In 2015 I ranked EVERY Cheap Trick song released to that date. In honor of the new Cheap Trick record, In Another World, and Eddie Trunk listing his top twenty CT tunes (which I haven’t seen) I re-worked my top twenty. Below is my original commentary and some notes where necessary. Enjoy. (Click for original 1-184 rankings)
So what kind of freak ranks every Cheap Trick song? I guess that is me. I am all too aware that once this list is published, I will get my balls "Busted" mercilessly. I realize that some of you may think that you are a bigger Cheap Trick fan than I am because you dress up like Rick or have slept with Robin more times than I have seen the band (39 times), but you would be mistaken. My friend Joe and I were so determined to be like CT that we started a band (Watershed) in 8th grade and eventually got signed to Epic Records. (And subsequently dropped I might add.) Joe eventually went on to write a best selling memoir, "Hitless Wonder - A Life in Minor League Rock n Roll," which is a must read for any fan of good books, rock n roll or Cheap Trick. Seriously, if you haven't read this book, you are kind of a loser and really not a Cheap Trick fan. But don't take my word for it, click here for an NPR weekend edition story about why you should read it.
The list is for the enjoyment of all Cheap Trick and non-stupid rock n roll fans across the globe. These scientifically-derived rankings are based on irrefutable facts and my personal opinions. I include some b-sides, but by and large I concentrate on full-length studio recordings.
Please don't bother sending hostile emails wondering where "Loser" or "You Want It" is. The beer bottle is half-full, not half-empty, my friends.
My Obsession was written from a place of love and moderate mental illness. Cheap Trick is my favorite band not only because they look and sound great, but because they are survivors. My favorite band was playing then and they are playing now. I have never known a world without Cheap Trick. They could have stopped, but they didn't. They played because they had to. For literal and emotional reasons. They have been a gift to me and to music fans worldwide. Like anything you truly love, it is hard not to take them for granted. Let the others have the Beatles, Stones, U2 or whoever, they are all worthy bands. I will take Cheap Trick; they have heart, and in the end, that is what makes them my heroes.
Enough of my yappin'. Let's boogie!
1. I WANT YOU TO WANT ME [IN COLOR] (Previously #1)
Arguably, the definitive pop song of all time. If Hemingway could have written one song, this would have been it. The perfect sentence set to music.
Isn't it odd that the highly paid executives at Epic Records couldn't identify this as a hit song? It was dumb luck that "I Want U" even found its way back across the Pacific Ocean to the American charts. This song was demoed for the debut Cheap Trick album, but didn't make the cut until first appearing on "In Color." After lackluster sales, Epic complained that the band didn't have a single. This would be similar to a baseball manager complaining that his team had no pitching while using Roger Clemens as a bullpen catcher.
Watch this! Original Budokan version.
Watch this! Cheap Trick schooling a bunch of hipsters as the featured act at SXSW over 30 years later. Timeless.
2. DOWNED [IN COLOR] (Previously #3 - not much of a jump but still the perfect mix of power + pop + I’m depressed)
I still remember staring at the Over the Edge soundtrack record spinning in my bedroom thinking, “This is even cooler than KISS Alive. And much better than BTO.”
Watch this clip from In Color shot in black and white.
3. WAY OF THE WORLD [DREAM POLICE] (Previously #7)
"Didn't think I existed, but we’re comin' together right now." When they started opening with this in 2010 I was beside myself with joy. I get chills every single time Robin hits that opening note. Check it out from Austin City Limits. (or original promo video.)
4. HELLO THERE [IN COLOR] (Previously #23 - My favorite intro in rock, “The Best Fucking Rock Band You’ve Ever Seen.. Cheap Trick.” )
How about the kids shooting out the cop's windshield with a BB gun during the opening scene of "Over the Edge"? Who directed that? (editor’s note; Jonathan Kaplan.) Great soundtrack. (Also contains first appearance of Van Halen’s “You Really Got Me” Kinks cover.)
Watch this! This was written by Rick as sort of a sound-check song. Here is a version from the Reading Festival, England 1979 where CT has to rush on stage in daylight and you get to see how it works. Bun E. giving the monitor man the high sign to turn Rick's guitar up is my personal highlight.
Watch this too! "Hello There" on Don Kirshner's Rock Show.
