Top 10 Jon Batiste Songs

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Our top 10 Jon Batiste songs list looks at the body of the work of a jazz and R&B superstar. His career got even more decorated after he bagged four Grammy Awards trophies on April 3, 2022. Jon Batiste has been popular due to his role on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as the musical director. The jazz and R&B star hails from one of the longest living musical dynasties in the US, The Batiste Family.

The Batiste Family is home to over twenty-five musicians, including jazz musician Lionel Batiste, a former member of Treme Brass Band, and Russell Batiste Jr. Other than his vocals, Jon Batiste is an avid keyboardist and pianist. Jon Batiste’s love for music started when he was barely ten.

During these times, he played with his family band honing his skills and building the confidence he needed in his later musical pursuits. The singer would later start his solo career, citing artists like Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, John Coltrane, and Bruce Springsteen as some of his influences.

Jon Batiste’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough

Jon Batiste attempted breaking into the limelight while still a teenager (seventeen years old) with his debut LP, Time in New Orleans. Jon Batiste and his dad Michael produced Times in New Orleans. Jon Batiste is credited with having composed six of the nine tracks from the LP. While the album failed to garner much attention, it helped Jon Batiste establish himself as a reputable performer and composer. The LP is rich sonically, thanks to additional trumpets and saxophones added to the songs.

Later in 2006, Jon Batiste released his first live LP, Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art. The singer took a break to sharpen his skills taking on a Bachelor’s degree in Music and a Master’s degree in Music at Juilliard School. Some of his releases while still taking music lessons include the LPs, In the Night, released in 2008, The Amazing Jon Batiste, released in 2009, and My N. Y., released in 2011. My N.Y. EP was released by Jon Batiste alongside the house band Stay Human, which he led.

In 2013, Jon Batiste released his sophomore LP Jazz Is Now. Jazz Is Now marked his first release under a record label, Naht Jona Records. This jazz LP saw Jon Batiste take on the piano role and vocals in all the songs it featured. Eddie Barbash was featured on the backing vocals, while Dorothy Fields is credited to have been among the songwriters of the LP.

Jon Batiste went ahead to release his third LP, Social Music, in 2013. Social Music marked his second collaboration with his band Stay Human, the first being on the EP My N. Y. The album brought Jon Batiste to newfound fame after rising to the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. Social Music also managed the second spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.

The album was also Jon Batiste’s first release to make it to the billboard 200, peaking at number one hundred and thirty-four. Social Music was released through Razor & Tie records. Jon Batiste and John Hicks penned songs on the LP. “St. James Infirmary” and “It’s Alright (Why You Gotta)” are some of the best Jon Batiste songs from the LP. Social Music marked Jon Batiste’s breakthrough moment in the mainstream.

Jon Batiste’s Album Releases over the Years

In 2014, Jon Batiste returned with the LP, The Process, alongside Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bill Laswell. The Process was issued through M.O.D. Technologies but failed to chart. Jon Batiste teamed up with his band, Stay Human, in releasing The Late Show EP in 2016. The Late Show EP made it to the third spot on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, peaking at the eighteenth spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.

Christmas with Jon Batiste marked the singer’s second major release in 2016. The album was issued through Naht Jona. Christmas with Jon Batiste was a success, topping the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. The LP managed the third spot on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, peaking at number one hundred and ninety-eight on the Billboard 200. This marked Jon Batiste’s second LP to make it to the Billboard 200. His collaborative hit “Endless Love” with Aloe Blacc is one of the best Jon Batiste songs from the LP.

In 2017, Jon Batiste collaborated with jazz musician Wynton Marsalis on the release of the live album, The Music of John Lewis. The Music of John Lewis was issued through Blue Engine Records, peaking at the third spot on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. Jon Batiste later issued his LP Hollywood Africans through Verve Records. Hollywood Africans topped the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. “Don’t Stop” is one of the best Jon Batiste songs from Hollywood Africans.

The jazz and R&B star released two live albums in 2019, starting with Chronology of a Dream: Live at the Village Vanguard and then Anatomy of Angels: Live at the Village Vanguard. Jon Batiste later released his most recent live album, Live at Electric Lady, in 2021. All three live albums were issued through Verve Records.

