Lots of great things start with the letter D. Dogs, drinking, day off. Then there are fun words like doppelganger and duality. Heck, even my name starts with D. So, there should be no surprise a lot of awesome songs also start with this letter, and those will be the ones we take a look at in this list.
1. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
Is there any other song that you can start a list of tracks that start with the letter D other than Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’? I really don’t think so, since this song has had people singing about midnight trains and strangers on the sidewalk for decades. Everybody has heard this track, no matter what your background is or how into music you are. It’s timeless, a classic of the rock genre, and one of the best songs to ever come out.
2. Dancing In The Street – Martha & the Vandellas
Dancing In The Street by Martha & The Vandellas is a feel-good bop for the ages. While I’m sure there are other versions out there that you might have heard more recently, nothing truly compares to the original. It’s a song that was part of the origins of R&B and one I’m sure you’ve heard countless times in film or television commercials. It’s an all-timer that finds a place on our list today.
3. Dancin’, Shaggin’ on the Boulevard – Alabama
For those that don’t know, ‘shaggin’’’ is defined as having sex, though for this song, it probably was meant more as making out—let’s just hope Alabama wasn’t having sex on the streets. Regardless, this track comes off as a sweet ballad that I heard quite a bit growing up with my parents playing their tapes. It’s still a good song and a fun one to throw on this list.
4. Dancing Queen – ABBA
ABBA’s Dancing Queen is probably their most iconic song, and it was undoubtedly one of their biggest hits. But it wasn’t just a disco hit in the US; this one was a major single when it was released internationally. While I wasn’t around to hear it when it came out—and my experience with it is mostly from shows like That 70s Show—it’s quintessential to its period and one of the most iconic they put out.
5. Danger Zone
There are a ton of versions of Danger Zone out there. You’ll hear it at sporting arenas, in bars, and on the radio. But most likely, you know this one from the film Top Gun. It was written and performed for the 1986 film soundtrack, helping push that album to become one of the best-selling film soundtracks of all time. It’s everything 80s, a hit that just won’t stop, and an iconic song from the time period that remains relevant today.
6. Desperado – Clint Black
Clint Black’s Desperado is one of those perfect cowboy country songs. It was surely relatable for a lot of folks out there, asking when he’s going to slow down and come home but answering that the freedom of being out riding is worth it all.
7. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap – AC/DC
AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is still played on a lot of rock stations today. It remains one of the legendary songs of classic rock thanks to the incredible vocal performances and edge it has to it that a lot of other music lacks.
8. Dixieland Delight – Alabama
Here we go again with an Alabama single, though this one is better known and more widely regarded as one of their best. A song of the South at its core, Dixieland Delight is one of those feel-good tracks about the joys of living in the American South and one that brings up fond memories for many like me that grew up there.
While it may be a little before my time, it’s still a song that’s dear to the hearts of many and a wonderful representation of Southern charms.
9. Does He Love You – Reba McEntire Feat. Linda Davis
Reba McEntire never shied away from tough topics in her songs. Hell, one of them had her mom pimping her out for bill money. This time though, she’s confronting the woman her husband is cheating on her wife. Does He Love You is a duet, with her paying both sides of the conversation and seeing both asking if he loves the other one the way he loves them. It’s sad in a way, with the two wrestling with whether they’re deceiving themselves or he’s the one lying. Regardless, it’s a beautiful track.
10. Doin’ Time – Sublime
Finally, a good reason to include a Sublime song. Doin’ Time might seem upbeat on the surface, but it’s about how a guy feels like he’s in prison thanks to the way a cheating girlfriend is treating him. It was one of the few times the band broke onto the Hot 100 and it only just missed out on the top 25 of the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
11. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John And Kiki Dee
If you’re ever looking for an easy, simple song for a karaoke duet then this should probably be near the top of your list. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John is a campy, sweet, and simple love track and one of the better-known things he put out in his solo career.
