Bonnie Raitt is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has been entertaining audiences with her blues-infused rock music for more than four decades. With her soulful voice, poignant lyrics, and guitar mastery, Raitt has become one of the most respected and influential musicians of her generation. Her music has earned her numerous accolades, including 10 Grammy Awards, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association.
Raitt’s music is a unique blend of rock, blues, folk, and country, with a distinctive sound that sets her apart from other musicians. Her songs often explore themes of love, loss, and the struggles of everyday life, with a depth and authenticity that resonate with listeners around the world. Her music has inspired countless other artists, and her influence can be heard in the work of many musicians who have followed in her footsteps.
In this article, we will take a look at the 10 best Bonnie Raitt songs of all time. From her early bluesy ballads to her more recent rock-infused anthems, we will explore the depth and diversity of her music, and the impact it has had on generations of music lovers. So, whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering her music for the first time, join us as we celebrate the incredible career of one of America’s most beloved musicians.
Table of Contents
1. I Can’t Make You Love Me
“I Can’t Make You Love Me” is a heartbreaking ballad from Bonnie Raitt’s 1991 album “Luck of the Draw”. The song explores the pain and powerlessness of unrequited love, with Raitt’s soulful vocals perfectly conveying the raw emotion of the lyrics. The sparse instrumentation and haunting piano melody add to the song’s poignant atmosphere, making it a timeless classic that has been covered by numerous artists.
2. Have a Heart
“Have a Heart” is an upbeat and bluesy track from Raitt’s 1989 album “Nick of Time”. The song’s catchy chorus and lively instrumentation make it a standout, with Raitt’s vocals perfectly balancing strength and vulnerability. Lyrically, the song is about finding the strength to move on from a toxic relationship and start anew, with Raitt encouraging the listener to have a heart and take control of their own life. Overall, “Have a Heart” is a powerful and empowering song that showcases Raitt’s exceptional talent as a musician and vocalist.
3. Something to Talk About
“Something to Talk About” is a fun and catchy track from Bonnie Raitt’s 1991 album “Luck of the Draw”. The song’s upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it a crowd-pleaser, with Raitt’s sassy vocals perfectly capturing the playful nature of the lyrics. The song is about a couple whose relationship is the talk of the town, with the narrator reveling in the attention and gossip surrounding them. Overall, “Something to Talk About” is a light-hearted and enjoyable song that showcases Raitt’s ability to infuse even the most mundane subjects with energy and personality.
4. Thing Called Love
“Thing Called Love” is a rock-infused track from Raitt’s 1989 album “Nick of Time”. The song’s driving rhythm and Raitt’s powerful vocals make it a standout, with the lyrics exploring the complexities of love and the way it can both lift us up and tear us apart. The song’s catchy chorus and infectious energy make it a fan favorite, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years. Overall, “Thing Called Love” is a testament to Raitt’s ability to blend blues, rock, and pop influences into a unique and irresistible sound.
5. Nick of Time
“Nick of Time” is the title track from Bonnie Raitt’s 1989 album, which marked a career resurgence for the singer. The song’s lyrics explore the theme of mortality, with Raitt reflecting on her own life and the choices she has made. The slow, contemplative melody and Raitt’s powerful vocals make it a moving and introspective song that resonates with listeners. The song earned Raitt a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1990, cementing her status as one of the most talented and respected musicians of her generation.
6. Not the Only One
“Not the Only One” is a bluesy track from Raitt’s 1991 album “Luck of the Draw”. The song’s funky bassline and Raitt’s soulful vocals make it a standout, with the lyrics exploring the theme of loneliness and the search for connection. The song’s catchy chorus and infectious energy make it a fan favorite, with Raitt’s fiery guitar playing adding an extra layer of intensity to the track. Overall, “Not the Only One” is a testament to Raitt’s ability to blend blues, rock, and pop influences into a unique and irresistible sound.
7. Angel from Montgomery
“Angel from Montgomery” is a haunting and soulful track from Bonnie Raitt’s 1974 album “Streetlights”. The song, written by John Prine, explores the struggles and regrets of a middle-aged woman living in a small town. Raitt’s powerful vocals and delicate guitar work perfectly capture the raw emotion of the lyrics, making it a timeless classic that has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The song is a testament to Raitt’s ability to infuse even the most heartbreaking subjects with beauty and grace.
8. Love Sneakin’ Up on You
“Love Sneakin’ Up on You” is a fun and upbeat track from Bonnie Raitt’s 1994 album “Longing in Their Hearts”. The song’s catchy chorus and lively instrumentation make it a crowd-pleaser, with Raitt’s sassy vocals perfectly capturing the playful nature of the lyrics. The song is about falling unexpectedly in love, with Raitt urging the listener to embrace the feeling and let it take over. Overall, “Love Sneakin’ Up on You” is a joyful and infectious song that showcases Raitt’s exceptional talent as a musician and vocalist.
