Alliteration is popular in poetry and literary writings, and we often use it without realizing it in everyday conversations. There are also many great songs with alliteration used in them and many people don’t even realize it until they take a close look at the lyrics.
Using the same consonant sound at the start of several words can give lyrics more of an impact. Sometimes, it simply makes them sound more rhythmic and interesting to the listener.
Scroll through the list below and find songs that resonate with you. We also have a Spotify playlist at the bottom of the page with all of the songs discussed below.
Table of Contents
1. Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell
| Genre | Folk Rock |
| Year Released | 1970 |
| Album | Ladies of the Canyon |
Joni Mitchell is one of Canada’s most successful artists, with a back catalog spanning over five decades. The singer-songwriter has penned many great songs, but one of her standout compositions is the 1970 single “Big Yellow Taxi.”
With a syncopated acoustic guitar part and rhythmic vocals, Mitchell’s lyrics are filled with imagery. One example of the alliteration used in the song is the line, “They paved paradise/And put up a parking lot.”
2. Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley
| Genre | Blues, Rock and Roll |
| Year Released | 1956 |
| Album | The 50 Greatest Hits |
“Heartbreak Hotel” is a classic track by iconic singer Elvis Presley. Released in 1956, it didn’t feature in Presley’s debut album but became one of his best-known singles nonetheless. The song’s title is alliteration and is repeated multiple times in the lyrics. It would go on to become the singer’s first charting song in the UK and eventually ranked as the biggest-selling single of 1956 in the US.
3. It’s All Over Now Baby Blue by Bob Dylan
| Genre | Folk |
| Year Released | 1965 |
| Album | Bringing It All Back Home |
Bob Dylan is regarded as one of the best and most original lyricists in music history, becoming the first musician to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. His work often includes alliteration, and the 1965 single “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” is a perfect example of this. A classic folk track, the minimalist instrumentation consists of Dylan’s acoustic guitar, harmonica, and vocals.
There are several lyrics in this song that are examples of alliteration, including “All your seasick sailors” and “Leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you.”
4. Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1999 |
| Album | Californication |
In 1999, the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers were rejuvenated by the return of guitarist John Frusciante. The band had experienced a difficult period since the release of their 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magic, but Frusciante’s recovery from a near-fatal drug addiction had given them a new lease on life.
The album Californication spawned several hit singles, with “Scar Tissue” becoming a fan favorite. This melodic song features alliteration in singer Anthony Kiedis’ lyrics, for example, “Blood loss in a bathroom stall/A southern girl with a scarlet drawl.”
5. Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
| Genre | Soft Rock |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | All-Time Greatest Hits |
Although “Sweet Caroline” was a popular song when it was released by American singer Neil Diamond in 1969, decades later it was adopted by fans of various sports around the world, including soccer, boxing, and MMA. The song’s simple melody, memorable lyrics, and uplifting chorus all contribute to its popularity, as does the use of alliteration in its lyrics, like this line “Was in the spring/And spring became the summer,” or “How can I hurt when holding you.” Since its release when it peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at rank 4 this song has remained incredibly popular over the years. It
6. Maggie May by Rod Stewart
| Genre | Folk Rock |
| Year Released | 1971 |
| Album | Every Picture Tells a Story |
Rod Stewart is one of the best-selling artists of all time, both as a member of The Faces and in his solo career. The 1971 track “Maggie May” was originally released as a B-side, but radio stations began to play the track, leading to it eventually becoming Stewart’s breakout solo single.
The lyrics in the song are centered around a young man’s relationship with an older woman, and along with the title, alliteration is found in the track’s verses – for example, “It’s late September, and I really should be back at school.”
7. Stan by Eminem
| Genre | Hip Hop, Rap |
| Year Released | 2000 |
| Album | The Marshall Mathers LP |
By the year 2000, Detroit rapper Eminem had become the most popular hip-hop artist on the planet. “Stan” is considered a rap masterpiece and showcases the rapper’s lyrical and rhyming abilities. Featuring British singer Dido in the chorus, “Stan” is about an obsessed fan who writes letters to Eminem, and the story ultimately ends in tragedy.
Eminem’s ability to play two characters in this song is one of the things that makes it such a unique composition. The beat is also expertly produced and matches the story told in the lyrics perfectly. In the first verse, the line “There probably was a problem at the post office or something” displays Eminem’s use of alliteration. If you’re looking for rap songs with alliteration in the lyrics then this is one you simply have to listen to.