Jon Batiste later came back in 2020 with the collaborative LP Meditations. Meditations was a collaborative work between Jon Batiste and Grammy Award-nominated guitarist Cory Wong. Unfortunately, the LP failed to make it to the charts. Later that year, Jon Batiste collaborated with Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails in the release of the soundtrack LP to the animated comedy-drama film, Soul.

The jazz artist issued his most reputable work, We Are, through Verve Records. We Are was a success, charting in the US, Belgium, France, and Switzerland. The LP managed to give the singer his highest-charting LP on the Billboard Hot 100 after it peaked at number eighty-six. We Are also managed to rise to number forty-seven on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

The album’s success is highly credited to its inspirational work on themes of racism in the US and the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the best Jon Batiste songs from the LP include “Cry,” “We Are,” and “I Need You.” We Are saw Jon Batiste win four Grammy Awards in 2022, including the Album of the Year accolade.

Jon Batiste’s Other Musical Pursuits

Other than his successful jazz and R&B career, Jon Batiste serves as the music director of the American Magazine, The Atlantic. His name became popular when he was featured as the musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Jon Batiste has also been a significant member of the band Stay Human. Throughout his music career, the artist has collaborated with notable stars including Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails, Aloe Blacc, Judith Hill, Lee England Jr., and Jason Marsalis. With the singer bagging several musical awards in 2022, we expect that he will deliver even bigger performances in days to come.

Jon Batiste’s Accolades and Legacy

For the better part of his career, Jon Batiste remained a rare figure in the most reputable musical awards. However, his musical skills still received recognition. Jon Batiste is a proud holder of the American Jazz Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. The Salve Regina University gifted the jazz star with an honorary degree for his impactful contributions to jazz music.

Jon Batiste received his first Grammy Awards nomination in 2018, thanks to the hit “Saint James Infirmary Blues.” His next major win was after the release of the soundtrack to the film Soul. Jon Batiste, alongside Trent and Atticus, went on to win the Best Original Score at the 93rd Academy Awards. The trio won similar awards from the Critic’s Choice Award, Golden Globe, and the BAFTA Award.

2022 can be described to be Jon Batiste’s best year so far in the music scene. The singer became the most nominated artist in this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony with eleven nominations. Jon Batiste became the big winner in the 64th Grammy Awards ceremony after he bagged five trophies. Other notable artists who stole the show during the ceremony included, Silk Sonic, Olivia Rodrigo, Jazmine Sullivan, and Chris Stapleton. Here we present the ten best Jon Batiste songs of all time.

#10 – Endless Love ft. Aloe Blacc

Ushering us to the top 10 Jon Batiste songs list is the phenomenal collaborative hit “Endless Love.” “Endless Love” is a holiday duet by jazz and R&B star Jon Batiste featuring Aloe Blacc. Aloe Blacc is a reputable R&B star famed for his hits “The Man” and “I Need a Dollar.”

The singer is also famed for his vocals and songwriting credits in the chart-topping hit “Wake Me Up” by the late Swedish DJ Avicii. “Endless Love” was penned by Jon Batiste and issued on his holiday album Christmas with Jon Batiste.

#9 – We Are

“We Are” is the album title track to Jon Batiste’s Grammy Award-winning LP. The LP We Are won the Album of the Year accolade at the 64th Grammy Awards ceremony. Jon Batiste collaborated with Autumn Rowe and Tearce Kizzo in writing this song. The jazz singer also plays a number of instruments in this ballad, including the synth, Theremin, strings, mellotron, piano, and keyboards.

Jon Batiste revealed that the song “We Are” is the gambit of his Grammy Award-winning LP. The song saw Jon Batiste feature four generations of his family. “We Are” features vocals from Jon Batiste, Braedon Gautier, David Gauthier, Brennan Gautier, and Autumn Rowe. The Gospel Soul Children Choir and Saint Augustine High School Marching 100 are also featured on the vocals.

#8 – Don’t Stop

Our eighth spot on the ten best Jon Batiste songs is the ravishing hit “Don’t Stop.” The song is a musical gem written by Jon Batiste and Steve McEwan. “Don’t Stop” is among the first fruits of the singer’s deal with Verve Records. This marked Jon Batiste’s first single release on a major record label.