9. Too Long at the Fair
“Too Long at the Fair” is a beautiful and melancholy track from Bonnie Raitt’s 1972 album “Give It Up”. The song’s slow, bluesy melody and Raitt’s soulful vocals make it a standout, with the lyrics exploring the theme of loneliness and the search for connection. The song’s haunting chorus and delicate instrumentation make it a moving and introspective song that resonates with listeners. Raitt’s emotive guitar playing adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the track, showcasing her exceptional talent as both a vocalist and musician.
10. I’m In the Mood
“I’m In the Mood” is a bluesy and sultry track from Bonnie Raitt’s 1991 album “Luck of the Draw”. The song’s slow, seductive melody and Raitt’s smoky vocals make it a standout, with the lyrics exploring the theme of desire and passion. The song’s catchy chorus and infectious energy make it a fan favorite, with Raitt’s fiery guitar playing adding an extra layer of intensity to the track. Overall, “I’m In the Mood” is a testament to Raitt’s ability to infuse even the most sensual subjects with soulful emotion and musicality.
FAQs
10 Best Bonnie Raitt Songs of All Time? ›
The unexpected success grants Raitt her second No. 1 hit on any Billboard list, and it marks the first time she has topped a sales chart.
How many number one hits does Bonnie Raitt have? ›The unexpected success grants Raitt her second No. 1 hit on any Billboard list, and it marks the first time she has topped a sales chart.
What was Bonnie Raitt's first hit song? ›1977's Sweet Forgiveness album gave Raitt her first commercial breakthrough, when it yielded a hit single in her remake of "Runaway". Recast as a heavy rhythm and blues recording based on a rhythmic groove inspired by Al Green, Raitt's version of "Runaway" was disparaged by many critics.
Does Bonnie Raitt have a greatest hits album? ›The Best of Bonnie Raitt is a 2003 compilation album by Bonnie Raitt, released by Capitol Records.
Who has the #1 hit of all time? ›| Rank | Single | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Blinding Lights" | The Weeknd |
| 2. | "The Twist" | Chubby Checker |
| 3. | "Smooth" | Santana featuring Rob Thomas |
| 4. | "Mack the Knife" | Bobby Darin |
"Old Town Road" holds the record for the longest stretch at No. 1 with 19 weeks. It also became the fastest song in history to be certified diamond. "The Box" charted at No.
Who has the most GRAMMYs? ›Most Grammys won
The record for the most Grammy Awards won in a lifetime is held by Beyoncé, an American singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer, who has won 32. It was previously held by Georg Solti, a Hungarian-British conductor, who won 31.
Bonnie Raitt wins Song Of The Year for her track "Just Like That." Bonnie Raitt's "Just Like That" won the GRAMMY for Song Of The Year at the 2023 GRAMMYs.
Who taught Bonnie Raitt slide guitar? ›“I heard John Hammond's slide guitar first, then Little Red Rooster and Elmore James. The Rolling Stones were my first exposure to real slide guitar, but the blues guys really fired me up.”
Who has the most hit songs on one album? ›For 23 years, no artist had matched Michael Jackson's record of five No. 1s from a single album (Bad).
Which Beatles album was the biggest hit? ›
1. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) – 32 million copies sold.
Who had the best 3 album run? ›- Run-D.M.C. What is this? ...
- Beastie Boys. What is this? ...
- Public Enemy. What is this? ...
- Eric B. & Rakim. ...
- EPMD. Strictly Business (1988) ...
- Geto Boys. What is this? ...
- Ice-T. ...
- Kool G Rap & DJ Polo.
1's. With the release of her single "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" in early '88, Whitney Houston set the record as the only artist ever to reach the milestone of seven consecutive No. 1 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100.
What single singer has the most number one hits? ›Mariah Carey (USA) has topped the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on 19 different occasions.
Who has the most number 1 hits in the 70s? ›The Bee Gees scored the most number-one hits (9 songs) and had the longest cumulative run atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart (27 weeks) during the 1970s.
What is the best song of all time? ›- Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (1991)
- Imagine - John Lennon (1971)
- One - U2 (1992)
- Billie Jean - Michael Jackson (1982)
- Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (1975)
- Hey Jude - The Beatles (1968)
- Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan (1967)
- I Can't Get No Satisfaction - Rolling Stones (1965)
More Stories by Gary Trust. The Weeknd's “Blinding Lights” shines brightest among the nearly 30,000 titles ever to hit the Billboard Hot 100 over the chart's 63-year history, as the single, released in November 2019, is the newly crowned No. 1 on Billboard's Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs recap.
What is the best selling album of all time? ›Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 70 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album ever. Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, Celine Dion has four, while the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Madonna and Whitney Houston each have three.
Who has had a #1 hit every decade? ›Cher's career as a recording artist spans seven decades and she is the only artist to have a number-one single on a Billboard chart in each of the past six decades.
What female has the most number one hits? ›
American singer-songwriter and producer Madonna has achieved a record-extending 50 number-one songs on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.
Who has won Album of the Year the most? ›Four artists have won the Album of the Year award more than once. Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon have each won the award three times, while U2 has won it twice. Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder are the only artists to win in consecutive years.
What female has won 10 Grammys? ›Bonnie Raitt – 10 Grammys
Her first was in 1990 where she took home four awards, including for Album of the Year for Nick of Time. One of her most recent awards was in 2013 for Best Americana Album for Slipstream.
