10 Best Songs With The Word ‘When’ In The Title

10 Best Songs With The Word 'When' In The Title

Feature Photo: Bruce Alan Bennett / Shutterstock.com

There’s something about the word when that makes it one of the most powerful openings in songwriting. It’s a word that doesn’t wait for permission — it demands answers, signals a shift, and sets the stage for everything from heartbreak to survival. For decades, artists have used when to ask the hardest questions and brace for moments they can’t control. This list of 10 songs with when in the title dives deep into that idea — exploring how one word can hold so much weight, whether it’s about love breaking down, life slipping by, or finding strength when everything’s on fire.

Prince’s “When Doves Cry” stripped love down to its rawest, most painful pieces and redefined what a pop song could be, while The Rolling Stones let loose on “When the Whip Comes Down,” tearing through city life and identity with relentless edge. Led Zeppelin turned “When the Levee Breaks” into an apocalyptic storm of sound and fury, and The Band, in “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” chased the dream of creating something meaningful in a chaotic world.

Laura Nyro didn’t flinch when facing mortality in “And When I Die,” and Linda Ronstadt gave “When Will I Be Loved” a voice full of both vulnerability and defiance. The Police, in “When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around,” found a way to live with decay and monotony, while The Beatles’ “When I’m Sixty-Four” looked at growing old with a wink and a hope for love that lasts. The Searchers brought longing and anticipation to life in “When You Walk in the Room,” and Blood, Sweat & Tears turned “And When I Die” into a brash, soulful celebration of facing the inevitable.

Together, these songs remind us that when marks the moment something changes — when love falls apart, when life gets real, when we’re left standing with nothing but the truth. Each track is a snapshot of that moment, proof that when isn’t just a word — it’s where everything happens.

# 10 – When I’m Sixty Four – The Beatles

Imagining love that lasts a lifetime, “When I’m Sixty-Four” stands out as one of The Beatles’ most playful yet tender reflections on growing old. Recorded in December 1966 at EMI Studios (Abbey Road) in London and featured on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, the song was written primarily by Paul McCartney, with production by George Martin, whose clarinet trio arrangement adds to its old-time charm. McCartney handles lead vocals and piano, while John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr contribute harmonies, guitar, and brushed drums, crafting a track that evokes the warmth of a vintage parlor song.

McCartney muses on whether love will endure the passage of time—“Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four?”—turning the question of aging into something sweet and hopeful. Though never a single, it became one of the album’s most beloved tracks, offering a glimpse of sincerity and simplicity within the broader psychedelic landscape of Sgt. Pepper. Its gentle humor and heartfelt theme earn its place on this list, as a song that looks toward the future with affection and lighthearted grace.

# 9 – When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What’s Still Around – The Police

Blending post-punk minimalism with reggae-influenced rhythms, “When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around” captures The Police’s sharp social commentary wrapped in a hypnotic groove. Recorded in 1980 at Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands and released on Zenyatta Mondatta, the track was produced by the band alongside Nigel Gray and features Sting on bass and vocals, Andy Summers on guitar, and Stewart Copeland on drums. The song’s relentless bassline and tight drum pattern create a sense of claustrophobic monotony, perfectly mirroring lyrics that reflect life in a world that feels depleted—“You make the best of what’s still around”—a mantra of weary perseverance in the face of decay.

Rather than offering easy answers, Sting’s lyrics lean into resignation, a theme that resonated with listeners in a time of global unrest. While not released as a single, the track became a cult favorite and remains a standout on Zenyatta Mondatta for its brooding yet sharp reflection on modern life. Its inclusion in this list highlights how songs with “When” in the title often confront pivotal moments, and here, it’s the realization that even as the world runs down, survival depends on adapting to what’s left.