And EVEN BETTER, in the running for my favorite clip, Cheap Trick shot unedited by local news at a homecoming gig in Rockford 1979. How can a band be this good? WATCH THIS!!!
5. HEAVEN TONIGHT [HEAVEN TONIGHT] (Previously #60. BY FAR MY WORST RANKING. I watch this performed live on Austin City Limits and SXSW every two weeks. How often does a band play a 6, 8 and 12 string all the same time?)
I'm making a bong sound right now. Click here to watch Robin, Rick and Tom play amazing guitars.
Click here to watch Rig Rundown with Tom Peterson and Robin Zander
6. LOOKOUT [BUDOKAN / BONUS TRACK ON 1977 SELF-TITLED REISSUE] (Previously #9)
Can a song ranked #9 still be considered a sleeper? I believe this is Happy Chichester's favorite CT song. And Brian Phillips too. Got lucky enough to go and catch them recording Budokan Revisited at XM Studios thanks to pal Lou Brutus 2004-ish. They played this twice and it is seared into my memory. While Bun E. is a legend and missed behind the kit, Daxx is truly the next best thing. Need evidence? Click here and watch him ride the snare and carry the groove.
Once in a small bar the night before a Cheap Trick gig, Daxx filled up the jukebox with Cheap Trick songs and when the tunes started playing, the rest of the road crew understandably moans, "Oh God, no, not this.." Daxx yells out while popping open a beer, "Shut up, they are still my favorite band!" This is while HE IS the drummer. mind you. How cool is that?
7. HE'S A WHORE [SELF-TITLED - 1977] (Previously #7)
Aggressive, melodic. Jack Douglas recorded it, but uber-mega producer - ahem - recorder, Steve Albini covered it with his overrated 80's band Big Black. (I bought the 45 1986-ish.) Steve went on to "sonically capture" a slew of bands (Nirvana, Pixies, Gaunt, Scrawl) in addition to CT. He also allegedly cut a "new" version of "In Color" with the Tricksters in 1997-98 or something. Yeah right.... I suppose Bigfoot and the Bermuda Triangle are real, too. Yeesh, the crazy rumors people take as fact. Sad, really.
BTW - Watershed played CBGB's many, many times and somehow managed to not document a single show, except for a version of us playing "He's a Whore" sometime 1991-1995. NYC wasn't sold on us or Cheap Trick at that particular time. Listen, but be kind. We were kids, and we were tired, and we were drunk.
Watch this: version from first Cheap Trick promo video
Watch this! Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Rick Nielsen and the Sound City Players doing "Hello There" and "He's a Whore."
8. SURRENDER [HEAVEN TONIGHT] (Previously #5)
Duh.
9. IF YOU WANT MY LOVE [ONE ON ONE] (Previously #4. You know what I learned from playing in Why Isn’t Cheap Trick in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? EVERYONE loves hearing this song played live in a bar. Try it. You’ll see.)
Live under the stars at the old Ohio State Fair grandstand, with the sweet smell of Tom Thumb donuts in the air, and the glitter of the midway rides in the distance. They replaced that old grandstand with a soulless corporate pavilion but Cheap Trick became legends in Columbus because of all those outdoor gigs at the Fair. Two Shows a day! 2pm and 8pm. Heaven Today AND Tonight.
Watch This! MTV used to play music and they played this a bunch.
10. SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE [SELF-TITLED - 1977] (Previously #2. I still love this song, but now I text Heaven Tonight late at night when I’ve been drinking.)
When I first did this list I had "Speak" ranked #8, but over the years I've noticed I CANNOT stop listening to the live version. I know they didn't write this song. (Terry Reid did and his version is cool, too. Also he was rumored to be the first choice for lead vocalist of Led Zep.) That makes for an awkward #10 (or #2), but my gut says that Cheap Trick covered this on their first record because it sort of sums up what they do so well in one tight package. Tom's massive 12-string bass gets things started and the song just sort of makes you want to break things while it breaks your heart. It sounds beautiful, has no discernable chorus and is just flat-out strange. I'm pretty sure ONLY Cheap Trick could play this song and make it look so easy, anyway..
