Ten GREATEST Progressive Rock Songs - Really? 

I wouldn't have Zep, Queen or Radiohead on my list. I would have added "A Passion Play" or at least elements of it as well as Pink Floyd's "Echoes". Supertramp's "Even In The Quietest Moments" would be up for consideration on my list as well.

It is sad that ELP has been written out of these Prog lists. Tarkus alone stands up to all of these songs.

Firth of Fifth - Yes, the lyrics are somewhat dubious, but surely the long instrumental break - flute, then piano, synth and finally Steve Hackett's superb guitar solo returning to the theme first played by the flute - is one of the very best of all time. This is great musical composing. And just to add a cherry on the top, the best use of bass pedals ever put on vinyl.

Supper's ready is an absolute classic. An utterly ridiculous but brilliant song. The live video of Gabriel strutting around as a flower is bizarre but shows what a showman he is.

Suppers Ready. Always no.1 for me. Intoxicating music for the ages.

My own 15 list: 1- Shine on You Crazy Diamond (all parts) by Pink Floyd 2- Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull 3- Supper's Ready by Genesis 4- Epitath by King Crimson 5- Echoes by Pink Floyd 6- Close to the Edge by Yes 7- Firth of Fifth by Genesis 8- Atom Heart Mother by Pink Floyd 9- The Advent of Panurge by Gentle Giant 10- Karn Evil 9 by Emerson Lake & Palmer 11- Starless by King Crimson 12- Shadow of the Hierophant by Steve Hackett 13- Pastoral by Mahavishnu Orchestra 14- Waiter There's a Yawn in my Ear, by Manfred Mann's Earth Band 15- Rhayader by Camel

My top 10 songs in no particular order: Echoes, Close to the Edge, Supper’s Ready, Court of the Crimson King, 21st Century S. Man, Watcher of the Skies, Heart of the Sunrise, Plague of Lighthouse Keepers, Dance of the Dawn, Islands,

If they were going to put a Zeppelin song on this list, then I feel like No Quarter is a much more progressive pick

Thanks for your interesting list🎉 Here's mine; 1. Echoes - Floyd 2.. In held t'was in I - Procol Harum 3. Thick as a brick - Jethro Tull 4. I talk to the wind - King Crimson 5. And you and I - Yes 6. Yeti talks to Yogi - Amon Duull Ii 7. Supper:s ready - Genesis 8. Five Bridges Suite - Nice 9. Sarabande - Jon Lord 10. Nine feet Underground - Caravan 11. Piano concerto No 1 - RLP/ Emerson 12. A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers - Van der Graaf Generator

Seasons will pass you by... I get up. I get down.

Harold the Barrel is the best Genesis song. Hilarious yet serious little masterpiece. Great story as well. Genius.

No mid 70's Rush in there is astounding !! Two albums where the whole of one side is one song - Hemisphere's and 2112. 2112 especially as it cemented Rush a proper viable prog band with an identity and cited by many many many bands as a formative record in their musical journey.

Wot no Tarkus, Karn Eval 9 by ELP or Awaken by Yes

Not going to argue with Selling England featuring but surely the best track on that album has to be Cinema Show, especially the instrumental second half with Phil Collins's sublime drumming (perhaps the best work of the best prog drummer in history imho), Tony Banks's keyboards (mellotron especially of course) on top of Rutherford's rhythm backdrop. I could listen to it all day.

Always glad to "Selling England By the Pound" included. King Crimson too. There are others less known that deserve attention (Camel, Gentle Giant, Curved Air, Nektar, Renaissance, Strawbs, Earth & Fire, Eno, Roxy Music, etc.)

Suppers Ready is my absolute favorite progrock song, period. The Apocalypse in 9/8 section is a masterpiece.

Supper's Ready is the quintessential prog song. It flows perfectly.

I miss Pink Floyd’s Echoes, Camel’s Lunar Sea and King Crimson’s Starless!!

Can’t imagine how Gentle Giant masterpieces not showing up here!

