29 Songs Starting With G

Guitar, glam, goth, gong, gyrate, g was made for music.

Whether it’s a song about God, a girl, a ghost, or a goodbye, songs beginning with the letter g give us something to gush over.

Here are some great songs starting with g to fill you with good vibrations.

“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys

Song Year: 1966

An epic song, the result of 17 sessions, “Good Vibrations” cost more to record than any other song of its day.

The idea for the song came from conversations Brian Wilson had with his mom growing about vibrations people gave off. Brian Wilson worked on it tirelessly.

An iconic song for The Beach Boys, it is almost guaranteed to make you feel better.

“Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles

Song year: 1960

Although many people have recorded this song, this is the most famous and beloved version.

The song is likely to have been written about a woman rather than the state. Either way, Ray Charles’s voice fills the lyrics with a bittersweet yearning.

“Genie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera

Song year: 1999

Christina Aguilera grew up and blew up with the release of this song. A little sexy, a little silly, and so very late 90’s, it was impossible to ignore.

Even now, it’s impossible to escape the sweaty, summery, sensual lure of this song.

“Green River” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Song year: 1969

Written about a place John Fogerty used to go in California as a child, “Green River” is a perfect vehicle for Fogerty’s voice and the rock/ country/ blues sound that was Creedence Clearwater Revival’s own.

This song captures memory and can make you nostalgic for a time and place you’ve never been.

 “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis

Song year: 1957

Full of rocking, swinging, and pounding piano, “Great Balls of Fire” is an energetic song full of sexual innuendo.

It is a fun and infectious song. If you make it through the whole thing without shaking your hips a little, you’re doing it wrong. 

“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac

Song year: 1977

Inspired by their real-life drama and relationship, Lindsey Buckingham wrote “Go Your Own Way” as an angry message to Stevie Nicks.

This song has transcended from its resentment-filled beginnings to become an anthem and a sing-along at their live shows, lasting longer in Fleetwood Mac than Buckingham himself.

“Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman

Song year: 1996

Although it won Tracy Chapman the Grammy for Best Rock Song, “Give Me One Reason” is rooted in folk and blues.

It is a love song that begs the lover to reciprocate, to make a little effort. It’s about yearning while establishing healthy boundaries. 

“Golden Years” by David Bowie

Song year: 1975

From Station to Station, this song came from David Bowie’s Thin White Duke period.

Full of swagger, staccato, falsetto, and whistling, “Golden Years” is the push and pull of enjoying what you have while wanting something else.

“God Save The Queen” by the Sex Pistols

Song year: 1977

Taking the title from the British national anthem, “God Saves the Queen” aimed to spit in the face of the monarchy. Its release was timed with the Silver Jubilee, celebrating the 25-year reign of Queen Elizabeth.

Fueled by rebellion and the thought that respect should be earned, this song epitomizes politically-fueled punk music.

“Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys

Song year: 2012

A song of empowerment  for sexy, strong, super women, Alicia Keys released it about six months after the first Hunger Games movie.

Fans of the movie and the books were familiar with the phrase “girl on fire.” While not written for the franchise, the song and the culture at the time nevertheless benefitted from the coincidence.

“Gimme All Your Lovin’” by ZZ Top

Song year: 1983

“Gimme All Your Lovin’” is about as 80’s rock as you can get. It was the first ZZ Top song to use synthesizers, and along with the rock beats, the churning guitar chords, the sex, and denim, it’s all there.

Perhaps a little dated, it is a fun, guilty pleasure song.

“Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio

Song year: 1995

Modeled after Stevie Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise” this song was written for the movie Dangerous Minds. Wonder withheld his permission for the sample until there were no explicit lyrics.

It won the Best Rap Solo Performance Grammy for the year. Reaching #1, it’s still a relevant and cool song.

“Get on Your Feet” by Gloria Estefan

Song year: 1989

“Get on Your Feet” is a song of encouragement and hope for someone going through a rough time. It demands you dance along.

After a tour bus accident that resulted in spinal injury, the song became literal for Gloria Estefan as she worked through rehab to return to touring.

“Guerilla Radio” by Rage Against the Machine

Song year: 1999

A song full of energy and anger, “Guerilla Radio” is about the 2000 US presidential election and the role that the media played. It is the band fully raging against the political and societal machine that undermines democracy.

It won for Best Hard Rock Performace in 2001. It remains a relevant and cathartic rocker.

“Glycerine” by Bush

Song year: 1994

Riding the alternative wave onto the radio and into the ears of rock fans, “Glycerine” was one of the emotional and lyrically interesting songs on Sixteen Stone.

The song references “Strawberry Fields” by the Beatles and is said to have been written about frontman Gavin Rossdale’s girlfriend before Gwen Stefani.

Glycerine is a chemical with many applications, but its use in bombs is what it is most often associated with. Comparing love to a bomb is what Rossdale had in mind for this one.

“Good Day Sunshine” by The Beatles

Song year: 1966

“Good Day Sunshine” was Paul McCartney’s attempt to emulate the feel of a Lovin’ Spoonful song.

