10 Best Rock Songs About Destiny

Feature Photo: Robert Lukeman

The concept of destiny has fascinated philosophers, theologians, and artists for centuries, yet it remains an elusive and deeply personal topic. How does one truly define destiny? Is it a predetermined path that we are bound to follow, or is it shaped by our choices, with fate intervening only when necessary? Some may view destiny as a universal force guiding our lives, while others see it as a personal journey, one that we must carve out ourselves. Perhaps it is a combination of both, blending the individual and the cosmic in ways that we may never fully understand. This collection of songs reflects the varying perspectives on what destiny means, as told through the lens of rock music’s greatest storytellers.

# 10 – See The Sky About To Rain – Neil Young

“See The Sky About To Rain” from Neil Young’s On the Beach (1974) is a reflective and somber track that captures the theme of uncertainty and impending change. Recorded on March 28, 1974, at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California, the song features Neil Young on guitar and vocals, with contributions from Ben Keith on hand drums, Graham Nash on the Wurlitzer electric piano, Tim Drummond on bass, and Ralph Molina on drums. The minimalist instrumentation, coupled with Young’s gentle yet melancholic delivery, underscores the song’s moody atmosphere, evoking a sense of resignation in the face of destiny.

# 9 – Destiny – Stevie Nicks

“Destiny,” from Stevie Nicks’ Street Angel (1994), stands as a deeply personal reflection on fate and resilience, echoing the emotional turmoil Nicks was enduring at the time. The song’s melancholic tone resonates with the broader themes of the album, which was released during a difficult period in Nicks’ life, marked by her departure from Fleetwood Mac and other issues. This song, along with the rest of Street Angel, captures a raw and vulnerable side of Nicks, as she grapples with feelings of loss and her search for meaning amidst hardship. Recorded during tumultuous times, “Destiny” is imbued with a sense of melancholy and reflection.

Read More: Top 10 Stevie Nicks Albums

# 8 – A Simple Twist Of Fate – Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan’s “A Simple Twist of Fate,” released in 1975 on his Blood on the Tracks album, is a profound exploration of love, destiny, and regret. The song narrates the unraveling of a romantic relationship, with Dylan employing a blend of third-person and first-person perspectives, a technique that deepens the listener’s engagement with the emotions at play. Recorded at A&R Recording Studios in New York on September 19, 1974, the track features Dylan’s haunting vocals accompanied by his acoustic guitar and harmonica, with Tony Brown providing subtle but evocative basslines. The recording reflects the raw, intimate sound that characterizes much of Blood on the Tracks.

Read More: Best Bob Dylan Songs Of The 1970s

# 7 – The Circle Game – Joni Mitchell

Written in response to Neil Young’s “Sugar Mountain,” which laments the end of youth, “The Circle Game” offers a more optimistic outlook on aging, suggesting that life’s cycles are a natural and ongoing process. Mitchell’s reflective lyrics, paired with a lilting melody, emphasize the beauty of life’s continuous evolution, even as childhood innocence fades.

Musically, Mitchell’s recording of “The Circle Game” on Ladies of the Canyon is supported by simple yet effective instrumentation. The song features her signature acoustic guitar playing, complemented by the backing vocals of Crosby, Stills & Nash, under the pseudonym The Lookout Mountain United Downstairs Choir. Always fun when rockstars hide behind different names. We have seen it done many times by artists like Prince, Elton John and of course Paul McCartney.

# 6 – Wheel In The Sky – Journey

“Wheel in the Sky,” released as part of Journey’s 1978 Infinity album, marked a pivotal moment for the band, introducing a more refined, hard rock sound. Written by Robert Fleischman, Neal Schon, and Diane Valory, this track became the first Journey song to break into the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number fifty-seven. With its soaring vocals, delivered by the newly added frontman Steve Perry, and Neal Schon’s iconic guitar work, “Wheel in the Sky” set the stage for Journey’s rise to fame.

