Best Jazz singles of all time - Rate Your Music
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Top Jazz singles of all time

Separate: live, archival, soundtracks and scores
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Updated: 23 April
Average Ratings Reviews
Nina Simone - Sinnerman (Parts One & Two), Cover art
Sinnerman (Parts One & Two)
Nina Simone
4.49 2k 1,795 13 13
1968 Single
Rhythm & Blues Vocal Jazz
Spirituals Gospel Avant-Garde Jazz Traditional Black Gospel
Christian apocalyptic spiritual passionate progressive infernal suspenseful rhythmic
2k Ratings 13 Reviews 4.49 Average
Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra - Strange Fruit / Fine and Mellow, Cover art
Strange Fruit / Fine and Mellow
Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra
4.24 1k 1,412 16 16
May 1939 Single
Vocal Jazz
Blues Funeral March
protest death dark poetic sombre serious disturbing violence
1k Ratings 16 Reviews 4.24 Average
Dave Brubeck Quartet - Take Five / Blue Rondo a la Turk, Cover art
Take Five / Blue Rondo a la Turk
Dave Brubeck Quartet
4.23 1k 1,038 14 14
21 September 1959 Single
Cool Jazz
uncommon time signatures instrumental melodic rhythmic complex playful mellow acoustic
1k Ratings 14 Reviews 4.23 Average
Miles Davis - ソー・ホワット (So What) / オール・ブルース (All Blues), Cover art
ソー・ホワット (So What) / オール・ブルース (All Blues)
Miles Davis
4.23 271 271
October 1966 Single
Modal Jazz Cool Jazz
Hard Bop Post-Bop
instrumental mellow calm improvisation melodic soothing nocturnal acoustic
271 Ratings 4.23 Average
Stevie Wonder - As / Contusion, Cover art
As / Contusion
Stevie Wonder
4.21 700 700 11 11
November 1977 Single
Soul Jazz-Funk
Jazz Fusion Gospel Pop Soul
romantic spiritual uplifting philosophical passionate lush optimistic nature
700 Ratings 11 Reviews 4.21 Average
Gil Scott-Heron with Pretty Purdie and the Playboys - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised / Home Is Where the Hatred Is, Cover art
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised / Home Is Where the Hatred Is
Gil Scott-Heron with Pretty Purdie and the Playboys
4.17 826 826 4 4
1971 Single
Funk Soul Jazz Poetry
Jazz-Funk
protest political satirical conscious rebellious rhythmic violence passionate
826 Ratings 4 Reviews 4.17 Average
John Coltrane - My Favorite Things (Parts I & II), Cover art
My Favorite Things (Parts I & II)
John Coltrane
4.18 686 686 5 5
April 1961 Single
Modal Jazz Post-Bop
Standards
hypnotic warm instrumental passionate rhythmic mellow uplifting acoustic
686 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.18 Average
Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World / Cabaret, Cover art
What a Wonderful World / Cabaret
Louis Armstrong
4.16 2k 1,534 31 31
October 1967 Single
Vocal Jazz Traditional Pop
Swing Pop Soul
optimistic uplifting melodic sentimental soothing peaceful lush bittersweet
2k Ratings 31 Reviews 4.16 Average
Nina Simone - Four Women / What More Can I Say, Cover art
Four Women / What More Can I Say
Nina Simone
4.14 317 317 3 3
October 1966 Single
Vocal Jazz Piano Blues Soul Jazz
conscious epic nocturnal melancholic sparse alienation serious introspective
317 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.14 Average
Art Blakey - Moanin' (Parts I & II), Cover art
Moanin' (Parts I & II)
Art Blakey
4.14 321 321 3 3
1959 Single
Hard Bop
improvisation rhythmic warm acoustic instrumental playful passionate energetic
321 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.14 Average
John Coltrane - Giant Steps / Countdown, Cover art
Giant Steps / Countdown
John Coltrane
4.12 392 392 3 3
1961 Single
Hard Bop Modal Jazz
Post-Bop
technical improvisation instrumental energetic acoustic playful progressive complex
392 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.12 Average
Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia / Little Umbrellas, Cover art
Peaches en Regalia / Little Umbrellas
Frank Zappa
4.09 754 754 5 5
1970 Single
Jazz-Rock Jazz Fusion
Progressive Rock Third Stream
quirky playful complex technical instrumental rhythmic melodic progressive
