List of rock instrumentals


The following is a list of rock instrumentals. Only instrumentals that are notable are included.

Instrumentals which have charted

Instrumental rock is rock music that emphasizes musical instruments and features very little or no singing. An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics, or singing, although it might include some inarticulate vocals, such as shouted backup vocals in a big band setting.

1950s and 1960s chartings

1970s and 1980s chartings

ArtistSong titleDateHighest position
on US charts
Highest position
on UK charts
Highest position
on R&B charts
Miscellaneous
Dennis Coffey‘'Scorpio’’1971#6#7#9
Hot Butter‘'Popcorn’’1972#9#5
Billy Preston Outa-Space1972#2#44#1
Deodato‘'Also Sprach Zarathustra ’’1973#2#7based on Richard Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra
Edgar Winter Group ‘'Frankenstein’’1973#1#18
The Love Unlimited OrchestraLove's Theme1973#1#10#10orchestra formed and song written by Barry White
Billy PrestonSpace Race1973#4#1
Average White BandPick Up the Pieces1974#1#6#5
B. T. ExpressExpress1974#2#34#1
The CommodoresMachine Gun1974#22#20#7
FocusHocus Pocus1974#9#20
MFSB‘'TSOP ’’1974#1#22#1
Silver ConventionFly, Robin, Fly1975#1#28#1
Van McCoyThe Hustle1975#1#3#1
Mike PostThe Rockford Files 1975#10
Walter MurphyA Fifth Of Beethoven1976#1#28#10based on the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
Rhythm HeritageTheme from S.W.A.T.1976#1#11
Chuck MangioneFeels So Good1977#4
Herb Alpert‘'Rise’’1979#1#13#4