Keyboard in Rock and Pop Songs

photodune-2513702-moog-xsWhile this site is primarily dedicated to rock keyboard, I’ve included a lot of Pop and Pop/Synth tracks below. They’re still good songs, many were huge hits, and bottom line, they feature our beloved keyboards in some capacity, so take them for what they’re worth.

This list will expand over time. I still have a lot of tunes to add and will do so as time allows. This little project took a lot of time to research and cross-check, and While I’ve tried to get the facts for each track as accurate as possible, mistakes can still sneak in. if you know for certain that there is a mistake somewhere, or can help me fill in the missing information (obviously represented by a question mark), Please let me know. I’d appreciate that

The keyboard presence in these songs range from subtle to totally dominating the track. It might be just an intro or a solo, or maybe function as an underlying rhythm vamp, but it has an important role in the arrangement nevertheless. Being a music trivia geek, I personally like this kind of list regardless, as I’m really into the “Who played which instrument on which track” minutiae. I think most keyboardists will find it interesting

Track title Year Band/Artist keyboards played by instrument played
96 Tears 1966 Question Mark & The Mysterians Frank Rodriguez Vox Continental
99 Luftballoons 1983 Nena Uwe Fahrenkrog Petersen Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, Oberheim OB-X
100 Years 2003 Five For Fighting John Ondrasik Piano
1999 1982 Prince Prince Oberheim OB-X
Africa 1982 Toto David Paitch Yamaha CS-80, Yamaha GS-1
After The Gold Rush 1970 Neil Young Nils Lofgren Piano
Against The Wind 1980 Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Paul Harris Piano, Hammond B-3
All By Myself 1975 Eric Carmen Eric Carmen Piano
All My Love 1979 Led Zeppelin John Paul Jomes Yamaha GX-1
All The Way To Memphis 1973 Mott The Hoople Ian Hunter Piano
Alone 1987 Heart Howard Leese Piano
A Long December 1996 Counting Crows Adam Duritz Piano
American Pie 1969 Don McLean Paul Griffin Piano
Angie 1973 The Rolling Stones Nicky Hopkins Piano
Apologize 2007 One Republic Ryan Tedder Piano
A Thousand Miles 2001 Vanessa Carlton Vanessa Carlton Piano
Angie 1973 The Rolling Stones Nicky Hopkins Piano
Axel F 1984 Harold Faltermeyer Harold Faltermeyer Roland Jupiter 4, Jupiter 8, JX-8P, JX-3P, Moog Mod, Synth 15, Yamaha DX-7, Linndrum,Oberheim, DM-X
Baba O’ Rliey 1971 The Who Pete Townsend Lowery Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ
Baby You’re A Rich Man 1967 The Beatles John Lennon Clavioline
Back In The USSR 1968 The Beatles Paul McCartney Piano
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown 1973 Jim Croce Tommy West Piano
Bad Company 1974 Bad Company Paul Rodgers Piano
Bad Day 2005 Daniel Powter Daniel Powter Piano
Bang The Drum All Day 1983 Todd Rundgren Todd Rundgren Farfisa Pergamon
Beth 1976 Kiss Bob Ezrin Piano
Bette Davis Eyes 1981 Kim Carnes Bill Cuomo Prophet-5
Billie Jean 1982 Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Yamaha CS-80
Bloody Well Right 1974 Supertramp Richard Davies Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Bohemian Rhapsody 1975 Queen Freddie Mercury Piano
Blueberry Hill 1956 Fats Domino Fats Domino Piano
Blue (Da Ba Dee) 1999 Eiffel 65 Maury Lobina Piano
Born To Be Wild 1968 Steppenwolf Goldy McJohn Lowery organ
Born To Run 1975 Bruce Springsteen David Sancious Piano, Organ
Brick 1997 Ben Folds Five Ben Folds Piano
Bridge Over Troubled Waters 1970 Simon And Garfunkel Larry Knechtel Piano
Bring Me To life 1985 Evanescense David Hodges Piano
Broken Wings 1985 Mister Mister Steve George Yamamha DX-7
Bulldog 1969 The Beatles John Lennon Piano
California Girls 1965 The Beach Boys Al DeLory Organ
Call Me The Breeze 1974 Lynyrd Skynrd Billy Powell Piano
Can’t Fight This Feeling 1985 REO Speedwagon Neil Doughty Piano
Can’t You See 1973 The Marshall Tucker Band Paul Hornsby Piano
Carrie 1987 Europe Mic Michaeli ?
