Word for song without words

Have you ever wondered what is music without words called? The truth is many of us have. There are a few names to them or ways that they are referred to. Below, we examine them in full to explain it better and more  thoroughly.

Can A Song Be Song Without Lyrics?

Can a song be a song without lyrics in it? Some feel that without any actual lyrics, a song is just a melody or tune. We have often heard the expression or question that “If a tree falls in the woods, would it make a sound?.” While the answer to that may be more complexed, some feel the same about songs without lyrics. There are people who feel that since a tune does not contain actual lyrics, then it isn’t actually a song. However, there are names for tunes such as these and they are often referred to as melody, or an instrumental composition.

Do you enjoy easy listening? Then check out Relaxing music for body and soul

The History Of Instrumental Music

The most popular and widely known form of music without any lyrics is called “Instrumental Music.” The history of instrumental music goes back thousands of years since humans first began playing with instruments. As more instruments began to be invented and played, the compositions became more complexed, popular and bountiful. Now, there are thousands of music genres dedicated entirely to songs without lyrics, or instrumental music. From ‘techno’, ‘easy listening’ and ‘dance’, there are many forms of music without any lyrics in them these days.

Some Prefer Instrumental

Numerous radio stations and websites can be found which cater to ‘easy listening’ or simply playing instrumental versions of popular songs. In reality, there are many songs which were originally recorded with lyrics and then were re-recorded as instrumental. The reason for this is that many people simply prefer to listen to music in instrumental form. Whether it may be for worshiping in churches or simply as a way to relax, instrumental music is very popular. Others refer to this kind of music as “elevator music” since that’s what often played on elevators or certain places where peaceful music is preferred.

But All Appreciate Music

When it comes to waking up in the mornings or trying to relax, music without words or lyrics is very popular. This is because it brings peace and tranquility to those that listen to it. Still, there are those who love and appreciate the lyrics found in popular songs all over the world. Interestingly enough, the opposite of music without instruments is called a capella. A capella, (Italian for “in the manner of the chapel”), are mostly sung by groups or a solo performer. These are  non-vocal tunes accompanied by people singing without any instrumental music or sounds.

You may also want to read about The principles of relaxing music

No matter your preference, having the option of listening to any form of music in itself is great. Whether it is instrumental, capella, techno or traditional songs with lyrics, music is the what brings the world together.

Are you interested in the question, “what is music without words called? Then try to listen to famous artists like Kenny G, you will have a clue to what such type of music is called. No lyrics, just instrumentals, but Kenny G’s songs will leave you speechless. You will also enjoy the vibes of famous instrumental musicians like the Ventures, Surfaris, Dick Dale, and others.

Back to the question, what is music without words called? 

Here is what you need to know. Music without words is called instrumental music or composition. It normally involves a group of instrumentalists playing varied instruments, while the only thing missing is a vocalist. Furthermore, the instrumental music adheres to the same principles as the vocal music, and written in the same format.

So, that is the meaning of music without words. You can continue reading for more.

Introduction To Music Without Words: How It Was In The Days Of Old

Music has a rich history behind it, which every aspiring musician, instrumentalist, or music student should take an interest in. The first and oldest musical instrument in the world is the flutes. It was designed and used thousands of years ago. Today, there are hundreds of various instruments in the world, which anyone can learn and become a pro in a short while.

Before the discovery and use of musical instruments, humans learned to use their bodies to produce natural sounds. In ancient times, people produced these natural sounds via the clapping of hands, the use of their feet produce sounds that were pleasant to the ear and considered as music.

Furthermore, musical instruments, in the days of old, were designed to emulate the natural sound that humans where making with their bodies. But in the beginning, the primary purpose was not for entertainment but rituals.

What were the early musical instruments made from? Fortunately, the modern musical instruments we have today were products of the 13th and 14th centuries. But it was in the 15th century that more extensive documentation was made available. It was from German sources, which were a composition centered on the fundamentals of organ playing.

Before the development of musical instruments, various objects found on the surface of the earth, which range from plant parts, animal horns, and shells, were used as instruments to produce sounds. With these objects, our forefathers were able to create music to serve various purposes.

Furthermore, instrumental music began many years ago. And I mean thousands of years ago, ever since humans developed and started playing musical instruments. The only thing one can say is that musical instruments were not as complicated then as they are now.

