24 Songs About the Sunset, from Waterloo Sunset to Golden Hour

What is the most famous song about the sunset?

"Waterloo Sunset" by The Kinks is the most famous song about a sunset, often called one of the most beautiful songs of the 1960s. "Golden Hour" by JVKE is the modern favorite, and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding is the classic song about watching the day go by.

Classic songs about the sunset

1. "Red Sails in the Sunset", Jimmy Kennedy and Hugh Williams: a 1935 standard.
2. "Twilight Time", The Platters: a smooth 1958 number one.
3. "Waterloo Sunset", The Kinks: a quiet London evening by the river.
4. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay", Otis Redding: watching the tide roll away.
5. "Day Is Done", Nick Drake: a gentle folk song about the end of the day.
6. "Sundown", Gordon Lightfoot: a moody 1974 number one.
7. "Afterglow", Genesis: a slow, glowing 70s ballad.

Rock and pop songs about the evening

8. "In the Evening", Led Zeppelin: a dramatic rock song.
9. "Late in the Evening", Paul Simon: a joyful song about music at night.
10. "Sunset Grill", Don Henley: a portrait of a Los Angeles diner.
11. "Twilight", Electric Light Orchestra: an upbeat synth-rock hit.
12. "Sunset People", Donna Summer: a disco ride through the night.
13. "Evening Falls...", Enya: a dreamy, peaceful song.
14. "When the Sun Goes Down", Arctic Monkeys: a story of the city after dark.
15. "Sunset Boulevard", from the musical Sunset Boulevard: Andrew Lloyd Webber's song about Hollywood.

Modern songs for golden hour

16. "Golden Hour", JVKE: a sweeping love song about the light before sunset.
17. "Sunset Lover", Petit Biscuit: a dreamy electronic favorite.
18. "Sunsetz", Cigarettes After Sex: slow and romantic.
19. "Dusk Till Dawn", Zayn and Sia: a big ballad about staying together all night.
20. "Orange Sky", Alexi Murdoch: a quiet acoustic song.
21. "Sun Goes Down", Lil Nas X: a personal song about hard times.
22. "When the Sun Goes Down", Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker: a country beach song for summer evenings.

Evening hymns

23. "Day Is Dying in the West", traditional hymn: an evening hymn from 1877.
24. "Abide with Me", Henry Francis Lyte: the classic evening prayer.

Why do we love songs about the sunset?

A sunset is a daily reminder that time is passing, which makes it perfect for songs about love, endings and gratitude. It is also the moment people slow down, sit on a porch or walk on the beach, and want the right song playing. Kacey Musgraves named a whole album Golden Hour after that light.

What is golden hour?

Golden hour is the short time just after sunrise and just before sunset, when the sun is low and the light turns warm and soft. Photographers plan whole shoots around it, and songwriters use the phrase for a moment of perfect happiness that you know will not last.

Sunset songs for a proposal

A sunset is one of the most popular times to propose. "Golden Hour", "Dusk Till Dawn" and "Twilight Time" set the mood on a beach or a rooftop, and a soft acoustic song works best if you plan to play it from a phone. See our proposal songs for more ideas.

Sunset songs for a road trip

For the last hour of a long drive west, when the sun is right in front of you, "Sundown", "Orange Sky" and "Sunset Lover" make a calm, beautiful soundtrack as the sky changes color. Pull over somewhere safe if you want to watch it properly: the best part often lasts only a few minutes after the sun dips below the horizon.

Songs about the sunset for a beach day

For an evening on the beach, mix "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay", "When the Sun Goes Down" by Kenny Chesney and "Sunset Lover". See our songs about the ocean and songs about summer for more.

Sunset songs for a wedding

Many couples schedule their photos or ceremony for golden hour. "Golden Hour" by JVKE and "Red Sails in the Sunset" make lovely first dances, and "Twilight Time" fits the cocktail hour as the sun goes down. See our first dance songs for more.

Songs about the sunset for a farewell

Sunsets often stand for endings. For a retirement party or a celebration of life, "Day Is Done", "Abide with Me" and "Waterloo Sunset" are gentle choices. For more, see our celebration of life songs.

Sun, moon and stars

For the other end of the day, see our songs about sunshine, and for the night sky, our songs about the moon and songs about stars.

A song about your sunsets together

A personalized song can capture your favorite sunsets: the beach where you got engaged, the porch where you talk every evening or the road trip where the sky turned pink, with their name in the chorus. It makes a romantic anniversary or Valentine's Day gift.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, pop, country and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three moments you have shared at the end of the day.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Turn your favorite sunsets into a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.