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Originally released in the United Kingdom on October 5, 1962, 'Love Me Do' features John Lennon's prominent harmonica playing in the introduction. The harmonica was widely used on the Beatles' early hits, including 'Please Please Me' and 'From Me to You.'
Released from the 1972 album 'Harvest,' Young plays harmonica during the three instrumental portions of 'Heart of Gold.' The Canadian singer has long used the harmonica, often as a lead instrument.
Stevie Wonder's uptempo rendition of 'For Once in My Life' recorded in 1967 was a huge hit and is especially remembered for his fabulous harmonica playing, the first time the instrument was used on this song, originally written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Records and recorded as a slow ballad. Wonder remains one of the foremost exponents of the instrument in contemporary music.
Included on the 1973 album from the same name, 'Piano Man' is one of Billy Joel's best-known songs. Besides harmonica, the singer employs mandolin and accordion on the track.
'The River' makes use of a haunting harmonica part that perfectly complements Springsteen's lyrical lament of economic hardship. The track was written and recorded in 1979 and appears on the album of the same name.
A blues number first recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1960, who sang and played harmonica and guitar on the track, 'Big Boss Man' was covered by Elvis Presley in 1967. The following year he performed the song as part of a medley during the 'Elvis 1968 Comeback Special.'
One of Bob Dylan's signature compositions, 'Mr. Tambourine Man' was released as the first track on the acoustic side of his March 1965 album 'Bringing It All Back Home.' Bob Dylan is another singer-songwriter closely associated with the harmonica.
The Rolling Stones vocalist Mick Jagger is pretty handy on the mouth organ and has used the instrument both in the studio and live on stage. 'Midnight Rambler,' taken from the band's 1969 album 'Let it Bleed,' features Jagger harping on about a mysterious prowler in a musical nod towards Albert DeSalvo, who confessed to being the Boston Strangler.
One of the leading British groups of the 1960s and into the mid 1970s, the Hollies enjoyed a steady stream of international hits. A mournful, echoing harmonica introduces this ballad, which incidentally features Elton John on piano.
While Doors front man Jim Morrison occasionally picked up the mouth organ during the band's live performances, it is in fact John Sebastian, the founder of the Lovin' Spoonful, who contributes the screaming harmonica on 'Roadhouse Blues,' which appears on the band's 1970 album 'Morrison Hotel.'
Front man and primary vocalist Bob Hite took a back set on this number for second guitarist and harmonica player Alan Wilson to lead with this driving blues-rock boogie, released in 1968. The harmonica's hypnotic drone achieved by Wilson helped make 'On the Road Again' one the band's best-loved tracks.
Several versions of this blues classic have been recorded since Sonny Boy Williamson II performed it in 1963. It got a serious makeover in 1969 when Led Zeppelin laid down a version of the song for their album 'Led Zeppelin II.' Front man Robert Plant pays fine homage to Williamson with his earthy cover.
Enjoying chart success around the world, 'Suicide Blonde' was released in 1990, the first single from the INXS album 'X.' The thundering harmonica breaks are courtesy of none other than Charlie Musselwhite. Pictured is the Australian band's lead vocalist Michael Hutchence.
'Drinking Muddy Water' features a cracking harmonica effort by vocalist Keith Relf. The track appears on the 1967 'Little Games' album. The band is pictured performing live on stage in Denmark in April 1967. From left: Chris Dreja, Keith Relf, Jim McCarty, and Jimmy Page (later of Led Zeppelin). Guitarists Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck were also briefly members of the band.
Larry Adler is considered one of the greatest exponents of the harmonica and generally considered responsible for the elevation of the mouth organ to concert status in the world of classical music. He plays the instrument over John Barry's theme to 'Midnight Cowboy' (1969) and can also be heard on album versions of the film's title song, 'Everybody's Talkin,' sung by Harry Nilsson.
Sources: (Song Facts)
See also: The best instrumentals ever recorded
The Eurythmics—Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart—were at the height of their popularity when the duo released 'There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)' in 1985. The single, a worldwide success, features an extended harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder.
