Music is always changing and evolving, where each note can inspire new styles. It’s not just about making songs, but creating new genres that redefine music. Over the years, some songs have changed everything, setting new standards and ways to enjoy music. This list honors those groundbreaking songs that started new genres and transformed the music world.
1. ‘Rapper’s Delight’ – Sugarhill Gang (Hip-Hop)
When the beats of disco began to fade, the world was ripe for something fresh. Enter ‘Rapper’s Delight’ by Sugarhill Gang, a track that took the remnants of disco and transformed them into the foundation of hip-hop. At a time when the concept of rapping over music was still novel, this song introduced the world to the art of flowing rhymes and beats. It wasn’t just about the rhythm or the melody; it was storytelling in a raw, musical form. This single track laid down the roots for hip-hop culture to flourish, demonstrating that music could venture beyond singing into the realms of spoken word and rhythm.
As the first song to popularize rap on a global scale, ‘Rapper’s Delight’ showed that rap could be more than an underground movement. It could fill dance floors, captivate listeners, and most importantly, convey messages in an entirely new way. The artists’ approach to storytelling through music was innovative, emphasizing the significance of the vibe and energy over complex lyricism. This ideological shift opened the door for countless artists, shaping the hip-hop landscape for decades.
2. ‘The House of the Rising Sun’ – The Animals (Folk Rock)
Before ‘The House of the Rising Sun’ hit the airwaves, the notion of blending folk’s storytelling with rock’s energy was largely unexplored. The Animals, however, saw the potential in this combination, and their rendition of an old folk song became a groundbreaking hit. It wasn’t just the fusion of genres that made this song stand out; it was the haunting intensity of its delivery. The powerful vocals and the driving instrumental backdrop turned a traditional tune into an anthem for a new era, marking the birth of folk rock.
This track proved that rock music could encompass a range of emotions and themes beyond the love songs and party anthems that dominated the airwaves. It invited other bands to experiment with integrating earnest, narrative-driven lyrics with the electrifying presence of rock. In doing so, ‘The House of the Rising Sun’ paved the way for future artists to explore deeper, more contemplative subjects within the framework of rock music, forever altering its trajectory.
3. ‘Hot Love’ – T Rex (Glam Rock)
The inception of glam rock can trace its roots back to the moment Marc Bolan of T Rex strutted onto the music scene, glitter adorning his eyes and a Gibson guitar slung over his shoulder. ‘Hot Love,’ with its flamboyant flair and catchy melody, was more than just a song; it was an invitation to defy conventions. Bolan didn’t just perform; he personified the essence of glam rock, blending rock’s raw energy with an androgynous aesthetic that challenged the norms of the time.
The spectacle of ‘Hot Love’ and Bolan’s performance introduced fans and fellow musicians alike to the possibilities of blending music, fashion, and persona into one cohesive art form. Glam rock wasn’t only about the sound; it was about the statement. Bands following in T Rex’s footsteps embraced this, turning their music and appearance into bold declarations of individuality and rebellion. This era of music welcomed all to revel in their uniqueness, marking a significant shift in how artists expressed themselves through their craft.
4. ‘There She Goes’ – The La’s (Britpop)
At the cusp of the Britpop explosion, ‘There She Goes’ by The La’s captured the essence of what many were still struggling to define. With its jangly guitars and sunny melody, it encapsulated an optimism and freshness that would come to characterize Britpop. The La’s managed to craft a song that felt both timeless and entirely new, bridging the gap between pop sensibility and the gritty realism of British life. This track’s influence was profound, serving as a blueprint for the sound that would define a generation of British music.
Despite its apparent simplicity, ‘There She Goes’ captured a complexity of emotion that resonated with listeners worldwide. Its success demonstrated the global appeal of Britpop’s themes and sounds, encouraging a wave of bands to follow in its footsteps. The result was a flourishing of the genre, with The La’s pioneering a movement that celebrated the quirks and charms of British culture through music.
5. ‘Rebel Girl’ – Bikini Kill (Riot Grrrl)
Punk was no stranger to revolution, but when Bikini Kill released ‘Rebel Girl,’ it was clear that a new rebellion was underway. This wasn’t just punk music; it was a clarion call for a generation of women who were ready to make their voices heard. With its raw energy and unapologetic lyrics, ‘Rebel Girl’ became the anthem of the Riot Grrrl movement, pushing feminism to the forefront of the music scene. Kathleen Hanna’s voice didn’t just sing; it shouted, demanding attention and change in an industry and society that often overlooked women’s voices.
‘Riot Grrrl’ wasn’t merely a genre of music; it was a social movement, with ‘Rebel Girl’ as its rallying cry. This song, and others like it, created spaces for women in the punk scene and beyond, advocating for equality, representation, and empowerment. Through its aggressive sound and poignant message, ‘Rebel Girl’ inspired a generation to stand up, speak out, and create music that truly mattered.
