Don't Say No

What a great album. I remember well when it hit the airwaves back in the day. I tried to resist, mistakenly believing that anything this popular must be trash. I could only resist for so long because it's just that good. It's like Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were reincarnated in a single person. Great selection for an addition to this list, shouldn't have been overlooked. 5 stars.

Stroke! I've never heard this album before, but I love this kind of almost-AOR stuff. I should've checked this out a long time ago tbh. 5/5 and thank you!!

This album takes me back to 1981 again. Every songs is so great. This has always been an absolute favorite of mine and I don't think I've heard it in years. Standouts: The Stroke, Lonely Is the Night, In the Dark, My Kinda Lover, Nobody Knows, Whadda You Want from Me, You Know What I Like, Too Daze Gone, I Need You, Don't Say No. (Yep, that's every song...) 5/5

One of the best of the 1980s. Billy is more than just THE STROKE. Great guitars on this whole album and Nobody Know (Song for John Lennon) is so perfect. His next album had some good tracks but this was absolutely his best. Strong FIVE for me.

Never quite registered how many of these songs I had heard over the years. A classic rock power house! If you had asked me this morning "who is billy squier" I would have said "no idea".

This was an absolute treat! Completely unknown to me, yet sounding oh so familiar. If you're into Led Zeppelin like me, this is a sure shot. Impressive how Billy is able to almost reach Led Zep levels, yet not make it sound like a cheesy coverband. I will be revisiting this one for sure. Multiple times. Thanks so much for bringing this one to this list!

A different take on 80s rock that I enjoyed - no wild vocals, no dated synths, just a solidly rock LP with some minor glam stylings. I’d heard of Squier before but had never listened to any of his tracks knowingly, so appreciate this actually worthwhile classic rock addition.

Brings back a lot of memories! 5/5

It is a classic!

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: My kinda lover, You know what I like, Whadda you want from me

Good stuff

Great choice! I was excited to see this one, not because I think it's the greatest album ever, but because it belongs here. Don't Say No was wildly popular when it came out and its songs have become a staple of classic rock radio over the years. Whether you like him or not, Billy Squier is a huge part of the rock sound of the early 80s, a sound that the editors of the 1001 list have made a point of ignoring completely. Tight hook-laden production, with a strong pop sensibility that also rocks surprisingly hard at times. Billy Squier is a compelling, swaggering frontman who also knows his way around a guitar. Sort of a polished take on Led Zeppelin, but in the best ways. Fave Songs: The Stroke, My Kinda Lover, In the Dark, Lonely Is the Night, Whadda You Want from Me, Nobody Knows

Very good!

Seems like it would be cool driving music

Great hits that I still listen to.

Rock, hard rock. Me ha gustado. Un 4, venga.

Even though I'm giving this a four, there's way too much classic rock on the list already, I wouldn't have included this.

An artist and album I wasn't familiar with, and the album cover didn't leave me optimistic that I'd enjoy it. However, this was a pleasant surprise. Really good 80s rock, without too much of the cheesiness. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: The Stroke Date listened: 02/10/24

This is a pretty solid "classic rock" album. I really don't care for The Stroke at all but there's definitely better songs on there that make up for it. Honestly this probably could've taken the place of several duds that popped up in the book.

This is so utterly exemplary of this era/genre/vibe, yet none of these hit me as true instant-recognition ubiquitous hits. It's all just too played out for me to be into it much. Nothing against it but I don't really need to listen to any more of this kind of music for this lifetime.

Pleasant radio friendly rock.

A lot of other people have said what I might say, but I will add, it was fun to learn where the sample in Eminem's "Berzerk" came from!

Gold-standard AOR of its time, hard rock style surrendered totally to a pop LP costume. Squier even feels like a character, playing what he says instead of believing it. The few peaks are nicely packaged in their respective songs.

Good eighties rock in all its splendor, with rhythmic songs and also gives us the Lonely classic!

Was into this at first, but it mostly turned into Zeppelin worship as it went on.

The Led Zeppelin influence is very clear here. It’s as if 70s hard rock was rolled into a single guy through a pop lens. The result is a very listenable and concise album. I’m surprised something like this wasn’t on the original list.

I’m surprised this wasn’t on the main list because there were a million other bland 80s power rock albums on there that were far less deserving of this. This might be the quintessential bland pop rock album but it also has the stroke which is still a great hype song. Glad someone chose to include this.

pretty shocked this wasn’t on the original list. This is some great rock anthem music here. Overall it’s classic rock to a T, just catchy choruses and solid guitar action. Pretty hard to beat sometimes. 7.6/10

No

The 80s answer to the cock rock likes of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Bad Company. While that sentence reads like I hate this album, I don't. It's fine, solidly performed, just doesn't move the needle too much for me. Favorite tracks: "I Need You", "The Stroke"

I'm afraid I have to disagree with my fellow user in this group. Although it sounds good, it's a total Led Zep ripp-off. In at least three songs I hear a riff or vocal line that sounds exactly like that. No, this I cannot approve.

Meh