10 Best Songs With The Word 'Easy' In The Title

Feature Photo: Photography Stock Ruiz / Shutterstock.com

The Eagles built a career on breezy harmonies and laid-back West Coast songwriting, and both “Take It Easy” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” define that sensibility, making them fitting bookends for this list. Ringo Starr’s “It Don’t Come Easy” brought his signature warmth to a track that emphasized perseverance over instant gratification. Three Dog Night’s “Easy to Be Hard” took a different approach, turning “easy” into a contradiction by lamenting the callousness of those who preach kindness. Linda Ronstadt brought her unmistakable voice to “It’s So Easy,” transforming a rockabilly classic into a bold declaration of love. The Who’s “Pure and Easy” stood out as a deep-cut philosophical anthem, reflecting Pete Townshend’s grand musical ambitions.

Billy Joel’s “Easy Money” opened An Innocent Man with a punch, setting the stage for an album rooted in classic pop influences. Bobby Sherman’s “Easy Come, Easy Go” embraced the carefree spirit of its title, delivering a slice of pure 1970s pop. Little River Band’s “Take It Easy on Me” offered a softer, more melancholic take on the word, pleading for mercy in the wake of heartbreak. Roger McGuinn’s “Ballad of Easy Rider” carried the weight of an era-defining film, using its lyrics to conjure images of freedom and movement. And Guns N’ Roses shattered any notion that “easy” meant gentle with “It’s So Easy”, delivering one of their most aggressive early tracks.

# 10 – It’s So Easy – Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses unleashed “It’s So Easy” as one of the rawest and most aggressive tracks from their 1987 debut album, Appetite for Destruction. The song was recorded at Rumbo Recorders in Canoga Park, California, with production handled by Mike Clink. It was initially released as the band’s first single in the UK but failed to chart. However, over time, it became a staple of their live performances, known for its blistering intensity and sneering attitude. The lineup for the recording featured Axl Rose on lead vocals, Slash on lead guitar, Izzy Stradlin on rhythm guitar, Duff McKagan on bass, and Steven Adler on drums, a combination that defined the early and most iconic era of the band.

# 9 – Ballad of Easy Rider – Roger McGuinn

Roger McGuinn recorded “Ballad of Easy Rider” in 1969 as the title track for the film Easy Rider, a defining counterculture movie of its time. Initially conceived by Bob Dylan, who provided the first lines but declined to contribute further, McGuinn completed the song himself. His version was released on The Ballad of Easy Rider, the eighth studio album by The Byrds, though a solo rendition appeared in the film. Produced by Terry Melcher, the track was recorded at Columbia Studios in Hollywood and featured McGuinn’s distinctive 12-string guitar, complemented by atmospheric orchestration.

Read More: Top 10 Roger McGuinn Songs

# 8 – Take It Easy On Me – Little River Band

Little River Band recorded “Take It Easy on Me” for their 1981 album Time Exposure, marking a period of transition for the Australian group. Produced by George Martin, best known for his legendary work with The Beatles, the album was recorded at Air Studios in Montserrat. Though Glenn Shorrock was the band’s longtime frontman, the song featured bassist Wayne Nelson on lead vocals, signaling a shift that would soon make him the primary voice of the band’s biggest hit, “The Night Owls.”

Read More: Top 10 Little River Band Songs

# 7 – Easy Come Easy Go – Bobby Sherman

Bobby Sherman recorded “Easy Come, Easy Go” in 1970, capitalizing on his meteoric rise as both a teen idol and pop star. The song appeared on his album of the same name and was produced by Jackie Mills, who played a significant role in shaping Sherman’s clean-cut, radio-friendly sound. With its bright, bouncy melody and polished arrangement, the track became one of Sherman’s biggest hits, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidifying his status as a household name in the early 1970s.

Read More: Top 10 Bobby Sherman Songs

# 6 – Easy Money – Billy Joel

Billy Joel opened his An Innocent Man album in 1983 with “Easy Money,” a high-energy track that paid homage to the rhythm and blues influences of the early rock era. Recorded at Chelsea Sound and A&R Recording in New York City, the song was produced by Phil Ramone, who played a significant role in shaping Joel’s most commercially successful period. The track featured Joel on vocals and piano, David Brown on guitar, Doug Stegmeyer on bass, Liberty DeVitto on drums, and a vibrant horn section, all working together to create a punchy, brassy arrangement that mirrored the excitement of the gambling and risk-taking lifestyle described in the lyrics. While never released as a single, “Easy Money” gained recognition as the theme song for the 1983 Rodney Dangerfield film of the same name.

