The AMBQ playlist—50+ “question” songs
(compiled via Spotify by Warren Berger)
When I was writing A More Beautiful Question, or, more accurately when I was procrastinating from writing the book, I began compiling the below list of songs that have to do with questions (often in the title) AND that I like (for the most part).
Then four years later, I once again turned to this playlist while researching and writing my follow-up book, The Book of Beautiful Questions. That book features powerful questions you can ask of yourself or others to get better results in these 4 key areas: decision-making, leadership, creativity, and interpersonal connections. The fun thing is, judging by my Google analytics, more than 200,000 folks around the world have also enjoyed this playlist over the last four years—in fact, it’s long been one of the top three visited pages on this website.
The songs in the Spotify player below aren’t in any particular order, except that sometimes one song title makes sense following the one before. Below the Spotify player is my original annotated list, with the full list of 50 or so titles (Spotify didn’t have some of them), and all the many additions I and readers have made over the years.
Thanks to all who’ve added on to the list by leaving more great question song titles in the comments.
Enjoy! (Related: My Reading List)
{Use the scroll bar to see all the songs ↓}
My annotated list
- “What’s so funny ’bout Peace, Love & Understanding?” (Elvis Costello – personal favorite)
- “Does anybody really know what time it is?” (Chicago)
- “Where have all the flowers gone?” (in honor of the man, Pete Seeger)
- Moody Blues – these guys were big-time questioners – “Are you sitting comfortably?” & “Isn’t life strange?” (and the all-time great question song, “Question”—though technically, it doesn’t have a question title).
- Creedence Clearwater – believe it or not, they did 2 question songs BOTH about rain! “Who’ll stop the rain?” & “Have you ever seen the rain?”
- “Should I stay or should I go?” (Clash)
- “What’s the frequency Kenneth?” (REM)
- “What’s your name?” – (Skynyrd)
- “Are you experienced?” (Jimi Hendrix)
- “Who will save your soul?” (Jewell)
- “How can you mend a broken heart?” & “How deep is your love?” (Bee Gees)
- “Have you seen your mother baby?” & “Doncha wanna live with me?” (Stones)
- “Tell me why?” (Neil Young)
- “When will I be loved?” (Linda Ronstadt)
- “What is life?” & “Isn’t it a pity?” (George Harrison)
- “Where is the love?” (two different songs – Roberta Flack; Black Eyed Peas)
- “Where did our love go?” & “Do you know where you’re going to?” (Diana Ross)
- “Who let the dogs out?” (by who knows who, and who cares)
- “Have you ever loved a woman?” (Clapton)
- “Why does it hurt when I pee?” (Zappa)
- “Why do fools fall in love?” (Frankie Lymon)
- “Do you love me?” (two different songs – Dave Clark Five; Guster)
- “Will you still love me tomorrow?” (Shirelles)
- “Do you feel like we do?” (Frampton)
- “Do you know what I mean?” (Lee Michaels)
- “What’s goin on?” (Marvin Gaye)
- “How long has this been going on?” (Ace)
- “War – (what is it good for?)”
- “Is she really going out with him?” (Joe Jackson)
- “Where to now, St. Peter?” (Elton John)
- “Where’s the orchestra?” (Billy Joel)
- “Do you want to know a secret?” & “Why don’t we do it in the road?” (Beatles) those versions not available on the Spotify playlist
- “Why don’t you love me like you used to do?” (Hank Williams)
- “Doesn’t anybody stay together anymore?” (Phil Collins)
- “Doesn’t anybody stay in one place anymore?” (from “So Far Away” by Carole King)
- “Isn’t she lovely?” (Stevie Wonder)
- “Wouldn’t it be nice?” (Beach Boys)
- “How will I know?” (Whitney Houston)
- “How can I be sure?” (Young Rascals)
- “Who wrote the book of love?” (The Monotones)
- Special question-songwriting honors to Hal David – “What’s It All About Alfie?” & “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” & “What’s New Pussycat?”
