
Feature Photo: Aija Lehtonen / Shutterstock.com
We went with the classics for this fun ride through the 10 Best Songs With The Word ‘On’ In The Title. Of course, there were so many to pick from as this is one of the most utilized words in song titles. Yet that just makes it all the more fun.
# 10 – On Every Street – Dire Straits
Dire Straits’ “On Every Street” is a song defined by its slow-burning tension and lyrical imagery, serving as the title track to the band’s final studio album, On Every Street, released on September 9, 1991. Written by Mark Knopfler, the song reflects the band’s shift toward a more subdued, narrative-driven style in their later years. It was recorded between November 1990 and May 1991 at AIR Studios in London, with Knopfler handling lead guitar and vocals, John Illsley on bass, Alan Clark and Guy Fletcher on keyboards, Phil Palmer on rhythm guitar, Chris White on saxophone, and Jeff Porcaro on drums. Knopfler produced the track alongside Dire Straits. Released as a single in the United Kingdom on February 17, 1992, “On Every Street” reached number 42 on the UK Singles Chart and number 23 in France.
# 9 – Down On The Corner – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival recorded “Down on the Corner” for their fourth studio album, Willy and the Poor Boys, released on November 2, 1969. John Fogerty wrote the song, and the band recorded it earlier that year at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco, California. The lineup included Fogerty on lead vocals and lead guitar, Tom Fogerty on rhythm guitar, Stu Cook on bass, and Doug Clifford on drums. The album, like the rest of the band’s work, was produced by John Fogerty, whose tight production style helped define Creedence Clearwater Revival’s signature swamp rock sound.
Released as a double A-side single with “Fortunate Son” in October 1969, “Down on the Corner” became one of the band’s biggest hits. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number four in Canada. During this period, Creedence Clearwater Revival was at its commercial peak, with Willy and the Poor Boys becoming one of the defining albums of the band’s career.
# 8 – Roll On Down The Highway – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
In 1974, Bachman-Turner Overdrive recorded “Roll On Down the Highway” at Kaye-Smith Studios in Seattle, Washington, for their album Not Fragile. Written by C.F. Turner and Robbie Bachman and produced by Randy Bachman, the track featured Turner on lead vocals and bass, Randy Bachman on lead guitar, Blair Thornton on guitar, and Robbie Bachman on drums. The recording captured the band’s raw, high-energy rock sound with a punchy guitar riff and a driving rhythm section that exemplified the power and simplicity of early 1970s Canadian rock.
# 7 – Keep On Loving You – REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon recorded “Keep On Loving You” in 1980 during the sessions for their breakthrough album Hi Infidelity. The album was recorded at Crystal Studios in Los Angeles and Kendun Recorders in Burbank. Written by lead vocalist Kevin Cronin, the song featured Cronin on vocals and rhythm guitar, Gary Richrath on lead guitar, Neal Doughty on keyboards, Bruce Hall on bass, and Alan Gratzer on drums. Hi Infidelity was produced by Kevin Beamish, Kevin Cronin, Alan Gratzer, and Gary Richrath.
Released as a single in November 1980, “Keep On Loving You” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1981. Its polished production and accessible arrangement helped propel REO Speedwagon into the mainstream, establishing the song as one of the band’s signature ballads.
# 6 – Walk On The Wild Side – Lou Reed
Recorded in 1972 at Trident Studios in London, “Walk On the Wild Side” became a key track on Lou Reed’s Transformer. Produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, the recording featured Reed’s unmistakable vocal alongside Herbie Flowers’ famous bass line, Mick Ronson on acoustic guitar, Ritchie Dharma on drums, and Ronnie Ross on saxophone. The understated arrangement gave the song a cool, steady groove that became one of the most recognizable sounds in Reed’s solo catalog.
Released in 1972, the song vividly portrayed characters connected to New York City’s underground culture and Andy Warhol’s Factory circle. Its direct storytelling and unusual subject matter helped make “Walk On the Wild Side” one of Reed’s most enduring solo recordings.
# 5 – Riders On The Storm – The Doors
“Riders on the Storm” was recorded by The Doors for their sixth studio album, L.A. Woman, released in April 1971. The recording sessions took place between December 1970 and January 1971 at the Doors Workshop in Los Angeles, California. The track featured Jim Morrison on vocals, Ray Manzarek on Fender Rhodes electric piano, Robby Krieger on guitar, John Densmore on drums, and Jerry Scheff on bass guitar. Bruce Botnick and The Doors produced the song.
Released as a single in June 1971, “Riders on the Storm” reached number 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, number 22 on the UK Singles Chart, and number seven in the Netherlands. It was the last song Jim Morrison recorded with The Doors before his death in July 1971.
# 4 – Lean On Me – Bill Withers
Bill Withers recorded “Lean on Me” for his second studio album, Still Bill, released on April 21, 1972. Withers recorded the album at the Record Plant in Los Angeles and performed vocals and piano, with Benorce Blackmon on guitar, Ray Jackson on keyboards and arrangements, Melvin Dunlap on bass, and James Gadson on drums. Withers produced the album with Blackmon, Jackson, Dunlap, and Gadson.
“Lean on Me” reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart in July 1972, giving Withers his first and only number one hit on the Hot 100. Internationally, the song reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart and number 20 on Canada’s RPM Top Singles chart. Billboard ranked it as the number seven song of 1972.
# 3 – Hooked On A Feeling – B.J. Thomas
B.J. Thomas recorded “Hooked on a Feeling” in 1968 at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, during the sessions for his album On My Way. Written by Mark James and produced by Chips Moman, the song featured the distinctive electric sitar of Reggie Young. The session musicians included Young and Tommy Cogbill on guitars, Mike Leech on bass, and Gene Chrisman on drums.
Released as a single on October 29, 1968, “Hooked on a Feeling” became one of Thomas’s most significant early hits, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 and number three in Canada. The song was later covered by Blue Swede, whose 1974 version added the famous “ooga-chaka” chant and reached number one in the United States.
# 2 – Dream On – Aerosmith
Recorded in October 1972 at Intermedia Studio in Boston, Massachusetts, “Dream On” became Aerosmith’s first major statement, showcasing their blend of hard rock and introspective lyricism. Written by Steven Tyler, the track featured Tyler on lead vocals, piano, Mellotron, and electric harpsichord, Joe Perry on lead guitar, Brad Whitford on rhythm guitar, Tom Hamilton on bass, and Joey Kramer on drums. The track was produced by Adrian Barber.
“Dream On” was initially released as a single on June 27, 1973, but reached only number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100. After Aerosmith gained more recognition, the song was re-released in 1976 and climbed to number six on the Hot 100, solidifying the band’s reputation. Over the years, it became one of the most enduring tracks in the Aerosmith catalog.
# 1 – Carry On Wayward Son – Kansas
In 1976, Kansas recorded “Carry On Wayward Son” at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana, for their album Leftoverture. Written by Kerry Livgren and produced by Jeff Glixman with Kansas, the recording featured Steve Walsh on lead vocals and keyboards, Kerry Livgren on guitar and keyboards, Rich Williams on guitar, Robby Steinhardt on backing vocals, Dave Hope on bass, and Phil Ehart on drums. The song reached number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977, marking a breakthrough that helped establish it as one of the band’s signature songs.
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Updated September 27, 2026
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