these are the keyboard lines that get
our motors running
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll
be counting down our picks for the top
ten keyboard and synth parts in rock
for this list will be ranking memorable
music sections performed by keyboard or
synthesizer players within the rock Jean
we’ll be paying particular attention to
how these sections work within each saw
whether they’re utilized as a solo
section melodic introduction or
transitional bridge within a piece
number ten subdivisions rush
this song from Canadian rock legends
rush goes for the synthesizer glory
right from the get-go with a solo
performance from the band’s singer and
bassist Geddy Lee subdivisions is taken
from the band’s 1982 album signals which
itself signaled a turning point of sorts
for the progressive rock legends
the track showcased the streamlined and
melodic sensibility new to the rush
sound anchored by Lee’s forward approach
to using the synthesizer as a lead
instrument indeed the guitar work of
Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart drumming is
almost restrained against the stirring
and emotional melody line delivered by
Lee in this massively influential rush
songs
number nine separate ways worlds apart
journey
with its iconic opening keyboard melody
separate ways grabs the audience’s
attention right from the start
journeys Jonathan Cain possesses a
striking tone to his chosen instrument
as his driving lake is quickly bolstered
by guitars Neil Sean’s heavy staccato
riffing the keyboards then take a
supporting role to separate ways as the
song weaves its tale of a lonely lover
promising devotion to his former flame
despite their separation
Kayne’s keyboards return for a haunting
effect near the end of Shawn’s guitar
solo
then lead into a collaboration with
singer Steve Perry to bring it all home
for the songs epic finale
number eight
foreplay longtime Boston
a Hammond m3 organ is the musical star
of this early Boston classic serving as
one of the most memorable tracks from
this arena rock bands multi-platinum
debut it’s foreplay that serves as the
most keyboard centric section of the
one-two combo and it is an instrumental
track that hinges upon the quick
arpeggio melody lines for primary effect
the song then segues into longtime a
more traditional Boston track which
utilizes the keyboards as a more
understated but mood setting
accompaniment to Tom Schultz his lair
guitar symphonies and Brad delp’s
powerful vocals
place them together and you have a tasty
sandwich of keyboard goodness performed
in that bombastic 70 style
number seven fanfare for the common man
Emerson Lake & Palmer
keyboardist keith emerson was no
stranger to complex keyboard gymnastics
point in kcl keys benny the bouncer
the musician would outdo himself however
on this reworking of a piece from the
early 40s titled fanfare for the common
man
the track was originally composed by
Aaron Copland in 1942 but was reworked
by the band for their 1977 opus works
Volume one with Emerson taking center
stage on the keyboard Emerson and the
group would transpose copelan’s piece
into a shuffling bluesy number two huge
success resulting in a fan favorite ELP
track which followed the band throughout
their career
number six love will tear us apart Joy
Division
keyboard melody – this next entry on our
list may be comparatively minimalistic
but it’s no less powerful or influential
level Tara’s apart might be one of the
most enduring tracks from British
post-punk band Joy Division from their
all-too-brief career
guitars Bernard Sumner takes to the
keyboards and echoes Peter hooks riffy
melodic baseline while adding sweeps and
swells of his own it may not be a grande
complex part but the keyboards cold
haunting tone is perfectly suited to the
song and is a perfect match for Ian
Curtis –is pains vulnerable lyrics
number five jump Van Halen
van Halen of 1984 was a band going
through some serious changes not only
were tensions between the band and
vocalist David Lee Roth becoming worse
and worse but the hardrock band sound
was evolving into one which was
increasingly incorporating keyboards as
opposed to the riff and two hand tapped
guitar work which defined their early
work
kids jump summed up this new sound
propelling guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s
commercially friendly and catchy
keyboard melodies into the Billboard
charts
it’s a driving and Infectious did he
indeed and fans responded in droves
making jump a number one smash in
countries around the world
number four shine on you crazy diamond
pink floyd–
talk about epic shine on you crazy
diamond is a nine part 25 minute opus
from Pink Floyd and their 1975 concept
album wish you were here split into two
chunks which bookend the album the song
was composed as the spiritual ode to
former members Syd Barrett and serves as
a fine example of Floyd at their most
emotional and atmosphere
particular attention should be paid to
keyboardist Richard Wright who’s adept
sensei creating mood makes it easy for
lead guitarist David Gilmour to work his
