The number five is such an innocuous number, yet it carries so much significance, particularly in the world of music. How? The inspiration it brought artists to title their songs with it.
In fact, there are many songs containing the number five in their titles. As a result, it showcases the versatility of this digit and how it can be interpreted in different ways by different artists.
That’s why in the post, we’ve collected 15 of the best songs with the number five in the title. Each one of these tracks has its own story and meaning, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
1. “Mambo No. 5” By Lou Bega
What do you get when you mix jazz and instrumental mambo? You get Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5.” Released in 1999, the song sampled the original instrumental “Mambo No. 5” composed by Cuban musician Pérez Prado.
The track features a lively mambo beat. It serves as the foundation for Bega’s engaging narrative of a man who playfully lists various women’s names. At its core, this song celebrates the joy of dance and romance.
Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5” achieved remarkable commercial success. It topped charts across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand and reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
2. “505” By Arctic Monkeys
The English band Arctic Monkeys is not known for creating love songs. Yet “505” is one of them but with an indie-rock twist. Written by frontman Alex Turner, it was released in 2007 from the album Favourite Worst Nightmare.
The title “505” refers to a room number in a hotel where Turner once stayed. It suggests that the song may be rooted in specific memories or experiences. The lyrics explore the narrator’s longing to return to a place or person.
“505” was a sleeper hit when released, only landing at #73 on the UK Singles. Due to its use in social media platforms, it had a resurgence and soon peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Chart.
3. “Five Nights At Freddy’s” By The Living Tombstone
Electronic rock band The Living Tombstone released “Five Nights at Freddy’s” in 2014. Since then, it has become deeply ingrained in the fabric of internet culture, particularly among fans of the indie horror game series it draws inspiration from, Five Nights at Freddy’s, developed by Scott Cawthon.
The song quickly blew up in popularity, paralleling the viral success of the game. Its haunting melody, combined with catchy electronic beats and lyrics, captures the emotions of both the in-game characters and the players experiencing the story.
The lyrics delve into the game’s lore. They touch on the mysterious and dark backstory of the animatronics and the setting itself. This narrative depth has allowed the song to stand out as more than just a fan-made tribute, garnering over 350 million views on YouTube.
4. “Five More Minutes” By Scotty McCreery
It’s not a secret that many people want more time to do this or that. In Scotty McCreery’s country hit “Five More Minutes,” he expresses the longing for additional time, making the song’s message universally relatable.
The song’s narrative is built around the concept of wanting “five more minutes” to savor the precious moments of life that often pass too quickly: “Time rolls by, the clock don’t stop / I wish I had a few more drops / of the good stuff, the good times … / and give myself five more minutes.”
In essence, “Five More Minutes” is about cherishing life’s fleeting moments. It encourages listeners to appreciate the present and the people around them. This message helped to skyrocket the song to the top of Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart.
5. “Five Minutes Alone” By Pantera
From upbeat pop, we move on to an intense heavy metal track called “Five Minutes Alone” by Pantera. The song is emblematic of the band’s aggressive style. It combines heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums, and the distinctive vocal delivery of lead singer Phil Anselmo.
Like many of Pantera’s songs, “Five Minutes Alone” delves into themes of anger, confrontation, and personal strength. The title is tied to an incident involving the band.
According to band members, the phrase originated from an altercation between the band’s lead vocalist, Anselmo, and a fan during a concert. Following the incident, the fan’s father reportedly confronted the band’s manager. The former demanded that his son be given “five minutes alone” with Anselmo to settle the dispute.
6. “9 To 5” By Dolly Parton
Most everyone knows that the phrase “9 to 5” describes work that starts at nine in the morning and ends at five in the afternoon. But Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” stands as a powerful anthem for workers’ rights and women’s empowerment.
The track was written by Parton herself and created as the theme song for the comedy film of the same name. In the movie, Parton made her acting debut alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
The song’s origins are intertwined with Parton’s role in the film and her observations of the working world’s realities. “9 to 5” captures the essence of the working person’s life, with its upbeat melody masking a critique of the grind and inequities of office life.
7. “50 Ways To Say Goodbye” By Train
Though technically not the exact number five, “50” still counts for our next song. And so our next track is “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” by the pop-rock band Train. Wrapped up in an upbeat, mariachi-infused melody, it was released in 2012 from their California 37 album.
The lyrics are imaginative and whimsical. They detail various outlandish scenarios in which the singer’s lover has met their end. This creative approach to dealing with heartache and loss is a departure from more traditional breakup songs, offering listeners a mix of catharsis and entertainment.
Though not as popular as “Drive By” from the same album, “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” still became a fan-favorite and landed in the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.
8. “5, 6, 7, 8” By Steps
Our next song, “5, 6, 7, 8” by Steps, is a lively track that marked the debut of the British pop group when it was released in November 1997. It represents a unique entry in the late 1990s pop scene. It also combines elements that were somewhat atypical for mainstream pop music of the time.