Everyone will have their own favourites from that period. Hatfield and the North's classic album "The Rotter's Club" has a brilliant track "Mumps" which would be in my top ten, true British innovation.

Klaatu - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft and some of ELO's work from No Answer to Out of the Blue are certainly great, too.

As ever, brilliantly delivered with sharp, dry wit - love it. Karnevil 9 1st Impression by ELP, Awaken by Yes, Care by Marillion, The Great Nothing by Spocks Beard, The Last Angel by Pallas would have all been in my Top 10. All epic pieces of music/ works of art from my favourite bands.

No Floyd in the Top 10? Surely "Shine On....." and / or "Echoes" belongs here. (or "Dogs")

ELP's absence from this list is interesting but not surprising. It can't be denied that they jumped the shark after "Works Vol. I," but their output before that is completely undeserving of the nearly unanimous denigration it receives from critics. In the early 1970s they were generally considered the greatest prog act (at least here in the States), and their catalog of that period is ambitious, very well-played, and very listenable. How the mighty have fallen.

It's always contentious. What about The Gates of Delirium? What about Tarkus or Karn Evil 9? What about Hamburger Concerto? What about The Snowgoose? What about Ghosts by Japan? What about The Phantom of the Opera or The Rime of the Ancient Mariner? What about La Villa Strangiato? On different days I would put any of those or some others at the top of my list.

No echoes 😢….up above the albatross would open its bowel….still some great songs

An impossible list to create, isn't it? How about "Thick As A Brick" or "Echoes"? Yes to "The Court of the Crimson King" but I, too, would have selected "Epitaph." I much like Radiohead but am very surprised of the song included on the list from them. "Roundabout" makes sense. How about "Fool's Overture" from Supertramp?

Classic prog has progressed me into more experimental and metal prog. Deep Purple, of course Floyd, Rush, even Blue Oyster Cult. All influenced me in my progressive journey.

My top 3: Thick as a brick - Jethro Tull Firth of Fifth - Genesis From silence to somewhere - Wobbler

What?! They left off "Cherry Pie" by Warrant?

Well, imagine a concert with this setlist... Of course, I could mention (every fan could) dozens of other incredible prog songs, but I will only say King Crimson's Starless, from Red, my personal masterpiece of the classic prog era.

Not a single Pink Floyd song among top 10 is ridiculous. Echoes, TIme, Shine On, Dogs...

No Rush, no care... They deserve to be in the top ten more than Radiohead or Zeppelin. And if the #1 spot HAD to be occupied by Yes, I can think of better songs than Close to the Edge. But this Ultimate Classic Rock we're talking about here... I value their opinions about as much as Rolling Stone.

Stairway to heaven & Bohemian Rhapsody are great songs but don’t belong in the top 10 prog songs. Supper’s Ready & Close to the edge deserve to be in top three, without a doubt.

So they're not counting Pink Floyd as progressive rock then?? Or Marillion?? There are some of us who think that's what they are, although others would perhaps disagree!!

I can see the logic behind all these picks, including controversial ones like Stairway, though they were included at the expense of some treasures I'd have put in my personal top 10 - Minstrel in the Gallery by Jethro Tull, House with No Door by Van Der Graaf Generator, Dignity by Immram and the overture to War of the Worlds by Jeff Wayne.

No ELP or Pink Floyd . . . hm. Maybe "Echoes" or every part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" instead of some of the others, and definitely "Tarkus" in all its glory!

Soft Machine - Out Bloody Rageous. Elton Dean's sax solo on the second part is just sublime. Also Wyatt's Moon in June. King Crimson - Islands. Marc Charig on tbe cornet. Pink Floyd - A Saucerful of Secrets Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother It's a Beautiful Day - White Bird Dando Shaft - Cold Wind Nucleus - Striation Beach Boys - Surf's Up Terry Riley - Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band (Prog loosely defined)

UCR lists are always weird. Weird but fun. Great episode!!!

