There are certain songs that feel as though we’re all simply born knowing them. When these songs are played at a party or a sporting event, everyone suddenly begins singing in perfect unison, remembering all the lyrics better than we perhaps remember our own phone numbers.
There’s an underrated yet profound beauty in these moments. They embody what music is all about — connecting us all and holding us in a moment of sublime togetherness.
Some songs achieve such a level of ubiquity that we don’t even need to hear the words to identify them; just the opening note or chord will suffice. But beyond the catchy melodies and rhythms that have ingrained themselves into our collective consciousness, the lyrics and messages are what truly give these songs their staying power.
Here are 16 of the most instantly recognizable lyrics in music history. We dare you not to sing along!
Just a small-town girl, livin' in a lonely world / She took the midnight train goin' anywhere / Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit / He took the midnight train goin' anywhere.”Don’t Stop Believin’,” Journey, 1981
Wouldn't it be nice if we were older? / Then we wouldn't have to wait so long / And wouldn't it be nice to live together / In the kind of world where we belong?“Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” The Beach Boys, 1966
Loving you isn't the right thing to do / How can I ever change things that I feel? / If I could, maybe I'd give you my world / How can I when you won't take it from me?“Go Your Own Way,” Fleetwood Mac, 1977
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? / Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality.“Bohemian Rhapsody,” Queen, 1975
Young man, there's no need to feel down, I said / Young man, pick yourself off the ground, I said / Young man, 'cause you're in a new town / There's no need to be unhappy.“Y.M.C.A.,” Village People, 1978
Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me / I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed / She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb / In the shape of an "L" on her forehead.“All Star,” Smash Mouth, 1999
What is love? / Baby, don't hurt me / Don't hurt me, no more.“What Is Love?,” Haddaway, 1993
If you like piña coladas / And gettin' caught in the rain / If you're not into yoga / If you have half a brain / If you like making love at midnight / In the dunes on the cape / Then I'm the love that you've looked for / Write to me and escape.“Escape (The Piña Colada Song),” Rupert Holmes, 1979
Hello darkness, my old friend / I’ve come to talk with you again.”The Sound of Silence,” Simon & Garfunkel, 1964
It's nine o'clock on a Saturday / The regular crowd shuffles in / There's an old man sittin' next to me / Makin' love to his tonic and gin / He says, "Son, can you play me a memory? / I'm not really sure how it goes / But it's sad, and it's sweet, and I knew it complete / When I wore a younger man's clothes.”Piano Man,” Billy Joel, 1973
At first I was afraid, I was petrified / Kept thinkin' I could never live without you by my side / But then I spent so many nights thinkin' how you did me wrong / And I grew strong and I learned how to get along.“I Will Survive,” Gloria Gaynor, 1978
Ooga-chaka, ooga-ooga / Ooga-chaka, ooga-ooga / Ooga-chaka, ooga-ooga / Ooga-chaka, ooga-ooga."Hooked on a Feeling,” Blue Swede, 1974
Almost Heaven, West Virginia / Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River / Life is old there, older than the trees / Younger than the mountains, growing like a breeze."Take Me Home, Country Roads,” John Denver, 1971
I'll tell you what I want / What I really, really want / So tell me what you want / What you really, really want / I wanna (Hey!), I wanna (Hey!) / I wanna (Hey!), I wanna (Hey!) / I wanna really, really, really wanna "zig-a-zig," ah.”Wannabe,” Spice Girls, 1996
Hands, touchin' hands / Reachin' out, touchin' me, touchin' you / Sweet Caroline / Good times never seemed so good / I've been inclined / To believe they never would.”Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond,
Hey, Jude, don't make it bad / Take a sad song and make it better / Remember to let her into your heart / Then you can start to make it better.“Hey Jude,” The Beatles, 1968
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