Top 10 Raspberries Songs

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Our Top 10 Raspberries songs list looks at an early-1970s band that released its first album in 1972, then over the next two years released four studio albums before breaking up. That’s rock and roll! However, during two years, from 1972 to 1974, the Raspberries became a very influential band. The Raspberries were an exciting group. They crossed the genres of rock and pop, blending a British Invasion influence with sweet melodies, power-chord-driven power chords, and brilliant, addictive songs. Their top five hit “Go All the Way,” released in 1972, still sounds as fresh and fun in 2021 as it did 48 years ago.

While The Raspberries’ sound certainly was influenced by The British Invasion, the group was actually from Cleveland, Ohio. The group’s original lineup consisted of Eric Carmen on bass and lead vocals, Wally Bryson on lead guitar and vocals, Dave Smalley on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Jim Bonfanti on drums. That lineup would be responsible for their first three albums. Their first album, Raspberries, was released in 1972. The band followed up their debut album that same year, in 1972, with an album entitled Fresh. The Raspberries’ third album was released in 1973 and titled, interestingly, Side 3.

In 1974, The Raspberries had a significant lineup change. There was a 50% turnover in the group. Eric Carmen and Wally Bryson continued as the Raspberries, but Scott McCarl and Michael McBride replaced Dave Smalley and Jim Bonfanti. The Raspberries’ fourth and final album, entitled Starting Over, was released in 1974. It was a spectacular album, featuring a much heavier sound that fans and critics loved. One year later, in 1975, The Raspberries broke up.

The Raspberries’ lead singer, Eric Carmen, celebrated a successful solo career almost immediately. He had more hits as a solo artist than with The Raspberries. His massive 1975 ballad “All By Myself” went all the way to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. He followed that one up with another top-10 hit entitled “Never Going to Fall in Love Again.” Eric Carmen would continue with his solo career, releasing multiple albums and enjoying moderate success on the pop charts.

Our top 10 Raspberries songs list examines the band’s four early-1970s albums and selects 10 spectacular songs as a starting point for people looking into the band’s great catalog. The band’s catalog is outstanding, and we highly recommend checking out the entire album.

# 10 – Tonight

We wanted to open up our list of the top 10 Raspberries songs with a really good one. The band’s song “Tonight” featured much of what we loved about The Raspberries. These guys could rock when they wanted to. This band was great. Listen to Jim Bonfanti kill it on drums on this track. The man was so good. The harmonies are spectacular. “Tonight” was the opening track to the band’s great third album entitled Side 3. The song was covered by Mötley Crüe in 1981

# 9 – Come Around And See Me

The Raspberries’ song “Come Around And See Me” is a deep album track that defines why you should check out their albums, not just their greatest hits packages. The band’s four albums were brilliant pop-rock records filled with great songs like this one. “Come Around And See Me” was released on the band’s first album. Wally Bryson wrote the song and performed the lead vocals. The song was released on the band’s debut album entitled Raspberries.

# 8 – Let’s Pretend

The Raspberries’ song “Let’s Pretend” defines the sweet side of Eric Carmen’s melodies and hooks. At times, songs like this led many critics and fans to describe the Raspberries as more of a bubblegum band than a serious rock act. Still, the song proved popular, reaching the U.S. Billboard Top 40 in 1973. It was the third single released from the band’s second album, entitled Fresh. And to note, we have always thought of, and will always define, The Raspberries as a serious musical act that released songs that crossed the genres of sweet pop and slick rock and roll. In other words, a band that released freaking great songs.

# 7 – I Don’t Know What I Want

I know what you think after listening to the video. This is The Who’s “Wont Get Fooled Again.” The band admitted that the album was heavily influenced by The Who. Well, they didn’t have to tell us that; nonetheless, this song smokes despite the intentional rip-off of the Who in its introduction. It’s pure Raspberries 2.0. The band’s final album, Starting Over, was fueled by adding two new members who took the band in a completely different direction and worked fabulously, at least on record, because it wound up being their last.

# 6 – I Saw the Light

I thought I was listening to an unreleased track from an early Paul McCartney solo album when I first heard this song. Eric Carmen had an incredible talent for writing gorgeous melodies. If he only had a John Lennon by his side to keep him from drifting off too far into the bubble gum world, who knows what he would have done? “I Saw The Light” was issued on their first album entitled Raspberries.

# 5 – Don’t Want to Say Goodbye

Continuing with our top 10 Raspberries songs list, we turn to the band’s first single, entitled “Don’t Want to Say Goodbye.” This was always one of our favorite Raspberries songs. The melody and arrangement were a bit more progressive than some of their sweeter-sounding pop songs. This one was really special. Listen to that significant chord change in the chorus.

At times, there’s almost a Queen-like atmosphere in the arrangement and vocal harmonies. And this is before Queen, so you know who Freddie Mercury was listening to. And that’s an essential element in the history of the band. The Raspberries really were a group that influenced many 1970s artists. From Springsteen to Kiss, so many legendary classic rockers have given praise to the Raspberries in interviews over time.

# 4 – Starting Over

Eric Carmen’s beautiful ballad “Starting Over” stood as a preview of where he was heading in his solo career. This was the final song on the band’s final album titled Starting Over. The song seems to owe much credit to Elton John in many ways. The piano riff in the verses of the song is very similar to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” However, the song’s melody is an original Eric Carmen composition that also echoes a Paul Buckmaster arrangement.

# 3 – I’m A Rocker

When Eric Carmen wanted to let loose, he had the pipes to stand with any great rock lead vocalist. Like many of the Raspberries’ songs, “I’m A Rocker” starts heavy but shifts towards the pop side of the band when the verse meets the chorus. The Raspberries’ song “I’m A Rocker” was released on the band’s third album entitled Side 3. Eric Carmen wrote the song. Eric Carmen also performed the lead vocals on the song.

# 2 – Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)

This spectacular song was probably the band’s most mature work and their best production. If it weren’t for the legacy of the song “Go All The Way,” we would have listed this one as number one. It’s just so great. In terms of arrangement, production, and harmonies, there’s also sort of a Beach Boys “Good Vibrations” vibe happening here.

The song “Overnight Sensation” was released on the band’s final album, Starting Over, in 1974. It would be the band’s last top-20 Billboard Hit. This was a brilliant album, and it’s a shame the band broke up because who knows what they would have done if they had continued together. Eric Carmen had great success on his own, but there was something exceptional about the band’s sound on this album.

# 1 – Go All the Way

The Raspberries’ most popular song was their big-time 1972 hit “Go All The Way.” The song was not only the Raspberries’ biggest hit but also stands as one of the most cherished songs of the 1970s. It’s an iconic pop gem. The way the verse transcends into the song’s chorus, riding on the wings of Eric Carmen’s legendary lead vocal, is one for the ages. The melody and arrangement on this one were out of this world, breathtaking. “Go All The Way” was released on the 1972 Raspberries album.