Glam rock was a glitter-fueled, platform-boot-stomping change in music. From the early ’70s to its shimmering echoes in modern rock, glam gave us bombastic riffs, over-the-top fashion, and hooks so massive they could hold up a disco ball. These 10 songs define the movement, proving once and for all that rock and roll should always be a little ridiculous, a little rebellious, and a whole lot of fun.
1. David Bowie – “Ziggy Stardust” (1972)
The rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust begins here, with a cosmic riff and a tale of a rock ‘n’ roll messiah sent to save us all. Bowie didn’t just play glam—he invented his own universe.
2. T. Rex – “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” (1971)
Marc Bolan was the king of the glam strut, and this song is the glitter-coated groove that launched a thousand feather boas. Sleazy, stylish, and utterly hypnotic.
3. Sweet – “Ballroom Blitz” (1973)
It starts with a question—“Are you ready, Steve?”—and ends with a full-throttle, sugar-rush explosion of glam madness. The ultimate party-starting anthem.
4. Slade – “Cum On Feel the Noize” (1973)
Before Quiet Riot covered it in the ‘80s, Slade’s original was already a stadium-filling, boot-stomping, chorus-shouting masterpiece. The most fun misspelled song title in history.
5. Roxy Music – “Virginia Plain” (1972)
If glam rock had a high-fashion wing, Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music were its runway models. This song is all swagger, surrealism, and untouchable cool.
6. Alice Cooper – “School’s Out” (1972)
Glam rock’s horror-movie-loving cousin, Alice Cooper, gave us the ultimate teenage rebellion anthem. No school, no rules, and a guitar riff that still makes you want to burn your homework.
7. Mott the Hoople – “All the Young Dudes” (1972)
Gifted to them by Bowie, this song turned Mott the Hoople into glam rock royalty. It’s anthemic, defiant, and proof that being young and broke is always cooler with a great soundtrack.
8. Suzi Quatro – “Can the Can” (1973)
Suzi Quatro kicked down the doors of glam rock’s boys’ club with leather, attitude, and a bassline that meant business. She wasn’t just one of the first women in glam—she was one of its fiercest.
9. New York Dolls – “Personality Crisis” (1973)
Glam rock meets punk attitude in this raw, wild ride of a song. The Dolls were messy, manic, and magnificent—like the Rolling Stones if they raided a drag queen’s closet.
10. Queen – “Killer Queen” (1974)
Freddie Mercury took glam and added a touch of operatic elegance. “Killer Queen” is camp, class, and charisma in a single song, proving that no one did over-the-top quite like Queen.
Glam rock never really died—it just put on new costumes. Its influence is everywhere, from hair metal to modern rock to pop stars who know the power of a little glitter. Whether you’re cranking up T. Rex, strutting like Bowie, or blasting Sweet at full volume, one thing’s for sure: the world is always a better place when it’s just a little bit glam.
Now, go put on your tightest pants, tease that hair, and turn it up loud. Rock and roll was never meant to be subtle!
