What's the Best Song Without Words of All-Time?

These songs ain't got not words, and in the spirit of that... no intro today. Let's get to it.

5. "May - December" - Mos Def, 1999

Hip-Hop is built on the idea that instrumentals can make or break a song. Any song. Some artists’ entire careers have gone from good to great (or vice versa) based on how well they choose beats that align with their personal style. It’s a thing. In fact, at Hip-Hop’s inception, the DJ itself was far more important than the MC ever was.

With all that said, we’re a long way from 1973, and 1999 for that matter. But I’ll never stray too fair from this gem.

Fun Fact: Every time I take a road trip, I listen to this album, Black on Both Sides, from front-to-back at some point of the drive.

4. "Pick up the Pieces" - Average White Band, 1974

Some people can get the party started without saying a single word. Average White Band are some of those people.

It doesn't matter what mood you're in when it comes on, odds are you're T-minus but a few seconds from cutting somebody's rug. Thems the rules for pretty much every family function I've been to my entire life, making a couple words in their group's name rather ironic. Haha. Give it up for an all-timer here, y'all!

As seen on TV: If you haven't seen Tracy Morgan's rendition of this from Martin, you're doing yourself a disservice!

3. "Clair de Lune" - Debussy, 1890

Is there anything more romantic that classical music? Not like making love romantic. Romantic as in the type of romance that brings you closer to yourself, your feelings, your emotions, and sometimes even the rhythm of your own body. It’s an ethereal experience that evokes thought by nature and design.

Humans have been making music for a long, long time, but many times, there’s nothing more “romantic” than the simplicity of person and their piano. I absolutely adore this song.

Favorite moment: The final scene of Ocean’s Eleven (2001). I mean c’mon, man!

2. "Acknowledgment" - John Coltrane, 1964

If you’re going to be considered one of the best American albums of all time, and somehow only consist of 4 songs, you’d better have a helluva Track 1. That’s what A Love Supreme is, and that’s exactly what this song is. John Coltrane’s tour de force kicks off with a bang, smash, a high-hat and a boom, with this 8-min masterpiece; a testament to the genre in and of itself.

The only things more truly American than jazz music are probably baseball and apple pie. Think about it. Salute to you, Mr. Coltrane.

Life Hack: This entire album is 33 minutes long. Next time you’re in a creative funk, take a walk outside and listen to it in its entirety. Now, see what happens when you get back to your desk.

1. "Summer Madness" - Kool & The Gang, 1974

You knew it was coming on this list, I knew it was coming, yet somehow neither of us could wait until it got here. Sort of like, summer itself, huh? (see what I did there ??)

This song stands the test of time not in spite of it not having words, but because it has no words. If you want to make an idea unbeatable, make it simple as can be. I mean, looking back on it, what the hell were they supposed to say on this, anyway? Words don't do it justice. Mix that with the title itself, and how many times it’s been sampled since 1974, and we have a bona fide CLASSIC. I still get chills when I hear it every...single...time.

This song in history: My favorite 3 times it's been sampled since its release are "Summertime" by Will Smith (1991), "Certainly (Flipped It)" by Erykah Badu (1997), and "Summer 2020 (interlude)" by Jhene Aiko (2020).

For Lack of a Wetter Bird, "Summer Madness" is the best instrumental ever made.

Did I miss any? Probably not. But definitely so. Hit me with your best shot in the comments!