Tina Turner is an American-born Swiss singer, songwriter, and actress, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female recording artists of all time. She rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, a musical duo she formed with her then-husband Ike Turner. Tina’s powerful voice, energetic stage presence, and electrifying performances earned her a reputation as one of the most dynamic performers in the music industry.
In the 1980s, Tina embarked on a highly successful solo career, releasing a series of hit albums and singles. Her 1984 album “Private Dancer” was a major commercial success, spawning several hit singles, including “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” which won four Grammy Awards and became one of her signature songs. Tina’s success continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with hits like “We Don’t Need Another Hero” and “The Best.”
Tina Turner is also known for her acting career, which includes roles in films such as “Tommy” and “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.” In 2021, Tina’s life and career were celebrated in the acclaimed documentary film “Tina,” which chronicles her rise to fame and her enduring legacy as a music icon.
1. What’s Love Got to Do With It
“What’s Love Got to Do with It” is a song by Tina Turner, released in 1984 on her album “Private Dancer.” Written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, the song became a massive hit and one of Turner’s signature songs.
Lyrically, “What’s Love Got to Do with It” explores themes of empowerment and independence. The lyrics question the role of love in relationships and assert the importance of self-reliance and resilience. Turner’s powerful vocals and emotive delivery convey a sense of confidence and defiance, making the song an anthem of empowerment for listeners.
Musically, “What’s Love Got to Do with It” features a catchy pop-rock arrangement with a prominent synthesizer riff and upbeat tempo. The song’s infectious chorus and energetic instrumentation contributed to its commercial success, topping charts worldwide and earning Turner multiple Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year.
Overall, “What’s Love Got to Do with It” remains a timeless classic, celebrated for its catchy melody, empowering lyrics, and Turner’s dynamic vocal performance. The song solidified Turner’s status as a global icon and continues to resonate with audiences for its message of strength and independence.
2. Private Dancer
“Private Dancer” is a song by Tina Turner, released in 1984 as the title track of her album “Private Dancer.” Written by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, the song is a slow, bluesy ballad that tells the story of a woman working as a dancer in a club, longing for escape and dreaming of a better life.
Lyrically, “Private Dancer” explores themes of loneliness, exploitation, and the desire for freedom. Turner’s emotive vocals capture the vulnerability and resilience of the song’s protagonist, offering a glimpse into the inner turmoil of someone caught in a life they want to leave behind.
Musically, “Private Dancer” features a soulful arrangement with a melancholic piano melody and Turner’s powerful vocal performance. The song builds gradually, culminating in a heartfelt chorus that showcases Turner’s vocal range and emotive delivery.
“Private Dancer” became one of Tina Turner’s signature songs and a commercial success, receiving critical acclaim for its poignant lyrics and Turner’s compelling performance. The song’s themes of personal struggle and redemption resonated with audiences, solidifying its place as a classic in Turner’s discography and in the realm of pop and rock music.
3. Better Be Good to Me
“Better Be Good to Me” is a song by Tina Turner, released in 1984 on her album “Private Dancer.” Co-written by Holly Knight, Mike Chapman, and Nicky Chinn, the song became one of Turner’s most successful singles.
Lyrically, “Better Be Good to Me” explores themes of love, respect, and empowerment. The lyrics convey a warning to a partner to treat the narrator with care and respect, emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding and appreciation in a relationship. Turner’s assertive vocals and passionate delivery underscore the song’s message of self-worth and standing up for oneself.
Musically, “Better Be Good to Me” features a catchy pop-rock arrangement with a driving beat, electric guitars, and Turner’s dynamic vocal performance. The song’s infectious chorus and energetic instrumentation contributed to its commercial success, reaching high positions on charts worldwide and earning Turner a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female.
Overall, “Better Be Good to Me” remains a standout track in Tina Turner’s career, celebrated for its empowering lyrics, memorable melody, and Turner’s powerful vocals. The song continues to resonate with audiences as an anthem of strength, independence, and self-empowerment.
4. The Best
“The Best” is a song originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler in 1988 for her album “Hide Your Heart.” However, it is best known for Tina Turner’s cover version, which was released in 1989 on her album “Foreign Affair.”
Tina Turner’s version of “The Best” is a rock ballad with empowering lyrics about feeling invincible with the love of a partner. The song’s powerful chorus and Turner’s soulful delivery helped make it one of her signature songs. “The Best” was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in several countries.
The song has since become a popular anthem, often used in sports events, commercials, and as a motivational song. Tina Turner’s rendition of “The Best” is widely regarded as one of her most iconic and enduring tracks.
5. Typical Male
“Typical Male” is a song by Tina Turner, released in 1986 on her album “Break Every Rule.” Written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, the song is an upbeat pop-rock track that explores themes of gender stereotypes and relationships.
