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

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Each song on this list demonstrates a different way that the word “thing” can carry weight in rock, pop, soul, and related styles. Sammy Hagar’s “Things’ve Changed” looks back at the passage of time with plenty of rock-and-roll attitude, while Paul McCartney’s “Get On the Right Thing” turns an older recording into one of the lively moments on Red Rose Speedway. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell bring Motown chemistry to “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” and The Yardbirds push into psychedelic territory with “Shapes of Things.” The Fixx’s “One Thing Leads to Another” adds a sharp early-1980s new-wave edge to the list.

Yes completely reshapes The Beatles’ “Every Little Thing,” while George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” turns impermanence into one of the defining statements of his solo career. Electric Light Orchestra’s “Livin’ Thing” combines Jeff Lynne’s pop instincts with strings and rock instrumentation, and The Troggs keep everything gloriously simple on “Wild Thing.” David Bowie closes the list with “Oh! You Pretty Things,” a song that wraps ideas about change and human evolution inside one of the most memorable melodies on Hunky Dory.

# 10 – Things’ve Changed – Sammy Hagar

Even though the verse has always reminded me a little of Bob Seger’s “Night Moves,” Sammy delivered a great one in 2002 with this very cool tune called “Things’ve Changed.” The song appeared on Not 4 Sale, the second studio album credited to Sammy Hagar and the Waboritas. Keyboardist Jesse Harms wrote the song, while Bob Daspit and the Waboritas handled the album’s production. Hagar sings and plays guitar, with Vic Johnson on guitar, Mona Gnader on bass, Jesse Harms on keyboards, and David Lauser on drums. “Things’ve Changed” was the album’s only U.S. single and remains one of Hagar’s strongest songs from the Waboritas period.

Read More: Why Rock Fans Love Sammy Hagar

# 9 – Get On The Right Thing – Paul McCartney

Red Rose Speedway (Archive Collection)[2 CD]

Paul McCartney’s “Get On the Right Thing” was released on Red Rose Speedway in 1973, but the recording dates back to the Ram sessions. Paul and Linda McCartney wrote the song, with Paul producing it. The basic track was recorded at CBS Studios in New York on October 14, 1970, with later vocal work completed at A&R Recording in New York in February 1971. The track therefore predates the lineup normally associated with the 1973 Wings album and should not be treated as a recording made by that later group. Its upbeat rhythm, gospel-flavored backing vocals, and McCartney’s energetic lead make it one of the most exuberant songs on Red Rose Speedway.

# 8 – One Thing Leads to Another – The Fixx

The Fixx’s “One Thing Leads to Another” became one of the defining new-wave rock singles of 1983. The song appeared on the band’s second album, Reach the Beach, and was produced by Rupert Hine. Cy Curnin, Adam Woods, Jamie West-Oram, Rupert Greenall, and Alfred Agius share the writing credit. The recording’s clipped guitar, tight rhythm section, and urgent vocal turn the song’s criticism of dishonesty and double-talk into an instantly recognizable rock track. “One Thing Leads to Another” reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and became The Fixx’s biggest American pop hit.

# 7 – Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” remains one of Motown’s essential duets. Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson wrote and produced the song, which was recorded at Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit in 1967. Gaye and Terrell share the lead vocals while the Funk Brothers provide the instrumental backing. Released in 1968 on the album You’re All I Need, the single reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the R&B chart. The easy chemistry between the two singers gives the song the warmth that still makes the recording sound timeless.

# 6 – Shapes Of Things – The Yardbirds

The Yardbirds’ “Shapes of Things” remains one of the pivotal psychedelic rock singles of the 1960s. Jim McCarty, Keith Relf, and Paul Samwell-Smith wrote the song, and Giorgio Gomelsky produced the recording. The track was assembled during American sessions at Chess Studios in Chicago and Columbia and RCA studios in Hollywood between late 1965 and early 1966. Jeff Beck’s explosive guitar work sits alongside Relf’s vocal, Chris Dreja’s rhythm guitar, Samwell-Smith’s bass, and McCarty’s drums. Released in February 1966, “Shapes of Things” reached number three in the United Kingdom and number eleven in the United States.

Read More: Top 10 Yardbirds Songs

# 5 – Every Little Thing – Yes

Yes transformed The Beatles’ “Every Little Thing” into a long, adventurous progressive-rock arrangement on the band’s 1969 debut album. John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the original song, while Paul Clay and Yes produced this recording. Jon Anderson handles the lead vocal and percussion, with Chris Squire on bass and backing vocals, Peter Banks on guitar and backing vocals, Tony Kaye on organ and piano, and Bill Bruford on drums and vibraphone. The band stretches the compact Beatles composition into nearly six minutes of shifting dynamics and instrumental interplay. It is an early example of the musical ambition that would soon become central to the Yes sound.

# 4 – All Things Must Pass – George Harrison

George Harrison - All Things Must Pass [LP] (Vinyl/LP)

George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” is the emotional centerpiece and title track of his 1970 triple album. Harrison wrote the song in 1968 and introduced it to The Beatles during the January 1969 Get Back sessions, but the group never released its own studio version. Harrison and Phil Spector produced his solo recording, which began at Abbey Road Studios and continued through the album sessions in 1970. The recording features Harrison on vocals and guitars with musicians including Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, Pete Drake, Bobby Whitlock, Ringo Starr, and Jim Gordon. The song’s message about change and impermanence became one of Harrison’s defining statements as a solo artist.

# 3 – Livin’ Thing – Electric Light Orchestra

Electric Light Orchestra’s “Livin’ Thing” is one of Jeff Lynne’s finest combinations of pop melody, rock rhythm, and orchestral color. Lynne wrote and produced the song for the 1976 album A New World Record, recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich. His lead vocal and guitar are joined by Bev Bevan’s drums, Richard Tandy’s keyboards, Kelly Groucutt’s bass and backing vocals, Mik Kaminski’s violin, and the group’s string players. The dramatic opening quickly gives way to a chorus that made the song one of ELO’s most recognizable singles. “Livin’ Thing” reached number four on the official UK chart and number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100.

# 2 – Wild Thing – The Troggs

The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” remains one of the simplest and most instantly recognizable rock records of the 1960s. Chip Taylor wrote the song, which had first been recorded by The Wild Ones before The Troggs cut their version in 1966. Larry Page produced the recording, with Reg Presley on lead vocals, Chris Britton on guitar, Pete Staples on bass, and Ronnie Bond on drums. The primitive guitar pattern, vocal delivery, and famous ocarina break give the record an intentionally rough character that became part of its appeal. The Troggs’ version reached number two on the official UK chart and became an enduring garage-rock standard.

# 1 – Oh! You Pretty Things – David Bowie

David Bowie’s “Oh! You Pretty Things” wraps ideas about human evolution and generational change inside one of the brightest melodies on Hunky Dory. Bowie wrote the song and co-produced the recording with Ken Scott during the 1971 sessions at Trident Studios in London. Bowie’s vocal and piano sit at the center of the track, with Trevor Bolder on bass, Mick Woodmansey on drums, and Mick Ronson contributing backing vocals and string arrangement. The piano credit has been discussed differently by participants over the years, but the finished recording remains one of the album’s defining performances. Released on Hunky Dory in December 1971, “Oh! You Pretty Things” showed Bowie moving decisively toward the strange, theatrical songwriting that would define his next phase.