I have been sitting here in front of my computer for at least the last two hours trying lay out my Top Ten List of Stevie Ray Vaughan songs. I thought I had it off the top of my head then I started listening to his music while getting ready to type this list out. I have changed the order of these songs and the songs themselves so many times that I was only able to narrow the list down to 20 songs. Well actually 19 recorded songs and one song he covered live in concert but I’ve not found on any albums but a video of it can be found on you tube. The song I speak of is called “Goin Down” a cover of one of Stevie Ray’s biggest influences Freddie King. In the end I finally picked my top ten and decided to make a little note of honorable mention to the other songs. The passion and feeling that Stevie Ray Vaughan put into his music can only be rivaled by one other, John Lennon. Not bad company to be in. When you listen to these songs and his amazing guitar work you can’t help but be WOWED. It is my opinion that Stevie Ray is the greatest guitarist ever to pick up the instrument and play. On August 27, 1990 after ending a show at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, WI that included some of his blues guitarist peers such as Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray. At the young age of 35 Stevie Ray Vaughan’s life was cut short in a helicopter crash after foggy condition caused the pilot to crash into the side of a mountain. Stevie Ray was inducted into the blues hall of fame in 2000. Why did it take so long??? He should have been inducted on August 28, 1990.
#10 “Pride and Joy”, 1983
Pride and Joy is one of Stevie’s more popular songs. Written for his wife Lenora this song shows some of Stevie’s emotion and vocal talent and as always incredible guitar skills. This classic track is found on “Texas Flood” Stevie’s first studio album released in 1983.
#9 “Cold Shot”, 1984
Track two off Stevie Ray’s second studio release “Couldn’t stand the weather” is another big hit for any fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s music. Crisp clean riffs that stick in your head. A Classic that everybody should know.
#8 “Superstition”, 1985
Superstition” is by far one of the best cover songs ever done by anybody in the history of music. When I hear this live version Stevie Wonders hit song come through Stevie Ray’s Fender Stratocaster I am blown out of my socks every time. Vaughan gives this song so much energy, you can’t help but skip to track 5 every time you put on the CD “Live Alive” then you put it back to track one and listen to the rest of the disc.
#7 “Change It”, 1985
This is just an awesome song with lyrics about making a relationship move forward by forgetting about the past. Or at least that’s how I hear it. This song also includes one of my favorite guitar solos that just sounds so effortless. Track #6 found on one of my personal favorite albums “Soul to Soul” released in 1985.
#6 “The Sky is Crying”, 1991
By far the biggest track on Stevie Ray’s first posthumous album released in 1991. The Sky is Crying” is Stevie’s version of the massive blues classic originally put out by Elmore James back in 1960. This song has been covered by many, including Albert King, and George Thorogood. None have done it as well as Stevie Ray Vaughan. This track was recorded during the “Soul to Soul” sessions but not released on a CD till 1991, one year after his death.
#5 “Life without You”, 1985
Another track off the awesome album “Soul to Soul”. “Life Without You” is a wonderful display of control and skill on the guitar and deep heartfelt lyrics with tons of emotion that comes through Stevie’s vocals. You don’t hear this song, you feel it. This is a song about love. What would my life be worth without my wife Rachel? I feel you Stevie.
#4 “Lenny”, 1983
There is only one way to top the pure emotion in “Life without You” and that’s with the final track off Stevie’s first album “Texas Flood”. That song is “Lenny” which was written for his then wife Lenora and also the name he gave to one of his favorite guitars a 1965 fender Stratocaster that he primarily used to play the song with the same name. The difference is “Lenny” has no lyrics, just music but you still get the raw emotion through his masterful guitar playing. I am in awe of the sound and feeling you have produced with six strings. You could get lost in songs like this one. What a talent.
#3 “Look at Little Sister”, 1985
This one is a little more upbeat and fun. It just sounds like Stevie was really enjoying himself on this song, I love it. Once again off the album “Soul to Soul” this is the first song I ever remember hearing by Stevie Ray Vaughan when I was younger. I don’t remember where I heard it but it always stuck in my head and I’ve always loved it. Maybe hearing him go off in the middle of the song with that solo was enough to hook a kid who primarily was more of a hard rock and metal fan. “Look at Little Sister” is what got me started listening to the blues. Great song!!!
#2 “Texas Flood”, 1983
The title track off the amazing first album by Stevie Ray Vaughan released in 1983 is another classic song for any fan. Deep full sounding smooth guitar work with classic Stevie Ray Vaughan vocals is the only way to describe this song. An awesome display of electric blues guitar. What else can you say about this one? Just great classic Stevie Ray, end of story.
#1 “Life by the Drop”, 1991
“Life by the Drop” was a song about Stevie’s friendship with Doyal Bramhall, the person who wrote the song for Stevie Ray. Many believe this song is about Stevie’s struggles with drug addiction as I once thought. I still get a choked up when I hear it because I still get that feeling that Stevie had finally got his life together and was happy and rejuvenated, just to have his life and career swiped away from him because he decided to take the one empty seat left on a helicopter that night in August 1990. For me this is Stevie’s best vocal. This is a song not carried by Stevie’s guitar but by the feeling in his voice. Although the acoustic guitar adds just what is needed to complete this great track. This song makes me wonder what could have been.
Honorable Mentions
“Tin Pan Alley”
“Little Wing”
“Rude Mood”
“Riviera Paradise”
“Love Struck Baby”
“Tight Rope”
“Cross Fire”
“Soul to Soul”
“Voodoo Child (slight return)”
