Stories Behind Iconic Rock Songs That Were Written On The Spot

 All iconic rock songs are not created equal. 

Some iconic rock songs only took a few minutes to write. And some iconic rock songs took forever and a day to create. Two great examples come from Guns N' Roses. "Sweet Child O' Mine" was written under a day. While "November Rain" took Axl Rose eight years to complete. 

In my blog today I'll be exploring a handful of Iconic Rock songs that were said to have been written "on the spot". Despite being quickly composed, these songs have become timeless classics as "Sweet Child O' Mine" has...

Here are a few rock songs that made it to the top of the charts that I think you'll recognize.

"(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction" – The Rolling Stones

        Written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger in 1965, the riff that defines "Satisfaction" came to Richards in the middle of the night. He reportedly woke up, recorded the riff on a tape recorder, and then fell back asleep. The rest of the song was completed quickly, with Jagger writing the lyrics in a matter of minutes. The song went on to become one of The Rolling Stones' most iconic tracks.

"Smoke on the Water" – Deep Purple

The signature riff of "Smoke on the Water" was written by Ritchie Blackmore on the spot while the band was rehearsing. The lyrics, which describe a fire during a Frank Zappa concert in Montreux, Switzerland, were quickly penned afterward based on real events.

"All Along the Watchtower" – Jimi Hendrix

Although originally written by Bob Dylan, Hendrix's legendary version was almost entirely composed in the studio. He and his band were jamming in the studio when they began developing their unique arrangement of the song. Hendrix recorded and re-arranged the track so swiftly that it was released shortly after its initial creation.

"Whole Lotta Love" – Led Zeppelin

Jimmy Page came up with the riff for "Whole Lotta Love" during a quick jam session in the studio. Robert Plant then improvised much of the vocal melody and lyrics based on a song by blues singer Willie Dixon. The song was recorded and finalized very quickly and went on to become a defining track for Led Zeppelin.

"Born to Run" – Bruce Springsteen

Though Bruce Springsteen spent a long time perfecting the final version of "Born to Run," the initial idea and structure of the song came to him very quickly in one creative burst. The inspiration hit Springsteen during a late-night writing session, and the core of the song was completed that night. The song became Springsteen's breakout hit and a rock anthem.

These examples show that some of the most iconic rock songs came to life in spontaneous moments of creativity, some in dreams, in only a day, and some in only a few minutes. 

Iconic Rock Songs Have No Time Frame For Creativity! 

GE