Top 115 Songs about Searching

I suppose, in a way, we are all searching for something. Some for that special someone, some just looking for peace and quiet, while others are just looking for meaning. 

Songs about searching can approach the subject in a variety of ways. Some even talk about being the one who was “found.” Some are songs about looking for something and not liking what we find.

But, if you think about it, we are probably all searching for something, and quite often, it proves to be elusive. The subject has been addressed by some of the great songwriters of the last 60 years. Let’s see what they have to say, starting with…

Top 115 Songs about Searching

1

Needle In A Haystack by The Velvelettes

I am deliberately putting this song first. It was the first song I ever played on a stage, filling in for someone else who was sick. I was only just 14, and the Fender Precision bass the band lent me was as big as I was.

The song, though, was just a typical example of some of the great Tamla Motown stuff that was just around the corner. 

It was written by William Stevenson and Norman Whitfield and released in 1964 as a single. It reached #45 in America but wasn’t released in the UK. That made life interesting for me as I’d never heard the song, and they had no music.

The Velvelettes were a lot better than their chart performances suggest… 

The follow-up to “Needle In A Haystack” with “He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin'” is another great early Motown song.

They never did record an album and were a singles-only group. They fell down the pecking order when Martha and The Vandellas and then The Supremes, with Florence Ballard, found success. 

Although “Needle” was included on a compilation album years after, The Very Best Of The Velvelettes. A great song and a great performance.

2

Tangled up in Blue By Bob Dylan

If you are asked to name Bob Dylan’s greatest songs, there are likely to be a variety of answers. But I doubt many will mention “Tangled Up In Blue.” Maybe not his very best, I suppose, but in the Top 10 as far as I am concerned. It was taken from his 1974 album Blood on the Tracks.

It is a typically lengthy iconic Dylan story that goes from one emotion to another without ever losing sight of what the song is about. Something Dylan is a master at. His guitar rattles away as he tells the tale.

The song is about an affair a man has with a soon-to-be-divorced woman, and they run away. They split up and go their own ways when they realize perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea. Using the imagery of their car running out of petrol and not being able to go any further.

But he never forgets her… 

He meets her again years later by accident in unfortunate circumstances and almost hides in his shame. She thinks she knows him, but he hides away. He leaves without her once again, but this time he is determined to go out and find her. 

“So now I’m going back again – Got to get her somehow.” The deeper side is Dylan singing about a man who was looking for love but not in the right place. It was in front of him all the time, he just didn’t know what to do with it. A great song about searching for love.

3

I’m Looking Through You by The Beatles

This song was written by Paul McCartney about his then-girlfriend, actress Jane Asher. It was included on the Rubber Soul album from 1965. This was the album where creativity overtook the need for commercialism. 

It was here they tried to take greater control over what was going on in the music. Rubber Soul was the first album where that began to manifest, and this track is a good example.

It is a clever song that takes a different viewpoint about searching or looking for something. The song was written about his problematic relationship with Jane. He says he can see through her and the things she says. He sees that she prefers to attach more importance to her career rather than to him. 

Is that him being a bit selfish? 

He even seems to issue a guarded threat to her, almost a warning. “Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight.” It appears he had been looking for, even searching for her to give him the answers he wanted, but he didn’t get them. 

The relationship struggled on for another three or so years before she finally ended it live on the radio on the Simon Dee Show. When it comes to songs about searching, this one is one of the best.

4

A Place In The Sun by Stevie Wonder

This was a 1966 release from his album Down to Earth. However, he didn’t write the song, it was written by Ron Miller and Bryan Wells. It reached #9 on the American chart. Later in his career, Stevie Wonder became known for songs offering social comment. 

This could be the first such song in some ways…

The is a song about searching for peace and a refuge away from the bad things that happen in our lives. Clearly aimed at the plight of African-Americans, it refers to looking to find that place in the sun where he and they will find that peace.

“There’s a place in the sun – And before my life is done – Gotta find me a place in the sun.”

5

In Search Of The Lost Chord by The Moody Blues

In these lists, it is usual to choose singles. But, I am going to break with tradition and include a whole album with a reference to one track from the album that is particularly relevant. 

