Radio Minute: 5 Classic Rock Songs That Go Together Without A Doubt

After 11 years of playing Classic Rock in San Luis Obispo, California (1989-2000) you learn a few things about your listeners. Classic Rock lovers are purists and they don't want you talking over the beginning of their favorite songs. Another thing they love is when you play a song that is intended to continue into the next track. This is where I have an issue with iTunes and being able to buy a song or songs individually. Can you imagine just buying a single song of Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' or 'The Wall?' Both of those albums are great examples of what you would call 'concept albums.' They weren't intended to be listened to as single tracks, but instead they need to be enjoyed from beginning to end.

Keep in mind that this was back in the seventies, so radio disc jockeys may have had another reason, that was less about musical integrity, for letting these tunes go longer.

With that said, there are some songs that, over the years, have been 'paired up' or 'blended together.' Some intentional, some not. Here are five of my favorite songs that should be played together.

Bob Seger - Travelin' Man/Beautiful Loser (1976) Album 'Live Bullet'

Recorded at the Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan, this 'twofer' was the way to go. Beautiful Loser was originally released of their previous studio album to a less than stellar audience. It failed to crack the Hot 100 Billboard Singles Chart, but take the live version and start it up with Travelin' Man and this double shot is pure classic rock gold.

The Beatles - The Sun King Medley (1969) Album 'Abbey Road'

It was the Beatles 11th and last recorded album in 1969. Let it Be was the last album to be released before the fab four called it quits, but Abbey Road was the last time the all recording together. The Sun King Medley has the very unique distinction of running the albums b-side (on vinyl) or tracks 10-16 all together. The song starts with Sun King (for which the 'nickname' gets it's title) , followed by Mean Mr. Mustard, Polythene Pam, She Came in Through The Bathroom Window, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight and wraps up close to 10 minutes later with, the appropriate for the group, The End.

ZZ Top - Waiting for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago (1973) Album 'Tres Hombres'

Houston's finest returned for their third album which stands for 'Three Men.' La Grange was the only single released off the album to radio, but rock radio picked up on Waiting for the Bus. And since it segues so nicely into Jesus Just Left Chicago they let them play together.

Journey - Feeling That Way/Anytime (1978) Album 'Infinity'

Before these Bay City rockers became a top 40 staple and the kings of 'arena rock,' Journey were just a group of guys trying to find their way with their music. Infinity would be the first album that would introduce Steve Perry to their fans. Perry wasn't the prominent vocalist in the group as he would later become. At this point, he was sharing the vocal duties with keyboardist Greg Rollie. To this day, when listening to a classic rock station and I hear Feeling That Way without following it up with Anytime, I cringe.

Pink Floyd - The Happiest Days of Our Lives/Another Brick in The Wall, Pt. 2 (1979) Album 'The Wall'

Like previous releases, The Wall was a concept album that was considered a rock opera and centered around the mythical character of Pink. Unlike previous releases, this double disc from Floyd would contain their biggest mainstream hit, Another Brick in the Wall, Pt 2. It sat at #1 for an entire month beginning in mid-January. Not bad for a song that the group didn't want released as a single.

It's interesting to note that the radio/top 40 version begins a little different than it's albums counterpart. The single starts 'clean' with the disco drum beat and ends long before we hear about how we 'can't eat your pudding without first eating your meat.' Rock radio took advantage of the surreal sound of the helicopters and prelude to 'Brick' by starting things off with 'Happiest Days.'