Miles Davis stands as one of jazz’s most revolutionary figures, with the trumpeter transforming the genre multiple times throughout his five-decade career. And whilst many credit his ability to bring together the right combination of musicians as a large factor in his success, the songs Miles Davis wrote shouldn’t be overlooked…
From his early bebop recordings to his groundbreaking modal jazz experiments and later fusion innovations, he consistently pushed musical boundaries while creating some of the most influential pieces in jazz history.
His most famous songs span every stage of his evolution — from the cool, spacious grooves of “So What” and “All Blues” to the intimate ballad “Blue in Green” and hard bop favourites like “Solar” and “Four.”
Together, they show why Davis remains one of the most studied and admired figures in jazz, influencing generations of musicians and listeners alike.
So, with respect to the many tunes we didn’t fit in, here’s our guide to 10 of the most influential Miles Davis songs in jazz history…
1. So What
“So What” opens Miles Davis’s legendary 1959 album Kind of Blue. It’s one of the defining recordings in modern jazz and still sounds fresh today.
Instead of filling the track with rapid-fire chord changes, Davis stripped things down to just a few harmonies. That gave the band more room to explore and created a sound that was both cool and radical for its time.
The line-up is iconic: Miles on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Bill Evans on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. “So What” became the ultimate example of how less can truly be more in jazz.
2. Freddie Freeloader
“Freddie Freeloader” is the bluesy heart of Kind of Blue — relaxed, swinging and full of personality.
Wynton Kelly takes over on piano for this track, bringing a brighter sound. Davis, Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley take turns soloing, each with their own voice.
The tune reportedly got its name from a Philadelphia bartender known as “Freddie the Freeloader,” which gives it a touch of real-life character.
3. All Blues
“All Blues” blends a classic jazz feel with something fresh and open. It has an easy, flowing groove and a melody that’s instantly recognisable.
Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis play the opening line together, setting the scene for one of the most beloved pieces in modern jazz. It’s spacious, warm and endlessly listenable — the kind of tune that gets stuck in your head for days.
4. Tune Up
“Tune Up” comes from Davis’s early days, and has become a jazz standard for generations of players.
It’s fast, bright and bursting with youthful energy. Even in this early piece, you can hear Davis’s sense of space and phrasing that would become so distinctive later on.
5. Milestones
“Milestones,” recorded in 1958, marked a turning point. It sits between Davis’s early bebop work and the new sound he would fully embrace on Kind of Blue a year later.
The band — including Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane — was at full power. Their interplay gives the track an energy and freshness that still leaps out of the speakers today.
6. Nardis
“Nardis,” written in 1958, has become one of Davis’s most enduring tunes. Pianist Bill Evans played a big role in shaping how it sounded, and his later trio recordings helped make it famous.
It has a darker, more introspective character than some of Davis’s other work, and it’s become a favourite for musicians who love its space and mystery. There’s even some debate about who truly wrote it — though officially it’s credited to Davis.
7. Solar
“Solar,” recorded in 1954, is one of his earliest compositions and a piece that has travelled far and wide in the jazz world.
Its clean, elegant melody made it popular with musicians and listeners alike. Over the years, countless artists have put their own stamp on it, but the original remains a classic.
8. Four
“Four,” from 1954, captures Davis during his hard bop period. It’s catchy and playful, but with plenty of depth.
Davis’s muted trumpet sound is front and centre, weaving around John Coltrane’s powerful tenor sax. The tune’s clarity and energy made it a favourite at clubs and jam sessions across the world.
9. Blue in Green
“Blue in Green” is one of Davis’s most beautiful and understated pieces. The sound is gentle, floating and almost dreamlike.
It’s officially credited to Davis, though pianist Bill Evans later claimed he wrote most of it, recieving a fee of $25. Evans’s signature harmonic language is all over the piece, which explains why it feels slightly different to the other tracks on Kind of Blue.
Recorded in 1959, the piece stands apart on Kind of Blue for its quiet intimacy. Davis’s muted trumpet and Bill Evans’s piano seem to breathe together. There’s a sense of space and patience that gives the track its haunting power.
10. Seven Steps to Heaven
OK, so this tune wasn’t written by Davis — it came from pianist Victor Feldman — but it was too important to leave out. The title track from Davis’s 1963 album Seven Steps to Heaven, it introduced his legendary second quintet and marked the start of a new creativeera.
This was the band that would soon become his legendary second great quintet, featuring a young Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams and George Coleman. The tune is full of energy and rhythmic twists, showing how Davis kept reinventing his sound right into the 1960s.
Final Thoughts: Miles Davis Essentials
These ten Miles Davis songs trace the journey of a musician who refused to stand still.
From the cool simplicity of So What to the fire of Four and the forward-looking Seven Steps to Heaven, they’re not just jazz classics — they’re milestones in the history of modern music.
Each one reveals something different about Davis’s genius and explains why his work still resonates so powerfully today.
What are your favourites? Let us know in the comments below, or head over to our guide of essential Miles Davis albums for more.