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25 Awesome Pop Songs With Violins

Pop songs don’t have to be commercial with synths and other electronic elements; they can contain real instruments, such as a violin. Violins make some of the prettiest and most soothing sounds that can enhance a song.

Here is our list of 25 awesome pop songs with violins!

1. Dust In The Wind – Kansas 

Kansas - Dust in the Wind (Official Video)

First on our list is Kansas, and Kansas uses violins regularly, unlike a lot of other bands. One of those songs where the violins really stand out is Dust In The Wind, an iconic song about the fragility of life.

It was released in 1977 on the album Point of Know Return. Dust In The Wind became an instant hit and charted to the sixth spot on the charts. The song has been used in several movies, such as Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

2. Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners 

Come On Eileen (Single Edit)

In 1982 Dexy & The Midnight Runners released Too-Rye-Ay, and that album became an unlikely hit, Come On Eileen, which uses violins and the banjo and accordion. The song has a chorus that repeats, and the tempo of it is much different than traditional pop songs.

People loved this song, so it climbed the Billboard charts to number one in the United States and elsewhere, such as the United Kingdom.

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3. Untouched – The Veronicas 

The Veronicas - Untouched (Official Video) - USA TOUR ON SALE NOW!

Next up is a band you may not have heard of before. In 2007 The Veronicas released Untouched, which comes from their record Hook Me Up. This song has many violin elements, including a melody that will repeat but not become tiresome. Not only is this pop song catchy, but it’s also nostalgic and has been in shows such as 90210 and RuPaul’s Drag Race

4. The Devil Went Down To Georgia – The Charlie Daniels Band 

The Devil Went Down to Georgia

The Devil Went Down To Georgia is one of the most iconic songs that uses violins, and it’s a favorite among people, both young and old. This song was released in 1979 on Million Mile Reflections and has been covered by several artists over the years. 

It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The Devil Went Down To Georgia has an upbeat and catchy vibe that’ll leave you hyped up. It’s been used in movies such as The Waterboy and The Heartbreak Kid

5. To Love You More – Céline Dion 

Céline Dion - To Love You More (Official Audio)

In 1993 the one and only Céline Dion released To Love You More which is about a former boyfriend of hers that she says will never love him as much as she had loved him. Taro Hakase was featured in the song since he is an incredibly talented violin player, adding such a sweet, beautiful, and heartbreaking vibe to the song.

6. Our Song – Taylor Swift 

Taylor Swift - Our Song

Next on our list is Our Song by Taylor Swift was released in 2007 and uses violins to create the southern charm and sweet fiddle-like sounds that helped launch Taylor’s career as a country artist.

Her soft vocals blend well with the violin, and this song reached number one on the Hot Country Songs chart. 

7. I See Fire – Ed Sheeran 

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Ed Sheeran "I See Fire" [HD]

I See Fire by Ed Sheeran was released in 2013 and was written specifically to be used in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. This song has a masterful violin presence which helps convey the song’s tone, and the lyrics are both dark and deep with a very somber feeling. I See Fire reached number one on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.  

8. Hurricane – Bob Dylan 

Bob Dylan - Hurricane (Official Audio)

We all have heard Bob Dylan at one point in our lives, but his 1976 song Hurricane uses violins more heavily than in many other songs. It doesn’t matter what mood you’re in. This song from Desire will make you feel better because he’s a master at his craft. This song was used in the movie Dazed and Confused and has been covered by several artists over the years.  

9. Kashmir – Led Zeppelin 

Kashmir (Remaster)

Led Zeppelin needs no introduction, and the 1975 hit Kashmir is one of the band’s most famous songs, which uses a lot of violins. Nearly everyone knows this song even if they don’t like the band because it’s just that popular, and you hear it on different music stations. 

10. Firework – Katy Perry 

Katy Perry - Firework (Official Music Video)

Firework came out in 2010 as part of Katy Perry’s third album, Teenage Dream, and when we talk about violins, this song really knows how to use the instrument in a pop manner more than most. The violin adds this intense feeling to the powerful and heavy song, even without it. 

Firework reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top 40, and it topped several other charts in the United States of America and worldwide. It’s most famously associated with the comedy The Interview but has been featured in several other movies, and television shows too.

11. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri 

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years [Official Music Video]

In 2011 Christina Perri recorded A Thousand Years, a massive commercial success that helped her become more of a household name. In this song, she utilizes the violin in such a passionate and romantic way while also making you feel a little sad at the same time. The song was about Twilight and the love story between Bella and Edward. It reached number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

12. Runaway – The Corrs

The Corrs released Runaway in 1995 from the album Forgiven, Not Forgotten, and this song was excellent, from the vocals to the violin. Sadly, it never gained much commercial success, and the song only reached 68 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. More recently, the song was used in Derry Girls

Interestingly, Sharon Corr was previously part of the National Youth Orchestra. She played the violin as part of that group, so you know she’s good at what she does. You can tell in this song and other similar songs where she plays the violin that she knows what she’s doing and can convey emotions through the violin.

13. Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2

Sunday Bloody Sunday (Live From Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado, USA / 1983 / Remaste...

