Top 10 Joe Bonamassa Songs

Photo: Florian Stangl from Bayern, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our top 10 Joe Bonamassa songs list takes a look at one of the great American rock and roll blues guitarists to come of age in the past 25 years. Joe Bonamassa was born towards the tail end of the 1970s in the spring of 1977, the same month that the first Foreigner album came out, Foghat’s Night Shift album was peaking across the rock and roll charts and Led Zeppelin was about to arrive at Madison Square Garden for their famous 1977 June concert dates which this writer was there for. Twenty three years later, Joe Bonamassa would release his first solo album entitled A New Day Yesterday released in the year 2000. However, that wasn’t the start of Joe Bonamassa’s career.

The very gifted guitarist had started playing gigs at 12 years old when he was fronting his own band called Smoking Joe Bonamassa. His break came when he was discovered playing in a band called Bloodline. The group’s gimmick was that it was a band formed of the sons of famous rock and roll and Jazz musicians such as Miles Davis, Robby Krieger of the Doors and Berry Oakley of the Allman Brothers Band. His killer guitar work in that band as a young man still not even the age of 18 convinced many record industry people that Joe Bonamassa was the real deal.

Some people may compare Joe Bonamassa to Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King or Albert King. However, in interviews, Joe Bonamassa has said that it was British blues that stood as his greatest inspiration. Musicians like Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and especially Rory Gallagher. However, when listening close to Joe Bonamassa one can hear the Stevie Ray Vaughan influence, it’s there and he has even admitted that multiple times. How could anybody not be influenced by who we believe is the greatest musician of all time in Stevie Ray Vaughan. Nonetheless, this one’s all about Joe Bonamassa so here we go in taking a listen to 10 of Joe Bonamassa’s most enjoyable recordings.

# 10 – I’ll Play The Blues For You

It was quite challenging to narrow it down to just 10 songs to showcase one of the most extraordinary talents of the past 25 years. There are all the great solo recordings by Joe Bonamassa, and then there’s the work he did with Beth Hart that was incredible, and of course, all the other collaborations. We figured we’d try to touch on some of the best stuff with as much variety as we could.

Opening this list of the 10 best Joe Bonamassa songs with “I’ll Play the Blues for You” from Live at the Greek Theatre sets the perfect tone for what follows. This performance captures everything that makes Bonamassa one of the most extraordinary talents in blues and rock over the last 25 years. Paying homage to the legendary Albert King, who originally recorded the song, Bonamassa breathes new life into this classic with his signature guitar work and passionate delivery.

# 9 – Black Coffee – Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa

It didn’t take long to reach one of the most dynamic collaborations between Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa on this list, and their rendition of “Black Coffee” stands as one of their finest moments together. Featured on their third collaborative album, Black Coffee (2018), this track showcases the duo’s electric chemistry, blending Hart’s fiery, soulful vocals with Bonamassa’s powerful and expressive guitar playing. The song, originally written by Ike and Tina Turner, takes on new life in this blistering performance, with Beth Hart commanding the microphone and Joe Bonamassa matching her intensity.

# 8 – Story Of A Quarryman – Live From The Royal Albert Hall

“Story of a Quarryman” is one of Joe Bonamassa’s most electric performances, originally featured on his 2009 album The Ballad of John Henry. The song became an instant hit with blues-rock enthusiasts, known for its powerful guitar-driven riff and deep lyrical exploration of struggle and perseverance. The live versions, especially the one recorded at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, have continued to captivate audiences with Bonamassa’s raw energy and technical precision.

# 7 – Cradle Rock

Ranking at number seven on our Joe Bonamassa song list is the powerful rocker “Cradle Rock,” a dynamic track that showcases Bonamassa’s early mastery of the blues-rock genre. Originally released on his 2000 debut album A New Day Yesterday, “Cradle Rock” offers a glimpse into Bonamassa’s remarkable talent at the beginning of his career. This track stands out not only as a fan favorite but also as one of the most enduring pieces of his early catalog. The album was reissued in 2020 with upgraded production, ensuring that the raw energy and musicianship in “Cradle Rock” sounds fresher than ever. The song was produced by the legendary Tom Dowd, whose work with iconic artists such as Aretha Franklin and Eric Clapton adds an extra layer of history and authenticity to this track.

