Do you love the sound of songs in 3/4 time?
If so, you’re in luck! In this blog post, we will discuss 13 popular songs that are played 3/4 time. These songs come from a variety of genres and are sure to please everyone’s taste. So sit back, relax, and enjoy listening to some of the best 3/4 time signature songs ever written!
- 1. When The Party’s Over – Billie Eilis
- 2. Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
- 3. Lonely Day – System of a Down
- 4. Idontwannabeyouanymore – Billie Eilish
- 5. Bed of Roses – Bon Jovi
- 6. When The Party’s Over – Billie Eilish
- 7. Piano Man – Billy Joel
- 8. Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
- 9. Fallin’ – Alicia Keys
- 10. Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
- 11. Open Arms – Journey
- 12. Everybody Hurts – R.E.M
- 13. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry – Hank Williams
- 14. Judith – A Perfect Circle
- Q: What are some modern pop songs in 3/4 time?
- Q: What are the songs with a 3/4 time signature?
- Q: What kind of music is in 3/4 time?
- Q: How do you count in 3/12 time?
- Q: Are waltzes always in 3 4?
List of the Popular Songs in 3/4 Time
1. When The Party’s Over – Billie Eilis
When The Party’s Over is one of the most popular songs in 3/4 time. The song was written by Billie Eilis and was released in 1962. Also, the song was featured in the popular TV show, The Sopranos.
Moreover, this song is about a person who is struggling to cope with the end of a relationship. The song’s 3/4 tempo is obvious throughout the composition, as four basic open chords are struck in a waltz rhythm. It’s a simple song to learn and play.
2. Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Iris is another good song in 3 4, it is a popular song by the Goo Goo Dolls. The song was written by the band’s lead singer, Johnny Rzeznik. Iris was featured in the popular movie, City of Angels.
The song is about a man who is reminiscing about a past relationship. It has a slow tempo and features basic chords in the key of D minor.
The chords you’ll need to play this song are Em7, Dsus4, Cadd9, G, and A7sus4. The strumming pattern is conventional in a 3/4 rhythmic pattern, and the slow tempo makes it simpler to perform.
3. Lonely Day – System of a Down
Lonely Day is a popular song in 3 4 by System of a Down. The song was written by Daron Malakian and was released in 2002.
The lyrics of the song are about heartbreak and depression. The music has a heavy metal sound, with a fast tempo that is perfect for moshing to. However, the song is played in a 3/four time signature.
The chords you’ll need to play this song are G, D, Em, and C. The strumming pattern is down-up-down-up, which is common in punk and metal music genres.
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4. Idontwannabeyouanymore – Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s third 3/4 pop hit is Idontwannabeyouanymore, which was released in 2017. The song incorporates pop, R&B sounds, and jazz, and neo-soul melodies with melancholy lyrics written by the artist when she was sad. The song has been remixed and covered by a variety of artists.
The chords you’ll need to play this song are D, A, Em, and G. The strumming pattern is down-up-down-up in a 3/four rhythmic pattern.
5. Bed of Roses – Bon Jovi
The second single, “Bed of Roses,” is the greatest and one of the pop songs in 3 4, it is a power ballad from Bon Jovi’s fifth studio album, Keep the Faith (1992). The song was released by Mercury Records on January 11, 1993. The band soared to new heights with the power ballad sound, which had developed a considerably more sophisticated tone than their Glam songs from the 1980s.
To play this song, you’ll need five chords, the barred Bb and F being the most difficult for absolute novices. The strum pattern is fairly standard in a 3/4 time signature, with easy-to-open chords and a simple strumming pattern.
6. When The Party’s Over – Billie Eilish
When The Party’s Over is a popular song by Billie Eilish. The song was written by Billie Eilish and was released in 2019.
The lyrics of the song are about a person who is struggling to cope with the end of a relationship. The song has a slow tempo and features basic chords in the key of D minor.
The chords you’ll need to play this song are Em, Dsus, Cadd, G, and A. The strumming pattern is conventional in a 3/four rhythmic pattern.
7. Piano Man – Billy Joel
Piano Man is a wonderful song and one of the most beautiful songs in 3 4 that was Billy Joel’s first release, and it was released in 1973. After its initial release, the track instantly topped the charts in the United States, giving the artist tremendous popularity around the country. The song recounts the tale of a piano player at a bar who sings about his life and the people he meets.
The song has several chords, one of which is an F-barre chord that may be tough for novices to play, but it’s a slow waltz rhythm track with plenty of time to readjust your fingers.
8. Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
Breakaway, written by Matthew Gerrard, Bridget Benenate, and Avril Lavigne, was originally intended for Lavigne’s debut studio album, Let Go of 2002. However, it is the fifth and final single from Kelly Clarkson’s second studio album. Breakaway was released as the official soundtrack to Princess Diaries 2 in 2004 by Walt.
Breakaway is a pop song with a tempo of 160 bpm that uses an easy strumming pattern, four open chords, and one barred chord: Am, G, C, F, and D in a classic waltz rhythm.
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9. Fallin’ – Alicia Keys
The song “Fallin,” by the American songwriter, singer, and pianist Alicia Keys (2001) is the first single from her debut album Songs in 3 4 A minor. It was written and composed by her, and it became one of her signature songs because of this.
It received numerous certifications across the world, making it one of 2001’s biggest hits. The song was produced by Kerry Brothers, Jr., and Alicia Keys.
The chords you’ll need to play this song are A minor, D major, F major, and G major. The strumming pattern is down-up-down in a 3/four rhythmic pattern.
10. Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
This song is one of the most popular songs of 3/4 time, which was first released on Leonard Cohen’s Various Positions album in 1984, and initially had little popularity. However, Jeff Buckley did a version of the song in 1994 that became the most famous and subsequently led to the production of many other covers of it. It’s a very emotional track with moving words and music.
To play this song, you’ll need to arpeggiate five easy open chords in a slow tempo. It’s a wonderful track for beginners since it allows ample opportunity to shift between chords.
11. Open Arms – Journey
Open Arms is another one of the most popular songs in the 3/4 time power ballad by the American rock band Journey. It was written by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, and it was released on their album Escape in 1981. The song became popular around the world, charting in several countries and reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
The song is played with a simple strumming pattern in a 3/4 time signature and is composed of only four chords: A minor, D major, E major, and G major.
12. Everybody Hurts – R.E.M
R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts is an American rock band’s well-known ballad from their eighth studio album Automatic for The People in 1992. It was released as a single by Warner Bros. in 1993, and it reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It is one of the most popular songs in 3/4 time.
The song “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. is a popular ballad that was originally released in 1992 on their eighth studio album, Automatic for the People. The song was released as a single by Warner Bros. in 1993, and it reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
The song is played with arpeggios in a 1,2,3 – 1,2,3 rhythmic pattern with the accent on the 1st beats. It is an excellent song for beginner guitarists to step into the arpeggio world.
13. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry – Hank Williams
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, a country classic written by Hank Williams in 1949, is one of the oldest songs in 3 4 on the list. Many artists have covered this song, but only Hank Williams sang the authentic version.
The popular song was released as a single in 1950 and peaked at number one on the Billboard country chart. The song is played with a simple strumming pattern in a 3/16 time signature and is composed of only three chords: D minor, G major, and A major.
14. Judith – A Perfect Circle
Judith is a popular song by the American alternative rock band A Perfect Circle. It was composed by the band and published in the United States in 2001 as a single track. The popular song has charted in several countries and reached number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The song is played with a simple strumming pattern in popular songs in 3/4 time signature and is composed of only four chords: A minor, D major, E major, and G major.
Frequently Ask Questions
Q: What are some modern pop songs in 3/4 time?
A: 13 popular songs in 3/4 time are “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, “Open Arms” by Journey, “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M., and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams, and more.
Q: What are the songs with a 3/4 time signature?
A: “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, “Open Arms” by Journey, “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M., “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams, and more.
Q: What kind of music is in 3/4 time?
A: Most popular songs 3/4 time are ballads or slow rock songs in 3/4 time. However, some pop and country songs also use a 3/4 time signature.
Q: How do you count in 3/12 time?
A: One, two, three, one, two, three (or “One-two-three, one-two-three”). This time signature is also known as 3/16 time.
Q: Are waltzes always in 3 4?
A: No, a waltz can be in any time signature. However, the most popular waltzes are on 3/12 or 3/16 time.
Conclusion: Popular Songs in 3/4 Time
We hope you enjoyed this list of popular songs in 3/4 time. As you can see, there are many different styles of music that use a 3/12 time signature.
If you are looking for some easy songs to play in 3/4 time, we recommend starting with “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, “Open Arms” by Journey, or “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. Happy strumming!
That’s all for the popular songs in 3 4 times. You can also check out the Top 12 Famous Bluegrass Songs of All Time and 35+ Primary School Songs for Kids: Best of the Best.