12. Don’t Let Me Down – The Chainsmokers Feat. Daya
The Chainsmokers’ Don’t Let Me Down remains one of the best crossover hits I’ve listened to. Upon release, it immediately received critical acclaim, which was also reflected in its chart position. It became the group’s first top-five single on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number three. Its mixture of uptempo beats, pop music, and echoing guitars gives it a haunting feel for something that comes at you so fast. Overall, it’s a song you should check out if you haven’t heard it.
13. Don’t You (Forget About Me) – Simple Minds
Here’s another song that just about everyone has heard before. Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds was recorded for The Breakfast Club in 1985, but it also appeared in the film Easy A in 2010.
14. Down With The Sickness – Disturbed
![Disturbed - Down With The Sickness (Official Music Video) [HD UPGRADE]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/09LTT0xwdfw/0.jpg)
Down With The Sickness is undeniably the song you first think of when you think of the band Disturbed. The guttural vocal opening and hammering guitars made sure of that. Plus, you can’t possibly not make a joke about being down with the sickness when you get sick, making you smile despite how crappy you feel.
15. Duality – Slipknot
![Slipknot - Duality [OFFICIAL VIDEO] [HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6fVE8kSM43I/0.jpg)
There’s a lot of argument out there about which song is the best one Slipknot released, but Duality has a good argument. It’s also their one track you’ve probably heard before if you aren’t a big fan of theirs. It’s been featured in several other pieces of media and found more radio play on mainstream rock stations than their heavier stuff.
16. DNA. – Kendrick Lamar
DNA. by Kendrick Lamar didn’t get the credit it deserved, mostly because it wasn’t ever released as a single. Despite that, it found a lot of radio play. It really puts on display how much of a virtuoso he is, a chaotic yet thoughtful creation that should be ranked near the top of the rapper’s work.
17. Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
Dreams came out during the height of Fleetwood Mac’s internal drama, and while it might have been awkward for the band to perform, fans were blessed with it. A hauntingly pretty song about the end of a relationship, it remains to this day one of their best songs you can throw on.
18. Dream On – Aerosmith
Aerosmith’s Dream On is a legendary power ballad and a staple song of classic rock. In all honesty, it might be one of the best tracks to come from the classic rock era. Surprisingly, it was their first hit single, launching the careers of one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.
19. Drive – Incubus
Well, here I go throwing in another personal favorite since I love Incubus. Drive is one of the band’s most famous songs, but that isn’t for no reason. Alongside their other hit singles, it is uplifting, motivational, and emotional. It truly makes you feel something when you listen to it and it can help turn a hopeless mood into a happier one.
20. Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen
Ironically, one of Bruce Springsteen’s biggest hits came from writing about how difficult it was to write a hit single. Dancing In The Dark wound up being his biggest hit in terms of overall chart success too, making it even more funny. It was the last song he wrote for his Born In The U.S.A. album, and it was the first one he found regular MTV rotation with.
21. Diamonds – Rihanna
Diamonds served as the lead single for Rihanna’s Unapologetic album, and it was a refreshing change of topic for her, going from toxic relationships to comparing couples to diamonds in the sky. It was a massive commercial success, rising to the number-one spot on the charts in more than 20 countries worldwide and selling over 3.5 million digital copies in the US.
22. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
While I am curious about who worships oysters powerful enough to defy the Grim Reaper, that question can be answered another day. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper might be cheating a bit since the “D” it starts with is in parenthesis, but it works. This song rocks and deals with some heavy topics. The inevitability of death isn’t getting in the way of his eternal love.
23. Drop It Like It’s Hot – Snoop Dogg Feat. Pharrell Williams
Can’t do a list like this without Snoop Dogg’s Drop It Like It’s Hot. The lead single of his seventh album, it’s gone on to become an iconic song in the hip hop genre and gave the rapper his fourth Top 10 single. Billboard named it the most popular rap song of the decade in 2009, cementing the legacy of this one among a very crowded group of contenders.