Read Next: Popular Songs With Figurative Language Used in Them
8. Thriller by Michael Jackson
| Genre | Disco, Funk |
| Year Released | 1983 |
| Album | Thriller |
“Thriller” was the lead single from pop icon Michael Jackson’s 1983 album of the same name. The song was accompanied by a legendary music video, which helped to boost its popularity considerably. A disco hit with a spooky theme, “Thriller,” was produced by Quincy Jones, and there are several examples of alliteration in the lyrics. One of these is the line, “You see a sight that almost stops your heart.”
9. Wonderwall by Oasis
| Genre | Britpop |
| Year Released | 1995 |
| Album | (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? |
Remarkably, despite being one of Oasis’ best-known songs, “Wonderwall” was not one of the Britpop band’s eight UK number-one singles. The track was written by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher, with vocals provided by his brother Liam. The ambiguous and poetic lyrics make it difficult to understand what the song is about. However, alliteration is used to good effect throughout, including this line from the first verse: “By now you should’ve somehow realized what you’ve got to do.” This is one of my favorite songs ever and it’s definitely one of those old songs that everybody knows.
10. I’m In Touch With Your World by The Cars
| Genre | New Wave |
| Year Released | 1978 |
| Album | The Cars |
“You get the force-fed future,” “I’m a psilocybin pony,” and “You’re a flick fandango pony” are three alliterative lyrics used by American band The Cars in their 1978 track “I’m in Touch With Your World.” This song is notable for the use of experimental sound effects throughout, which add a psychedelic feel to the track.
11. Mean Mr. Mustard by The Beatles
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | Abbey Road |
“Mean Mr. Mustard” was included in the infamous “Abbey Road medley” that concludes The Beatles’ 1969 album. Written predominantly by John Lennon, the title uses alliteration with three words beginning with the letter “M.” In the second verse, Lennon sings, “His sister Pam works in a shop, she never stops, she’s a go-getter” which is another example of alliteration, this time repeatedly using words beginning with the letter “S.”
12. Crying Lightning by Arctic Monkeys
| Genre | Desert Rock |
| Year Released | 2009 |
| Album | Humbug |
Arctic Monkeys’ deviated from their indie rock roots with their third album, Humbug. The band headed to the California desert to record the album, with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme taking on the producer role. The result is arguably their most innovative album to date.
“Crying Lightning” was the first single from the 2009 album. It has a dark sound rich with distorted guitar parts, and Alex Turner’s ambiguous lyrics include the use of alliteration. One example of this is found in the second verse: “There was no cracks to grasp or gaps to claw.”
Read Next: Songs That Use Personification in Their Lyrics
13. Tall Tall Trees by Alan Jackson
| Genre | Country |
| Year Released | 1995 |
| Album | The Greatest Hits Collection |
In American country singer Alan Jackson’s 1995 single “Tall Tall Trees,” he sings: “I’ll buy you tall, tall trees” and “I’m a fool fool fool, for you.” The song was written by Roger Miller and George Jones, both of whom released versions in the ’60s and ’70s. Jackson’s version was included in his The Greatest Hits Collection and was released on the Mercury record label.
14. Zombie by The Cranberries
| Genre | Alternative Rock, Grunge |
| Year Released | 1994 |
| Album | No Need to Argue |
One of the best-known protest songs of all time, “Zombie,” was written about the tragic bombings that occurred in 1993 in Warrington, England. Deviating from The Cranberries’ usual folky style, this song incorporated heavier elements to give it a grunge sound that suited to gritty, raw lyrics.
Lead singer and songwriter Dolores O’Riordan alliterated the lyrics of the song, for example, “Another head hangs lowly” and “same old theme since nineteen-sixteen.”
15. Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones
| Genre | Psychedelic Rock |
| Year Released | 1966 |
| Album | Aftermath |
“Paint it Black” was a hit by British rock band The Rolling Stones. Inspired by an idea composed by guitarist Brian Jones in the sitar, the song sounds notably different from the band’s other material from the 1966 album, Aftermath. Despite some critics labeling the song unoriginal, claiming that the use of the sitar was an attempt to mimic The Beatles, it was a huge commercial success.
The melancholy lyrics of the song explore the subject of grief, and singer Mick Jagger uses alliteration to enhance his lyrics. An example of this is the line, “I’ll fade away and not have to face the facts.”
