Brian Eno Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

BackwaterBrian Eno8rank/position

Brian Eno – Backwater

Known as one of Brian Eno’s signature works, this piece is included on the album Before and After Science, released in November 1977.

It features atmospheric sounds that invite the listener on a mysterious journey, along with suggestive, thought-provoking lyrics.

The phrase “sailing on the edge of time” is repeated, creating a sense of drifting in an undefined space.

Eno described this work as “music of the sea,” contrasting it with the “music of the sky” of his previous album, Another Green World.

Blending gentle beauty with experimentation, it also makes an ideal background soundtrack for work or daily life.

Eno’s flexible musical style, rooted in his British background, may be why he is celebrated as the ultimate artist.

By This RiverBrian Eno9rank/position

Brian Eno – By This River

A piece by the British musician Brian Eno, known for its gentle melody and serene atmosphere.

Included on the album Before and After Science, released in November 1977, this song portrays two people standing still by a riverside.

Against the backdrop of a constantly changing world, the protagonist’s lost sense of place is sung over calm tones.

With its unhurried tempo and sparse arrangement, it’s perfect for moments of relaxation or quiet reflection.

It’s also often used as background music in museums and galleries, creating a soothing, inviting space.

Cluster & EnoBrian Eno10rank/position

Cluster & Eno – Cluster & Eno (Full Album) 1977

The album “Cluster & Eno” by Brian Eno and Cluster is also considered a classic among ambient fans.

It feels more floaty than drone-like, so I think it’s easier to listen to.

Deep Blue DayBrian Eno11rank/position

Brian Eno — Deep Blue Day

A beautiful instrumental piece crafted by Brian Eno, an innovative artist who represents the British music scene.

This work is included on the 1983 album “Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks.” Marked by ambient sounds influenced by country music, it features the distinctive tone of the pedal steel guitar.

In attempting to express astronauts’ experiences through music, it brilliantly conveys the sensation of weightless drift.

It was also used in the 1996 film “Trainspotting,” becoming a memorable classic for many.

This is a track perfect for quiet nights or for calming the mind, best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

Energy Fools The MagicianBrian Eno12rank/position

Brian Eno – Energy Fools The Magician

An instrumental piece by British musician Brian Eno that evokes energy capable of beguiling a magician.

Included on the album Before and After Science, released in November 1977, this work creates a richly textured sonic space despite its brief, roughly two-minute duration.

The tense atmosphere shaped by Percy Jones’s bass harmonics is particularly striking.

Contributions from top musicians like Phil Collins also underpin its distinctive world.

It’s well-suited for museum listening or as background music while working, helping to enhance concentration.

Its open-ended character invites each listener’s own emotions and imagery, a hallmark of Eno’s artistry.

Fullness Of The WindBrian Eno13rank/position

Brian Eno – Fullness Of The Wind

This piece is from the album Discreet Music, released in December 1975 by British musician Brian Eno, known as a pioneer of ambient music.

It is one of the variations based on Pachelbel’s Canon, in which a simple melody is repeated over a long span of time, containing both the beauty of silence and an undercurrent of unease.

The work grew out of Eno’s experience listening to 18th-century harp music while hospitalized, and it explores a new concept of music as part of the environment.

Its gentle resonance makes it ideal as background music for relaxation or focused work.

HomeBrian Eno14rank/position

Brian Eno & David Byrne – Home

This work was created by Brian Eno, an innovator in the British music scene, teaming up with David Byrne.

It’s a track from the 1981 album “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts,” celebrated for its exquisite blend of pop and ambient.

Characterized by experimental soundscapes that make extensive use of sampling and cut-up techniques while incorporating elements of folk music from around the world, it both frees the listener’s mind and serves as a pleasant background soundtrack—truly like “furniture” made of sound.

It’s perfect not only as background music for work, but also for unwinding at the end of the day.