While romantic relationships are the most popular song topic, I personally prefer lyrics about other topics. Therefore, I decided to compile a list of classic rock songs about other issues. I had previously written a similar article featuring many of the same artists called “Ten Great Piano Rock Songs by Ten Different Singers”. There is also piano on all of these songs as I like piano in rock music. Two of the songs use electric piano and more than half of them feature its piano part played by the singer-songwriter. I’m featuring the official YouTube embeds for each of these songs so you can listen to any or all of them if you wish.
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? - Chicago (1969)
I’m discussing the arrangement of the album version which opens with a long jazz solo by pianist Robert Lamm, also the songwriter and singer of the song. After the solo the horns come in a good way. This song is jazz rock. There are good backing vocals by Peter Cetera and Terry Kath. I like how there is also some talking in the background. The song opens with someone being asked what the time is. He responds with a long humorous monologue beginning with “Does anybody really know what time it is”. This humorous monologue is the chorus which has two more different prompts leading to it.
Doctor My Eyes - Jackson Browne (1972)
This song is about a person talking to a doctor therapist seeking help. It deals with this person’s
perceptions of the world where he is talking to his doctor. Jackson plays the piano on this song. The
song has good congas by Russ Kunkel who also plays drums. Jackson’s YouTube channel recently
released a live performance of the song which is even better as it has rockier guitar and the addition of organ.
Kings - Steely Dan (1972)
This song is about English King Richard from the 12th century by jazz rock band Steely Dan. It talks about his issues which include his plundering which makes me think of corrupt heads of state. It also talks positively about his brother King John who succeeded him. I would like to give my views of these kings, but I won’t as I know hardly anything about them. This song has rocking piano and jazz influenced guitar including a solo. The piano part is played by singer and co-writer Donald Fagen.
Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy - Elton John (1975)
This is the opening track from Elton John’s 1975 album of the same name. It is about Elton John
(Captain Fantastic) and his lyricist Bernie Taupin (The Brown Dirt Cowboy). It opens with Davey
Johnstone’s acoustic guitars also featuring Elton’s electric piano. It sounds country in the first verse,
before making the sudden switch to hard rock in the chorus where Davey’s intense electric guitars
come in. The next verse goes back to the country sound but with a rock presence as there is some
electric guitar now. It ends with the same opening. Interestingly, a modified version of the same
opening/closing part was used in the closing title track of the 2006 sequel album “The Captain & The Kid”. The lyrics “The Captain and the Kid” were mentioned in this song. I love the lyric “From the end of the world to your town”.
Hello Old Friend - Eric Clapton (1976)
I would classify this song as both pop rock and country rock. This song is about the pleasure of seeing a friend or acquaintance after a while. It has good positive vibes. There is a keyboard presence of piano and organ. Eric’s guitar shines throughout with his playing.
The Logical Song - Supertramp (1979)
This is a Roger Hodgson Supertramp song in the light progressive rock style. Roger plays a notable electric piano part. This song deals with the meaning of life and has thought provoking lyrics. Roger
sings how special life was in his childhood, which unfortunately changed when he was sent to boarding school. He is critiquing what we are taught at school. There is a reference to cynicism which is a view I personally am not fond of. There is a nice saxophone solo by John Helliwell.
I Gotta Try - Kenny Loggins (1982)
This song was written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. Michael first released his version in August 1982 and Kenny released his version one month later. While both versions are soft rock,
Kenny’s version rocks better. Michael does play keyboards on this version too. The song seems to talk about the importance of trying to make your life better. It points out how people’s perceptions differ with truth being a theme of this song. The importance of persistence is given. I love the lyrics “They say it’s a hopeless fight, but I say I gotta try”. There are some lyrical similarities with the previous song as both deal with issues we face in this world.
Sometimes - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (1986)
It’s now time to change the pace up with a harder rocking song. This song has very good lyrics about someone who has issues with his life connected with where he lives so he wants to move somewhere else. There’s a saxophone solo by the late Alto Reed. Alto was Bob Seger’s saxophonist in the Silver Bullet Band who sadly passed away in December 2020. The saxophone solo is followed by a melodic piano solo and an intense guitar solo. There are horns throughout the song. Towards the end of the song, there are good piano notes.
The Doctor - The Doobie Brothers (1989)
This song opens with a good piano/guitar rocking combination. I suspect the piano is played by Bill
Payne, who was the piano player on the previous song. It is about the healing power of music,
referring to music as the doctor. This is the second doctor song on this list. It is sung by Tom Johnston and is the last hit single by The Doobie Brothers. It features a powerful guitar solo by Tom. This song reminds me of Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock & Roll” with its lyrics and musical sound. There are the similar lyrics “good time rock and roll”. I love the lyrics “Music is the doctor of my soul” which rings true to me.
The River Of Dreams - Billy Joel (1993)
This is a gospel rock song which seems to be about the meaning of life. Billy sings about “searching
for something” in his dreams involving a river which he is required to cross. Crossing this river is
difficult. There are prominent gospel style backing vocals. This song is very melodic and has a brilliant rocking piano solo by Billy.
I hope you enjoyed reading about and/or listening to these songs. They address a variety of themes
which include politics, identity, loneliness, persistence, the meaning of life, the state of the world and
friendship. Feel free to give your thoughts and interpretations on any of these songs. I’d be interested in hearing them.
