15 Most Famous Mandolin Rock Songs of All Times

The Famous mandolin Rock Songs of all times is most commonly used in folk music, with Italian, American, and Irish influences creating unique sounds to enjoy.

Rock music is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the mandolin song. Some bands have had big hits over the last few decades by including this instrument on singles and albums.

If a guitar and a banjo had a child, the result would be a mandolins.

This instrument is smaller than a standard guitar and is frequently used for fast strumming techniques to add character and depth to a composition.

HISTORY OF THE FAMOUS MANDOLINS ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIMES

The mandolin (or mandoline) is an instrument in the lute family. The mandora was the first version of it that became popular in Germany and Italy during the 16th century.

Our modern mandolins evolved from that first effort, which first appeared in music in the 18th century.

The influence of modern design is often attributed to Pasquale Vinaccia of Naples. The standard mandolins resembles a bass guitar more than an acoustic with four steel strings. It adjusts the tone with a machine head so that it plays at violin pitch.

That is, the four standard notes are G, D, A, and E, with no pressing modifications.

A standard mandolins has seventeen frets on the fingerboard, though youth sizes and manufacturer variations can change that number.

Modern music is currently played in two different body styles. A flat-backed, shallow version of the instrument is commonly used in bluegrass and American folk music.

If you have a standard mandolins, the belly angles downward to give the bridge strings a strong, resonant tone.

The mandolin made its presence known in concertos, Mozart's 1787 opera “Don Giovanni,” and Stravinsky's 1957 ballet “Agon” as music genres developed and evolved.

Beginning in the 1950s, with the emphasis on rock ‘n' roll, many musicians began experimenting with this instrument to see how it could influence their sound.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MANDOLIN ROCK SONGS?

Although any list is subjective, here are the 15 most well-known rock songs that have been made available to the general public.

1. “Maggie May” by Rod Stewart (1971)

On this lovely song, the mandolin's moody nature shines through. Stewart employs the instrument to tell a story that is both unsettling and thrilling – though the lyrics aren't as politically correct today as they were 50 years ago.

The song tells the story of a young boy who has an encounter with a prostitute. Some of the elements are based on an older folk song from Liverpool.

Nonetheless, the details are thought to be based on Stewart's experiences at the Beaulieu Jazz Festival in the early 1960s.

What makes this release unique is that “Maggie May” was the B-side to the single “Reason to Believe.”

Radio stations quickly realized that everyone liked it and began playing it on a regular basis, and it became Stewart's first significant hit as a solo performer.

It continues to be one of Stewart’s most popular songs.

2. “Ho Hey” by the Lumineers (2012)

Despite being part of The Lumineers' debut album, this song was so popular that it spent 18 weeks at the top of the Billboard Rock Songs chart.

It also topped the Adult Pop Songs old-time chart for eight weeks, the Alternative chart for two weeks, and the Mainstream Top 40 for two weeks.

This song was originally written as a response to concert-goers who were uninterested in the band's music.

They reasoned that by interspersing the lyrics with shouts, they could get people to pay attention to them.

The band had the song featured on an episode of Hart of Dixie that is neo-traditional before it was released as a single.

It received additional television exposure when it was used in a commercial for the Bing search engine.

3. “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin (1971)

This ballad remains one of Led Zeppelin's most popular songs, ranking #11 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of their 40 greatest hits in 2012.

It has a distinct folk sound, punctuated by the mandolins, and describes what it's like to be shaken by an earthquake.

From a lyrical standpoint, Robert Plant admits that the song can be a little embarrassing.

Although it was not a personal favorite of his, he performed it at solo concerts well into the 1980s.

Plant believes the music adequately captures what life was like in his early twenties.

A different version of the song, featuring even more mandolins influences, is included on the second disc of the remastered “Led Zeppelin IV.”

4. “Saint Teresa” by Joan Osborne (1996)

Osborne was raised in a Catholic home, but she abandoned her faith after learning that women could not become priests.

Her music still reflects spiritualist ideas, particularly in mandolin-based songs like Saint Teresa.

She relocated to New York City in the late 1980s to pursue her career, eventually making a name for herself in the 1990s.

Her work was eventually nominated for Grammy® Awards for Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year.

Most people are familiar with Osborne's song “One of Us,” but if you enjoy mandolin song, check out “St. Teresa.”

5. “Little Ghost” by the White Stripes (2005)

In the early 2000s, Jack White was everywhere, forming numerous bands and groups. He formed this duo with his wife, Meg.

He adopted her surname rather than the reverse, and rose to prominence with folky, mandolin-based songs with a driving edge and raw simplicity.

It's a fun love song with an Appalachian feel that explores shyness and fear when approaching others.

From the first chords played, you can hear the mandolin's influence. The song progresses lyrically, while the folk influences add depth and charm.