# 8 – When The Whip Comes Down – The Rolling Stones

Charged with raw energy and biting realism, “When the Whip Comes Down” is one of The Rolling Stones’ most unflinching tracks, recorded between October and December 1977 at Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris for their 1978 album Some Girls. Produced by The Glimmer Twins (Mick Jagger and Keith Richards), the song reflects the band’s gritty dive into punk-influenced rock, driven by Richards’ cutting rhythm guitar and Charlie Watts’ sharp, driving drums. Mick Jagger delivers a fierce vocal performance, narrating the story of a gay man navigating life on the margins in New York City—“When the whip comes down, I’m gonna be there on the ground”—a strikingly candid lyric for its time, revealing Jagger’s willingness to push social boundaries.

Ron Wood’s guitar layers and Bill Wyman’s steady bass line give the song a relentless pulse, mirroring the tension of city life and personal struggle. Though never released as a single, “When the Whip Comes Down” has since been recognized as a standout on Some Girls, reflecting the Stones’ ability to confront raw subject matter without losing their signature swagger. Its inclusion on this list captures how songs with “When” in the title often grapple with life’s inevitable reckoning points—here, with defiance and grit.

# 7 – When I Paint My Masterpiece – The Band

Originally written by Bob Dylan, “When I Paint My Masterpiece” was recorded by The Band in 1971 at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, and featured on their album Cahoots, produced by The Band themselves. With Levon Helm taking lead vocals and Garth Hudson’s accordion adding a wistful, European flair, the song meditates on weariness, longing, and the search for creative fulfillment—“Someday, everything is gonna be smooth like a rhapsody, when I paint my masterpiece.”

The lyrics explore themes of travel, disillusionment, and hope, with vivid images of ancient ruins and crowded trains reflecting both the literal and metaphorical journey toward achieving something lasting. Musically, The Band’s earthy instrumentation gives Dylan’s composition a rustic, reflective tone, and the track stands out on Cahoots as a somber yet beautiful meditation on life and art. Its inclusion in this list highlights how songs with “When” in the title often center on anticipation, waiting for the moment when dreams align with reality—capturing both the struggle and the enduring hope behind the creative process.

# 6 – When Will I Be Loved – Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt’s 1975 rendition of “When Will I Be Loved” transformed the Everly Brothers’ 1960 hit into a country-rock anthem of heartbreak and resilience. Recorded in 1974 at Sound Factory in Los Angeles and produced by Peter Asher, Ronstadt’s version appears on her landmark album Heart Like a Wheel, a record that helped define her as one of the most powerful voices of the era. Backed by an elite group of musicians including Andrew Gold on guitar and harmony vocals, and David Lindley on lap steel, Ronstadt delivers the song with a blend of vulnerability and defiance, asking the aching question—“When will I be loved?”—while backed by warm, soaring harmonies. Stripped of the Everlys’ rockabilly bounce and infused with a smoother California country sound, Ronstadt’s take climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Cash Box Top 100. Its inclusion on this list reflects how songs with “When” in the title can become timeless questions of longing and self-worth, and Ronstadt’s passionate vocal makes this version resonate as a definitive statement of someone refusing to settle for less than real love.

# 5 – When Doves Cry – Prince

Released in May 1984 as the lead single from Purple Rain, “When Doves Cry” is one of Prince’s most groundbreaking and emotionally raw songs, recorded entirely by Prince himself at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles. Produced and written solely by Prince, the track is famous for its stark, minimalist arrangement—eschewing a bassline entirely, an unusual choice that amplifies the song’s tension and vulnerability. Built around icy synthesizers, searing guitar lines, and Prince’s anguished vocals, the song explores the emotional devastation of a collapsing relationship—“Why do we scream at each other? This is what it sounds like when doves cry.”

Lyrically, “When Doves Cry” captures the pain of love turned sour, filtered through Prince’s unique blend of funk, rock, and pop. The track soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for five consecutive weeks, and became one of the best-selling singles of 1984. Its impact was bolstered by a visually striking music video that embraced Prince’s theatrical and androgynous image, cementing the song as both a musical and cultural phenomenon. As part of this list, it represents how songs with “When” in the title often capture pivotal moments of heartbreak, reflection, and emotional reckoning.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Prince Songs

# 4 – And When I Die – Laura Nyro

Written by Laura Nyro when she was just 17 years old, “And When I Die” is a remarkably mature meditation on death, acceptance, and renewal. Nyro first recorded the song in 1966 for her debut album More Than a New Discovery, produced by Milton Okun and recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York City. Accompanied by understated instrumentation that highlights her commanding vocal delivery, Nyro’s lyrics confront mortality with striking clarity and defiance—“And when I die and when I’m gone, there’ll be one child born in this world to carry on.”

