The Magic Number Four: The Best Songs With “Four” in the Title

Numbers have always held a strange power in songwriting. Think of One by U2, Three Little Birds by Bob Marley, or 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon. But there is something uniquely rhythmic, steady, and grounding about the number four. It evokes four seasons, four compass directions, four beats to a measure in rock and roll, and four quarters in a game.

Across genres—from classic rock and indie pop to alternative anthems—artists have used this sturdy integer to anchor some of the most memorable tracks in music history.

Let’s take a musical journey through some of the greatest songs with “four” in the title, exploring the stories, sounds, and vibes that make them unforgettable.

1. The Acoustic Masterpiece: “Four Sticks” – Led Zeppelin

• Album: Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
• The Vibe: Tribal, relentless, and rhythmically hypnotic.

While Led Zeppelin’s fourth album is most famous for Stairway to Heaven or Black Dog, Four Sticks is a masterclass in percussion and groove. The title comes from a literal production challenge: drummer John Bonham played the entire track using two drumsticks in each hand (four sticks total) to create a driving, heavy, asymmetrical rhythm. Combined with Jimmy Page’s swirling, Eastern-influenced guitar riffs and Robert Plant’s howling vocals, it stands as one of the band’s most adventurous deep cuts.

2. The Indie-Pop Earworm: “Four Out of Five” – Arctic Monkeys

• Album: Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018)
• The Vibe: Lounge-pop, futuristic, cinematic, and tongue-in-cheek.

When Arctic Monkeys dropped their lounge-singer, sci-fi concept album in 2018, fans didn’t know quite what to think. But Four Out of Five quickly became the standout track. Led by Alex Turner’s droll lyricism, the song paints a picture of a luxury resort on the moon (“Information action / Sitting pretty onancy information…”). With its lush strings, funky bassline, and catchy-yet-satirical chorus about a rave review for a Taqueria on the roof, it’s a brilliant slice of modern baroque pop.

3. The Power Pop Classic: “Only Four Letters” – The Pretenders

• Album: Learning to Crawl (1984)
• The Vibe: Edgy, driving, emotional, and sharp-witted.

Chrissie Hynde has always been a master of combining vulnerability with rock-and-roll toughness. Only Four Letters is a brilliant deep cut from The Pretenders’ acclaimed third album. Driven by sharp guitars and Hynde’s unmistakable, effortless cool, the song tackles frustration and heartache with the kind of direct lyricism that only she can pull off.

4. The Melancholic Indie Anthem: “Four Years” – The Story So Far

• Album: Under Soil and Dirt (2011)
• The Vibe: High-energy, angsty, cathartic pop-punk.

For anyone who came of age in the 2010s pop-punk scene, Four Years by The Story So Far is a rite of passage. Clocking in at under two minutes and thirty seconds, the song bursts out of the gate with relentless drumming and emotionally raw vocals about wasted time and moving on. It’s short, punchy, and impossible not to scream along to in a crowded room.

Honorable Mentions Worth Adding to Your Playlist

If you want to expand your “four” themed listening session, keep these tracks in your back pocket:

• “Take Four” – Dave Brubeck Quartet: A playful nod to his legendary jazz standard Take Five, proving jazz musicians love playing with time signatures.
• “Four Letter Word” – Beady Eye: Liam Gallagher’s post-Oasis rock outfit delivered a gritty, swaggering opener that felt like classic Britpop reborn.
• “Number Four” – Various Alternative Acts: A frequent favorite track title for instrumental interludes and hidden album gems.

Why “Four” Works So Well in Music

In music theory, common time is $4/4$ time—the absolute heartbeat of Western popular music. Four is the pulse of a kick drum on beats one, two, three, and four. Perhaps that is why songs with “four” in the title often carry an inherent sense of momentum and stability.