Top 10 Songs About Vikings

Vikings were Norse (Northern European) seafarers who raided and traded across Europe during the late 8th to late 11th centuries, a period commonly referred to as the Viking Age. In Old English, the word for Viking was "wicing," which means "pirate."

Vikings were brave warriors and explorers. In the 21st century, Vikings gained significant attention due to the historical TV drama series Vikings on the History Channel.

Songs about Vikings often draw inspiration from Norse mythology and frequently reference key terms such as Valhalla, Odin, and Valkyries:
- Valhalla is the hall of the slain, an afterlife realm for warriors who die in battle, akin to the concept of "Heaven" in Christian tradition.
- Odin (or Oden in some translations) is a god associated with war, wisdom, and death, and he rules over Valhalla.
- Valkyries are female figures who guide the souls of warriors who die in battle to Valhalla, where they join Odin.

A significant portion of Amon Amarth's discography centers on Viking themes, so many of their songs appear on this list. However, I have aimed to create a diverse top 10 that includes contributions from other bands as well.

The Top Ten

Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin

We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow.
Hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new land.
To fight the hordes and sing, and cry.
Valhalla, I am coming.
Always sweep with, with threshing oar.
Our only goal will be the western shore.
Ride of the Valkyries - Richard Wagner
The Pursuit of Vikings - Amon Amarth

This song made me a death metal fan. I didn't like death growls before it. However, I really liked the riff in this song, and I somehow forgot about the death growls that had always bothered me before. Now, growls don't bother me. They entertain me.

This song is very important to me because it's the song that got me into metal. When it comes to songs about Vikings, this is an easy number one.

"Odin! Guide our ships
Our axes, spears and swords
Guide us through storms that whip
And in brutal war"
Valkyries - Blind Guardian
Great Heathen Army - Iced Earth

A song obviously referring to the Great Heathen Army that invaded England in 865, led by the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok.
I Am a Viking - Yngwie Malmsteen

A song of 1985. Vocals: Jeff Scott Soto
"I am a warrior, my mind is set to kill
Life or death is on the line
I am a slayer and you will taste my steel
I've got your life right in my hand
As the shores of my home disappear
I sail over the sea without fear
Dragon ships are charging through the waves
Just want to sail away, far away into the sea"
Cry of the Blackbirds - Amon Amarth
Valhalla - Bathory
Twilight of the Thunder God - Amon Amarth

For many, this is the best Amon Amarth song, but I rank it lower than The Pursuit of Vikings because this song is more about the Vikings' gods than the Vikings themselves.
Swedish Pagans - Sabaton

A great song from one of the ten best power metal bands.

The Newcomers

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Put Your Back Into the Oar - Amon Amarth
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Valhalla Calling - Miracle of Sound

The Contenders

Warriors of the North - Amon Amarth
Back Through Time - Alestorm
Invaders - Iron Maiden
Thousand Years of Oppression - Amon Amarth
With Oden on Our Side - Amon Amarth

No retreat, no remorse
Victory will be ours
Blood on steel, sacrifice
Victory will be ours
Under the winter skies
We stand glorious!
And with Oden on our side
We are victorious!
Guardians of Asgaard - Amon Amarth
Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags - Amon Amarth
Barbarian - The Darkness
Eldsjäl - Hel
The Lost Vikings - Dethklok
Valhalla - Crimson Glory
Halls of Valhalla - Judas Priest
Viking Death March - Billy Talent
Viking - Peter Hammill
Up on the Mountain - King of Asgard