Which rock and indie songs just seem to stretch on and on? Sometimes, the longer a track plays, the more immersive and rewarding the experience becomes. For those who appreciate a musical journey, we’ve compiled a list of ten of the longest rock and indie songs, tracks that aren’t afraid to take their time and explore sonic landscapes.
1. The Stone Roses – Fool’s Gold (9:53)
Emerging from Manchester’s vibrant music scene, The Stone Roses delivered “Fool’s Gold” in 1989, a track that perfectly encapsulates their blend of psychedelic rock and dance rhythms. While technically under ten minutes, the full version stretches to nearly ten, largely thanks to John Squire’s mesmerizing wah-wah guitar work. With a solid 53 seconds of actual song before the extended instrumental takes over, “Fool’s Gold” is a masterclass in groove and atmosphere. For those seeking a quicker fix, a shorter 4:15 version exists, but the full length is where the song truly shines.
The Stone Roses performing live, guitarist John Squire playing his iconic wah-wah guitar, highlighting the extended instrumental section of "Fool's Gold."
2. Primal Scream – Come Together (10:21)
Primal Scream, another Scottish band known for pushing musical boundaries, unleashed “Come Together” in 1991 on their seminal album Screamadelica. This track is a sprawling, psychedelic exploration that mirrors the expansive nature of Bobby Gillespie’s creative mind. Breaking the ten-minute mark, the original version is a sonic trip, blending gospel influences with acid house and rock. Interestingly, the album title track “Screamadelica” itself is also lengthy at 10:46 and appeared on the Dixie Narco EP, proving Primal Scream’s penchant for extended musical odysseys.
Primal Scream performing "Come Together" live, Bobby Gillespie leading the band in a psychedelic and energetic performance, reflecting the song's trippy nature.
3. David Bowie – Station To Station (10:14)
David Bowie, the chameleon of rock, presented “Station To Station” in 1976, a track that occupied an entire side of his album of the same name. This ten-minute-plus epic is a journey through different musical phases, reflecting Bowie’s evolving personas and experimental spirit. Its influence is far-reaching, notably inspiring electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk and their Trans-Europe Express album, highlighting Bowie’s impact on long-form musical composition.
David Bowie in his "Thin White Duke" persona during the Station to Station era, embodying the sophisticated and experimental nature of the album and the song.
4. The Doors – The End (11:43)
The Doors, the enigmatic Los Angeles band, were known for their mystical and often lengthy compositions. “The End,” from their groundbreaking 1967 self-titled debut album, stands as one of their most famous and enduring epics. Concluding the album, “The End” is a dramatic and theatrical piece, exploring themes of mortality and the subconscious. Jim Morrison’s spoken-word sections and the song’s dynamic shifts contribute to its captivating and lengthy structure.
The Doors performing "The End" in a live setting, Jim Morrison's theatrical stage presence enhancing the song's dramatic and epic feel.
5. Orbital – Chime (12:46)
Orbital, the electronic music duo featuring the Hartnoll brothers, made a striking debut in 1989 with their 12″ single “Chime.” The original version of “Chime” stretched to an impressive twelve minutes, showcasing their innovative approach to electronic music. Remarkably, the B-side, “Deeper,” was even longer, clocking in at fifteen and a half minutes, demonstrating Orbital’s early inclination towards creating immersive and extended soundscapes perfect for late-night listening.
Orbital brothers, Phil and Paul Hartnoll, performing live with their signature setup, emphasizing the electronic and synthesized sound of "Chime."
6. Flowered Up – Weekender (12:53)
Flowered Up, the baggy band legends, gifted the world the epic single “Weekender” in 1992. True to its name, “Weekender” feels as expansive and immersive as a whole weekend. Lasting nearly thirteen minutes, the track is a sprawling anthem of hedonism and escape. Interestingly, the music video for “Weekender” is equally ambitious, extending even longer than the song itself, adding another layer to the track’s epic reputation.
Flowered Up in their "Weekender" era, capturing the baggy fashion and free-spirited vibe associated with the song and the early 90s music scene.
7. The Velvet Underground – Sister Ray (17:28)
The Velvet Underground, known for their avant-garde and experimental approach, delivered “Sister Ray” on their 1968 album White Light/White Heat. This extended jam session stretches to over seventeen minutes and is legendary for its raw, improvisational energy. Legend has it that the song’s lengthy recording even led the studio engineer to abandon the session out of boredom, leaving the band to their sonic explorations, highlighting the track’s unconventional nature.
The Velvet Underground performing "Sister Ray", Lou Reed and John Cale immersed in their raw and experimental performance style, showcasing the song's jam-like nature.
8. New Order – Elegia (17:30)
New Order, the post-punk pioneers, crafted “Elegia,” an extended instrumental piece that clocks in at over seventeen minutes. While a shorter version was included on their 1985 album Low-Life, the full seventeen-minute rendition remained elusive until its inclusion in the 2002 Retro box set. “Elegia” is a melancholic and atmospheric waltz, showcasing New Order’s ability to create emotionally resonant instrumental music.
New Order in a studio setting during the Low-Life era, Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook working on their synth-driven and emotionally evocative sound, characteristic of "Elegia."
9. Pink Floyd – Echoes (23:35)
Pink Floyd, masters of progressive rock and long-form compositions, are well-represented in the realm of lengthy songs. “Echoes,” from their 1971 album Meddle, is a standout example, reaching nearly twenty-four minutes. A true classic of the genre, “Echoes” is a sprawling and immersive soundscape, taking listeners on a sonic journey through ambient textures and dynamic instrumental passages. It even dwarfs another Pink Floyd epic, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” which, at around thirteen and a half minutes, seems relatively concise in comparison.
Pink Floyd performing "Echoes" live, the band members silhouetted against their iconic psychedelic visuals, emphasizing the song's epic and immersive nature.
10. Kraftwerk – Autobahn (22:43)
Kraftwerk, the German electronic music innovators, emerged from a prog rock background, which partly explains their affinity for extended compositions. “Autobahn,” the title track from their influential 1974 album, consumes the entire first side of the record, reaching almost twenty-three minutes. “Autobahn” sonically depicts a car journey, utilizing synthesized sounds to evoke the experience of driving on a German highway, showcasing Kraftwerk’s pioneering approach to electronic music and conceptual albums.
Kraftwerk performing "Autobahn" with their minimalist stage presence and synthesizers, highlighting their pioneering role in electronic music and the conceptual nature of the song.
Special Mention: The Flaming Lips – 7 Skies H3 (24:00:00)
The Flaming Lips, led by the eccentric Wayne Coyne, took the concept of long songs to an extreme with “7 Skies H3.” This ambitious project was an attempt to record a 24-hour song, a feat they successfully achieved. Due to its immense length, “7 Skies H3” was initially released as a limited edition on a flash drive, encased in (reportedly) human skulls, adding to the band’s quirky reputation. A 50-minute “digest” version was later released as an album for Record Store Day 2014, but the full 24-hour version remains a testament to The Flaming Lips’ boundless creativity. The “single” edit, while significantly shorter than the 24-hour version, still offers a glimpse into this monumental musical undertaking.