24. Dr. Carter – Lil Wayne
With how great Lil Wayne is, you could say he’s saved rap music more than once. Dr. Carter sees him suiting up to save ‘ailing’ rappers that are struggling with originality, style, and talent. No need to worry, he is on the way to save them—and the music scene. This one has plenty of hospital sounds in the song, with several breaks between verses dissing other rappers without dropping any names.
25. Dance Monkey – Tones and I
Dance Monkey is one of those funky songs that get stuck in your head if you listen to it once. It’ll even do it if you’ve heard it and thought about it, so sorry for that. It was still one of the most successful tracks of all time, topping official charts in more than 30 countries and breaking records left and right.
26. Dance With The Devil – Immortal Technique
Dance With The Devil is one of the few songs to make this list that is—allegedly—based on a true story. It tells the tale of a teenager who wants to earn respect from some thugs, but it doesn’t turn out the way he envisions, and the track warns the listener to not dance with the devil.
Recommended: Top sad rap songs of all time
27. Drive – El-P
El-P is a UK rapper who doesn’t have the same name recognition as a lot of the artists on this list. That doesn’t stop Drive from being an awesome song though, so if you haven’t heard of the artist, give this track a shot and then check out the rest of his work.
28. Dynamite – Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz’s Dynamite was one of the biggest pop hits of 2010. It topped several countries’ charts and rose to number two in the US. Interestingly, it became the second best-selling song in the US by a British artist, only coming behind Adele’s Rolling In The Deep. Look, I was around when this came out. It was a club banger and one of the most-played tracks on the radio for a couple of months before it ever started falling off.
29. Daddy Sang Bass – Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash is a country music icon, but he dabbled in several different genres. Daddy Sang Bass plays on his gospel roots to the point that for a long time, I thought it was a worship song at church. It’s an old one but it’s good. And playing on different tones with different singers is an artistic choice that was ahead of its time as well.
30. Dance The Night Away – Van Halen
Dance The Night Away is a bit unique when it comes to songs from the Van Halen II album. While most of the tracks came from demos or jam sessions before the album was being recorded, this one was likely written during the recording process. Inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way, it was one of the few songs they recorded that left out a guitar solo, instead including tap harmonics.
31. (Drop Dead) Beautiful – Britney Spears
Britney Spears released (Drop Dead) Beautiful on her seventh album. While it isn’t known as well today as a lot of her bigger hits, it’s still an awesome song that is definitely worth checking out if you missed it back when it came out on Femme Fatale.
32. Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
Don’t Worry Be Happy is another one of those songs that everybody has heard. It’s such an endearing entry to the list, an uplifting, positive, and happy track that can help brighten even the darkest of moods. It was also very successful, winning three Grammy Awards at the 1989 award ceremonies. While it peaked at number 11 on the Hot 100, it’s one of those tracks that has found countless usage in other media like films and commercials.
33. Dance Little Sister – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones released Dance Little Sister on their 1974 album It’s Only Rock And Roll as the B side to the single Ain’t Too Proud To Beg. The sister in the song isn’t related to them, it actually has some provocative women dancing in front of Mick Jagger all night long.
34. Day Drinking – Little Big Town
Day Drinking is a fun little song from Little Big Town about how you shouldn’t have to wait for the weekend to have a good time. While everyone waits till Friday night to start the party and unwind, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to have a few drinks in the middle of the day. Just don’t drive afterward.
35. Dancing With Myself – Billy Idol
Punk band Gen X was the first to release Dancing With Myself, but Billy Idol remixed and released his own version of the song a year later in 1981. It was one of his first releases as a solo artist in the US and rose to number 27 on the club and dance charts there.
Recommended Next:
Songs starting with the letter C
Songs starting with the letter E
Songs starting with the letter F
As a contributing writer for Music Grotto, Dakotah writes and produces professional music/media content. He works closely with editorial staff to meet editorial standards and create
quality content for the Music Grotto website. Dakotah is passionate about music in a wide variety of genres, from hip-hop to country and lo-fi to metal, and he enjoys creating music pieces for Music Grotto.
