Top Vintage Biker Tunes

To celebrate Vintage Week at Devitt, we’ve put together a list of the top classic biker tunes. Have a listen, and let us know what your all time favourite biker song is.

Lets kick it off with Black Betty by Ram Jam. This 1970’s American rock band had a massive hit with this tune back in 1977.

1952 Vincent Black Lightning by Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson – what a truly talented musician, he’s won many awards and has recorded with some pretty epic artists such as Elvis Costello, Del McCoury and David Gilmour. This song is basically all about a motorbike so it practically belongs on this list!

Back in Black by AC/DC 

You can’t have a vintage biker playlist without these guys. A classic tune that will get everyone moving. This the title track to the album that sold over 40 million copies world wide – we know why!

Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf

Although the album and song were not an immediate hit for Meat Loaf, the song still rocked its way into being in the UK chart for an impressive 485 weeks! It’s now one of the biggest biker songs out there.

Ace of Spades by Motorhead 

This is the most famous song by Motorhead, and we all know it. Did you know that Lemmy claims he wrote this song in the back of a transit van going 90 mph – how rock and roll!

Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf 

Regardless of the generation, everyone knows the 1968 music scene spectacular that is Born To Be Wild. This song has been on the soundtrack to countless films such as Speechless, Dr. Dolittle 2 and One Crazy Summer.

Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen 

Written by guitarist Brian May in 1978, English rock band Queen knew how to write a hit. The song has been covered by many artists since it’s release.

Leader of the Pack by Twisted Sister 

Originally by The Shangri-Las in 1964, it wasn’t until 1985 when the Twisted Sisters released a cover of the song on their 1985 album, Come Out and Play.
In the original track, the sound of the motorcycle is the engineer’s Harley Davidson.

I Fought the Law by The Clash 

Originally performed by The Bobby Fuller Four in 1965, in memory of Buddy Holly’s death in 1959. It was not until 1979 after The Clash heard the version on a jukebox, they decided to make the song sound more rock and roll. It wasn’t until 1988 when the song was released in the UK, charting at number 29.

Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd 

The song has been claimed to be one of the ‘most-requested songs in the history of rock music’ and we sure know why. Free Bird also achieved 3rd place in Guitar Worlds 100 greatest guitar solos. What a hit!

Paranoid by Black Sabbath 

Paranoid was the first single released by Black Sabbath, and went straight in the UK charts at number 4. A strange fact is that the word ‘paranoid’ is never mentioned in the lyrics. Have a listen…

Highway to Hell by AC/DC 

Another great hit by AC/DC, a song that would be a crime to leave off a vintage biker tune playlist. The first AC/DC song to chart in the USA, selling over 7 million copies.

Funky Moped by Jasper Carrott 

It wouldn’t be a  vintage biker playlist without this ‘biker’ tune from Jasper Carrott. Funky Moped reached the top 5 in the charts in August 1975 – we know why!

Gasoline by Audioslave – Requested by our friends at Ministry of Bikes 

Audioslave are bringing biker tunes to the modern day. Gasoline was released in 2004 and was praised for its reminiscent of 19702 metal bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

Ride like the Wind by Christopher Cross – Requested by David Newman 

Cross tells the story of a condemned man on the run to Mexico. A brilliant soft rock classic that was released in 1980.

Motorbike Song by Arlo Guthrie – Requested by Ian Whiffen 

We know that you’ll be humming along to the Motorbike Song for days after hearing it. A simple song that’s just so catchy… ‘I don’t want a pickle, I just want to ride my motor-cicle’

Love Radar by Golden Earring – Requested by Tracy Thompson & Mark Griffin 

Love Radar was released in 1973 and has been covered over 250 times, by the likes of Bryan Adams, U2 and R.E.M.

Silver Machine by Hawkwind – Requested by Ministry of Bikes 

Formed in London in 1969, labelled as a psychedelic heavy metal band Hawkwind released Silver Machine in 1972.

Go with the Flow by Queens of the Stone Age – Requested by Ministry of Bikes 

Released in 2002, Go With The Flow is one of a few tracks that Troy Van Lleuwen plays lead guitar on.

La Villa Strangiato by Rush – Requested by Ministry of Bikes

This 1978 classic has to be one of the best rock instrumentals around. Definitely worth having a listen….

Continue the chat over on our Facebook page, come and share your all-time favourite biker tunes.