1972 Hit Named Greatest Summer Rock Song of All Time

Growing up, the best part of summer was always the lack of school. The feeling of impending freedom was palpable as the days till summer vacation counted down. In 1972, Alice Cooper released a song that perfectly encapsulated that freedom, with his classic hit, "School's Out." The song was released as the only single from the album of the same name and has become an unforgettable summer anthem. So much so that Detroit's 94.7 WCSX named it the top summer rock song of all time.

"Released in 1972, 'School's Out' became Alice Cooper's breakthrough hit and remains one of the most recognizable rock songs ever recorded," said WCSX. "More than 50 years later, it still sounds like the first day of summer."

Alice Cooper's Inspiration

When asked about his inspiration for the career-defining hit, Cooper gave his respects to another band. On Music Executive Pete Ganbarg's podcast, Cooper said that "School's Out" would not have been possible without The Who's "My Generation." Cooper said that the song inspired them to write an "anthem."

"'My Generation' was an anthem because a hundred years from now, a 16-year-old kid hears that song and goes, 'Oh, he's talking about me'," Cooper told Ganbarg.

While "School's Out" only peaked at No.7 on the Billboard charts, Cooper succeeded in creating an anthem. The song is now 54 years old, but it still remains a favorite for many, especially around the beginning of summer.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 12:43 PM.