27 Songs Starting With A

Are you looking for a song starting with A? Many of the greatest songs of all time start with the first letter of the alphabet. Once you scroll through these songs, starting with the letter A, you'll be sure to find quite a few that you love.

“A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke

Song Year: 1964

Sam Cooke was just 33 years old when he wrote what would become one of the most important songs of the Civil Rights movement. The song was inspired by the racism Cooke experienced in his own life, particularly when he and his friends were turned away from an “all whites” hotel.

“A Hard Day's Night” by The Beatles

Song Year: 1964

“A Hard Day's Night” is one of the Beatles' catchiest hits, and it speaks to everyone who's working hard to make a living. The idea for the song came from a phrase Ringo said. The band had been recording all day and night when Ringo commented that it had been a hard day, then corrected himself to the word night.

“At Last” by Etta James

Song Year: 1961

While most people associate “At Last” with the iconic Etta James, it was first performed in 1941 by Glenn Miller in the film Orchestra Wives. James marked the song as her transition from a teenager singer to an adult.

Strangely, although the song is still played and is by far James's most popular, it never charted on Billboard.

“A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1969

Many Cash fans know that he first performed the song “A Boy Named Sue” at his San Quentin State Prison performance, perhaps one of the most famous performances of all time.

Many people don't know the background of the song. It was written by Shel Silverstein, who's mostly known as the children's poet who published Where the Sidewalk Ends. Silverstein was a musician and wrote the song after talking to a friend with a “girl's” name.

Cash's wife June encouraged him to perform the song, and the rest is history.

“Ain't No Sunshine” by Bill Withers

Song Year: 1971

Withers wrote his legendary song after watching the film Days of Wine and Roses. He originally put the repeating phrase “I know, I know” in 26 times as a placeholder for more lyrics, but producers decided it was great as is.

Withers worked in a toilet factory at the time. When his song became a hit, his label gave him a golden toilet seat in commemoration.

“A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” by Ilene Woods

Song Year: 1950

“A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” is one of Disney's most popular classic songs. It's from the film Cinderella. She sings it to Jacques and Gus when reminding them to follow their dreams. It's also featured in many other Disney moments.

“Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1979

Roger Waters of Pink Floyd wrote this song about his school days in 1950s England, and it soon became a scathing anthem against the British school system. The “bricks” in the song refer to the many horrors that led to Waters building a wall around himself.

“American Idiot” by Green Day

Song Year: 2004

“American Idiot” was the titular track off Green Day's 2004 concept album. The band wrote the song about their displeasure with politics and the mass media. It has become a popular protest song.

In 2009, the album was turned into a musical that followed three disillusioned young men struggling to figure out their roles in American society.

“Ain't That a Kick in the Head” by Dean Martin

Song Year: 1960

“Ain't That a Kick in the Head” was performed in Ocean's 11, but the line was first heard in a Frank Sinatra film a few years prior. The song has been used in several movies and is always a Rat Pack favorite.

“Airplanes” by B.o.B.

Song Year: 2010

“Airplanes” was originally written by Lupe Fiasco. He used Hayley Williams from the band Paramore in his recording. When he decided not to release the song, it went to B.o.B, who also used Williams's chorus. It wasn't a collaboration, though, as the two never met until after the song was recorded.

“A Hazy Shade of Winter” by Simon & Garfunkel

Song Year: 1966

Simon and Garfunkel wrote “A Hazy Shade of Winter” about the passage of time and giving up on lost chances. The Bangles covered the song in 1987, and it was a huge hit. The band gave the class guitar melody a rock update, giving the song an edge that resonated with fans.

“Alaska” by Maggie Rogers

Song Year: 2016

“Alaska” is a powerful song about getting over a breakup, but the story of how it got popular is bigger than the song itself. Rogers was an NYU student, and Pharrell came to teach a master class. Her song moved him to tears, and the rest is history.

“ABC” by The Jackson 5

Song Year: 1970

“ABC” was the next single after “I Want You Back,” which was released earlier that year. The song became so popular it displaced the Beatles' “Let It Be” as number one on the charts. The writers went through many lyrics before settling on the school theme. The main writer was even a former teacher.

“Ain't No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell/Diana Ross

Song Year: 1967/1970

Many consider “Ain't No Mountain High Enough” to be a romantic song, but Nick Ashford, one of the songwriters, wrote it about his hope for success. It was a hit for Gaye and Terrell but didn't have major success until Diana Ross covered it a few years later.

