Music is truly an international language, reaching out to people of all ages and backgrounds. There are certain piano songs that are sure to please whenever they are heard. The following list of the best piano songs of all time includes a little something for everybody.
First on the list is ‘The Entertainer’ composed by Scott Joplin. This jaunty ragtime classic is still instantly recognizable, thanks to its appearance in the 1973 film, ‘The Sting.’ ‘The Entertainer’ gets toes tapping every time.
‘As Time Goes By,’ composed by Herman Hupfeld, is another classic popularized in the cinema. Not only is the song itself featured at the end of, ‘Casablanca,’ but it is also used as a recurring instrumental theme throughout.
Originally published in 1924, ‘It Had to be You’ is still one of the best known torch songs. Composed by Isham Jones with lyrics by Gus Kahn, ‘It Had to be You’ has been featured in numerous films and performed by numerous artists.
‘Don’t Get around Much Anymore’ is a Duke Ellington big band jazz standard that translates beautifully to a piano arrangement. The song enjoyed renewed popularity performed by Harry Connick, Jr. in the film, ‘When Harry Met Sally.’
Sometimes a more recent piece can instantly achieve status as a standard. Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’ is such a song. ‘Piano Man’ is a great sing-along favourite.
‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin,’ a Cole Porter composition, has been performed by a wide variety of artists. However, the song is best known as a signature tune for Frank Sinatra.
A sentimental gem, ‘Moon River’ is a classic collaboration between Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini. As is the case with many standards, ‘Moon River’ gained its popularity from the cinema. The tune was originally featured in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ but over the years has been used in many other films and television shows as well.
No list of top piano songs is complete without Gershwin. ‘I Got Rhythm’ is a standout in a long list of popular work by brothers George and Ira, as is their Broadway song, ‘Fascinating Rhythm.’ Both of these songs typify the Gershwin style that profoundly influenced the jazz scene of the time.
Finally, ‘Your Song’ by Elton John (lyrics by Bernie Taupin) might be a considered a pop tune, but it’s certainly become a standard. Elements of jazz and folk combined with deeply sincere vocals and lyrics make this a song that will always please.