If you need to make a collection of songs beginning with the letter y, this article will give you plenty of options coming from a range of musical genres. From rock to country to hip hop, keep reading to discover some of the best songs starting with Y.
“You Belong to Me” by Taylor Swift
Song Year: 2008
Taylor Swift released the track “You Belong to Me” on her 2008 album Fearless. This energetic love song has a catchy chorus that makes singing along easy. Overall, the music will put you into a calm and content mood.
“Yesterday” by The Beatles
Song Year: 1965
Released on the 1965 album Help!, “Yesterday” by The Beatles is one of their most well-known tracks. Written by Paul McCartney with some help from John Lennon, the single performed well in charts worldwide, and it hit the number one spot in the US. The popularity of this song led to many top artists recording covers of it.
“You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon
Song Year: 1986
Paul Simon put the track “You Can Call Me Al” on his 1986 album Graceland. If you do not recognize the song by its title, you will surely remember it after the well-known introduction. Put on this upbeat song whenever you need to boost your mood!
“Yeah!” by Usher
Song Year: 2004
Usher has a distinct sound, and you will immediately recognize this song’s introduction. Released on the 2004 album Confessions, Usher’s “Yeah!” is an energetic track that is perfect for dance parties!
“Young Lust” by Pink Floyd
Song Year: 1979
For fans of Pink Floyd, “Young Lust” is one of the most classic tracks from the 1979 album The Wall. The psychedelic musical accompaniment complement lyrics about living a lifestyle of sex, drugs, and hedonism. In the plot of this story album, the main character has just learned that his wife is cheating on him.
“You Can’t Lose Me” by Faith Hill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3dmkEj0x6k
Song Year: 1996
Faith Hill’s “You Can’t Lose Me” came out on her 1996 album “It Matters to Me. Written by Thom McHugh and Trey Bruce, this track is all about the unconditional love a mother has for her daughter. The song topped charts in Canada and reached number 6 in the US on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.
“You Are My Sister” by Antony and the Johnsons
Song Year: 2005
From the 2005 album, I Am a Bird Now, “You Are My Sister” by Antony and the Johnsons is an alternative/indie track with a unique musical texture. Featuring the fantastic voice of Boy George, the lyrics express love for one’s sister—there are plenty of more wonderful songs about sisters.
“You And Me” by Rosie Thomas
Song Year: 2003
Rosie Thomas released the song “You And Me” on the 2003 album Only with Laughter Can You Win. After a delicate piano establishes a reflective mood at the song’s beginning, Thomas joins in with a soft voice to express the sad lyrics. Despite the melancholic lyrics, the overall theme is about how important it is to have a best friend.
“You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
Song Year: 1980
From the classic 1980 album Back in Black, “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC probably has you singing along with the chorus already. The track also appeared on the 1986 album Who Made Who. If this genre is what you enjoy most, consider checking out this collection of the best 80s rock songs ever.
“You And Me” by Penny & The Quarters
Song Year: 2007
The song “You And Me” by Penny & The Quarters is famous for multiple reasons, most especially its usage in the 2010 film Blue Valentine. This lesser-known soul band recorded this track in the 1970s, but advertising campaigns and Blue Valentine helped it become popular in the 2000s.
“(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)” by Beastie Boys
Song Year: 1987
Just reading the title of this track might have you screaming along to the chorus. Released on the 1987 album Licensed to III, “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)” by the Beastie Boys might be the band’s signature song. The track reached the number 7 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
“You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” by Dead Or Alive
Song Year: 1984
Another classic from the 80s, Dead Or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” was a number one hit in the UK. Released in 1984 on the album Youthquake, the track also did well in the US where it was one spot short of being a top-ten hit on the charts.
“You Make My Dreams Come True” by Daryl Hall & John Oates
Song Year: 1981
You will immediately recognize the piano introduction of “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Dary Hall & John Oates. From the album Voices released in 1981, this track makes singing and dancing easy. The song reached number five on Billboard’s Hot 100.
“You Should Be Here” by Cole Swindell
Song Year: 2015
Cole Swindell initially released the track “You Should Be Here” as a 2015 radio single, but he also included it on the album You Should Be Here the following year. Swindell had help from Ashley Gorley while writing the song, which eventually hit the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. The lyrics reflect the unexpected death of Swindell’s father.
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry & The Pacemakers
Song Year: 1963
Gerry & The Pacemakers released “You’ll Never Walk Alone” on the 1963 album How Do You Like It?—a battle cry song that is now a famous soccer anthem for the Liverpool Football Club. As such, you will often hear this tune along with excited soccer fans screaming the lyrics.
“(You Drive Me) Crazy” by Britney Spears
Song Year: 1999
Britney Spears released the track “(You Drive Me) Crazy” in 1999 on her debut album …Baby One More Time. The song reached the number ten spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in the US, but you might also recognize it as a featured track for the movie Drive Me Crazy. Besides the US, this song also hit the top ten in 16 other countries.