“A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend

Song Year: 2008

Vampire Weekend burst onto the scene in 2008 with their hit “A-Punk.” The song gets its name from the punk riff played in the higher key of A. The song tells a convoluted story of a young woman who steals a ring from an old rich guy and contains references to literature, locations, and music history.

“Abcdefu” by Gayle

Song Year: 2022

If you've been on TikTok in the past year, you've likely heard the song “Abcdefu.” It was such a hit that it inspired a spin-off, making the song a sweet ballad instead of an angry breakup song. The 17-year-old Gayle wrote the song after a nasty breakup.

“Africa” by Toto

Song Year: 1982

“Africa” is one of the most popular songs of the 80s and even had a resurgence with the release of Kristen Bell and Dax Shepherd's vacation video set to the tune. While it seems like a love song, the writer composed it after watching a documentary on the continent. It took him ten minutes to get the lyrics down.

“Alexander's Ragtime Band” by Irving Berlin

Song Year: 1911

“Alexander's Ragtime Band” was Irving Berlin's biggest hit. It sold so many copies that Berlin used the royalties to buy a house for his mother. The song was later turned into a film by the same name.

“Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus

Song Year: 1992

“Achy Breaky Heart” is one of the biggest country songs of all time and one of the songs that led to many pop-country crossovers. The song was written by Nashville songwriter Don Von Tress and was initially recorded by another group. It was eventually given to Cyrus, and it made him a country music star.

“About Damn Time” by Lizzo

Song Year: 2022

“About Damn Time” was the song of the summer of '22. Lizzo has made a name for herself by being positive. This song speaks to transformation. She has learned her self-worth and has embraced herself for all that she is. People love Lizzo's music because she's relatable.

“All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix

Song Year: 1968

Bob Dylan wrote “All Along the Watchtower,” but Jimi Hendrix made it famous. There are many stories about when Hendrix first heard the song, and several people claim to be the one who introduced it to him. He was a huge Dylan fan, and even Dylan himself says it's one of the best covers of his songs.

“Ambling Alp” by Yeasayer

Song Year: 2010

“Ambling Alp's” subject matter isn't what you'd expect from an indie band. It tells the story of American boxer Joe Louis, who made a name for himself by defeating Max Schmeling, Hitler's prize fighter, and Primo Carnera, Mussolini's prize fighter.

“And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going” by Jennifer Hudson

Song Year: 2006

Hudson wasn't the first to sing “And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going.” Jennifer Holliday originated it in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Hudson sang the song during the film version. She'd gotten her start on American Idol, where she placed seventh, but it was her role in Dreamgirls that propelled her to stardom.

“All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley

Song Year: 1957

Like many of the greatest songs of all time, “All Shook Up” is one of those songs that just happened. It was written by Otis Blackwell, who'd written “Don't Be Cruel” and was looking for a follow-up hit for Elvis. He had writer's block, but rumor has it that a friend came to visit him. He had a Pepsi bottle and was shaking it. He dared Blackwell to write a song called “All Shook Up,” and Elvis's biggest hit in the US was born.

“Amazing Grace” by John Newton

Song Year: 1772

“Amazing Grace” is perhaps the most popular hymnal of all time. The story behind the song is also exceptional. Newton was a seafarer and a slave trader. While sailing to Africa, his ship was caught in a storm. Newton and his crew almost died.

When he returned to England, he promised God that he would be a better man. He became a staunch abolitionist and wrote “Amazing Grace” as a song of gratitude to the God who saved him.

“All Too Well” by Taylor Swift

Song Year: 2012 (2021 Taylor's Version)

Swift always does a great job of weaving her personal life into the narratives of her songs, and “All Too Well,” written about Jake Gyllenhaal, is one of her most well-known post-relationship songs.

Swift released her version of the song in 2021, along with a short film she directed. In the film, actors Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien play the roles of Taylor and Jake.

“All of Me” by John Legend

Song Year: 2013

Legend's most popular song is about his relationship with his wife Chrissy Teigen. The video features him and Teigen and even includes footage of their wedding.

Best Songs Starting With The Letter A, Final Thoughts

There you have it – some of the best songs starting with A. A is one of the most common letters of the alphabet, and there are thousands of songs starting with A.

You can use this list if you need songs beginning with A for a game, such as one where everyone has to try to think of a song starting with a certain letter. Some of these are sure to help you win.

Thanks for reading about songs starting with A. Be sure to check out some of our other posts about songs starting with other letters.