# 5 – Pure and Easy – The Who

The Who recorded “Pure and Easy” during sessions for Who’s Next, but the track remained unreleased until Odds & Sods in 1974. Written by Pete Townshend, the song was originally intended to be a crucial part of Lifehouse, the ambitious rock opera that never fully materialized. Instead, portions of the Lifehouse concept made their way into Who’s Next, though “Pure and Easy” was left off the final tracklist. Produced by Glyn Johns and recorded at Olympic Studios in London, the song featured Townshend on lead vocals and guitar, Roger Daltrey on backing vocals, John Entwistle on bass, and Keith Moon on drums, delivering a mix of classic Who power with an expansive, almost spiritual sound.

# 4 – It’s So Easy – Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt’s version of “It’s So Easy” was recorded for her eighth studio album, Simple Dreams, which was released on September 6, 1977. Originally written and recorded by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty in 1958, the song took on new life when Ronstadt infused it with her signature blend of rock and country influences. Produced by Peter Asher, the track was recorded at The Sound Factory in Los Angeles, with Ronstadt’s powerhouse vocals leading a band that included Waddy Wachtel on guitar, Dan Dugmore on steel guitar, Kenny Edwards on bass, Don Grolnick on keyboards, and Russ Kunkel on drums. Her version reimagined the song as a polished yet energetic rock anthem, diverging from Holly’s more straightforward rockabilly arrangement.

# 3 – Easy to Be Hard – Three Dog Night

Three Dog Night recorded “Easy to Be Hard” for their 1969 album Suitable for Framing, bringing a raw, emotionally charged vocal performance to a song originally written for the rock musical Hair. Composed by Galt MacDermot with lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, the song was transformed by the band’s powerful arrangement and Chuck Negron’s soaring lead vocals. It was recorded at American Recording Company in California and produced by Gabriel Mekler. The studio musicians supporting the track included Michael Allsup on guitar, Joe Schermie on bass, Floyd Sneed on drums, and Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards. The song was released as a single and climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking one of Three Dog Night’s early successes.

Read More: Top 10 Three Dog Night Love Songs

# 2 – It Don’t Come Easy – Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr recorded “It Don’t Come Easy” as his first major solo single after The Beatles disbanded, establishing himself as a legitimate solo artist in his own right. The song was recorded between February and March 1970 at Trident Studios in London, with George Harrison producing and playing guitar. Klaus Voormann handled the bass, Stephen Stills contributed piano on an early take, and Starr himself played drums. The track also featured a brass section and backing vocals arranged by Harrison. Released on April 9, 1971, in the UK and April 16, 1971, in the US, the song became one of Starr’s most successful singles, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Ringo Starr Songs

# 1 – TIE – Take It Easy / Peaceful Easy Feeling – The Eagles

Closing out this list in a tie, “Take It Easy” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by The Eagles each embody the essence of the word “easy” in their own distinct way. “Take It Easy” was recorded for the band’s 1972 self-titled debut album and became their first single, released on May 1, 1972. Written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, the track was recorded at Olympic Studios in London with producer Glyn Johns. Frey sang lead vocals, with Bernie Leadon on lead guitar and backing vocals, Randy Meisner on bass and backing vocals, and Don Henley on drums and backing vocals. The song reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and established The Eagles as one of the defining acts of the decade.

Check out similar articles on ClassicRockHistory.com Just click on any of the links below……

Prev Article Next Article

One Response

Baybluesman February 14, 2025

Two more that captured the ears back in their day, were: “Easy’ by the Commodores (Lionel Ritchie) in 1977, (later covered by Faith No More in 1992),
and
1984’s “Easy Lover” duet by Phillip Bailey (of Earth, Wind, and Fire with Phil Collins (of Genesis), released on Phillip Bailey’s 1984 L.P. “Chinese Wall”.