The live version of this on both the official Budokan DVD release and the 1992 Bootleg from Japan are outstanding. Tom's 12-string bass is noise straight from the heavens. I only own the 1992 show on VHS, but it is pro shot with a great set list and even backstage interviews. I love hearing all the "Sconsin'" accents floating around the Far East. "Figured out how to order beer, we are ready to rock," says the monitor man. Check it out here.
11. I CAN'T TAKE IT [NEXT POSITION PLEASE] (Previously #15. It just gets better and better.)
Zander strikes! Or is that Pete Comita? Still love the live version from "Thicke of The Night." You know Alan Thicke, the guy from "Family Matters" with Michael J. Fox and his hot sister Melanie and his kinda hot wife what's her name. Wait - it’s Kirk Cameron, not Mike J. Fox. What show was that? Anyway, click here.
12. STOP THIS GAME [ALL SHOOK UP] (Previously #17)
A great song, but something about the production doesn't let it shift from 4th to 5th gear. I guess I'm blaming George Martin for a poorly produced Cheap Trick song, which would be a very hard position to defend in the court of public opinion. Or any court for that matter.
Watch This: Crushing version from Chicagofest complete with sound-check footage. Imagine if this was Central Park. More to come, see number 16 below.
13. I'LL BE WITH YOU TONIGHT [DREAM POLICE] (Previously #21. Those live versions pushing it up)
Cruising back to D.C. after an Orioles game with the windows down and Lou Brutus blasting the stereo. God Bless the USA. I've never seen this live. Click here to watch it from 1980.
Or Watch This! Rehearsal footage of the band doing this same intro. This is tape #1 of 9. You can figure it out from here.
14. High Roller [Heaven Tonight] (Previously #14)
Watch this! Speaking of "Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?" here is the band Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? performing “High Roller” with special guest Marci Mays (from Scrawl - another band produced, I mean, er, recorded by Steve Albini. Marci also - until very recently - owned the Ace of Cups club where this was recorded.) (For more, see number 16 below.)
15. BIG EYES [IN COLOR] (Previously #57. Yeah,Messed this one up too. In fairness it gets a huge bump because we started playing it in Watershed. So much fun to play.)
I've heard the version on "secret Albini version of In Color" crushes. Yeah. I bet it would…. if it existed. Sure. Right. Tell me another one. Watch This! Full concert from down under with a great Big Eyes version.
16. TIME WILL LET YOU KNOW (SILVER DVD) (Previously #13. Eat it, haters. I do not back off this stunning live version on Silver. It is a testament to the special band that exists in Cheap Trick and their willingness to take chances, support one another and - above all - support family. And it’s a beautiful song)
When Silver was first released, I dug it, but it wasn't until I had a kid of my own that I could really appreciate how cool it was of CT to invite their kids to help out at their 25th Anniversary show, filmed live in Rockford. Though this song appears on Robin's cool solo disc (not the country one; haven't heard that yet) it’s this live version that I find myself returning to over and over again.
The whole production is really breathtaking and the moment when Robin steps over and squeezes his daughter's hand is priceless. Watch Here
So if Cheap Trick was from New York City instead of Rockford, would they already be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame?
The thought crossed my mind one evening while watching Silver that if a band from New York tried a show like this in Central Park, it would be covered live on all media outlets and probably have its own pull-out section in the USA Today.
Try to imagine a band from New York that had sold 20 million records over 30 years; been produced by George Martin, Todd Rundgren, Jack Douglas, Roy Thomas Baker, and Steve Albini (he recorded them); were John Lennon's favorite American band; had persevered through tough times and continued playing gigs all over the world because that's what rock n roll bands do; rallied to put out an amazing new CD The Latest; were beloved by all revered pop-culture icons (Conan O' Brien, The Onion, David Letterman, The Simpsons, Steve Colbert); were the featured band at 2010 SXSW; performed on Austin City Limits and World Café; were invited by the Los Angeles Philharmonic to recreate "Sgt. Peppers Live'' at the Hollywood Bowl; influenced bands like Green Day (Billie Joe Armstrong left a note on Rick's door the first time Green Day played Chicagoland that said "We are going to be a good as your band one day.") and Nirvana (Kurt Cobain: "I think of Nirvana as being like Cheap Trick."). If a band from New York City accomplished even half of this, they would most certainly be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
Watch This! Rick talking about the John Lennon sessions.