Writing Music Without Words: Tips And Principles For Making Instrumental Music

There were times when music without words (instrumental music) was popular and considered a unique genre of music across the globe. At that time, we were lucky enough to listen and watch the likes of Kenny G, the Surfaris, the Ventures, and other musicians display their talents.

Kenny G’s Songbird, a hit instrumental album at that time, was one of the collections then that took listeners and lovers of the instrumental kind of music to another realm. When you think of instrumental hit songs, you can pick any of the songs done by Kenny G.

Again, Kenny G is not the only songwriter and instrumentalist that made instrumental music famous back then. Other instrumental music artists that delivered a series of hit songs include;

• The Ventures
• The Surfaris
• Dick Dale
• The Tornados
• Return to Forever
• Jeff Beck
• Larry Coryell
• The Shadows

So, these are some of the lists of instrumental music artists that made the community of instrumental music listeners happy. They displayed exceptional skills and handling of the various instrumentals whenever they have the chance to play.

Now let’s go back to what writing instrumental music entails. Does of instrumental or music without words follow the same pattern as the vocal tune?

Well, to answer the question above, we are going to look at several tips one needs to consider when writing instrumental music. After reading these tips, you will find that the instrumental and vocal music adheres to the same principles.

The instrumental music melody: 

Does the melody of instrumental music have the same requirement as a vocal melody? The answer is, yes! The principles as far as melody is concerned are the same for instrumental and vocal tunes. The two important ones, when it comes to the melody, are climactic moment placement and contour. And they apply in both forms of music.

The instrumental music form: 

Another area where instrumental and vocal music is the same is in the format of the music. Both styles of music have the same form of design features. For instance, your instrumental or music without words can take the verse-chorus – bridge format. You may also choose to come up with instrumental music that will have only verse or verse and bridge.

The chorus melody of the music without words will have the same pitch as that of vocal music, where the pitch would be high. The verse melody will also be lower than the chorus in both styles of music.

The instrumental music chords: 

The principles of the chord or harmonic progression in vocal music apply to instrumental music. There is a need to make the melodies live in the memories of the listeners.

Therefore, you can deploy strong progressions in your instrumental music, particularly in the chorus. You should also have in mind that it’s music without words that you are creating. So your audience won’t have any lyrics to remember the song with.

The instrumental music instrumentation:

When making music without words, the one crucial thing you cannot forgo is the quality of your instrumentalists and equipment. Are they professionals or average players? Well, the thing is the quality of your instrumentalists does matter a great deal.

You are going to need top instrumentalists who know what they are doing for this kind of music. Remember that your music has no lyrics, so your audience needs something to be excited about while listening to your songs.

The quality of the instruments you need for such type of music with words matters a great deal. You need to consider making you of high-end instruments, instead of the mediocre ones.

The instrumental music climactic moment:

The climactic moment is the point in a song where the energy tends to be at its highest. Vocal music, which implies music with lyrics, has its climactic moments, too.

Furthermore, the climactic moment is also used in instrumental music. It is used towards the end of the melody in a piece of vocal music and used the same way in music without lyrics.

You can listen to Songbird, a hit song by Kenny G, to confirm this. Even though there are no lyrics, the climactic moment tends to create an excitement that makes the music memorable.

So, whenever you are composing instrumental music, think of where this most exciting part of your music will appear.

Can Instrumental Music Offer Any Benefit?

Music is an integral part of our lives, whether it has lyrics or not. So, having words or not does not change the effects a song can have on the listener. So, instrumental music has a way of communicating with the listener and can have a massive impact too.

There Are Many Benefits Instrumental Music Can Offer You.

Research has provided hints on the impact of instrumental music and playing of the instrument, in general. The study claims that instruments can impact the performances of students. When students learn and play instruments occasionally, they may likely experience specific changes to their brainpower, which could have a positive effect on their academic performance.

How realistic can this be? You see, there is a section of the human brain that helps to process music, whether instrumental or vocal music. It’s this section of the brain that is also in charge of memory, storing audio, hearing, and processing information. So, when an individual learns and plays a musical instrument, something unique happens to this section of the brain over time.