16. If I Can’t by 50 Cent
| Genre | Hip Hop, Rap |
| Year Released | 2003 |
| Album | Get Rich or Die Tryin’ |
Rapper 50 Cent’s lyrical abilities are often underrated. His debut major-label album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, features raw tracks about the reality of growing up in Queens, New York, in the 1990s and the struggles that he endured. “If I Can’t” is a song about believing in your own abilities to make things happen, and its lyrics include this example of alliteration: “Now Peter Piper picked peppers and Run rocked rhymes.” Along with lots of alliteration, this is one of my favorite rap songs with lots of bass.
17. People Are Strange by The Doors
| Genre | Psychedelic Rock |
| Year Released | 1967 |
| Album | Strange Days |
If there’s one song that perfectly sums up The Doors’ music, “People Are Strange” would be a strong contender. This 1967 track has a weird sound that merges elements of rock with circus music, and frontman Jim Morrison uses alliteration several times in the lyrics. An example of this is in the first verse when Morrison sings: “Women seem wicked when you’re unwanted.”
18. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
| Genre | Pop, Soft Rock |
| Year Released | 1973 |
| Album | Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road |
Elton John’s lyricist Bernie Taupin often used imagery, metaphors, and alliteration in his songs. The 1973 track “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” which was featured on the hit album of the same name, is one of Taupin’s best lyrical compositions. It covers topics of escapism, wanting to find freedom, and feeling disillusioned with one’s current situation. An example of alliteration from the song is: “Back to the howling old owl in the woods/Hunting the horny back toad.”
19. A Town Called Malice by The Jam
| Genre | Northern Soul, Rock |
| Year Released | 1982 |
| Album | The Gift |
British band The Jam was renowned for its conscious lyrics, fast-paced rock music, and style. Frontman Paul Weller’s lyrics often spoke of current affairs, as can be heard in the hit 1982 single “A Town Called Malice.” There are several examples of alliteration used in this track, including “a hundred lonely housewives,” “disused milk floats stand dying in the dairy yard,” and “lost laughter in the breeze.”
20. Brenda’s Got a Baby by Tupac Shakur
| Genre | Rap, Hip Hop |
| Year Released | 1991 |
| Album | 2Pacalypse Now |
Tupac Shakur is regarded as one of the most influential rappers in history, despite passing away at the young age of 25. In his early career, Tupac mixed aggressive, confrontational rap music with a more conscious and light-hearted style. The 1991 song “Brenda’s Got a Baby” is an example of the latter.
The opening lyrics of the song feature alliteration: “I hear Brenda’s got a baby, but Brenda’s barely got a brain.” This song tells the story of a young and poor girl who has become pregnant and the struggles that this situation entails.
21. Lay Lady Lay by Bob Dylan
| Genre | Country Rock |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | Nashville Skyline |
The use of alliteration in Bob Dylan’s 1969 country hit “Lay Lady Lay” is apparent from the title, with three words beginning with the letter “L.” Dylan then sings, “Lay across my big brass bed,” continuing the use of this literary technique. When it was released, this song, along with the album Nashville Skyline, was poorly received by many Dylan fans, but it is now considered one of his best albums in terms of songwriting.
22. Good Golly Miss Molly by Little Richard
| Genre | Rock and Roll |
| Year Released | 1958 |
| Album | Little Richard |
Little Richard is considered a pioneer of rock and roll music. Listed as a major influence of the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix, Richard’s legacy is undeniable. His 1956 single “Good Golly, Miss Molly,” has an alliterative title, which is also repeated throughout the song’s chorus.
23. Why Can’t This Be Love by Van Halen
| Genre | Synth Pop, Glam Metal |
| Year Released | 1986 |
| Album | 5150 |
Featured on the seventh studio album by American rock band Van Halen, “Why Can’t This Be Love” blends elements of hard rock with the synth-heavy music that was popular in the mid-1980s. The lyrics “That funny feeling again” and “time will tell if we stand the test of time” use alliteration to good effect. This is one of my personal favorite songs with alliteration of all time because I’m a huge Van Halen fan.
24. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1997 |
| Album | Nimrod |
American rock trio Green Day has enjoyed a long career in the music industry, and in 1997 they were one of the most popular bands in the country. The album Nimrod blended their usual style of alternative rock and post-punk with a less intense style of songwriting, like the hit single “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).”