Taken from the 1993 album 'Lust' by The The, 'Dogs of Lust' kicks in with a wailing siren-like harmonica played by guitarist Johnny Marr, known also for his time as a member of seminal '80s band The Smiths.
Brian Wilson employed the services of session musician Tommy Morgan to play an improvised solo using a bass harmonica on 'I Know There's an Answer,' taken from the influential 1966 album 'Pet Sounds' and featuring fellow Beach Boy Al Jardine on lead vocals.
As well as name checking and featuring English vocalist Jorja Smith, this short track by Canadian rapper Drake samples the harmonica outro on his 2011 'Take Care' song 'Doing It Wrong,' which was performed by Stevie Wonder.
A catchy mouth organ introduces this 2013 song by Pitbull, which also features the voice of Kesha. Harmonica player Paul Harrington is heard throughout emulating a playing style made famous by Danish harmonica player Lee Oskar.
Stevie Wonder supplies his signature harmonica playing to Snoop Dog's gentle and understated 'California Roll,' released in 2015. Wonder, together with Pharrell Williams, also supply backing vocals.
The B-side to Black Sabbath's 1970 monster hit 'Paranoid' features Ozzy Osbourne on vocals and harmonica. The song is about a wizard (Osbourne himself) who uses his magic to influence people he encounters. Apparently the lyrics were influenced by the wizard Gandalf from 'The Lord of the Rings.'
One of the white bluesmen who came to prominence in the early 1960s, Charlie Musselwhite cites Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Howlin' Wolf among his many musical influences. His runaway train-sounding 'Harpin' On A Riff' instrumental features unique repeating riffs for each 12-bar verse.
'Born in Chicago' is the opening track on the 1965 debut album by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and sets the tone for the rest of the album. Butterfield enjoyed a productive partnership with fellow blues enthusiasts Nick Gravenites and Elvin Bishop.
Written by Willie Dixon and originally recorded by Muddy Waters in 1954, 'I'm Ready' quickly became a blues standard. Accompanying Waters on guitar is Little Walter on chromatic harmonica.
Released in 2009, 'Gypsy' opens with a chirpy harmonica riff played by Shakira. The cover of the single features a photograph of the Colombian songstress, harmonica in hand. The music video has tennis Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal serving as Shakira's love interest.
Sting called on the services of Stevie Wonder to play on his 1999 track 'Brand New Day,' and the instrument features prominently. On New Year's Eve 2018, Sting released a new version of the song and performed it live that night in Times Square in New York City. Mouth organ duties on that occasion fell to Shane Sager.
Willie Nelson is one of country music's legendary performers. Still recording and performing after 60 years in the business, his 2020 album 'First Rose of Spring' includes 'Don't Let the Old Man In,' which opens with a soft, melodic harmonica refrain. Apparently the song's author, Toby Keith, was prompted to write the tune in the late 2010s, inspired by a conversation with actor and director Clint Eastwood.
Towards the end of this near 10-minute track, the third single released from the band's 1997 album 'Be Here Now,' the plaintive sound of a harmonica rises above a symphony of guitars to help fade the music out.
The harmonica has been around since the early 19th century. Known also as a "mouth organ" or "harp," the instrument is used worldwide in many musical genres, but is particularly associated with blues, American folk music, rock, and jazz. Some of the most recognized songs in popular music history feature the harmonica, and the instrument even finds favor with exponents of rap and hip hop.
Click through and sound out the songs that rock the harmonica.
Songs that rock the harmonica
Music that uses the mouth organ
MUSIC Instruments
The harmonica has been around since the early 19th century. Known also as a "mouth organ" or "harp," the instrument is used worldwide in many musical genres, but is particularly associated with blues, American folk music, rock, and jazz. Some of the most recognized songs in popular music history feature the harmonica, and the instrument even finds favor with exponents of rap and hip hop.
Click through and sound out the songs that rock the harmonica.