[Wind Ensemble] Recommended Western pop songs for concerts: timeless classics from every era

The Girl From IpanemaAstrud Gilberto

The Girl from Ipanema - Astrud Gilberto

It’s a bossa nova piece composed in 1962 by Brazil’s Antônio Carlos Jobim, which became famous the following year when Astrud Gilberto released it with English lyrics.

The song has been covered widely around the world and is often used in wind ensembles as well.

All I Want For Chirstmas Is YouMariah Carey

Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Official Video)

A signature song by the popular American female singer Mariah Carey, released in 1994.

During the Christmas season, you hear it everywhere, and there are countless covers and arrangements.

In wind ensembles as well, groups that hold concerts during the holiday season almost always perform it.

You Raise Me UpSECRET GARDEN

You raise me up with Secret Garden

It’s a piece released in 2002 by a duo from Ireland and Norway.

It was originally an instrumental, but many artists have covered it and added lyrics.

In Japan, it became well-known after being used in a figure skating program and is also frequently performed by wind bands.

Highway StarDeep Purple

Deep Purple – Highway Star 1972 Video HQ

One of the signature songs by Deep Purple, a rock band formed in the UK.

It’s still used as background music on TV and in commercials, so even people who don’t know the band or song name have likely heard it.

In concert band settings, it’s often performed as the “Deep Purple Medley,” a popular piece in concerts.

let It BeThe Beatles

The Beatles – Let It Be

Let It Be, released in 1970 by the Beatles, the ultra-famous British band known to everyone.

Many Beatles songs have been arranged not only for wind ensemble but also for piano and guitar, and among them I think this song has the most arrangements.

It’s a slow ballad with a relatively simple progression, making it easy to perform and popular even among junior-high and high-school students.

I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston

Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You – Lyrics

A signature song by Whitney Houston, who passed away in 2012, it was released in 1994 as a re-cut single from an album and became a huge hit in Japan.

Covered around the world and often performed by wind ensembles, it remains a highly popular piece.

MY HEART WILL GO ONCéline Dion

Céline Dion – My Heart Will Go On (from the 2007 DVD “Live In Las Vegas – A New Day…”)

It became famous as the theme of James Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic and is also one of Celine Dion’s signature songs.

Film music is often featured in wind ensemble concerts, and among those pieces, this song has been hugely popular and frequently performed since it was first released.