I agree with some titles, less with others. Instead of the "ten GREATEST Progressive Rock Songs", I suggest "your ten FAVORITE Progressive Rock Songs." 😉😉 Such lists are often times very subjective. My list would definitely include Pink Floyd's Echoes.

I can certainly see “ Close to the Edge “ being at the top. Wakeman’s legendary pipe organ solo is every bit as spine chilling as Hackett’s haunting guitar solo from “ Firth. “ And I agree with some of the others however, I really think Rush’s Xanadu should be there, or possibly My God from Tull as kind of a dark horse. But there’s so many greats to be considered. Not an easy task.

I'm much younger at 46 then most prog fans and when i hear classic organ sounds from the 70s i immediately think it's prog rock. One of the best tracks i've heard is Deep Purple 'Child In Time'.. Is it right for the list though?! 🤔🤷‍♂️

The Genesis selection is great; I would go with the CINEMA SHOW. To my ears, the ultimate epic of the 70s.

Wait a minute, what about Echoes?

Top Ten Favourites is as follows .... PETER HAMILL VOCAL PERFORMANCE .... .1. VAN DER GRAAF / LOST .2. YES / STARSHIP TROOPER .3. PINK FLOYD / ECHOES .4. YES / CLOSE TO THE EDGE .5. GENESIS / SUPPERS READY .6. E L P / TARKUS .7. YES / HEART OF THE SUNRISE .8. YES / GATES OF DELIRIUM .9. PINK FLOYD / SHEEP 10. VAN DER GRAAF / EMPERORS WAR ROOM (ALT TAKE) ......... could not squeeze in Rush Hemispheres .........

Xanadu by Rush deserves a mention

I can't argue much with the list so I think my favourite prog numbers are probably not the "best" ones, such as ... Focus - Hamburger Concerto Starless - Crimson In the Dead of Night suite - UK Inca Roads - Uncle Frank Tarkus suite - ELP Thick as a Brick - JT

My own quickly concocted list (10 to 1): I talk to the wind, Back to the Family, In my own Time, South Side of the Sky, Take a Pebble, Looking for Someone, Firth of Fifth, The Endless Enigma, Seven Stones, Cinema Show Each to their own.

I was listening to Queen's ANATO only yesterday while in hospital and thought it is most definitely a Prog Rock album, perhaps not as prog as Queen II but certainly prog enough

I wouldn’t have included songs by “Radiohead” or “Queen” but an otherwise brilliant list. I would include songs from “Pink Floyd”, “ELP” and “Jethro Tull”. Your commentary is, as usual, of the very highest order. Bravo!

if only 1 tune to bring in heaven and have God listening to : suppers ready with no doubt

I’d put 1. Supper’s Ready 2. CTTE 3. Echoes. (The question that usually arrises is, “is ‘Inca Roads’ prog?”)

There should be more post-1990 prog bands here! My top 10: 1. Pink Floyd - Echoes 2. King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man 3. Yes - The Gates Of Delerium 4. Dream Theater - Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle And The Sleeper 5. Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven 6. Opeth - Ghost Of Perdition 7. Tool - Vicarious 8. Van Der Graaf Generator - A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers 9. Genesis - Dancing With The Moonlit Knight 10. Pink Floyd - Dogs

Great fun video, as usual ... Maybe a quiet mention of Valentyne Suite from Colosseum next time?

who made this list, Casey Kasem? 🤣🤣

Echoes Shine On You Crazy Diamond Awaken All of these would be in my top 10

I wouldn't have thought of Led Zep or Radio Head. My only problem is the duplication of bands in the top 10.

My top 10: 10 Air Dance - Black Sabbath 9 Archaeopteryx in Flight - Horisont 8 Shine on Crazy Diamond ( parts 1 to 5) - Pink Floyd 7 Starless - King Crimson 6 Long DIstance Runaround - Yes 5 La Villa Strangiato - Rush 4 Siberian Khatru - Yes 3 The Musical Box - Genesis 2 In the Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson 1 Robbery Assault and Battery - Genesis

Got to have Man-Erg by Van Der Graaf Generator or Playing The Game by Gentle Giant. No Camel is a shame also.

