Top 10 Best Tina Turner Songs
#10: “I Can't Stand the Rain” “Private Dancer” (1984)
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Tina Turner wasn’t the only artist to cover this Ann Peebles original. But she reworked this soul R&B number to suit her edgier sound, and what a banger! Turner entices listeners with her powerful vocals before blowing them away with her insane range. And yet she never compromises the emotion behind each lyric. The song received some success in the U.K. However, it really took off in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, peaking at No.s 6, 9, and 15 in each country, respectively. Turner’s distinct sound is perfectly showcased in this number, and we can’t help but bop along every time we hear it.
#9: “Typical Male” “Break Every Rule” (1986)
Her 1984 “Private Dancer” album might’ve been Turner’s grand reintroduction as a solo artist to the world. However, she quickly proved willing to “Break Every Rule” to keep on top. “Typical Man” isn’t necessarily your typical 80s pop jam, but that’s precisely what makes it so memorable. Turner sings about “tipping the scales” in her favor before realizing the object of her affection is no different than any other “typical male” she’s met. It’s full of so much sass and charisma— oh, and Phil Collins is on drums! It shot to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and entered top 10 charts across Europe and New Zealand.
#8: “A Fool in Love,” Ike & Tina Turner “The Soul of Ike & Tina Turner” (1960)
Ah, where it all began. Ike Turner initially wrote this song for singer Art Lassiter. But Lassiter was a no-show to their recording session. So, one of his backing singers, Anna Mae Bullock, whose stage name was “Little Ann,” stepped up. Ike planned to rerecord the demo once Lassiter returned, but the president of R&B label Sue Records liked Little Ann’s vocals so much he suggested Ike keep ’em. Ike changed his new artist’s name to Tina Turner, and the pair released their debut album in 1961. “A Fool in Love” seamlessly blends R&B, soul, and gospel with Tina’s powerful and raspy vocals. Talk about an unforgettable breakthrough!
#7: “Acid Queen” “Acid Queen” (1975)
Did you know the Queen of Rock’ n’ Roll was a triple threat? One of her most notable acting roles was as the Acid Queen in The Who’s “Tommy” in 1975. The role inspired her second solo album and featured her song from the film. Turner’s effortless sexiness and edgy voice perfectly suit this larger-than-life character. She couldn’t have any easier time keeping us hooked on her every word. This wasn’t her only venture into Hollywood either. She starred in “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” and sang over its opening titles and end credits. She also released arguably one of the best James Bond theme songs of all time.
#6: “Let's Stay Together” “Private Dancer” (1984)
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In 1983 Turner released a cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” for her comeback album “Private Dancer.” She made her version a hit in its own right, reworking the song so that the verses are sung in reverse order and injecting her unparalleled sound into the melody. Audiences couldn’t get enough of this jazzier rendition, uplifted further with a fresh electronic sound. U.K. audiences launched it to No.6 on the singles chart (incidentally, Green’s original reached No. 7). In the U.S., it topped the Billboard Dance Chart. It was a standout success that told the world that Ms. Tina Turner was back and better than ever.
#5: “River Deep – Mountain High,” Ike & Tina Turner “River Deep – Mountain High” (1966)
Producer Phil Spector was so sure that this song would be a hit! In fact, as the story goes, he made Tina sing it repeatedly until it was just right. She said, “I must have sung that 500,000 times,” adding, “I was drenched with sweat. I had to take my shirt off and stand there in my bra to sing.” Yet, many slept on it for far too long, denying it the splash it deserved. However, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has since recognized it as one of their “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll,” and in 1999, it was added to the “Grammy Hall of Fame.”
#4: “The Best” “Foreign Affair” (1989)
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British artist Bonnie Tyler was the original artist on this track. But Tina Turner’s version became a worldwide hit. Turner requested several tweaks, such as a key change and the inclusion of a bridge. Clearly, she knew how to elevate it from a minor success to a megahit. Meanwhile, her powerhouse vocals and stirring emotions that flow throughout took it to a whole other level. It's since become synonymous with the singer, and even Tyler reportedly admitted that Turner “did it much better than I did.” The song dominated the charts and went platinum in the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. Both the artist and the song are "Simply the Best."
#3: “Nutbush City Limits,” Ike & Tina Turner “Nutbush City Limits” (1973)
According to an interview Turner gave to the “Harvard Business Review,” she first tried her hand at songwriting when she and Ike hit a creative road bump in the early 70s. And well, you know what they say, write what you know! Indeed she did just that when she penned this musical ode to her childhood neighborhood, Nutbush, Tennessee. It gave us a new sound, incorporating a little country into their usual rockier R&B vibes. The song charted internationally, peaking at no.1 in Austria and receiving silver certification in the U.K. It was one of their final songs as a duo but remains as popular as ever.
#2: “Proud Mary,” Ike & Tina Turner “Workin' Together” (1970)
You’re already dancing, aren’t you? Yeah, we don’t blame you. It was originally recorded in 1969 by Creedence Clearwater Revival, but Ike and Tina gave us a distinctly different sound. Their version lures you in, starting slow, gentle, and seductive. But then…. It. Goes. Off. Listeners are blasted with a sharp uptake in tempo and a swift transition to funk rock. It’s a timeless hit and a quintessential feature at any Tina Turner live show. It peaked at No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the pair won the Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group Grammy Award. We’ll gladly keep rolling along whenever we hear it. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Tonight Live (with David Bowie),” David Bowie & Tina Turner, “Tina Live in Europe” (1988) The Start of a Beautiful Friendship for Them, Plus a Great Song for Us! “Whole Lotta Love,” “Acid Queen” (1975) We Have a “Whole Lotta Love” for This Song “Break Every Rule,” “Break Every Rule” (1986) She Knew a Thing or Two about Breaking Rules, Practically Reinventing the Rock ‘N’ Roll Genre Here! “Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter,” Ike & Tina Turner, “Workin' Together” (1970) Written by Tina’s Older Sister, Alline Bullock, We Can’t Think of a Funkier Sister Act “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine,” Ike & Tina Turner, “Dynamite!” (1962) Sassy, Soulful & Rockin’ What More Could We Want?
#1: “What's Love Got to Do with It” “Private Dancer” (1984)
Turner’s 1984 multi-platinum “Private Dancer” album ushered in “one of the greatest comebacks in music history.” Indeed, its title track is a banger. However, it also featured a song that marked a pivotal moment in her career. “What’s Love Got to Do with It” earned Turner her first and only Billboard Hot 100 No.1. It also won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 1985 Grammy Awards. Its poppy synth rhythm felt refreshing. Meanwhile, we felt Turner’s pain and angst as well as her fierceness and fight deep in our souls. Turner’s extraordinary legacy lives on, and our love for her has everything to do with it.