Latest additions to the list (from readers & me):
- “When can I see you again?” (Owl City)
- “When will I see you again?” (The Three Degrees)
- “Is this it?” (The Strokes)
- “Why?” (Annie Lennox)
- “How soon is now?” (The Smiths)
- “Are you gonna go my way?” (Lenny Kravitz)
- “Is that all there is?” (Peggy Lee)
- “What becomes of the broken hearted?” (Jimmy Ruffin)
- “Wouldn’t it be good?” (Nik Kershaw)
- “Are you lonesome tonight?” (Elvis Prestley)
- “Now that we’ve found love (what are we going to do with it?)” (Heavy D & The Boyzz)
- “Who knows where the time goes?” (Fairport Convention)
- “Do you believe in magic?” (The Lovin’ Spoonful)
- “Who’s zoomin’ who?” (Aretha Franklin)
- “Could you be loved?” (Bob Marley)
- “Am I wrong?” (Nico & Vinz)
- “Why does love got to be so sad?” (Derek & The Dominos)
- “Is you is or is you ain’t my baby?” (Louis Jordan)
- “Why can’t we be friends?” (War)
- “Do you wanna dance?” (Bobby Freeman/Beach Boys)
- “Do you really want to hurt me?” (Culture Club)
- “Where do the children play?” (Cat Stevens)
- “What’s love got to do with it?” (Tina Turner)
- “Who wants to live forever?” (Queen)
- “(Can anybody find me) someone to love?” (Queen)
- “Did you ever have to make up your mind?” (The Lovin’ Spoonful)
“Why has a book like this never been written before? Here is a persuasive case for the simple and yet extraordinary power of a question. Fascinating, engaging stories give life to a strong argument about how much can be accomplished, in every domain of our lives, ‘just’ by asking questions. Innovators, entrepreneurs, citizens, parents, teachers, idealists and realists—all of us have much to gain by reading 
“Questions have literally moved mountains, powered rockets, and instantly developed images. Berger focuses on what he calls ‘Beautiful Questions’… that can lead to game-changing answers and results. These are questions that, once raised, tend to get people thinking in a different way.”
“The desire to ask bigger and better questions is on the rise… Warren Berger has been tracking a movement toward questioning that is running very strong in Silicon Valley, but also seems to be spreading throughout the business, nonprofit and education sectors.”
I play a lot of these songs at shows and weddings and such. And actually there’s a bunch of great tunes here that I’d totally forgotten about. thanks!
Lindsay Woods
Great idea of making up such a playlist! I can contribute with the song ‘Is This It?’ by the Strokes.
Dr. Dawn
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Thanks, Dawn. “Is This It?” is added to the “addendum” list.
Warren Berger
The title is not a question, but the (pre-Rod Stewart) Small Faces hit “Itchykoo Park” contains the following unusual sequence of three questions and answers:
[(What did you do there?)] I got high
[(What did you feel there?)] Well, I cried
[(But why the tears there?)] Tell you why
It’s all too beautiful
The sequence recurs in a slightly different form.
Ken Doran
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Thanks again, Ken. Another good one!
Warren Berger
Janet Jackson – What Have You Done For Me Lately? https://youtu.be/u4TDKmEoDso
Bobby Caldwell – What You Won’t Do for Love https://youtu.be/Gru4IfbKlfU
Martha D Starks
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Thanks, Martha!
Warren Berger
Thanks Warren,
You have perfectly assembled the “question” songs and playlist. “Who will save your soul?” (Jewell) is great addition in list.
Vinay
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Thanks, Vinay. Jewell’s song title is a great cross between a philosophical question and a beautiful one.
Warren Berger
Did you ever have to make up your mind?
And pick up on one and leave the other behind?
It’s not often easy and not often kind.
Did you ever have to make up your mind?
Did you ever have to finally decide?
And say yes to one and let the other one ride?
There’s so many changes and tears you must hide.
Did you ever have to finally decide?
Soooo many questions.
Ken Doran
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Great little song by the Lovin’ Spoonful, Ken. Now I have two questions songs by them, suggested by readers, which puts Lovin’ Spoonful up there with Creedence Clearwater Revival (who have two question songs, both about rain). Thanks!
Warren Berger
What about “Who wants to live forever?” by Queen?
GISELE P DE OLIVEIRA
When will I see you again
Syed Iqbal
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
A great question song from The Three Degrees in 1973! Thanks, Syed.
Warren Berger
Do you know the way to San Jose?
Allan
Can you feel the love tonight? (Elton John)
dom
Awesome list, thanks!
You have “Have you ever loved a woman?” by (Clapton), but wasn’t it Bryan Adams?
Candice
Does Your Mother Know? ABBA
Kell
Who left the cake out in the rain?
Was EVERYBODY kung fu fighting?
Bo
If we’re talking ” quirky” questions one simply MUST include, ” who put the bomp ?” By Barry Mann and ” Does you chewing gum lose its flavor ? By Lonnie Donegan !
Enjoyed your list!
Nancy
Nancy Eaves
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Thanks, Nancy!
