Storms are a powerful and destructive force of nature that have inspired many artists over the centuries. I’ve seen the fear in my children’s eyes experiencing one for the first time, but as you grow older, you can find an entrancing beauty in the calm before the storm followed by the pouring rain, the crack of lightning, and the roar of thunder.
Songwriters have gravitated to using storms as a metaphor to represent everything from heartache to power and isolation. In this list, we check out the best songs about storms from the 60s to today.
“Riders On The Storm” by The Doors
Album: L.A. Woman
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Released: 1971
As the counterculture of the 60s was blossoming, one band established itself as one of the movement’s leaders. The Doors are one of the most influential bands of the time, with a string of impressive albums.
Riders of the Storm was the second single from their sixth album, and it was a huge success reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Powerful, dynamic, and unique, it is one of the best songs about storms of all time.
Similar Playlist: Songs With The Word Fire
“After the Storm” by Kali Uchis (ft. Tyler the Creator & Bootsy Collins)
Album: Isolation
Genre: Neo Soul / Electronica
Released: 2018
From one of the most recognizable songs about storms to something a little less well-known. This smooth jam from Kali Uchis is a supreme example of the quality of modern Neo Soul music with its inviting groove.
Beyond its silky groove, it features insightful lyrics that highlight the feeling of overcoming struggles by using the clearing of a storm as a central metaphor. It also went on to sell 1 million copies in the United States.
Similar Playlist: Songs With Heat In The Lyrics
“Dancing in the Storm” by Boom Crash Opera
Album: These Here Are Crazy Times
Genre: Pop Rock
Released: 1990
Boom Crash Opera is an underappreciated rock band from Australia. They are highly talented musicians and songwriters with a knack for creating catchy and powerful songs, and this release is them at their very best.
It was released on their second album and helped them reach number 10 on the Australian album charts. It’s a lively track with an anthemic chorus that you can’t resist the urge to sing along to.
Similar Playlist: Snow Day Songs
“Electrical Storm” by U2
Album: The Best of 1990–2000
Genre: Rock
Released: 2002
U2 is Ireland’s biggest musical export. Formed in 1976, they have experienced massive global success and continue innovating and changing their musical style. With fourteen studio albums and a trophy case worth of awards, it’s hard to deny their impact on the music scene.
Electrical Storm was a brand-new song composed explicitly for their compilation album covering the 90s. It might not be their most successful release, but its ingenious use of a storm as a metaphor for relationship tension is sublime.
Similar Playlist: Songs About Lightning
“The Storm” by TheFatRat & Maisy Kay
Album: Single Release Only
Genre: Electronic / Dance
Released: 2020
Christian Friedrich Johannes Büttner, better known as TheFatRat, is a talented DJ and producer who has amassed over six million subscribers on YouTube. With a diverse musical style, he has released songs through various music labels, including Universal.
The Storm was released in 2020 and featured spectacular vocal work from Maisy Kay. Raw and powerful in its execution, it highlights the fictional Na’vi language developed for the movie Avatar while also showcasing English lyrics. Worth a listen!
Similar Playlist: Weather Songs
“I Of The Storm” by Of Monsters And Men
Album: Beneath the Skin
Genre: Indie Folk / Indie Pop
Released: 2015
This powerful song from Icelandic Indie Folk/Indie Pop band Of Monsters And Men is a reflective song that pulls at the heartstrings. It chronicles how sometimes our mind is our worst enemy.
Using a storm as a metaphor within the track is a perfect addition. Storms can be somber, unpredictable, and incredibly destructive. Combine these themes with a haunting vocal performance and indie folk musical arrangement, and the result is a superb song.
Similar Playlist: Songs With Wind In The Lyrics
“Quiet Storm” by Young M.A.
Album: SleepWalkin
Genre: Hip-Hop / Rap
Released: 2016
New York native Katorah Kasanova Marrero, who goes under the stage name Young M.A. has exploded onto the Rap and Hip/Hop scene thanks to her crisp and powerful lyrical rap styling reminiscent of Hip-Hop’s golden era.
While this song doesn’t feature the word storm in the lyrics, a persistent storm is audible throughout. The punchy and slick rap verses hit with great effect. A talented star that is sure to have an epic career.
“Caught In The Storm” by Goo Goo Dolls
Album: Magnetic
Genre: Pop Rock
Released: 2013
Goo Goo Dolls have been tearing up the charts for decades with a laundry list of top ten hits and millions of albums sold. Caught in the Storm comes from their tenth studio album Magnetic, which hit number 8 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
The song utilizes storms as a metaphor for love and the turbulent experience it can be. More specifically, the heartache that comes from losing someone you care about. A great song that highlights that the Goo Goo Dolls still have what it takes to create incredible music.
“Ridin’ The Storm Out” by REO Speedwagon
Album: Ridin’ the Storm Out
Genre: Blues Rock / Hard Rock
Released: 1973
The 70s brought with it a whole range of fantastic rock bands. One of those is REO Speedwagon which blazed a trail throughout the 70s and achieved even greater success in the 80s. While not as popular today, they still make new music and tour.
