The Pretender” by Foo Fighters (2007) – The triumphant lead single from Foo Fighters’ comeback album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.
“Jeremy” by Pearl Jam (1991) – Pearl Jam’s haunting grunge hit depicts a disturbing true story of a bullied student’s suicide.
“Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden (1994) – Soundgarden’s psychedelic grunge rock song pairs grim lyrics imagining apocalypse with a surreal, Beatlesque melody.
“Wonderwall” by Oasis (1995) – Though overshadowed by sibling rivalry drama, Oasis managed to produce this enduring Britpop acoustic ballad hit.
“Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots (1994) – A driving grunge rock ode to life on the road that exemplified STP’s signature sound and success in the 90s.
“The Weight” by The Band (1968) – This roots rock classic with religious imagery tackles the theme of communities coming together to solve their problems.
“War Pigs” by Black Sabbath (1970) – Black Sabbath’s heavy metal protest song whose anti-war message got censored by record labels at the time.
“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails (1994) – Trent Reznor’s brooding industrial rock ballad explores pain, regret, and self-harm. Johnny Cash’s cover made it more famous later on.
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes (1992) – Linda Perry’s bluesy vocal performance and lyrics expressing disillusionment struck a chord in the early 90s alternative scene.
“Purple Rain” by Prince (1984) – The title track of Prince’s film debut, this powerful pop-rock ballad cemented his iconic status in 80s pop culture.
“I Love Rock ‘n Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (1981) – Originally written in 1975, Joan Jett’s hard rock cover turned this song into an anthem for female rebellion and liberation.
