7 Classic Rock Songs To Summarize The Career Of Nazareth

Their Best Works

Nazareth formed in 1968 and had a string of hits in the ’70s. Music from their early years were inspired by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. It wasn’t long before they traded their pop sound to hard rock. One of the things that made their songs easily recognizable was Dan McCafferty’s raspy vocals. He led the bad for several decades until his health issues forced him to retire in 2013. He said, “If you can’t do the job you shouldn’t be there — Nazareth’s too big for that.”

Here are seven of their greatest tracks.

7. Teenage Nervous Breakdown

It’s a straightforward rock number that takes you back to the ’70s. Taken off their fourth studio album Loud ‘n’ Proud, it’s a cover of a Little Feat original.

6. Not Fakin’ It

A fun and upbeat number – it’s one of their most overlooked songs and it clearly deserves more appreciation.

5. Miss Misery

A searing and menacing rocker – it’s aggressive and heavy-hitting. From the vocals to the drums, bass, and guitar – it’s absolutely addicting.

4. Love Hurts

The band can surely get away with power ballads like this. Originally recorded by the Everly Brothers, Nazareth’s version became the most popular. It peaked at #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 but topped the charts in several countries.

3. This Flight Tonight

Originally sung by Joni Mitchell and featured in her musical masterpiece Blue, Nazareth reworked it in 1973. While Mitchell’s version had minimal use of instruments with only her voice taking centerstage, Nazareth gave it a hard rock treatment. Surprisingly, it worked.

2. Razamanaz

The title track to their third studio album, the LP gave them their breakthrough. It’s a fist-pumping rocker complete with face-melting guitar solos.

1. Hair of the Dog

It’s their best work, without a doubt. The title doesn’t appear in the lyrics which is why it’s often called “Son Of A Bitch.” Guns N’ Roses covered it in 1994.