Music has always pushed boundaries. Artists stretch notes, extend solos, and transform simple melodies into incredible (and often lengthy) arrangements.
But have you ever asked yourself, “What is the longest song ever?”
Well, the answer depends on what you consider a song. Some tracks play for hours. Others loop indefinitely. And then there are some that won’t stop until the next generation(s) hears its final note.
Namely, some musicians create songs that defy all expectations, pushing past what most consider reasonable. While radio-friendly tracks last about three to five minutes, certain artists refuse to conform.
They create ultra long compositions that challenge patience, endurance, and attention spans. So, let’s explore different musical experiments (songs) and see which ones are the longest ever.
How Long Can a Song Be?
The average pop song clocks in at three to five minutes—a length dictated by decades of radio formatting. Stations favor short, punchy tracks to keep listeners engaged and advertisers happy.
But not every musician plays by those rules. Some rebel against the constraint, stretching their creations far beyond what most would consider reasonable—or even listenable.
While a 10-minute rock epic might feel tolerant, certain compositions soar past the one-hour mark, and a select few venture into song experiments measured in days, years, or even centuries.
These ultra-long works aren’t just about duration; they’re experiments in form, patience, and philosophy. They challenge us to rethink what music can be—whether it’s a fleeting moment of joy or an extensive, generational journey.
So, how long can a song really be? Let’s meet some of the contenders competing for the title of the world’s longest.
The Guinness Record Holder
The longest officially released song is a track composed and recorded by Dr. Jagadeesh Pillai. It plays for 138 hours, 41 minutes, and 20 seconds.
This monumental work is a musical interpretation of the 16th-century epic poem Shri Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas, which consists of over 15,000 verses narrating the life and deeds of Prince Rama, a central figure in Hinduism.
Pillai’s composition translates this extensive narrative into sound, intertwining together traditional Indian musical elements with a structure that demands superhuman stamina to experience in full.
Before Pillai claimed the record, the title belonged to “The Rise and Fall of Bossanova” by PC III, a piece that stretches for 13 hours, 23 minutes, and 32 seconds.
Released in 2016, this experimental work mixes ambient drones, glitchy electronics, and minimalist repetition.
While impressive, it pales in comparison to Pillai’s long monster—and both are dwarfed by even wilder musical experiments that defy conventional recording altogether.
So, let’s explore those.
Songs That Never End
Some songs simply don’t stop. They play on a loop, changing slightly over time. John Cage’s Organ²/ASLSP (As Slow As Possible) started in 2001 and is still going. A church in Germany houses the performance.
It’s set to last 639 years. The next note change? That won’t happen for another couple of years. Namely, this piece wasn’t designed for human attention spans. Instead, it asks a question: How slow can music be?
And, if you visit the performance today, you’ll really witness the slowness. Namely, you won’t hear much movement at all.
It’s more of a meditation than a melody. And yes, people travel across the world just to witness a single note shift. And next note shift will happen on August 5, 2026, so you might want to pack your bags 😊.
Interesting fact: The last note will play in 2640. By then, people might be listening to music through brain implants—or telepathic streams.
How As Slow As Possible Functions
Unlike most music, which is meant to be heard in real-time, this composition is stretched across centuries, unfolding at a speed that almost defies human perception.
Instead of being played by human hands, it is performed on a specially designed organ. The instrument is built to sustain notes indefinitely, relying on mechanical bellows to keep air flowing through its pipes.
Since the tempo is set to last 639 years, each note change happens only once every few years.
The organ’s construction ensures the piece remains playable across centuries. Pipes are slowly added or removed as the composition progresses. Volunteers and caretakers maintain the structure, ensuring dust, wear, or mechanical failure doesn’t interrupt the performance.
Because of its brutal length, no single person will ever hear the piece in its entirety.
But this experiment by John Cage isn’t the only one. Namely one artist took the idea of LONG song to the perhaps even more extreme.
Longplayer – Jem Finer (1000 years)
This isn’t just a long song. It is something (almost) out of this universe. Namely, Longplayer started on January 1, 2000, and will keep playing until 2999.
The song constantly changes, ensuring no moment is exactly the same. Basically, it’s like a clock—ticking, moving, never stopping.
The composition uses Tibetan singing bowls and mathematical patterns to create a soundscape that never repeats exactly. The idea was to create something bigger than a single listener—music that spans lifetimes.
And if you like to hear it, you can go to their official website – Longplayer.org.
The Longest Studio Recordings
Besides the abovementioned large experiments, standard bands sometimes make long songs to test patience. Or to make a statement. Or just because they can.
The Whirlwind – Transatlantic (77:54)
This one’s nearly 80 minutes long. That’s a whole movie. It’s a single track, broken into sections, but still one continuous piece.
The song shifts between rock, prog, and orchestral elements. It tells an extensive story, with different moods and tempos throughout. It’s a challenge, but for fans of long compositions, it’s a masterpiece.
Light of Day, Day of Darkness – Green Carnation (60:06)
This metal song lasts an hour. It has heavy guitars, soft piano, and eerie whispers. Not for casual listening. The song moves through various emotional stages, exploring loss, despair, and rebirth.
It’s less about hooks and more about atmosphere.
Listeners who make it to the end describe it as a very immersive experience.
And so…
A long song isn’t just about clocking minutes—it’s about the experience it creates. Some demand patience, rewarding dedicated listeners with depth and nuance.
Others, like ASLSP or Longplayer, exist beyond individual perception, asking us to consider music as a collective, timeless endeavor.
Whether it’s a 138-hour epic, a 1,000-year soundscape, or an hour-long metal journey, these works challenge our assumptions about what a song can—and should—be.
They’re proofs of creativity, stubbornness, and the human urge to leave a mark that echoes far beyond our brief lives.
So, the next time you hit play on a three-minute bop, spare a thought for the artists who dared to stretch time itself.
In a way at least…
