Top 10 Best Songs by Motörhead

The intro that everyone recognizes: that dry, overdriven bass riff that sounds like a starting engine. "If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man." It's the ultimate rock-'n'-roll anthem.nnEverything fits: the speed, the lyrics about gambling and risk, and the raw energy. It lasts less than three minutes, but has more impact than most albums.

The song (written by Lemmy for Hawkwind) that the band is named after. It's an ode to speed (drugs) and velocity. The bass intro rattles and tears in all directions.nnIt's messy, fast and completely unrestrained. This is the sound of a band living in a van and surviving on adrenaline. The birth of a legend.

The song that popularized the double bass drum in rock and metal. Drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor lays down a carpet of thunder for the rest to thunder over.nnThe song stops three times (or seems to) before starting again. Those false endings make it a test of endurance of pure euphoria live. The blueprint for thrash metal.

Written as entrance music for wrestler Triple H. It's a modern, heavy and polished rock song that introduced the band to a new generation.nnThe production is fat and massive. Lemmy sounds powerful and the lyrics about power and control fit perfectly with his persona. It's Motörhead with muscles.

A big surprise late in their career. Two acoustic guitars, a harmonica and Lemmy showing that he also has the blues in his heart. It's about life "on the road".nnIt's intimate and honest. You hear the wear on his voice, which gives the song a moving charge. Beautiful proof that they were more than just noise makers.

Inspired by a book by Len Deighton. The riff is a classic; it keeps circling like a propeller. The song is a tribute to World War II pilots.nnThe solo by "Fast" Eddie Clarke is wailing and chaotic, exactly as it should be. Live, this song was supported by a gigantic light show in the form of a bomber.

An anthem about immortality and defying fate. The riff is grand and stadium-worthy. The video, where Lemmy rises from his grave on a motorcycle, is legendary.nnThe song has a fantastic swing. Lemmy's laugh at the beginning and his scream halfway through are pure rock-'n'-roll theatricality. It's tough, funny and loud.

A unique song in their catalogue: slow, dragging and hypnotic. The lyrics are about the three great powers: religion, politics and war. Lemmy's voice is terrifyingly low and demonic here.nnThe groove is heavy and repetitive, like a tank slowly rolling across the battlefield. It's doom-metal in the Motörhead way; crushing rather than cutting.

The title track from their 1982 album. It begins with a razor-fast riff that sounds like a machine gun. The production is heavier and more metal than their earlier work.nnLemmy spits the lyrics over an occult rhythm section. The song doesn't stop and start; it tears in one rush to the end. Uncompromising speed.

Originally written for the band German Tank, but later a hit for Motörhead (sometimes with Ice-T and Whitfield Crane). It's a relatively "quiet" and groovy song, almost a party record.nnThe lyrics are all rebellion and fun. The chorus is made to shout along to in a full pub. It shows the more accessible, rocking side of the band.