Ranking Every Song by REO Speedwagon

1. 100. She’s Gonna Love Me – Building the Bridge (1996)

2. 99. Good Trouble – Good Trouble (1982)

3. 98. Stillness of the Night – Good Trouble (1982)

4. 97. Prison Women – REO Speedwagon (1971)

Imagine an alternate reality where Luttrell remains with REO Speedwagon throughout these last 52 years: Does REO Speedwagon become a successful rock band? Probably. Is their style similar to what it became in the late 1970s? Unlikely. Do they reach the heights of the Cronin era? Doubtful. He was good though, very good.

5. 96. Dead at Last – REO Speedwagon (1971)

6. 95. All Heaven Broke Loose – The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)

Copy and paste was invented so people didn’t have to repeatedly type REO Speedwagon album titles.

7. 94. Half Way – The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)

8. 93. Flying Turkey Trot – R.E.O. (1976)

You’ll see this turkey “trot” back onto the list later on.

9. 92. Everything You Feel – Find Your Own Way Home (2007)

10. 91. I Needed to Fall – Find Your Own Way Home (2007)

11. 90. Dream Weaver – This Time We Mean It (1975)

The best song on REO’s worst album. It’s no wonder Cronin was brought back in when he was.

12. 89. Son of a Poor Man – Ridin’ the Storm Out (1973)

This song was not meant for Murphy, like much of Ridin’ the Storm Out‘s tracks.

13. 88. Runnin’ Blind – You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish (1978)

14. 87. One too Many Girlfriends – Life as We Know It (1987)

15. 86. Screams and Whispers – Life as We Know It (1987)

16. 85. How the Story Goes – T.W.O. (1972)

17. 84. Let Me Ride – T.W.O. (1972)

First on the track list for the first Cronin-fronted album. 

18. 83. Love Is a Rock – The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)

19. 82. Any Kind of Love – R.E.O. (1976)

You’ll see this song again farther down the list.

20. 81. One True Man – Building the Bridge (1996)

21. 80. Gypsy Woman’s Passion – REO Speedwagon (1971)

REO Speedwagon has some sneaky good songs on it. This is definitely one of those.

22. 79. Let My Love Find You – Find Your Own Way Home (2007)

23. 78. Another Lifetime – Find Your Own Way Home (2007)

24. 77. Wheels Are Turnin’ – Wheels Are Turnin’ (1984)

25. 76. Can’t Lie to My Heart – The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)

26. 75. Ridin’ the Storm Out – Ridin’ the Storm Out (1973)

Another song meant for Cronin, but Murphy does okay enough on this track to make it worth listening to.

27. 74. Over the Edge – Life as We Know It (1987)

This song is so much fun! It’s a shame I only came across it relatively late in my life so far.

28. 73. Back In My Heart Again – Good Trouble (1982)

29. 72. Every Now and Then – Good Trouble (1982)

30. 71. Can’t Get You Out of My Heart – Life as We Know It (1987)

31. 70. Ballad of the Illinois Opry – Building the Bridge (1996)

I have a bit of a soft spot for this song. Outside of Chicago, anything in the state of Illinois typically doesn’t show up in mainstream music – which is very understandable. However, Ballad of the Illinois Opry is like a love letter from Cronin about the southern (if you’re from Chicagoland) portion of the state, namely Springfield, Illinois.

32. 69. Haven’t We Lost Enough (I Still Love You) – Building the Bridge (1996)

33. 68. Like You Do – T.W.O. (1972)

Good song; better live.

34. 67. Smilin’ in the End – Find Your Own Way Home (2007)

35. 66. Building the Bridge – Building the Bridge (1996)

36. 65. That Ain’t Love – Life as We Know it (1987)

37. 64. L.I.A.R. – The Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)

In a post Richrath era, this song defies expectations in my opinion. IT ROCKS. Doesn’t really sound like it’s from REO Speedwagon, and that’s okay.

38. 63. Ridin’ the Storm Out (Original Kevin Cronin Vocal) – Single (1973)

It’s a shame Ridin’ the Storm Out and the album of the same name wasn’t completed and released with Cronin on the vocals.

39. 62. Shakin’ It Loose – Hi Infidelity (1980)

The “worst” song of REO’s best album. Hi Infidelity has got to be one of my favorite albums of any genre of music. I’d put the record up against most artists’ best albums.

40. 61. Anti Establishment Man – REO Speedwagon (1971)

A bluesy slow jam masterclass.