In the second verse, singer Billie Joe Armstrong sings the line “For what it’s worth it was worth all the while,” using alliteration as a way to make the vocals sound more rhythmic.
25. So Sick by Ne-Yo
| Genre | R&B |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | In My Own Words |
R&B singer Ne-Yo was one of the best-selling artists of the 2000s, thanks to hit singles like “So Sick,” released in 2005. This song was a huge commercial success, thanks to its emotive lyrics and the fabulously smooth vocal performance by Ne-Yo. The title uses alliteration, and other lyrics such as “So sad and slow” and “so over being blue” also do.
26. Hands Held High by Linkin Park
| Genre | Alternative Metal |
| Year Released | 2006 |
| Album | Minutes to Midnight |
“Hands Held High” is an alliteratively titled track by the American rock band, Linkin Park. The song was released as the seventh album from the band’s third album, Minutes to Midnight. Producer Rick Rubin suggested that the band attempt to write a song that included contrasting sounds, and “Hands Held High” was the result. It features pertinent lyrics that comment on the political landscape at the time. This is truly one of the most epic anti-war songs of all time.
27. Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin
| Genre | Hard Rock |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | Led Zeppelin II |
A hard rock masterpiece, “Whole Lotta Love” was Led Zeppelin’s first big hit in the United States. This song features an iconic distorted guitar riff by Jimmy Page, accompanied by a rumbling bass tone, crashing drums, and the piercing vocals of Robert Plant. It was one of the standout tracks on the band’s second album. The song’s chorus simply repeats the line “I want a whole lotta love,” which is a double use of alliteration.
28. Bring Me to Life by Evanescence
| Genre | Nu Metal, Gothic Metal |
| Year Released | 2003 |
| Album | Fallen |
Released as a single from Evanescence’s debut album Fallen, “Bring Me to Life” is the American band’s most successful song to date. A worldwide hit, the track won the band a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance, and its accompanying music video was also heavily played on music channels at the time. In the opening verse of the song, frontwoman Amy Lee sings the line “My spirit’s sleeping somewhere cold,” and later, she sings, “Bid my blood to run before I come undone,” two examples of alliteration in the song.
29. Rio by Duran Duran
| Genre | New Wave |
| Year Released | 1982 |
| Album | Rio |
Released as the fourth and final single from Duran Duran’s album of the same name, “Rio” has gone on to become one of the British band’s best-known tracks. With its catchy melody and upbeat instrumental, the song became a sleeper hit in the US after the band enjoyed success with the single “Hungry Like the Wolf.” Alliteration can be found in the following lyrics: “And when she shines, she really shows you all she can.”
30. Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash
| Genre | Country, Rockabilly |
| Year Released | 1955 |
| Album | Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar! |
A country classic by legendary artist Johnny Cash, “Folsom Prison Blues” tells the tale of a convict who longs to get out of jail. The track was one of the standout singles from the album Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!
It consists of a classic twelve-bar blues chord pattern, and Cash’s crooning vocals sing alliterative lyrics such as: “I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when” and “Far from Folsom prison.”
31. Let it Be by The Beatles
| Genre | Pop, Rock |
| Year Released | 1970 |
| Album | Let It Be |
Penned by Paul McCartney, “Let it Be” is an iconic song that explores the theme of detachment and allowing things to take their course. In the song, McCartney sings about a dream in which he encountered his late mother, Mary, and she advised him to “let it be.” Alliteration can be found in the song’s lyrics, for example, in the final verse: “I wake up to the sound of music/Mother Mary comes to me.”
32. The Village Green Preservation Society by The Kinks
| Genre | Pop, Rock |
| Year Released | 1968 |
| Album | The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society |
The opening track from The Kinks’ sixth studio album, “The Village Green Preservation Society,” is a relatively short pop song written and produced by the band’s frontman Ray Davies. The single wasn’t a commercial success, but it received praise from music critics and fans alike. Alliteration can be found in the following lyrics: “God save Donald Duck, Vaudeville and Variety” and “We are the Desperate Dan appreciation society.”
33. Sad Songs Say So Much by Elton John
| Genre | Soft Rock |
| Year Released | 1983 |
| Album | Breaking Hearts |
Elton John’s 1983 song “Sad Songs Say So Much” has an alliterative title, with four words beginning with the letter “S.” It’s also a great pop song that deals with heartbreak and how music can comfort one in sad moments. Like most Elton John songs, he wrote the music while the lyrics were penned by longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin.