6. “Boat on the River” by Styx (1979)

This song was released as a single in 1980, but it was originally included on the album “Cornerstone.”

It was not a commercial success in the United States. It did, however, rise to the top five in a number of European countries.

Tommy Shaw is the lead vocalist and mandolinist on this song. There's also an accordion and a double bass, as well as some tambourine.

Although it was not one of their most popular songs, almost everyone who knows the band remembers the chorus.

“Bring me back to my river boat.” I have to go down, I have to come down. Take me back to my riverboat, and I won't cry out any longer.”

7. “Mandolin Wind” by Rod Stewart (1971)

If you like the song “Maggie May,” you'll like this one as well. It appears on the same album and was later released as a single in 1973.

It has been covered twice by other artists where the song has reached the charts, with The Everly Brothers and Earl Scruggs doing so in 1972 and 1977, respectively.

The mandolin was played by the “mandolin player in Lindisfarne,” according to the album notes for this song, but Stewart had forgotten his name.

This song has more romance than others released by Stewart at the time. “I couldn't believe you kept a smile through the coldest winter in almost 14 years,” the song says.

8. “The Battle of Evermore” by Led Zeppelin (1971)

Sandy Denny and Robert Plant perform this folk duet. Unlike some of the band's other songs, the lyrics were written on the spot, according to the writers.

Jimmy Page once stated that he wrote all of the chords and lyrics in a single sitting.

Several Tolkien references from The Lord of the Rings make their way into the lyrics, as they do in several other songs by the band. It's also the band's only recorded piece that features a guest vocalist.

In 1994, a new version of the song was released, with artist Najma Akhtar replacing Denny's original vocals.

This song has more romance than others released by Stewart at the time. “I couldn't believe you kept a smile through the coldest winter in almost 14 years,” the song says.

9. “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. (1991)

Anyone who grew up in the 1990s will remember hearing this song and being moved by the melody, mandolin song, and lyrics.

The pitcher of milk that falls from the windowsill at the beginning of the video has become an iconic moment for the band.

The song would go on to become the band's biggest hit in the United States, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

At the 1992 Grammy Awards, it also won Best Short Form Music Video and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with a Vocal.

Guitarist Peter Buck stated that the chorus and main riff were written on the mandolin while he was watching television.

10. “Friend of the Devil” by the Grateful Dead (1970)

This song was written by Jerry Garcia and John Dawson for the album American Beauty. It's also one of the band's most frequently covered songs.

Lyricist Robert Hunter describes it as “the closest thing they've ever created to a classic song.”

Although most people are familiar with the piano version, the song was originally performed at a bluegrass tempo, with a brisk mandolin setting the tone.

11. “Love in Vain” by the Rolling Stones (1969)

The band's closest tune to a blues-based folk feel was recorded for “Let It Bleed.”

It was a beautiful tune the band wanted to cover. Robert Johnson wrote it in 1937 and released it in 1939 as part of his final 78 RPM records.

Johnson died aged 27 and went undiscovered for nearly 30 years until a researcher found his death certificate. Twenty-nine great tunes make up his discography.

Johnson's estate won a copyright battle over the Stones' rendition.

12. “Dream of the Archer” by Heart (1977)

This song's original recording featured three mandolin players. Two are heard throughout the majority of the composition, while a third adds depth near the end.

It appeared on the band's second studio album, “Little Queen.”

The situation was one-of-a-kind for the band. A contract dispute prompted a four-day marathon recording session, which resulted in Heart having three albums on the charts at the same time.

13. “Cry Love” by John Hiatt (1995)

This unique addition needs attention. Capitol Records trialed the tune in the mid-1990s.

Hiatt's voice and mandolin drive the song.

It's a foot-tapping song.

“Walk On,” Hiatt's 13th album, earned him his first Grammy nomination after nearly 20 years of music.

14. “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” by the Beatles (1965)

This band's Australian number-one song featured a mandolin.

It's Rolling Stone's 83rd greatest song.

The lyrics describe John Lennon's affair management.

It's also the first rock song to use the sitar.

15. “Foreverdark Woods” by Bathory (2002)

This epic 8-minute death metal, hard rock piece features incredible mandolin support and is well worth a listen.

The song begins with a horse riding by, and the instrument provides the first intro and melody.

The composition's heavy guitars and percussion arrive almost a minute later, but the mandolin remains the piece's driving force.

What’s Your Favorite Mandolin Song from This List?

The mandolin is a versatile instrument best known to add flavor to any genre. Over the years, its distinct tone and dramatic carry have influenced dozens of rock songs.

From one point of view, these are the most well-known rock mandolin song.

What are your favorite rock songs featuring the mandolin from this list or others?

FAQs about Famous Mandolin Songs