The song’s haunting narrative reflects the uncertainty and longing of life on the road, as the narrator yearns to return home but remains stuck, unsure of where he’ll be tomorrow. The recurring “wheel in the sky” metaphor, which could symbolize the sun or fate itself, captures the relentless passage of time. Diane Valory, who originally wrote the song as a poem titled “Wheels in My Mind,” paints a vivid picture of a man running down a “dusty road,” trying to make it home, all while life’s endless cycle continues.

Read More: 10 Most Underrated Journey Songs

# 5 – Hand Of Fate – The Rolling Stones

“Hand of Fate,” a rocking track from The Rolling Stones’ 1976 album Black and Blue, reflects the band’s gritty exploration of fate and consequence through a crime-laden narrative. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song tells the tale of a man who finds himself caught in a life-altering event—shooting a rival in a violent confrontation over a woman. The lyrics detail the man’s spiraling journey as he runs from the law, feeling the weight of fate pressing down on him.

# 4 – Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) – Sly And The Family Stone

Sly and the Family Stone’s rendition of “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)”, featured on their 1973 album Fresh, takes a classic pop tune and infuses it with a fresh, funky groove. Originally written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and made famous by Doris Day in The Man Who Knew Too Much, this version marks a distinct departure from the original’s soft, cinematic feel. Sly Stone reimagines the song as a funk-driven anthem of “cheerful fatalism,” keeping its iconic message while adding a more rebellious and soulful energy.

# 3 – Ghost Of A Chance – Rush

“Ghost of a Chance,” from Rush’s 1991 album Roll the Bones, presents a profound exploration of love, fate, and the delicate balance between chance and choice in human relationships. Written by drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, with music composed by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, the song is an anthem of realism and hope. It diverges from romantic notions of predestined love, focusing instead on the belief that while love is not dictated by destiny, there’s still a slim, precious chance that two people can find each other and make it last.

# 2 – Let It Be – The Beatles

How could you not love this one? This deeply reflective ballad was composed during a turbulent period for the band, as personal and creative tensions ran high. McCartney’s inspiration for the song came from a dream he had about his late mother, Mary McCartney, who had passed away when he was just fourteen years old. In the dream, Mary appeared to him and offered comforting words, saying, “It will be all right, just let it be.” This simple yet profound message of acceptance and peace is at the heart of the song, making it a timeless anthem of hope, wisdom, and faith.

Recorded at Apple Studios in January 1969, with subsequent overdubs made in 1970, “Let It Be” features a powerful collaboration between McCartney on piano and vocals, George Harrison on guitar, Ringo Starr on drums, and Billy Preston on the Hammond organ. The production process of the song also highlights a key difference between the single and album versions. The single, produced by George Martin, has a softer guitar solo and minimal orchestration, while the album version, overseen by Phil Spector, presents a more dramatic arrangement with a more aggressive guitar solo by Harrison and more prominent orchestration. This contrast showcases the tension between McCartney’s vision for simplicity and Spector’s preference for grand, symphonic production.

Musically, the song’s gentle piano melody, coupled with Harrison’s stirring guitar work and Preston’s soulful organ, creates an atmosphere of calm reflection. As the final single released before McCartney announced his departure from The Beatles, “Let It Be” marks both an ending and a new beginning, encapsulating the bittersweet emotions of a band on the verge of breaking up, while simultaneously offering solace and resolution through its message of letting go.

Read More: Top 10 Beatles Love Songs

# 1 – Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin

No matter how many times we have heard this song, it remains one of the most legendary recordings of all time. Yes that was a time when we started to get a little tired of it because we heard it a million times but you know what I didn’t really matter because now, so many years later, it still means just so much to all of us. As the final song on this list, “Stairway to Heaven” brings the theme of destiny full circle, encapsulating the search for meaning and the belief in a higher purpose. Much like other songs on this list, such as A Simple Twist of Fate by Bob Dylan, “Stairway to Heaven” emphasizes the dual nature of fate, sometimes clear, other times elusive. This track, however, elevates the conversation with its grand scale, rich production, and deeply spiritual undertones, leaving listeners pondering the mysteries of life’s journey long after the final notes fade.