“Yes It Is” by The Beatles
Song Year: 1965
You can find the track “Yes It Is” by The Beatles on many compilation albums, but they originally released it in 1965 as the B-side to the single “Ticket to Ride.” This lesser-known track highlights the band’s more radical and dissonant harmonies, and it reached number 46 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
“Your Love Is My Drug” by Kesha
Song Year: 2010
Kesha released “Your Love Is My Drug” on her debut album Animal in 2010. A classic theme, the lyrics reflect on how love and relationships can create addictions similar to a drug. This dance-pop song has a ton of energy and is perfect for any kind of dance party!
“Your Mama Should’ve Named You Whiskey” by Luke Bryan
Song Year: 2013
Next is another track that compares love and relationships to drug addictions. From the 2013 album Crash My Party, Luke Bryan’s “Your Mama Should’ve Named You Whiskey” is a country song that compares the narrator’s obsession with a woman to his relationship with drinking too much whiskey.
“Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ‘n Roll)” by Elton John
Song Year: 1973
If you enjoy the high-energy sounds of early Elton John, check out this next track. Released on the 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the fast tempo and exciting vocals of Elton John’s “Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ‘n Roll)” is the perfect addition to any dance playlist.
“Your Song Saved My Life” by U2
Song Year: 2021
U2 released the track “Your Song Saved My Life” as part of the soundtrack to the film Sing 2. The soft tonal color of the piano and strings helps to communicate the sad emotions of this song, and the lyrics center around the healing power of music.
“Yours If You Want It” by Rascal Flatts
Song Year: 2017
Jonathan Singleton and Andrew Dorff wrote the song “Yours If You Want It,” and Rascal Flatts released it on his 2017 album Back to Us. Compared with many highly-produced country tracks, the song’s sound quality comes across as raw and honest. The fast tempo is complemented by Flatts’s energetic vocals.
“Yesterday’s Papers” by The Rolling Stones
Song Year: 1967
From the 1967 album Between The Buttons, “Yesterday’s Papers” by The Rolling Stones captures the psychedelic rock sound that was a major feature of the band. Lead singer Mick Jagger wrote the song by himself after a breakup with his girlfriend Chrissie Shrimpton. The lyrics center around moving past the breakup.
“Yikes” by Kanye West
Song Year: 2018
Next is another hip hop track, this time Kanye West’s “Yikes” from his 2018 album Ye. Released as the lead single from that album, the song made it to the number eight spot in the US on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The Recording Industry Association of America also certified the track platinum.
“Young Forever” by Jay-Z
Song Year: 2009
Jay-Z released the song “Young Forever” as a single for his 2009 album The Blueprint 3. The track samples the song “Forever Young” by German synth-pop band Alphaville. At live shows, Beyoncé often sang the choruses instead of the original singer Benjamin Hudson.
“Young Girl Sunday Blues” by Jefferson Airplane
Song Year: 1967
From the 1967 album After Bathing at Baxter’s, Jefferson Airplane’s “Young Girl Sunday Blues” is a fun love song that expresses the melancholy of being in love and wanting that person to choose you. The blues rhythms complement the energetic guitar riffs.
“Youngstown” by Bruce Springsteen
Song Year: 1995
Bruce Springsteen released the track “Youngstown” on the 1995 album The Ghost of Tom Joad. The song’s title refers to the city of Youngstown in Ohio, and the lyrics express a multi-generational story of the many people that lived out their lives there.
“You’re Mine (Eternal)” by Mariah Carey
Song Year: 2014
Mariah Carey’s “You’re Mine (Eternal) is from her 2014 album Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse. This track captures an R&B style and more of a breathy vocal style from Carey. The music has a slow feel and the lyrics are about a past lover.
“You’re Not Sorry” by Taylor Swift
Song Year: 2008
Next is another track in the country genre, this time Taylor Swift’s “You’re Not Sorry.” Released on her 2008 album Fearless, this rock ballad is a passionate take on realizing an ex-boyfriend was not who they claimed to be. In the US, the song reached number 11 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
“You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” by Billy Joel
Song Year: 1985
Billy Joel released “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” in 1985 as part of a greatest hits collection. The upbeat music and driving rhythms contrast the topic of the lyrics, teenage depression. The track reached the number 9 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
“You’ve Got the Love I Need” by Al Green
Song Year: 2008
Released on the 2008 album Lay It Down, Al Green’s “You’ve Got the Love I Need” is a soul track that features the call and response style. With vocal contribution by Anthony Hamilton, the duo captures a gospel sound with lyrics about taking a chance to believe in love.
Best Songs Starting With Y, Final Thoughts
If you made it this far, you can probably tell that there are a surprising number of great songs starting with Y. Whether it is a classic rock song by AC/DC, an energetic dance track by Britney Spears, or a country song by Faith Hill, there are plenty of fantastic tracks to add to a playlist of songs beginning with the letter Y!