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

Feature Photo: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

Rock and roll has always thrived on urgency—whether it’s rebellion, passion, or sheer momentum, the genre doesn’t wait around for permission. The word “let” has played a crucial role in countless rock songs, serving as an invitation, a command, a plea, or a resignation, depending on who’s singing it and why. In some cases, it pushes for action, telling listeners to move, embrace the moment, or cut loose. Other times, it suggests surrender, an acceptance of fate, or the wisdom to know when to let go. This list highlights ten essential rock songs that use “let” in their titles, each offering a distinct take on what it means to give in, step forward, or simply allow something to be.

Tedeschi Trucks Band built “Let Me Get By” around a groove-driven blend of blues, rock, and soul, where the phrase becomes a call for freedom and independence. Rod Stewart and Elton John turned “Let Me Be Your Car” into a playful metaphor, using rock and roll energy to fuel a song about desire. Eric Clapton’s “Let It Rain” captured the emotional weight of love and redemption, transforming rain into a symbol of renewal. Bachman-Turner Overdrive took a different approach in “Let It Ride,” where the phrase became a philosophy of moving forward without looking back.

The Beach Boys infused “Let Him Run Wild” with their signature harmonies, using the phrase to express both resignation and longing. AC/DC’s “Let There Be Rock” treated the word as an outright decree, presenting rock and roll’s rise as an unstoppable force of nature. The Cars’ “Let’s Go” paired the word with youthful abandon, channeling the excitement of fast living and fleeting moments. David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” turned it into an invitation for escape, where movement became the only option. The Rolling Stones used “Let’s Spend the Night Together” to strip away pretense and get straight to the point, proving once again that subtlety was never their style. And finally, The Beatles closed this list with “Let It Be,” a song that turned the word into something deeper—a lesson in peace, acceptance, and knowing when to stop fighting the inevitable.

# 10 – Let Me Get By – Tedeschi Trucks Band

Recorded in 2015 at Swamp Raga Studios, the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s home studio in Jacksonville, Florida, “Let Me Get By” served as both the title track and the opening song of their third studio album, Let Me Get By, released on January 29, 2016. The album was produced by Derek Trucks, with songwriting contributions from Susan Tedeschi, Mike Mattison, and the band’s extended collective of musicians. The lineup for this recording featured Susan Tedeschi on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Derek Trucks on lead guitar, Tyler Greenwell and J.J. Johnson on drums and percussion, Tim Lefebvre on bass, Kofi Burbridge on keyboards and flute, Mike Mattison and Mark Rivers on backing vocals, and Kebbi Williams on saxophone. The album marked a significant moment in the band’s career, as it was their first full-length release since Trucks departed from The Allman Brothers Band, allowing the ensemble to fully develop their distinct fusion of blues, rock, soul, and jazz.

Read More: Top 10 Tedeschi Trucks Band Songs

# 9 – Let Me Be Your Car – Rod Stewart & Elton John

Rod Stewart and Elton John combined forces on “Let Me Be Your Car,” a track recorded for Stewart’s fifth studio album, Smiler, which was released on October 4, 1974. The song was written and produced by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, marking one of the few instances where John, typically a performer of his own compositions, wrote specifically for another artist. Recorded at London’s Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, the track featured Stewart on lead vocals while John played piano and contributed backing vocals. The musicianship was bolstered by a lineup of seasoned session players, including Dee Murray on bass and Nigel Olsson on drums, both longtime members of John’s band. The recording retained the raw, bluesy energy that had become Stewart’s trademark, complemented by John’s distinctive piano work.

# 8 – Let It Rain – Eric Clapton

When Eric Clapton ventured into his solo career, “Let It Rain” emerged as one of the defining tracks of his debut album, Eric Clapton, released on August 16, 1970. Co-written with Bonnie Bramlett, the song evolved from an earlier version titled “She Rides” before taking on its final form under the production of Delaney Bramlett. The sessions, held at Village Recorders in Los Angeles, featured an ensemble of musicians drawn largely from Delaney & Bonnie and Friends. Clapton handled lead vocals and guitar, supported by Bobby Whitlock on keyboards, Carl Radle on bass, Jim Gordon on drums, and harmonized backing vocals from Rita Coolidge, Bonnie Bramlett, and Sonny Curtis. With its soaring guitar work and layered vocal arrangements, the track blended Clapton’s blues foundation with the soulful, Southern rock influences that defined much of the album’s sound.