The trophies are actually made of a zinc alloy, which Billings dubbed Grammyum, and then plated in gold. Based on the cost of materials, each award is estimated to be worth $15.
What is the longest song ever made? ›According to Guinness World Records, the longest officially released song is 115 hr 45 min long. It is called A Quantum Christmas Song by Mark Christopher Lee and The Pocket Gods (both UK). The track was recorded in St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK, on 1 December 2021.
What is the Song Of The Year in 2023? ›Flume wins song of the year at 2023 Apra awards for Say Nothing.
What is the Song Of The Year 2023 prediction? ›1. 'Easy on Me' by Adele. Grammy History: She has won 15 Grammys over the course of her career, including all of her last 13 nominations.
Is Bonnie Raitt a great guitarist? ›Bonnie Raitt needs little introduction. Fans have been following her music since before her debut album was released in 1971. She has been named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest singers and one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Does Bonnie Raitt use open tuning? ›An important element of Raitt's playing is her use of open tunings and capos. She most often plays in open A tuning (low to high: E, A, E, A, C#, E), but she also uses open G, which is the same tuning scheme transposed down one whole step (low to high: D, G, D, G, B, D).
Who is the father of the slide guitar? ›| Elmore James | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Elmore Brooks |
| Born | January 27, 1918 Richland, Holmes County, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | May 24, 1963 (aged 45) Chicago |
| Genres | Blues |
Who has 5 number ones from the same album? ›
Coincidentally, Michael Jackson's Bad and Katy's Teenage Dream are the only albums in US chart history to each score five Number 1s on the Billboard Hot 100.
Who has 7 number 1 albums? ›| ARTIST | TOTAL NUMBER 1 ALBUMS | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | CLIFF RICHARD | 7 |
| 24 | ELTON JOHN | 7 |
| 25 | BARBRA STREISAND | 7* |
| 26 | GEORGE MICHAEL | 7 |
Spotify Most Streamed Albums of All Time. Billie Eilish - WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?
What is the best selling Beatles song of all time? ›At Number 1 on The Beatles' Official Top 50 is, of course, She Loves You. Released in 1963, the track - written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney - logged six non-consecutive weeks at Number 1 is the best selling single of the 1960s in the UK.
What is the most viewed song from The Beatles? ›“Here Comes The Sun,” one of George Harrison's compositions on Abbey Road, is the most-streamed Beatles song on Spotify globally, with more than 350 million streams.
What is the most listened to Beatles song? ›"Here Comes the Sun" is not only the first Beatles' song to hit a billion, "it's also the first from the '60s," Vieira said, though it could be joined by others soon.
Who has three diamond albums in a row? ›Currently, country singer Garth Brooks holds the record for the most diamond-certified albums with nine. Other artists who have three or more diamond-certified records include The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Shania Twain and the Eagles.
Does anyone have 3 diamond albums? ›Garth Brooks holds the record for most diamond-certified albums, with nine. Others with three or more albums that have reached diamond status include The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Shania Twain and the Eagles. The RIAA awards diamond plaques to albums and singles that reach 10 times platinum status.
Who has had 3 diamond albums? ›| Artist | # |
|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 5 |
| Eminem | 3 |
| Shania Twain | 3 |
| Whitney Houston | 3 |
The Beatles have the most No. 1 hits of all time: 20. Though unclear for how long, the Beatles still reign supreme as the artist with the most No. 1 songs of all time.
What was the highest charting 1975 song? ›
The Move responded with their most commercially successful song to date, "Blackberry Way" (co-produced by Jimmy Miller), which topped the UK chart in February 1969.
Has anyone ever had all top 10 songs? ›Taylor Swift has once again made music history by claiming every single top 10 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart at once. No other artist has ever held all 10 spots at the same time, according to Billboard.
Who won best Album of the Year 2023? ›Harry Styles Wins Album of the Year at 2023 Grammys – Rolling Stone.
Who has the most GRAMMYs ever? ›The record for the most Grammy Awards won in a lifetime is held by Beyoncé, an American singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer, who has won 32. It was previously held by Georg Solti, a Hungarian-British conductor, who won 31.
What was the number one song in 1977? ›| No. | Title | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" | Rod Stewart |
| 2 | "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" | Andy Gibb |
| 3 | "Best of My Love" | The Emotions |
| 4 | "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" | Barbra Streisand |
Singer Nick Lucas recorded Singing in the Rain in 1929 (one week after recording what would become the biggest hit of his career, Tiptoe Through the Tulips). British duo Bob and Alf Pearson recorded the song in 1929 at their first session.
What was live biggest hits? ›- Sh-t Towne (1994)
- T.B.D. (1994)
- The Dam At Otter Creek (1994)
- The Dolphin's Cry (1999)
- The River (2006)
- Top (1994)
- What Are We Fighting For (2003)
- White, Discussion (1994)
Who had the biggest hit with country roads? ›
The song was a success on its initial release and was certified Gold by the RIAA on August 18, 1971, and Platinum on April 10, 2017. The song became one of John Denver's most popular songs. It has continued to sell, with over 1.6 million digital copies sold in the United States.