Ranking of Popular Jazz Songs
Jazz is a genre of music born in America in the 19th century.
Blending traditional African music with Western music, jazz captivates with its distinctive groove and passionate performances rooted in Black music.
From there, it has influenced a wide range of musical styles, and today its spirit can be felt in countless settings.
In this article, we’ll introduce classic jazz tunes in a ranked list.
In Japan, jazz is often considered “grown-up music,” but I hope the songs featured here inspire many people to fall in love with jazz.
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- Jacques Ibert Popular Song Ranking [2026]
Jazz Popular Song Rankings (11–20)
A Love Supreme, Pt. I – AcknowledgementJohn Coltrane15rank/position
This track is performed with the mature, seductive groove of the legendary John Coltrane, a saxophonist who represents America and whose name you may have heard even if you’re not a jazz fan.
It is a masterpiece of complex and artistic ensemble work that expresses the depth of jazz and the freedom inherent in music.
Coloration BluesEGO-WRAPPIN’16rank/position
Despite belonging to a niche genre, the unit EGO-WRAPPIN’ has garnered strong support from many listeners.
Their music is rooted in cabaret sounds that evolved from prewar jazz and in Showa-era pop, and their distinctive style has produced numerous hit songs.
Among them, one of the most famous works is “Shikisai no Blues” (“Blues of Colors”).
It’s a classic with a lush melody perfectly suited to the nighttime mood.
At a campsite, it might be nice to play it as background music before going to sleep.
MistyErroll Garner17rank/position
Inspired by a rainbow and mist seen from an airplane window, Erroll Garner is said to have improvised the masterpiece “Misty.” Its romantic, slightly wistful melody ranks among the most popular jazz standards and is widely cherished as a beautiful ballad.
First included on the 1954 album “Contrasts,” it continued to captivate audiences across generations, notably featuring memorably in the 1971 film “Play Misty for Me.” With its relaxed tempo, it’s easy for the fingers to follow, allowing players to savor the resonance of the chords—one of the piece’s great attractions.
Start by carefully aligning the simple melody with the left-hand accompaniment rhythm, and try to evoke a dreamlike, mist-shrouded atmosphere.
On the Sunny Side of the StreetThe Manhattan Transfer18rank/position
It was used as a commercial song for Nestlé’s “Home Café Series” and Asahi Beer’s “Clear Asahi,” among others.
The song was released in 1930 for a Broadway musical, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and music by Jimmy McHugh.
Later, it was performed by a stellar lineup of jazz musicians, including Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey, and Count Basie, and became a jazz standard.
Fly Me To The MoonDiana Krall19rank/position
This song, often called the standard among jazz standards, is one that many beginner jazz vocalists take on.
So many artists have recorded it that there are plenty of reference tracks to learn from, which is really helpful.
The lyrics are relatively simple and free of difficult words, making it a good choice even for those not familiar with English.
If you get the feel of jazz swing with this tune, you’ll be able to sing other songs stylishly as well.
Cantaloupe IslandHerbie Hancock20rank/position
Herbie Hancock, who continually pushes the boundaries of jazz with innovative ideas and outstanding performance, remains at the forefront of the music world.
Among his brilliant achievements, there’s a piece from the 1964 masterpiece Empyrean Isles that perfectly suits the atmosphere of a stylish restaurant.
Its irresistibly catchy, funky piano riff and the bluesy tone of Freddie Hubbard’s cornet create a groove that’s incredibly cool.
It evokes the openness of spending time on a tropical island and makes an ideal BGM for enjoying an elegant meal while lively conversation flows.
In 1993, a track by Us3 that sampled it reached No.
9 on the U.S.
charts, and it has also been featured in film soundtracks, proving that its appeal remains timeless.
Jazz Popular Song Rankings (21–30)
Birds of FireMahavishnu Orchestra21rank/position
The Mahavishnu Orchestra is an innovative group formed in New York in 1971 that fused jazz, rock, and Indian music.
This piece depicts flight and liberation through shifting time signatures and tightly unified unison lines between violin and guitar, with the protagonist ascending under the guidance of an inner flame.
It is the title track of the album Birds of Fire, released in March 1973, an important work following their previous album The Inner Mounting Flame.
It was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Performance at the 1974 Grammy Awards.
Recommended for mornings when you want to reset your mood, night drives, or times when you need to focus.