41. 60. Girl with the Heart of Gold – Good Trouble (1982)

In my opinion, since this list is entirely my opinion, REO Speedwagon has a super strong discography. I’d put their top 60 songs against several other rock artists with extreme confidence.

42. 59. Sweet Time – Good Trouble (1982)

43. 58. Son of a Poor Man (Original Kevin Cronin Vocal) – A Decade of Rock and Roll 1970 to 1980 (1980)

REO Speedwagon members should’ve taken a hint from the “creative” differences during 1973 that no good can come from having Cronin walk from the band, no matter how “irreconcilable.” 

44. 57. Flying Turkey Trot – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

45. 56. Easy Money – Nine Lives (1979)

The first song to appear from 1979’s Nine Lives. The album is criminally underrated, and in my opinion it’s their second best record. I’d die on that hill.

46. 55. (I Believe) Our Time is Gonna Come – R.E.O. (1976)

Another song that’ll appear later.

47. 54. The Key – Good Trouble (1982)

48. 53. Drop It (An Old Disguise) – Nine Lives (1979)

49. 52. Keep Pushin’ – R.E.O. (1976)

Again, will be seen later.

50. 51. Any Kind of Love – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

51. 50. Lightning – R.E.O. (1976)

I wish this song would’ve appeared on Live You Get What You Play For. I’m sure it was amazing live.

52. 49. Keep the Fire Burnin’ – Good Trouble (1982)

53. 48. Find Your Own Way Home – Find Your Own Way Home (2007)

The title track off of Find Your Own Way Home shows that the sole new millennium studio record for REO deserves some respect.

54. 47. 157 Riverside Avenue – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

There were some fun shows in 1976. I will say until my last days I was “born too late.” This record is proof of that.

55. 46. Lost in a Dream – Lost in a Dream (1974)

The best track from the Murphy era. I really like this song, but not too much else from the mostly-forgotten era of REO’s history.

56. 45. Run Away Baby – Find Your Own Way Home (2007)

The best track from Find Your Own Way Home.

57. 44. I Do’ Wanna Know – Wheels Are Turnin’ (1984)

58. 43. Rock & Roll Music – Nine Lives (1979)

One of my all-time favorite covers of this Chuck Berry classic.

59. 42. One Lonely Night – Wheels Are Turnin’ (1984)

This song is so beautifully haunting. REO Speedwagon knew how to make a ballad in the 1980s, that’s for sure.

60. 41. Here with Me – The Hits (1988)

I had to throw in the compilation originals because of this song alone. Here with Me is amazing.

61. 40. Like You Do – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

62. 39. Lay Me Down – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

63. 38. Music Man – T.W.O. (1972)

64. 37. 157 Riverside Avenue – REO Speedwagon (1971)

The only song with a live version on Live You Get What You Play For that I think is better from the studio.

65. 36. Out of Season – Hi Infidelity (1980)

66. 35. Lucky for You – You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish (1978)

I don’t care what the critics have said in the years since the album’s release; I think it’s a fantastic album name. Dad jokes are awesome. Maybe it’s because I’m from Illinois, REO Speedwagon’s home state, but I love the album cover too; it’s iconic to me.

67. 34. (Only A) Summer Love – R.E.O. (1976)

Not the last time you’ll see this song.

68. 33. Take Me – Nine Lives (1979)

69. 32. Heavy On Your Love – Nine Lives (1979)

This song kicks off Nine Lives with the perfect energy for a lead track when you throw the record on the turntable. Again, this album needs more respect.

70. 31. Tough Guys – Hi Infidelity (1980)

71. 30. Do You Know Where Your Woman is Tonight – You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish (1978)

I thought this song was too low. 30??? Feels like it could be 15 … then you see the next 29 songs. REO Speedwagon was just so good.

72. 29. Blazin’ Your Own Trail Again – You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish (1978)

73. 28. Live Every Moment – Wheels Are Turnin’ (1984)

74. 27. In Your Letter – Hi Infidelity (1980)

This song transports me back to a time with no responsibilities, long warm summer nights and something good cooking on the grill. In Your Letter and the rest of Hi Infidelity is a heavy dose of personal childhood nostalgia for me.

75. 26. Only the Strong Survive – Nine Lives (1979)

76. 25. In My Dreams – Life as We Know It (1987)

77. 24. Music Man – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

78. 23. Meet Me On the Mountain – Nine Lives (1979)

A criminally underrated song off of a criminally underrated album. Meet Me On the Mountain is life comfort food for the ears. Easy listening, and so damn good.