This section of the brain could become more active and bigger. Now, this could mean one thing; an improvement in your day to day activities. The result is enhanced mental alertness, emotional perception, and planning ability.

So, let’s conclude by saving the benefits of instrumental music are numerous. But they are not only beneficial to students but everyone. Also, the benefits mentioned here are not for those who sit and listen to songs without words alone. They are for those who listen and, perhaps, take it a step further by learning one or more instruments.

The thing is people can build great leadership, dedication, teamwork, and creative skills when they learn a musical instrument.

Conclusion

So, that’s the answer to the question, “what is music without words called?” You should also be aware of the benefits you can get from learning or playing a musical instrument. You can learn any instrument of your choice and be a pro in no time. You will receive the massive benefits of playing and listening to instrumental music. Additionally, you can also be listening to instrumental music while reading or meditating.

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PRONUNCIATION OF SONG WITHOUT WORDS

GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF SONG WITHOUT WORDS

Song without words is a noun.

WHAT DOES SONG WITHOUT WORDS MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Definition of song without words in the English dictionary

The definition of song without words in the dictionary is a song which only consists of a tune or melody and does not have any lyrics.

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TRANSLATION OF SONG WITHOUT WORDS

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Songs Without Words (Lieder ohne Worte) is a series of short lyrical piano works by the Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn written between 1829 and 1845. His sister, Fanny Mendelssohn, and other composers also wrote pieces in the same genre.

Music[edit]

The eight volumes of Songs Without Words, each consisting of six songs (Lieder), were written at various points throughout Mendelssohn’s life and published separately. The piano became increasingly popular in Europe during the early nineteenth century, when it became a standard item in many middle-class households. The pieces are within the grasp of pianists of various abilities and this undoubtedly contributed to their popularity. This great popularity has caused many critics to under-rate their musical value.^{[citation needed]}

The first volume was published by Novello in London (1832) as Original Melodies for the Pianoforte, but the later volumes used the title Songs Without Words.^[1]

The works were part of the Romantic tradition of writing short lyrical pieces for the piano, although the specific concept of «Songs Without Words» was new. Mendelssohn’s sister Fanny wrote a number of similar pieces (though not so entitled) and, according to some music historians, she may have helped inspire the concept. The title Song Without Words seems to have been Felix Mendelssohn’s own invention. In 1828, Fanny wrote in a letter «My birthday was celebrated very nicely … Felix has given me a ‘song without words’ for my album (he has lately written several beautiful ones).»^[1]

Mendelssohn himself resisted attempts to interpret the songs too literally, and objected when his friend Marc-André Souchay sought to put words to them to make them literal «What the music I love expresses to me, is not thought too indefinite to put into words, but on the contrary, too definite«. (Mendelssohn’s own italics)^[2]
Mendelssohn also wrote other Songs Without Words not collected in volumes, and published only in recent years. Furthermore, original drafts exist for many of the ‘Songs’ many of which differ quite substantially from the eventually published versions.^[3] In 2008, the Italian pianist Roberto Prosseda recorded a collection of Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words for Decca Records totalling 56 Lieder, some of them never recorded before.

Songs[edit]

The titles attributed to some of the songs below were given by Mendelssohn himself.^[4] Other fanciful titles were given to certain of them by later publishers but have no authority and do not reflect any intention of the composer.

Book 1, Op. 19b (1829–30)[edit]

1. Andante con moto (E major)
2. Andante espressivo (A minor)
3. Molto allegro e vivace (A major)
4. Moderato (A major)
5. Poco agitato (F♯ minor)
6. Andante sostenuto: Venetianisches Gondellied («Venetian Boat Song») (G minor)

Book 2, Op. 30 (1833–34)[edit]

1. Andante espressivo (E♭ major)
2. Allegro di molto (B♭ minor)
3. Adagio non troppo (E major)
4. Agitato e con fuoco (B minor)
5. Andante grazioso (D major)
6. Allegretto tranquillo: Venetianisches Gondellied («Venetian Boat Song») (F♯ minor)

Book 2 was dedicated to Elisa von Woringen.^[5]

Song number 2 was written for his sister Fanny to celebrate the birth of her son in 1830.^[1]

Book 3, Op. 38 (1836–37)[edit]

