A request after my songs about walls column! I had a quick look through and found that I could accommodate this person, and so, here we are. This is songs about windows!
Windows have some interesting metaphorical reasoning behind their use. Seeing through someone or something, seeing clearly, seeing the truth of something – always involved with looking or seeing. It is a handy little metaphor because everyone understands what a window is and what it does, so no explanation is needed.
Image by Dorothe from Pixabay
The rules are the same as always: the word “window” or “windows” must be in the title, one song per artist, one version of each song, and I need to like the song. They are listed in chronological order, the date of first release, either as a single or the home album. These are not just charting singles, but songs from my collection that fulfill the requirement and that I like.
Here are 15 songs about Windows!
’Window Shopping’ by Hank Williams (1952)
Okay, let’s start this list with an old country classic from Hank Williams. And window shopping is such a wonderful metaphor to be used in this context! Traditional country, yes, but it is still a wonderful song.
’Stand At Your Window’ by Jim Reeves (1961)
Okay, weird choice, I know, but I remember my father listening to this and between this track and ‘He’ll Have To Go’, thinking that Jim Reeves was the best country singer I heard. Yes, I have since changed my mind, but this song is still a great one.
’Look Through My Window’ by The Mamas And The Papas (1966)
The harmonies of this quartet have rarely been matched, and this, one of their many charting singles, is just a really nice example of the music they created.
’Look Through Any Window’ by The Hollies (1966)
This was the song that broke The Hollies in the US, and started a few years of charting singles. Often overlooked, they were an incredibly strong band.
’She Came In Through The Bathroom Window’ by The Beatles (1969)
Part of the awesome side 2 Abbey Road medley , this song later gained more popularity through the Joe Cocker cover version, but I just really like The Beatles doing it.
’Window Dreamin’’ by Chicago (1979)
Chicago in the 1970s, before they discovered AOR, were quite a stunning and different band to listen to, with their full brass section and weird lyrics. This is an album cut from Chicago 13, which I always liked because of the great little guitar solo.
’Windows’ by Missing Persons (1982)
Missing Persons had a few charting songs, but they had so many great tracks on their albums. They were one of the first New Wave bands I got into, and I think it was the voice of the lead singer (Dale Bozzio) that did it. Fun fact – the drummer, Terry Bozzio, is the drummer on my favourite ever instrumental album.
’Through Your Window’ by Eurogliders (1983)
For a few years in the 1980s, Eurogliders were everywhere in Australian music circles. Even their album cuts from the time were really good, and I actually like this track better than a few of the singles.
’Lookin’ Out The Window’ by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble (1985)
Stevie Ray was a personal favourite blues artist, in that modern blues-rock mould that I really liked. Between him and Gary Moore, I really got into the wider expanse of modern blues. I mean, I did know about Clapton et al. from the 1960s and earlier, but for the 1980s, they did it for me.
’Don’t Stand So Close To The Window’ by Paul Kelly (1987)
Under The Sun is one of the best Australian albums of the 1980s, and I think there is not a bad track on it, so an album cut like this is going to make the cut every time.
’Steamy Windows’ by Tina Turner (1989)
Tina Turner just released great song after great song in the 1980s, her “comeback” decade, that some strong ones – like this one – get lost in the shuffle. She is on form here.
’Come To My Window’ by Melissa Etheridge (1993)
I got into Etheridge’s music when it first hit us and stayed with her until the end of the 1990s, but this song has always been one of my favourites of hers.
’Stare Out Your Window’ by Boston (2002)
Corporate America was a decent enough album, and this track, while not a stand-out on the collection, is certainly not a bad song. But listening to it while going through my music, I just found myself listening along more carefully. Boston is known for two songs; it should be so many more.
’Windows’ by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (2007)
It’s the piano that makes this song stand out to me. I quite like the BRMC album I own, and this song just does it for me. And I think this is a good way to close out the body of this list.
And I am going to finish with a classic comedy track. I mean, really classic, and it might be one of the oldest songs I’ve put in one of these lists.
’When I’m Cleaning Windows’ by George Formby (1936)
Apparently, when he performed live, the lyrics became a lot more risqué, but it is still a fun little song. Maybe the comedy is a little twee for a modern audience, but I had to put it here.
Yeah, so, most of these are from the twentieth century. Is that because Windows in the twenty-first century people associate more with a computer operating system than something to peer through? Not sure, but something happened!
Anyway, I hope you found something to enjoy from these 15 songs!