October 17, 2016 3:53PM ET

Darryl ‘D.M.C.’ McDaniels: 5 Songs I Loved as a Kid

Run-D.M.C. rapper reveals his rock roots

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In his latest book, Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels chronicles his struggles with drug addiction and severe depression. Here, the Run-D.M.C. rapper delves into his Seventies-rock roots with a list of songs that moved him as a child.

I heard it on the radio in the 1970s but didn't know what the hell it was. It has the illest-sounding breakbeat a DJ could play back in the day.

This is more than a rock song! It's sensory overload, like a movie! The lyrics are so descriptive, they take you on a journey.

This song is no joke, and that bass line is killer! I originally thought it was a cowboy song. Every time I hear it, I picture Clint Eastwood.

An adrenaline blast of hard rock & roll power. I don't just apply it to sports. I use it to help me play the game of life.

To this day, I get chills when I hear this. I didn't know until recently that Michael McDonald was once in this group. That pushed his cool factor through the roof!