79. 22. I Need You Tonight – Nine Lives (1979)

As someone that’s been in a long-distance relationship for some time, this song can hit right where it hurts the most in the heart. Thankfully, modern technology doesn’t limit me to writing like Cronin’s character in the song.

80. 21. (I Believe) Our Time is Gonna Come – Live You Get What You Play For

Comparing this track with its studio counterpart is a great example of how Richrath and the rest of the band fed off the energy of the crowd. In my mind it’s a major reason for why Live You Get What You Play For is and should be regarded as one of the best live albums from its era.

81. 20. Golden Country – T.W.O. (1972)

This may seem too low. Don’t worry, there’s a method to my madness.

82. 19. Someone Tonight – Hi Infidelity (1980)

Cronin giving Hall’s vocals the spotlight and providing backing vocals on tracks like this are always a treat.

83. 18. Sophisticated Lady – REO Speedwagon (1971)

… And just when you may have thought it was Cronin or Hall-fronted songs from here on out, here comes Sophisticated Lady! This is the best song from 1971’s REO Speedwagon, and it’s not close. Whenever this comes on in the car, I feel flying down the highway. That guitar solo is some of Richrath’s best work.

84. 17. (Only A) Summer Love – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

The live version of (Only A) Summer Love is amazing. Blows the studio version out of the water.

85. 16. Sing to Me – You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish (1978)

“And I know there’s a song in the wind to the sky. And I know there’s a song somewhere for you and I.”

86. 15. Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight – You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish (1978)

This song has the energy of a live REO Speedwagon show. It’s so good!

87. 14. Variety Tonight – Life as We Know It (1987)

Richrath’s guitar’s wail on this track takes the song into the stratosphere. This might be my most controversial ranking on this list, but I love Variety Tonight. It’s the best song on Life as We Know It – in my opinion.

88. 13. Keep Pushin’ – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

What a live album can do for an “alright” song.

89. 12. Don’t Let Him Go – Hi Infidelity (1980)

90. 11. Time for Me to Fly – You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish (1978)

I haven’t seen Ozarks yet (it’s been on my watchlist since like 2017), but apparently it gave REO and this song a nice little bump on the rock charts a few years back.

91. 10. Back On the Road Again – Nine Lives (1979)

The best of the few Hall-fronted tracks. Sends off Nine Lives on a high note.

92. 9. Son of a Poor Man – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

My personal favorite off of Live You Get What You Play For. I shudder to think what would’ve happened if Cronin never returned to REO Speedwagon.

93. 8. Follow My Heart – Hi Infidelity (1980)

94. 7. Ridin’ the Storm Out – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

Another example of just how much better the live versions were than their studio counterparts.

95. 6. Roll with the Changes – You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish (1978)

It was hard to leave this song out of the top five, especially with Cronin’s fiery vocal performance. The best song off of You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish.

96. 5. Take It On the Run – Hi Infidelity (1980)

There’s nothing I could write that would do this song justice; it’s simply amazing.

97. 4. I Wish You Were There – Hi Infidelity (1980)

My personal favorite off of Hi Infidelity. I was shocked to see this song didn’t get the attention I believe it deserves now and when it was released. It should’ve been one of the four singles from Hi Infidelity.

98. 3. Golden Country – Live You Get What You Play For (1977)

One of the best live recordings of all-time in my opinion, Golden Country plays best in front of a crowd. A political tune by Richrath that’s as relevant now as it was in 1972. It’s REO Speedwagon at their very best.

99. 2. Keep On Loving You – Hi Infidelity (1980)

The first single and best song off of Hi Infidelity, Keep On Loving You is evidence that Cronin may have been one of the best songwriters of his era, as this powerful ballad cemented REO Speedwagon’s status that they had arrived, and were here to stay in the 1980s. It was their first No. 1 hit.

100. 1. Can’t Fight This Feeling – Wheels Are Turnin’ (1984)

The crown jewel of Wheels Are Turnin’, Can’t Fight This Feeling was their second and last No. 1 hit. The song draws from two sources; feelings for a woman dating his friend that he became close with but couldn’t share, and finishing the song itself, as it’d been something he’d been working on during his time away from REO Speedwagon in the mid 1970s. The other members of the band thought it was a “stupid ballad” … and then it started flying up the charts. The rest is history.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my rankings list. All your support on the Van Halen and Def Leppard ranking lists made the making of this list possible, and for that I greatly appreciate it! Stay tuned for “Ranking Every Song by Van Halen: the Sammy Hagar Era.“