Greatest Long Rock Songs in History

This isn't just a song, this is a progressive rock symphony. It's also probably the greatest progressive rock symphony to ever exist, period. The way it's segmented out, and concludes to a melancholy but satisfying climax, makes it one of the greatest pieces of music in my humble opinion.

Definitely an early masterpiece by Pink Floyd. However, I would vote up other songs such as "Atom Heart Mother" and "Dogs". (Love Dogs). But in 1971, Echoes was the longest song that still has an impact to this day, clocking in 23:28.

As always, Pink Floyd's work tells a story. It's gorgeous. It's a little over 25 minutes long, but it doesn't feel nearly that long. It really makes time fly.

Come on. Compared to Echoes, November Rain, One and Stairway to Heaven are not even farts in space. A 23 minute experience. A one-of-a-kind song. Echoesshould at least be in the top 3

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm picking "One" over "Stairway To Heaven" and I'll explain why:
The guitar riff in "One" is one of my favorites ever. Stairway has some great guitar work and yes, it does in fact have the greatest guitar solo ever, but the riff belongs to "One".
The progression doesn't leap out at you like in Stairway, how the solo transitions it all for the most part. This starts fairly loud and gets better and better as it goes on, while Stairway has it's ups and downs.
Finally, the passion. I may be alone on this, but I feel more invested to Metallica when hearing this song, specifically the louder parts. It makes me feel bad. Led Zeppelin is successful doing this, too, but not as well.
There you have it.

It's about the movie Johnny Got His Gun! I love the intro where they actually let you listen to some lines of the movies.

Darkness, imprisoning me! All that I see, absolute horror! I cannot live, I cannot die...

I don't get it. This song is not even close to the others listed here in my book.

Just a great song comparable to Stairway To Heaven. This could have been released in the late 60's as it reminds me of those long cuts of the time.

The best piano, lyrics and guitar solo makes it the best, the best guitar solo of all time.

Best song for love I have ever heard.

Why is it not number 1?

This song inspired countless people to play guitar, and to become musicians. It's so powerful, and Robert Plant sounds so hauntingly beautiful. It's probably rock's most valuable masterpiece.

Stairway to Heaven should be number one, it's the best song of all time, next to Imagine by John Lennon. I guess #1 was longer but not better. And where's Living In-A-Da-La Viva?

Two Led Zeppelin songs in top of the list with no trace of queen. This makes me really proud. Zeppelin is the best without doubt.

The most epic song of the 20th and 21st century.It's clearly a masterpiece and it's also inspiring.Pretty bad kids nowadays listen to the latest pop hits and miss classic rock...

One of the best guitar solos of all time, and at nearly 5 minutes it's one of the longest too. Awesome song that every true fan can appreciate.

I think Green Grass and High Tides should be right along side this!

I agree that the scream near the end is probably the most climactic moment of the seventies. The Who deserved way more than they got, but they kicked ass anyway.

The Who's greatest achievement, and therefore the greatest song of all time. Daltrey's "YEAAH" is the single greatest moment in rock music.

You can't be serious, it almost six minutes. I would put that in the hundreds of one of these lists. Not because of the song's quality, but because you can't have a short song this high up on the best long songs list.

As much as I love Metallica, I really think this beats One. It is the most unique rock piece ever written, and you can't help but sing along.

By far and away the most creative piece on this list. Innovative and musically coherent. Only November Rain comes close.

It's not a short song and indeed it is the BEST song of all time, so much better than all the others on this list.

Even though I ended up voting for The Prophet's Song by Queen it's ridiculous how low this one is. Zeppelin's best song in my opinion!

A two part Pink Floyd classic! Both parts being over 12 minutes long, and maintaining an emotional hook that doesn't let go. Shine On You Crazy Diamond is Pink Floyd at their best, it gives all band members a chance to shine: from Roger with his bass, Gilmore on guitar, Richard's synths, and the beat provided by Nick. The entire song is an emotional journey from beginning to end, and is definitely one of the best songs made.
(how is this down at number 19? )

Well, I wouldn't consider anything shorter than 10 minutes as long song... and in terms of longer than 10 minutes, Shine On You Crazy Diamond blows away everything else. It's hard to believe that song longer than 25 minutes isn't actually too long and it's awesome from the start to the very end.

Second place in my opinion goes to "Halloween" by Helloween, magnificient 13 minutes long power metal song

Some of the songs ahead of this aren't even that long! Shine On is an amazing emotionally evoking song that is second to only wish you were here, which is not a long song.

Can't believe my all time favorite song is lying back at no.26
Shine On is a miracle, never done before and never will be done..
Hail Pink Floyd..

This song is simply amazing. It's 9 minutes long but it feels like 3 minutes. It's like your life has not been wasted for one second because this song is SO good and makes a great impact.

Really amazing song that described both the state of America's poorly maintained suburbs and its youth at the same time. Deserves to be top 3.

