Joe Walsh - Rocky Mountain Way (Live)

UCRs top 100 classic rock songs list brings us to #57: Joe Walsh "ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAY"

We've already seen Joe Walsh on our Top 100 Classic Rock Songs list as a member of the James Gang, and it's a pretty safe bet we'll be checking in on him later as part of the Eagles, but right now, how about we take a trip down "Rocky Mountain Way?"

Technically, we could have snuck Walsh onto our countdown four times. Even though only his name is on the cover, this song actually comes from the second album by his post-James Gang project, Barnstorm.

Reportedly inspired by the longtime Ohio native's move to Colorado, the chunky slide guitar, lurching rhythm and rolling piano line on "Rocky Mountain Way" does indeed capture the rugged natural beauty of that state. Although they're not exactly clear or literal, the lyrics seem to indicate Walsh moved in order to get away from some personal troubles, which apparently worked just as he imagined it: "And we don't need the ladies crying 'cuz the story's sad / Cause the Rocky Mountain way is better than the way we had."

"Rocky Mountain Way" is perhaps most famous for that incredible talk box guitar solo, but he didn't pioneer this sound. Simpler forms of the technology had been used on records before. In fact, Walsh got his device from friend Bill West (Dottie West's husband), and it had previously been used on Pete Drake's 1955 song "Forever." Still, Walsh took things to a whole new level of popularity among his peers and the public.

Peter Frampton was obviously inspired: He called Walsh to find out what this magic box was and how to use it. The results can be heard on Frampton's later entry on this Top 100 list.