[Accordion] Stylish and Unforgettable Once You Hear Them: Famous Songs from Around the World
Since its birth in the 18th century, the accordion has been beloved around the world, especially in Europe.
With roots in the Chinese sheng, this instrument enchants listeners with a stylish and resplendent tone that instantly evokes images of Europe’s cobblestone streets, continuing to captivate hearts for many years.
Here, we’ve gathered works that feature the accordion as the main instrument, as well as pieces that pair beautifully with its sound.
Each selection showcases the accordion’s unique charm—enjoy them to the very end!
- [Accordion] Stylish and Unforgettable Once You Hear Them: Famous Songs from Around the World
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- Piano Medley: World-Class Masterpieces and Popular Songs
- Dance music from Western artists that was a hit in the 1970s. World-famous and popular songs.
- [Classic Hits of the 70s] A Compilation of Western Songs Used in Commercials
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- [Winter Songs] Classic Showa-era masterpieces. Popular songs you’ll want to listen to in winter.
- [Classical] Exquisite Tones: Masterpieces and Popular Pieces for Pipe Organ
[Accordion] Stylish and Unforgettable World Masterpieces (1–10)
La CumparsitaGerardo Matos Rodríguez
La Cumparsita, composed in 1916 by Uruguayan composer and pianist Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, is his signature work and an undisputed tango classic.
In his homeland of Uruguay, it is affectionately known as the “second national anthem” or the “national anthem of tango,” and it is also embraced in Argentina as a quintessential Argentine tango, loved by many as if it were their own national song.
The tango’s distinctive rhythm and the accordion’s tone—combining passionate intensity with a seductive allure—are an exceptionally perfect match, earning the piece widespread acclaim as a masterpiece for the accordion.
Tea for twoVincent Youmans
Composed in 1924, “Tea for Two” is now loved around the world as a jazz standard.
This piece lets you enjoy the rich, pleasant resonance that is characteristic of the accordion.
Hearing its light, catchy melody might make you feel as if you’re skipping through stylish European streets.
Many accordionists perform it with the kind of improvised arrangements unique to jazz, so it can be fun to explore and find a rendition you like.
Aux Champs-ÉlyséesMichael Wilshaw
This song is inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
In Japan, it became a huge hit as a French song and was long treated as chanson or French pop, but in fact it is said to be based on a song released in the UK in 1968.
The song, which was also a hit in Japan, had Japanese lyrics written for it and was covered.
[Accordion] Stylish and Unforgettable World Masterpieces (11–20)
Bésame MuchoConsuelo Velázquez
Bésame Mucho, composed by Mexican female composer Consuelo Velázquez when she was just 17.
Hearing this sultry melody, which expresses a sweet longing for love, who would imagine it was created by a 17-year-old girl? Said to be the most covered Spanish-language song, it has been translated into many languages and sung around the world.
With its blend of chic elegance and passionate atmosphere, the piece pairs exquisitely with the accordion’s wistful timbre—so much so that one might mistake it for music written for the instrument.
The Last WaltzBarry Mason／Les Reed
The Last Waltz is a love song that became a massive hit when sung by Engelbert Humperdinck, a British pop singer who was immensely popular with women for his charming looks and voice in 1967.
It reached No.
1 on the UK charts and No.
25 in the US.
Its wistful melody also makes it a masterpiece that pairs perfectly with the accordion.
La MerCharles Trenet
It is a song composed by French lyricist-composer and chanson singer Charles Trenet, and “La Mer” means “the sea.” In English it is known as “Beyond the Sea” and is loved around the world.
It was also used as the ending song for the Disney animated film Finding Nemo.
Dead LeavesJoseph Kosma
It’s a chanson masterpiece that evokes images of accordion, chanson, and “Autumn Leaves.” It’s also often performed as a jazz standard, and here it’s played by a quartet.
Perhaps a simple, beautiful song like this can be adapted to any genre.