1. Con moto (E♭ major)
2. Allegro non troppo (C minor)
3. Presto e molto vivace (E major)
4. Andante (A major)
5. Agitato (A minor)
6. Andante con moto: Duetto («Duet») (A♭ major)

Song number 6 was given the title Duetto by Mendelssohn, since two melodies were written to represent two singers. It was composed in Frankfurt in June 1836, soon after he had met his future wife.^[1]

Book 3 was dedicated to Rosa von Woringen.^[5]

Book 4, Op. 53 (1839–41)[edit]

1. Andante con moto (A♭ major)
2. Allegro non troppo (E♭ major)
3. Presto agitato (G minor)
4. Adagio (F major)
5. Allegro con fuoco: Volkslied («Folksong») (A minor)
6. Molto allegro vivace (A major)

Book 4 was dedicated to Sophia Horsley.^[1]

Book 5, Op. 62 (1842–44)[edit]

1. Andante espressivo (G major)
2. Allegro con fuoco (B♭ major)
3. Andante maestoso: Trauermarsch («Funeral march») (E minor)
4. Allegro con anima (G major)
5. Andante con moto: Venetianisches Gondellied («Venetian Boat Song») (A minor)
6. Allegretto grazioso: Frühlingslied («Spring Song») (A major)

Song No. 6 «Spring Song» was also sometimes known in England as «Camberwell Green», being the place in London where Mendelssohn composed it while staying with the Benneckes, relatives of his wife.^[1]

Book 5 was dedicated to Clara Schumann.^[1]

Book 6, Op. 67 (1843–45)[edit]

1. Andante (E♭ major)
2. Allegro leggiero (F♯ minor)
3. Andante tranquillo (B♭ major)
4. Presto: Spinnerlied («Spinner’s Song») (C major)
5. Moderato (B minor)
6. Allegro non troppo (E major)

The Spinnerlied has also been given the nickname the «Bee’s Wedding» since the busy accompaniment to the melody resembles the buzzing of bees.

Book 6 was dedicated to Sophie Rosen.^[1]

Book 7, Op. 85 (1843–45)[edit]

1. Andante espressivo (F major)
2. Allegro agitato (A minor)
3. Presto (E♭ major)
4. Andante sostenuto (D major)
5. Allegretto (A major)
6. Allegretto con moto (B♭ major)

This book, and Book 8, were published posthumously.

Book 8, Op. 102 (1842–45)[edit]

1. Andante un poco agitato (E minor)
2. Adagio (D major)
3. Presto (C major)
4. Un poco agitato, ma andante (G minor)
5. Allegro vivace (A major)
6. Andante (C major)

[edit]

A piece in D major for cello and piano, written by Mendelssohn around 1845 for cellist Lisa Cristiani, was published for the first time after his death. It was designated Opus 109 and entitled Song Without Words. It is not related to any of the piano pieces.^[6] Cellist Carlos Prieto called the piece «an exquisite composition, worthy of the finest pieces Mendelssohn ever composed for this genre.»^[7]

A piece for piano in E minor by Mendelssohn was published after his death under Op. 117, entitled Albumblatt («Album Leaf»);^[8] a further piece for piano by Mendelssohn was published after his death, without opus number, listed as WoO 10, titled Gondellied («Gondola Song»).^[9] Some historians believe these to have been intended for another set of Songs Without Words.

Arrangements[edit]

Mendelssohn made piano duet arrangements of a number of the songs, namely those that became Book 5 and the first song of Book 6, which he presented to Queen Victoria in 1844.^[10] Mendelssohn was also aware of arrangements of some of the earlier Lieder for piano duet by Carl Czerny.^[11] Many others have made various arrangements of individual songs, including for orchestra, chamber ensemble, or solo instrument with piano accompaniment. One such example is the arrangement of 22 of the songs by Mendelssohn’s student, the German violist Friedrich Hermann (1828–1907), for violin and piano.^[12]

In 1834, Franz Liszt wrote his Grosses Konzertstück über Mendelssohns Lieder ohne Worte (Grand Concert Piece on Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words) for 2 pianos. This was based on songs 1–3 of Book I, Op. 19b.^[13] Liszt and a student, Mlle. Vial, started to play it in Paris on 9 April 1835^[14] but Liszt became ill during the performance. Ferruccio Busoni planned to play it in London with Egon Petri, but died before the plan could be realised. It was finally first performed in full by Richard and John Contiguglia at the 1984 Holland Liszt Festival in Utrecht.^[15]

There are also examples of recordings of transcriptions, for solo instrument and piano accompaniment, of Mendelssohn lieder written for the voice, which have been entitled «Songs Without Words», for instance by Mischa Maisky. No such arrangements were however made, or so titled, by Mendelssohn himself.