34. Sunburn by Muse
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 2000 |
| Album | Showbiz |
Three-piece British rock outfit Muse burst onto the scene with their debut album, Showbiz, in 1999. The band’s sound has evolved a lot since then, with their early work sounding heavier and less produced than their later albums. The song “Sunburn” was a fan favorite from the album and was released as the fourth single. You can find an example of alliteration in the first verse of the song: “Secretly she sneers.”
35. Human Nature by Michael Jackson
| Genre | R&B |
| Year Released | 1983 |
| Album | Thriller |
“Sweet seducing sighs” and “Electric eyes are everywhere” are two examples of alliteration used in Michael Jackson’s 1983 song, “Human Nature.” Featured on the number one album Thriller, this R&B classic was written by Steve Porcaro and songwriter John Bettis. It peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard Charts.
36. Pale Blue Eyes by The Velvet Underground
| Genre | Folk Rock |
| Year Released | 1968 |
| Album | The Velvet Underground |
Fronted by Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground is an art-rock icon. Their self-titled third album was the band’s first without founding member John Cale, and a significant difference in their sound could be heard. The track “Pale Blue Eyes” was written years prior by Reed, and it features the alliterative lyric “But mostly you just made me mad.”
37. Closest Thing to Heaven by Tears For Fears
| Genre | New Wave |
| Year Released | 2005 |
| Album | Everybody Loves a Happy Ending |
“Back in our boats again/Bathwater and the baby” is an example of alliteration found in the first verse of British band Tear for Fears’ single, “Closest Thing to Heaven.” The song was released in 2005 and was the band’s first to reach the top 40 of the UK singles chart since 1995.
38. How You Remind Me by Nickelback
| Genre | Post Grunge |
| Year Released | 2001 |
| Album | Silver Side Up |
Although they’re one of the most mocked rock brands in history, you can’t deny that Nickelback has written some great songs. “How You Remind Me” blended pop with grunge and was the best-selling single from the band’s 2001 album Silver Side Up. The song’s lyrics deal with regret and wanting to change, and they also include examples of alliteration, such as “I’m sick of sight without a sense of feeling” and “Been to the bottom of every bottle.”
39. Beware of Darkness by George Harrison
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | 1970 |
| Album | All Things Must Pass |
After The Beatles disbanded, George Harrison immediately began working on his classic 1970 album, All Things Must Pass. The renowned guitarist showed that he was also an excellent songwriter with tracks like “Beware of Darkness.” This song contains the alliterative lyrics “Beware of soft shoe shufflers” and “While weeping Atlas Cedars.”
40. Nightrain by Guns N’ Roses
| Genre | Heavy Metal |
| Year Released | 1989 |
| Album | Appetite for Destruction |
Written about the infamous wine brand “Night Train Express,” this Guns N’ Roses high-energy track was apparently written in a very short time period. Some of the examples of alliteration used in the lyrics are: “Loaded like a freight train,” “I’m a mean machine,” and “Speedin’ like a space brain.”
41. White Room by Cream
| Genre | Psychedelic Rock |
| Year Released | 1968 |
| Album | Wheels of Fire |
Although British rock three-piece Cream was only around for a couple of years, the band’s legacy has lived on for over four decades since they disbanded. The classic album Wheels of Fire includes a selection of excellent compositions. “White Room” was featured in the 2019 film Joker.
With Eric Clapton’s firefly guitar tone, Ginger Baker’s pounding drum beats, and the thick bass played by Robert Bruce, this track is one of Cream’s best. Alliteration is used by Bruce in the lyric, “You said no strings could secure you at the station.”
42. Learning to Fly by Pink Floyd
| Genre | Progressive Rock |
| Year Released | 1987 |
| Album | A Momentary Lapse of Reason |
The 1987 Pink Floyd track “Learning to Fly” was partially inspired by guitarist David Gilmour’s experience literally learning to fly – as he trained to be a pilot. Its other meaning is centered around breaking free from constraints. Alliteration is used in the lyrics, for example, in the chorus, Gilmour sings, “Tongue-tied and twisted.”
43. Otherside by Red Hot Chili Peppers
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1999 |
| Album | Californication |
Featured on the band’s hit album Californication, “Otherside” is a popular song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It is an example of the band’s simplistic style of songwriting at the time and continues to be a staple of their live shows over twenty years since its original release. Anthony Kiedis, the band’s singer, uses alliteration in the second verse: “A scarlet starlet and she’s in my bed.”