Carry On Wayward Son 1976 Kansas Steve Walsh Piano, Hammond B-3
Cars 1979 Gary Numan Gary Numan Minimoog, Polymoog
Centerfold 1981 J. Geils Band Seth Justman Prophet-5, Yamaha CS-80
Changes 1972 David Bowie Rick Wakeman Piano
Chest Fever 1968 The Band Garth Hudson Lowery Festival organ
Clocks 2002 Coldplay Chris Martin Piano
Cold November Rain 1992 Guns’n Roses Axl Rose Piano
Come Dancing 1982 The Kinks Ian Gibbons Korg Trident MK1, Hammond C3, small casio synth
Come Sail Away 1977 Styx Dennis DeYoung Piano
Crocodile Rock 1972 Elton John Elton John Piano, Farfisa Organ
Dancing In The Moonlight 1972 King Harvest Sherman Kelly Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Daniel 1973 Elton John Elton John Fender Rhodes Piano
December 1963 (Oh What A Night) 1975 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Bob Gaudio Piano
Delta Lady 1969 Joe Cocker Leon Russell Piano
Desperado 1973 The Eagles Glenn Frey piano
Doctor, Doctor 1984 Thompson Twins Tom Bailey Oberheim OBxa, Prophet 5, Pro One
Domino 1970 Van Morrison Alan Hand Piano
Don’t Dream It’s Over 1986 Crowded House Mitchell Froom Hammond B-3
Don’t Let Me Down 1969 The Beatles Billy Preston Fender Rhodes
Don’t You (Forget About Me) 1985 Simple Minds Mick MacNeil Oberheim OB-XA, Roland Jupiter 8
Don’t You Want Me 1982 Human League Jo Callis Roland Jupiter 4/Korg 770
Do You Wanna Dance? 1958 Bobby Freeman Bobby Freeman Piano
Double Shot Of My Baby’s Love 1966 Swingin’ Medallions John McElrath Farfisa Organ
Do Wah Diddy Diddy 1965 Manfred Mann Manfred Mann Hohner Cembalet
Do You Feel Like We Do 1974 Peter Frampton Bob Mayo Fender Rhodes Piano
Dream On 1972 Aerosmith Stephen Tyler Mellotron
Drops Of Jupiter 2001 Train Chuck Leavell Piano
Eternal Flame 1989 The Bangles John Phillip Shenale ?
Faithfully 1983 Journey Jonathan Cain Roland Jupiter-8
Feelin’ Alright 1985 Joe Cocker Artie Butler Piano
Fire 1968 The Crazy World of Authur Brown Vincent Crane Hammond B-3
Firth Of Fifth 1973 Genesis Tony Banks Piano
Fly Like An Eagle 1976 The Steve Miller Band Joachim Young, Steve Miller Hammond B-3, Arp 2600, Arp Odyssey
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) 1977 Styx Dennis DeYoung Oberheim 4-voice
Fool In The Rain 1979 Led Zeppelin John Paul Jones Piano
Foreplay/Long Time 1977 Boston Tom Scholz Hammond M-3
Frankenstein 1973 The Edgar Winter Group Edgar Winter ARP 2600
Ghostbusters 1984 Ray Parker Jr. Ray Parker Jr. Korg Poly 61/Roland Jupiter 6
Gimme Some Lovin’ 1968 Spencer Davis Group Steve Winwood Hammond B-3
Get Back 1968 The Beatles Billy Preston Fender Rhodes
God Only Knows 1966 The Beach Boys Don Randi Piano
Goodbye To You 1982 Scandal Paul Shaffer Oberheim OB-xa
Good Lovin’ 1966 The Young Rascals Felix Caviliere Hammond B-3
Good Golly Miss Molly 1958 Little Richard Little Richard Piano
Go Now 1965 The Moody Blues Mike Pinder Piano
Great Balls Of Fire 1957 Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis piano
Green-Eyed Lady 1970 Sugarloaf Jerry Corbetta Hammond C-3
Green Onions 1962 Booker T and The M.G s Booker T. Jones Hammond M3 organ
Hall Of Fame 2012 The Script (ft. Will.I.Am) Danny O’ Donoghue piano
Heard It In A Love Song 1977 The Marshall Tucker Band Paul Hornsby Piano
Here I go Again 1987 Whitesnake Don Airey ?
