Here are 19 songs that feature the piano and especially stand out personally.
Joe Jackson: Steppin' Out
Timeless, well-written and one of understated brilliance. Joe Jackson created an unforgettable masterpiece. Steppin' Out was written with the intention of giving you the feel of a 24-hour day-in-the-life feel of a modern day Cinderella and was filmed at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City.Sarah McLachlan: Angel
Sarah wrote this song in only a few hours with keyboardist Johanthan Melvoin of the Smashing Pumpkins in mind. He died of a heroin overdose in 1996. Angel is a poignantly moving account of the intense emotional struggles we all share at some time in our own lives. It was featured in the film "City of Angels".Kate Bush: This Woman's Work
An amazingly talented artist that is unique and highly influential to many aspiring writers. This song was specifically written for a movie titled "She's having a Baby", as if looking through the eyes of a man who feels agonizingly helpless as he waits, not knowing if the woman he loves will survive the uncertainty of a complicated delivery.Journey: Don't Stop Believing
One of those monster hits of the 1980's that actually stuck. A classic that was featured in popular shows like "Scrubs", "Family Guy" and the film "Monster". Also "Don't Stop Believing" was used in the final episode of the Sopranos, when Tony hit the jukebox in the final scene, while the show faded to black. Ending the best scripted and most successul HBO series' during 2007.Coldplay: Clocks
A song about the intensity of inner turmoil. This song feels as though it transcends real time and can lead to a state of pure calm, at least for me. One of the best piano riffs ever.Guns 'n Roses: November Rain
MTV provided endless airplay of this epic big-budget video that was painstakingly written by Axel Rose. Pouring rain, a romantic wedding and finally a heart-wrenching funeral provided the perfect backdrop.The Boomtown Rats: I Don't Like Mondays
Bob Geldof wrote "I don't like Mondays" after hearing the news in a local radio station while doing an interview. The song goes on to describe the mindset of a 16 year old girl, Brenda Spencer, from San Diego, who chose to skip school but return to her high school, to aimless open fire with a loaded rifle killing 8 and injuring many, and preceded to lead the police into a standoff. When finally asked "why", she was quoted "I just started shooting, that's it. I just did it for the fun of it. I just don't like Monday's."Marc Cohn: Walking in Memphis
Carly Simon originally discovered Marc Cohn and soon after won a Grammy for best new artist in 1991. "Walking in Memphis" was written by Cohn after watching an inspirational sermon give by Al Green. A song dedicated to the kindred spirit he felt to a beautiful city and paints a portrait that takes you along on a vivid journey.The Fray: How to Save a Life
Isaac Lad, lead singer of the Fray, wrote this song about the helplessness he felt when working at a camp for at-risk youth and the many complexities of what they had to deal with. "How to Save a Life" started out a bit obscure when first released, but when it was featured in the introduction to the new season of "Grey's Anatomy", it soon gained momentum and quickly climbed the charts. This song gives a voice to so many people who struggle with painful experiences from a loved one's suicide to problems of drug addiction.Five for Fighting: 100 Years
A song that condenses 100 years of living into a personal reflection of just how important it is never to take anything for granted. It probably helps to be a little older and wiser to truly appreciate the magnitude of it's message. The piano use in this song is especially pure and incredibly sweet.Fleetwood Mac: Sara
Stevie Nicks wrote "Sara" in 1978 with her close friend at the time of the same name. One of the more mainstream songs to come from Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" album and a favorite of their millions of fans. When Stevie Nicks finally decided to enlist the help of the Betty Ford Clinic for her addiction to cocaine, she signed in using the name "Sara". Many believe this song to be about drama filled romance with Don Henley and the loss of their unborn child. Haunting, poetic and deeply personal.The Beatles: Let it Be
Paul McCartney was inspired to write "Let it Be" after his mother Mary passed away when he was only 14, and later played this song at his wife Linda's funeral. Paul also wrote "The Long and Winding Road" on the same day, talk about a bolt of inspiration. John Lennon supposedly didn't like "Let it Be" due to it's subtle religious undertones, but Johnny Cash claimed it as one of this favorite songs. A song that's brought so much comfort to many in their saddest and darkest hours.Supertramp: Goodbye Stranger
Some say it's a song about marijuana and some believe it to refer to finally ending the circuit of meaningless one-night stands, whatever the case may be, the use of electric piano here is awesome. One of those tunes that's hard to get out of your head and Supertramp's "Breakfast in America" was an overall brilliant album.Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody is one of those songs that has been almost impossible to figure out. Translating the specific meaning has never been accomplished and really doesn't seem to matter. It's been quoted as being basically "random rhyming nonsense" but also one of the most complex. Queen enjoyed conquering a whole new audience when it was featured in "Wayne's World" and was re-released in Freddy Mercury's honor after his death in 1991. The song hits on so many different levels of emotion and is often referred as one of the most unique in style.Elton John: Your Song
Elton John's very first single to hit the music charts and the first to co-write with his life-long writing partner Bernie Taupin, who was only 17 at the time. "Your Song" has been performed at every Elton John concert since. It's one of the most simple and nostalgic love songs ever written and one of the most covered songs.Billy Joel: Piano Man
Billy Joel wrote "Piano Man" from his own experiences working at a high end piano bar early in his career. He usually saves this song for his encores when touring and is probably most identified with it. Paul McCartney was once quoted saying that this is the song he would have most liked to have written. A sad song about regret of not having accomplished more in their lives, and the patrons only true happiness is found at the end of the day in a bar.John Lennon: Imagine
John Lennon poses the ultimate request to the world. Imagine a place where no material, religious or cultural differences existed. Lennon was said to have written this song on a brown Steinberg piano, that George Michael purchased for 2 million dollars. He later donated it to the Beatles Museum in Lennon's hometown of Liverpool. "Imagine" stands the test of time and surprisingly was Lennon's most controversial hits.Jerry Lee Lewis: Great Balls of Fire
A writer mostly connected to Elvis Presley, Otis Blackwell, wrote "Great Balls of Fire" for Lewis. Unfortunately, the song made it's way to airplay around the same time Lewis decided to marry his 13 year old cousin, Myra Gale Brown. Once public knowledge spread, Lewis fled England, where at the time he was working and returned to the United States. Through all the crazy happenings, you can't deny, this is one of the best uses of a piano in a song.Stevie Wonder: Living for the City
The hardships of a poor young kid trying to find a better way moving up to the big city of New York, only to find a life lost to drugs and prison. Ray Charles covered this song, and so this is an especially favored piano song. In 1974, Stevie Wonder won a Grammy for best song in the Rhythm and Blues category.
