Reverb is one of the most common effects used in music mixing and production, giving it depth and texture. Most songs out there use reverb to some extent, but there are some that use reverb to a particularly great effect, creating a sense of space and atmosphere.
Here are 20 songs that use reverb to great effect, creating a sense of space and atmosphere without overdoing it. They vary in genre, from indie rock to metal, so there’s something for everyone!
Contents
- 1. “Dub You Can Feel” by King Tubby
- 2. “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins
- 3. “When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin
- 4. “Sorrow” by Pink Floyd
- 5. “Venus In Fleurs” by Grimes
- 6. “Baja” by The Astronauts
- 7. “Cosmic” by Shinedoe
- 8. “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” by William Shatner
- 9. “Shed Your Head” by Blake Mills
- 10. “Marvin’s Room” by Drake
- 11. “Ready To Let Go” by Cage The Elephant
- 12. “Orinico Flow” by Enya
- 13. “Rockin’ Bones” by The Cramps
- 14. “Joga” by Björk
- 15. “Wings Like Yours” by Alice Olivia
- 16. “Avalon” by Roxy Music
- 17. “Real Life” by Sunbeam Sound Machine
- 18. “Heroes” by David Bowie
- 19. “Misirlou” by Dick Dale
- 20. “No Idea” by Don Toliver
- Final Thoughts
1. “Dub You Can Feel” by King Tubby
Starting off the list is a song by the king of dub, King Tubby. “Dub You Can Feel” is a perfect example of how reverb can be used to create a sense of space without making the track sound muddy.
The echo on the drums and vocals gives the song a laid-back, relaxed feel. It was released in 2010 for the album Presents The Roots Of Dub.
2. “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins
Next on the list is a song that needs no introduction, “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. The use of reverb on the drums in this song is legendary, and has been imitated by many other artists since its release in 1981.
The song was Collins’ debut solo single, and was included on his album Face Value. This now has over 200 million views on Youtube.
3. “When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s “When The Levee Breaks” is a classic example of a song that uses reverb to create a sense of space. The reverb gives it a distinctively echoey sound.
This track was released in 1971 for the band’s self-titled album. It’s one of their most popular tracks with over 17 million views on Youtube.
4. “Sorrow” by Pink Floyd
Next on the list is Pink Floyd’s “Sorrow”. This track is from the band’s album “The Wall” which was released in 1987. The song is about the loss of innocence and the pain of growing up.
It features a long, drawn-out solo from guitarist David Gilmour that has quite a bit of reverb on it. This gives the solo a very expansive sound. You can find it on the album, A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
5. “Venus In Fleurs” by Grimes
“Venus In Fleurs” is a track from Grimes’ album “Visions”. It was released in 2010. The song is about an otherworldly relationship.
The reverb on this track creates a sense of distance and gives the listener a feeling of being transported to another world. This is one of the songs on the Geidi Primes album.
6. “Baja” by The Astronauts
Next on the list is a track by The Astronauts. The song is about a place called Baja, which is a peninsula in Mexico.
The song is very peaceful and calming, and the reverb helps to create that feeling. It was released in 1963 for the Surfin’ With The Astronauts album and can also be streamed on all music platforms out there.
7. “Cosmic” by Shinedoe
“Cosmic” is a deep house song by Shinedoe that was released in 2012. It’s a great example of how reverb can be used to create a sense of space and depth in a track.
The song has a very ethereal feeling to it, and the reverb plays a big part in that. You can find it on the Transcendental EP.
8. “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” by William Shatner
Another song with heavy reverb is “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” by William Shatner. This song was released in 1968, and it’s a cover of the Beatles’ original.
The reverb gives the song a very psychedelic feel, which was likely the intention. You can stream it on all music platforms out there.
9. “Shed Your Head” by Blake Mills
Blake Mills is a musician who is known for his use of reverb. “Shed Your Head” was released in 2014, and you can find it on the Heigh Ho album.
