Whistling adds a different dynamic to a song than voices and instruments. It can add emotion when words aren’t enough or drastically change the vibe. Often, the whistling in a song is the most memorable part. Here is a list of 10 songs with whistling in them.
Top Songs With Whistling in Them
“Patience” – Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses is an American Rock band that gained popularity in the late 80s due to their ability to appeal to different listeners.
Patience was a slow rock love song released in 1988. This untraditional rock song paved the way for other heavy bands to tap into their more sensitive sides. The lengthy whistling intro immediately sets the mood of the song.
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” – Otis Redding
Otis Redding was nicknamed the “King of Soul” in the 60s for his inspiring R&B Gospel music. Sadly, he died in a plane crash right before this song was released, making him the first singer to top the charts post-death.
This song is super peaceful and relaxing. It transports you to the bay with the soothing melody and sounds of waves and birds in the background. The whistling in this song was unprompted but added another layer of content to the tune.
“Moves Like Jagger” – Maroon 5 ft Christina Aguilera
Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera are both American pop musicians. The two of them originally debuted this single on an episode of the TV series, The Voice.
The song is a tribute to Mick Jagger’s iconic dance moves, and the whistling causes uncontrollable movement.
“Love is a Battlefield” – Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar is an American Rock and Punk singer from the 80s. She is known for her powerhouse voice and strong feminine presence.
Love is a Battlefield was an instant chart-topper when it was released in 1985. The song portrays the difficulties that love and relationships can bring.
“Whistle” – Flo Rida
Flo Rida is an American rapper from Florida (hence the name) that began his music career in 2007. The meaning of this song is divided amongst the internet.
Some believe that it’s a sports reference and others believe it has a dirtier meaning. Flo Rida stated that he incorporated the whistling into the song, hoping it would get stuck in listeners’ heads.
“Wind of Change” – The Scorpions
The Scorpions are a German rock band that formed in 1965. Wind of Change was written about the ending of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
They wrote this song after visiting Moscow and experiencing true changes. This song became an instant hit because it’s what the world needed.
“Don’t Worry Be Happy” – Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin is an American Jazz and Folk singer known for his unique voice and ability to spontaneously create songs on the spot. He wrote this song after seeing the phrase written on an inspirational poster from an Indian spiritual master.
It was the first solely acapella song to reach number one on the US Hot 100 list. The infectious whistling in this song is almost necessary since there are no instruments.
“Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster the People
Foster the People is an American Indie Pop band that gained recognition in 2010 after releasing this song as a free download.
On the surface, this song sounds like an upbeat electronic pop song, but the lyrics paint a different picture. The song is about a school shooting and sings through the eyes of the shooter.
“Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are an American Folk Soft Rock band created in 2007. The band is from California and fully encompasses all things hipster, from man-buns to accordions.
This song is a campy love tune that feels genuinely wholesome. It’s almost an ode to older duet love songs. The song is set up with a whistling intro and later followed by an entire whistled chorus.
“The Stranger” – Billy Joel
Billy Joel is a very accomplished American Musician. He was nicknamed the Piano Man after his signature song and is the third best-selling artist in the US. The Stranger is a deep song about self-discovery and eludes to how people are strangers to themselves.
The whistling provides the empty unknown void feeling that the song is about. The whistling was initially recorded as a place-holder for another instrument but ended up being perfect this way.
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.