Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen: Five Songs I Wish I’d Written
Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen got a little tongue-tied when he spoke to Rolling Stone in December about his band's upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "I'm verklempt," he told RS the day the news broke. "I don't know what to say." Fortunately, the guitarist opened up a bit more when we checked back in to get his thoughts on some of his favorite songs.
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The Nazz, “Open My Eyes”
A great early power-pop song — not too syrupy, kind of noisy. It's like a bugle waking you up. Later on, it inspired me to write "Hello There."
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The Raspberries, “Go All the Way”
All the parts fit: There's not too much bridge, and the chorus doesn't repeat too many times. It's exciting.
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The Dave Clark Five, “Glad All Over”
Today the drum parts would be toned down — they're too loud. But why? They're a signature part of the song.
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Small Faces, “Whatcha Gonna Do About It”
So simple that it probably wouldn't make sense if anyone else did it — but there's Steve Marriott wailing, and the guy is just so convincing.
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Oasis, “The Shock of the Lightning”
The riff goes on and on, and Liam Gallagher just snarls. We play this song at our shows before we go onstage. It puts me in the mood to rock.