Songwriters truly cross the expanse of the whole human experience with their art. They write songs about love and relationships, war, peace, fun, partying, and just about everything else.
So many songs are about the present and even more about times in the past. But there aren’t so many songs about the future. Is that because we don’t know what lies ahead, and we’re uncertain or even scared to even guess?
Well, some songwriters bite that bullet and pen lyrics that talk about the future. Some paint a bleak picture, while others imagine a golden era of humanity just around the corner. And some are just fun. So, whatever the future holds, here are some of the best songs making that guess.
105 Most Popular Songs About the Future
1 Next Year – Foo Fighters
Unlike most of the other songs dealing with the future on this list, “Next Year” by the Foo Fighters is about a time in the very near future. This song was put out in 1999, so I guess they were talking about 2000, right? Actually, this slow rocker is about any “next year.”
The video for this song shows the band members as astronauts blasting off to space. It seems to be about taking some time away from the world, hiding out, and getting things straight before coming home next year.
But anyone who has to be away from home for a while, for any reason, can relate to this song about the future.
2 When I’m Sixty-Four – The Beatles
One of the loveliest songs about the future comes from none other than The Beatles. In 1967, the Fab Four were still in their 20s, but they were thinking about the future.
This song comes from the weird and successful Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, which some think was the pinnacle of their career.
However, “When I’m Sixty-Four” is a cute, musing track about how life and love will be when they’re old. Paul McCartney sings, “Will you still need me – Will you still feed me – When I’m sixty-four?” in this song he wrote at age 14. Now that he’s a lot older than that, I guess he has his answer.
3 One Hundred Years From Now – The Byrds
In 1968, the Rock group The Byrds made their ode to the future. “One Hundred Years From Now” is a song about two things at the same time: the state of the world in the future and a relationship.
This song came out on the band’s Sweetheart of the Rodeo album, which saw them move from Psychedelic to Country Rock.
This is a slow song with jangly guitar playing from Roger McGuinn and clear vocals. It asks, “One hundred years from this time – Would anybody change their minds – And find out one thing or two about life?”
4 Imagine – John Lennon
John Lennon gets double billing on this list, with The Beatles and a solo effort. His 1971 song “Imagine” is one of the most thoughtful and touching imaginings of the future ever.
This simple track with just piano and drums and soft strings behind the singer’s fragile voice gives this song an incredibly heartfelt feeling. And, of course, the lyrics do, too.
Lennon imagines a world without violence, conflict, or hunger. He rightly says, “You may say I’m a dreamer – But I’m not the only one – I hope someday you’ll join us – And the world will be as one.” How’s that for a beautiful future?
5 1999 – Prince
“1999” is the name of a Prince song on the album of the same name, and one of the artist’s most famous songs, too. Writing this back in 1982, when the Cold War was still going on, and the nuclear threat hung over everything, we can get an idea of what Prince was thinking.
He sings, “Say, say, 2000-00, party over – Oops, out of time – So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999”, suggesting the end of the world might be near. With nothing left to do, he’s going to celebrate life and party as much as he can before it’s “party over.”
6 Roboto – Styx
Styx was known as a Rock band that played an orchestral sort of cinematic music. This was perfect for their development of a Rock Opera, Kilroy Was Here, which was set in a futuristic world where Rock music was outlawed.
“Mr. Roboto” comes from this Rock Opera and is sung by the character Kilroy. He was imprisoned for playing music but escapes by attacking a robot guard and then wearing its shell as a disguise.
Weird and wild, this dystopian future song worked as a single in 1983, also bringing the Japanese phrase “Domo arigato, misuta robotto” into pop culture.
7 Song for a Future Generation – B-52’s
Also in 1983, the New Wave band B-52’s was thinking of the future. They definitely have a weirder, sillier take on it, though.
This song is bizarre, to say the least. Lyrics like “Wanna be the ruler of the galaxy – Wanna be the king of the universe – Let’s meet and have a baby now!” give you an idea.
This track is an imagining of the wide open possibilities of the future, mixed with a weird dating theme. Did they predict the potential fakeness of dating app profiles from back in 1983? Maybe! But, mostly, they were just having a good time.
8 The Future – Leonard Cohen
Almost ten years later, in 1992, famed lyricist Leonard Cohen penned his track about the future, called “The Future,” on his album of the same name.
More of a poet than a singer. Cohen’s lyrics here are deep and full of complex imagery that includes biblical themes and references to 20th-century global politics.
He imagines a world that’s burning in sin and confusion…
With lyrics like “Give me back the Berlin wall – Give me Stalin and St. Paul – I’ve seen the future, brother – It is murder”, he suggests that the worst we’ve seen so far is going to be outdone.
A bit scary, isn’t it? Especially when delivered with a dark lounge sound and the singer’s distinctive deep, growly voice.