Read More: Top 10 Eric Clapton Songs

# 7 – Let It Ride – Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Let It Ride” became a defining moment for the Canadian rock band, marking their breakthrough on the charts. Recorded in 1973 for their second studio album, Bachman-Turner Overdrive II, the song was produced by Randy Bachman and recorded at Kaye-Smith Studios in Seattle, Washington. The lineup on the track featured Randy Bachman on lead guitar and backing vocals, Fred Turner handling bass and lead vocals, Blair Thornton on rhythm guitar, and Robbie Bachman on drums. Released as a single in 1974, “Let It Ride” propelled the band toward mainstream success, peaking at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

# 6 – Let Him Run Wild – The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys recorded “Let Him Run Wild” during the sessions for Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!), their ninth studio album, which was released on July 5, 1965. Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, the song reflected Wilson’s increasing ambition as a producer and arranger, featuring a more sophisticated harmonic structure than much of the band’s earlier material. It was recorded at Western Recorders in Hollywood, California, with Wilson overseeing the session. The instrumental backing was performed by members of The Wrecking Crew, including Hal Blaine on drums, Carol Kaye on bass, and various brass and woodwind players, while The Beach Boys themselves provided the layered vocal harmonies that defined the track’s emotional intensity.

# 5 – Let There Be Rock – AC/DC

“Let There Be Rock” was recorded during the sessions for their fourth studio album, Let There Be Rock, and released on March 21, 1977. The band entered Albert Studios in Sydney, Australia, with producers Harry Vanda and George Young, capturing a sound that was louder, rawer, and more aggressive than anything they had done before. Bon Scott’s unmistakable vocals led the charge, while Angus Young and Malcolm Young unleashed driving guitar work over the pounding rhythm section of bassist Mark Evans and drummer Phil Rudd. What emerged was not just a song but a declaration, an anthem that laid out AC/DC’s mission statement in no uncertain terms.

Read More: 20 Most Classic AC/DC Songs

# 4 – Let’s Go – The Cars

The Cars introduced “Let’s Go” as the lead single from their second studio album, Candy-O, which was released on June 13, 1979. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and recorded at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, the track captured the band at a moment when they were refining their signature fusion of new wave energy and rock-and-roll hooks. Ric Ocasek wrote the song, while bassist Benjamin Orr delivered the lead vocal performance, his smooth yet detached delivery adding to the song’s cool, almost effortless attitude. Guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes, and drummer David Robinson filled out the lineup, creating a tightly constructed sound that was both radio-friendly and musically layered. The single became the band’s first major hit, peaking at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and performing even better internationally, reaching No. 6 in Canada and No. 5 in Australia.

# 3 – Let’s Dance – David Bowie

David Bowie transformed his sound in the early 1980s, and “Let’s Dance” marked one of the boldest shifts in his career. Recorded in late 1982 at the Power Station in New York City, the song was produced by Nile Rodgers and served as the lead single and title track for Bowie’s fifteenth studio album, Let’s Dance, which was released on April 14, 1983. Rodgers, known for his work with Chic, infused the song with a sleek, danceable groove, while blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan delivered searing lead guitar lines that added a raw edge to the polished production. With Carmine Rojas on bass, Omar Hakim on drums, and Rodgers contributing rhythm guitar, the track blended funk, pop, and rock elements into a crossover hit that dominated airwaves.

# 2 – Let’s Spend The Night Together – The Rolling Stones

In late 1966 at RCA Studios in Hollywood, California, during the sessions for their album Between the Buttons, The Rolling Stones recorded “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham and released as a double A-side single with “Ruby Tuesday” on January 13, 1967. While “Ruby Tuesday” received more radio play due to its softer sound, “Let’s Spend the Night Together” showcased the band’s brash energy, driven by Jagger’s charismatic vocals, Richards’ chugging guitar riffs, and the pulsing rhythm section of Bill Wyman on bass and Charlie Watts on drums. Brian Jones contributed piano, while Jack Nitzsche provided additional keyboards, reinforcing the track’s upbeat, almost frenetic feel.

# 1 – Let It Be – The Beatles

The final entry on this list, “Let It Be,” was recorded by The Beatles as their band was unraveling, making it one of the most emotionally significant songs in their catalog. Written by Paul McCartney, the track was recorded at Apple Studios and EMI Studios in London between January 1969 and January 1970. The recording featured McCartney on lead vocals and piano, John Lennon on bass, George Harrison on lead guitar, and Ringo Starr on drums, with Billy Preston adding Hammond organ. Producer Phil Spector later applied his signature “Wall of Sound” production to the song’s album version, layering orchestration and backing vocals that differentiated it from the rawer single version released on March 6, 1970.