13 Great Harmonica Songs You Need to Know
From pop to rock, country and folk, the harmonica has played a key role in shaping some of the most iconic songs in music history. Whether you're a beginner looking for inspiration or a seasoned player wanting to expand your repertoire, this list of 13 great harmonica songs will introduce you to legendary tracks that showcase the harmonica's versatility and emotional depth. Grab your harp and get ready to dive into these must-know tunes that will elevate your playing and your appreciation of the instrument.
Harmonica Songs You Need to Know
1. He Ain't Heavy, He’s My Brother by The Hollies
'He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother' was written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell, who was dying with lymphoma at time of writing. It would be the last songwriting contribution Russell would ever make.
This track peaked at number 3 on the UK singles chart and number 7 on the US Billboard, and features Elton John on piano.
2. On the Road Again by Canned Heat
Alan Wilson's harmonica solo on 'On the Road Again' has a note that is not playable (without using an overblow which was a rare technique for the time). Ingeniously, Wilson re-tuned his harmonica's six hole draw up a half step to play the missing note.
3. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
Neil Young has mentioned Harvest Moon as being very important to him and having quasi-religious undertones. The album was seen as a follow-up to Young's earlier album Harvest (1972) and marked a return to his folk-rock roots after experimenting with other genres in the 1980s.
4. Stone Fox Chase by Area Code 615
Area Code 615 took their name from the telephone area code, which at the time covered all of Central and Eastern Tennessee.
This song’s distinctive harmonica riff became iconic in British pop culture as the theme tune to the TV show The Old Grey Whistle Test.
5. Roadhouse Blues by The Doors
Alice Cooper claimed that he was the inspiration for the line "Woke up this morning and I got myself a beer" which features in 'Roadhouse Blues'.
The harmonica part was played by John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful (under the pseudonym "G. Puglese").
6. Love Me Do by The Beatles
'Love Me Do' was written several years before it was recorded, and prior even to the existence of the Beatles. The harmonica part is one of the most famous of all time.
There are three versions of Love Me Do, with a different drummer on each: Pete Best, Ringo Starr and Andy White.
7. Piano Man by Billy Joel
'Piano Man' is based on Billy Joel's real-life experiences as a lounge musician in LA in the early 1970s. Many of the characters in the song are based on real people, including the "real estate novelist" Paul.
8. Hey! Baby by Bruce Channel
The harmonica part on 'Hey! Baby' was played by Delbert McClinton who gave harp lessons to a young John Lennon.
9. Dirty Old Town by Ewan MacColl
Although played by lots of Irish bands, 'Dirty Old Town' was actually written by Ewan MacColl about the English town of Salford.
10. The Jean Genie by David Bowie
Released in 1972, this glam rock song was a big hit for David Bowie and featured on his Aladdin Sane album.
David Bowie turned down two honours from the Queen: a CBE in 2000 and a knighthood in 2003.
11. Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan faced allegations in 1963 that 'Blowin' in the Wind' was written by a high-school student named Lorre Wyatt. The allegation was later shown to be entirely false.
However, Dylan did borrow heavily from the traditional song 'No More Auction Block'.
12. Meet Me on the Corner by Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne are named after a small island off the coast of Northumberland in the north east England. The band's original name was Brethren.
13. Heart of Gold by Neil Young
'Heart of Gold' was written partly as a result of a back injury. Unable to stand for long periods of time, Young could not play his electric guitar and so returned to his acoustic guitar, which he could play sitting down.
James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt provided backing vocals on the track, recorded during the same sessions where Taylor also recorded his hit 'You've Got a Friend'.
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