9 Riding to Work in the Year 2025 – The Flaming Lips
Cohen’s not alone in imagining a dark, dystopian future. In 1997, The Flaming Lips released the concept album Zaireeka with weird music about the future.
The album was recorded onto four different CDs so that you could have a different listening experience by listening to them play on anywhere from 1-4 different stereos simultaneously. The tracks also have a weird and intensely cinematic sound. Pretty futuristic!
“Riding to Work in the Year 2025,” tells the story of a man who pretends to be the most important secret agent in the future. It’s a deep and layered track with a lush sound that will keep you coming back to discover more within it.
10 Futureworld – Trans Am
This one’s a bit of a sleeper, but it’s one of the most interesting songs about the future I could find. Rock/Synth band Trans Am conjured up a soundscape that makes me think of a strange and highly robotic dystopian world.
They use heavy drum beats with guitar, synth, and robotic voices to create this sound on the 1999 album Futureworld. However, this is a future world as imagined by people back in the 1950s.
The title track, “Futureworld,” rocks ahead with its fast beat. The spacey robot voices are intentionally cheesy here. Then things get heavy and dark as they break it down with intense drums and bass. Finally, the song plays out in a slower groove and dark, spacey sounds. This track is intense!
11 My Next Thirty Years – Tim McGraw
Let’s look at something a little bit less complex and a lot more positive. Tim McGraw’s 2000 song “My Next Thirty Years” is a reflective look back on life so far. And at the same time, a look forward to the future.
The Country singer tells us about his plans to “Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear – Figure out just what I’m doing here, in my next 30 years” and other positive plans for the future.
This is a bright, positive song that can make the future sound less frightening and a whole lot more to look forward to. Then again, he also tells us he’s going to “watch my weight – Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late.” So, maybe it’s all a little tongue-in-cheek.
12 A Better Future – David Bowie
David Bowie incredibly put out his 23rd studio album, Heathen, in 2002, and on it was the track “A Better Future.” As we’ve come to expect from Bowie, this song is odd and thought-provoking.
Over the top of a very simple beat and guitar chords with a bit of synth weirdness, Bowie sings some pretty weird lyrics. For example, “Please don’t tear this world asunder – Please take back this fear we’re under – I demand a better future – Or I might just stop wanting you.”
It’s not clear who Bowie is directing these words at. It could be a single person or a government. But, if you ask me, it could be humanity itself. I think he’s threatening to take his love away if we don’t do better in the future, and that’s something no one needs to do without.
13 Future Lovers – Madonna
Madonna is an artist whose past lovers have been anything but secret. But, in 2005’s “Future Lovers,” it’s not clear if she’s talking about lovers in the future or lovers of the future.
Either way, there’s a lot of promise here. She talks about love all over this track, including “Future lovers shine for eternity in a world that’s free.”
This track starts all airy and mystical and then breaks into an Electro-Pop Dance track that can get you shaking your money maker. The whole album, Confessions on a Dance Floor, is set up this way. It’s lush, ambient, sexy, sensual, and fun, and this song is no exception.
14 Future – Paramore
2013’s Paramore is a self-titled album from this American Rock band. The band’s fourth album showed more experimentation in the sound and intensity of the songs on it.
The last song on the album is “Future.” A 7-minute long song that begins as a soft, nearly acoustic ballad that then jumps into a Post-Rock-inspired explosion.
At the beginning of the song, the lyrics suggest leaving the past behind. “So just think of your future – Think of a new life – Don’t get lost in the memories – Keep your eyes on a new prize.”
15 Future People – Alabama Shakes
Alabama Shakes is a Bluesy-Rock band with a synthy edge that made waves in the late 2010s. In 2015, they dropped their second album, Sound & Color, which was a big hit in the US and abroad, too.
One track that shines on this album is the upbeat “Future People.” This song has a great groove to it, slow and winding like a country road.
The song talks about making a change of perspective in life…
While so many people look back and get stuck in the past, singer Brittany Howard sings, “I’d rather meet – The me down the road – To lead me through the fog.”
In other words, the future people this song talks about are you and me, and we should look to our future selves for guidance and direction.
16 Tomorrow – John Legend & Florian Picasso (feat. Nas)
Let’s end on a positive note. Our last song about the future is about the nearest part of the future out there – tomorrow.
This track by John Legend and Florian Picasso is a soulful salute to the future, with lyrics like, “You’re the new wave forming – You’re the new day, dawning – Ask you what is your name, what do they call you? – You said, “They call me Tomorrow.”
It also features bars from Nas, talking about moving forward and learning in life. And isn’t that what the future holds for all of us?
17Future Love by Varsity
18The Future by San Holo ft. James Vincent McMorrow
19Future Looks Good by OneRepublic
20Welcome to the Future by Brad Paisley
21Visions of the Future by Halsey
22Days of Future Past by The Moody Blues
23The Future is Now by Nonpoint
24Future Breed Machine by Meshuggah
25Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa
26Starlight by Muse
27Back to the Future (Part I) by D’Angelo
28Children of the Future by Steve Miller Band
29Future’s Calling by Angra
30Futureworld by Helloween
31Futureworld by Boney M.
