The Yardbirds songs changed the shape of British rock in under five years, and this list of the 20 best covers the hits, the blues covers and the experimental B-sides. The band launched three of the most famous guitarists ever, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. Explore more tracks in the songs category for similar deep dives.
For Your Love: The Pop Gamble That Cost Them a Guitar Hero
Written by Graham Gouldman and released in March 1965, this single reached number 3 in the UK and number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Brian Auger’s harpsichord and the stark bongo pulse give the opening a haunting, minor-key mood. The sudden switch into a driving blues section still sounds bold today. Clapton disliked the commercial direction and left the band soon after, which makes the track a turning point.
Heart Full of Soul: The Fuzz Riff That Imitated a Sitar
Another Gouldman composition, this June 1965 single climbed to number 2 in the UK and number 9 in the US. Jeff Beck’s fuzz-toned guitar copies the sound of a sitar, and the result sounds ahead of its time. Keith Relf’s yearning vocal sits perfectly against the tight rhythm section. On good headphones, the grit in that riff becomes even more thrilling.
Shapes of Things: Feedback, Fear and a Fresh Sound
Released in early 1966, this single reached number 3 in the UK and number 11 in the US. Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith and Jim McCarty wrote lyrics about changing views of the world, which was unusually thoughtful for pop at the time. Beck’s feedback-laced solo stands among the earliest examples of psychedelic guitar. The tension between the calm verses and the wild break remains striking.
Over, Under, Sideways, Down: Eastern Colors and a Rolling Groove
This 1966 single peaked at number 10 in the UK and number 13 in the US. Beck’s twisting, raga-flavored guitar line weaves around a loping beat that feels playful and slightly dizzy. It served as the title track of the US edition of the band’s 1966 album, known in the UK as Roger the Engineer. The tune proves how quickly the group moved from blues purists to sonic adventurers.
Happenings Ten Years Time Ago: Page and Beck Side by Side
Recorded in 1966, this single features both Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck on guitar. The track bursts with sirens, sound effects and slashing riffs, and it reached number 30 in the US. Lyrically it dives into dreamlike, time-bending imagery. Few records capture the wild creativity of mid-sixties London so vividly.
I’m a Man: The Bo Diddley Rave-Up
Built on Bo Diddley’s classic beat, the Yardbirds turned this blues stomp into a feverish rave-up. The 1965 single version reached number 17 in the US, while a rawer live take appears on Five Live Yardbirds. The tempo accelerates until the whole band seems ready to explode. Live performance energy defined the group, and this track shows exactly why.
The Train Kept A-Rollin’: Blues Energy at Full Speed
Included on the 1965 American album Having a Rave Up with the Yardbirds, this cover pushes an older blues and rockabilly number to a roaring pace. The galloping rhythm and sharp guitar attack made it a favorite for later hard rock bands. The vocals stay confident and snarling throughout. Few covers sound this alive.
Still I’m Sad: The Chant That Broke the Mold
Written by Paul Samwell-Smith and Jim McCarty, this 1965 track opens with a haunting, chant-like vocal arrangement. Its slow tempo and somber melody stand far from the band’s blues roots. The mood feels almost ritualistic, which made it a bold B-side. It remains one of the most atmospheric moments in the entire catalog.
You’re a Better Man Than I: A Bitter, Brilliant B-Side
Penned by Mike Hugg and Brian Hugg, this song appeared as the B-side to Shapes of Things in 1966. The Yardbirds turned it into a swaggering, defiant statement with punchy guitars and a tough vocal. The lyric directly challenges a rival, and the delivery sounds convincingly angry. Few B-sides punch this hard.
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl: The Early Blues Calling Card
The band’s second single, released in late 1964, covers a Sonny Boy Williamson blues number and reached number 44 in the UK. Eric Clapton’s guitar tone is sharp, fluid and confident. The groove has a raw club feel that matches the Marquee Club sound. For fans of the early blues boom, this track is essential.
I Wish You Would: Where the Story Started
The group’s debut single arrived in 1964 with a cover of a Billy Boy Arnold blues song. Clapton’s stinging lead lines and Relf’s harmonica work create a punchy, authentic Chicago-style sound. The production stays simple, which lets the band’s chemistry shine. It marks the first step in a legendary journey.