By other composers[edit]

Fanny Mendelssohn’s early collections of piano works opp. 2,6, and 8 are titled Lieder für das Pianoforte (Songs for the piano).

Other composers who were inspired to produce similar sets of pieces of their own included Charles-Valentin Alkan (the five sets of Chants, each ending with a barcarolle), Anton Rubinstein, Ignaz Moscheles and Edvard Grieg (his 66 Lyric Pieces). Two Songs Without Words (Op. 10) for piano were also written by Mykola Lysenko.

Both Alkan and Rubinstein frequently included items from Mendelssohn’s Songs in their recitals. Ferruccio Busoni, who considered Mendelssohn «a master of undisputed greatness», turned to the Songs Without Words in the last year of his life for a projected series of recitals in London.

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

• Felix Mendelssohn, Letters, Philadelphia, 1864
• R. Larry Todd, Mendelssohn: A Life in Music, Oxford, 2003.

External links[edit]

• Lieder ohne Worte, Book 1, Op. 19b – Book 2, Op. 30 – Book 3, Op. 38 – Book 4, Op. 53 – Book 5, Op. 62 – Book 6, Op. 67 – Book 7, Op. 85 – Book 8, Op. 102: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project

The music without words definition states that any song without lyrics, vocals, or backup vocals qualifies. Moreover, using the term for songs without words, this list offers you some insight into the most popular instrumental tracks of all time. 

We made sure to span all the most popular genres, proving that music without words does not fall under a straightforward category. 

So what is the best music without words?

21 Most Popular Music Pieces Without Words

Instrumental music exceeds a specific genre, but it’s ubiquitous to stumble upon two or even twenty classical songs that you recognize. 

If we venture outside of classical pieces, let’s see what popular music without words youtube offers. The songs listed below are in chronological order for your viewing and listening pleasure.

“Walk, Don’t Run” – The Ventures 

Released in the year 1960, Walk, Don’t Run became a staple for the hit comedy classics Aloha Summer (1988) and American Pie (1999). The track initially hit the studio when a jazz guitarist named Johnny Smith recorded it in 1954. 

In 1956, country artist Chet Atkins recorded a version of his own that inspired the instrumental created by The Ventures. For decades, many artists remade and revamped the iconic song.

The group later released a stereo version that many still bump today.

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“Green Onions” – Booker T. & The M.G.’s 

Initially recorded in 1962, Green Onions by Booker T. & The M.G. ‘s became the most popular instrumental rock and soul song of its time. Additionally, the track achieved the 183rd spot on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time in 2004. 

With rippling effects from the organ and riffs from the guitar, this mellow piece is one you’ll recognize the moment you hear it. Interestingly enough, many believed “Green Onions” to reference marijuana. The band’s guitarist Steve Cropper later debunked this rumor. 

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“Miserlou” – Dick Dale 

1962 was quite a year for the rock and R&B artists at the time. You don’t need to be a fan of surf rock to acknowledge this classic. Richard Anthony Monsour, better known as Dick Dale, composed and recorded Misirlou in the 1960s, not understanding the impact it would hold by the 1990s. 

The two-minute track left a mark on music for good, featuring a musically chaotic blend of guitar, drums, piano, and trumpet.

Older listeners may recognize the piece from Quentin Tarantino’s hit film “Pulp Fiction,” but the song’s reach doesn’t stop there. In 2005, the musical group called The Black Eyed Peas sampled the legendary track in their song “Pump It.” 

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“Soulful Strut” – Young-Holt Unlimited 

Young-Holt Unlimited created nothing short of pure soulful bliss with their 1968 “Soulful Strut.” The song replaces any need for voices with a piano for melody.

However, the most iconic part of this track stems from the trumpets and saxophones in the background.