I’d have Tull’s Baker Street Muse, Birdman (McDonald & Giles), Pictures at an Exhibition (ELP), Epitaph, In The Wake of Poseidon and possibly Cirkus in my 10, along with the two Crimson tracks on the original list. Never quite got Yes or Genesis, though I’ve tried (and tried).

ELP - Tarkus Yes - Awaken Genesis - Supper's Ready King Crimson - Lark's Tongue in Aspic Dream Theater - A Change of Seasons Pink Floyd - Dogs Kansas - Magnus Opus Rush - Xanadu or 2112 Allan Holdsworth - Un Merry-go-Round Iron Butterfly - In-a-Gadda-da-Vida

If we're considering side-long epics like Supper's Ready and Close to the Edge, how about A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers?

I don't really think that there can be any ten best given the immense size and influence of the genre, but no argument with number one. Close To The Edge, that one is really something different. I had a friend - long dead now - who put his hands over his ears at the beginning and demanded a replay at the end. That was...so long ago now...

I think the only thing that keeps Bohemian Rhapsody from being considered prog is its mainstream popularity. A six-minute track featuring multiple parts and an opera section seems pretty progressive to me.

Glad to see there is at least one sensible 'best of' list out there as most seem to have been about as well thought out as a cunning plan by Blackadder's Baldrick during a particularly bad day at the office.

'Supper's Ready', 'Close to the Edge' and 'Firth of Fifth' would probably be in my top 10. Other songs with a strong chance are 'Ernie's Reise' and 'Come On People' by Grobschnitt, 'For Years and Years (Cathy)' by Tai Phong, 'The Fountain of Salmacis' and 'The Return of the Giant Hogweed' by Genesis, as well as 'Soon' (as a standalone track) and 'Turn of the Century' by Yes

Radiohead and no Pink Floyd? seems odd not to put Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Echoes, or Brain Damage/Eclipse in the top 10.

Pretty good list, Maybe Siberian Khatru or Tom Sawyer. Of course the Genesis tracks, even Stairway (eternally lovely) but no Queen and certainly not Radiohead. Tull? Thanks for the post Barry.

No Pink Floyd, ELP, Rush, Focus, Supertramp

We ALL KNOW that DOGS deserves to be In the top 10. I will trade it for Firth.

No "Echoes"?

I agree with you that "Epitaph" is more deserving of a place on this list than "In The Court of the Crimson King." And much as I love "Roundabout," "Awaken" is more deserving of a place in a top-10 list.

no rush, no floyd ? no dice. radiohead?

Your opinions align with my own nearly perfectly, so you are quite wise. I would not have considered Led Zeppelin or Queen, but now I will, as you clearly delineated the reason for their presence. I confess that I know nothing about Radiohead, but I will explore. Oh wait. I'm supposed to tell you why you aren't perfect. Hmmm. OK. "Melancholy Man" by The Moody Blues should be on there.

I've always had a keen ear for the live rearranging and lively!rendition of Pictures at a exhibition Mussorgsky (1874) by ELP in 1971. Epitaph as well! over the meandering, In the court.

Karn Evil Nine... comes to mind. Tons more, of course Peace on earth.

I like the list, and I don't mind the "odd ones". Numbers 1 and 2 are definitely the appropriate top choices. 😎😎

I personally would have put Starless for King Crimson. Thick as a brick also worthy of inclusion and Lady Fantasy by Camel.

Interesting list all the songs are "classic," but as you say, some borderline prog tracks. However all lists are subjective. Great video as ever. Can not disagree with number 1.

Where is Shine on you crazy diamond?

