Best Popular Music Books of 2025

The biography of Leon Russell, written by Bill Janovitz, is a tribute to the legendary musician, composer, and performer who influenced many artists such as Elton John, George Harrison, and the Rolling Stones. The book covers Russell's journey through the music industry, from touring with Jerry Lee Lewis to founding Shelter Records and discovering Tom Petty, the Gap Band, and J.J. Cale. Janovitz also delves into Russell's struggles with substance abuse, depression, and stage fright. This New York Times Bestseller is a must-read for any music lover interested in the history of rock & roll.

The Cry Baby Coloring Book is a fun and unique way to experience the world of Melanie Martinez's iconic character, Cry Baby. With explicit content, this coloring book takes readers on a journey of self-discovery as Cry Baby navigates the challenges of fitting into society. The book also includes information about Martinez's sophomore album and film, K-12, making it a must-have for fans of the artist. Overall, the Cry Baby Coloring Book is a creative and entertaining addition to any collection of popular music books.

Barbra Streisand: The Albums | The Singles | The Music is a must-read for any fan of the iconic singer. Written by Matt Howe, the book takes readers on a journey through Streisand's extensive recording career, exploring every album, soundtrack, and single she has released. With meticulous research, Howe uncovers undiscovered gems and provides a fascinating exploration of how the greatest star assembled her unparalleled body of work. The book has received high praise from industry experts and publications, including BroadwayWorld.com and Library Journal. Overall, this definitive book on Streisand's recording career is a valuable addition to any music lover's collection.

The Rolling Stone Easy Piano Sheet Music Classics, Vol 1 features 39 of the greatest songs of all time, chosen from Rolling Stone magazine's list. The book includes easy piano arrangements by Dan Coates, along with fingering, lyrics, and chord symbols. From classics like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Mr. Tambourine Man" to modern hits like "Sweet Child o' Mine" and "Losing My Religion," this book offers a diverse selection of songs for pianists of all levels. Alfred's publication is a must-have for anyone looking to add timeless hits to their repertoire.

A new addition to the All the Songs series, Prince: All the Songs is an extensive exploration of the iconic musician's songbook. Spanning almost 50 years of his career, the book delves into every song Prince ever released, from B-sides to EPs. Author Benoît Clerc goes into detail about the inspiration behind each song, the recording process, and the musicians and producers involved. With over 600 pages and stunning photography throughout, this book is a must-have for every Prince fan. The book is a major achievement in its breadth and its unique view of Prince's life through his music.

The Taylor Swift - Easy Piano Anthology is a must-have for any Taylor Swift fan who wants to play her hit songs on the piano. The book includes 20 of Swift's biggest hits from her pop and country music career, all arranged for easy piano with lyrics. The songs range from "Blank Space" and "Shake It Off" to "Teardrops on My Guitar" and "You Belong with Me." The book is published by Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation, a trusted name in music education. This anthology is perfect for beginners or anyone looking to add some Taylor Swift to their piano repertoire.

A stunning coffee table art book, "H.R. Giger: Debbie Harry Metamorphosis: Creating the Visual Concept for KooKoo" chronicles the incredible collaboration between Debbie Harry and renowned artist H.R. Giger for Harry's first solo album, KooKoo. Featuring photographs and words by Chris Stein, Harry's longtime collaborator, as well as sketches and artifacts from the Giger archive, this book provides an essential behind-the-scenes look into the creative process of this iconic partnership. With an introduction by Debbie Harry herself, this book is a must-have for fans of both Harry and Giger, as well as those interested in the intersection of music and art.

Para Selena, Con Amor (Spanish Edition) by Chris Perez is a heartfelt tribute to the late Latin music superstar Selena. In this book, Perez shares the story of their relationship, from their powerful friendship to their forbidden romance and ultimately, their interrupted marriage due to Selena's untimely death. Through his memories, Perez offers a unique perspective on Selena's sincerity, vulnerability, and strength, while also dispelling some misconceptions about her life and death. The book includes exclusive photos and is a touching tribute to an unforgettable icon.

Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley is the second volume of Peter Guralnick's two-part biography, which chronicles the last two decades of Elvis Presley's life. Beginning with Presley's army service in Germany in 1958 and ending with his death in Memphis in 1977, the book explores the complex relationship between Presley and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Guralnick's writing is captivating, providing previously unimagined details and unlocking the tragic mystery of Elvis' changes during these years. Careless Love is a must-read for anyone interested in American popular culture and the nature of success.

This guitar book by Alfred Music is perfect for beginning musicians looking to develop a repertoire of well-known songs, while experienced players will find an excellent resource of favorite songs. With 50 hits from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, this Classic Rock edition includes songs from legendary artists such as The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and Bruce Springsteen. The Easy Hits Guitar TAB format provides melody in notation and TAB, chords, lyrics, and suggested strum and fingerpicking patterns. Overall, Alfred's Easy Guitar Songs -- Classic Rock is a comprehensive and fun resource for guitar players of all levels.