Solomon Burke was one of the most prominent figures in the soul and R&B music scene, leaving behind a legacy of timeless classics. Known for his emotional and powerful vocals, Burke’s music has had a profound impact on the music industry and has inspired countless artists across different genres. His career spanned over six decades, and he received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In this article, we will explore the top 10 best Solomon Burke songs of all time, taking a journey through his discography and revisiting some of his most iconic tracks. From his early recordings to his later works, each song on this list represents a significant moment in his career and a testament to his unique style and voice. Through these songs, we will delve into the various themes and styles that made Solomon Burke a beloved figure in the music industry, such as love, heartbreak, resilience, and faith. So join us as we celebrate the life and music of Solomon Burke, and discover or rediscover some of the greatest songs in his extensive catalogue.
1. “Cry to Me”
“Cry to Me” is a soulful classic originally performed by Solomon Burke in 1961. The song has since been covered by various artists, including the version by the British singer-songwriter, Dusty Springfield, in 1967. Springfield’s rendition of “Cry to Me” features her powerful vocals and soulful delivery, with a stirring horn section and gospel-style backing vocals. The song became a hit, reaching the top 40 on the UK singles chart. “Cry to Me” has remained a beloved classic and has been used in various films and TV shows, including the iconic scene in the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing” where Patrick Swayze’s character teaches Jennifer Grey’s character to dance.
2. “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love”
“Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” is a classic soul and R&B song originally recorded by Solomon Burke in 1964. The song has since been covered by various artists, including the iconic version by The Blues Brothers in 1980. The Blues Brothers’ rendition features a lively horn section, gospel-style backing vocals, and energetic performances by lead singers Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. The song became a hit, reaching the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” has remained a beloved classic and has been used in various films and TV shows, including the Blues Brothers’ own self-titled movie.
3. “Got to Get You Off of My Mind”
“Got to Get You Off of My Mind” is a classic soul song originally performed by Solomon Burke in 1965. The song features Burke’s powerful and emotive vocals, accompanied by a lively horn section and upbeat rhythm. The song became a hit, reaching the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of Burke’s most recognizable songs. “Got to Get You Off of My Mind” has since been covered by various artists, including the version by The Black Keys in 2010, which gave the song renewed popularity. The song’s theme of trying to move on from a lost love remains relatable and continues to resonate with listeners.
4. “Down in the Valley”
“Down in the Valley” is a classic folk song with roots dating back to the 19th century. The song has since been covered by various artists, including the version by Otis Redding in 1965. Redding’s rendition features his soulful and passionate vocals, accompanied by a simple guitar and piano arrangement. The song’s lyrics depict a longing for a lost love and a desire to return to the “valley” where they once shared happy memories. “Down in the Valley” has remained a beloved classic and has been used in various films and TV shows, including the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump”. The song’s poignant and emotive lyrics continue to resonate with listeners today.
5. “Fast Train”
“Fast Train” is a classic blues song originally recorded by Solomon Burke in 1967. The song features Burke’s powerful and soulful vocals, accompanied by a bluesy guitar and organ arrangement. The song’s lyrics depict the struggles and hardships of life, as well as a desire to escape and move on to better things. “Fast Train” has since been covered by various artists, including the version by Van Morrison in 1970. Morrison’s rendition features his trademark vocals and a more upbeat arrangement, adding his own unique style to the classic song. “Fast Train” remains a beloved blues classic and continues to inspire and move listeners with its timeless message.
6. “Tonight’s the Night”
“Tonight’s the Night” is a classic R&B and soul song originally recorded by Solomon Burke in 1965. The song features Burke’s powerful and emotive vocals, accompanied by a soulful horn section and upbeat rhythm. The song became a hit, reaching the top 5 on the US R&B charts and becoming one of Burke’s most popular songs. “Tonight’s the Night” has since been covered by various artists, including the version by Rod Stewart in 1976, which became a hit in its own right, reaching the top spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s theme of anticipation and excitement for a romantic evening has remained relatable and continues to inspire listeners today.
7. “The Price”
“The Price” is a classic country song originally recorded by Ray Price in 1960. The song features Price’s smooth vocals, accompanied by a traditional country instrumentation, including a steel guitar and fiddle. The song became a hit, reaching the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of Price’s signature songs. “The Price” has since been covered by various artists, including the version by Willie Nelson in 1987, which gave the song renewed popularity. The song’s lyrics depict the sacrifices and difficult choices that come with love and relationships, and its poignant message has continued to resonate with country music fans over the years.
8. “If You Need Me”
“If You Need Me” is a classic R&B and soul song originally recorded by Solomon Burke in 1963. The song features Burke’s powerful and emotive vocals, accompanied by a soulful arrangement of horns, piano, and guitar. The song became a hit, reaching the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of Burke’s most recognizable songs. “If You Need Me” has since been covered by various artists, including the version by The Rolling Stones in 1965. The song’s message of being there for someone in need has continued to resonate with listeners and has cemented its place as a classic soul and R&B song.
9. “Don’t Give Up on Me”
“Don’t Give Up on Me” is a soulful and emotional song originally recorded by Solomon Burke in 2002. The song features Burke’s powerful and emotive vocals, accompanied by a gospel-inspired arrangement of piano, organ, and choir vocals. The song became a hit, reaching the top 40 on the US Billboard Adult R&B chart and earning Burke a Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. “Don’t Give Up on Me” has since been covered by various artists, including the version by Joe Cocker in 2002, which was featured in the movie “The Notebook” and gained widespread popularity. The song’s message of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity has continued to inspire listeners and has cemented its place as a classic soul and R&B ballad.
10. “Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You”
“Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You” is a soulful and romantic song originally recorded by Solomon Burke in 1975. The song features Burke’s smooth and emotive vocals, accompanied by a soulful arrangement of piano, horns, and strings. The song became a hit, reaching the top 40 on the US Billboard R&B chart and becoming one of Burke’s most popular songs. “Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You” has since been covered by various artists, including the version by Barry White in 1987. The song’s message of love and comfort has continued to resonate with listeners and has cemented its place as a classic soul and R&B ballad.
Jared Parker is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