Higher Ground 1973 Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Hohner Clavinet
Highway Star 1972 Deep Purple Jon Lord Hammond C-3
Hitchin’ a Ride 1969 Vanity Fare Barry Landeman Piano
Hold Me Now 1983 Thompson Twins Tom Bailey Oberheim OBxa, Prophet 5, Pro One
Hold The Line 1978 Toto David Paitch Piano
Hold Your Head Up 1972 Argent Rod Argent Hammond B-3
Home Sweet Home 1985 Motley Crue Tommy Lee Piano
How To Save A Life 2005 The Fray Issac Slade Piano
Human Nature 1982 Michael Jackson Steve Porcaro Yamaha CS-80
Hungry Heart 1980 Bruce Springsteen Danny Federici Hammond B-3
Hush 1968 Deep Purple Jon Lord Hammond C-3
I am the Walrus 1967 The Beatles John Lennon Hohner Pianet
I Can’t Make You Love Me 1991 Bonnie Raitt Bruce Hornsby Piano
I Don’t Like Mondays 1979 The Boomtown Rats Johnnie Fingers Piano
I Know A Little 1977 Lynyrd Skynyrd Billy Powell Piano
I’m a Believer 1966 The Monkees Artie Butler Vox Continental
I’m Not In Love 1975 10 CC Eric Stewart Fender Rhodes
Incense and Peppermints 1967 Strawberry Alarm Clock Mark Weitz Farfisa Compact
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida 1967 Iron Butterfly Doug Ingles Vox Continental
In The End 2001 Linkin Park Mike Shinoda Piano
In The Summertime 1970 Mungo Jerry Colin Earl Piano
Into The Groove 1984 Madonna ? Roland MKS Super Jupiter, Juno-106
It’s My Life 1984 Talk Talk Tim Friese Greene, Mark Hollis Oberheim OB-XA, Roland Jupiter 8, Yamaha DX-7
Jealous Guy 1971 John Lennon Nicky Hopkins Piano
Jive Talkin’ 1975 The Bee Gees Derek John “Blue” Weaver Minimoog, ARP 2600
Joy To The World 1971 Three Dog Night Jimmy Greenspoon Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Jump 1983 Van Halen Eddie Van Halen Oberheim OB-X
Keep On Dancing 1965 The Gentrys Bobby Fisher Vox Continental
Kind Of A Drag 1967 The Buckinghams Marty Grebb Hammond B-3
King Of Anything 2010 Sara Barielles Sara Barielles Piano
Kyrie 1985 Mister Mister Steve George Yamaha DX-7
Lady Madonna 1968 The Beatles Paul McCartney Piano
Lay Down Sally 1977 Eric Clapton Dick Sims Fender Rhodes
Layla 1971 Derek And The Dominos Jim Gordon Piano
Lean On Me 1972 Bill Withers Raymond Jackson Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Let It Bleed 1969 The Rolling Stones Ian Stewart Piano
Lido Shuffle 1977 Boz Scaggs David Paitch, Steve Porcaro Piano, Minimoog
Light My Fire 1967 The Doors Ray Manzarek Vox Continental
Like A Rolling Stone 1965 Bob Dylan Paul Griffin, Al Kooper Piano, Hammond B-3
Listen To Your Heart 1988 Roxette Clarence Ofwerman ?