Sunday Bloody Sunday was part of War, the third album released by U2, and it’s all about Ireland and the violence that plagued the country. Specifically, Sunday Bloody Sunday is a very political song with a strong beat and militaristic style, and the electric violin in this song stands out significantly.

Even though Steve Wickham wasn’t a part of U2 originally, listening to him on the violin and how smoothly it blends with the music makes you believe he was a part of their group the whole time. 

14. Our House – Madness 

Madness - Our House (Official 4K Video)

Madness came out with the song Our House in 1983, and this song is so sweet because it’s about a family that lives in their home peacefully and just spends time with each other caring for one another. Our House has a blend of pop with some ska; the violin adds an enjoyable and upbeat component to the memorable and happy song. This song has been in several television shows, such as Dynasty, The Carrie Diaries, and Love Island

15. Tripping Billies – The Dave Matthews Band 

Dave Matthews Band - Tripping Billies (Live Version)

Tripping Billies came out in 1993 on the album Crash by The Dave Matthews Band. Band member Boyd Tinsley is a violin player, and he has such depth, knowledge, and skill that it adds a soft and fun vibe to every song that the violin is a part of, such as this one. 

Tripping Billies is all about enjoying your life and every moment because none of us know when our time is up. It reached number 18 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and is a classic example of the family-friendly songs for which The Dave Matthews Band is known. 

16. Eleanor Rigby – The Beatles 

The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (From "Yellow Submarine")

We can’t have a list without including one of the most famous bands ever to exist. The Beatles used a violin in the song Eleanor Rigby which came out in 1966, and the violin can be heard softly in the background as the beat, and strong lyrics remain in the forefront.

The song reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and went to number one in other countries, such as Canada. 

17. Rather Be – Clean Bandit 

Clean Bandit - Rather Be ft. Jess Glynne [Official Video]

Clean Bandit had a hit called Rather Be in 2013 off the album New EyesRather Be is an upbeat dance and pop song that uses a violin, and it is right there at the beginning of the song to get you moving.

Whether you like dancing alone or with a partner, you’ll love the intro with the violin and want to tell someone special how much you like them. 

18. Rock This Country – Shania Twain 

Rock This Country!

Famous Canadian country music singer Shania Twain released Rock This Country in 2000 as part of Come On Over, a very successful album for the music star. This song features a lot of violin components that work well with the guitars, and it brings more of a country feel to the song.

Peaking at number 30 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs & Tracks chart, Rock This Country stayed on the charts for 17 weeks. 

19. Viva La Vida – Coldplay 

Coldplay - Viva La Vida (Official Video)

A band that needs no intro, Coldplay has had several hit songs over the years, one of the most famous being Viva La Vida, which was released in 2008. Every member of the band had a hand in writing this song. 

The song is like an anthem, even though it’s about the French Revolution through the lens of King Louis before he was killed. This song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Top 40, and several other charts, partly thanks to the violin’s beautiful elements.

20. Look At Me Now – Electric Light Orchestra 

Electric Light Orchestra put out the song Look At Me Now in 1971, and this song is weird and odd but in a good way. The violin is one of the highlighted instruments in the song, and even though the violinist has changed a few times, the song is still just as good with any of them as with the original violinist. 

21. Maggie May – Rod Stewart 

Rod Stewart - Maggie May (Live Unplugged)

Maggie May was released in 1971 by Rod Stewart, and this is a song that almost everyone knows, even if they weren’t born when it was released. The mandolin and violin used throughout the song make this one of the most iconic songs of all time, and it’s a mix of pop, rock, and folk, and it’s a song we all sing along with. This song can be found in movies, including Walking The Dead and Nowhere Boy.

22. Young At Heart – The Bluebells 

The Bluebells - Young At Heart (Official Video)

In 2019 The Bluebells released Young At Heart, a very beautiful song with an incredible violin playing in the background. It’s all about not taking life too seriously and how quickly our lives and time fly by, so it’s a song where you can think about all the fun of your youth. As a Scottish Indie band that is part of the new wave music genre, it’s a fun song to listen to regardless of your age. 

23. Closing Time – Leonard Cohen 

Leonard Cohen - Closing Time (Official Video)

Leonard Cohen is a musician that doesn’t need an introduction, and in 1992 he released Closing Time, which is one of his biggest hits and one of the songs that made him famous. This song is folk-like with the violin, and it’s peaceful, comforting, and intense all at the same time.

24. Wasted Days – John Mellencamp feat. Bruce Springsteen 

John Mellencamp - Wasted Days ft. Bruce Springsteen

In 2022 we were given a treat when John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen got together to create Wasted Days. This is a great song that features two of the biggest names in music, and when you put a violin in the background, it’s simply pure bliss. 

25. Alejandro – Lady Gaga 

Lady Gaga - Alejandro (Official Music Video)

Alejandro was released in 2010 by Lady Gaga and it’s a song that contains an electric violin for an added element we’re not used to seeing from Lady Gaga. This song is powerful and intense and one of those songs we keep going back to and has been featured in Melrose Place.

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