# 6 – Drive

Among Joe Bonamassa’s vast catalog of rip-roaring rockers and blues-heavy burners, “Drive” stands out as one of his more melancholic and introspective tracks. Released on Blues of Desperation in 2016, “Drive” contrasts sharply with the raw energy of many of his other hits, offering a more moody, atmospheric vibe reminiscent of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.” With its reflective tone and smoother rhythm, this track demonstrates Bonamassa’s versatility and ability to create emotional landscapes within his music. It quickly became the highest-charting single from the album, solidifying its place among his fan-favorite songs.

# 5 – Chocolate Jesus -Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa

No Joe Bonamassa song list would be complete without mentioning the unforgettable collaboration between Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa on Chocolate Jesus. Originally penned by Tom Waits, this track was featured on Hart and Bonamassa’s 2011 album Don’t Explain. The version most fans gravitate toward is the electrifying live rendition from their Amsterdam performance. The synergy between these two artists is undeniable, as Hart’s raw, passionate vocals and Bonamassa’s impeccable guitar work transform the song into something truly special. Lyrically, Chocolate Jesus carries Tom Waits’ signature blend of dark humor and religious undertones, and Hart’s rendition brings it to life with fiery intensity.

# 4 – Unbroken

Landing in the number four spot on our Joe Bonamassa song list is the heartfelt track “Unbroken,” a standout from his second album So, It’s Like That, released in 2002. This song showcases Bonamassa’s ability to fuse rock, country, and pop elements into a perfectly crafted rock and roll single. Despite its brilliance, “Unbroken” may have flown under the radar for the general public, but it remains a gem for true fans of Bonamassa’s work.

# 3 -The Ballad of John Henry

The Ballad of John Henry, the title track from Joe Bonamassa’s seventh studio album, is an epic blues rock anthem that captivates listeners from its very first note. Released on February 24, 2009, and produced by Kevin Shirley, the album topped the US Billboard Top Blues Albums chart, solidifying Bonamassa’s place as one of the premier guitarists of his generation. With this track, Bonamassa channels the folk tale of John Henry, the steel-driving man, through a blend of blistering guitar work, a powerful rhythm section, and vivid storytelling.

The song opens with a gripping, western-inspired guitar riff, immediately transporting the listener into a gritty world of struggle and defiance. The introduction of heavy, pounding drums and bass that barrel in like a freight train only adds to the intensity, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and urgent. The instrumental interplay mirrors the battle of the song’s central figure, John Henry, against forces larger than himself. The mood is set for an adventure where there may be no escape, as Bonamassa’s guitar commands attention with fierce, precise solos, particularly at the 3:20 mark, which many consider a transformative moment for listeners.

# 2 – Dust Bowl

“Dust Bowl,” the title track from Joe Bonamassa’s ninth studio album, showcases his ability to blend blues, rock, and a deep sense of history in his music. Released worldwide on March 22, 2011, the album features a cover inspired by Arthur Rothstein’s famous 1936 photograph of the Dust Bowl era. While the song’s lyrics only subtly reference the historical Dust Bowl in the chorus, the mood of the track captures the emotional weight of that time, a period of desolation, survival, and hardship in early 20th-century America.

# 1 – Redemption

We close out our Joe Bonamassa songs list with a great Joe Bonamassa composition entitled “Redemption.” With a bit of an Allman Brothers Band meets Lynyrd Skynyrd vibe happening on this one from the sound of the instruments to the female backing vocals, this track is just stunning. We also love the Led Zeppelin “Kashmir,” chord changes in the middle section as Joe Bonamassa just rips an out of this world solo over them. This one just seems like a tribute to all the great music of the 1970s in every aspects of the recording. The recording featured Joe Bonamassa on guitar and vocals Reese Wynans on organ, Anton Fig on drums and Michael Rhodes on bass. The fantastic backing vocals belonged to Mahalia Barnes, Jade MacRae, Juanita Tippins and Jamey Johnson. The Redemption album hit number one on the Billboard Blues Charts.