44. That’s Life by Frank Sinatra
| Genre | Pop, Vocal Jazz |
| Year Released | 1966 |
| Album | That’s Life |
In Frank Sinatra’s cover of Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon’s composition “That’s Life,” you’ll find the following example of alliteration: “I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king.” Released in 1966, Sinatra’s version has become one of his best-known recordings, with the song perfectly suiting his distinctive style of crooning vocals.
45. Galapagos by The Smashing Pumpkins
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1995 |
| Album | Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness |
In the second line of The Smashing Pumpkins’ 1995 track, “Galapagos,” you’ll hear this example of alliteration: “Softly stolen under our blanket skies.” The song was written by frontman Billy Corgan, and its title comes from the Galápagos Islands, made famous by Charles Darwin’s observations.
46. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now by The Smiths
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 1984 |
| Album | Hatful of Hollow |
The Smiths didn’t achieve huge commercial success when they were together, but their music has stood the test of time. The Manchester, England band’s unique blend of poetic lyrics, shimmery guitar tones, and punchy rhythms inspired a generation of British bands that would spark the Britpop revolution in the early 1990s. In the song “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,” vocalist Morrisey uses alliteration notably in the lyrics: “I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour.”
47. Rusty Cage by Soundgarden
| Genre | Grunge |
| Year Released | 1991 |
| Album | Badmotorfinger |
Seattle grunge rockers Soundgarden became one of the most promising bands in America in 1991. The album Badmotorfinger spawned several hit songs, including “Rusty Cage.” This song includes an example of alliteration: “To watch my blood begin to boil.”
48. Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles
| Genre | Psychedelic Rock |
| Year Released | 1967 |
| Album | Magical Mystery Tour |
Released in 1967 when The Beatles were at the height of their fame, “Magical Mystery Tour” was the title track from the Liverpudlian band’s ninth studio album. Also used as a soundtrack to the animated film, this song’s title uses alliteration, with two words beginning with the letter “M.” It was composed mainly by Paul McCartney, but as was the case with most of The Beatles’ songs, the track was credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership.
49. Blinded By The Light by Bruce Springsteen
| Genre | Folk Rock |
| Year Released | 1972 |
| Album | Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. |
American rock legend Bruce Springsteen has crafted many iconic songs in his career, and the track “Blinded by the Light” is, in my opinion, up there with his best work. Released on his debut album in 1973, the song was written after Springsteen was flicking through a rhyming dictionary. Alliteration is used in the song’s lyrics, an example of which is: “The calliope crashed to the ground.”
50. Pink and White by Frank Ocean
| Genre | R&B, Neo Soul |
| Year Released | 2016 |
| Album | Blonde |
Frank Ocean is somewhat of an enigma. The American R&B artist rarely gives interviews, and his live shows are few and far between. He has, however, released an exceptional back catalog of music, filled with originality and blending multiple musical styles. “Pink and White” is a song from his second studio album, “Blonde,” and its nostalgic lyrics perfectly complement the dreamy instrumental. Ocean uses alliteration on multiple occasions in the song’s lyrics, for example, “Tall tower of milk crates” and “Dark skin of a summer shade.”
51. Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan
| Genre | Folk Rock |
| Year Released | 1965 |
| Album | Bringing It All Back Home |
Bob Dylan is renowned for being somewhat of a shapeshifter, with his music constantly changing throughout his decorated career. In 1965, the American singer-songwriter was yet to use an electric guitar and was still expertly crafting folk songs with his acoustic guitar and harmonica. “Mr. Tambourine Man” is a wonderfully poetic composition that only Dylan could have written.
The imagery and wordplay in the verses include several examples of alliteration, such as: “evening’s empire has returned into sand,” “spinning, swinging madly across the sun,” and “driven deep beneath the waves.”
52. Memory Motel by The Rolling Stones
| Genre | Rock |
| Year Released | 1976 |
| Album | Black and Blue |
The Rolling Stones were at the peak of their power in the mid-1970s. The songwriting partnership between Keith Richards and Mick Jagger had spawned over a decade’s worth of hits, and “Memory Motel” shows that the pair were still going strong. This track’s title is alliterative, as are the lyrics: “Hannah honey” and “She sang a song to me/Stuck right in my brain.”
