Bagpipes have been around for centuries, echoing across hillsides and battlefields and celebrations. But what happens when they show up where you least expect them — in rock songs, pop hits, and modern anthems? Magic, that’s what.
There’s something so beautiful about the raw emotion that bagpipes bring to a song, adding a texture that’s ancient, haunting, and completely unforgettable.
Here are 10 incredible songs from 1950 onward that prove when you mix a little tradition with a lot of heart, you get music that moves mountains.
1. AC/DC – “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll)” (1975)
Bagpipes in hard rock? It sounds crazy — until you hear it. Bon Scott took up the pipes himself to bring this song to life, and the result is pure electricity. When those pipes come in halfway through, it’s not just unexpected, it’s heroic. This is the sound of every dreamer who refuses to give up.
2. Paul McCartney and Wings – “Mull of Kintyre” (1977)
When McCartney swapped rock ‘n’ roll for rustic bliss, he turned to the Campbeltown Pipe Band to capture the spirit of Scotland. The bagpipes don’t just accompany the song — they are the song, swelling with pride and nostalgia. It became one of McCartney’s biggest hits for a reason: it’s pure love set to music.
3. Big Country – “In a Big Country” (1983)
Big Country made magic by mimicking bagpipes with guitars — but listen closely, and you’ll hear real bagpipes sneaking into their music too. Their signature sound was proud, full-hearted, and wide as a Highland sky, with pipes giving their anthems an extra lift that still feels fresh today.
4. Korn – “Shoots and Ladders” (1994)
Jonathan Davis didn’t just sing — he pulled out a real set of bagpipes and blew listeners’ minds. The intro of this song is a haunting, almost eerie pipe solo, before the band crashes in with heavy guitars. It’s unsettling, powerful, and one of the boldest things a metal band has ever done on record.
5. The Real McKenzies – “Scots Wha Hae” (1998)
The Real McKenzies are a Canadian Celtic punk band that don’t just use bagpipes — they live bagpipes. “Scots Wha Hae” is a traditional tune turned into a rip-roaring punk anthem, with bagpipes wailing proudly over the chaos. It’s the sound of heritage meeting rebellion in the best way possible.
6. The Battlefield Band – “After Hours” (1987)
If you want to hear how bagpipes can be tender, mournful, and completely hypnotic, look no further. “After Hours” by Scottish folk legends The Battlefield Band weaves pipes into gorgeous, thoughtful arrangements. It’s a song that feels like the very soul of the Highlands, captured forever on record.
7. Glen Campbell – “Bonaparte’s Retreat” (1974)
Glen Campbell gave this traditional fiddle tune a Nashville makeover — complete with unexpected bagpipes. Blending country warmth with a Highland cry, Campbell’s version of “Bonaparte’s Retreat” is cheerful, charming, and proof that sometimes, musical traditions are meant to cross oceans and collide.
8. Mike Oldfield – “Moonlight Shadow” (1983)
This dreamy pop-folk song, made famous by Oldfield and vocalist Maggie Reilly, subtly features bagpipes in the background layers, adding to its wistful, magical feeling. You might not catch them right away, but once you notice, you’ll realize they give the whole track a beautiful, faraway sadness.
9. Seven Nations – “Big Dog” (1998)
Seven Nations blend rock and Celtic traditions better than almost anyone, and “Big Dog” shows it off. With roaring guitars and soaring pipes front and center, it’s an adrenaline rush wrapped in plaid. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to dance, fight, and celebrate — sometimes all at once.
10. The Chieftains with The Rolling Stones – “The Rocky Road to Dublin” (1995)
When Irish music legends The Chieftains teamed up with The Rolling Stones, you knew magic was going to happen. “The Rocky Road to Dublin” is a dizzying, joyful explosion of sound, with bagpipes galloping alongside Mick Jagger’s spirited vocals. It’s tradition, rock ‘n’ roll, and pure joy in one glorious package.