Louie, Louie 1963 The Kingsmen Don Galucci Hohner Pianet
Lovely Rita 1967 The Beatles George Martin Piano
Love Song 2009 Sara Bareilles Sara Bareilles Piano
Love Takes Time 1979 Orleans Larry Hoppen Piano
Love Walks In 1986 Van Halen Eddie van Halen Steinway Grand midi’ed/ Roland D-50/ Prophet VS/Yamaha TX816 & DX7II/ Oberheim OB-8
Love The One You’re With 1970 Stephen Stills Stephen Stills Hammond B-3
Lucky Man 1970 Emerson, Lake, and Palmer Keith Emerson Moog Synthesizer
Maggie May 1971 Rod Stewart Ian McClagan Hammond B-3
Magic Carpet Ride 1968 Steppenwolf Goldy McJohn Hammond B-3
Mama Told Me Not To Come 1970 Three Dog Night Jimmy Witherspoon Hohner Pianet N
Miss You 1978 The Rolling Stones Ian McLagan Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Morning Has Broken 1976 Cat Stevens Rick Wakeman Piano
Midnight Confessions 1968 The Grassroots Larry Knechtel Farfisa Combo Organ
Moondance 1970 Van Morrison Jeff Labes Piano
Mr Crowley 1981 Blizzard of Ozz Don Airey Minimoog/Yamaha CS-80
My Immortal 2003 Evanescense David Hodges Piano
Never Gonna Fall In Love Again 1976 Eric Carmen Eric Carmen Piano
Nights In White Satin 1967 The Moody Blues Mike Pinder Mellotron
Oh, Pretty Woman 1964 Roy Orbison Floyd Cramer Piano
Old Time Rock And Roll 1978 Bob Seger Barry Beckett Piano
Open Arms 1983 Journey Jonathan Cain Piano
Oye Como Va 1968 Santana Gregg Rolie Hammond B-3
Paradise By The Dashboard Light 1977 Meatloaf Roy Bittan Piano
Piano Man 1973 Billy Joel Billy Joel Piano
Pipeline 1963 The Chantays Rob Marshall Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Popcorn 1972 Hot Butter Stan Free Moog
Reelin’ in the years 1968 Steely Dan Donald Fagan Piano
Refugee 1980 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Benmont Tench Hammond B-3
Revolution 1968 The Beatles Nicky Hopkins Hohner Pianet N
Ride like The Wind 1980 Christopher Cross Michael Omartian Piano
Riders on The Storm 1971 the Doors Ray Manzarek Fender Rhodes Piano
Right Place, Wrong Time 1973 Dr. John Dr.John Piano
Rikki Don’t Lose That Number 1974 Steely Dan Michael Omartian Piano
Rockin’ Pneumonia -Boogie Woogie Flu 1972 Johnny Rivers Larry Knechtel Piano
Rockit 1983 Herbie Hancock Herbie Hancock Rhodes Chroma, Fairlight CMI
Rock Lobster 1979 The B-52’s Kate Pierson Farfisa Organ
Rock Me Amadeus 1985 Falco Falco ?
Rock The Casbah 1982 The Clash Topper Headon Piano
Rosanna 1982 Toto David Paitch, Steve Porcaro Piano, Hammond B3, Minimoog, Yamaha CS-80, Yamaha GS-1, Prophet 5, Roland MC-4
Roundabout 1971 Yes Rick Wakeman Hammond C-3
Runaway 1985 Bon Jovi Roy Bittan ?
Runaway 1961 Del Shannon Max Crook Piano, Musitron
Running On Empty 1977 Jackson Browne Craig Doerge Piano
Saturday in the Park 1968 Chicago Robert Lamm Piano
Say You Love Me 1976 Fleetwod Mac Christine McVie Piano
See You Again 2015 Wiz Khalifa (ft. Charlie Puth) Charlie Puth Piano
She Blinded Me With Science 1983 Thomas Dolby Thomas Dolby Moog Source synth, Roland JP-4
She Caught The Katy 1980 The Blues Brothers Paul Shaffer Wurlitzer Electric Piano
She’s About a Mover 1965 Sir Douglas Quintet Augie Meyers Vox Continental
She’s a Rainbow 1967 Rolling Stones Nicky Hopkins Piano
She’s Not There 1965 The Zombies Rod Argent Hohner Pianet
Signs 1971 5 Man Electrical Band Ted Gerow Hammond B-3, Fender Rhodes
Sister Christian 1984 Night Ranger Alan Fitzgerald Piano
Smokin’ 1976 Boston Tom Scholz Hammond M-3
Someone like You 2010 Adelle Dan Wilson Piano
Soul Sacrifice 1968 Santana Gregg Rolie Hammond B-3
Stay With Me 1971 The Faces Ian Mclagen Wurlitzer
Steppin’ Out 1982 Joe Jackson Joe Jackson Yamaha CP-70
Steven 1975 Alice Cooper Bob Ezrin Piano
Strawberry Fields Forever 1967 The Beatles Paul McCartney Mellotron
Summer In The City 1966 The Lovin’ Spoonful Steve Boone, Artie Schroeck Vox Continental Organ, Hohner Pianet
Sunglasses At Night 1984 Corey Hart Richie Close Prophet-5
Superman (It’s Not Easy)  2001 Five For Fighting John Ondrasik Piano
Superstition 1972 Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Hohner Clavinet, Moog synth
Sweet Dreams (are made of these)  1983 The Eurhythmics Dave Stewart Roland Juno-6, SH-09
Sweet Home Alabama 1974 Lynryd Skynrd Billy Powell Piano
Sympathy For The Devil 1968 The Rolling Stones Nicky Hopkins Piano
Tainted Love 1981 Soft Cell Dave Ball Synclavier, Prophet 5, and Maxikorg
Take On Me 1985 A-Ha Magne Furuholmen Roland Juno-60, Yamaha DX-7
Takin’ It To The Streets 1976 The Doobie Brothers Michael McDonald Piano
Telstar 1962 The Tornadoes Geoff Goddard Clavioline
Tempted 1981 The Squeeze Paul Carrack Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
The End of the Innocence 1989 Don Henley Bruce Hornsby Piano
The Final Countdown 1986 Europe Mic Michaeli Yamaha DX-7, Roland JX-8P, TX-816
The Fire Down Below 1976 Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Robyn Robbins Piano
The Letter 1967 The Boxtops John Evans Vox Continental
The Living Years 1988 Mike & The Mechanics Adrian Lee Roland D-50/Yamaha DX7ll
The Logical Song 1979 Supertramp Roger Hodgson Wurlitzer Electric Piano
The Power of Love 1985 Huey Lewis and The News Sean Hopper ?