754 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.09 Average
Nina Simone - Feeling Good / My Baby Just Cares for Me, Cover art
Feeling Good / My Baby Just Cares for Me
Nina Simone
4.12 242 242 4 4
1994 Single
Soul Jazz Big Band Vocal Jazz
happy uplifting melodic passionate nature lush orchestral energetic
242 Ratings 4 Reviews 4.12 Average
Vince Guaraldi - Christmas Time Is Here / What Child Is This, Cover art
Christmas Time Is Here / What Child Is This
Vince Guaraldi
4.10 368 368 4 4
December 1965 Single
Christmas Music Cool Jazz Carols
Television Music
Christmas mellow bittersweet melancholic melodic carol vocal group warm
368 Ratings 4 Reviews 4.10 Average
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra - Sing, Sing, Sing (Parts 1 & 2), Cover art
Sing, Sing, Sing (Parts 1 & 2)
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
4.07 720 720 8 8
September 1937 Single
Swing Big Band
Progressive Big Band
energetic instrumental party melodic uplifting rhythmic suspenseful progressive
720 Ratings 8 Reviews 4.07 Average
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Oh, Good Grief / Linus & Lucy, Cover art
Oh, Good Grief / Linus & Lucy
Vince Guaraldi Trio
4.08 452 452 4 4
1965 Single
Cool Jazz Television Music Christmas Music
Boogie Woogie
instrumental rhythmic mellow Christmas melodic happy winter playful
452 Ratings 4 Reviews 4.08 Average
Kamasi Washington - Prologue, Cover art
Prologue
Kamasi Washington
4.08 332 332 2 2
6 March 2024 Single
Jazz Fusion Spiritual Jazz
Jazzstep Nu Jazz
energetic instrumental improvisation triumphant technical epic passionate rhythmic
332 Ratings 2 Reviews 4.08 Average
The Miles Davis Quartet - It Never Entered My Mind (Parts 1 & 2), Cover art
It Never Entered My Mind (Parts 1 & 2)
The Miles Davis Quartet
4.29 146 146 3 3
February 1960 Single
Cool Jazz
improvisation melodic atmospheric instrumental mellow calm ballad acoustic
146 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.29 Average
Portishead - All Mine, Cover art
All Mine
Portishead
4.05 760 760 3 3
8 September 1997 Single
Trip Hop Crime Jazz
Acid Jazz Psychedelic Soul Dark Jazz Spy Music Vocal Jazz
ominous romantic lush mysterious sensual love passionate dark
760 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.05 Average
KNOWER - Overtime (Live Band Session), Cover art
Overtime (Live Band Session)
KNOWER
4.04 302 302 1 1
29 August 2017 Single
Jazz-Funk
Nu Jazz Jazz Fusion
playful technical energetic rhythmic lo-fi love improvisation
302 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.04 Average
BADBADNOTGOOD - Time Moves Slow / Speaking Gently, Cover art
Time Moves Slow / Speaking Gently
BADBADNOTGOOD
4.06 259 259 1 1
18 May 2016 Single
Jazz Fusion Soul Jazz Neo-Soul
Instrumental Hip Hop Alternative R&B Neo-Soul
mellow rhythmic longing melancholic breakup atmospheric love lonely
259 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.06 Average
Pat Metheny Group - Last Train Home, Cover art
Last Train Home
Pat Metheny Group
4.05 187 187 3 3
1987 Single
Jazz Fusion New Age
ECM Style Jazz Smooth Jazz
melancholic soothing bittersweet passionate sentimental atmospheric lush soft
187 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.05 Average
Claire / 高橋洋子 [Yoko Takahashi] - Fly Me to the Moon, Cover art
Fly Me to the Moon
Claire Yoko Takahashi 高橋洋子
4.01 288 288 1 1
25 October 1995 Single
Vocal Jazz Standards Television Music
Bossa nova Cool Jazz
lush romantic nocturnal mellow melodic love bittersweet peaceful
288 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.01 Average
John Coltrane - Blue Train (Parts 1 & 2), Cover art
Blue Train (Parts 1 & 2)
John Coltrane
4.01 286 286 4 4
1958 Single
Hard Bop
instrumental energetic improvisation complex playful acoustic technical nocturnal
286 Ratings 4 Reviews 4.01 Average
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - The Bottle / Back Home, Cover art
The Bottle / Back Home
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson
3.98 304 304 1 1
1974 Single
Soul Jazz-Funk
rhythmic conscious alcohol melancholic political progressive