This isn't THE best long rock song ever but it is the best Green Day song and definitely deserves to be in the top 5. Love the music video as well

The modern, darker Bohemian Rhapsody. Amazing guitar riffs, a drum solo, killer transitions, and lyrics beyond imagination

Number 1 please... !
How manny feeling on this song.. It's my favorite on Guns N' Roses!
I cry with this song... I love you Axl!

Rediculously good song. Vocals and highs are perfect. Should be number one and is one of the most underrated songs by Guns N' Roses.

Best song/ composition ever written!

God, this hypnotic tune... It's amazing...

This song is underrated... Stairway to heaven is a great song but not that great as people make it out to be. I personally think Bohemian Raphsody is a better song but apparently not. Led Zeppelin is a great band and this is my favorite song by them. The riff is so great and ah its amazing. Better then Stairway To Heaven

This is my music confession; I was exposed to (and performed) plenty of music from many different genre's & era's from as far back as I can remember. I heard this song at 9yrs old Have loved Zeppelin since. I still listen to a variety (37 years later) but my constant is Led Zeppelin. I guess it's partly the emotion/yearning that is communicated so effectively, not just by a single member but each member's talent in their catalog. I won't rant & wax rhapsodic LOL. love EM! I did not get the chance to see them live but if you enjoy them I can tell you that Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience is a great show, search it. See it. Thanks for the poll ~Peace

No one can compete with Robert Plant. Everyone loves Led Zeppelin, and though I do think that Stairway to Heaven is the best, this song is WAY underrated.

One of my absolute favorite classic rock songs. It is under rated, but I like it better than Stairway to Heaven.

No song will ever beat out Master of Puppets for the title of best Thrash Metal song of all time. The length of this song makes it better; for example if Metallica cut off the part at 5:11 after James' guitar solo, with the lyrics 'Master, master, where's the dreams that I've been after? ', the song would have not had the epicness that it had with the extra 3.5 minutes, which includes some awesomely sung lines by Het, and a guitar solo by Kirk that is one of the greatest of all time.

'Master' keeps you interested and engaged throughout the whole song, even in its slow part in the middle, which nicely captures the feel of the song but gives us a break from the onslaught of aggression that the outstanding opening riff provides. Even at 8:37, I still want more of this masterpiece, I'd be happy if it went on for another 3 minutes with more lyrics... ;) Never gets old, and always catchy 😄

Master of Puppets is one of Metallica's best songs. This song is one of my favorite metal songs.

Kirk Hammett... enough said.

This song is not only an epic 21 minute masterpiece, but to attest to it's technicality, it had to be broken up into 7 parts for guitar hero 6, just so people could have a little break in between each part. This should be waayy further up than it is.

Three Guns N' Roses songs in the top ten? Only November Rain belongs there. This and Shine On You Crazy Diamond should be there.

Are you actually kidding me? Admittedly we all attest to stairway, freebird and The Who but this clearly ought to be the unanimous victor...

2112 should top this list. Iconic mix of slashing guitar and of course the famous Neal Pert drum roll. Move it up!

Pfft, for all those who think songs like Bohemian Rhapsody and Hotel California are long, listen to this masterpiece. Those songs are fantastic, but as a lifelong fan of Genesis, this song is amazing for me. I also reccomend Echoes, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, and Dogs by Pink Floyd, Close to the Edge and The Gates of Delirium by Yes, and Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull if you're looking for other really long songs.

You just know that this is so low because so few people know it. Same goes for other Masterpieces like Close to the Edge or a Plague of Lighthouse keepers.

Like Echoes by Floyd it doesn't feel like over 20 minutes. It takes you on a fascinating ride.

Epic 22 minutes tune. PS, for a song to be long, it must be qt least 7-8 minutes long, which disquilifies half the songs on this list...

One of the best Eagle's songs, and one of my favorite songs ever.

Great song...one of the all time classics!

What? This song is surly number 3.

I don't know why this isn't in the top 100. This is a fantastic song!

The Doors should be all over this list. Light My Fire, Riders On The Storm, When The Music's Over... Etc. But The End is an amazing song and frankly I think it is far superior to Stairway To Heaven, which is highly overrated.

This is simply better than Stairway to Heaven. And much more revolutionary.

I've always without a doubt considered this the best rock song over 10 mins. Vocals match the narrative in the lyrics so well

I remember when it was new. It was already legendary. 17 minutes and 5 seconds, taking up the whole side of an LP at a time when songs were typically running at less than 3 minutes. And it's just plain good. It's got so much texture to it, and when Doug Ingle's organ weaves back into prominence after the drum solo, it's haunting and beautiful, and you can just sense that the music is on the verge of exploding. Really good stuff. A masterpiece.

Number 22? Really? Gotta be top five! I remember the first time I heard this classic...I went nuts! Come on...Gotta be higher than 22.

Gotta love the instrumental qualities of this epic song. Although this song takes so long, I listen it over and over.

The whole side of the album is this classic song with the best classic rock drum solo ever.