The 10 Most Underrated Yanni Songs Of All Time

A collection of the most underrated and overlooked Yanni songs of all time. What songs do you think belong on this list?

1. Orchid.

One of three instrumental tracks featured on Yanni Voices, "Orchid" is a often-overlooked Yanni gem. This piece evokes an Oriental vibe and combines the composer's knack for catchy melodies with an ambitious sound courtesy of producer Ric Wake. What's not to love?

2. Walkabout.

Originally released in 1988 on Yanni's fourth album, Chameleon Days, "Walkabout" is an energetic piece with more of a rock feel than anything he had done before then. Full of the electronic sounds that made the instrumental artist so popular early in his career, this song is vintage Yanni.

3. Long Way Home.

Released on his most recent original studio effort, "Long Way Home" is a sparkling piano-centered song that features the composer collaborating with songwriters Leslie Mills and Chris Pelcer. While other songs from this album became favorites amongst fans owing to their widespread exposure on recent world tours, this is one of the tracks from Truth of Touch that is often overlooked due to its placement on the second half of the album. Don't miss the shining guitars and gorgeous cello underneath the layers, though. It's a sonic treat.

4. A Walk in the Rain.

Another classic composition in the 7/8 meter that Yanni made famous during the early part of his career, the appropriately-titled "A Walk in the Rain" is a perfect companion for a quiet and contemplative stroll in solitude. Many of the songs on If I Could Tell You are more introspective in nature, and this one is no exception. The 2000 album was a deeply personal project which came after a two-year sabbatical and other changes which refocused his life and life's work.

5. Written on the Wind.

Yanni's next album Ethnicity saw the composer widen his sonic palette by featuring even more instruments from around the world and combining them into a rhythmically-driven collection of ethnopop melodies. Frequently overlooked on this album is the hidden gem "Written on the Wind" which brings together Pedro Eustache's haunting bamboo saxophone and Noelani Brock's lovely vocals. The sequenced synthesizers that are prevalent throughout this album quietly undulate underneath. Another example of a brilliant use of simplicity.

6. Street Level.

The 1987 album Out of Silence is another great example of vintage Yanni featuring hits like "Standing in Motion" and "Within Attraction" which are still performed in every concert. "Street Level" is a rocking tune from this album that introduces aggressive accents rarely seen from the composer.

7. Flash of Color.

Also on 2011's Truth of Touch, "Flash of Color" lives in the awkward place on the track listing: between two songs featured on tour. As a result, the song's brilliance is often forgotten. Don't miss the amazing arrangement of strings and guitars combined with world percussion in this one. Yanni's collaboration with talented Hungarian music producer Miklós Malek has given birth to a number of timeless melodies, and this colorful track is one of them.

8. Midnight Hymn.

Something worth noting about Yanni is his skills as an audio engineer as well as a composer. What many people don't realize is that this entire album was produced using only electronic sounds. This is especially hard to believe in a song like "Midnight Hymn" which features such realistic female vocals and bouncing marimba lines. Perfect for late-night listening!

9. 1001.

Another instrumental from the Yanni Voices album, "1001" is a sensuous piece with a Middle Eastern theme. Songs like this one were a sneak peek into what Yanni had in store for Truth of Touch, and it would be great to see live some day. Arabic flavors are nothing new in the composer's music, but this is a darker composition than most.

10. You Only Live Once.

Originally released on the Grammy-nominated 1992 album Dare to Dream, "You Only Live Once" is a composition of epic proportions unlike anything else on this record. Years before #YOLO became a viral meme, Yanni had used the title and imprinted his signature sound on it. While other songs from this album were frequently performed live, this one did not get the same attention and has been an underdog ever since.