53. The Show Must Go On by Queen
| Genre | Hard Rock |
| Year Released | 1991 |
| Album | Innuendo |
Queen’s 1991 song “The Show Must Go On” was the final track from the album Innuendo. Recorded after frontman Freddie Mercury learned that he didn’t have long to live, the track is an emotional ballad and was primarily written by guitarist Brian May. The lyrics contain an example of alliteration in the chorus: “But my smile still stays on.”
54. Pretty Visitors by Arctic Monkeys
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 2009 |
| Album | Humbug |
Arctic Monkeys’ third studio album Humbug includes several songs that heavily use alliteration in the lyrics. “Pretty Visitors,” which the band frequently plays at their live shows, is a hectic rock composition that features alliterative lyrics like “Split sleep reaps rewards,” “the tramp with the trampoline,” and “In your muddy mind.”
55. Elephant by Tame Impala
| Genre | Psychedelic Rock |
| Year Released | 2012 |
| Album | Lonerism |
“Elephant” was released by Australian psych-rock artist Tame Impala on his 2012 album, Lonerism. The song, written by Kevin Parker in collaboration with Jay Watson, includes a saturated guitar riff, John Bonham-style drums, and a synth-layered breakdown section. It also includes alliteration, with the lyrics, “There must be something deep down in the dark down there.”
56. Naive by The Kooks
| Genre | Indie Rock |
| Year Released | 2006 |
| Album | Inside In/Inside Out |
In the first verse of The Kooks’ 2006 hit single “Naive,” frontman Luke Pritchard sings the following alliteration “How could this be done/By such a smiling sweetheart.” The song is considered a classic from the indie rock scene that dominated the UK charts in the mid-2000s, and it springboarded The Kooks to international fame.
57. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
| Genre | Neo Soul |
| Year Released | 2006 |
| Album | St. Elsewhere |
Fronted by Cee Lo Green, American band Gnarls Barkley released the worldwide hit single “Crazy” in 2006. This song was produced by Danger Mouse and blended the genres of neo-soul, electronica, funk, and R&B. The lyrics explore the topic of sanity and feature the following example of alliteration: “Even your emotions have an echo in so much space.”
58. We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel
| Genre | Pop Rock |
| Year Released | 1989 |
| Album | Storm Front |
Billy Joel is one of the best selling American songwriters in the history of pop music. His 1989 single, “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” features fast-paced lyrics that list many notable events from his birth to the year of the song’s release.
These lyrics include several examples of alliteration. There are the lines “Berlin, Bays of Pigs Invasion/ Lawrence of Arabia, British Beatlemania,” and also “Bardot, Budapest,” and “Buddy Holly Ben Hlur.”
59. Can’t Feel My Face by The Weeknd
| Genre | Pop, Disco |
| Year Released | 2015 |
| Album | Beauty Behind the Madness |
After gaining popularity with his debut mixtape House of Balloons, Canadian singer The Weeknd achieved his first commercial hit with 2015 single, “Can’t Feel My Face.” This song reached the number one spot in multiple countries, and The Weeknd’s vocal performance drew comparisons to his idol, Michael Jackson. Alliteration can be found in the song’s first verse: “But at least we’ll both be beautiful and stay forever young.”
60. Maybe I’m Amazed by Paul McCartney
| Genre | Soft Rock |
| Year Released | 1970 |
| Album | McCartney |
“Maybe I’m Amazed” is one of Paul McCartney’s best compositions as a solo artist. The combination of complex chord changes, an emotional vocal performance, and the beautiful guitar tone in the solo make this song a must-listen for rock music fans. He also used alliteration in the lyrics to good effect, for example, in the chorus: “Maybe I’m a man, maybe I’m a lonely man who’s in the middle of something.”
61. Three Little Birds by Bob Marley and The Wailers
| Genre | Reggae |
| Year Released | 1980 |
| Album | Exodus |
Certain songs have the power to make you feel calm, relaxed, and like everything is going to be just fine. Bob Marley and The Wailer’s 1980 single, “Three Little Birds,” is one of those rare songs. Marley sings this alliterative line in the first verse: “Singin’ sweet songs of melodies pure and true.”
