This is more of a gee whiz question since I its all based on preference, but does it seem that there are more songs based out of the A and E major key (and relative minors) than any others? Granted we can all find good songs that were written in another key, but why do you think people choose A and E when, from a theory standpoint, something such as C can be worked around easier in solos and such. Personally I think its because the first two strings on the guitar are E and A, so its easier to resort to those nice open chords.

Please let me hear your comments!

__________________
Mai Zure - So overdriven, he sh*ts distortion

I think this is the only reason (in rock and blues). As for C, it's because piano players don't have to play accidentals in this key (and neither in A minor)
There's also a saying that tells us that Dm is the saddest key... Incidentally, the human voice is at its best in D... Coincidence?

__________________
http://www.lalimace.net

I think because rock music is mainly dominated by electric guitar we find that most of the songs are in A & E. A lot of classical music that is written for strings & piano is in C & F, and most jazz peices that are written for brass are in Bb & Eb.

Actually, I think most of the songs out there are in G major. The G,C, and D major chords are the most well known and easiest to play. And they just happen to make up the classic 1,4,5 progression without having to go out of first position into barre chords.

Not to mention there's only one incidental, F#.