But Cheap Trick's parents happened to be living in the Midwest when they had kids, so Cheap Trick Waits outside the hall with their noses pressed against the glass while NYC bands like Blondie and Talking Heads have been invited inside long ago. Don't take my word for it, judge for yourself.
Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? is now a band in addition to a damn good question. Yup, I formed this band in 2013, trying to answer a very simple question, “Why isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame?” The premise is simple, we will perform a FREE show of Cheap Trick covers every year until Cheap Trick gets the call from the Hall. The first year was very successful with lots of press, tweets from Eddie Trunk and Rick & Robin holding up a "Why Isn't Cheap Trick in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame?” T-shirt. The show for 2014 will be announced soon. Click here for the link to all the press and a video clip of the shirt being held up.
Cheap Trick narrowly avoids being crushed to death by a falling stage in Canada and soon after RUSH gets elected to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? Alex Lifeson should at least buy Rick a new guitar. Watch this and bless the lucky stars our heroes escaped unscathed.
Click here for footage of Robin assessing the damage.
17. GONNA RAISE HELL [DREAM POLICE] (Previously #25)
If you are one of my friends, chances are that I have ruined a good night of drinking by making you sit through the live video of CT playing the Navy Pier from Chicago. This song is the highlight of that show. I would mention Pete Comita now, but I am saving that for later.
Shouldn't somebody at Epic have edited a version of this down to 4 minutes so it could have been a MASSIVE rock radio hit instead of just a pretty big one?
18. TELL ME EVERYTHING [WOKE UP WITH A MONSTER] (Previously #29. Oh, we will cover this song live one day come hell or high water.)
In my only real conversation with Rick (1995, at the Library Bar here in Columbus, OH; I was younger and even dumber than I am now, if you can believe it) I asked him what his favorite song was on "Woke Up" and he explained to me in detail why he liked this one. He was right. Listen here for further proof.
Cheap Trick Are Really Cool Guys, Part Two (1995): We were signed to Epic Records and our prince of an A&R man - the late, great Frankie LaRocka - makes a phone call and gets us a couple shows opening for CT. One of them is at the Newport Club in C-Bus. Obviously, we are thrilled to be playing with our heroes in our hometown.
So the show rocks and afterwards we head to The Library Bar, our favorite hangout on High Street. About 20 minutes after we get there, the bar door opens and Rick, Robin, Tom & Bun E. walk in. I remember their tour manager saying to me that night, "Wow! Even Bun E. came out. These guys must really like you."
Well, I'm not sure about that, but I am sure that Cheap Trick could have chosen many things to do more interesting than to hang around a little bar with a little band from Columbus, Ohio. They did it because they knew it would mean the world to us and it did. People in Columbus still talk about the night they hung out with Cheap Trick at The Library Bar. An autographed Cheap Trick picture hangs over the beer taps to this day. Stop by sometime and ask Cricket to tell you all about it.
19. NEED YOUR LOVE [DREAM POLICE] (Previously #33)
I have seen them play this four times: the Budokan night at the Metro; outside Easton Mall in Columbus; Watch This! opening for Aerosmith in 2012; and XM Studios for "Budokan Revisited.” They hadn't played it in years and yet somehow in front of just 30 people (with Jack Douglas mixing, and Lou Brutus hosting) they laid down the definitive version. Bun E. just kept launching back into the rocking part with a big grin on his face and the guys followed. I saw and heard it with my own eyes/ears from 10 feet away. Find this version and dig it. As of July 2010 this is back in the set so I may see it again soon. (blogger’s note: Have seen it twice since this was written. Should be ranked higher.) Watch this! Live version from 2010. I love how Tom and Robin stand back AC/DC style while Rick solos.
20. REACH OUT [HEAVY METAL (SOUNDTRACK)] (Previously #65. Let’s just admit we cannot imagine life without this song. So it makes us shallow. So what?)
Maybe ranked a little high, but I love the live version from Chicago. Pete Comita could be Tom P. in a CT tribute band. Plays bass like the guitar player that he is. Watch This!
Colin Gawel founded Pencil Storm and writes things at Colin’s Coffee. He also plays in the band Watershed seen below covering Reach Out.
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