Lullaby songs
Soft, slow melodies made for one thing — helping someone fall asleep. Here are gentle lullaby songs you can play free right now, plus the story of why these little tunes work on all of us.
Listen now
Tap any track to play a gentle, modern lullaby — no app or sign-up needed:
Tip: The Lullaby app loops any song seamlessly all night and fades it out with a sleep timer.
The most loved lullaby songs
A handful of lullabies show up in nurseries all over the world. You almost certainly know their tunes:
- Brahms' Lullaby (Wiegenlied) — the melody everyone can hum; the definitive written lullaby, published in 1868. More in our guide to Brahms' Lullaby.
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star — a simple, rocking five-note idea (the same tune as the ABC song).
- Hush Little Baby — a promise song, adding a new gift each verse.
- Rock-a-bye Baby — the cradle-rocking classic, gentle despite its words.
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow — a modern favourite, slow and reassuring.
Because lullabies travelled by ear rather than on paper, each of these exists in dozens of local variations — which is exactly why they feel so personal. See more in classic lullabies.
What makes a lullaby song work
Across every culture, lullaby songs converge on the same recipe — not by rule, but because it's what settles a baby:
- Slow — around 60–80 beats per minute, close to a resting heartbeat.
- Soft — quiet, with no sharp edges or surprises.
- Repetitive — short phrases that circle back, easy to sink into.
- Simple — a small melody that rocks gently, like a cradle.
We unpack the science of why this settles a baby in how lullabies help babies sleep.
Do the words matter?
Less than you'd think. A lullaby is defined by its sound, not its story — which is why humming works, and why instrumental lullaby songs (like the ones in the player above) are just as effective. They also have a practical edge: with no words to end, an instrumental melody loops all night without a jarring stop. If you'd rather have pure music, see lullaby music.
Every lullaby, looping all night
Free gentle lullaby songs. Repeat + sleep timer in Premium. No ads, ever.
Frequently asked
What are the most famous lullaby songs?
Brahms' Lullaby, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Hush Little Baby, Rock-a-bye Baby and Somewhere Over the Rainbow are among the best known — each in countless versions.
Do lullaby songs need words?
No. Slow, soft and repetitive is what counts — humming and instrumental lullabies work just as well, and loop more smoothly all night.
Are lullaby songs good for adults?
Yes — the same slow, gentle, repetitive qualities help grown-ups wind down. Many use instrumental lullabies as calm sleep music.
Where should I start?
Play one gentle track above, or see our picks in the best lullabies for babies.