![[2026] A Roundup of Recommended Western Songs for Jam Sessions](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/VF-FGf_ZZiI/maxresdefault.webp)
If you play an instrument, being able to enjoy jam sessions is probably one of your goals.
Through improvisation, players can elevate each other’s musicianship and create special music that can only be born in the moment.
Still, many people may wonder, “Which songs should I start with?” So this time, from among Western songs beloved by musicians around the world, we’ll introduce tracks that are easy to incorporate into jam sessions.
By playing these songs, your jam session experience is sure to become richer.
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[2026] A Selection of Western Songs Recommended for Jam Sessions (1–10)
Bad HabitSteve Lacy
Steve Lacy has earned high praise from dedicated soul aficionados around the world for his sophisticated musicality.
His distinctive style—modern takes on authentic neo-soul that recalls the vibe of early D’Angelo—has become especially popular.
This track, a single from the July 2022 album “Gemini Rights,” went viral on TikTok and earned him his first No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The guitar riff serves as the main hook, and the chord progression is simple.
Its unique blend of R&B, indie rock, and lo-fi leaves space for each instrument—guitar, bass, and drums—to express freely in a jam setting.
The slightly overdriven guitar tone and laid-back tempo feel great, and the structure makes it easy to try improvisation.
Rather than focusing on playing it in a hyper-stylish way, feel free to enjoy it with your own arrangement.
Virtual InsanityJamiroquai
Sounding an alarm about a modern society ruled by technology, this track is one of Jamiroquai’s signature songs, featured on their 1996 album “Travelling Without Moving.” Its groovy blend of funk and acid jazz lends itself well to jam sessions, opening up plenty of room for improvisation and allowing drummers, bassists, and keyboard players alike to showcase their individuality.
In 1997, the song won Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards, and it went on to earn a Grammy the following year.
The production story—said to have been inspired by Sapporo’s underground mall—is fascinating as well.
The interlocking rhythm section feels great, and suggesting this tune for a session is sure to help boost your band’s overall skill level!
Seven Nation ArmyThe White Stripes
Despite being a minimal duo of guitar and drums, The White Stripes commanded an overwhelming presence and became an emblem of the 2000s garage rock revival.
Opening their 2003 album Elephant, this track is defined by its unforgettable main riff.
Though it sounds like a bass, that riff is actually played on a semi-hollow guitar dropped an octave using a Whammy pedal.
It’s an extremely simple phrase on the surface, but the more you play it, the more depth it reveals—making it perfect for sessions where everyone can feel a strong sense of unity.
A masterpiece among masterpieces that won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and is beloved worldwide—so much so that it’s even used as a soccer walkout anthem—why not try it as a jam-session standard?
Feel Like Makin’ LoveRoberta Flack
Roberta Flack, a leading female soul singer of the 1970s.
Known for her soft, “velvet” voice, she has released numerous classics, and one of her signature songs is this track, released as a single in June 1974.
Composed by Eugene McDaniels, who is said to have written it in about 45 minutes, the piece is a slow-tempo jazz ballad that paints a scene of sensing the shift from winter to spring while strolling through a park, carried by gentle piano and strings.
It reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first female artist to achieve No.
1 for three consecutive years.
Its smooth feel, which doesn’t demand a wide vocal range or powerful projection, also makes it ideal for session performances.
If I Ain’t Got YouAlicia Keys
Alicia Keys captivates with her classical piano technique and powerful voice.
This piece is a gem of an R&B ballad included on her album “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” released in December 2003.
Its jazz-influenced chord progression and 6/8 swing feel are exquisite, making it perfectly suited for improvised playing in sessions.
The lyrics convey a universal message: the presence of a loved one matters more than material wealth.
Born in the aftermath of events like Aaliyah’s passing and the 9/11 attacks, the song carries profound emotion.
In 2004, it spent six weeks at No.
1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and won a Grammy, cementing its status as a classic.
The simple arrangement centered on piano and vocals allows each performer’s individuality to shine, letting you fully savor the joy of making music with others.
Stand By MeBen E. King
Beloved worldwide as a soul classic, this song is a staple of jam sessions.
Released as a single in 1961, it became a hit again when it was featured in the 1986 film “Stand by Me.” Its chord progression follows a simple pattern known as the “’50s progression,” making it easy to play even for first-time jammers.
The bass line is based on a repeating phrase that’s easy to memorize, and the guitar can capture the vibe well with straightforward chord strumming.
If you have a keyboard, you can cover the strings part, and the drums work with a basic beat.
The melody is one everyone’s heard, so just playing it creates a sense of unity and naturally gets the crowd going.
Sweet Home ChicagoThe Blues Brothers
This classic is a quintessential blues standard, beloved at jam sessions around the world.
Robert Johnson recorded the original in 1936, and The Blues Brothers featured it in their 1980 film The Blues Brothers, including it on the soundtrack album The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack Recording.
Its appeal lies above all in its simple chord progression and memorable melody.
Because it follows the basic 12-bar blues form, it’s easy for first-time jammers to join in, and it gives plenty of freedom for horn sections and solo instruments to improvise.
In the film, it’s performed as a tribute to Magic Sam, a Chicago blues guitarist from the 1960s, and the nearly eight-minute live performance is included as-is.
It’s a perfect pick if you’re looking for a jam-session staple or just want to enjoy the blues casually with friends!