10 Surprising Instrumental Tracks You NEED To Hear

There have been countless thought-provoking lyrics written throughout music history. An obvious staple of the medium, many are pulled in by a catchy tune, but stay to listen to a lyricist's perspective on whatever subject they're choosing to tackle.

So, what happens when the music doesn't have anything to say - at least through words?

Over the years, many fantastic artists have put their lyrical prowess on pause and released instrumental tracks that stand on their own. Most of the time these songs are not about telling a story or sending a message, but creating a mood or painting a sonic picture in the listener's mind.

Instrumentals also offer opportunities for musicians to stretch out beyond their typical band member roles. Rather than having a singer guiding the listener through the song, these tracks must rely on melody alone in order to capture an audience.

These are a few shining examples of engaging instrumentals that are more than just "that song with no words." Sure they don't have words, but they also don't need them.

After coming off the unbridled anger of 1995's Insomniac, Green Day used their next record, Nimrod, as an opportunity to pull from new musical influences. It was certainly still pop punk, but other styles like folk, balladry, and even circus-themed tracks made the track listing.

The most eccentric of these new directions was "Last Ride In," Green Day's first instrumental track. The song has a great laid back demeanor with a relaxed drum beat and rich surf-guitar fills from Billie Joe Armstrong. These elements leave space for bassist Mike Dirnt to showcase his deep bass groove.

What puts the song over the top is the brilliant horn arrangements courtesy of David Campbell. Without the horns, the track could have easily come off as brooding and meandering. When added, the horns turn this song into an upbeat preppy number that never loses its mellow foundation.

The song perfectly encapsulates the feeling of living in California and walking down the boardwalk every day. You can practically feel the sand at your feet whenever this track comes on.

A definite departure for Green Day but one that showed that there was more to this band than just bratty humor.