304 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.98 Average
Sade - Smooth Operator / Spirit, Cover art
Smooth Operator / Spirit
Sade
3.94 966 966 11 11
15 September 1984 Single
Sophisti-Pop Smooth Jazz
Smooth Soul Contemporary R&B Yacht Rock
urban lush nocturnal sensual soft melodic passionate sentimental
966 Ratings 11 Reviews 3.94 Average
Julie London - Cry Me a River / S'Wonderful, Cover art
Cry Me a River / S'Wonderful
Julie London
3.93 430 430 8 8
October 1955 Single
Vocal Jazz Standards
sad sparse lonely soothing nocturnal
430 Ratings 8 Reviews 3.93 Average
Billie Holiday - Gloomy Sunday (The Famous Hungarian Suicide Song) / I'm in a Low Down Groove, Cover art
Gloomy Sunday (The Famous Hungarian Suicide Song) / I'm in a Low Down Groove
Billie Holiday
3.92 614 614 10 10
November 1941 Single
Vocal Jazz
suicide depressive sombre disturbing melancholic love passionate poetic
614 Ratings 10 Reviews 3.92 Average
Nina Simone - I Put a Spell on You / Gimme Some, Cover art
I Put a Spell on You / Gimme Some
Nina Simone
3.93 377 377 2 2
June 1965 Single
Vocal Jazz Soul Jazz
Rhythm & Blues Soul Blues
occult anxious dark sensual raw sexual passionate manic
377 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.93 Average
Coleman Hawkins and His Orchestra - Body and Soul / Fine Dinner, Cover art
Body and Soul / Fine Dinner
Coleman Hawkins and His Orchestra
3.93 254 254 11 11
December 1939 Single
Swing
Bebop
lonely improvisation romantic melancholic mellow ballad acoustic passionate
254 Ratings 11 Reviews 3.93 Average
Herbie Hancock - Chameleon / Vein Melter, Cover art
Chameleon / Vein Melter
Herbie Hancock
3.93 204 204 3 3
1974 Single
Jazz-Funk Jazz Fusion
Synth Funk
repetitive playful progressive improvisation quirky rhythmic complex psychedelic
204 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.93 Average
Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra - Take the "A" Train / The Sidewalks of New York, Cover art
Take the "A" Train / The Sidewalks of New York
Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra
3.90 425 425 4 4
11 April 1941 Single
Big Band Swing
energetic instrumental melodic uplifting passionate warm acoustic lush
425 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.90 Average
Glenn Miller and His Orchestra - In the Mood / I Want to Be Happy, Cover art
In the Mood / I Want to Be Happy
Glenn Miller and His Orchestra
3.89 557 557 11 11
September 1939 Single
Swing Big Band
Boogie Woogie
uplifting instrumental rhythmic energetic acoustic playful melodic party
557 Ratings 11 Reviews 3.89 Average
Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man / Three Bags Full, Cover art
Watermelon Man / Three Bags Full
Herbie Hancock
3.93 177 177
June 1962 Single
Soul Jazz Hard Bop
warm melodic rhythmic technical uplifting improvisation acoustic energetic
177 Ratings 3.93 Average
Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares for Me / He Needs Me, Cover art
My Baby Just Cares for Me / He Needs Me
Nina Simone
3.89 473 473 6 6
August 1962 Single
Vocal Jazz
Stride Standards
romantic passionate love rhythmic melodic warm improvisation acoustic
473 Ratings 6 Reviews 3.89 Average
Bessie Smith - Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out / Take It Right Back ('Cause I Don't Want It Here), Cover art
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out / Take It Right Back ('Cause I Don't Want It Here)
Bessie Smith
3.89 471 471 7 7
September 1929 Single
Vaudeville Blues Vocal Jazz
melancholic lonely passionate sad acoustic alcohol
471 Ratings 7 Reviews 3.89 Average
Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra - Caravan / Azure, Cover art
Caravan / Azure
Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra
3.90 304 304 4 4
18 June 1937 Single
Big Band Swing
Afro-Cuban Jazz
energetic instrumental rhythmic mysterious warm sensual playful longing
304 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.90 Average
Duke Ellington & His Orch. - The Mooche / Hot and Bothered, Cover art
The Mooche / Hot and Bothered
Duke Ellington & His Orch.
