Iconic Rock & Metal Bands That’ve Played a Single Song More Than 1,500 Times

Some bands play the hits—others live for them. We rounded up 18 rock and metal heavyweights who’ve played at least one of their songs more than 1,500 times onstage. And no, it’s not just the old-school legends doing this—some newer acts are clocking in impressive numbers too. According to Setlist.fm, these bands keep fans happy by giving their most-loved tracks the spotlight night after night. Curious to know which songs have rocked the stage the most? Let’s dive into the bands that just can’t stop playing their biggest anthems.

AC/DC
AC/DC has been cranking out the classics on stage for decades—and the numbers prove it. “The Jack” has been played live 1,751 times, with “Whole Lotta Rosie” close behind at 1,701. “T.N.T.” and “Let There Be Rock” have each hit the 1,500 mark too. These songs aren’t just crowd favorites—they’re essential parts of the live AC/DC experience.

Aerosmith
If you’ve ever been to an Aerosmith show, you’ve definitely heard the big three. “Walk This Way” has been played 1,761 times, “Dream On” 1,740, and “Sweet Emotion” 1,718—and they still bring the house down every time. Steven Tyler doesn’t just sing these songs; he literally lives them on stage. After all these years, they still sound as fierce as ever.

Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi knows what fans want, and they’ve delivered it night after night. “You Give Love a Bad Name” (1,570 times), “Livin’ On A Prayer” (1,568), and “Wanted Dead or Alive” (1,562) have all been played well over 1,500 times. And no matter how many times they’re played, the crowd always screams every word. These Bon Jovi songs just never lose their punch.

Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult isn’t just a classic rock band—they’re live show veterans. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” has hit the stage 2,619 times, with “Godzilla” (2,557), “Burnin’ For You” (2,310), and “Cities on Flame” (2,285) right behind. Even deeper cuts like “E.T.I.” (1,666) and “Then Came the Last Days of May” (1,655) get regular love on setlists. These guys go all in for the fans.

Cheap Trick
Few bands tour harder than Cheap Trick, and the setlist shows it. “I Want You to Want Me” has been played 2,239 times, and “Surrender” is right there at 2,236. “Dream Police” (2,078) and “Goodnight” (1,647) have also stood the test of time on stage. They’ve built a live legacy one power chord at a time. And it still rocks for audiences.

Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper practically invented the shock-rock stage show—and he’s been owning it for decades. “School’s Out” has been played a whopping 3,090 times, with “I’m Eighteen” not far behind at 3,019. Tracks like “Under My Wheels,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” and “Billion Dollar Babies” have each racked up more than 2,700 plays. Even fan favorites like “Poison” (2,294) and “Feed My Frankenstein” (1,766) keep the crowds roaring.

Deep Purple
When it comes to classic rock, Deep Purple doesn’t mess around. “Smoke on the Water” has fired up crowds 2,223 times, and “Highway Star” clocks in at 2,006 live performances. Songs like “Perfect Strangers,” “Black Night,” and “Lazy” have all cleared 1,700 plays—and they still sound massive live. Whether it’s “Hush” or “Space Truckin’,” these songs were built for volume and played with muscle. It’s no wonder Deep Purple shows still crank up the energy.

Def Leppard
Def Leppard brings hit after hit, and they’ve got the live numbers to prove it. “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph” have each been played over 2,000 times, while “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (1,929) still turns every arena into a sing-along. From “Animal” and “Foolin’” to “Rocket” and “Love Bites,” their setlists are wall-to-wall ‘80s rock gold. With 10 songs topping the 1,500 mark, it’s clear they know what fans came to hear—and they deliver every time.

Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden treats every concert like a battle—and the numbers show how much they’ve fought for. “Iron Maiden” leads the charge with 2,434 live plays, followed by “The Number of the Beast” (2,030) and “Hallowed Be Thy Name” (1,931). “The Trooper” and “Run to the Hills” have raged through 1,700+ shows combined. Every song is an epic, and every performance feels like a full-on metal assault.

Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage may be one of the newer names on this list, but they’ve still hit the 1,500 mark in style. “My Last Serenade” has been performed 1,531 times and remains a go-to anthem at their shows. With emotional lyrics, crushing riffs, and crowd-splitting energy, it’s the kind of song that keeps fans coming back—and screaming along—again and again.

Scorpions
Scorpions have been rocking stages around the world for decades, and “The Zoo” has been a major part of that journey. Played live 1,532 times, this gritty, mid-tempo anthem still gets fans swaying and singing along. It’s a staple of their set—and proof that the Scorps never lost their bite.

Slayer
Slayer doesn’t just play shows—they unleash chaos. “Raining Blood” leads the charge with 1,882 performances, while “Angel of Death” (1,849) and “South of Heaven” (1,817) bring the fury every night. Tracks like “War Ensemble,” “Mandatory Suicide,” and “Dead Skin Mask” have each topped 1,600 plays. Fast, brutal, and totally uncompromising—just the way Slayer fans like it.

ZZ Top
When ZZ Top takes the stage, it’s all groove and grit. “La Grange” has been played 1,874 times, followed by staples like “Jesus Just Left Chicago” (1,768), “Sharp Dressed Man” (1,736), and “Legs” (1,672). Whether it’s the bluesy swagger of “Tush” (1,595) or the radio-ready kick of “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” they’ve kept the boogie alive for decades. Beards, blues, and badass riffs—it’s what they do best.