“Don’t Stop” is featured in his LP Hollywood Africans. The lyrics to the song allude to love, how it should be, and the uncertainties that come with love. “Don’t Stop” showcases Jon Batiste’s dedication to staying true to his musical roots, thanks to his magnificent and emotive delivery. The song features the background vocals of Janelle Kroll.

#7- Sing ft. Tori Kelly

Jon Batiste teamed up with American Idol alumnus Tori Kelly in releasing the deluxe version of the hit “Sing.” The jazz and R&B singer revealed that “Sing” is a tuneful song meant to be listened to when one is overwhelmed with emotions and can barely talk. “Sing” was penned by Autumn Rowe, Zach Cooper, Vic Dimotsis, and Ricky Reed. The song was featured on Jon Batiste’s most recent LP, We Are.

#6- What a Wonderful World

Number six on our ten best Jon Batiste songs list is the pleasant-sounding hit “What a Wonderful World.” The song was originally released as the album title track to Louis Armstrong’s 1968 LP. “What a Wonderful World” was penned by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele during the Vietnam War era.

The main purpose of penning this jazz hit was to bring hope to victims of the Vietnam War, especially those who lost their loved ones and homes. Jon Batiste later covered the song issuing the rendition through his LP Hollywood Africans. Other artists who have covered the song include Céline Dion, Willie Nelson, David Garrett, Ray Stevens, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Maxi Priest, Coldplay, Tony Bennett, Guy Sebastian, and LeAnn Rimes.

#5- Bigger Than Us

Jon Batiste is arguably a legend in the jazz music scene. “Bigger Than Us” is better proof of his magical skills in the jazz music genre. In less than two minutes, the singer delivers one of his best jazz compositions of all time. Despite being a laid-back jazz composition, “Bigger Than Us” features awe-inspiring piano riffs and saxophone melodies. “Bigger Than Us” is featured on the soundtrack to the 2020 film Soul.

#4- It’s Alright ft. Celeste

“It’s Alright” is one of the most alluring hits among the best Jon Batiste songs. The song was initially penned by Curtis Mayfield and released by the R&B group, The Impressions in 1963. Jon Batiste later released two covers to the song, one being a duet with Celeste. Other artists who have covered the song include Huey Lewis & The News, Aaron Neville, Etta James, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Wynton Kelly, and Steve Winwood.

#3- I Need You

Our third pick on our list of the ten best Jon Batiste songs is the charming hit “I Need You.” “I Need You” is among songs from the jazz and R&B star’s Grammy Award-winning LP We Are that showcase his remarkable musicianship. Jon Batiste also exhibits a magnificent vocal range on this track.

The singer unleashes some dance moves that showcase his rich art gallery. His energetic dance and costumes reminisce the early twentieth century’s musical choreography. “I Need You” was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Traditional R&B Performance category. However, it lost to “Fight for You” by H.E.R.

#2- Cry

“Cry” is a musical gem penned by Jon Batiste and Steve McEwan. The song is one of the best Jon Batiste songs from the LP, We Are. “Cry” is a heart-rending ballad whose lyrics allude to a narrative about the ambiguity and agony that comes with the struggle for equality. The song has been lauded for bringing Jon Batiste’s best amalgam of folk and country musical sonic vibes.

Jon Batiste teaming up with songwriter Steve McEwan brought some undeniable country feel to the song. Steve McEwan has penned several hits for Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, and James Blunt. This soul-stirring hit also features the backing vocals of Calisse Henderson. “Cry” won Jon Batiste a Grammy in the Best American Roots Song accolade.

#1- Freedom

Number one on our top 10 Jon Batiste songs list is the dazzling hit “Freedom.” “Freedom” is a musical gem from Grammy Award-winning LP, We Are. The song serves as a perfect anthem for black people’s power and freedom. “Freedom” came at a perfect time when the US was struggling with racism issues, especially with the Black Lives Matter campaign.

The song’s cheery musical vibes, the singer’s vocal range, and alluring lyrics saw it lauded as one of the best Jon Batiste releases of all time. “Freedom” saw Jon Batiste bag the Grammy Award for Best Music Video. The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the Record of the Year category. However, it lost to “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic.