Are you a musician searching for timeless melodies to learn and play? Or perhaps a seasoned performer looking to add some classic repertoire to your setlist? Then you've come to the right place! This list dives deep into the world of Hal Leonard's vast catalog to uncover the ultimate collection of "best songs ever Hal Leonard." For decades, Hal Leonard has been synonymous with quality sheet music, providing musicians of all levels with access to an unparalleled library of songs. But with so many incredible options available, choosing the absolute best can feel overwhelming. This curated list cuts through the noise, highlighting iconic tracks that have stood the test of time, offering a blend of technical challenges and unforgettable melodies perfect for practice, performance, or simply enjoying the beauty of music. Whether you're a beginner tackling your first piece or a pro seeking a fresh challenge, this definitive guide to the best songs ever Hal Leonard will inspire and delight. Get ready to rediscover old favorites and unearth hidden gems!
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Bohemian Rhapsody | Queen | A Night At The Opera (Deluxe Remastered Version) | 2B+ |
| 2. Happy | Pharrell Williams | G I R L | 1B+ |
| 3. Every Breath You Take | The Police | Synchronicity (Remastered 2003) | 1B+ |
| 4. Hey Jude | The Beatles | With The Beatles (Remastered) | 394M+ |
| 5. Imagine | John Lennon | Imagine | 309M+ |
| 6. Piano Man | Billy Joel | Piano Man (Legacy Edition) | 261M+ |
| 7. Hallelujah | Leonard Cohen | Various Positions | 249M+ |
1. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen - 1975)
Vocal Range and Performance: Freddie Mercury's unparalleled vocal range and theatrical delivery are showcased in this iconic masterpiece, transitioning seamlessly between operatic sections and powerful rock anthems.
Structure and Arrangement: Bohemian Rhapsody's innovative and unconventional structure, blending multiple genres (ballad, opera, hard rock), makes it a groundbreaking and endlessly fascinating listen. Its complexity is perfectly suited for Hal Leonard's sheet music, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience for musicians.
Enduring Popularity and Cultural Impact: This song's enduring legacy is undeniable, remaining a staple of popular culture and a testament to its timeless quality. Its continued relevance ensures it's a worthy addition to any "best songs ever" collection and a classic for aspiring musicians to learn and appreciate.
2. Happy (2013)
Instrumentation: Happy boasts a deceptively simple yet incredibly effective instrumentation, built around a catchy, repetitive bassline and hand claps, creating an instantly recognizable and undeniably upbeat groove perfect for Hal Leonard arrangements.
Vocal Melody: Pharrell Williams' instantly memorable vocal melody is both uplifting and easy to sing along to, making it an ideal choice for aspiring vocalists and a natural fit for Hal Leonard's songbooks, readily accessible to a wide range of skill levels.
Overall Impact: The song's relentlessly positive energy and feel-good vibe have made it a global phenomenon, ensuring its enduring appeal and suitability for any Hal Leonard publication seeking to include timeless classics.
3. Every Breath You Take
Instrumentation: The iconic reggae-infused rhythm section, driven by a steady bassline and punctuated by Sting's distinctive vocals, provides a solid foundation for the song's memorable melody, making it easily adaptable for various instrumental arrangements found in Hal Leonard publications.
Vocal Melody: Sting's instantly recognizable vocal delivery, characterized by its smooth yet slightly edgy tone, makes "Every Breath You Take" a captivating piece for singers of all skill levels, easily accessible through Hal Leonard's simplified arrangements.
Lyrical Complexity: While seemingly simple on the surface, the lyrics' subtle ambiguity and unsettling undertones present a challenge and reward for both performers and interpreters, providing ample opportunity for nuanced vocal expression within Hal Leonard's editions.
4. Hey Jude
Hal Leonard Edition: "Hey Jude" boasts a famously accessible arrangement perfect for beginner pianists, readily available in various Hal Leonard publications. Its iconic melody and chord progression make it a rewarding learning experience.
Enduring Appeal: The song's simple yet powerful structure, coupled with Paul McCartney's soothing vocals and the soaring harmonies, contributes to its enduring popularity across generations. This makes it a timeless classic for any musician's repertoire.
Musical Impact: Its extended outro, featuring layered vocals and a building crescendo, has become a hallmark of the Beatles' signature sound and continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike.
5. Imagine (John Lennon - 1971)
Hal Leonard Edition: "Imagine" boasts a famously simple yet powerful piano melody, making it easily accessible for aspiring musicians via Hal Leonard's arrangements.