32Destination: Future by Carpenter Brut
33Future Hopes by Tim Bowness
34Crystal Ball by Styx
35Future Days by Pearl Jam
36Welcome to the Future by Major Lazer ft. M.I.A.
37Future Shock by Curtis Mayfield
38Between the Future and the Past by At The Gates
39Visions of the Future by Stratovarius
40Future Times/Living in the Past by Yes
41Future Friends by Superfruit
42World of the Future by Dr. Steel
43Days of Future Passed by Justin Hayward
44Future Starts Slow by The Kills
45Welcome to the Future (Prelude) by Epic Score
46Future Proof by Massive Attack
47The Future Never Dies by Scorpions
48Future Warriors by Freedom Call
49Better in the Future by John Vincent
50Future History by You Me At Six
More 55 Best Songs About the Future
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- Future Funk by Nicky Romero
- The Future is Ours by Tim McMorris
- Future Imperfect by The Selecter
- Future Love by Kristinia DeBarge
- The Future by I Fight Dragons
- Future Love by Margaret
- Welcome to the Future (Flashback) by Epic Score
- The Future is Wild by Lenny Kravitz
- Visions of the Future by Rhapsody of Fire
- Future In My Hands by Aimee Mann
- Future Now by David Archuleta
- Welcome to the Future (Battlefront) by Epic Score
- The Future Never Dies (Radio Edit) by DJ Tiesto ft. Jes
- Future Love (Remix) by Kristinia DeBarge ft. David Archuleta
- Future Love (Radio Edit) by Varsity
- Future Days (Acoustic Version) by Pearl Jam
- Future Shock (Live) by Curtis Mayfield
- Future Hopes (Single Edit) by Tim Bowness
- Future Shock (Short Mix) by Stratovarius
- Future Lovers (Radio Edit) by Madonna
- Visions of the Future (Instrumental) by Rhapsody of Fire
- Future Breed Machine (Remix) by Meshuggah
- Future World (Extended Version) by Helloween
- Days of Future Passed (Full Album) by The Moody Blues
- Future Proof (Lyric Video) by Massive Attack
- Future Days (Live) by Pearl Jam
- Welcome to the Future (Action Sequence) by Epic Score
- Future Starts Slow (Live) by The Kills
- Future History (Acoustic Version) by You Me At Six
- Future Warriors (Radio Edit) by Freedom Call
- Future Love (Acoustic Version) by Margaret
- Future In My Hands (Instrumental) by Aimee Mann
- The Future is Now (Remix) by Nonpoint
- Visions of the Future (Orchestral Version) by Rhapsody of Fire
- Welcome to the Future (Epic Action) by Epic Score
- Future Shock (Live Version) by Curtis Mayfield
- Days of Future Passed (Alternate Mix) by Justin Hayward
- Future Breed Machine (Live) by Meshuggah
- Future Hopes (Acoustic Version) by Tim Bowness
- Between the Future and the Past (Pt. 1) by At The Gates
- Future Now (Radio Edit) by David Archuleta
- Welcome to the Future (Intense Trailer) by Epic Score
- The Future Never Dies (Extended Mix) by DJ Tiesto ft. Jes
- Future Love (Piano Version) by Varsity
- Future Days (Alternate Version) by Pearl Jam
- Future Love (Acoustic Ballad) by Kristinia DeBarge
- Future Shock (Short Radio Edit) by Stratovarius
- Visions of the Future (Epic Trailer) by Rhapsody of Fire
- Future Starts Slow (Acoustic) by The Kills
- Future World (Orchestral Version) by Helloween
- Future Breed Machine (Demo Version) by Meshuggah
- Future Proof (Instrumental) by Massive Attack
- Days of Future Passed (Deluxe Edition) by The Moody Blues
- Future Days (Acoustic Live) by Pearl Jam
- Welcome to the Future (Dramatic Trailer) by Epic Score
Want More Great Songs that Ponder Possibilities?
Well, take a look at our detailed articles on the Top Songs About Time, the Top Songs About Flying and Planes, the Top Songs About The Moon, the Best Songs About Space, Stars and the Universe, and the Best Songs With Deep Meaning for more incredible song selections.
The Best Songs About the Future – Final Thoughts
Most songs tell stories about things that happened in the past – heartaches, successes, great parties, whatever. But it’s a little bit harder to write songs focused on the future.
For the most part, this concept isn’t taken lightly. The songs that come out of it can either be dark and dystopian or bright and optimistic, without a whole lot of room in between.
Still, there are a few songs that motivate us to move to a better tomorrow, next month, or next year. And looking to the future is one way of getting past the troubles of today. So, try out these songs talking about the future and see if something doesn’t stimulate and motivate you today.
Until next time, happy listening.