Top favorite lists always include songs some don’t agree with , it is subjective afterall. With that observation accepted, I think it makes sense to include songs/tunes that aren’t considered hard core prog by the connoisseurs. Because the songs mentioned are favorites of many punters nonetheless and were played often on the radio back in the day. Bohemian Rhapsody and Stairway to Heaven were hugely popular. They have some of the elements of Prog , ie epic, modal changes and quality sounds, virtuoso playing and mixed tempos and grooves. So they are simply popular/favorite Pop Prog tunes? My ears are tired of hearing them of course, but I think they are Pop Prog songs. Other examples: band on the run, uncle Albert, blinded by the light, private investigator, bat out of hell, etc, the masses liked them. Are they complicated ? nah, but they are easy to listen to and often keep the listener on the stream/channel/radio etc. People will like what they like and many are usually casual listeners . I liken it to red wine. You can get sloshed on a cheap bottle of wine, and heaps are sold to many folks. Why bother with expensive wines? well we develop a taste for it of course and the cheap stuff is unsatisfying by comparison. I usually like to enjoy high quality music, but even candy simple ear worms can please me , and is sometimes preferred. But when sitting down for an immersive listen I prefer the good stuff for my experienced and fussy ears. I like abba songs sometimes too, but generally prefer music with more to listen to rather than dance and sing along too. The best part about music taste is- the high quality music costs the same amount to listen to as the worst. If it costs £15 for a crap cd, the best ever is also £15 while it lasts. Meanwhile the Spotify subscription gives listeners access to most of the best and worst music out there, all for the same price , without limiting how often.

No Zappa, WTF? The list creator must never have heard "Inca Roads".

Always good to hear another’s top 10. This one is pretty good, putting 5/10 tracks with the 2 greatest Prog bands is no surprise. As you say I would have put And you and I in the mix too.Is Led Zeppelin, Queen and Radiohead prog, not purely I would suggest, but the three tracks mentioned do have their progressive moments. Music is subjective of course, but the cream always comes to the top.

Awesome!!! Also, you're a very funny guy man!

Zepplin and Queen but not Jethro Tull, no Pink Floyd.

The Top 15 Progressive Rock Tracks of all time have one thing in common: And You And I Awaken Close To The Edge Gates Of Delirium Heart Of The Sunrise Machine Messiah Mind Drive Roundabout Siberian Khatru Sound Chaser South Side Of The Sky Starship Trooper The Remembering The Revealing Science of God Your Is No Disgrace

don't understand why procol harums 'repent walpurgis' or 'in held twas in i' is never included

Surely Procul Harem's 'Whiter Shade of Pale' should be included.

Fragile is a classic Yes album, I'd also give a mention to Relayer too although some ppl might disagree.

So many others to choose from, but I would add Take A Pebble - from ELP's 1st album.

All great classic songs, yes, but for a top 10 best of prog, not very satisfying. Although I agree that the Radiohead, Queen, and Zep songs certainly have Prog elements, they really shouldn't be in a Prog top 10. And too many repeat artists in this top 10 (3 Genesis, 2 KC, 2 Yes) and not enough representation by other Prog greats , should just go with the best for each. Need to have Jethro Tull (Thick as a Brick), Pink Floyd (Shine on you Crazy Diamond), and ELP (Tarkus) in there. And I know that CTTE is a general consensus #1, but for me, it has to be Supper's Ready at #1, the greatest progressive rock song of all time, nothing else comes close to that as the epitome of progressive rock.

Nights in White Satin

Surprised ELP didn't make the top ten

It's very subjective of course but the list should include Song for America by Kansas Garden Party by Marillion The Musical Box by Genesis Natural Science by Rush No doubt there are others that I could think of.

Not sure if i agree with all of them but I'd bet they've all been labeled as being in the prog genre by more than one publication. What's more disappointing is that it doesn't feel like they dug very deep to make their top 10. I'll have to check out the whole list.

Starless King Crimson Echo’s Pink Floyd sadly missed in this list

I'd have gone with Cinema Show instead, and I Talk to the Wind. Supper's Ready is a great choice. I question the inclusion of some of the other titles on a prog list. In my mind Close to the Edge is the greatest prog track ever.

I love Zeppelin. Queen is essential. They do NOT belong here. And ditto on “Epitaph”…Lakes vocal is beyond sublime.

Starless!

love reading replies crying about not seeing fave bands/albums not mentioned here...