The Ultimate Playlist: 10 Iconic Songs That Start with “Z”

When building the ultimate music playlist, most of us start with artists or songs beginning with A and rarely make it past the M’s. But what happens when you decide to flip the alphabet on its head and search for the rarest entry of all: songs that start with the letter “Z”?

Far from being a barren wasteland of novelty tracks, the letter Z is surprisingly packed with chart-topping anthems, psychedelic masterpieces, heavy metal rippers, and hip-hop classics.

Strap in as we take a sonic journey through ten of the best, most unforgettable tracks starting with “Z”—complete with the stories and vibes that make them worth adding to your queue right now.

1. “Zombie” – The Cranberries (1994)

• Genre: Alternative Rock / Grunge
• The Vibe: Raw, haunting, and furiously passionate.

You cannot talk about Z songs without starting with one of the most powerful rock anthems of the 20th century. Written by the late, great Dolores O’Riordan in response to the 1993 Warrington bombings in England, “Zombie” is an anti-war masterpiece. Driven by a grim, distorted guitar riff and O’Riordan’s signature, bone-chilling yodel-inflected wails (“In your head, in your head, they are fight-ing…”), it remains a timeless monument to the tragedy of political violence.

2. “Zou Bisou Bisou” – Gillian Hills (1960) / The Cast of Mad Men (2012)

• Genre: Ye-ye / French Pop
• The Vibe: Retro, sultry, and impossibly chic.

Originally recorded by British-French actress and singer Gillian Hills in 1960, this infectious piece of French pop culture exploded back into the global consciousness in 2012 when Jessica Paré’s character, Megan Draper, sensually performed it at a birthday party on Mad Men. It’s light, breezy, and effortlessly sophisticated—the absolute peak of 1960s continental cool.

3. “Zeppelin” – Various (A Tribute to Classic Rock)

(Honoring the legendary namesake)

While literal song titles starting with Z are scarce in Led Zeppelin’s own catalog (with tracks like “Zep” mostly living as bootlegs or instrumentals), the spirit of rock royalty belongs to the letter. If you want a Z-adjacent powerhouse, cue up “Whole Lotta Love” or “Zoot Suit Riot” by Cherry Poppers (see below) to capture that high-octane energy.

4. “Zoot Suit Riot” – Cherry Popped (1997)

• Genre: Swing Revival
• The Vibe: High-energy, brassy, and explosive.

In the late 1990s, the neo-swing revival hit the mainstream like a freight train, and Cherry PoppDippers’ “Zoot Suit Riot” was the undisputed crown jewel of the movement. Inspired by the historical 1943 Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles, the track fuses frantic big-band horns with modern punk-rock tempo. It is impossible to sit still when this song comes on.

5. “Zero” – The Smashing Pumpkins (1996)

• Genre: Alternative Rock / Shoegaze
• The Vibe: Distorted, angsty, and relentless.

Lifted from their diamond-selling 1995 double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, “Zero” is Billy Corgan at his most gloriously abrasive. Anchored by one of the crunchiest, fuzz-drenched guitar riffs of the 90s alternative boom, the song’s nihilistic yet catchy chorus (“Emptiness is loneliness, and loneliness is cleanliness…”) makes it an essential anthem for adolescent angst.

6. “Zitti e Buoni” – Måneskin (2021)

• Genre: Italian Rock / Glam Rock
• The Vibe: Defiant, swaggering, and electric.

When Italian rock band Måneskin won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021, they introduced millions worldwide to “Zitti e Buoni” (which translates roughly to “Shut up and behave”). Driven by driving basslines, aggressive drumbeats, and Damiano David’s raw, charismatic sneer, this track proved that rock and roll was alive, well, and speaking fluent Italian on the global stage.

7. “Zero” – Chris Brown (2015)

• Genre: Dance-Pop / Synth-Funk
• The Vibe: Upbeat, funky, and dancefloor-ready.

If you are looking for something to shake off a bad breakup with a groove, Chris Brown’s “Zero” delivers. Blending 80s synth-pop nostalgia with modern electronic funk, the track uses a catchy disco-infused beat to turn heartbreak into a high-energy anthem about moving on completely solo.

8. “Zenith” – Ghost (2015)

• Genre: Occult Rock / Heavy Metal
• The Vibe: Epic, cinematic, and moody.

A holy grail for fans of the Swedish theatrical rock band Ghost, “Zenith” was originally released as a bonus track on the physical deluxe editions of their third studio album, Meliora. Because it was kept off major streaming platforms for years, it achieved legendary status among the band’s faithful. It’s a sweeping, heavy, and hauntingly melodic epic that rewards repeated listening.

9. “Zodiac Shit” – Flying Lotus (2010)

• Genre: Experimental Hip-Hop / IDM
• The Vibe: Trippy, futuristic, and mesmerizing.

Producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist Steven Ellison (Flying Lotus) crafted a masterpiece of modern beat culture with “Zodiac Shit.” Coming off his critically acclaimed album Cosmogramma, the track is a dizzying, sub-bass-heavy kaleidoscope of glitchy electronic rhythms and celestial jazz textures that feels like floating through deep space.

10. “Zungguzungguguzungguzeng” – Yellowman (1982)

• Genre: Dancehall / Reggae
• The Vibe: Rhythmic, iconic, and legendary.

No Z-list is complete without dancehall royalty. Jamaican deejay Yellowman released “Zungguzungguguzungguzeng” in 1982, and its infectious vocal cadence instantly shook the foundations of reggae and hip-hop. The signature chant has since been sampled, interpolated, and referenced by dozens of global superstars (including The Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, and Snoop Dogg), making it one of the most influential dancehall riddims of all time.

Ready to Build Your Playlist?

Whether you’re in the mood for 90s grunge rock, sophisticated French pop, or heavy modern metal, the letter Z punches way above its weight class.

Next Up: Which letter of the alphabet should we tackle next? Drop your favorite song starting with “Z” in the comments below!