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

Feature Photo: Steve Sykes / Shutterstock.com

The word “is” may be one of the smallest words in the English language, but songwriters have used it in some unforgettable titles. This list moves from power ballads and pop hits to swing, art rock, progressive rock, satire, and jazz-rock, showing just how much variety can fit around two little letters.

# 10 – Is This Love – Whitesnake

Whitesnake (30th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition)(4CD/1DVD)

“Is This Love” appeared on Whitesnake’s self-titled 1987 album and became one of the band’s biggest hits. Written by David Coverdale and John Sykes, the song reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the defining power ballads of the MTV era. Tawny Kitaen’s appearance in the video only made the song even more inseparable from that period.

# 9 – If This Is It – Huey Lewis & The News

“If This Is It” came from Huey Lewis & The News’ 1983 album Sports. The band’s official site identifies it as the fourth single from the album, and it became their fifth Top 10 hit, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s mix of heartbreak, humor, and polished pop-rock helped make Sports one of the defining albums of the decade.

# 8 – Love Is A Battlefield – Pat Benatar

Pat Benatar - Live From Earth - Chrysalis - 40 647 0

Pat Benatar released “Love Is a Battlefield” in 1983 as one of the studio tracks included on Live from Earth. Written by Mike Chapman and Holly Knight, the song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Benatar’s signature recordings. The dramatic video was just as memorable and helped make the song an MTV staple.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Pat Benatar Songs

# 7 – Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby – Joe Jackson

Well, we couldn’t leave this one off the list. Joe Jackson’s wonderful 1981 album Jumpin’ Jive paid extraordinary tribute to the swing and jump-blues music of an earlier era. His version of “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby,” written by Louis Jordan and Billy Austin, brings the old classic back to life with a loose, playful arrangement. Jackson stepping away from new wave for an entire record like this was one of the coolest left turns of his career.

Read More: Top 10 Joe Jackson Songs

# 6 – Life Is Sweet – Maria McKee

If a topic works for a Maria McKee song, we’re always going to go to the well with her. She is one of the most extraordinary songwriters and musical artists of our time, and for those who have never heard of her or don’t know her music, we feel it’s our duty to keep sharing it. That’s what this site has always been about: introducing people to music and celebrating with those who already know it. “Life Is Sweet” was the title track of McKee’s third solo album, released in 1996.

# 5 – Love Is The Drug – Roxy Music

Roxy Music released “Love Is the Drug” on Siren in 1975. Written by Bryan Ferry and Andy Mackay and produced by Chris Thomas, the song mixed art rock with a sleek dance-floor groove that helped carry it to number two in the UK and number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains Roxy Music’s highest-charting U.S. single.

Read More: Top 10 Roxy Music Songs

# 4 – You Are What You Is – Frank Zappa

“You Are What You Is” is the title track from Frank Zappa’s 1981 album of the same name. Zappa uses the deliberately awkward title as part of a larger satire about identity, image, culture, and people trying to become something they are not. It is funny, sharp, strange, and unmistakably Zappa.

# 3 – Jesus Is Just Alright With Me – The Doobie Brothers

Toulouse Street by Doobie Brothers [Music CD]

The Doobie Brothers recorded “Jesus Is Just Alright” for their 1972 album Toulouse Street. Arthur Reid Reynolds wrote the song, which had already been recorded by The Art Reynolds Singers and later The Byrds before the Doobie Brothers gave it their own hard-driving arrangement. Their version reached number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a lasting part of the band’s catalog.

# 2 – Is There Anybody Out There – Pink Floyd

“Is There Anybody Out There?” appears on Pink Floyd’s 1979 album The Wall. The brief track arrives at one of the album’s most isolated moments, with Roger Waters’ repeated question giving way to the haunting acoustic instrumental section. Pink Floyd’s official studio credits identify Ron Di Blasi as the nylon-string guitarist on the recording. The result is one of the quietest and most unsettling pieces on the album.

# 1 – Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? – Chicago

Chicago Transit Authority (Remastered) [CD]

Chicago recorded “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” for their 1969 debut album, Chicago Transit Authority. Written and sung by Robert Lamm and produced by James William Guercio, the song was not released as a single until 1970, after the band had already broken through commercially. It reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Chicago’s earliest signature songs.