Beat the Letter Back to the game

The alphabet song game

The alphabet song game is a challenge you can take on your own: one song for every letter of the alphabet, A to Z, as fast as you can. Twenty-two letters go quickly. Q, X and Z are where most runs end. Try it before you scroll — the answer sheet is at the bottom.

Rather have a game run the clock? Beat the Letter deals you letters and times you while you name a song for each, and checks every song is real. Play with friends, or take the daily hand on your own.

Play a round — it’s free

Taking the challenge

  1. Start a stopwatch and say a song for A.
  2. Go in order. The song’s title has to start with the letter — a leading “The” can be skipped.
  3. No artist twice. One Beatles song per run.
  4. Stuck? Skip the letter, and add ten seconds to your time.
  5. Stop the clock at Z. Your score is the time.

With a group, take turns instead: one letter each, ten seconds to answer, three lives a player. The song letter game has those rules and the usual variations.

Make it harder

An A-to-Z answer sheet

One well-known song for every letter, with no artist twice. Yours will be different — and every letter has a page of others.

  1. Another Brick in the Wall Pink Floyd 1970s · rock
  2. Bad Moon Rising Creedence Clearwater Revival 1960s · rock
  3. Chandelier Sia 2010s · pop
  4. Despacito Luis Fonsi 2010s · latin
  5. Everybody Wants to Rule the World Tears for Fears 1980s · pop
  6. Feel Good Inc. Gorillaz 2000s · alternative
  7. Gold Digger Kanye West 2000s · hip-hop
  8. Hound Dog Elvis Presley 1950s · rock
  9. I Kissed a Girl Katy Perry 2000s · pop
  10. Just Give Me a Reason P!nk 2010s · pop
  11. Kryptonite 3 Doors Down 2000s · rock
  12. La Bamba Ritchie Valens 1950s · rock
  13. Macarena Los del Río 1990s · latin
  14. Nothing Compares 2 U Sinéad O'Connor 1990s · pop
  15. Ocean Eyes Billie Eilish 2010s · pop
  16. Party in the U.S.A. Miley Cyrus 2000s · pop
  17. Quicksand David Bowie 1970s · rock
  18. Respect Aretha Franklin 1960s · soul
  19. Somebody That I Used to Know Gotye 2010s · pop
  20. Tainted Love Soft Cell 1980s · pop
  21. Unchained Melody The Righteous Brothers 1960s · pop
  22. Valerie Mark Ronson 2000s · soul
  23. Waterfalls TLC 1990s · r&b
  24. X Offender Blondie 1970s · rock
  25. You Really Got Me The Kinks 1960s · rock
  26. Zoo Station U2 1990s · rock

Play a round of Beat the Letter and the answers become a YouTube playlist at the end, one song after another in letter order.

Beat your time with friends. Two to five players, everyone dealt their own letters, nothing to download.

Play a round

Questions

What is the alphabet song game?

Name a song for every letter of the alphabet, from A to Z, whose title starts with that letter. Alone it is a race against a stopwatch; in a group, players take turns and a miss costs a life. Not to be confused with the ABC song for children.

Is there a well-known song for every letter?

Yes, though X and Z are thin: our lists hold 12 well-known songs for X and 12 for Z, against dozens for most letters. “X Offender” by Blondie and “Zoo Station” by U2 are two of them.

What is a good time for A to Z?

There is no official record, so set your own: a run with no skips first, then a faster one. Most runs stall on Q, X or Z, which is why a skip costs ten seconds rather than ending the run.

Can you play the alphabet song game online?

Yes. Beat the Letter is a free browser game built on it: you are dealt letters and race the clock to name a song for each, and the game checks every song is real. Play with two to five friends, or alone with the daily hand of five letters.