It has an atmospheric vibe to it, and the reverb helps to create that feeling. It now has over 17k views on Youtube and you can find it on all music platforms out there.
10. “Marvin’s Room” by Drake
The next song on the list is “Marvin’s Room” by Drake. This song was released in 2011, and it’s about a girl who Drake is trying to get back with.
The reverb gives the track a very haunting feeling, which fits the lyrics perfectly. You can find it on the Take Care album, which is available for streaming on all music platforms out there.
11. “Ready To Let Go” by Cage The Elephant
Next on the list is “Ready To Let Go” by Cage The Elephant. This song has a catchy beat and interesting lyrics that are perfect for any road trip.
The reverb in this song gives it a unique sound that will keep you hooked for the entire ride. It was released in 2019 for their Social Cues album.
12. “Orinico Flow” by Enya
Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” is a classic song that has been used in many films and TV shows. It’s soothing melody and beautiful vocals are accompanied by gentle waves of reverb.
This song was released in 1988 and is still as popular today as it was then. It can be found on the Watermark album.
13. “Rockin’ Bones” by The Cramps
The next song on the list is “Rockin’ Bones” by The Cramps. This song is a perfect example of how effective reverb can be in rock music.
The guitars and drums are drenched in reverb, giving the song a dark and eerie sound. It was released in 1981 on the Psychedelic Jungle album. It now has over 78k views on Youtube.
14. “Joga” by Björk
“Joga” by Björk is a hauntingly beautiful song that features her unique voice. The reverb in this song gives it an ethereal quality that is perfect to listen to on a rainy day. It was released in 1997 on the Homogenic album which can be streamed on all music platforms out there.
15. “Wings Like Yours” by Alice Olivia
Next on the list is “Wings Like Yours” by Alice Olivia. This song has some of the heaviest reverb I have ever heard, and it completely immerses you in the soundscape.
The best way to describe it would be like being surrounded by a dense fog, where all you can hear are the ethereal voices and instruments. It was released in 2016 as part of the Wanderlands album.
16. “Avalon” by Roxy Music
This next song is “Avalon” by Roxy Music. It’s a bit of a different sound from the previous song, but it still has a very strong sense of reverb.
This song was released in 1982 and is the title track from the album Avalon. The song is about the mythical island of Avalon, which is said to be a place of healing and rest.
17. “Real Life” by Sunbeam Sound Machine
“Real Life” by Sunbeam Sound Machine is a song that has a more light and airy feel to it, but still makes use of reverb in a very effective way.
The song was released in 2014 as part of the album Wonderer. It’s one of their most popular tracks with over 100k views on Youtube and can also be streamed on all music platforms out there.
18. “Heroes” by David Bowie
The next song on the list is “Heroes” by David Bowie. This song was released in 1977 and is one of his most iconic tracks.
It’s a very anthemic song with a strong message, and it gained almost 26 million views on Youtube. If you’re a fan of Bowie, then this is definitely a must-hear. It has been covered by many artists over the years.
19. “Misirlou” by Dick Dale
Dick Dale is a surf rock legend, and “Misirlou” is one of his most famous songs. It was released in 1962 and has been covered by many artists since then.
It’s a very upbeat and catchy song, with a heavy use of reverb. It gained over 1.9 million views on Youtube and can also be streamed on all music platforms out there.
20. “No Idea” by Don Toliver
Finishing off our list is “No Idea” by Don Toliver. This song was released in 2020 and is part of the Heaven or Hell album. This particular track has over 200 million streams on Youtube and is one of the most popular songs by the artist.
It’s a slower song with a lot of emotion and feeling behind it. If you’re a fan of R&B, then this is definitely a song you should check out.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, a list of 20 songs with reverb that I think you should check out. These are just a few of the many great tracks out there that make use of this effect. I hope you enjoyed this list and found some new music to enjoy. Thanks for reading!