The song’s blend of folk, gospel, and jazz elements reveals Nyro’s genre-defying artistry, which set her apart from her contemporaries. Although her version wasn’t a major commercial hit, the song gained widespread recognition when Blood, Sweat & Tears released a more upbeat, horn-driven version in 1968, taking it to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Still, Nyro’s original remains a raw and introspective take on life’s inevitable end, and its inclusion in this list underscores how songs with “When” in the title often grapple with life’s most profound transitions—here, facing death with grace and hope for what continues after.

Read More: Top 10 Laura Nyro Songs

# 3 – When You Walk in the Room – The Searchers

With its shimmering guitars and aching vocals, “When You Walk in the Room” captures the rush of emotion that comes with unspoken love. Originally written and recorded by Jackie DeShannon in 1963, The Searchers’ version was recorded in 1964 at Pye Studios in London and produced by Tony Hatch, transforming the song into a British Invasion classic. Featuring Mike Pender on lead vocals and guitar, Chris Curtis on drums and backing vocals, John McNally on rhythm guitar, and Frank Allen on bass, The Searchers infused the track with their signature jangling guitars and tight harmonies, creating a sound that resonated with both pop and rock audiences.

The song is a vulnerable admission of how a simple entrance from someone you love can upend everything—“Every time that you walk in the room, I close my eyes for a second and pretend it’s me you want.” Their rendition climbed to No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming one of their most enduring hits. Its place in this list reflects how songs with “When” in the title often hinge on a pivotal emotional moment, and here, it’s that charged instant when presence alone speaks volumes.

Read More: Top 10 Searchers Songs

# 2 – When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge

Recorded in February 1966 at Norala Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, “When a Man Loves a Woman” became one of the most iconic soul ballads of all time and Percy Sledge’s defining masterpiece. Produced by Quin Ivy and Marlin Greene, the track featured a stellar lineup of Muscle Shoals musicians, including Spooner Oldham on organ, Marlin Greene on guitar, and Roger Hawkins on drums, crafting a slow-burning arrangement that allowed Sledge’s impassioned vocals to take center stage.

The song is a raw and vulnerable declaration of love and heartbreak—“When a man loves a woman, can’t keep his mind on nothin’ else”—capturing the overwhelming power of devotion that blinds reason and pride. The emotional intensity Sledge poured into his performance was rooted in personal heartbreak, giving the song an authenticity that resonated with listeners worldwide. Released by Atlantic Records, it climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts, becoming a timeless anthem of love and loss. Its presence on this list underscores the way songs with “When” in the title often explore life’s most pivotal and emotionally charged moments.

Read More: Top 10 Percy Sledge Songs

# 1 – When The Levee Breaks – Led Zeppelin

Recorded in December 1970 at Headley Grange using The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, “When the Levee Breaks” is Led Zeppelin’s thunderous reinterpretation of the 1929 blues song by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie, transformed into a towering statement of despair and resilience. Produced by Jimmy Page for their 1971 album Led Zeppelin IV, the track features one of rock history’s most famous drum sounds—John Bonham’s explosive, echo-laden beat, recorded in the stone stairwell of Headley Grange, and captured with just two microphones by engineer Andy Johns. Robert Plant’s mournful harmonica and vocals channel the agony of a world washed away—“Cryin’ won’t help you, prayin’ won’t do you no good”—as Page’s layered slide guitars swirl around John Paul Jones’ pulsing bass. Lyrically, the song’s invocation of the Mississippi flood of 1927 serves as a metaphor for personal and societal collapse, making its inclusion on this list a powerful example of how songs with “When” in the title often confront moments of breaking points and reckoning. Its dark, immersive production and haunting message make it one of Led Zeppelin’s most enduring and influential recordings.

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