Warren Berger
I have a song to add to the list: “Where’s the love?” –Blackeyed Peas
Glenny
Where Do the Children Play?
-Cat Stevens
Heidi Winant
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Ah, one of my favorites, thanks!
Warren Berger
Amazing list! I am using it to teach question words for ESL speakers. I would love to see a list like this of the grammar of Beatles songs for my students. Thanks for creating this!
Yvonne
Yvonne, do you mean something like the following?
Imperatives:
All Together Now
Ask Me Why
Carry That Weight
Come Together
Don’t Bother Me
Don’t Let Me Down
Don’t Pass Me By
Get Back
Help!
Hold Me Tight
Honey Don’t
Let It Be
Love Me Do
Slow Down
Tell Me What You See
Tell Me Why
Think for Yourself
Wait
(There are a few other imperative titles, but they are used in another sense in the body of the songs themselves.)
Complete Sentences:
All You Need Is Love
Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey
Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby
Happiness Is a Warm Gun
Here Comes the Sun
I Am the Walrus (and virtually every song that begins with “I,” “I’m,” and “I’ve”)
It Won’t Be Long
It’s All Too Much
It’s Only Love
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window
She Loves You
She’s a Woman
She’s Leaving Home
There’s a Place
Tomorrow Never Knows
We Can Work It Out
You Can’t Do That [and virtually every song that begins with “You,” “You’re,” and “You’ve”)
Songs that are missing a subject:
Can’t Buy Me Love
Dig a Pony
Fixing a Hole
Getting Better
Only a Northern Song
Songs that need punctuation:
Roll Over Beethoven
Baby It’s You
Cry Baby Cry
Here There and Everywhere
Hey Bulldog
Hey Jude
Honey Don’t
I Me Mine
Please Mr. Postman
Rock and Roll Music
Thank You Girl
Yes It Is
🙂 What fun!
Barbara
Fascinating list. I love that you mentioned the Black Eyed Peas song, “Where is the Love?” both because it’s a superb song and because the video (at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc (now at over 180 million views!)) features people plastering question mark logos around a city.
The first song not yet on your list that came to my mind is Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” with the repeatedly heartbreaking line, “You got a fast car. Is it fast enough so you can fly away?”
The second song that came to my mind is Ferron’s too-little-known song imagining global nonviolent revolution, “It Won’t Take Long” which centers around a series of questions, concluding with, “Don’t you want to see yourself that strong?” There’s an audio version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5of4PUgG41w.
Ferron’s song reminded me of another revolution song, from the 4 Non-Blondes, “What’s Up” which features the question, “What’s going on?” as a refrain. The video is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NXnxTNIWkc.
Ani DiFranco’s song linking domestic violence to wars and other kinds of oppression, “Out of Range,” asks a similar, though harshly phrased, question,
“If you’re not angry
you’re just stupid
or you don’t care
how else can you react
when you know
something’s so unfair”
(audio at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN9n-F08yeg)
One more from Ani DiFranco, because she rewrote the 1930s union anthem, “Which Side Are You On?” (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzQ-n4RLMC4).
Another song that critiques the lack of questioning is Judy Small’s feminist anti-war anthem, “Mothers, Daughters, Wives,” with the chorus:
“The first time it was fathers,
The last time it was sons
In between your husbands
Marched away with drums and guns.
But you never thought to question.
You just went on wi’ your lives.
Cause all they taught you who to be,
Was mothers, daughters, wives.”
(slideshow to audio at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CZ-UpLCG78&index=2&list=PLBB7AFB6383DAC519)
Roger Waters of Pink Floyd lost his father in WWII, and wrote an album in tribute to him, “The Final Cut.” In the title song, he asks:
“if i show you my dark side
will you still hold me tonight
and if i open my heart to you
and show you my weak side
what would you do”
On the subject of fathers, I think of Billy Bragg mostly as a protest singer, but his mournful song written in memory of his father, “Tank Park Salute,” asks plaintive questions about mortality:
“Daddy is it true that we all have to die?” and “You were so tall. How could you fall?”
(See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUi7ZoGig6M).
One thing I’ve noticed about many of these songs. They ask BIG questions. Along these lines, see Supertramp’s “Logical Song,” with the conclusion:
“The questions run so deep
For such a simple man.
Won’t you please, please tell me what we’ve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am.”
Two more ideas (not my own, but from the person I live with and love):
“Mother,” by Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” which includes many questions, including, “Mother should I trust the government?” (though it has some lyrics that might not be appropriate for school classrooms)
and Bob Dylan’s “Blowing in the Wind,” which is almost entirely questions, including:
“how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man (sic) turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn’t see?”
