10 Best Rock Songs With The Word 'You' In The Title

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The word “you” appears in countless rock songs because it puts the listener, a lover, a friend, or an adversary directly into the story. These ten songs move from George Harrison, Queen, and The Kinks through Dylan, Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles.

# 10 – You – George Harrison

George Harrison released “You” in 1975 as the lead single from Extra Texture (Read All About It), and it reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 in Canada. Harrison wrote the song for Ronnie Spector and recorded the original backing track in 1971 before returning four years later to add new vocals and overdubs. Leon Russell and Jim Gordon remain from the earlier session, while Jim Horn’s saxophone was added in 1975.

Read More: Top 10 George Harrison Songs

# 9 – We Will Rock You – Queen

News Of The World [2011 Remastered Version] By Queen (2011-06-27)

Brian May wrote “We Will Rock You” for Queen’s 1977 album News of the World after the band began thinking more directly about audience participation. Most of the studio recording is built from layered stomps, claps, and Freddie Mercury’s vocal, with May’s guitar arriving near the end. Its simple rhythm eventually became one of the most recognizable crowd chants in rock music.

# 8 – You Really Got Me – The Kinks

Ray Davies wrote “You Really Got Me,” and The Kinks released it in 1964 with Dave Davies supplying the distorted guitar riff that defined the record. Produced by Shel Talmy, the single reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 7 in the United States. Its power-chord attack helped push British rock toward the heavier sounds that followed later in the decade.

# 7 – If Not for You – Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan wrote “If Not for You” and released it on his 1970 album New Morning. The released version was recorded in New York in August 1970, although Dylan had recorded an earlier version with George Harrison that May. Harrison covered the song on All Things Must Pass, and Olivia Newton-John followed with a hit version in 1971.

# 6 – Are You Experienced? – The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Jimi Hendrix wrote “Are You Experienced?” as the title track of the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s 1967 debut album. Recorded at Olympic Studios in London on April 3, 1967 and produced by Chas Chandler, the track uses reversed guitar, bass, and percussion to create its unusual sound. The studio experimentation makes it one of the clearest examples of how quickly Hendrix was expanding what a rock recording could do.

Read More: Jimi Hendrix Albums Ranked

# 5 – You Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones

Let It Bleed [2 LP/2 CD/7"][Deluxe Box Set]

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” for The Rolling Stones’ 1969 album Let It Bleed, with Jimmy Miller producing. The song moves from disappointment toward the idea that getting what you need may matter more than getting exactly what you want. Its slow build from choir and acoustic guitar into a full-band arrangement gives that simple idea unusual scale.

Read More: Top 10 Rolling Stones Love Songs

# 4 – And You and I – Yes

“And You and I” appears on Yes’ 1972 album Close to the Edge. Written by Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Bill Bruford, and Chris Squire, the ten-minute piece is divided into four movements and was produced by Yes with Eddie Offord. A shortened single edit reached No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Read More: Top 10 Yes Album Covers

# 3 – Thank You – Led Zeppelin

Robert Plant and Jimmy Page wrote “Thank You” for 1969’s Led Zeppelin II, with Page producing the recording. Plant wrote the lyric for his then-wife Maureen, making it one of Led Zeppelin’s earliest straightforward love songs. John Paul Jones’ Hammond organ is central to the arrangement, especially in the song’s fading ending.

# 2 – Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd

David Gilmour and Roger Waters wrote “Wish You Were Here” for Pink Floyd’s 1975 album of the same name. The album is built around the idea of absence, and Pink Floyd’s own history describes the title song as having love at its center with another nod toward former bandmate Syd Barrett. Its stripped-down acoustic setting gives the song a directness that contrasts with the larger pieces surrounding it on the album.

Read More: Top 25 Pink Floyd Songs

# 1 – All You Need Is Love – The Beatles

John Lennon wrote “All You Need Is Love,” credited to Lennon-McCartney, for The Beatles’ appearance on the Our World global television broadcast on June 25, 1967. George Martin produced the recording, and the single was released in July, reaching No. 1 in both the UK and United States. The broadcast reached an estimated 400 million viewers in 26 countries, giving Lennon’s simple message an audience few songs had ever received at once.

Read More: Top 100 Beatles Songs