The Safety Dance 1982 Men Without Hats Ivan Doroschuk Prophet-5, Yamaha CS-50, Roland SH-2
These Eyes 1969 The Guess Who Burton Cummings Wurlitzer Electric Piano
The Way It Is 1986 Bruce Hornsby and the Range Bruce Hornsby Piano
The Weight 1968 The Band Garth Hudson Piano
The Winner Takes It All 1980 ABBA Benny Andersson Piano
This Love 2004 Maroon 5 Jesse Carmichael Piano
Thunder Road 1975 Bruce Springsteen Roy Bittan Piano
Time Of The Season 1968 The Zombies Rod Argent Hammond L-100
Tom Sawyer 1981 Rush Geddy Lee Minimoog
Too Much Time On My Hands 1981 Styx Dennis Deyoung Oberheim 8
Total Eclipse Of The Heart 1983 Bonnie Tyler Roy Bittan Piano
Trampled Under Foot 1975 Led Zeppelin John Paul Jones Clavinet
Trouble 2000 Coldplay Chris Martin Piano
Tuesday’s Gone 1973 Lynyrd Skynrd Billy Powell Piano
Tutti Fruitti 1955 Little Richard Little Richard Piano
Up On Cripple Creek 1969 The Band Garth Hudson, Richard Manual Hohner Clavinet, Lowery organ, Piano
Urgent 1981 Foreigner Thomas Dolby ?
You Are So Beautiful 1974 Joe Cocker Nicky Hopkins Piano
You Keep Me Hangin’ On 1967 Vanilla Fudge Mark Stein Hammond B-3
Video Killed The Radio Star 1979 The Buggles Geoff Downes Yamaha CP-70
Waiting For A Girl Like You 1981 Foreigner Thomas Dolby ?
Walk Of Life 1985 Dire Straits Alan Clark ?
(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet 1966 The Blues Magoos Ralph Scala Vox Continental
We Are The Champions 1977 Queen Freddie Mercury Piano
Werewolves of London 1978 Warren Zevon Warren Zevon Piano
What’d I Say 1959 Ray Charles Ray Charles Wurlitzer, Piano
When I was Your Man 2012 Bruno Mars Bruno Mars Piano
Whip It 1980 Devo Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Casale Minimoog Model D/ Rheem Kee Bass
Whiter Shade of Pale 1967 Procol Harem Matthew Fisher Hammond M-102
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On 1955 Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis Piano
With A Little Help From My Friends 1969 Joe Cocker Tommy Eyre Hammond B-3
Without You 1971 Nilsson Gary Wright Piano
Won’t Get Fooled Again 1971 The Who Pete Townsend Lowery Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ/EMS VCS 3 MK 1 synth
Wooly Bully 1965 Sam The Sham and The Pharohs Domingo Samudio Farfisa Organ
Year Of The Cat 1976 Al Stewart Peter Wood Piano
Your Time Is Gonna Come 1968 Led Zeppelin John Paul Jones Hammond M-100
You’re My Best Friend 1976 Queen John Deacon Wurlitzer EP-200
Your Song 1970 Elton John Elton John Piano
You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) 1985 Dead Or Alive Tim Lever Yamaha DX-7
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On 1955 Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis Piano

Thanks to Corey Hart for verifying personnel information on the “Sunglasses at Night” session
Thanks to Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly for verifying personnel information on the “Alone” session
Thanks to Ian Gibbons for kindly explaining how he achieved the organ sound on “Come Dancing”