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

Feature Photo: Greg Rakozy

The word “mind” has given songwriters a natural way to write about memory, doubt, determination, love, addiction, home, and the search for some kind of peace. These ten songs move from Steely Dan and Billy J. Kramer through former Beatles, Gordon Lightfoot, Billy Joel, Kansas, Elvis Presley, and Boston.

# 10 – Time Out of Mind – Steely Dan

Steely Dan released “Time Out of Mind” on their 1980 album Gaucho and issued it as a single in 1981, when it reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. Written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen and produced by Gary Katz, the recording also features Mark Knopfler on guitar. Beneath its polished surface, the lyric uses drug imagery that is generally understood as referring to heroin.

# 9 – And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind – Billy J. Kramer

The Best Of Billy J Kramer With The Dakotas

Neil Diamond wrote and first recorded “And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind” in 1969 for Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show. Mark Lindsay scored a U.S. hit with the song in 1970, and Billy J. Kramer released his own version as a European non-album single in 1971. Kramer’s recording keeps the song’s quiet, pastoral mood while giving this list one of its less obvious choices.

# 8 – Memphis in Your Mind – Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr released “Memphis in Your Mind” on his 2003 album Ringo Rama. Written by Starr, Mark Hudson, Gary Burr, Steve Dudas, and Dean Grakal and produced by Starr and Hudson, the song looks back affectionately at the rock-and-roll history associated with Memphis. Timothy B. Schmit provides backing vocals, and the track even uses an archived Roy Orbison “mercy” growl.

Read More: Top 10 Ringo Starr Songs

# 7 – Got My Mind Set on You – George Harrison

Rudy Clark wrote “Got My Mind Set on You,” which James Ray first recorded in 1962. George Harrison revived the song for his 1987 album Cloud Nine, co-producing his version with Jeff Lynne, and the single went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Harrison’s recording turned an obscure early-1960s song into one of the biggest hits of his solo career.

Read More: Top 10 George Harrison Songs

# 6 – Mind Games – John Lennon

John Lennon released “Mind Games” on October 29, 1973, as the title track and lead single from his fourth solo studio album. Written and produced by Lennon, the song grew from an earlier idea called “Make Love, Not War” and continued his familiar message of peace and unity. It reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 26 in the UK.

# 5 – If You Could Read My Mind – Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot wrote “If You Could Read My Mind” during the breakdown of his first marriage and released it on his 1970 Reprise album originally titled Sit Down Young Stranger, later renamed after the song became a hit. Produced by Lenny Waronker and Joe Wissert at Sunwest Recording Studios in Los Angeles, with strings arranged by Nick DeCaro, it reached No. 1 in Canada and No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Read More: Top 10 Gordon Lightfoot Songs

# 4 – New York State of Mind – Billy Joel

Billy Joel wrote “New York State of Mind” after returning to New York following several years in Los Angeles and included it on his 1976 album Turnstiles. Although it was never released as a single at the time, the song became one of the clearest statements of Joel’s connection to his hometown. The original recording features Richie Cannata’s saxophone alongside Joel’s piano and vocal.

Read More: Top 10 Billy Joel Songs

# 3 – What’s on My Mind – Kansas

“What’s on My Mind” has always been one of our favorite songs from Kansas’s 1976 album Leftoverture. Written by Kerry Livgren, recorded at Studio in the Country in Louisiana, and produced by Jeff Glixman, it was the first song written for the album. Released as a single in 1977, it reached No. 87 on the Cash Box Top 100 and No. 89 in Canada but did not enter the Billboard Hot 100.

# 2 – Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley

Mark James wrote and first recorded “Suspicious Minds” in 1968 before Elvis Presley cut his version at American Sound Studio in Memphis on January 22, 1969. Chips Moman brought the song to the session, and Elvis’ single was released that August, becoming his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 in seven years and his final No. 1 on that chart. The lyric turns suspicion into a trap that neither person in the relationship can escape.

# 1 – Peace of Mind – Boston

Tom Scholz wrote “Peace of Mind” for Boston’s 1976 self-titled debut album, and the song was released as a single in 1977, reaching No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100. Produced by John Boylan and Scholz, the recording features Brad Delp on vocals with Scholz handling the guitars and bass. Scholz later explained that the lyric was not specifically about his job at Polaroid but about the broader American pressure to keep up with everyone else and climb the corporate ladder.