In Search Of The Lost Chord was a concept album released in 1968 with the theme of searching for truth and discovery. It covers a variety of topics expertly written by what may have been the first Progressive Rock band.

As I mentioned…

One of the tracks, in particular, refers to seeking out what the world has to offer, or exploration, if you prefer. That track is “Dr. Livingstone, I Presume.” The whole album follows the theme of searching for something better or different. 

What is the lost chord? 

You will have to listen to the album where it is revealed in one of the songs. The album itself is a reference to British composer Sir Arthur Sullivan and his song “The Lost Chord.” Sullivan was already a well-known composer, having written songs like “Onward, Christian Soldiers.”

His song was written at the bedside of his dying brother, words were later added. It was sung in New York by Tenor Enrico Caruso at a benefit concert for victims of the Titanic.

The album reached #5 on the UK album chart and #23 in America. It is still recognized as one of their most important works.

6

Lookin’ for a Love by Neil Young

Any Neil Young fans will recognize this song about trying to find love from his album, Zuma, released in 1975. Those fans will be pleased to know it won’t be the only Neil Young track on this list. No prizes are given for what the other one might be.

This was released a little while after the other track, which was on his Harvest album. On Harvest, there are tracks where he talks about looking for love but just not being able to find it. From the lyrics of “Lookin’ for a Love,” we can only assume he still hasn’t.

His Vulnerability

One thing that seems to stand out in many Neil Young songs is that he was slightly unsure of himself and rather vulnerable. This may be the reason that he appeals to so many people. 

He wears his heart on his sleeve much of the time. That is what also makes him one of the great songwriters of our generation.

In this song… 

He hopes that when he meets someone, it doesn’t go wrong as it had before. He is worried about exposing his darker inner self, his vulnerability, and his uncertainty about who he really is. Much of the song may have been inspired by the divorce he was going through at the time and his need to meet someone else. Whatever the inspiration, a great Young track.

As usual, space for including too many more songs about searching is disappearing fast. But we have to mention these before we close.

7

Have You Seen Her by The Chi-Lites

Not a song to everyone’s taste, it came at a time when this style of Soul music was at its height. It started and finished with a narration about a man missing his girl. Rather trite by today’s styles, but not uncommon for the time. Nevertheless, it reached #3 in the UK and America.

8

In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel

A track from my favorite Peter Gabriel album, So. It wasn’t released as a single in the UK but reached #26 in America. A prominent bass line and African-style drums and instruments, with a member of the Wolof-speaking people joining in. This is Peter Gabriel at his world music best.

It is a song about going on a search and seeing something magical that is “in your eyes.” But for what? Finding love, or maybe yourself or something else. You decide.

9

(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long by Chicago

After the glorious, heady days of “I’m A Man” and “25 or 6 to 4”, Chicago became a Pop Ballad group with an almost dreamy style. This song was released as the first single from their 1974 album, Chicago VII.

This is a song about being on a search of self-discovery, to find out who you really are. “I’ve been searching – So long – To find an answer – Now I know my life has meaning.” We never actually get to find out what the answer might be.

10

Searchin’ by The Hollies

The Hollies were an English band formed in the 1960s in Manchester. They were popular from 1963 to 1967 and had a string of classic pop hits. “Searchin'” was their second single and was something different at the time.

It was a cover of a song by The Coasters from 1957 that had been written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. They knew a thing or two about writing hit songs. This was different, though, and brought about a new style of Rock n Roll.

The Hollies version was a bit quicker…

And. although the familiar harmonies were all in place, it had a rougher edge. It was released in 1963 and reached #12 on the UK chart. However, it wasn’t released in America.

It was a song the Beatles also played often at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in the early 60s. Furthermore, it was one of the songs they used in their audition for Decca in 1962. The audition where Decca rejected them… oops!

11

You Found Me by Kelly Clarkson

It isn’t that often you find real talent on these “The Moon’s Got Talent” programs, but Kelly Clarkson was one exception. After winning “American Idol,” she released her first album, Thankful, in 2003 to some success.

Her follow-up, Breakaway, in 2004 was far better and demonstrated the rise of someone with talent. “You Found Me” was taken from that album. The song was written by John Shanks and Kara DioGuardi.

