View Obscura: Top Songs Playlist for March 2025 - Classic Hits Rock Music

Monday, March 31, 2025

Top Songs Playlist for March 2025 - Classic Hits Rock Music | Top Tracks on Spotify

Written and compiled by Ken Hulsey

If you know me, you also know that I'm a huge fan of classic rock from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, as well as a handful of modern artists who have a retro sound. I also have a knack for building epic playlists on Spotify featuring these groups and songs. Most of my playlists are what I like to call "ultra-mega lists" - hundreds, sometimes thousands of tracks that you can put on at work or in the car and just let play for hours without hearing the same songs on repeat.

That said, there are a select few songs that have managed to get some "heavy rotation" on my streaming. Here are the top 10 most played tracks across my playlists for March 2025.

1. Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way

"Go Your Own Way" is a classic rock song by the legendary band Fleetwood Mac, featured on their iconic 1977 album "Rumours." Written by Lindsey Buckingham, the song's upbeat melody and driving rhythm belie its poignant lyrics about the painful end of a relationship. Buckingham's energetic guitar work propels the tune forward, perfectly complementing Stevie Nicks' and Christine McVie's soaring harmonies on the memorable chorus of "You can go your own way." Released as the first single from "Rumours," the song became one of the band's biggest hits, showcasing Fleetwood Mac's signature sound that masterfully blends folk, rock, and pop. "Go Your Own Way" endures as a timeless anthem of individuality and self-determination, resonating with listeners decades after its original release and cementing its status as one of the greatest songs in rock history.

2. The Temper Trap - Fader

The Temper Trap's 2010 song "Fader," released on Infectious Music Ltd, is an indie rock gem that showcases the Australian band's penchant for crafting mesmerizing, atmospheric tunes. With its hypnotic guitar riffs, steady drumbeat, and lead singer Dougy Mandagi's soaring vocals, "Fader" sweeps the listener away on a dreamy sonic journey. The song builds from a gentle, shimmering intro into an explosive, anthemic chorus where Mandagi's voice reaches breathtaking heights as he belts out the emotionally charged lyrics. Underneath the captivating melody, the band weaves a rich tapestry of sound with understated synths, chiming guitars, and subtle electronic flourishes. "Fader" is a triumphant track that captures a sense of conquering fears, chasing dreams, and letting go - its uplifting energy is impossible to resist. The song stands out as one of The Temper Trap's most beloved and enduring hits, a shining example of their skill at blending indie rock with arena-worthy hooks and heartfelt sincerity. Whether in your headphones or rising above the crowd at a music festival, "Fader" is an unforgettable track that stays with you long after the final notes fade away.

3. Blondie - Hanging On The Telephone

"Hanging On The Telephone" is an iconic new wave song performed by the legendary American rock band Blondie. Originally written and recorded by The Nerves in 1976, Blondie's energetic cover version appeared on the band's breakthrough third album Parallel Lines in 1978. With its driving guitar riff, pulsing bassline, and lead singer Debbie Harry's powerful vocals, the song perfectly captures the frenetic energy and urgency of a late night phone call with a lover. Harry brings the lyrics to life, conveying the passion, frustration and yearning of someone desperate to connect with the object of their affection. The catchy, up-tempo arrangement, propelled by Clem Burke's dynamic drumming, makes it an enduring classic of the new wave era. Blondie's recording of "Hanging On The Telephone" was a hit single in the UK and helped establish the band as one of the most exciting and innovative acts to emerge from the late 1970s rock scene. Today, over four decades later, the song remains a fan favorite and a staple of Blondie's live shows, a testament to the band's significant contribution to the evolution of punk, new wave and alternative rock.

4. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Messages

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, often abbreviated as OMD, is a pioneering British new wave band known for blending synthesizers with catchy pop melodies. In 1980, they released the single "Messages" which became one of their signature songs. With its infectious synth riff, pulsing electronic beat, and wistful lyrics about missed connections and lost love, "Messages" encapsulates OMD's gift for crafting songs that are both danceable and emotionally resonant. Andy McCluskey's distinctive vocals convey a sense of melancholy and yearning as he sings lines like "I tried to live alone, but lonely is so lonely alone." When performing the song live, McCluskey and bandmate Paul Humphreys masterfully recreate the song's lush soundscape on stage, the glow of their analog synthesizers cutting through the darkness. "Messages" remains a highlight of OMD's live shows and a beloved gem of the early 1980s synth-pop era.

5. Pat Benatar - You Better Run

Pat Benatar's iconic hit "You Better Run" is a high-energy rock classic that showcases her powerhouse vocals and the incredible guitar work of her longtime collaborator and husband Neil Giraldo. Released in 1980 as the lead single from her second album Crimes of Passion, the song features Benatar's signature gritty, passionate delivery as she belts out a warning to a no-good lover to run for cover because she's not going to take any more mistreatment. Giraldo's scorching guitar riffs and dynamic solo turn the track into an explosive tour de force. "You Better Run" quickly became a fan favorite and helped propel Crimes of Passion to multi-platinum success. The song's enduring popularity led to its inclusion on numerous compilation albums and its use in several movie soundtracks. In 1981, the music video for "You Better Run" made history as the second video ever played on MTV, introducing Pat Benatar's edgy style and sound to a massive new audience. Over four decades later, "You Better Run" remains a beloved rock radio staple and an undeniable testament to the electrifying musical partnership between Benatar and Giraldo.