own magic over the top and simply a
match made in musical heaven
number three high-waist are deep purple
moving on to something substantially
less restrained deep purple’s highway
star just might be the epitome of a
perfect pedal-to-the-metal driving song
much of the song success should be
attributed to the band’s keyboardist
John Lourdes insane runs on the Hammond
organ as Lord trades off classically
inspired solos against his purple
bandmates Ritchie Blackmore
Lord’s fiery runs meet Blackmore
note-for-note as both musicians drum up
dizzying technical flourishes right on
through the songs crash and burn finale
Lord and Blackmore would go on to cou
perform on the comparatively mid-paced
perfect strangers in 1984
but it was highway star which sealed the
deal for many fans some 12 years prior
number two light my fire the doors
it’s a classic Rock mainstay which is
recognizable almost immediately
thanks to keyboardist Ray Manzarek and
his intense musical skills Manzarek was
so talented with his chosen instrument
that the doors rarely ever used a basis
when performing live where the keyboard
is filling in that role via Fender
Rhodes piano bass
it’s the Fox continental organ here
however that provides the songs most
memorable attributes from the unending
middle solo to the playful riff that
cooks us in from the get-go
Manzarek also flirts with a melody while
supporting robbie Kriegers inquisitive
and quasi flamenco guitar solo before
driving hard back into one of rock’s
most memorable music moments
before we reveal our number-one synth
section here are a few honorable
mentions
number one Baba O’Riley the who he
Townsend and the who are no strangers to
composing rousing epic keyboard melodies
as evidenced by their iconic 1971 track
won’t get fooled again
it was the opening track to that same
album who’s next
which would go on to cement the bat as
certifiable rock gods Baba O’Riley is
known for the repetitive layered
synthesizer tracks which serve as
undercurrent for Townsend’s windmill
guitar riffs and frontman Roger
Daltrey’s soaring vocals
the driving synth lines are then further
expanded upon during the townsend song
bridge as spare melodic notes are used
to accentuate the songs overt dramatic
atmosphere the result a classic rock
masterpiece which still retains all of
its original power
so do you agree with our list which
keyboard or synth section do you feel
lift their respective songs to new
heights
for more ivory tinkling top 10 list
published every day please subscribe to
watchmojo.com
our motors running
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll
be counting down our picks for the top
ten keyboard and synth parts in rock
for this list will be ranking memorable
music sections performed by keyboard or
synthesizer players within the rock Jean
we’ll be paying particular attention to
how these sections work within each saw
whether they’re utilized as a solo
section melodic introduction or
transitional bridge within a piece
number ten subdivisions rush
this song from Canadian rock legends
rush goes for the synthesizer glory
right from the get-go with a solo
performance from the band’s singer and
bassist Geddy Lee subdivisions is taken
from the band’s 1982 album signals which
itself signaled a turning point of sorts
for the progressive rock legends
the track showcased the streamlined and
melodic sensibility new to the rush
sound anchored by Lee’s forward approach
to using the synthesizer as a lead
instrument indeed the guitar work of
Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart drumming is
almost restrained against the stirring
and emotional melody line delivered by
Lee in this massively influential rush
songs
number nine separate ways worlds apart
journey
with its iconic opening keyboard melody
separate ways grabs the audience’s
attention right from the start
journeys Jonathan Cain possesses a
striking tone to his chosen instrument
as his driving lake is quickly bolstered
by guitars Neil Sean’s heavy staccato
riffing the keyboards then take a
supporting role to separate ways as the
song weaves its tale of a lonely lover
promising devotion to his former flame
despite their separation
Kayne’s keyboards return for a haunting
effect near the end of Shawn’s guitar
solo
then lead into a collaboration with
singer Steve Perry to bring it all home
for the songs epic finale
number eight
foreplay longtime Boston
a Hammond m3 organ is the musical star
of this early Boston classic serving as
one of the most memorable tracks from
this arena rock bands multi-platinum
debut it’s foreplay that serves as the
most keyboard centric section of the
one-two combo and it is an instrumental
track that hinges upon the quick
arpeggio melody lines for primary effect
the song then segues into longtime a
more traditional Boston track which
utilizes the keyboards as a more
understated but mood setting
accompaniment to Tom Schultz his lair
guitar symphonies and Brad delp’s
powerful vocals
place them together and you have a tasty
sandwich of keyboard goodness performed
in that bombastic 70 style