The song talks of a girl who is surprised that her man found her. She says, “You found me – When no one else was lookin’ – How did you know just where I would be?” A very good song from a very good album.

12

Heart Of Gold by Neil Young

Let’s put the Neil Young fans out of their misery and include the other Young track. Some albums are so good they last forever in our consciousness. Harvest, released in 1972, where this track came from, was one of those.

It was written at a time when he was recovering from back problems. He couldn’t stand or carry his electric guitar, so he wrote acoustically. It was a big success, as was the album. The single reached #10 in the UK and gave him his first and only #1 in America.

One of his greatest songs… 

It even received a strange appreciation from Bob Dylan. He liked Neil Young’s work but couldn’t listen to the song. Dylan said, “That’s me, it sounds like me. It should be me. I should have written that.” Praise indeed from the great man.

The song is one of his poignant best, and likened his search to a miner digging for gold. Once again, he exposed his fears about the future and maybe not finding what he was looking for, “Keep me searching’ for a heart of gold – And I’m getting old.”

Two of my other favorites from the time, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, supplied backup vocals.

13

The Seeker by The Who

This is a song that Townshend admits should have been better than it was. It has the “Who-style” about it, but at times, it is overthought. Too many mixes at the time, and worn out by endless UK gigs.

It came at a difficult time for them… 

This was the first single “post-Tommy in 1970, and everyone was expecting something big. It didn’t happen. It disappointed chart-wise, only reaching #19 in the UK and #44 in America.

“The Seeker” is a song written by Pete Townshend where he is encouraging people to search out the truth. He refers to Dylan and The Beatles, and even famed psychedelic drug abuser, Timothy Leary. 

Townshend, at this time, was a critic of using “mind-expanding” drugs for any reason, which may be what inspired the song in the first place. A decent song, better on stage than recorded, and certainly thought-provoking.

14

I Can See For Mile by The Who

Let’s stay with a band who were for many “The heroes of West London” to finish. Some would say that this song is The Who, as they should be. Plenty of riffs, chaotic drums, and driving bass. All set off with Daltrey’s trademark vocals and some good harmony lines. 

It was released in 1967 at a stage in their career where they seemed to be sensing change was necessary. They were trying to hang on to the “mod” aggression their music was famed for. 

But also trying to be as commercial as they could… 

“Pictures Of Lily,” released in the same year, was similarly trying to be both things. Perhaps the title of the album it was taken from, The Who Sell Out, was a guarded comment about that situation.

Some would call this the best Who track they released as a single, and I couldn’t argue. It also features “Moon The Loon” in one of his best drumming performances. It reached #10 in the UK and #9 in America. A chart disappointment in many ways, especially in the UK.

Powerful and with plenty going on, it was a showcase for them at the time and since. And, for those lucky enough to have witnessed those mid-60s concerts in London, it will be a warm memory of probably the greatest Rock band there ever was.