The musical artwork received the gold record award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1969.

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“Black Mountain Side” – Led Zeppelin 

Unceremoniously, this list features a handful of legendary guitar solos. So, we naturally had to include Jimmy Page’s Black Mountain Side. The instrumental piece took inspiration from Blackwaterside’s Irish folk song “Down.” 

Recorded in 1968 but released in 1969, the two-minute piece is just one example out of many regarding Page’s guitar work.

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“Frankenstein” – Edgar Winter 

If you participated in your high school’s pep band during football games, then Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” should be very familiar. In 1972, Edgar Winter desired to emulate the energy of Victor’s iconic monster using more than just your average guitar. 

It’s understandable why this track charted so quickly, featuring solos from the guitar, the drums, the saxophone, and even Winter’s iconic synthesizer.

Both jazzy and edgy, the experimental rock track is a staple of the 1970s. It received a gold certification from the RIAA just a year after its initial release.

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“Eruption” – Van Halen 

For any old school metalheads, Van Halen is an “OG” band for the metalcore genre. As promised, this is yet another guitar solo worth mentioning.

Recorded and performed by Eddie Van Halen himself in 1978, this hard rock instrumental takes shredding to the next level.

In just under two minutes, Van Halen inspired a signature move known as tapping that many expert guitarists utilize today.

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“Axel F”- Harold Faltermeyer 

It would be near impossible to have a list of iconic instrumentals without any authentic pop tracks included. Whether you lived through the 1980s or presently take in the music from the era, the futuristic pop sound became a must.

In 1984, Harold Faltermeyer recorded “Axel F,” a three-minute track that inspired the early 2000s hit “Crazy Frog.” 

The song is entirely done using synthesizers and is wholly recorded in F minor, which explains its title.

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“Your Hand In Mine” – Explosions In The Sky 

If you have some time to spare a few tears, then any song from Explosions In The Sky’s 2003 album “The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place” will get the job done.

Your Hand In Mine is the most notable, being a whopping eight minutes long. While peaceful, it might invoke some sadness, making it less of a go-to out of any tracks featured on this list. 

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“Electric Worm”- Beastie Boys 

Of course, it’s only fair to include at least one hip-hop-esque instrumental piece. The Beastie Boys’ 2007 hit “Electric Worm” takes just three minutes to display its worthiness in the hearts of many funk, hip-hop, and psychedelic sound lovers.

Given that it’s the youngest track featured on this list, its impact is tremendous, becoming an instrumental hip-hop staple in such a short period.

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“Soul Sacrifice” – Santana

Carlos Santana released Soul Sacrifice in 1969 on the album Santana.  It’s an instrumental song that epitomizes the essence of Santana’s fusion of Latin rhythms and rock n roll. 

“Soul Sacrifice” became an iconic symbol of the 1960s as Santana played it as the final song in the historical Woodstock Festival. His performance is one of the highlights of Woodstock, documented in the famous Woodstock documentary, which launched the relatively unknown band into the limelight. 

Consequently, “Soul Sacrifice” is also a song on the Woodstock documentary’s soundtrack, which hit Billboard’s number one spot on the LP chart. 

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“Wipe Out” – The Surfaris

“Wipe Out” is the name of The Surfaris’ 1963 album and the first song, which is by far their biggest hit. Surfaris musicians Jim Fuller, Ron Wilson, Pat Connolly, and Bob Berryhill composed and recorded the song in Cucamonga, California. 

It’s the ultimate surf rock song, the phrase itself alluding to a wave overpowering a surfer and knocking them off their mid-surf. The famous scream heard before the music begins comes from the band’s manager. 

“Wipe Out” was the song of the summer in 1963, spending several months on the Billboard chart.

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“Jessica” – The Allman Brothers Band

An homage to the famous gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, “Jessica” is an instrumental single on The Allman Brothers Band’s 1973 album Brothers and Sisters. Lead guitarist Dickey Betts wrote the song, naming it after his daughter who was a toddler at the time. Betts named it after her as he composed the song, watching her dance around the room in approval. 

“Jessica” reached the US 100 Billboard and Easy Listening Billboard and appeared in countless soundtracks, including Field of Dreams and Lassie.

