20 Songs You’ve Heard But Don’t Know The Names Of

You might think you know the songs we’re about to share, but can you tell us their names? For bonus points, can you name the artist or composer?

Nothing is more frustrating than when you know a melody, but can’t think of what it’s called or who it’s by. Well, we’re going to help you out now by sharing 20 songs you’ve definitely heard, but probably didn’t know the names of!

1. “Entry of the Gladiators” – Julius Fucik

Wait, this isn’t called “The Circus Song?”

2. William Tell Overture – Gioacchino Rossini

Believe it or not, this piece was not written for The Looney Tunes.

3. “In the Hall of the Mountain King” – Edvard Grieg

Is this the universal Halloween song or is it just us? It only felt right to include the Line Rider video of this song. Enjoy!

4. “Funeral March” – Frederic Francois Chopin

Even though you might not have known the name of this one, you probably could have guessed it! However, if we’re getting technical here, this is from Chopin’s Piano Sonata in B Flat Minor, Op. 35, No. 2.

5. “Green Onions” – Booker T. & The MG’s

We’ll give you the benefit of the doubt on this one. “Green Onions” is certainly a strange name for this legendary soul tune.

6. “The Blue Danube” – Johann Strauss

To make it a little more complicated, “The Blue Danube” is actually just the English translation of the original German title: “An der Schönen Blauen Donau.”

7. “Rondo Alla Turca” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

This one might be a no brainer for pianists, but we’re positive that everyone has heard this piece, whether they knew the name or not!

8. “Maple Leaf Rag” – Scott Joplin

Because “The Entertainer” was too easy.

9. “Prelude and Fugue No. 1” – Johann Sebastian Bach

Who could forget this gem from The Well-Tempered Clavier?

10. “Allegro” from Piano Sonata in C Major, K. 545 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Honestly, we don’t blame you for not knowing the names to pieces with titles like “K. 545.”

11. “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” – Franz Liszt

Maybe, just maybe, you knew this was called “Hungarian Rhapsody.” Did you get the “No. 2” part?

12. “Rock n’ Roll Part 2” – Gary Glitter

We’re pretty sure it’s illegal to attend a sporting event that doesn’t play this song.

13. “Pick Up The Pieces” – Average White Band

This is that piece you hear a local band playing out on the street and you know you know it, but can’t, for the life of you, think of the name!

14. “Land of 1000 Dances” – Wilson Pickett

Not sure if you know this one? Fast forward to the chorus (0:40) for a real slap-on-the-forehead moment.

15. “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

We should have made you spell this one for full points!

16. Ride of the Valkyries – Richard Wagner

Most classical musicians might get this one, but it’s only because we’ve been screaming at everyone else that it’s a Wagner piece for years and years.

17. “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” – Johann Sebastian Bach

It seems wrong to play this one on anything other than the organ — preferably in a Dracula costume.

18. “O Fortuna” – Carl Orff

This anthem from Carmina Burana is nothing short of epic! We guarantee you’ve heard it before.

19. “Sirius” – The Alan Parsons Project

We’re throwing another sports song at you! We wish for all basketball games to start this way until the end of time.

20. “Yakety Sax” – Boots Randolph

Every good chase scene starts with a little “Yakety Sax.”

That concludes our list of 20 songs you’ve heard but never knew the names of! Of course, we didn’t include a couple of no brainers like “Fur Elise,” “Symphony No. 5,” and “Brahms Lullaby,” but we wanted to give you a real challenge. Now it’s time to share with your friends and see how many songs they know!

Looking to save some sheet music cash? Grab an awesome collection of 12 songs you’ve heard but can’t name here.