Ranking of Popular Jazz Songs

I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody Like I’m Loving You)Benny Goodman50rank/position

I Never Knew I Could Love Anybody (Like I m Loving You)

Here is a piece performed by the Benny Goodman Orchestra, led by clarinetist Benny Goodman—renowned as a leading figure of swing jazz and known for “Sing, Sing, Sing.” It was originally a song with lyrics, and Judy Garland’s version is also famous, so you might enjoy comparing the two.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Spring Is HereBill Evans51rank/position

Spring Is Here (Album Version)

Like weaving pale light, the delicate tones spun from the piano by American pianist Bill Evans sink deep into the heart.

Recorded in New York in December 1959 and included on the album “Portrait in Jazz,” this piece beautifully captures both the joy of spring’s arrival and the fragile feelings that, for some reason, keep one from embracing that joy straightforwardly.

The conversational interplay of Scott LaFaro’s bass and Paul Motian’s drums renders loneliness and the pain of heartbreak with even greater depth.

It’s a track to savor in a quiet room at the turn of the seasons, when spring’s light and shadow intersect.

A gem of a performance recommended for those who wish to touch the subtleties of life.

Take the “A” TrainBilly Strayhorn52rank/position

Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra – Take the “A” Train (Audio)

Set in the New York City subway, this piece has continued to be loved worldwide as a jazz standard.

Composed by Billy Strayhorn in 1939 and recorded by the Duke Ellington Orchestra in February 1941, it became the ensemble’s signature theme.

There’s also a well-known anecdote that the title came from a note showing directions to Ellington’s home.

In Japan, it was featured in the film “Swing Girls,” and its lively swing feel has captivated many listeners.

When you take on performing it, it’s important to have a firm grasp of the basic AABA form.

Start by playing the simple melody as if you’re singing it, and try to feel the distinctive rhythms of jazz.

In the MoodGlenn Miller53rank/position

In the Mood

Glenn Miller, an artist known as a giant of swing jazz, passed away at the young age of 40, yet he released numerous classics during his short career.

The piece “In the Mood,” composed by Joe Garland, gained worldwide popularity through Glenn Miller’s performance.

For those who love classic swing jazz, this is an irresistible track.

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Ryo

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VortexKamasi Washington54rank/position

Kamasi Washington – Vortex | Lazarus (Adult Swim Original Series Soundtrack)

This is a new track by Kamasi Washington, created as the opening theme for director Shinichirō Watanabe’s latest anime, LAZARUS, released in March 2025.

Over its substantial 6 minutes and 23 seconds, a sweeping jazz ensemble and a powerful saxophone solo unfold, crafting a sonic world brimming with chaotic energy and exhilaration.

Through its fusion with the anime, the piece draws out a fresh appeal unlike anything before, marking a new frontier in contemporary jazz where the distinct art forms of jazz and animation harmonize beautifully.

It’s a cool, heat-banishing tune for summer evenings—highly recommended not only for jazz fans but also for anime enthusiasts.

Fly With the WindMcCoy Tyner55rank/position

McCoy Tyner – Fly With the Wind – [Fly With the Wind] 1976

McCoy Tyner, a legendary pianist in jazz history, was a great musician who began his career in the 1950s and continued to lead the scene for many years until his passing in 2020 at age 81.

In BLUE GIANT, the piece performed during practice by the protagonist Dai Miyamoto, the virtuoso pianist Yukinori Sawabe, and the novice drummer Tamada is the title track from McCoy’s classic 1976 album Fly With The Wind.

It’s remarkable that a beginner tackled an over-eight-minute piece right off the bat—and that the original drummer on the recording was the ultra-technical Billy Cobham.

By the way, the original features flute rather than saxophone, and is distinguished by a flowing, opulent ensemble with added strings!

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KOH-1

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Blue in GreenMiles Davis56rank/position

Miles Davis – Blue In Green (Official Audio)

This piece by Miles Davis gracefully sets the tone for a special night with a quiet, meditative atmosphere.

The whisper of a muted trumpet blends with the crystalline resonance of the piano, conjuring in the mind a scene like a watercolor where blues and greens softly bleed together.

Its introspective beauty elevates the space without intruding on dining or conversation.

The work appears on the 1959 August release Kind of Blue, an album renowned as a masterpiece of modern jazz.

Employing modal jazz techniques that are not bound by traditional chord progressions, this landmark recording has continued to be cherished worldwide, earning an exceptional 5× Platinum certification for a jazz album.

Brimming with charm, it adds a refined, adult mood to a calm dinner or an evening at the bar.