The Train Kept A Rollin' - The Johnny Burnette Trio

'Train Kept A Rollin'' is a seething and steaming powerhouse of a rockabilly number cut by The Johnny Burnette Trio in 1956 and is one of the earliest recorded examples of distortion in rock music.

Lead guitarist Paul Burlison stumbled across the sound when he accidentally damaged his amplifier during a particularly raucous gig. By some reports the band were unsure of the rough buzzing tone, but reviews of the gig were all unanimously crazy about the 'new sound.' Burlison then proceeded to intentionally damage the rest of his amplifiers and use them to brilliant effect on the Trio's further tracks, starting with today's explosive Best Song Ever.

The song smashes you down like a runaway freight. Each snare smack shoots a puff of steam into the air as upright bass plunks and slams down tracks in front of the wildly out of control machine, the guitars and Burnette's howling vocals squealing with the force of wheels bursting into sparks and smithereens.

Sadly it would also prove to be the brightest moment for the Burnette Trio's far too short history. While guitars have gotten heavier, there's no denying the influence the song has had on popular music. It's telling that the number was the first song an early Led Zeppelin would play together.