Gratuitous Sax: The Saxophone in Rock Music

These days, we don't often associate the saxophone with rock music. Yet that throaty, expressive instrument was a big part of the early rock'n'roll of the 1950's and into the 60's. Then in the 70's the guitar supplanted the sax in song solos, especially in much of rock. There were exceptions, of course, and very notable ones, too. In my little list of "sax in rock" songs, there are actually a lot of 70's tunes featuring the brassy woodwind.

John Helliwell on sax duty for Supertramp

One of my favourite sax songs is Touch Me, by The Doors. It's a great, catchy, jumpin' track to begin with, and the saxophone adds further depth to the Doors' sound. The horn section accents the entire song, but it's absolute magic when the sax steps forward for the kickin' solo that ends the tune.

Another top sax tune of mine is The Logical Song by Supertramp. These guys are famous for their multi-instrument music, including a lot of woodwinds. This hit song is light and fun, with progressive layers of percussion and keyboards, and it's the sax solos (two of them!) and interspersed licks that really give The Logical Song personality.

Perhaps the most famous saxophone rock song of all is Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty. Not many tunes start off with such a strong sax riff, but this one immediately - and successfully - establishes the instrument as the focus of the melody. Everybody recognizes this song, even if they can't name its artist (I was guilty of that for many, many years). 

An 80's biggie is Heart of Rock & Roll, by Huey Lewis and the News. These guys created fun, timeless good-time music, and the sax played no small part in their compositions. The energetic sax solo (yes, "Johnny" did play it) is one of the coolest in rock. 

Other great sax rock songs are:

Urgent, by Foreigner... the organic sax bellow contrasts nicely against the staccato rhythm of this Top Ten hit song 

Young Americans, by David Bowie... terrific licks and riffs support this entire classic tune

Brown Sugar, by The Rolling Stones... a full-throated, blistering sax solo out of nowhere

Bad to the Bone, by George Thorogood and the Destroyers... a seriously bitchin' sax accompanies throughout, stepping forward for a searing melodic break

21st Century Schizoid Man, by King Crimson... a prog-rock classic with killer sax all over the place

Us And Them, Pink Floyd... the sax is as expressive and emotive as a human voice in this alternately delicate and powerful song

Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen... I'm not a Boss fan, yet the Super Sax of Clarence Clemons elevates this "tinkly" tune to something truly memorable

Walk on the Wild Side, Lou Reed... the all-too-brief sax bit at the end has a cool-jazz feel, which reminds me of the masterful Paul Desmond on Brubeck's Take Five

Frankenstein, Edgar Winter Group... loopy albino sax madness tucked into this legendary instrumental

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A few lesser-known sax tracks I like - in hard rock/heavy metal are:

Miasma, by Ghost... on first listen, it's shocking to hear a sax blaring out of a "light metal" song, but man, it really works! Melodic and pumping.

Another Day, by Dream Theater... a beauty of a song - and that saxophone perfectly suits this prog-metal ballad

Monsters, by Blue Oyster Cult... a heavy guitar song until we get to the light yet swinging, lounge-style sax solo, which totally kicks out the jams