And those lyrics reminded me of one more song, K’Naan’s “Waving Flag” which has been recorded in many different versions, including the incredibly catchy but depoliticized version for the men’s soccer World Cup in South Africa, but was written originally about his experiences growing up during civil wars in Somalia. It contains the statement:
“We’re wondering, if we’ll be free…”
(video of the Young Artists For Haiti version at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB7L1BIDELc).
Okay, I’ll stop here before another song comes to mind. Thanks for asking!
Sam Diener
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Great additions to the list, Sam. I had tried to limit it my list to songs with questions in the titles, but it’s hard to ignore how many great songs touch on the power of big questions in their lyrics. Thanks for all the quotes.
Warren Berger
“16 questions, each one an endless hole.” This was an early rock era song as I recall, pre-Beatles, likely from the time of original Dylan. Don’t know who wrote or performed it, but it did receive considerable airtime.
John Paul Killinger
How about :. “Where are you, little star?” by The Elegants (1958)
Mike Zlotnick
Who Are You? – The Who
D Sandon
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Good one!
Warren Berger
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Someone just mentioned the great song “Why?” by Annie Lennox – that definitely should make the list
Warren Berger
Love this idea. Any time I can mix music with my job, I love it. What about “Imagine” by John Lennon. While the title is not a question, the song is all about “what if’s”
Bill Zima
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Great add on with “Imagine”—so full of beautiful questions and ideas. It reminds me of that other Beatles’ tune “A Little Help from My Friends,” which is also filled with questions.
Warren Berger
Two quick additions, one which will fit in well with the list, and another that might clash: “Do You Believe in Magic?” – The Lovin’ Spoonful (I had to check several times to make sure this was not already on the list; it feels like it should!), and “The Questions” – Common (an excellent song composed entirely of questions thinking outside the box).
Cheers!
Jimmy
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Great additions, Jimmy. Didn’t know about Common’s THE QUESTIONS!
Warren Berger
hello warren. still taking additions for your music roster? this one includes the word “school!” How about Bob Marley’s song (1979) “Could You Be Loved?” – impossible not to like once you hear the beat and non stop guitar beat, and the famous opener… “Don’t let them fool ya! Or even try to school ya!” http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4670
lots of meaning here too… internal and external questions about fit, that are applying to cities everywhere today.
enjoy!
lorraine doo
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
Hi Lorraine. “Could You Be Loved?” is a great addition to the list—thanks!
Warren Berger
In addition to “Who’s Zoomin’ Who” above, ” Am I wrong”? by Nico & Vinz.
Why? Because I like the idea of always be willing to not only question the status quo but to question yourself. I think it requires confidence balanced by humility. I do think that questioning leads us to what we cannot see (as in the song). I also like the commentary on “feeling” because I do think that while we can bamboozle ourselves, there is also often wisdom in those faint signals that we receive intuitively but, unfortunately, often ignore.
A few lyrics from “Am I wrong” by Nico & Vinz
Am I wrong for thinking out the box from where I stay?
Am I wrong for saying that I choose another way?
I ain’t tryin’ do what everybody else doing
Just cause everybody doing what they all do
If one thing I know, I’ll fall but I’ll grow
I’m walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home
So am I wrong
For thinking that we could be something for real?
Now am I wrong
For trying to reach the things that I can’t see?
But that’s just how I feel,
That’s just how I feel
That’s just how I feel
Trying to reach the things that I can’t see
Happy Questioning & balancing of tensions …
-Daisy
Daisy Azer
Let’s not forget “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?” (popularized by Patti Page) and “Who do you think you are?” (a question that appears in a lot of songs, but I was thinking of the unforgettable refrain in “Mr. Big Stuff” by Jean Knight)
Barbara
Twitter: GlimmerGuy
says:
In honor of Joe Cocker, who passed away on Dec. 22, 2014, reader Gil Kelly suggested that these 2 famous melodic questions —“What would you think if I sang out of tune?” and “Would you believe in a love at first sight?,” unforgettable in Joe’s unique voice—deserve a mention. Agreed.
Warren Berger
“Who’s Zoomin Who?” by Aretha Franklin. 1. You gotta love an Aretha Franklin song. Well, you don’t but I do. 2. I think it is a good question. 3. It is a fun song. Think about it the next time you feel you are being bamboozled or you may be trying to bamboozle someone! Enjoy!
Daisy