Vocal Performance: John Lennon's emotive vocals, filled with both hope and longing, are iconic and contribute significantly to the song's lasting impact.
Timeless Appeal: The song's message of peace and unity continues to resonate across generations, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of popular music.
6. Piano Man (Billy Joel - 1973)
Hal Leonard Arrangement: "Piano Man" boasts a readily accessible Hal Leonard arrangement, perfect for pianists of intermediate skill levels looking to tackle a classic. The sheet music faithfully captures the song's iconic melody and chord progressions.
Timeless Melody: The instantly recognizable melody is a key reason for its enduring popularity and suitability for Hal Leonard's publication; it's both catchy and emotionally resonant, making it a rewarding piece to learn and play.
Emotional Depth: Billy Joel's heartfelt vocals and the song's reflective lyrics create a powerful emotional connection, translating well to a performance setting; this makes it a compelling choice for aspiring musicians aiming for emotional impact.
7. Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen - 1984)
Vocal Performance: Leonard Cohen's distinctive baritone voice lends a gravitas and emotional depth to "Hallelujah" making it a powerful and unforgettable performance, perfect for showcasing the expressive capabilities of the human voice.
Lyrical Complexity: The song's poetic lyrics explore themes of faith, love, loss, and redemption with nuance and complexity, making it a rewarding experience for repeated listens and analysis, fitting the Hal Leonard songbook's focus on musical artistry.
Enduring Popularity: "Hallelujah's" enduring legacy is evidenced by its numerous covers and its continued presence in popular culture, cementing its place amongst the best songs ever written and making it a natural choice for inclusion in a collection of timeless classics.
8. You Raise Me Up (2003)
Vocal Performance: Josh Groban's soaring tenor voice delivers the emotional weight of "You Raise Me Up" with breathtaking power and control, making it a perfect choice for Hal Leonard's songbook.
Emotional Resonance: The song's uplifting message of hope and resilience resonates deeply with listeners, providing a powerful and inspiring experience for singers and audiences alike, fitting for a collection of best-ever songs.
Arrangement Suitability: Its relatively straightforward arrangement makes "You Raise Me Up" accessible for a wide range of vocal abilities, ensuring its enduring popularity amongst Hal Leonard's song selection.
9. Fly Me To The Moon (Sinatra/Basie: The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings)
Hal Leonard Arrangement: This classic version, likely available in Hal Leonard's extensive catalog, offers a readily accessible arrangement perfect for musicians of varying skill levels, making it ideal for practice and performance.
Sinatra's Vocal Performance: Frank Sinatra's iconic rendition is known for its smooth delivery and emotional depth, adding a timeless quality that resonates even today.
Swinging Rhythm: Count Basie's big band arrangement provides a driving, swinging rhythm that makes this version irresistibly danceable and upbeat, perfect for singalongs or background music.
10. Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton)
Emotional Depth: Tears in Heaven's raw emotion, born from Clapton's grief over his son's death, resonates deeply, making it a profoundly moving piece suitable for Hal Leonard's collection of timeless classics.
Vocal Performance: Clapton's vocals are vulnerable and heartfelt, conveying a sense of loss and longing that is both heartbreaking and incredibly captivating, a hallmark of his enduring artistry.
Acoustic Simplicity: The song's understated acoustic arrangement enhances its emotional impact, allowing Clapton's voice and the poignant lyrics to take center stage; a testament to its enduring power and suitability for arrangement and study.
11Yesterday
The Beatles
1965
Help! (Remastered)
12At Last
Etta James
1960
At Last!
13Just the Way You Are
Billy Joel
1978
The Stranger (Legacy Edition)
14Memory
Barbra Streisand
1982
Memories
15Candle in the Wind
Elton John
1973
16I Dreamed a Dream
Susan Boyle
2009
17What A Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong
1967
What A Wonderful World
18Over the Rainbow
Judy Garland
1939
19Defying Gravity
Kristin Chenoweth,Idina Menzel
2003
20Unforgettable
Nat King Cole
1991
Unforgettable
21Body and Soul
Billie Holiday
1939
22All I Ask of You
Sarah Brightman, Clive Rowe
1986
23Someone To Watch Over Me
Ella Fitzgerald
1951
Ella Sings Gershwin
24Satin Doll
Duke Ellington
1953
Jazz Profile: Duke Ellington
25Night and Day
Frank Sinatra
1942
26Summertime
Ella Fitzgerald,Louis Armstrong
1957
Porgy And Bess
27Blue Skies
Ella Fitzgerald
1958
Get Happy! (Expanded Edition)