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“Tequila” – The Champs

Written by The Champs’ member Chuck Rio in 1958, “Tequila” topped the charts on both the R&B and Pop Billboard charts. “Tequila” was an unexpected success, recorded almost as an afterthought. 

Rio was a part of a band called the Rios Trio, and after a recording session with the Champs, the trio began jamming, using the riff from a famous Cuban mambo song.

The result was “Tequila”, which became the Champs’ most famous hit. Famous artists like Dizzy Gillespie and The Ventures have covered the song.

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“Albatross” – Fleetwood Mac

Peter Green, Fleetwood Mac’s lead guitarist, composed “Albatross” to showcase his own skills while paying respects to his favorite musicians. Green drew inspiration from Blues guitarist Floyd Smith, Santo and Johnny’s instrumental song “Sleep Walk”, and fellow guitar contemporary Eric Clapton.

“Albatross” debuted as an instrumental single in 1968, topping the UK singles Chart and peaking at number four on the US Billboard charts. It has received praise from critics and fellow artists alike, receiving mention from Q Magazine as one of the greatest guitar tracks of all time.

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“Sleep Walk” – Santo and Johnny

Written and recorded by brothers and guitar duo Santo and Johnny Farina, “Sleep Walk” showcases the unique sounds of the steel guitar that create long, screaming pitches evoking sad nostalgia. They named the song “Sleep Walk” because the brothers wrote it late at night after a show to capitalize on their collective insomnia. 

“Sleep Walk” was released in 1959, only reaching the number one spot for two weeks, halfway through its four-month stint on the Top 100 Billboards. 

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“Star Wars Soundtrack” – London Symphony Orchestra

Perhaps the most famous instrumental score of any movie, the Star Wars title song, was released with the first Star Wars movie in 1977. Composer and London Symphony Orchestra conductor John Williams wrote and conducted the song, which became the theme song for the subsequent movies in the trilogy. 

The soundtrack reached number ten on the US Billboard charts and is a certified Gold and Platinum album that has sold more copies than any other soundtrack in history. The score is also one of the most decorated, winning Grammys, Academy Awards, and a spot on the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. 

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“Apache” – The Shadows

Originally a ukulele song written by Jerry Lordan, “Apache” reached worldwide acclaim as a surf rock adaptation when The Shadows recorded and released it in 1960. Lordan named the song after an American Western film he watched in the 50s, which inspired him to write a song that reflected the brave and wild spirit of Native American culture.

“Apache” has been adapted into an instrumental rock and funk version, reaching widespread popularity in rap and hip-hop in the 90s and 2000s.  

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“Speed of Life” – David Bowie

Recorded in 1977 for Bowie’s album Low, “Speed of Life” is the first song. Bowie had prepared lyrics for the song but eventually decided the song sounded best as an instrumental rock track. This song is his first instrumental song. 

The song is guitar-forward, backed by overlapping synthesizers, some sounding like spaceships taking off. 

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“Alone in Kyoto” – Air

From French electronic duo Air’s hit 2004 album Talkie Walkie, “Alone in Kyoto” became widely recognized for its use as a track on the soundtrack for the popular independent film Lost in Translation, starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.

Air’s album went Gold in four countries and reached top positions in various US, Asian, and European Billboard charts. The song’s ethereal sound features a slow guitar riff interspersed with subtle dings and ambient noises, evoking a Zen-like mood.

“Alone in Kyoto” mirrors the feelings of lonely wonder felt by the young Johansson as she marveled at Tokyo’s fast-paced cityscapes while meandering through the streets in Lost in Translation. 

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“Cliffs of Dover” – Eric Johnson

Written by guitarist Eric Johnson in the 1980s, “Cliffs of Dover” is an instrumental rock song that Johnson didn’t officially record until 1990. He had been performing it live since 1984, claiming to have composed it hastily in five minutes. It’s a unique song that doesn’t stick to a time signature and uses various guitar-playing techniques.

Guitar World Magazine praised “Cliffs of Dover” as one of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos, and in 1992, the song won a Grammy Award for the best instrumental rock song. 

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How to Find Songs Without Words?

Music without words genre-bends often, so it is effortless to stumble upon instrumental pieces in every subgenre under the sun. 