This jaunty song captures the feeling of a carefree, sunny day and fills the air with light and joy. This song is out of this world – literally – it was used as one of the wake-up songs for the crew on Space Shuttle mission STS-135

“Get Ready” by The Temptations

Song year: 1966

A Motown classic, “Get Ready,” was written by Smokey Robinson.

A fun, energetic, and confident song about pursuing love, it will never go out of style.

Rare Earth covered a version of the song over 21 minutes long and took up the whole second side of their album.

“Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones

Song year: 1969

The atmospheric opening of “Gimme Shelter” gathers into a crest of emotional unrest that echoes the culture and political happenings of the time.

Written during the Vietnam War, this song captures the fear, danger, and frightening unpredictability of the late 60s and the need for respite and sanctuary.

“Girl From The North Country” by Bob Dylan

Song year: 1963

With a line from the English ballad “Scarborough Fair,” Bob Dylan created a song of love, loss, longing, and lingering feelings of tenderness towards an ex-lover.

The song is heavily steeped in the sounds and conventions of folk and sounds more like a traditional folk song than one penned by someone who would come to be known as the voice of his generation.

Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash recorded “Girl From The North Country” in 1969 for Nashville Skyline. It is not a seamless duet. Dylan’s vocals try to knock Cash off his game, but Johnny Cash is Johnny Cash and holds his own beautifully and unbothered.

“Gloria: In Excelsis Deo” by Patti Smith

Song year: 1975

Patti Smith took “Gloria” written by Van Morrison and recorded by his band Them, punked it out, turned it sacrilegious, and renamed it.

The already raucous and randy song is unhinged by Patti Smith’s performative interpretation and recording of it. She howls and shouts unleashing every desperate emotion, creating her own song and statement through it, elevating the art of covering a song.

“God Bless the Child” by Billie Holiday

Song year: 1941

Inspired by Billie Holiday’s mother, who wouldn’t return the favor and lend her money when in need, the swanky, jazzy “God Bless the Child” is about self-sufficiency and not having to rely on others.

Everything Billie Holiday sings is an old truth that speaks straight to the soul. Her voice spins and leans and plays with every syllable of emotion.

“Good Times, Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin

Song year: 1969

The first song off their first album, “Good Times, Bad Times” is a song about young love that’s lost but doesn’t die.

The lyrics get a little creepy and delusional at the end, but the song captures the senseless passion and possessiveness of early love, and it rocks so hard the music often takes the front seat of the song anyway.

It sets the stage for what’s to come musically for Led Zeppelin.

“Goodnight Irene” by Leadbelly

Song year: 1950

“Goodnight Irene” has been recorded by many artists including The Weavers, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, and Peter, Paul, and Mary, but it is most recognized version is Leadbelly’s.

This song shows the dark side of love and pining. It is one of those songs that seems sweet and romantic until you read the lyrics. However, the story it tells is haunting and intriguing, and Leadbelly’s deliverance of it is perfect.

“Groove is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite

Song year: 1990

“Groove is in the Heart” qualifies Deee-Lite as a one-hit wonder, but this funky hit featuring Bootsie Collins on bass is a party in a song.

The video is particularly delightful and showcases the band’s over-the-top 70s style and infectious energy.

“Get The Party Started” by Pink

Song year: 2001

The party girl for the new millennium was Pink, unashamed, unabashed, and outspoken. “Get The Party Started” was written by Linda Perry from 4 Non-Blondes.

This song might not have the deepest lyrics, but it’s always fun to sing along and imagine an entire party waiting for you to turn up.

“Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley and The Wailers

Song year: 1973

An iconic reggae song, “Get Up, Stand Up” is a call to action.

The song was inspired and fueled by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh’s fight to have their Rastafarian religion accepted.

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper

Song year: 1983

The song that made Cyndi Lauper a household name, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” is about female agency, the desire and the right to have a good time, and to be a person rather than a role.

It became an anthem and Cyndi Lauper became a fashion icon, influencing the culture of the 80s and beyond.

“Grace” by Jeff Buckley

Song year: 1994

Jeff Buckley’s ethereal, haunting, controlled voice is in its full swelling power with “Grace” from the album of the same name.

The song about loss and mortality is made all the more unsettling given his untimely death in 1997 from drowning.

“Glorified G” by Pearl Jam

Song year: 1993

With this song off of Pearl Jam’s second album, Vs., Eddie Vedder lets out all his feelings about guns and gun culture in America.

In the song, Vedder takes on the persona of someone who carries a gun to feel important. Fans continue to argue about this song.

Vedder inhabits the song as he does with every song he sings, and his presence and emotion make it evergreen.

Best Songs Starting With G, Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are so many gorgeous, glorious, groundbreaking, game-changing, gut-wrenching, and gasp-worthy songs beginning with the letter g.

The letter g gives us songs about girlfriends, the color green, goodness, greatness, giving, getting, and saying goodbye.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t get to all the great g songs in this guide, but hopefully, you remembered a song you forgot you loved or found a glittering new one and all the other g songs are out there waiting for you to gather them up.