27 Best Songs Starting With P

Some of the best songs of all time share the starting letter P in their names. This includes pop, rock, and rap hits from the 1950s to the present day. The following songs starting with P are influential, timeless, and essential listening for any music fan.

PYT Pretty Young Thing by Michael Jackson

Song year: 1983

PYT was composed by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the tenth track on Thriller, Jackson’s sixth studio album, and the album’s sixth single.

Michael Jackson never performed this song live, which reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. The songwriters are James Ingram and Quincy Jones.

PS I Love You by The Beatles

Song year: 1962

PS I Love You is a song by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The song was released as the B-side of the single Love Me Do.

The Beatles recorded PS I Love You with producer George Martin at Abbey Road Studios in London. The track is about a love letter sent to a woman and was an appeal to the Beatles’ female audience.

Paid in Full by Eric B. & Rakim

Song year: 1987

Paid in Full was released as the lead single from Eric B. & Rakim’s debut album Paid In Full on July 7, 1987. Marley Marl produced the song, and it features a sample of “As Long as I’ve Got You” by the Charmels.

Paid In Full features a sample-based instrumental, and the lyrics tell the story of Rakim’s rise to fame and success. Music critics give the song solid reviews for its innovative production and Rakim’s lyrical prowess.

Painkiller by Judas Priest

Song year: 1990

Painkiller was released as the lead single from the album Painkiller on September 3, 1990. The song is by Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, and K.K. Downing.

Painkiller contains a fast-paced guitar riff and features lyrics about a robotic superhero who saves Earth from destruction. The song’s catchy chorus and Judas Priest’s trademark sound make it a live favorite.

Panama by Van Halen

Song year: 1984

Panama was the third single from the album 1984, released on January 20, 1984. Van Halen wrote the song, and Ted Templeman produced it.

Panama is a hard rock song about a race car called Panama Express. The recording occurred at Eddie Van Halen’s 5150 studio.

Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones

Song year: 1966

Paint It Black was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. On top of this, it was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham. The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Paint It Black is a rock track that features dark and atmospheric instrumentation. The lyrics are about a man grieving his lover’s loss. Brian Jones plays sitar on the song, giving an eastern feel to the melody.

Paradise City by Guns N’ Roses

Song year: 1987

Paradise City features a heavy guitar riff and lyrics about a city full of sin and iniquity. The song has been played live as an encore since its release.

This track reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the UK singles chart.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath

Song year: 1970

Paranoid was the lead single from the album Paranoid, released on September 18, 1970. The song is by Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler.

Paranoid is about a man unable to distinguish feelings of depression and paranoia. The band considered the song an afterthought to fill space on the album, but it became a fan favorite and the band’s only UK top ten hit.

Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Song year: 1969

Proud Mary was the lead single from the CCR album Bayou Country, released on January 5, 1969, and John Fogerty wrote the song.

Proud Mary peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of CCR’s most successful singles. Numerous artists covered this song, most famously Tina Turner.

Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix Experience

Song year: 1967

Purple Haze was the second single from Are You Experienced, The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s debut album. Jimi Hendrix wrote the song, and Chas Chandler produced it.

Purple Haze is a psychedelic rock song that features a distorted guitar riff and lyrics based on a dream about science fiction novel.

Many artists covered Purple Haze, including Frank Zappa, Toad, and Pat Travers.

Papa Don’t Preach by Madonna

Song year: 1986

Papa Don’t Preach was the second single from Madonna’s album True Blue. The song was written by Brian Elliot and produced by Madonna and Steve Bray.

The lyrics about teenage pregnancy caused controversy when the song was released, but it still became a number one hit in the United States.

Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag by James Brown

Song year: 1965

Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag is a song written and performed by James Brown. It came out as a single on August 8, 1965.

This track is considered one of the earliest examples of funk as a unique musical style. The lyrics tell the story of an older man who is not afraid to get on the dancefloor to show off his new moves.

Paperback Writer by The Beatles

Song year: 1966

Paperback Writer was written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon of The Beatles and produced by George Martin. This track went to number one in the US, UK, West Germany, Ireland, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia.

This song is about an author writing a letter to a publisher. A relative criticized Paul McCartney for only writing love songs, and Paperback Writer was the result.

Party Hard by Andrew W.K.

Song year: 2001

Party Hard is the second single from Andrew W.K.’s album I Get Wet, released on July 9, 2001. The song was written by Andrew W.K. and produced by Dave Sardy.

Party Hard reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart and was named the 89th best hard rock song by VH1.

Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus

Song year: 2009

Party in the USA was the lead single from The Time of Our Lives album, released on August 11, 2009. Jessie J, Claude Kelly, and Dr. Luke wrote the song, and Dr. Luke produced it.

Party In The USA is a pop song about a girl who moves to Hollywood and feels out of place. This track became one of Miley Cyrus’ most successful singles. Numerous artists covered the song, including Justin Bieber and the Jonas Brothers.

Pass the Mic by Beastie Boys

Song year: 1992

Pass The Mic was released as the fourth single from the album Check Your Head on June 9, 1992. The song was written by Adam Horovitz, Mike D, and Adam Yauch and produced by Mario Caldato Jr.

Pass The Mic features a sample of James Brown’s song “Funky President (People It’s Bad).” The song is about passing the mic to someone who can rhyme better than you.

Photograph by Def Leppard

Song year: 1983

Photograph was the third single from the album Pyromania. The song was written by Joe Elliott and produced by Mutt Lange, and The album sold ten million copies worldwide.

Photograph became a breakout hit thanks to heavy rotation on MTV. There wasn’t too much competition on the network then, and the video was considered more well-made than most.

Purple Rain by Prince & The Revolution

Song year: 1984

Purple Rain is the soundtrack to the movie Purple Rain. Prince won an Oscar for the song about letting go of the frustrations of loving a woman.

Purple Rain became so successful that Prince said it scared him. He would close with this track on tour, and it was the showstopper during his Super Bowl performance in 2007.

Plush by Stone Temple Pilots

Song year: 1992

Plush was released as the second single from the album Core on October 26, 1992. The song was written by Scott Weiland and produced by Brendan O’Brien.

This track won a Grammy in 1993. The Grammy it got was ‘Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal’ and went to number 39 on the US Airplay chart.

Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe

Song year: 1990

Poison is an R&B song about a woman who uses her beauty to take advantage of a man. This song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Bell Biv DeVoe’s most successful singles.

Bell, Bivens, and Devoe were backup singers for New Edition when they got the opportunity to record their own album.

Poker Face by Lady Gaga

Song year: 2008

Poker Face was the second single from the album The Fame, released on September 26, 2008. Lady Gaga wrote the song, and RedOne produced it.

This track is about playing with men like they are cards in a poker game. Part of the song’s hook contains a sample from Boney M’s song Ma Baker. Poker Face hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Present Tense by Radiohead

Song year: 1995

Present Tense is a sparse, atmospheric song with lyrics about love and loss. The song’s melancholy tone and Thom Yorke’s make it one of the most popular tracks on the 2016 album A Moon Shaped Pool.

Paul Thomas Anderson directed the video for this track, and he also directed Radiohead’s video for the song Daydreaming.

Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2

Song year: 1984

Pride (In the Name of Love) is a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. Bono wrote the song about people throughout history killed for standing up for what’s right.

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders sang backup on this track which was U2’s first US hit, peaking at number 33.

Peace Train by Cat Stevens

Song Year: 1971

Peace Train is a song about working towards peace. It became an anthem during protests of the era, although the track does not have a political or protest theme.

10,000 Maniacs covered this song on their 1987 album In My Tribe, and Dolly Parton covered it on her album Treasures.

Peaceful Easy Feeling by The Eagles

Song year: 1972

Peaceful Easy Feeling was the second single from the album Eagles, released on August 2, 1972. Jack Tempchin wrote the song, and Glyn Johns produced it.

The Eagles recorded this track in London because they wanted to escape the distractions of Los Angeles, and Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey said it is one of his favorite songs from the band.

Private Dancer by Tina Turner

Song year: 1984

In Private Dancer, Tina Turner describes an exotic dancer who feels empty inside because of her work. The song was the lead single from the album of the same name, reaching number one in the US.

Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits wrote the lyrics and realized it didn’t work with a male vocalist. He pitched it to Tina Turner as she was beginning her 1980s comeback.

Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly and The Crickets

Song year: 1957

Peggy Sue is an early rock ‘n roll song by Jerry Allison and Norman Petty. The Crickets were not credited on the track even though the whole band did perform. This single from the album Buddy Holly went to number three on the Billboard Top 100 and is 194 on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time.

Peggy Sue is also one of NPR’s 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century, and John Lennon and The Beach Boys covered the song.

Top Songs Starting With P, Final Thoughts

There are so many great songs beginning with the letter P that it’s hard to pick just a few. These hit songs are a great starting point for building your own playlist. There’s something for everyone, from pop to rock to rap, so turn up the volume and have fun.