Top 10 Best Steven Wilson Songs (Solo Albums)

The best songs from Steven Wilson's solo albums (Insurgentes, Grace for Drowning, and The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)).

Steven Wilson is part of many bands, including Porcupine Tree, No-Man, Blackfield, and Storm Corrosion, but this list focuses on his three solo albums.

The Top Ten

Drive Home

I can name at least 30 songs that deserve to be number one, and yet I picked this one. Steven Wilson is purely a genius, and he's single-handedly keeping prog alive.
This is a brilliant song, but the reason I voted for it is the hauntingly beautiful guitar solo, which is almost as good as Comfortably Numb. All of Steven Wilson's songs are hauntingly beautiful, and he's a must-listen.

Is this my favorite song ever? It just might have rocketed its way to the top. It's incredibly moving - the guitar solo at the end sends my (atheist) soul soaring. Who could ask for more than that?
Luminol

This atmospheric progressive masterpiece should be #1 in my opinion.
Deform to Form a Star

This is my all-time favorite song! Everything is unique about it: the melody, chords, and lyrics.
One observation: all songs by Steven Wilson are unique, and all are masterpieces - Routine, Drive Home, Luminol, Deform to Form a Star, The Raven That Refused to Sing. Listening to his songs takes me to a whole new world.

This is a song that, when it plays, I have to stop whatever I'm doing and just listen to it. Its placement within the album is well done - it's the first track with vocals after ten minutes! It's like the earlier tracks were just building up to this masterpiece.
Ancestral

This song gives me chills every time. I cannot think of many other 13-minute songs that never get even slightly boring. What a journey this song is.

This can't be happening! Those who don't believe me just need to listen to it once... Better than Drive Home or Russia on Ice or Arriving Somewhere But Not Here.

Better than Arriving Somewhere for sure. An insane song that is definitely ranked too low, even at #6.
The Raven that Refused to Sing

I voted for Luminol a while ago, but that was before I listened to this song.
Luminol has way too much influence from early prog. It sounds derivative, like something I've heard before. However, the most original and amazing song by Wilson is obviously The Raven That Refused to Sing.
The orchestra, piano, melody, vocals, lyrics - everything is perfect. The entire song before the 5 1/2 minute mark builds up to what comes after, where the orchestra, piano, and everything else shines extremely, extremely brightly.
I absolutely love this song right now. I really wish there was some piano sheet music for it.
Routine

The most beautifully painful and haunting masterpiece in the history of music. Steven Wilson at his best. Watch the official music video of the song. It's the saddest and most beautiful thing you'll ever witness.

Just brilliance in its purest, saddest, most heart-wrenching form. I always seem to be chopping onions when I'm listening to this.

My all-time favorite Steven Wilson song! Really shows how good a music composer he is!
3 Years Older

The whole album is absolutely sublime and well-constructed. This "opening" song sets the standard for the quality that follows.
Postcard

One of my favorite songs of all time! This song describes the real pain of loss. The last few lines hit me every time. Great song!

Super underrated! First Steven Wilson song I heard, and it still remains a big favorite.
Grace for Drowning
Like Dust I Have Cleared from My Eye

This is one of my favorites from Steven Wilson. It makes me want to cry.

The Newcomers

?
Untitled
?
The 78

The Contenders

The Watchmaker

I fully expected to see this song at number one. It's the most amazing 12-minute prog masterpiece and the best prog song (other than Arriving Somewhere) to be released since the '70s. Not unlike Genesis, it starts melodic and beautiful, building up to a hard rock sound.

Mind-blowing song! It has all the elements that should be in a great, great song!

The flute solo gives me goosebumps every time.
The Holy Drinker

This is definitely the best song on Raven. Give it a few listens, and you'll fall in love.
Happy Returns

This may be the most painful song I've ever heard, but it's also incredibly beautiful. The last two stanzas are incredible, and the guitar feature following the last heartbreaking lines finishes the story in a way that words couldn't have.
I cannot get over how good this song is. It's good as a stand-alone, but in the context of the album and knowing the story, it's so much better.

The only reason this song might be lower on the list is that it's not long enough. We are left wanting more.
How else can you explain it?
"...Hey brother, I feel I'm living in parentheses
And I've got trouble with the bills
Do the kids remember me?
Well, I got gifts for them
And for you, more sorrow
But I'm feeling kind of drowsy now
So I'll finish this tomorrow..."
It's just so beautiful.
Insurgentes
Hand Cannot Erase

I grew up listening to Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, and Steven Wilson's solo work. I always loved his music for its complexity, but this particular song, though it seems simple, is actually not. I love the feel of this song!
Harmony Korine
Pariah

The subject is something I personally relate to, which has been wonderfully put into words and music. The lyrics and tone really hit home for someone who's still struggling to find love.

I'm more in love with the beauty of progressive rock, so I prefer this.
Raider II

This song is the best, and I love all his work... but seriously, is this not getting votes because it's 23 minutes long? Or has nobody ever heard it? Top 5 for sure!
Perfect Life

One of my favorite songs... Great.
The Pin Drop
Regret #9
No Twilight Within the Courts of the Suns
Home Invasion
Abandoner
Year of The Plague