Read Next: Popular Songs About Birds You’ll Love
62. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
| Genre | Progressive Pop |
| Year Released | 1966 |
| Album | Pet Sounds |
Composed and produced by the band’s leader Brian Wilson, “Good Vibrations” is a song that was way ahead of its time. Blending complex harmonies with surf-rock guitar tones, the track has become one of The Beach Boy’s best-loved songs. It also includes some alliteration in the lyrics, for example, “She’s somehow closer now/Softly smile I know she must be kind.”
63. Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum
| Genre | Gospel, Rock |
| Year Released | 1969 |
| Album | Spirit in the Sky |
With one of the filthiest guitar tones you’ll ever hear in the intro, Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 hit single “Spirit in the Sky” is a psych-rock masterpiece. The lyrics, which explore the topic of death, spirituality, and faith, include several examples of alliteration, like this line “He’s gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky.”
64. Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye
| Genre | Soul |
| Year Released | 1971 |
| Album | What’s Going On |
Marvin Gaye is widely regarded as one of the greatest soul and R&B vocalists ever to live, and his 1971 single, “Mercy Mercy Me” is a great example of his talent. This song features a relaxed instrumental with effortlessly smooth vocals, and the title, which is repeated throughout the chorus, is an example of alliteration.
65. Grenade by Bruno Mars
| Genre | Pop |
| Year Released | 2010 |
| Album | Doo-Wops & Hooligans |
In 2010, American pop icon Bruno Mars was becoming increasingly popular after releasing a string of hit singles. The track “Grenade” propelled him to new levels of fame with its clever lyrics, crisp production, and timeless vocal melodies. Here’s an alliterative lyric you can find in the song: “Take a bullet straight through my brain.“
66. Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
| Genre | Pop Rock |
| Year Released | 1979 |
| Album | Jazz |
“I’m a shooting star,” and “I’m gonna go, go, go” are two of the alliterative lyrics that Queen frontman Freddie Mercury wrote in the classic song, “Don’t Stop Me Now.” Written in 1979 for the album Jazz, the song was originally not liked by lead guitarist Brian May due to how he interpreted the lyrics, but he has since become more fond of it.
67. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
| Genre | Pop Rock |
| Year Released | 1967 |
| Album | Blowin’ Your Mind! |
Van Morrison’s 1967 single “Brown Eyed Girl” contains lyrics filled with imagery, detailing the singer’s memories from his younger days in Northern Ireland. He uses alliteration to make the words sound more interesting and flow together effortlessly. An example of this is the lines “Standing in the sunlight laughing,” “Slipping and sliding,” and “In the misty morning fog.”
68. Happy by Pharell Williams
| Genre | Soul |
| Year Released | 2013 |
| Album | Girl |
American musician Pharell Williams is one of the most prolific artists out there. He’s released a vast selection of solo music, along with his work with The Neptunes, N.E.R.D, and as a producer for other artists. “Happy” was a huge hit in 2013, thanks to its upbeat sound and viral music video. It also contains these alliterative lyrics “It might seem crazy what I’m bout to say/Sunshine she’s here you can take a break.”
69. Mr. Brightside by The Killers
| Genre | Alternative Rock |
| Year Released | 2003 |
| Album | Hot Fuss |
As far as debut singles go, it’s hard to think of a better song than The Killer’s “Mr. Brightside.” Released in 2003, the track propelled the band to international fame with its epic chorus and expertly crafted guitar parts. If you look closely at the lyrics, you’ll find examples of alliteration like this: “Coming out of my cage,” “Turning saints into the sea/Swimming through sick lullabies,” and “Open up my eager eyes.”
70. Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
| Genre | Progressive Pop |
| Year Released | 1978 |
| Album | Out of the Blue |
In my opinion, Jeff Lynne’s ELO is one of the most underrated bands of the 1970s. The British rockers produced a vast range of innovative music that blended elements of psychedelic rock with classic pop songwriting. Perhaps their most famous track is the 1978 single “Mr. Blue Sky.”
Along with the catchy vocal melody, inventive chord pattern, and warm sound, this song opens with alliteration: “Sun is shinin’ in the sky.” It sounds just as great today as it did when it was first released all of those years ago!
Spotify Playlist
Wrap Up:
Let us know what you think of this playlist in the comments section below. We always love hearing your feedback.
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m from Butler, Pennsylvania. I’ve been obsessed with music and audio gear for as long as I can remember. I started this website to help people find professional advice related to a wide range of audio topics. We have a number of Audio Engineers on our team who have been designing and fixing audio gear for decades.