The Ten Commandments of Album Oriented Rock
As a huge classic rock fan, and former classic rock radio DJ, I’ve gotten very used to album rock, and I much prefer the full album-length versions of songs, as opposed to their radio-edit counterparts. Additionally, there are often medleys or two-song couplets on rock albums that I believe should never be played separately.
For example, I had Pandora on this week while working on some animation, and “Amie” by Pure Prairie League came on. It was the single version, and it somehow sounded wrong to me to hear it without the slower “Falling In and Out of Love” track that precedes it on the Bustin’ Out album.
I posted my thoughts about this on Facebook, and it turned into a discussion among my friends and me, with lots of other examples cited. And with that, I give you The AOR Ten Commandments, as brought down from the mountain of pure rock.
1) I am the full 7:07 “Light My Fire.” Thou shalt have no radio-edits before me.
2) Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker” shall always be followed by “Livin’ Lovin’ Maid.”
3) Thou shalt always play the opening piano roll to Supertramp’s “Take the Long Way Home.”
4) Blessed is he who plays the acoustic intro to “Maggie May,” the electric intro to “Fat Bottomed Girls,” and the “Chopsticks” version of “Blinded By The Light.”
5) Honor the holy Robert Palmer Trilogy: “Sailing Shoes/Hey, Julia/Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley” shall always be as one.
6) Thou shalt never break asunder that which God has put together, namely “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions,” lest ye be stoned.
7) Thou shalt not take Side 2 of Abbey Road in vain. The “Sun King” and “Golden Slumbers” medleys shall be played as medleys for ever and ever, amen.
8) The following shall always be written, and played as such: “Feeling That Way/Anytime,” “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature,” “I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home,” and “Peace Frog/Blue Sunday.”
9) Remember thy long intros to “Green Eyed Lady,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” and “Crazy On You,” and keep them holy.
10) Thou shalt not play the 2:52 single version of “Beginnings.” Ever. The DJ may, however, opt to fade the final percussion solo at such a time to hit the top of the hour, or upon return from a restroom break.
I’m sure there are lots more examples… Which others would you add? Amendments to the Commandments, if you will.
At Slater’s Garage Ads & Audio, we help small businesses put a unique voice to their marketing through a combination of audio, video and social media. To find out how we can help you bring your marketing to life, contact us today.
‘Tis sacrilege to not include “Foreplay/Long Time.”
I so agree about Amy without the “Falling In and Out of Love” intro… I think you can do “We Are the Champions” without “We Will Rock You,” but not the other way around. I also agree on Abby Road. I will add to this: “A Brick In The Wall/The Happiest Days of Our Lives/A Brick In The Wall part II/A Brick In The Wall Part III” should be played as a single track despite part III’s separation on the album. Furthermore, “A Brick In The Wall part II” should not be played with out “The Happiest Days of Our Lives”…Ever!