Ridin’ the Storm Out is the title track from their third studio album, which sold one million copies in the United States. An incredibly dynamic rock track that remains one of the best songs the band has made.
“Shelter From The Storm” by Bob Dylan
Album: Blood on the Tracks
Genre: Folk Rock
Released: 1975
Bob Dylan is often the first name that comes to mind when you aim to list the greatest songwriters of all time. Considering he has won the Nobel Prize in Literature, it’s not surprising his songs have resonated so strongly with fans worldwide.
This Folk Rock song from 1975 is a complex narrative that has engaged fans for years with multiple interpretations. No matter its meaning, it is undoubtedly another example of songwriting genius and often the start of a deep journey into Bob Dylan’s deep catalog of songs.
“Stormbringer” by Deep Purple
Album: Stormbringer
Genre: Hard Rock
Released: 1974
Deep Purple is another influential Hard Rock band from the 70s (seriously, an amazing era for rock music). Stormbringer was their ninth studio album, and the title track reflects their Hard Rock prowess.
With its spicy guitar riff and pure badass lyrical energy, it’s a powerful song with the word storm in the title and lyrics. Every drum hit and cymbal crash perfectly represents the chaos and energy of a storm. An underappreciated song from one of the great rock bands of the 70s.
“Sandstorm” by Darude
Album: Sandstorm
Genre: Trance
Released: 1999
From amazing rock bands and songwriting geniuses, we find ourselves all the way at the opposite end of the spectrum with this song with storm in the title. The 90s saw an explosion of electronic music, and this song by Finnish DJ and producer Darude is one of the most popular.
It has sold one million copies since its release and has become an internet meme icon. Whenever anyone asks, “what song is that?” it’s your meme duty to reply with Darude – Sandstorm. Even YouTube got in on the act with an April Fools’ Day joke in 2015, directing people to this song for all music video search queries.
“Stormy Weather” by Etta James
Album: At Last!
Genre: R&B / Soul
Released: 1960
You know you have a fantastic song on your hands when it has been covered by a list of artists, including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ringo Starr, Phil Collins, and Bob Dylan, to name a few.
This version from Etta James, released in 1960, is one of my favorites. The smooth soul vibe throughout is well-matched to the lyrics of a relationship gone sour. A feeling that indeed feels like a gloomy storm hanging over your mind.
“Calm Before the Storm” by Fallout Boy
Album: Fall Out Boy’s Evening Out with Your Girlfriend
Genre: Pop Punk / Emo
Released: 2003
The rock band Fall Out Boy was one of the defining and most successful Pop Punk groups to emerge from the early 2000s. Their eclectic blend of styles gave them a unique sound and spawned a large underground following.
This song often flies under the radar since it is from an album that the band itself doesn’t like that much due to the rushed two-day recording schedule. Despite that, Calm Before The Storm is a great song from this influential band that you should not overlook.
“Hurricane” by Luke Combs
Album: This One’s for You
Genre: Country
Released: 2016
Luke Combs has been on a rampage since hitting the country music scene. He has been nominated for and won several awards, including Song of the Year and Album of the Year. But it all started with this breakthrough single.
Hurricane chronicles the feeling of bumping into a former lover, which Luke compares to the power and damage that a hurricane can cause. This song sold over 600,000 copies and helped push his debut album to number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.
“Running From the Storm” by Gary Moore
Album: After the War
Genre: Hard Rock
Released: 1989
Gary Moore has an illustrious music career. He had stints in the high-profile bands’ Skid Row and Thin Lizzy before breaking out to forge a solo career. By the time the 80s rolled around, he was jamming out hard rock and heavy metal tracks.
Running From the Storm was from his seventh solo album, which performed well in Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Norway. It wasn’t a massive success in the United States, topping out at 144 on the Billboard 200 chart. Despite that, this thunderous track stands out as a highlight from the album.
“Rock You Like A Hurricane” by The Scorpions
Album: Love At First Sting
Genre: Hard Rock
Released: 1984
German rock band Scorpions have a career that spans from the 70s all the way to the present day. But by far, their most notable release is Rock You Like a Hurricane from their ninth studio album.
This awesome song merges various rock genres, including glam and heavy metal. It hits you like a tonne of bricks or, should I say, like a hurricane. It’s bold, brash, and one of the best examples of 80s-era rock and metal.
16 Bonus Songs About Storms
“Storm Front” by Billy Joel
“Calm Inside the Storm by Cyndi Lauper
“Stormy Monday” by Eric Clapton
“Storms In Africa” I And II by Enya
“It Was A Dark And Stormy Night” by Five Iron Frenzy
“Storms” by Fleetwood Mac
“Call It Stormy Monday” by T. Bone Walker
“Stormy” by Classic IV
“Hurricane” by Bob Dylan
“Stormy Weather” by The Pixies
“November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses
“Stormy Sky” by The Kinks
“Storm” by Down N’ Outz
“Weather the Storm” by DJ Khaled (ft Meek Mill, Lil Baby)
“Storm in a Teacup” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
“After The Storm” by Mumford & Sons
Watch The Full Playlist
The full playlist with every song in this post can be watched via the video below or directly on our YouTube channel.