6. The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand

"I Want To Hold Your Hand" is a classic song by the legendary British band The Beatles that captured the hearts of millions around the world. Released in 1963, it was the track that propelled The Beatles to international stardom, becoming their first #1 hit in both the United Kingdom and the United States. The upbeat, joyful tune perfectly encapsulated the youthful exuberance and innocent romanticism of the early 1960s. With its simple yet irresistibly catchy lyrics expressing the pure desire to simply hold a loved one's hand, and featuring the tight vocal harmonies and jangling guitars that would become The Beatles' signature sound, the song was impossible not to sing along and dance to. Notably, it was one of the first songs The Beatles recorded on 4-track recording equipment, allowing for a fuller, richer sound than their earlier recordings made with more limited 2-track technology. The Beatles spent considerable time perfecting the song, recording 17 different takes, before settling on the exuberant version that was released to the public and became an instant, smash hit. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" marked the true beginning of the cultural phenomenon known as "Beatlemania" and set the stage for The Beatles to change the face of popular music forever.

7. The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me

"Don't Stand So Close To Me" is a classic hit song by the British rock band The Police, featured on their third studio album Zenyatta Mondatta which was released in 1980. The song was written by lead singer and bassist Sting and tells the story of a schoolgirl's crush on her young male teacher and the teacher's struggle to resist temptation. Sting, who had previously worked as an English teacher before joining The Police, drew upon his own experiences when writing the lyrics. Musically, the song is driven by a reggae-influenced guitar riff and features the band's signature mix of rock, pop and reggae styles. Released as a single, it became a major worldwide hit for The Police, reaching the top 10 in several countries including the UK, Canada, and the US. The song's themes of forbidden love and inappropriate attraction stirred some controversy at the time, but have also led to its enduring popularity and status as one of The Police's most well-known and beloved tracks. Its memorable lyrics, catchy melody, and masterful blend of musical styles cement "Don't Stand So Close To Me" as a true classic from the early 1980s.

8. U2 - Gloria

Gloria is an iconic song by the legendary Irish rock band U2, originally released on their 1981 album October. The song showcases the band's signature sound during their early years, with soaring guitar riffs, pulsing basslines, and Bono's passionate, heartfelt vocals. Lyrically, Gloria takes inspiration from the Latin hymn "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," with Bono weaving in spiritual and religious themes that reflect the band's deep Christian faith at the time. The track opens with a haunting piano melody before exploding into an energetic, uplifting anthem that encourages listeners to rejoice and sing out in praise. Bono's emotive delivery of lines like "Gloria in te domine / Gloria exultate" (Glory in you, Lord / Glory, exalt [Him]) is especially powerful and moving. Musically, The Edge's chiming, echo-drenched guitar work shines, and the rhythm section of Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. provide a driving, invigorating backbone. Gloria remains a fan favorite and a staple of U2's live shows, where it often serves as a jubilant, unifying moment of collective celebration. The song encapsulates U2's ability to craft music that uplifts the soul, stirs the heart, and brings people together through shared spiritual experience.

9. 10,000 Maniacs - Hey Jack Kerouac

Hey there, let me tell you about a great song by the band 10,000 Maniacs called "Hey Jack Kerouac". It's a really cool tune that pays tribute to the famous Beat Generation writer Jack Kerouac, who authored influential novels like "On the Road" and "The Dharma Bums" back in the 1950s. The song has a laid-back, folky vibe with jangly guitars and the smooth vocals of Natalie Merchant. Through the lyrics, Merchant reflects on Kerouac's restless spirit, his adventures crisscrossing America, and the impact his writing had on her own wanderlust and desire to experience life to the fullest. She sings lines like "Hey Jack Kerouac, I think of your mother/The tears she cried when you were away/Hey Jack, now you're not a kid/The open road is still open but the kicks aren't the same." It really captures that sense of longing for the freedom and raw experience conveyed in Kerouac's writing, while acknowledging the melancholy underside of his nonstop rambling lifestyle. Overall, "Hey Jack Kerouac" is a heartfelt homage from one artist to another, told in 10,000 Maniacs' signature sound. It'll make you want to go on a cross-country road trip with a tattered copy of "On the Road" riding shotgun!

10. Berlin - Masquerade

Berlin's "Masquerade" is a captivating synth-pop gem from their seminal 1982 album "Pleasure Victim." With its pulsing electronic beats, shimmering keyboard melodies, and the alluring vocals of Terri Nunn, the song evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a tantalizing encounter at a masquerade ball, where identities are hidden behind elegant masks and inhibitions are left at the door. Nunn's sultry delivery perfectly captures the excitement and tension of this clandestine rendezvous, her voice intertwining seductively with the hypnotic instrumental arrangement. "Masquerade" showcases Berlin's masterful blending of new wave aesthetics with a darker, more provocative edge, creating a sound that is both danceable and deeply atmospheric. It's a track that invites the listener to abandon the mundane and step into a world of enigmatic glamour and forbidden desires, if only for a fleeting moment under the cover of a masquerade.