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As piano stands as one of the most universal instruments considering it can be used in various different genres, it is also an essential part of most popular songs. It either carries melody by itself or just follows through the entire song.
Here we create a list of the best piano pop songs, to show how some of the most popular songs are determined by piano melody. It is also a good insight into piano pop culture if you are a starter, so here we go!
1. Adele – Someone Like You
“Someone like You” is a song by English singer-songwriter Adele. It was released as the second single from her second studio album, 21 (2011). The song was written by Adele and produced by Greg Kurstin. “Someone like You” peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart and became Adele’s first single to reach the top ten in the United States.
The song is about a woman who is struggling to get over a break-up. The music video for “Someone like You” was directed by Jake Nava and features Adele walking around London.
“Someone like You” has been covered by a number of artists, including Leona Lewis, Barbra Streisand, and Alicia Keys. In 2012, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance.
2. John Lennon – Imagine
“Imagine” is a song by John Lennon. It was released as a single in 1971, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart. The song was written and produced by Lennon, with his wife Yoko Ono serving as co-writer.
It is a song about peace and love. The lyrics urge listeners to imagine a world without violence, poverty, or division. The music video for “Imagine” features footage of people living in various parts of the world.
“Imagine” has been covered by a number of artists, including Eva Cassidy, Willie Nelson, and Jackie Evancho. In 2017, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry.
3. Coldplay – Clocks
British rock band Coldplay has released seven studio albums, four live albums, six compilation albums, three video albums, 13 extended plays, 42 singles, four promotional singles, and 47 music videos. Coldplay’s “Clocks” is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written and composed by all members of the band for their second studio album, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002). Built around a piano riff, the song features distorted guitars and heavy drums in its instrumentation. The song’s lyrics are about the energy and pace of modern life.
“Clocks” was released as the fourth single from A Rush of Blood to the Head and peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
4. John Legend – All of Me
“All of Me” is a song by American singer-songwriter John Legend. It was released as the third single from his fourth studio album, Love in the Future (2013). The song was written by Legend and Toby Gad. “All of Me” is a piano ballad dedicated to Legend’s wife Chrissy Teigen.
The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised Legend’s vocal performance and the emotion in the song. “All of Me” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Legend’s first number-one single in the United States. Internationally, the song peaked at number one in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Legend performed “All of Me” at a number of award ceremonies, including the 56th Annual Grammy Awards and the 2014 BET Awards. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Jason Derulo, Jennifer Nettles, and Ella Henderson. “All of Me” was ranked as the best-performing song of 2014 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
5. The Beatles – Let It Be
“Let It Be” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, released as a single in March 1970. The song was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was their final single before McCartney’s departure from the band.
“Let It Be” is a piano-based ballad with influence from gospel music. The lyrics offer comfort to someone in despair. The song was recorded during the Beatles’ troubled Let It Be sessions and featured on their self-titled album (1970), also known as the “White Album”
The single version of the song features an extended guitar solo from George Harrison. The song was produced by Phil Spector, who added orchestral and choral arrangements to the track without the band’s approval.
“Let It Be” was a commercial success, reaching number one in the UK and US. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including James Taylor, Willie Nelson, and Nina Simone. In 1987, “Let It Be” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 20 on their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
6. Elton John – Your Song
“Your Song” is a ballad composed and performed by English musician Elton John with lyrics by his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin. Taupin had been asked to write lyrics for a song set to music by John, but John was not satisfied with the results. Taupin then wrote the lyrics for “Your Song” in 10 minutes while sitting on a bench in Hyde Park, London.
It originally appeared on John’s self-titled second album (1970). The song was released as a single in October 1970, reaching number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Your Song” has been covered by a number of artists, including Ellie Goulding, Lady Gaga, and Rod Stewart. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 91 on their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
“Your Song” is a simple love song with piano and guitar accompaniment. The lyrics express the emotions of young love and convey the innocence of first love.
7. Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man
“When I was your man” is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. The song was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine, while the production was handled by Emile Haynie. “When I was your man” is a ballad with piano instrumentation. The lyrics of the song are about heartbreak and regret.
The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised Mars’ vocal performance and the emotion in the song. “When I was your man” peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Mars’ fifth consecutive top ten single in the United States. Internationally, the song peaked at number one in Canada and New Zealand and reached the top ten in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Mars performed “When I was your man” on several television shows and award ceremonies, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, and the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Ellie Goulding, John Legend, and Boyce Avenue. American R&B singer Trey Songz released a remix of the song as a single in May 2013.
