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

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From existential musings to swaggering bravado, the songs in this collection examine desire, conflict, and the search for meaning through some of the most defining moments in rock, pop, and soul history.

# 10 – What Is Life – George Harrison

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

Since so many Legendary Classic songs utilize the word what in the title, we wanted to open up this list with a special one. In fact, we could have actually closed this one because it’s just so good. This is easily one of George Harrison’s greatest solo releases. “What Is Life” was recorded during the sessions for All Things Must Pass and released as the album’s second single on February 15, 1971. The song, which Harrison originally intended for Billy Preston, featured an expansive production driven by Phil Spector’s signature Wall of Sound technique. Recorded at EMI Studios and Trident Studios in London in 1970, the track included contributions from an ensemble of musicians, including Eric Clapton, members of Badfinger, and Delaney & Bonnie’s touring band.
Read More: Top 10 George Harrison Songs

# 9 – What’s Up – 4 Non Blondes

Released in March 1993, “What’s Up?” became the defining song for 4 Non Blondes, propelling the band to international fame with a single that captured a sense of generational frustration and longing. Written by lead vocalist Linda Perry, the track was recorded at The Plant in Sausalito, California, and produced by David Tickle. Perry, dissatisfied with the initial studio version, took the initiative to re-record her vocals to restore the song’s raw intensity. The result was an anthem that resonated worldwide, reaching number one in eleven countries and cementing itself as one of the most recognizable alternative rock songs of the decade.
While “What’s Up?” was 4 Non Blondes’ only major hit, Linda Perry went on to become one of the most influential producers and songwriters of her generation. After leaving the band, she established herself as a behind-the-scenes powerhouse, penning and producing massive hits for artists such as Pink, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, and Adele. Her contributions to Aguilera’s Stripped album, particularly “Beautiful,” earned her critical acclaim, and her work with artists across genres cemented her reputation as a visionary in modern pop and rock music. Though Perry moved away from the spotlight as a performer, “What’s Up?” remained a cornerstone of her legacy, a song that not only defined an era but also marked the beginning of a career that reshaped the sound of contemporary music.
Read More: Top 10 4 Non Blondes Songs

# 8 – What Do You Do for Money Honey – AC/DC

“What Do You Do for Money Honey” was recorded by AC/DC for their seminal album Back in Black, released on July 25, 1980. The album marked the band’s first full-length release following the death of Bon Scott and introduced Brian Johnson as the new lead vocalist. The track was recorded between April and May 1980 at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, with production handled by Robert John “Mutt” Lange. The lineup featured Angus Young on lead guitar, Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, Cliff Williams on bass, Phil Rudd on drums, and Johnson on vocals. This album, including “What Do You Do for Money Honey,” was later mixed at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. Back in Black went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time.

# 7 – What I Like About You – The Romantics

The Romantics captured the essence of power pop with “What I Like About You,” a high-energy anthem that became one of the defining tracks of the early 1980s. I mean, how many times did you see this video on MTV in the early ’80s, especially the first 2 years? Released on their self-titled debut album in 1979, the song was recorded at Coconuts Recording Studio in Miami and produced by Pete Solley. Featuring a raw, garage-rock intensity, it combined infectious hooks, a driving rhythm, and an exuberant vocal delivery from drummer Jimmy Marinos.
Read More: Top 10 Songs From The Romantics

# 6 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2

U2 crafted one of their most spiritually resonant and enduring anthems with “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” a track that captured both the band’s evolving sound and their lyrical depth. Recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, the song was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno for The Joshua Tree, released on March 9, 1987. The recording process saw the band experimenting with gospel-inspired vocal arrangements while maintaining the atmospheric textures that had become a hallmark of their collaboration with Eno and Lanois. The song stood apart from much of their previous work by embracing a looser, more organic structure, driven by a hypnotic rhythm from drummer Larry Mullen Jr. and Adam Clayton’s understated bass line. The Edge’s shimmering guitar work, combined with Bono’s impassioned vocal delivery, reinforced the song’s introspective yet anthemic quality. Upon release, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” became one of U2’s most successful singles, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

# 5 – What’s So Funny About Peace, Love And Understanding – Nick Lowe

Nick Lowe’s “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” emerged as an unflinching reflection on cynicism and disillusionment, cloaked in the energy of pub rock and power pop. Originally recorded in 1974 by Lowe’s band Brinsley Schwarz, the song took on a new life when he revisited it as a solo artist and later through Elvis Costello & the Attractions’ widely celebrated rendition.

# 4 – What The World Needs Now Is Love- Burt Bacharach

Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love” became one of the most enduring pop songs of the 1960s, delivering a message of unity and compassion against the backdrop of a turbulent era. Written in 1965, the song was first recorded by Jackie DeShannon and produced by Bacharach himself at Bell Sound Studios in New York City. With its sophisticated orchestration, elegant melody, and direct yet profound lyrics, the song reflected Bacharach and David’s signature approach to songwriting—combining complex musicality with accessible emotional resonance. DeShannon’s warm and expressive vocal delivery carried the song’s plea for universal love, helping it resonate deeply with listeners.
Read More: Top 20 Burt Bacharach Songs

# 3 – What’s Your Name – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “What’s Your Name” captured the excess and chaos of life on the road, blending Southern rock swagger with a narrative drawn directly from the band’s own experiences. Released in 1977 on Street Survivors, the song chronicled the debauchery of a touring musician’s life, from hotel-room escapades to run-ins with the police, all set against a backdrop of bluesy guitar licks and honky-tonk piano. Produced by Tom Dowd, the track was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami and Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, featuring Ronnie Van Zant on vocals, Allen Collins and Gary Rossington on guitars, Leon Wilkeson on bass, Billy Powell on piano, and Artimus Pyle on drums. The album would become one of Skynyrd’s most famous, not only for its music but for the tragic plane crash that claimed Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines just days after its release.
Read More: 10 Most Rocking Lynyrd Skynyrd Songs

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

The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” blended rock, gospel, and orchestral elements into one of the band’s most ambitious compositions. Recorded between November 1968 and July 1969 at Olympic Sound Studios in London, the song was produced by Jimmy Miller and featured a choir introduction performed by the London Bach Choir. Mick Jagger’s lead vocals carried a sense of weary observation, while Keith Richards layered acoustic and electric guitar parts. Charlie Watts played drums on the main track, but producer Jimmy Miller contributed to additional percussion. Al Kooper, best known for his work with Bob Dylan and Blood, Sweat & Tears, played piano, organ, and the distinctive French horn intro, adding a stately quality to the song’s grand arrangement. Released as the B-side to “Honky Tonk Women,” the track appeared on Let It Bleed, an album that reflected both the turbulence of the late ’60s and the band’s transition after the departure of Brian Jones.
Read More: Complete List Of Rolling Stones Songs From A to Z

# 1 – What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” was recorded in June 1970 at Hitsville U.S.A., the legendary Motown studio in Detroit, and released as a single on January 20, 1971. Written by Gaye, Al Cleveland, and Renaldo “Obie” Benson of the Four Tops, the song diverged from Motown’s traditional focus on love and romance, addressing social and political unrest with a level of depth and urgency rarely heard in mainstream soul music. The track was produced by Gaye himself, marking his shift toward greater artistic independence. The instrumentation featured members of Motown’s in-house band, the Funk Brothers, with James Jamerson delivering one of his most revered bass performances. Saxophonist Eli Fontaine’s improvisational introduction became one of the song’s defining elements, adding a mournful yet elegant quality to its opening moments.
Read More: Top 10 Marvin Gaye Songs