Kayak are one of the Netherlands’ finest symphonic progressive rock bands. Formed in Hilversum in 1972 by keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel and drummer Pim Koopman, they built a sound of Beatlesque melodies, lush vocal harmonies and classically tinged keyboards, scoring hits like “Ruthless Queen” while never losing their prog heart. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Ruthless Queen”, “Mammoth”, “Royal Bed Bouncer” and “Lovely Luna” — their stately biggest hit, the barrel-organ oddity that first made their name, the high-energy title track of their finest album and an eight-minute prog centrepiece. The full ranking is below.

The band that gave symphonic prog a pop heart

Kayak were the great melodists of Dutch prog. Formed in Hilversum in 1972 by keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel and drummer Pim Koopman — both conservatory-trained — they wrapped the symphonic ambitions of early Genesis and Yes around Beatlesque melodies, rich vocal harmonies and Scherpenzeel’s classically minded keyboards. Their first albums were overtly progressive; from the late 1970s they leaned into radio-friendly songcraft, scoring their biggest hit with the stately “Ruthless Queen.” Across half a century they proved symphonic prog could be as tuneful as it was ambitious. These fifteen songs are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing those melodies, the harmonies, the craft and the lasting impact. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “Ruthless Queen” (1979), their biggest hit and a stately, symphonic ballad. With it: “Mammoth” (1973), the barrel-organ-driven debut hit; “Royal Bed Bouncer” (1975), the high-energy title track of their artistic peak; “Lovely Luna” (1973), the eight-minute, King Crimson- and Genesis-tinged prog centrepiece; “Starlight Dancer” (1977), a soaring title track; and “Chance for a Lifetime” (1975), a buoyant, classically flavoured single.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Lyrics” (1973) is the debut hit single that first made their name; “Trust in the Machine” (1974) is an eight-minute prog epic from their second album; “Life of Gold” (1975) is a beautiful, Genesis-like symphonic-pop gem; “Want You to Be Mine” (1977) is the melodic single that cracked the US Billboard chart; and “Phantom of the Night” (1979) is the dramatic title track of their platinum album.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “See See the Sun” (1973) is the gorgeous, Beatlesque title track; “Wintertime” (1974) is a Mellotron-hued early hit single; “Said No Word” (1975) is the heaviest, proggiest cut on their finest album; and “Merlin” (1981) is the title piece of their Arthurian concept album.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with the overtly progressive debut See See the Sun, home to “Mammoth” and “Lovely Luna”, and Royal Bed Bouncer, their artistic high point, then the hit-laden Phantom of the Night with “Ruthless Queen”. Later concept albums such as Merlin and Nostradamus, and the acclaimed 21st-century returns Seventeen and Out of This World, reward deeper exploration.

The players

Kayak revolved around keyboardist and composer Ton Scherpenzeel, the band’s one constant across every era, and co-founder Pim Koopman, a conservatory-trained pianist who played drums and co-wrote much of the early material. Singer Max Werner’s distinctive high voice defined the 1970s albums before he moved to the drum stool, handing lead vocals to Edward Reekers; guitarist Johan Slager and a rotating cast of bassists filled out the sound. After Kayak’s first era, Scherpenzeel went on to play with the English band Camel. Co-founder Pim Koopman died in 2009 and singer Max Werner in 2024, and the band lost several more former members in the years that followed; Scherpenzeel kept the music going to the end.

Why they still matter

Kayak proved that symphonic progressive rock could be as melodic and hook-filled as it was ambitious. Kindred spirits of Dutch peers Focus and Earth and Fire, and clearly in love with the early symphonic grandeur of Genesis, they built a catalogue of tuneful, richly arranged songs that has aged beautifully. Decades on, “Ruthless Queen” remains a Dutch classic and their early albums are quietly essential prog.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Kayak albums, find an entry point with where to start with Kayak, or dig into the underrated Kayak albums. You can also place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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