3.90 207 207 5 5
November 1928 Single
Big Band Swing
Dixieland
acoustic melodic instrumental urban party rhythmic playful suspenseful
207 Ratings 5 Reviews 3.90 Average
Kamasi Washington - Truth, Cover art
Truth
Kamasi Washington
3.87 675 675 3 3
12 April 2017 Single
Spiritual Jazz
Jazz Fusion Post-Bop Soul Jazz
uplifting lush instrumental soothing spiritual epic warm melodic
675 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.87 Average
Louis Armstrong & His Savoy Ballroom Five - St. James Infirmary / Save It Pretty Mama, Cover art
St. James Infirmary / Save It Pretty Mama
Louis Armstrong & His Savoy Ballroom Five
3.89 292 292 5 5
February 1929 Single
Vocal Jazz Dixieland
melodic acoustic mellow death romantic
292 Ratings 5 Reviews 3.89 Average
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Soundtracks

  • 日比野則彦 [Norihiko Hibino] - Snake Eater, Cover art
    Snake Eater
    2005 Single
    251 Ratings 4.33 Average
    4.33 251 251
  • 高橋洋子 [Yoko Takahashi] / Claire - 残酷な天使のテーゼ (Zankoku na tenshi no these) / Fly Me to the Moon, Cover art
    残酷な天使のテーゼ (Zankoku na tenshi no these) / Fly Me to the Moon
    1995 Single
    839 Ratings 4 Reviews 4.12 Average
    4.12 839 839 4 4
  • Henry Mancini and His Orchestra - The Pink Panther Theme / It Had Better Be Tonight, Cover art
    The Pink Panther Theme / It Had Better Be Tonight
    1963 Single
    382 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.92 Average
    3.92 382 382 3 3
  • The John Barry Seven and Orchestra - The James Bond Theme / The Blacksmith Blues, Cover art
    The James Bond Theme / The Blacksmith Blues
    1962 Single
    194 Ratings 5 Reviews 3.92 Average
    3.92 194 194 5 5
  • ALI - Wild Side, Cover art
    Wild Side
    2019 Single
    189 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.90 Average
    3.90 189 189 1 1
    • See all 80 Include in main chart

    Live

  • Nina Simone - Sinnerman, Cover art
    Sinnerman
    2013 Single
    455 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.23 Average
    4.23 455 455 3 3
  • Nina Simone - Mississippi *%??**&% [Mississippi Goddam] / Sea Lion Woman, Cover art
    Mississippi *%??**&% [Mississippi Goddam] / Sea Lion Woman
    1964 Single
    382 Ratings 3 Reviews 4.00 Average
    4.00 382 382 3 3
  • James Blake - A Case of You, Cover art
    A Case of You
    2011 Single
    73 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.44 Average
    3.44 73 73 1 1
  • George Benson - On Broadway / It's All in the Game, Cover art
    On Broadway / It's All in the Game
    1978 Single
    89 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.15 Average
    3.15 89 89 4 4
  • John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy - Impressions, Cover art
    Impressions
    2023 Single
    42 Ratings 3.83 Average
    3.83 42 42
    • See all 59 Include in main chart

    Archival

  • John Coltrane - Untitled Original 11383, Cover art
    Untitled Original 11383
    2018 Single
    88 Ratings 3.74 Average
    3.74 88 88
  • Vince Guaraldi - Skating, Cover art
    Skating
    2019 Single
    54 Ratings 4.21 Average
    4.21 54 54
  • Joe McPhee - Cosmic Love, Cover art
    Cosmic Love
    2014 Single
    53 Ratings 3.91 Average
    3.91 53 53
    • See all 89 Include in main chart
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