With apps such as YouTube, Spotify, and SoundCloud, the music without words free download options are limitless.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, after reviewing this list of instrumental pieces, you take inspiration and go on a journey to produce some independent music without words of your own.

• Тексты песен
• Park Shin Hye
• Without words (A.N.Jell)

Ha ji mal kol keu rae sor
mo reun chok hae bo ril kol
An bo i neun ko chorom
bol su ob neun ko chorom nol a yae
bo ji mal kol keu rae na bwa
Domang chil kol keu rae sor
mo deul eun chok keu rol kol
Deud ji do mo ha neun chok
deul eul su ob neun ko cho rom a yae
nae sarang deud ji anheul kol
Maldo obshi sarangeul alkae hago
Maldo obshi sarangeul naekae jugo
Seumkyeol hana jucha
Nol damkae hae nohko
i roh kae domang ka ni kka
Maldo obshi sarangi nareul ddo na
Maldo obshi sarangi na reul bo ryeo
Mu seun mal eul halji damun ibi
honjasor nolranko kata
Mal do obshi wa sor
Wae i rohkae a peunji wae ja kku man a peunji
Nol bol su obda neunko naega obda neunko malko
Modu yae jon dwa dok kateun kon dae
Maldo obshi sarangeul alkae hago
maldo obshi sarangeul naegae jugo
sumkyeol hana jucha nol damkae hae nohko
i roh kae domang ka ni ka
Maldo obshi sarangi nareul ddo na
Maldong obshi sarangi na reul bor ryeo
Museum maleul halji damun ibi
honjasor nolran go kata
Maldo obshi nunmul i heul ro nae ryeo
Maldo obshi kaseumi mu no jyeo ka
Maldo obneun sarangeul kida rigo
Maldo obneun sarangeul a pa hago
Nokshi naka boryeo babo ga dwi boryeo
Haneul man bogo u ni kka
Maldo obshi i byeol i nareul chaja
Maldo obshi i byeol i nae kae wasor
Junbi do mohago noreul bo nae ya ha neun
Nae mam i nolran go kata
Maldo obshi wasor
Maldo obshi wada ga maldo obshi ddo na neun
Ji na kan yeol byeong chorom
Jamsi a peu myeon dwi na bwa
Jakku hyung tor man namkae dwi ni kka

Translation:
I shouldnt have done that,
I should have pretend not to know
Like I didnt see it, like I couldnt see it
I shouldnt have looked at you in the first place

I should have run away
I should have pretended I wasnt listening
Like I didnt hear it, like I couldnt hear it
I shouldnt have heard your love in the first place

Without a word you made me know love
Without a word you gave me love
Because you took a just a breath and ran away like this
Without a word love leaves me
Without a word love abandons me
Wondering what to say next, my lips were surprised
Because it came without a word.

Зачем тебя не забыл…
Глаза на миг не закрыл…
Я никогда бы не знал…
Как будет больно смотреть…
… Как ты уходишь от меня…

Хотел, но не убежал…
Я сделал вид, что не знал…
Что ты любила меня
Так тихо, словно луна…
… Нам дарит свет в неслышных снах…

Без слов ты рассказала, как нужно любить…
Без слов ты мне любовь свою отдала…
Я понял, что люблю, когда твой лунный свет
Исчез без слов в тиши ночной.
Я не заметил, как проходит любовь…
Но помню, как слова тонули в дожде…
Но я останусь ждать… где нет тебя со мной
И тихо прошепчу — вернись… Вернись скорей ко мне…

Я без тебя не живу…
Не вижу звёзды и сны…
Мне стало больно дышать…
Когда ты молча ушла…
… Я понял, как люблю тебя.

Без слов шепчу… постой, на меня посмотри…
Без слов кричу… вернись ко мне навсегда…
Остались на щеках, как память о любви…
Лишь капли горьких слез моих…
Я не заметил, как проходит любовь…
Но помню, как слова тонули в дожде…
Но я останусь ждать… где нет тебя со мной
И тихо прошепчу — вернись… Вернись скорей ко мне…

Я знаю, что не дождь бежит по щекам…
Я знаю, что разбито сердце мое…

Без слов ты рассказала, как нужно любить…
Без слов ты мне любовь свою отдала…
Еще Park Shin Hye

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