23 Best Songs About Sunsets

The best songs about sunsets capture the awe and wonder of the setting sun, transforming its colors into sweet and infectious melodies.

It’s an image that has inspired artists of all kinds for centuries, with musicians drawn to its fleeting beauty to create equally beautiful compositions.

Continue reading for a complete breakdown of the iconic songs that use the sunset as a starting point for truly memorable music.

The 23 Best Songs About Sunsets

With sunsets a ubiquitous presence in everyone’s lives, it’s no surprise to discover that it’s been the topic of songs across many different genres.

This article covers all the bases, so whether you’re a fan of rock and folk or prefer electronic music, there’s something here you’ll love.

Without further ado, here’s our playlist of the 23 best songs about sunsets:

23. “Submarines” – The Lumineers

“Submarines” by The Lumineers is a beautiful song that describes the moment a man says goodbye to his lover before departing on a journey.

The music video is one of the best in recent years and depicts this event under the light of a vibrant sunset.

Whether you’re going through the end of a relationship yourself or are in the mood for a pleasant slow song, “Submarines” should be on your playlist.

22. “Sunrise, Sunset” – Fiddler On The Roof

The classic musical Fiddler On The Roof featured many catchy and memorable songs, including this gorgeous sunset song.

“Sunrise, Sunset” is featured in the musical at the point in the story where the eldest daughter of the characters Tevye and Golde, Tzeitel, gets married.

The song describes the ups and downs of life and relationships, with the sunrise and sunset, respectively, representing these changing fortunes.

21. “Early Sunsets Over Monroeville” – My Chemical Romance

A fitting companion piece to My Chemical Romance’s great song about light, “The Light Behind Their Eyes,” is “Early Sunsets Over Monroeville.”

The song lyrics talk about a couple on the run from vampires, with the man forced to kill his wife after she gets bitten.

For My Chemical Romance, early sunsets have a double meaning that signifies both when vampires emerge as well as the end of a man’s relationship.

20. “Sunset Lover” – Petit Biscuit

For Petit Biscuit, a sunset signifies the beginning of a new relationship and the moment when two people fall in love for the first time.

“Sunset Lover” features heartfelt lyrics that capture the essence of lovers and the wasted sunsets when they aren’t spending time together.

Petit Biscuit released “Sunset Lover” in 2017 and featured this romantic song on their album Presence to critical and commercial acclaim.

19. “Big Jet Plane” – Angus & Julia Stone

Often considered to be among the best songs about flying, “Big Jet Plane” by Angus and Julia Stone is a wonderful celebration of being adventurous.

The big jet plane that forms the subject of this upbeat song has seen more than its fair share of beautiful sunsets as it travels through the skies.

It’s one of the more popular songs about sunsets from the folk-indie music scene and was released in 2010 on the album Down The Way.

18. “Radioactive” – Kings Of Leon

Kings Of Leon have established themselves as one of the best alternative rock bands in America, with several Grammy Award wins and nominations.

Their song “Radioactive” is one of those infectious songs worth listening to when you want to feel uplifted and full of positive energy.

If you’re looking for a great song to listen to while driving into the sunset yourself, “Radioactive” by Kings Of Leon is essential.

17. “Sunset” – Garrett Nash (Gnash)

 “Sunset” by Garrett Nash is among some of the lesser-known sunset songs, but its beautiful lyrics and melodies make it a worthy inclusion on your playlists.

“This sunset reminds me of you; it’s purple, it’s pink and it’s blue,” the lyrics sing. “It’s tangerine and all I need, you’re all I wanna ever see.”

It’s a good example of Gnash’s unique blend of styles that brings hip-hop and electronic music together to great effect.

16. “These Memories” – Hollow Coves

There’s something calming and reflective about watching a sunset, and it’s this quality that Hollow Coves explores in “These Memories”.

“We made our way to a hill beside the sea with salt in the air,” the vocal sings, continuing, “and sand on our feet, we felt the sun as it burnt upon our skin.”

It’s another sweet song that evokes warmth and gentleness and can be found on the Hollow Coves album Wanderlust.

15. “Slow Ride” – Sublime

Widely considered to be among Sublime’s most impressive works, “Slow Ride” is a song that is tailor-made for listening to while watching a setting sun.

In this song, the lyrics talk about two lovers, with one wanting to slow things down while the other continues to fall head over heels.

Sublime takes these familiar themes to the next level with wonderful harmonies and arrangements, making it one of the best songs they’ve released.

14. “Electric Feel” – Henry Green

“Electric Feel” by Henry Green isn’t explicitly a song about sunsets, but it evokes many of the feelings people get at the end of the day.

Its ambient soundscapes and overall chill quality makes it a great sunset song to listen to and unwind after a long day’s work.

It was released on the album of the same name in 2017, cementing Henry Green’s reputation as an indie music producer to watch.

13. “Watching U” – Miles Away

Miles Away uses the gorgeous and colorful visual imagery of a sunset to wonderful effect in the official music video for “Watching U.”

This is another hugely enjoyable and chilled-out song that urges listeners to explore the natural wonders of the world.

An electronic musician from Canada, Miles Away is among the modern-day masters of using synthesizers to create organic-sounding music.