6. ‘Theme from Shaft’ – Isaac Hayes (Disco)
Isaac Hayes’ ‘Theme from Shaft’ wasn’t just the soundtrack for a movie; it heralded the arrival of disco into the mainstream. With its smooth grooves, funky basslines, and an undeniable sense of cool, this track captured the spirit of an era. It was more than music to dance to; it was a declaration of freedom and joy, a break from the social and political turmoil of the time. Hayes’ soulful voice and innovative arrangements brought a new sophistication to popular music, undoubtedly laying the groundwork for disco’s rise to prominence.
Yet, ‘Theme from Shaft’ was also pivotal in how it blended cinematic storytelling with musical innovation, proving that disco could transcend the dance floor. It was a genre that could tell stories, evoke emotions, and create a cultural moment. Hayes’ masterpiece showed the world that disco had the depth and artistry to be taken seriously, influencing countless artists and shaping the sounds of the late ’70s and beyond.
7. ‘Monkey Gone to Heaven’ – Pixies (Grunge)
Before grunge became the voice of a disaffected generation, it was an undercurrent in the music scene, waiting for its moment. That moment came with the Pixies’ ‘Monkey Gone to Heaven,’ a song that captured the raw, unfiltered emotion that would define grunge. Its quiet verses and explosive choruses created a dynamic tension, reflecting the angst and disillusionment felt by many young people at the time. The Pixies might not have set out to create a new genre, but in combining punk’s rebellious energy with heavy, distorted guitars, they laid the foundation for what grunge would become.
‘Monkey Gone to Heaven’ was more than just a template for the sound of grunge; it was a testament to the power of music to connect with the deepest parts of ourselves. The song’s themes of environmentalism and existential angst resonated with listeners, proving that music could be both deeply personal and universally relevant. As bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden rose to fame, they carried forward the path the Pixies had forged, cementing grunge as the defining sound of a generation.
8. ‘Blind’ – Korn (Nu Metal)
In a blend of aggression and melancholy, Korn’s ‘Blind’ introduced the world to nu metal. Distinguished by its fusion of heavy metal and alternative rock with elements of hip-hop, ‘Blind’ captured the intense, raw emotion of feeling misunderstood and disenfranchised. The genre it helped birth was more than just a style of music; it was a reflection of the complexity of youth, straddling the line between rebellion and introspection. Korn’s innovative sound, combining down-tuned guitars with a visceral vocal performance, resonated with a generation in search of an outlet for their frustration and pain.
Nu metal, as pioneered by ‘Blind,’ ventured into lyrical and musical territories that were previously unexplored in mainstream music, addressing themes of identity, suffering, and the human condition with unflinching honesty. This genre allowed listeners to confront their darkest emotions, creating a sense of solidarity and understanding among fans. Through its groundbreaking blend of styles, ‘Blind’ not only created a new genre but also a new way for music to connect with the disaffected youth of the era.
9. ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ – The Beatles (Psychedelic Rock)
The celestial opening of ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ serves as a portal to the era of psychedelic rock, predating the luminous Summer of Love where the genre truly exploded. This track wasn’t just a leap for The Beatles; it was a cultural leap into an era embellished with vivid colours and novel ideologies. Amidst the black and white framework of the existing music scene, ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ radiated with a brilliance that captured the essence of an acid trip, transporting listeners to uncharted territories of consciousness without the need for psychedelic substances.
The innovation behind the track was staggering. Employing reversed guitar riffs, tape loops, and pioneering studio effects, The Beatles transformed the auditory experience of music, inviting a collision between technology and creativity that had never been seen before in pop music. Lyrics inspired by Timothy Leary’s explorations of consciousness only deepened the song’s mystique, making ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ a manifesto for the psychedelic movement. This song broke barriers, proving that music could be an expansive, mind-altering journey, and laid the groundwork for the psychedelic explosion that would redefine the late ’60s.
10. ‘Black Sabbath’ – Black Sabbath (Metal)
Plunging into the depths of the human psyche and the shadowy corners of musical innovation, Black Sabbath birthed metal with the eponymous track ‘Black Sabbath.’ Rooted in the darkness of blues but transcending its origin to tap into something more sinister, this song introduced listeners to a new domain of sound. Tony Iommi’s tritone, famously known as the “Devil’s interval,” combined with Geezer Butler’s nightmarish lyrics, conjured an atmosphere thick with dread and foreboding, marking the emergence of a genre that would captivate and terrify in equal measure.
This wasn’t just another variation of rock; it was a complete overhaul. ‘Black Sabbath’ touched on the latent power of music to evoke the supernatural, to flirt with the forbidden, and to express a brooding introspection that was unheard of in mainstream music at the time. This track, and the genre it spawned, gave voice to the repressed anxieties and exhilarating taboos of its era, inviting artists to explore the full spectrum of human emotion, no matter how dark or unsettling. Through their bold foray into the uncharted territories of sound, Black Sabbath laid the keystone for the towering edifice that metal would become, influencing countless subgenres and shaping the identity of heavy music for generations to come.