20 of the most popular songs for a ‘pyromusical’ fireworks display

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Fireworks are a great way to top off a celebration, but you can go one step further to make the occasion even more special – setting your fireworks display to music. This can work really well if properly planned, but it does take a lot of hard work and preparation by a fireworks expert. However, it’s definitely worth it – turning an ordinary display into the most memorable moment of your wedding day, birthday celebrations or other special occasion.

What song to choose?

Deciding on some music to play during your display is crucial, as nothing else can happen until a song is chosen. But it can be so difficult! How do you choose that one song that means something to you, that is appropriate for the occasion and, crucially, that is suitable for synchronising with a perfectly timed, explosive fireworks display. You need to consider rhythm and phrasing, the beat and the length of the music, taking advice from a fireworks display expert to find exactly the right tune.

Still stuck? Here are 20 of the most popularly used songs in ‘pyromusical’ fireworks displays – you never know, one of these could be just what you were looking for:

  1. One Republic – Counting Stars
  2. Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now
  3. Katy Perry – Firework
  4. Audioslave – Cochise
  5. Bjork – It’s Oh So Quiet
  6. Guns ‘N’ Roses – Paradise City
  7. Chuck Berry – Jonnie B. Good
  8. Take That – Rule the World
  9. Dirty Dancing – (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life
  10. Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
  11. Billy Joel – We Didn’t Start the Fire
  12. Rage Against The Machine – Killing in the Name (you may have to edit this one to make it a little more family-friendly!)
  13. Electric Six – High Voltage
  14. Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow
  15. Lady Gaga – The Edge of Glory
  16. Tina Turner – Simply the Best
  17. Led Zeppelin – Kashmir
  18. Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA (perfect for 4th July, Independence Day celebrations!)
  19. Prodigy – Firestarter
  20. Star Wars themes – you can run a whole Star Wars themed display by incorporating parts of the many iconic and dramatic John Williams scores, from the classic theme song to Darth Vader’s Imperial March.

Some of these options sound a bit cheesy, or unlikely, but you’ll be surprised how well they work alongside a sky full of colourful, exciting fireworks. Give them a go!

Other tips for choosing a song

  • Rockier, bombastic songs tend to work better than slow numbers, adding to the excitement of the display. However, you can create a very special atmosphere with a power ballad or a slower song which still has a bit of ‘oomph’.
  • Work closely with a fireworks professional – they can help with everything from editing the music and programming the fireworks to actually running the display on the day

Remember, if you can’t picture fireworks when listening to the song, it probably (but not always) means that it isn’t going to work.