When The Sax Solo Stopped Everything In Rock

MSN ^ | July 12, 2026 | Marcos Perrone

[Kenny Bania]

The list for those that don't want to click through:

1. Jungleland - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
2. Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
3. Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
4. Young Americans - David Bowie
5. Money - Pink Floyd
6. Urgent - Foreigner
7. The Heart of Rock and Roll - Huey Lewis and the News
8. Turn The Page - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
9. Deacon Blues - Steely Dan
10. The Logical Song - Supertramp
11. Yakety Yak - The Coasters
12. Can't You Hear Me Knocking - The Rolling Stones
13. Waiting On A Friend - The Rolling Stones
14. Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
15. True - Spandau Ballet
16. Rio - Duran Duran
17. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel
18. Whatever Gets You Through The Night - John Lennon
19. Us And Them - Pink Floyd
20. Old Time Rock and Roll - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
21. One Step Beyond - Madness

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TOPICS: Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: music

[Kenny Bania]

I'd argue with some of the rankings, but a pretty comprehensive list.

[SkyDancer]

Boots Randolph. Nuff said.

[HombreSecreto]

Year of the Cat and FM appear to be missing.

[Libloather]

Take Me Home Tonight - Eddie Money

[mkmensinger]

Just The Way You Are Billy Joel

[Da Coyote]

“Boots Randolph. Nuff said.”
I have an LP of “Yakkety Sax”. Superb performance, and superb audio. I use it to show folks 60’s recording that can equal anything made today with respect to audio quality, and sax playing that’ll seldom, if ever, be equalled. Go, Boots, go.

[crusty old prospector]

It is just me but I am not a fan of the saxophone.

[lee martell]

“What Does It Take (To Win Your Love For Me)?

Jr. Walker & The All Stars 1969

[Steely Tom]

Sax solo in Spooky, (by the Classics IV) was one I remember grooving to in sixth grade. Soloist was Mike Sharpe (real name Mike Shapiro), who co-wrote the song.

[T.B. Yoits]

“Woolly Bully” by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs

[MtnClimber]

I would put Pink Floyd "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" way up on the list. Shine on You Crazy Diamond, The song about Pink Floyd founding member, Sid Barrett, being brilliant and then going crazy to the extent they had to kick him out of the band. David Gilmour said the thought it was their best song.

[Steve_Seattle1]

“Wild Weekend” - The Rockin’ Rebels, 1963.

[T.B. Yoits]

“25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago

[Yardstick]

You don’t think of Pink Floyd as being a saxophone kind of band, but there they are with two of them on the list, and both very good.

[SunkenCiv]

Old joke adaptation: what’s the difference between a saxophone and an onion?

Nobody cries when you cut up a saxophone.

[Chickensoup]

Spooky is the sexiest song ever produced.

It was sexy when it was made snd is sexy now.

[Dr. Sivana]

I’d like to add the Brecker Brothers from Elton John’s “Shoulder Holster”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2LLN982hAE&list=RDM2LLN982hAE&start_radio=1

[T.B. Yoits]

"King Tut" by Steve Martin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYbavuReVF4

[Chickensoup]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lKBynY99350&list=RDlKBynY99350&start_radio=1&pp=ygUUbG92ZSBpcyBraW5kYSBzcG9va3mgBwE%3D

[Fungi]

Hardly “comprehensive.”
Here are a few others, will add on when I think of them.
Marc Jordan, Survival
Romeo Void, A girl in Trouble
Stan Getz on Girl from Ipanema
Anything by John Coltrane
Carpenters, All you get from love is a love song