A Certain Girl: A New Orleans Cover With British Bite
Written by Allen Toussaint under the name Naomi Neville and first recorded by Ernie K-Doe, this song served as the B-side to the debut single. The Yardbirds give it a rougher, more rock-driven edge. The call-and-response feel is catchy and upbeat. It shows the band’s love of American rhythm and blues.
Five Long Years: Slow Blues at Its Most Patient
This Eddie Boyd blues cover stretches out on the 1964 live album Five Live Yardbirds. The track builds slowly through a smoldering groove and extended guitar passages. Clapton shows restraint and phrasing that feel mature far beyond his years. Late at night, this one rewards a full, unbroken listen.
Turn Into Earth: The Dreamy Side of Roger the Engineer
Written by Keith Relf and Jim McCarty, this ballad on the 1966 album Roger the Engineer floats on a soft, hazy mood. The guitars shimmer rather than roar, and the vocal sounds fragile. It reveals the band’s gentler, more poetic side. In contrast to the loud singles, the song feels intimate and private.
Little Games: Jimmy Page Takes the Lead
The title track of the 1967 album Little Games was produced by Mickie Most and features Jimmy Page on guitar. The arrangement leans toward polished pop-rock with punchy riffs and a driving beat. It captures a transition period as the group moved toward a new era. The song hints at the heavier sound Page would soon develop.
Dazed and Confused: The Bowed Guitar Blueprint
Based on a song by Jake Holmes, the Yardbirds played it live during the Page era with a dramatic, slow-building arrangement. Page used a violin bow on his guitar to create eerie, swooping textures. The performance became a concert highlight and later inspired Led Zeppelin. Historically, this track bridges the Yardbirds and the birth of heavy rock.
White Summer: Page’s Raga-Style Instrumental
This guitar instrumental from the Little Games period shows Jimmy Page exploring Eastern scales and alternate tunings. The melody twists with hypnotic repetition and dense acoustic textures. Its atmosphere feels mystical and unhurried. Anyone curious about Page’s roots should start here.
Stroll On: The Blow-Up Movie Moment
The band reworked The Train Kept A-Rollin’ for Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1966 film Blow-Up, with both Page and Beck playing guitar. The result is a ferocious, stomping rocker with new lyrics. Seeing the group on screen added a cultural stamp to their legacy. The track remains a thrilling, high-energy cut.
Got to Hurry: A Clapton Instrumental Worth Hearing
Released as the B-side of For Your Love, this instrumental showcases Eric Clapton’s blues phrasing in a tight, atmospheric setting. The rhythm section keeps a steady, moody pulse. It offers a rare, unfiltered look at his playing during his final stretch with the band. Blues fans will appreciate the focus on pure guitar.
Jeff’s Boogie: Beck’s Showpiece on Roger the Engineer
This instrumental on the 1966 album Roger the Engineer lets Jeff Beck show off his speed and playful tone. The boogie rhythm feels loose and fun, and the guitar bends and slides with total confidence. It reveals how much humor and skill the band carried. Through earbuds on a commute, the quick runs sound especially sharp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous Yardbirds song?
For Your Love is widely seen as the most famous, thanks to its number 3 UK and number 6 US chart positions in 1965. Heart Full of Soul and Shapes of Things are also major hits and often appear on greatest hits compilations.
Which famous guitarists played in The Yardbirds?
Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page all played lead guitar for the band at different times. Clapton led the early blues era, Beck drove the psychedelic experiments, and Page shaped the final period.
Did The Yardbirds influence Led Zeppelin?
Yes. Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin after the Yardbirds ended, and songs like Dazed and Confused and White Summer show clear links between the two groups.
What genre is The Yardbirds music?
The band began as a British rhythm and blues group, then moved into psychedelic rock and early hard rock. Their sound blended blues covers, pop hooks and bold guitar experiments.
Which Yardbirds album is best for new listeners?
Roger the Engineer, released in 1966, is a strong starting point because it contains original songs and showcases Jeff Beck’s guitar work. A greatest hits compilation also works well for the major singles.