The Top 20 Most Famous Instrumental Music

Instrumental music knows how to connect people on a deeper emotional level without a single lyric. Here is the list of 20 best instrumental songs for you to enjoy!

Instrumental music is one of the most popular genres in the world of music because it lets listeners connect with it emotionally without being influenced by lyrics. This allows for personal interpretation and makes it great for focusing, relaxing, or reflecting. The melodies, harmonies, and rhythms create feelings directly, without needing words, making it a flexible option for activities like studying, working, or unwinding. At the same time, Instrumental music can express a wide variety of emotions, ranging from joy, excitement, and energy to deeper emotions like sadness, longing, and nostalgia. It achieves this through the way melodies and harmonies are crafted, allowing listeners to feel these emotions even without using words. This emotional depth makes instrumental music a universal language, capable of touching the hearts of people from different cultures and backgrounds. Its ability to evoke such a broad spectrum of feelings makes it a unique and meaningful expression.

So, here is the list of the top 10 most famous instrumental music pieces that are still winning hearts to this day! 

20. ‘Rebel-Rouser’ by Duane Eddy (1958)

In the past, Eddy was seen as the "greatest instrumentalist of all time." While that title might not hold anymore, he is still one of the best. For many rock guitar historians, this piece is the highlight of his legacy. It is a folk tune with a raw, gritty sound that stood out as very unique and special for its time.

19. ‘Tequila’ by The Champs (1958)

The title of this big hit is sometimes spoken in a Dracula-like voice, but it is a classic instrumental that has lasted through the years. Even though The Champs had this as their only big hit in the late 1950s, the song became popular again after it was featured in the 1985 movie “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure”. Pee-wee Herman’s dance to the song turned into a famous moment in pop culture.

18. ‘Apache’ by Various artists (1960)

Many artists have covered or sampled this famous track, written by Englishman Jerry Lordan and made popular by The Shadows in 1960. In the early 1970s, the Incredible Bongo Band’s version turned it into a hip-hop classic. Nearly ten years later, the Sugarhill Gang made it a favorite for group and line dances worldwide.

17. ‘Green Onions’ by Booker T & M.G.'s (1962)

This is one of the all-time great groove tracks and is often considered the best rhythm and blues instrumental ever. It has been featured in many movies and commercials over the years. The standout part of the song is Booker T. Jones's performance on the Hammond M3 organ, but Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, known from the Blues Brothers, also played guitar on it.

16. ‘Misirlou’ by Dıck Dale and His Del-Tones (1962)

Nicknamed the "King of the Surf Guitar," the late Dale inspired many young musicians, including Brian May, Jimi Hendrix, and Eddie Van Halen, to start playing guitar. He was a master of reverb and preferred Fender guitars. Dale gained new fame when his song ‘Miserlou’ was featured in Quentin Tarantino's hit movie Pulp Fiction in 1994 and is still considered one of the greatest instrumental pieces ever. 

15. ‘Wipe Out’ by The Surfaris (1963)

If ‘Misirlou’ inspired generations to play guitar, then ‘Wipe Out’ did the same for drummers. Following the surf theme of Dale's classic, The Surfaris had huge success with this timeless song. Like ‘Misirlou’, it is one of the most well-known instrumental tracks and has been featured in many movies and TV commercials.

14. ‘Classical Gas’ by Mason Williams (1968)

This is an amazing piece by the famous classical guitarist. While it might not be well-known in today’s rock or pop circles, it has remained popular over time. Williams' outstanding acoustic track, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, was featured in movies and even used as the opening theme for a nighttime news show in Baltimore during the 1970s.

13. ‘Black Mountain Side’ by Led Zeppelin (1969)

Led Zeppelin is known for having some incredibly talented musicians, each bringing their own unique style to the band's music. One of their debut album's standout yet often overlooked tracks is ‘Black Mountain Side’. This instrumental piece, composed by the legendary Jimmy Page, has a simple, folk-inspired sound. Despite being less recognized compared to some of their other famous songs, it’s considered a hidden gem by many fans and critics. The track showcases Page's skillful guitar work and offers a calm, almost mystical atmosphere that contrasts with the band's typical hard rock style.

12. ‘Soul Sacrifice’ by Santana (1969)

This song is often remembered as one of the best musical moments from the famous Woodstock festival in the summer of 1969. Carlos Santana was just a young artist when it was released on his debut album at the end of the '60s. Lasting a bit over 6 and a half minutes, the track features Santana's incredible guitar playing and an amazing drum performance by the talented Michael Shrieve. These are the standout features of the song.

11. ‘Frankenstein’ by The Edgar Winter Group (1973)

This song is definitely one of the best rock instrumentals of all time. It was a radio hit that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been a classic rock favorite ever since. While Winter’s legendary playing on the ARP 2600 synthesizer and saxophone stands out, Ronnie Montrose’s guitar and Dan Hartman’s bass also contribute to making this track truly excellent.

10. ‘Albatross’ by Fleetwood Mac

This is an unforgettable instrumental masterpiece by Fleetwood Mac which allures listeners to sit back and relax. The legendary band, with members Mick Fleetwood, Peter Green, and John and Christine McVie, created music history with many of their songs. In ‘Albatross’, Peter Green shows off his amazing skill on the guitar, proving just how relaxed and smooth he can play - he was truly a master of his craft.

09. ‘Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song)’ by Safri Duo

This energetic hit by the Danish percussion group Safri Duo is perfect for getting a party started. ‘Played-A-Live’ mixes powerful drums with electronic sounds and heavy bass, making it impossible not to dance and move, just like the young chemist in the video. Since there are no lyrics, singing along isn’t an option, but like many of the band’s other songs, this track is sure to light up the dance floor.

