Claude Debussy, a French composer sometimes referred to as an Impressionist due to his distinctive compositional techniques seen in notable works such as La mer and Nocturnes.
This time, we’re focusing on his music.
We’ve compiled a ranked list of his most popular pieces based on the highest play counts on YouTube to date.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering him for the first time, please take a look if you’re interested.
Claude Debussy Popular Songs Ranking [2026] (1–10)
Clair de lune, the 3rd piece from the Suite bergamasqueClaude Debussy1rank/position
Clair de Lune - Debussy
The masterpieces created by Claude Debussy are distinguished by a dreamlike atmosphere, as if expressing moonlight through sound.
The beautiful melodies woven by the piano’s gentle timbre seem to conjure before your eyes a nightscape bathed in moonlight.
This work, whose revised edition was published in 1905, was also featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” broadcast in August 1971, and it has become widely beloved in Japan.
It is a recommended piece for times when you want to soothe a tired heart or spend a leisurely moment.
Surrendering yourself to its elegant melody will help you step away from the bustle of everyday life and spend your time in a calm, peaceful state.
What we introduce here is a beautiful piano miniature by Claude Debussy from 1890, as if drifting through a dream.
It is characterized by a gently sweet melody and arpeggios that weave a fantastical atmosphere, inviting the listener into a pleasant doze.
Close your eyes quietly, and you can almost see a cool, serene scene—like dozing in the shade on a summer day.
The piece was later given lyrics by Larry Clinton and became a hit in 1938 as “My Reverie,” sung by artists including Bing Crosby.
It’s highly recommended for those seeking a musical experience that makes you forget the summer heat, or for times when you want to soak in a calm mood—you’re sure to have a lovely time listening.
High-Quality Audio [Clair de lune — Debussy] Debussy — Clair de Lune / CANACANA
One of the most renowned pieces from the Suite bergamasque by French composer Claude Debussy, who was active from the late 19th to the early 20th century.
Inspired by a poem by Paul Verlaine, this work beautifully conveys the emotional depth that lies within silence and beauty.
Composed around 1900, Debussy employed innovative harmonies and modes in this piece.
Why not spend a peaceful moment listening to its gentle melody, which resonates deeply with the listener’s heart?
Sacred and Secular DancesClaude Debussy5rank/position
Debussy’s Danse sacrée et danse profane, featuring Gulnara Mashurova
Among Claude Debussy’s works, Danses sacrée et profane is one in which Impressionist elements are particularly prominent.
Composed to explore new possibilities for the harp, the piece is said to represent Debussy’s attempt to break away from conventional musical frameworks through a quest for freer forms and harmonies.
Consisting of two contrasting sections—the solemn “Sacred Dance” and the buoyant “Profane Dance”—this work fully showcases Debussy’s gift for expressing silence, nature, and abstract images through sound.
Suite bergamasque: I. PréludeClaude Debussy6rank/position
Samson Francois plays Debussy Suite Bergamasque : Prelude
Claude Debussy, a composer who represents French Impressionism.
The first piece, “Prélude,” from his early piano suite Suite bergamasque begins with a calm, radiant melody, and in the middle section adopts archaic church modes that impart a distinctive sense of weightless suspension.
While its technical difficulty is not particularly high, it demands delicate tone colors and rich expressivity, making it a highly artistic work; Samson François’s celebrated performance continues to captivate many listeners.
Allowing one to sense Debussy’s innovative musicality while also evoking the flavor of Baroque style, this piece is sure to let you savor the full appeal of classical music.
From beginners to advanced players, do give it a try in performance.
Prints, No. 3: ‘Gardens in the Rain’Claude Debussy7rank/position
Rain Garden (Debussy) – Debussy: Jardins sous la pluie – Estampes – pianomaedaful
Among Claude Debussy’s works, this piece is renowned for exemplifying the characteristics of Impressionist music.
It evokes the scene of a rain-soaked garden with a transparent, shimmering tone color.
While skillfully incorporating French folk melodies, it features distinctive harmonic progressions that make bold use of chromaticism and the whole-tone scale.
At its premiere in Paris in January 1904, pianist Ricardo Viñes’s performance was reportedly met with great acclaim.
It is an ideal work for those wishing to explore Debussy’s sound world, as well as for pianists seeking to refine a delicate touch and rich expressive palette.
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