Lyrically, “Typical Male” portrays a playful and tongue-in-cheek perspective on the differences between men and women in romantic relationships. Turner’s confident and assertive vocals convey a sense of humor and sassiness, as she sings about the stereotypical behaviors of men.
Musically, “Typical Male” features a lively and energetic arrangement with a catchy chorus, prominent guitar riffs, and Turner’s powerful vocal performance. The song’s infectious rhythm and upbeat tempo contributed to its commercial success, reaching high positions on charts worldwide and becoming one of Turner’s signature hits.
“Typical Male” remains a fan favorite and a staple of Tina Turner’s live performances. Its playful lyrics, energetic melody, and Turner’s dynamic vocals continue to make it a memorable and enduring track in her extensive discography.
6. We Don’t Need Another Hero
“We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” is a song by Tina Turner, released in 1985 on the soundtrack album for the film “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” in which Turner also starred. The song was written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle.
“We Don’t Need Another Hero” is a powerful and anthemic song with a message of hope and resilience. The lyrics speak to the idea of not needing a hero to save the day, but rather finding strength and courage within oneself. The song’s chorus, with its memorable refrain of “We don’t need another hero, we don’t need to know the way home,” became a rallying cry for many listeners.
“We Don’t Need Another Hero” was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in several countries. The song’s music video, which featured Turner in various post-apocalyptic settings, further solidified its popularity. The song remains one of Turner’s most iconic and beloved tracks, capturing the spirit of the 1980s with its powerful vocals and memorable melody.
7. Nutbush City Limits
“Nutbush City Limits” is a song written by Tina Turner and released in 1973 by Ike & Tina Turner as a single from their album “Nutbush City Limits.” The song is an energetic rock and roll track with a driving beat and catchy chorus.
“Nutbush City Limits” is named after Nutbush, Tennessee, the small rural town where Tina Turner was born and raised. The lyrics of the song reflect on Turner’s memories of growing up in Nutbush and her feelings of nostalgia for her hometown.
“Nutbush City Limits” was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of Ike & Tina Turner’s signature songs. The song’s energetic performance and catchy melody have made it a favorite among fans of the duo and a classic of 1970s rock music.
8. Proud Mary (with Ike & Tina Turner)
“Proud Mary” is a classic song originally written by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). However, Ike & Tina Turner’s cover version of “Proud Mary” is particularly famous and became a signature song for them.
Released in 1971 on their album “Workin’ Together,” Ike & Tina Turner’s rendition of “Proud Mary” is notable for its high-energy performance and Tina Turner’s powerful vocals. The song’s arrangement blends rock, soul, and R&B elements, with a driving beat and electrifying guitar riffs that give it a distinct sound.
Tina Turner’s electrifying performance in “Proud Mary” helped propel the song to commercial success, earning the duo a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. The song’s iconic status was further cemented by their energetic live performances, often featuring Tina Turner’s dynamic dance moves and commanding stage presence.
Overall, Ike & Tina Turner’s version of “Proud Mary” remains a timeless classic, celebrated for its infectious energy, soulful vocals, and memorable arrangement. It continues to be a beloved track that showcases Tina Turner’s talent and charisma as a performer.
9. River Deep – Mountain High (with Ike & Tina Turner)
“River Deep – Mountain High” is a song originally written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich. Ike & Tina Turner’s rendition of the song, released in 1966, is widely regarded as one of their most iconic and powerful performances.
The song features Tina Turner’s explosive vocal delivery, backed by Ike Turner’s energetic production and a wall of sound arrangement typical of Phil Spector’s production style. “River Deep – Mountain High” showcases Tina Turner’s ability to deliver soulful, emotive vocals with raw energy and passion.
Despite achieving critical acclaim, the song did not achieve the commercial success in the United States that Spector had hoped for, but it became a hit in Europe, where it reached the top of the charts in several countries. Over time, it has been recognized as a classic in pop and soul music, admired for its powerful vocals, dramatic arrangement, and the chemistry between Ike & Tina Turner.
“River Deep – Mountain High” remains a standout in Ike & Tina Turner’s discography and is often cited as one of Tina Turner’s best performances. Its impact on popular music and its enduring popularity have solidified its place as a landmark recording in the history of soul and rock ‘n’ roll.
10. GoldenEye (James Bond theme song)
“GoldenEye” is a song performed by Tina Turner, composed by Bono and The Edge of U2, and written by Bono and The Edge along with composer Eric Serra for the 1995 James Bond film “GoldenEye.” The song was released as a single and also included on Tina Turner’s album of the same name.
“GoldenEye” is a powerful and dramatic song with a strong beat and soaring vocals by Tina Turner. The lyrics of the song reflect the themes of the film, with references to espionage and danger. The song’s title refers to the name of the fictional estate featured in the James Bond film.
“GoldenEye” was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in several countries. The song is often regarded as one of the best James Bond theme songs and is a standout track in Tina Turner’s discography.