12. “Sunset” – Kid Ink

The end of the day is when most people enjoy a moment in time to reflect on what matters the most in their lives and plan for the future.

“Sunset” by Kid Ink is one of the great sunset songs for such moments and a soundtrack to the freedom and possibilities that sunsets imply.

Released in 2016, Kid Ink included “Sunset” on his Hits Japan Tour Edition version of his self-titled debut album.

11. “Sunsets For Somebody Else” – Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson merges elements of soul, pop, and indie rock in his iconic song “Sunsets For Somebody Else.”

“I know I’ve seen your face somewhere selling something, some big idea,” the lyrics sing. “I know I’ve seen that vacant stare selling sunsets for somebody else.”

“Sunsets For Somebody Else” is a good companion piece to the Jack Johnson song about the sea, “To The Sea.”

10. “Follow The Sun” – Xavier Rudd

“Follow The Sun” by Xavier Rudd is another sweet acoustic song that seems specifically designed for a drive in the sunset.

Featuring an official lyric video with Rudd playing guitar melodies in an idyllic setting, it urges the listener to follow the sun as it sets.

“Follow, follow the sun and which way the wind blows,” he sings, continuing, “When this day is done, breathe, breathe in the air, set your intentions, dream with care.”

9. “Rendezvous At Sunset” – Kylie Minogue

One of the biggest pop singers of the late 1990s, Kylie Minogue, enjoyed many successes on the Billboard Hot 100 charts over the years.

“Rendezvous At Sunset” is among her least-known songs and was featured as a B-side to one of her more popular songs.

You shouldn’t overlook this moving ballad, which is fully deserving of its place on this playlist of great songs about sunsets.

8. “Gooey” – Glass Animals

The Glass Animals’ track “Gooey” is another excellent song that captures the essence of what it feels like to experience a beautiful sunset.

The song’s lyrics set the tone with a message of freedom, set to intricate percussion that includes sweet-sounding xylophones.

Glass Animals released “Gooey” on the album Zaba in 2014, the first studio album by the British alternative rock group.

7. “Waterloo Sunset” – The Kinks

Released back in 1967, “Waterloo Sunset” by The Kinks is one of their most popular songs, with some of the most profound lyrics you can listen to.

The music evokes the feeling of watching the sun setting over Waterloo Bridge, with a sense of nostalgia running through its core.

“Waterloo Sunset” was ranked in the top 500 greatest songs of all time by Rolling Stone magazine and is a classic slice of ’60s rock.

6. “What Makes The Sunset?” – Frank Sinatra

With his laconic vocals and catchy melodies, it’s no wonder that Frank Sinatra has been responsible for some of the best karaoke songs ever recorded.

“What Makes The Sunset?” isn’t as famous as some of his biggest hits, but it’s still a gorgeous ballad that explores the many facets of love.

It’s even more bittersweet, considering it was released in 1945 when the Second World War was finally drawing to an end.

5. “California Sunset” – Neil Young

There are few things more impressive than a California sunset, which Neil Young understands in his song about this phenomenon.

One of his bigger hits, “California Sunset,” sees Young describing the location as akin to the Promised Land, where fortune can be found.

Neil Young released “California Sunset” back in 1985 on his album Old Ways, delivering one of the more upbeat sunset songs you can listen to.

4. “Sunshine Blues” – Bahamas

Released in 2009, “Sunshine Blues” by the Bahamas is another classic mellow ballad that uses the sunset as a metaphor for an ending relationship.

Anyone who has loved someone but not had their feelings reciprocated will be moved by this touching song that reflects the pain of loss.

The Bahamas certainly deserve to be better known than they are just because of the success of “Sunshine Blues,” which deserves a bigger audience.

3. “Two Suns In The Sunset” – Pink Floyd

“Two Suns In The Sunset” continued the streak of iconic progressive rock tracks released by the English band Pink Floyd.

It’s a complex song, both in terms of its instrumental arrangements and its lyrics, with an underlying message about peace and tolerance.

Pink Floyd wrote and produced some of the best songs of all time, with “Comfortably Numb” just one of their masterpieces.

2. “Wasted Sunsets” – Deep Purple

Deep Purple recorded the song “Wasted Sunsets” in 1984 and released the track on their album Perfect Strangers to critical and commercial praise.

It’s another of the more upbeat songs about sunsets you can listen to, with some incredible lyrics and a jaw-dropping guitar solo thrown in for good measure.

If you’re ever feeling tired of life and wallowing in regrets, “Wasted Sunsets” is a song you can listen to and relate to the narrator’s own experiences.

1. “Californication” – Red Hot Chili Peppers

With over 1 billion views on YouTube and counting, there’s no doubt that “Californication” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is among their biggest hits.

“Californication” is about the journey from New York to Los Angeles, where a sun-soaked beach in California awaits the traveler.

It shares the same exuberance as the great Red Hot Chili Peppers song about flying, “The Zephyr Song.”

Summary

So, that’s a wrap on this collection of beautiful songs about sunsets you can add to your playlist.

This excellent music evokes the beauty and calm of a setting sun at the end of a long day, with expressive vocals and instrumentation.

As sunsets continue to influence musicians, we can expect more great songs to add to this list in the years to come.

What’s the best song about sunsets, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.