8 Popular Songs Baby Boomers Love—Arranged for Harp

Music has a remarkable way of bringing memories back to life. A familiar melody can transport us to a childhood living room, a school dance, a favourite film, or a song playing on the radio during an important moment.

For many Baby Boomers, the music of the 1960s and early 1970s provided the soundtrack to their formative years. Yet some beloved songs from earlier decades were also part of that soundtrack, passed along through movies, television, family gatherings, and favourite recordings.

This collection features eight familiar songs that continue to resonate with Baby Boomers. Arranged for lever harp at levels ranging from elementary to mid-intermediate, they offer a lovely opportunity to revisit old favourites while making new musical memories of your own.

1. Over the Rainbow

First heard in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, “Over the Rainbow” was already a treasured standard by the time the Baby Boomer generation arrived. Its message of hope and longing has continued to speak to listeners of every age.

This mid-intermediate arrangement is written for large lever harps. The expressive melody and rich harmonies invite you to take your time, shape each phrase, and enjoy the emotional journey of this timeless song.

Find the sheet music for “Over the Rainbow”

2. Try to Remember

“Try to Remember” was introduced in the 1960 musical The Fantasticks. Its gentle melody and nostalgic lyrics made it especially memorable, and recordings by several popular artists helped the song reach an even wider audience during the decade.

This elementary arrangement can be played on harps with 26 or more strings. There are no lever changes, making it an approachable choice for harpists who would like to play a familiar song while developing expressive phrasing and a smooth, flowing sound.

Find the sheet music for “Try to Remember”

3. Moon River

Audrey Hepburn first sang “Moon River” in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The song quickly became a classic, earning the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the 1962 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

The graceful melody feels perfectly suited to the harp. This elementary arrangement has no lever changes and is best suited for large harps. Its gentle pace provides plenty of room to create a warm tone and allow the melody to sing.

Find the sheet music for “Moon River”

4. The Sound of Silence

Simon & Garfunkel first recorded “The Sound of Silence” in 1964. After a new electric accompaniment was added, the song was released again and became a major hit in 1965 and 1966. Its reflective lyrics and haunting melody captured something important about the changing world of the 1960s.

This early intermediate arrangement is written in F Major for large lever harps. There are no lever changes, allowing you to concentrate on balance, phrasing, and bringing out the familiar melody.

Find the sheet music for “The Sound of Silence”

5. Hey Jude

Released by the Beatles in 1968, “Hey Jude” became one of the group’s most enduring songs. Its comforting message, memorable melody, and famous extended ending continue to bring people together more than half a century later.

This mid-intermediate arrangement is in G Major and is best suited for large lever harps. It includes several quick lever changes, all carefully planned and marked, along with some courtesy fingering to help you navigate the music smoothly.

Find the sheet music for “Hey Jude”

6. Both Sides Now

Joni Mitchell wrote “Both Sides Now” in the 1960s, and Judy Collins helped make it widely known with her 1968 single. Mitchell included her own recording on the 1969 album Clouds and revisited the song decades later, bringing a lifetime of experience to its reflections on love, life, and change.

This early intermediate arrangement is in G Major and has no lever changes. It features creative changes of range inspired by the different colours of Mitchell’s earlier and later recordings. Courtesy fingering is included, and the arrangement is best suited for large harps.

Find the sheet music for “Both Sides Now”

7. If You Could Read My Mind

Written by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, “If You Could Read My Mind” appeared on his 1970 album Sit Down Young Stranger and became an international hit in 1971. The deeply personal song remains one of Lightfoot’s best-known and most moving compositions.

This mid-intermediate arrangement is written in D Major for large lever harps. Carefully marked lever changes and expressive harmonies capture the introspective character of the original song.

Find the sheet music for “If You Could Read My Mind”

8. Piano Man

Billy Joel released “Piano Man” in 1973, drawing inspiration from his experiences playing in a Los Angeles piano bar. Its unforgettable characters and sing-along chorus soon became part of popular culture and helped establish Joel’s long career.

Although the original is closely associated with the piano, its sweeping melody works beautifully on the harp. This early intermediate arrangement is in G Major and is best suited for large lever harps. The lever changes are clearly marked and comfortably placed.

Find the sheet music for “Piano Man”

Music That Stays With Us

These songs have remained popular because they speak to experiences that never really grow old: hope, love, uncertainty, reflection, and the passage of time. Playing them on the harp offers a new way to connect with melodies that may already hold years of memories.

Whether one of these songs takes you back to a particular time and place or you are discovering it for the first time, I hope you enjoy making it part of your own musical story.

Discover more in your music,
Anne