8. Alicia Keys – Fallin
“Fallin'” is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys from her debut studio album, Songs in A Minor (2001). The song was written by Keys and produced by Jayson “Kraze” Palmer and Dinky Bingham. “Fallin'” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Keys’ first single to top the chart. It also peaked at number one in Australia and New Zealand, and number two in Canada and the United Kingdom.
The song is about a woman who is in love with a man who does not reciprocate her feelings. The music video for “Fallin'” was directed by Paul Hunter and features Keys as a woman who is in love with a man who is in a relationship with another woman.
“Fallin'” has been covered by a number of artists, including Justin Timberlake, John Legend, and Alicia Keys herself. In 2002, the song won three Grammy Awards: Song of the Year, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song.
9. Billy Joel – Piano Man
“Piano Man” is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Piano Man (1973). The song is about a piano player working in a bar in New York City.
The song was well-received by critics and became a commercial success, peaking at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1974, “Piano Man” won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Elton John, Ray Charles, and Billy Joel himself.
“Piano Man” is one of Joel’s most popular songs and is frequently performed live. In 2013, the Library of Congress added the song to the National Recording Registry.
10. Gary Jules – Mad World
“Mad World” is a song by English singer-songwriter Michael Andrews and American singer-songwriter Gary Jules. It was released as a single on 18 November 2001 and reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. The song also peaked at number one in Denmark, Ireland, Italy, and Sweden.
The song was written by Andrews and Jules for the soundtrack of the film Donnie Darko (2001). The song is based on the theme tune of the 1980s British television series Tales of the Unexpected (1979–1988), which was composed by Ron Grainer. “Mad World” was recorded using only piano and voice.
Critical reception to “Mad World” was positive, with many reviewers praising Jules’ cover version of the song. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Tears for Fears, Adam Lambert, Jakob Dylan, and Ava Max. In 2010, “Mad World” was voted the best song of all time in a poll conducted by BBC Radio 2.
11. Sarah McLachlan – Angel
“Angel” is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. It was released as the second single from her fourth studio album, Surfacing (1997). The song was written by McLachlan and produced by Pierre Marchand. “Angel” peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became McLachlan’s first single to reach the top ten in the United States.
The song is about a woman who is addicted to drugs and is struggling to overcome her addiction. The music video for “Angel” was directed by Sophie Muller and features McLachlan as a woman who is battling her addiction.
“Angel” has been covered by a number of artists, including Bette Midler, Celine Dion, and LeAnn Rimes. In 1998, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
12. Timbaland – Apologize ft. OneRepublic
“Apologize” is a song by American pop rock band OneRepublic. It was released as the lead single from their debut album, Dreaming Out Loud (2007). The song was written by Ryan Tedder and produced by Greg Wells. “Apologize” peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the band’s first single to reach the top ten in the United States.
The song is about a man who is apologizing to a woman for his mistakes. The music video for “Apologize” was directed by Joseph Kahn and features footage of the band performing in various locations.
“Apologize” has been covered by a number of artists, including Timbaland, Maroon 5, and Justin Timberlake. In 2008, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
13. Robert Miles – Children
“Children” is a song by Swiss DJ and producer Robert Miles. It was released in 1996 as the lead single from his debut album, Dreamland (1996). The song was written by Miles and produced by Joe T. Vannelli. “Children” peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart and became a top ten hit in several other countries.
The song is about childhood innocence. The lyrics describe the beauty of a child’s imagination. The music video for “Children” was directed by Alex Proyas and features footage of children playing in various locations.
“Children” has been covered by a number of artists, including Paul van Dyk, Above & Beyond, and Chicane. In 1997, the song won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
14. Aretha Franklin – Natural Woman
“Natural Woman” is a song by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was released in 1967 as a single from her album, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967). The song was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and produced by Jerry Wexler. “Natural Woman” peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a top ten hit in several other countries.
The song is about a woman who is comfortable in her own skin. The lyrics describe the beauty of a woman’s natural body. The music video for “Natural Woman” was directed by Matthew Rolston and features footage of Franklin performing the song live.
15. Vanessa Carlton – A Thousand Miles
“A Thousand Miles” is a song by American singer Vanessa Carlton. It was released in 2002 as the lead single from her debut album, Be Not Nobody (2002). The song was written by Carlton and produced by Ron Fair. “A Thousand Miles” peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a top ten hit in several other countries.
The song is about a young woman who is willing to go to great lengths for love. The lyrics describe the feeling of being in love and wanting to be with someone. The music video for “A Thousand Miles” was directed by Dave Meyers and features footage of Carlton performing the song live.
You probably want to try and play some of those songs yourself, and we have perfect starting point for you. Check some of the best digital pianos here, and find one that fits you best!