THE GREATEST OF ALL TUNES (G.O.A.T.) is a series of posts, producing my 100 favorite songs of all time. The master list is here, and I update it about every two weeks or when I have another 10 songs or so.
Today, I’m adding the first instrumental to the list. I’m also reordering it a bit. I’m realizing I put Alanis too high. More on that later.
Herbie Hancock was a titan of jazz when he released the synth/drum machine instrumental, “Rockit” in 1983, on his experimental album Future Shock. It fused hip hop, with scratching by hip hop pioneer GrandMixer DST, and became that rare example of a wordless #1 Billboard Club Hit.
But watch the video…It’s cool as fuck.
Further listening: I don’t like jazz, so I can’t say anything here.
Ranking:
First of all, I had put Alanis Morissette at #9 but I’m finding it doesn’t warrant that high a rating. (But it also makes me see I don’t have any other women on this list. Better rectify that, STAT!)
So I’m pushing Alanis to #14. And Hancock ranks down at #15, right below it. Here’s the relevant part of the list, and you can find the most recent updated page on this here.
…
14. Grindin’ by Clipse (2002) (link)
15. Ironic by Alanis Morissette (1995) (link)
16. Rockit by Henry Hancock (1983)
17. Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum (1969) (link)
…
Covers: Not many. Mostly remixes. I included a ridiculously oversped dub version below.
