re: What do you feel is the most perfectly crafted song of the rock era?

Rock and roll versions of the Hollywood "epic" that have become endearing legendary tracks are going to rise to the top of these lists because they had to resonate and bigger songs tend to be crafted better.

American Pie - Don McClean
Stairway - Zeppelin
Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
You Can't Always Get What You Want - The Rolling Stones
A Day in the Life - The Beatles
Hotel California - The Eagles
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

That would be my short list to start.