08. ‘Samba Pa Ti’ by Carlos Santana

Even today, the opening notes of this classic song signal to everyone at a party to get close and enjoy the moment. With ‘Samba Pa Ti’, guitar legend Carlos Santana created an instrumental hit that people instantly recognized, even though it has no lyrics. Many aspiring guitarists rushed to guitar shops to practice its soulful melody. Once you hear the intro, it sticks in your head forever. A fun fact about the track is Santana wrote the song after hearing a jazz saxophonist play near his apartment, and he played his guitar with the same emotion a saxophone would express, creating a perfect blend of sounds.

07. ‘Walk - Don’t Run’ by The Ventures

With over 100 million records sold, The Ventures is the best-selling instrumental band of all time. In the 1960s, this instrumental rock band helped make the electric guitar popular worldwide. In the USA, nearly 40 of their albums made it onto the charts, with 17 reaching the top 40. To honor the band, Fender released a special series of Ventures edition instruments in the mid-90s, including a Jazzmaster, a Stratocaster, and a Fender Jazz Bass made to the band's preferences. Other brands like Aria Guitars and Wilson Brothers Guitars followed by creating similar models. The Wilson Brothers guitar, in particular, closely resembles the original Mosrite design.

06. ‘Popcorn’ by Gershon Kingsley / Hot Butter

Gershon Kingsley, a composer and band leader, was a pioneer in using electronic sounds, especially with the Moog synthesizer. In 1972, his instrumental track "Popcorn" became a massive hit, topping the French charts and quickly spreading worldwide, where it stayed at number one for weeks. Following this success, Kingsley's band, Hot Butter, released an album featuring synth versions of popular songs like "Telstar" and "Amazing Grace." The album highlighted their innovative use of synthesizers, further cementing Kingsley’s role in the rise of electronic music as a mainstream genre.

05. ‘1492 Conquest of Paradise & Chariots Of Fire’ by Vangelis

Greek composer Vangelis is a pioneering figure in electronic music, known for exploring genres like new age, rock, pop, and more. In 2008, he received an honorary doctorate from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens for his contributions to music. His track "Chariots of Fire" made history as the first synthesized film score to win an Oscar, while "Conquest of Paradise" became famous as the walk-on song for German boxer Henry Maske. Vangelis's innovative use of synthesizers and his ability to blend various styles have solidified his legacy in both film and popular music.

04. ‘Oxygene IV’ by Jean-Michel Jarre

Jean-Michel Jarre is a key figure in popularizing synthesizer sounds in both popular and dance music, and he is now regarded as an icon of electronic music. However, his early career was not without its challenges. When he released his groundbreaking album 'Oxygène', some listeners were confused by the sound of the beginning of the album and returned their copies to the label. They believed they had received a faulty record because the opening track seemed to be nothing but noise. Despite the confusion, Jarre later explained that this was entirely intentional. He had deliberately used synthesized wind noises to cover up the crackling sounds from his aging tape recorder. Jarre's creativity and willingness to experiment with new sounds helped shape the future of electronic music. Although there were initial misunderstandings, 'Oxygène' went on to become one of his most successful and influential albums, solidifying his place in music history.

03. ‘Jessica’ by The Allman Brothers Band

The 1973 instrumental track ‘Jessica’ by the American rock band The Allman Brothers has become an iconic classic in the world of instrumental music. Written by guitarist Dickey Betts, the song was named after his daughter. At the same time, it serves as a tribute to the famous Gypsy Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Betts crafted the song in a way that it could be played using just two fingers of the left hand, a nod to Reinhardt, who was known for overcoming physical limitations on the guitar. ‘Jessica’ has since become a staple on classic rock radio stations and continues to be loved by fans for its catchy melodies and intricate guitar work. Interestingly, since ‘Jessica’ is an instrumental piece, if you search for its lyrics on Google, you will find that there aren’t any—highlighting the fact that it is purely music, no words needed.

02. ‘Pirates of the Caribbean – He’s a Pirate’ by Hans Zimmer

When it comes to instrumental hits, Hans Zimmer is a name that stands out as one of the greatest film composers of our time. He has earned numerous prestigious awards, including Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys, solidifying his place as the most successful German film composer in history. Zimmer’s journey to fame began with his first Oscar nomination for his work on the 1989 film Rain Man, which also marked his breakthrough in Hollywood. Over the years, Zimmer has composed scores for countless blockbuster films, each of them showcasing his remarkable talent for creating powerful and memorable instrumental music. One of his most iconic tracks, ‘He's a Pirate’, which he co-wrote with Klaus Badelt for Pirates of the Caribbean, became an instant hit and remains a beloved piece among fans. Zimmer’s music continues to influence film scoring and inspire new generations of composers, proving his lasting impact on the industry.

01. ‘Star Wars Theme / Cantina Band’ by Meco

Fans couldn’t get enough of the Star Wars theme, and Domenico "Meco" Monardo capitalized on this love by creating a unique version of it. Meco, an American music producer, and trombone player, rose to fame with his disco take on the iconic ‘Star Wars theme’ and ‘Cantina Band’. His version was a big hit, selling an astounding two million copies. This success catapulted Meco to the top of the instrumental music world, and it was so remarkable that it earned him a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. The track’s popularity was a testament to how much fans embraced the combination of Star Wars with the energetic beats of disco. Meco’s unique spin on the ‘Star Wars theme’ became a cultural phenomenon, and it remains one of the best-selling instrumental tracks of all time. His success in this genre paved the way for more instrumental hits in the years to come.