Traditionally, the numbers “5, 6, 7, 8” serve as a count-in to start a dance or musical piece. In other words, it signals performers to begin in unison. In the song, they draw listeners into the song, setting the stage for an upbeat and engaging musical experience.
Lyrically, “5, 6, 7, 8” is about letting loose and having fun on the dance floor, with references to line dancing and a “boot scootin’ baby” driving the narrator “crazy.” Despite not reaching the top of the charts, it achieved significant commercial success and has remained one of Steps’ most recognizable songs.
9. “5% Tint” By Travis Scott
Renowned rapper Travis Scott presents a blend of hip-hop and rap with the song “5% Tint.” It was released from his 2018 album Astroworld.
The title refers to a classic line by Houston legend Slim Thug on his hit “Still…” In the song, “5% tint” refers to the dark shade of car window tint that provides privacy and shields the occupants from external view.
This clever play on words serves as a metaphor for exclusivity, privacy, and an air of mystery, paralleling the song’s narrative of trying to maintain distance and discretion from others.
10. “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” By Paul Simon
Our next song, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon, is similar to Train’s “50 Ways to Say Goodbye.” The difference is that instead of killing off the lover like in the latter song, Simon’s track is more on ways to leave the relationship.
With a blend of humor, the lyrics describe easy ways one can do to part with a lover. Some ways include simply hopping on a bus, leaving out the back door, or just leaving the keys behind.
“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” achieved significant success, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1976. Interestingly, it is Simon’s only chart-topping song in the US as a solo artist.
11. “Five More Hours” By Deorro And Chris Brown
Our next song having five in the title is “Five More Hours” by the Mexican-American DJ Deorro and R&B singer Chris Brown. Released in 2015, this collaboration took Deorro’s original instrumental hit “Five Hours” and infused it with new life.
The track itself is an anthem for those moments when you’re not ready for the night to end. It encapsulates the feeling of wanting just a little more time to enjoy the party, the company, or the moment.
Brown’s vocals add a layer of narrative to the song. It turned the instrumental track into a story about pushing the limits of fun and revelry. This theme resonates with many listeners, making “Five More Hours” a staple on dance floors and at festivals.
12. “5 Years Time (Sun Sun Sun)” By Noah And The Whale
Having fun and enjoying the moment is what “5 Years Time (Sun Sun Sun)” by Noah and the Whale is all about. It stands out for its upbeat tempo, whimsical lyrics, and the blend of folk and indie rock elements that give it a distinct summer vibe.
The track begins with an infectious ukulele riff. It sets a lighthearted and carefree tone that persists throughout the song. The lyrics paint vivid pictures of spending as much time with a loved one in various scenarios because “in five years time, we might not get along.”
“Five Years Time” was initially released in 2007 but was a flop. It was re-released a year later and soon became Noah and the Whale’s first top-10 single on the UK Sings Chart.
13. “5 Dollars” By Christine And The Queens
Next is a synth-pop beat by French singer Christine and the Queens, also known as Héloïse Letissier. “5 Dollars,” from her 2018 album Chris, speaks of love. It’s not your typical love, but rather the kind that can be bought.
The lines “You’re eager and unashamed / I grieve by dying every night baby / Prove them wrong when you get 5 dollars” suggest a transaction between lovers.
“5 Dollars” was a success on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs Chart. It peaked at #12, a testament to Christine and the Queens’s artistic vision and songwriting skill.
14. “Five Years” By David Bowie
Penultimate on our list is “Five Years,” by the iconic English musician David Bowie. It holds a significant place in rock history as the opening track on his groundbreaking 1972 album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
This song sets the tone for the entire album. It weaves a narrative of a dystopian world on the brink of an apocalypse due to Earth having only five years left before its end.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of panic, sorrow, and chaos. These encapsulate the emotional and societal responses to the announcement of Earth’s impending doom.
Bowie’s storytelling prowess is on full display here. He describes scenes of desperation, love, and existential reflection among the planet’s inhabitants, who are faced with their mortality.
15. “867-5309/Jenny” By Tommy Tutone
Closing this list is Tommy Tutone‘s “867-5309/Jenny.” This classic rock song was released in 1981 as the lead single from the band’s second album, Tommy Tutone 2.
The track tells the story of a man who finds the name “Jenny” and a phone number (867-5309) written on a bathroom wall. It leads to him fantasizing about the girl behind the number.
The song’s infectious hook and straightforward rock sound contributed to its success. It reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Tommy Tutone’s most recognizable and successful song.
Its popularity was further fueled by the curiosity and real-world implications surrounding the phone number featured in the lyrics. People across the United States started dialing 867-5309 and looking for Jenny. This led to numerous calls to individuals and businesses inadvertently assigned that number.
Summing Up Our List Of Songs Titled With The Number Five
As you have read, songs that weave the number five into their titles bring together a varied mix of styles, emotions, and stories. They show the creativity of artists across different musical genres over different eras.
Our exploration has uncovered a fascinating array of tunes that celebrate this number in various ways. However, we’re sure there are gems we’ve overlooked.
If you know of any songs we didn’t mention, we’d love to hear about them. Share your recommendations with us!