number seven fanfare for the common man
Emerson Lake & Palmer
keyboardist keith emerson was no
stranger to complex keyboard gymnastics
point in kcl keys benny the bouncer
the musician would outdo himself however
on this reworking of a piece from the
early 40s titled fanfare for the common
man
the track was originally composed by
Aaron Copland in 1942 but was reworked
by the band for their 1977 opus works
Volume one with Emerson taking center
stage on the keyboard Emerson and the
group would transpose copelan’s piece
into a shuffling bluesy number two huge
success resulting in a fan favorite ELP
track which followed the band throughout
their career
number six love will tear us apart Joy
Division
keyboard melody – this next entry on our
list may be comparatively minimalistic
but it’s no less powerful or influential
level Tara’s apart might be one of the
most enduring tracks from British
post-punk band Joy Division from their
all-too-brief career
guitars Bernard Sumner takes to the
keyboards and echoes Peter hooks riffy
melodic baseline while adding sweeps and
swells of his own it may not be a grande
complex part but the keyboards cold
haunting tone is perfectly suited to the
song and is a perfect match for Ian
Curtis –is pains vulnerable lyrics
number five jump Van Halen
van Halen of 1984 was a band going
through some serious changes not only
were tensions between the band and
vocalist David Lee Roth becoming worse
and worse but the hardrock band sound
was evolving into one which was
increasingly incorporating keyboards as
opposed to the riff and two hand tapped
guitar work which defined their early
work
kids jump summed up this new sound
propelling guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s
commercially friendly and catchy
keyboard melodies into the Billboard
charts
it’s a driving and Infectious did he
indeed and fans responded in droves
making jump a number one smash in
countries around the world
number four shine on you crazy diamond
pink floyd–
talk about epic shine on you crazy
diamond is a nine part 25 minute opus
from Pink Floyd and their 1975 concept
album wish you were here split into two
chunks which bookend the album the song
was composed as the spiritual ode to
former members Syd Barrett and serves as
a fine example of Floyd at their most
emotional and atmosphere
particular attention should be paid to
keyboardist Richard Wright who’s adept
sensei creating mood makes it easy for
lead guitarist David Gilmour to work his
own magic over the top and simply a
match made in musical heaven
number three high-waist are deep purple
moving on to something substantially
less restrained deep purple’s highway
star just might be the epitome of a
perfect pedal-to-the-metal driving song
much of the song success should be
attributed to the band’s keyboardist
John Lourdes insane runs on the Hammond
organ as Lord trades off classically
inspired solos against his purple
bandmates Ritchie Blackmore
Lord’s fiery runs meet Blackmore
note-for-note as both musicians drum up
dizzying technical flourishes right on
through the songs crash and burn finale
Lord and Blackmore would go on to cou
perform on the comparatively mid-paced
perfect strangers in 1984
but it was highway star which sealed the
deal for many fans some 12 years prior
number two light my fire the doors
it’s a classic Rock mainstay which is
recognizable almost immediately
thanks to keyboardist Ray Manzarek and
his intense musical skills Manzarek was
so talented with his chosen instrument
that the doors rarely ever used a basis
when performing live where the keyboard
is filling in that role via Fender
Rhodes piano bass
it’s the Fox continental organ here
however that provides the songs most
memorable attributes from the unending
middle solo to the playful riff that
cooks us in from the get-go
Manzarek also flirts with a melody while
supporting robbie Kriegers inquisitive
and quasi flamenco guitar solo before
driving hard back into one of rock’s
most memorable music moments
before we reveal our number-one synth
section here are a few honorable
mentions
number one Baba O’Riley the who he
Townsend and the who are no strangers to
composing rousing epic keyboard melodies
as evidenced by their iconic 1971 track
won’t get fooled again
it was the opening track to that same
album who’s next
which would go on to cement the bat as
certifiable rock gods Baba O’Riley is
known for the repetitive layered
synthesizer tracks which serve as
undercurrent for Townsend’s windmill
guitar riffs and frontman Roger
Daltrey’s soaring vocals
the driving synth lines are then further
expanded upon during the townsend song
bridge as spare melodic notes are used
to accentuate the songs overt dramatic
atmosphere the result a classic rock
masterpiece which still retains all of
its original power
so do you agree with our list which
keyboard or synth section do you feel
lift their respective songs to new
heights
for more ivory tinkling top 10 list
published every day please subscribe to
watchmojo.com
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