TOP 10 Greatest Rock Songs [from 1976] that turn 50 This Year [2026]

Many artists in 1976 released their greatest rock songs and albums that are still very popular today .

It's time to wish a Happy 50th anniversary to :

#1

The Boys Are Back In Town

by Thin Lizzy

The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy from album Jailbreak
"The Boys Are Back in Town" is a song by Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy. The song was released in 1976 as the first single from their album Jailbreak. It is considered by Rolling Stone to be the band's best song, placing it at No. 272 on the 2021 edition of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.

 

#2

Somebody To Love

by Queen

Somebody To Love by Queen from album A Day At The Races
"Somebody to Love" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by lead singer and pianist Freddie Mercury. It debuted on the band's 1976 album A Day at the Races and also appears on their 1981 compilation album Greatest Hits.

 

#3

More Than a Feeling

by Boston

More Than a Feeling by Boston from album Boston
"More Than a Feeling" is a song by the American rock band Boston, released as the lead single and the opening track from the band's 1976 debut album by Epic Records in September 1976, with "Smokin'" as the B-side. Tom Scholz wrote the entire song. The single entered the US Billboard Hot 100 on September 18 and peaked at number five.It was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lists of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" and was ranked number 212 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

 

#4

Hotel California

by Eagles

Hotel California by Eagles from album Hotel California
"Hotel California" is a song by American rock band the Eagles, released as the second single of their 1976 album of the same name on February 22, 1977.The song was written by Don Felder (music), Glenn Frey, and Don Henley (lyrics), featuring Henley on lead vocals and concluding with a 2-minute-12-second-long electric guitar solo performed by Felder and Joe Walsh, in which they take turns playing the lead before harmonizing and playing arpeggios together towards the fade-out.
 

#5

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

by AC/DC

 Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by AC/DC from album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" is a hard rock song by the Australian band AC/DC. Written by group members Angus Young, Malcolm Young, and Bon Scott, it was recorded for the title track of their album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, released in September 1976.
The song ranked No. 24 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs and in 2009 it was named the 31st best hard rock song of all time .

 

#6

Shout It Out Loud

by Kiss

 Shout It Out Loud by Kiss from album Destroyer
"Shout It Out Loud" is a song by the American hard rock group Kiss, originally released on their 1976 album, Destroyer. It was released as the lead single off the album, and it proved to be successful, becoming the band's second single to break the Top 40, after "Rock and Roll All Nite". It was also the band's first single to top the charts, as it reached number 1 hit in Canada on May 22, 1976
 

#7

Backstage Queen

by Scorpions

Backstage Queen by Scorpions from album Virgin Killer
"Backstage Queen" is a classic track by the German hard rock band Scorpions from their 1976 album Virgin Killer, known for its theme about the fleeting romance and loneliness of life on the road, featuring Klaus Meine's vocals and Rudolf Schenker's composition, and appearing in live versions on albums like Tokyo Tapes.
 

#8

Fool To Cry

by The Rolling Stones

Fool To Cry by The Rolling Stones from album Black And Blue
"Fool to Cry" is a ballad by English rock band the Rolling Stones from their 1976 album Black and Blue.
The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Mick Taylor had just left the band and the Stones were left without a lead guitarist.
"Fool to Cry" reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
 

#9

(Don't Fear) The Reaper

by Blue Öyster Cult

(Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult from album Agents Of Fortune
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" is a song by the American rock band Blue Öyster Cult from the 1976 album Agents of Fortune. Written and sung by the lead guitarist, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser.
The song is Blue Öyster Cult's highest chart success, reaching #7 in Cash Box and #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1976. Critical reception was positive and in December 2003 "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was listed at number 405 on Rolling Stone's list of the top 500 songs of all time
 

#10

If You Leave Me Now

by Chicago

If You Leave Me Now by Chicago from album Chicago X
"If You Leave Me Now" is a song by the American rock group Chicago, from their album Chicago X. It was written and sung by bass player Peter Cetera and released as a single on July 30, 1976.
The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 on October 23, 1976, and stayed there for two weeks, making it the first number one hit for the group. It was one of five "non-disco" songs to make it to number one in the US in a nine-month period of 1976 .

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Which song from the above do you like the most?

If you want to mention another POP ROCK song

or album from 1976, leave a comment below .