15

The Search Is Over by Survivor,

16

Hunting High and Low by A-ha,

17

Long Train Running by The Doobie Brothers,

18

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2,

19

Where the Streets Have No Name by U2,

20

Where Do You Go To My Lovely by Peter Sarstedt,

21

Looking for Love by Johnny Lee,

22

Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson,

23

Runaway Train by Soul Asylum,

24

Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers,

25

The Search by NF,

26

I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder,

27

Love on the Rocks by Neil Diamond,

28

Endless Search by John McLaughlin,

29

In the Still of the Night by The Five Satins,

30

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers,

31

Where is My Mind? by Pixies,

32

Sowing the Seeds of Love by Tears for Fears,

33

Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight & The Pips,

34

Looking for You by Justin Bieber,

35

Never Ending Search by Donovan,

36

Hunting Song by Pentangle,

37

I’ll Be There for You by Bon Jovi,

38

Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain & Tennille,

39

Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader,

40

The Search for Something More by Owl City,

41

The Search Goes On by The Boppers,

42

Where the Soul Never Dies by Hank Williams Jr.,

43

Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers,

44

Looking for a New Love by Jody Watley,

45

Hopelessly Searching by Will Downing,

46

Going Where The Lonely Go by Merle Haggard,

47

Search and You Will Find by Dan Fogelberg,

48

Lost in France by Bonnie Tyler,

49

The Seeker by Dolly Parton,

50

I’m on Fire by Bruce Springsteen,

More 65 Songs about Searching

51. 51. Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix,
    52. Lookin’ for Love by Johnny Lee,
    53. Looking for Freedom by David Hasselhoff,
    54. I Can’t Stop Loving You by Ray Charles,
    55. Lost in Japan by Shawn Mendes,
    56. Where Do Broken Hearts Go by Whitney Houston,
    57. In Search of Love by The Manhattans,
    58. Looking for a Dream by Maroon 5,
    59. Where Are You? by Natalie,
    60. Lost in You by Rod Stewart,
    61. Scentless Apprentice by Nirvana,
    62. The Searcher by The Del Vikings,
    63. I’m Still Searching by Glass Tiger,
    64. Lost in Hollywood by System of a Down,
    65. Keep Searching by Delroy Wilson,
    66. Lost in Time by Whodini,
    67. Searchin’ My Soul by Vonda Shepard,
    68. Lost in a Moment by The Rasmus,
    69. I’ve Been Searching So Long by Chicago,
    70. Search for Love by The Three Degrees,
    71. Lost in Reality by Five Finger Death Punch,
    72. Search and Rescue by The Cooper Temple Clause,
    73. In Search of Peter Pan by Kate Bush,
    74. Searchin’ for a Rainbow by Marshall Tucker Band
    75. In Search of the Perfect Wave by The B-52’s
    76. Looking for America by Lana Del Rey
    77. Searchlight by Adele
    78. Search for Vulcan by Steely Dan
    79. In Search of the Sun by Xavier Rudd
    80. Searchlights by Elevation Worship
    81. Searching for Ecstasy by Al Green
    82. Searching for a Former Clarity by Against Me!
    83. Searching for the Perfect Beat by Afrika Bambaataa
    84. Search Party by Sam Bruno
    85. Searching for the One by The Temptations
    86. Search and Find by Herb Alpert
    87. Search for the Hero by M People
    88. Searching for the Spark by Robert Fripp
    89. Searching for a New Day by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
    90. Search Me Lord by Donnie McClurkin
    91. Searching by the Mary Jane Girls
    92. Searching for Satellites by Dave Matthews Band
    93. Searching for Madge by Todd Rundgren
    94. Searching for Answers by Graham Nash
    95. Search and Seizure by Roger Glover
    96. Searching for a New Horizon by Soulive
    97. In Search of the Miraculous by Portico Quartet
    98. Searching for a Feeling by Thirdstory
    99. Searching for the Elephant by Ratatat
    100. Searchin’ for You by Jack Johnson
    101. Searching for Something by Patti LaBelle
    102. Searchin’ for My Love by Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces
    103. Searching for the Face of Jesus by Eurythmics
    104. Searching for the Sun by Lionel Richie
    105. Searching for Lost Boys Island by Blackalicious
    106. Searching for a Little Love by The Admirations
    107. Searching for the Dolphins by Al Wilson
    108. In Search of the Heart of the Light by John McLaughlin & Carlos Santana
    109. In Search of the Perfect Melody by The Crusaders
    110. Searching for a Sign by Eric Clapton
    111. In Search of the Dream by The Allman Brothers Band
    112. Searching for a Memory by The Righteous Brothers
    113. Searching for a Star by Teddy Pendergrass
    114. Searchin’ for Love by The Entertainers
    115. Searching for Peace by Gil Scott-Heron

Are You Searching for More Great Songs?

If so, take a look at our detailed articles on the Best Goodbye Songs, the Top Songs About the Future, the Best Songs About Missing Someone You Love, the Top Songs With Drive in the Title, and the Best Songs About Not Giving Up for more great song selections.

Songs about Searching – Final Thoughts

We seem to spend a lot of our lives looking or seeking out things that we may never find. I suppose it is just the human trait of wanting things to be better than they are. It even applies to things like traveling. Are we looking for something when we go to a new place? Quite often, we travel to search for something, and we come home only to realize we already had it.

Songwriters have been able to capture the moments where our search is either our reward or completely futile. But there is nothing wrong with searching for new things.

Until next time, happy listening.