10 Most Rocking Eddie Money Songs

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Eddie Money has always been one of our favorite artists here at ClassicRockHistory.com. I remember buying his first album in the late ’70s and loving his version of “You Really Got a Hold on Me.” That was the first song from his debut album that struck me. Of course, it wasn’t the biggest hit on the album. That honor belongs to “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Baby Hold On.” As someone who also grew up in New York City, I found his style, voice, and attitude instantly recognizable. We lost a great one when Eddie Money passed away, and this article is a tribute to his biggest rockers.

# 10 – Two Tickets To Paradise – Eddie Money

Why not start out this list with one of his biggest hits? Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise” was released on his self-titled debut album in 1977 and became one of the songs that broke him big time. Money wrote the song himself, and the guitar work at the beginning really does feel like you are getting on a plane and taking off. Released as a single in 1978, it reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of his signature songs. The combination of Money’s rough-edged vocal, Jimmy Lyon’s guitar work, and that irresistible sense of escape made it a natural classic-rock staple.

# 9 – Can’t Keep a Good Man Down – Life for the Taking

Continuing our Eddie Money rocking songs list, we dive into a standout track from his second album, Life for the Taking. Dark, gritty, and action-packed, this track showcases Money’s blend of rock energy and hard-edged storytelling. Eddie Money, Dan Alexander, and Chris Solberg wrote the song, which was released as a single in 1979 and reached No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gary Mallaber’s drumming drives the track, while Jimmy Lyon’s guitar gives it the fierce bite that made Money’s early records so much fun. It is exactly the sort of determined, no-nonsense rocker that belongs on a list like this.

# 8 – Walk On Water – Nothing to Lose

Released in 1988, “Walk on Water” became one of Eddie Money’s biggest late-career hits and gave him another great hard-rocking single. The song appeared on Nothing to Lose and was written by Jesse Harms, who had worked with Sammy Hagar and also played keyboards on the track. “Walk on Water” climbed to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Album Rock Tracks chart, making it Money’s final Top 10 pop hit. Original Money guitarist Jimmy Lyon returned to deliver the lead-guitar solo, adding another connection to the sound of his earliest records. The song’s big chorus and polished late-’80s production still leave plenty of room for Money’s rough vocal personality.

# 7 – Heaven In The Back Seat – Right Here

This is the first of two songs in a row that may not be immediately recognizable to the casual Eddie Money fan. “Heaven in the Back Seat” was originally recorded by Romeo’s Daughter before Money covered it for his 1991 album Right Here. Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Craig Joiner, and Anthony Mitman, the song has the big hooks and driving arrangement that fit Money perfectly. His version reached No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on the Mainstream Rock chart. It may not have become one of his signature pop hits, but it remains one of the strongest straight-ahead rock performances from the later part of his career.

# 6 – Maybe Tomorrow – Where’s the Party?

Continuing with this Eddie Money rock songs list, we come to a track that may be an outlier in terms of popularity but not in terms of rock and roll spirit. “Maybe Tomorrow” opens the 1983 album Where’s the Party? and immediately gives the record an upbeat, hard-driving start. Eddie Money co-wrote the song with Steve Farris, Alan Pasqua, and Gary O’Connor, bringing together musicians who understood exactly how to frame his voice. The keyboards and guitars give the track plenty of movement without smoothing away the tougher edge that made Money so recognizable. It is one of those deeper cuts that deserves more attention from listeners who only know the hits.

# 5 – Shakin’ – No Control

For the second half of this Eddie Money rocking songs list, we went to the big hits that were true-blue rock and rollers. “Shakin'” is one of Money’s most rocking tracks, combining a tough guitar sound with an infectious groove that captured the energy of the early ’80s. Featured on the 1982 album No Control, it was co-written by Money, Elizabeth Myers, and Ralph Carter and reached No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The music video became part of the song’s identity, featuring Patricia Kotero, later known as Apollonia, years before Purple Rain turned her into a major pop-culture figure. The song still sounds like Eddie Money at his loosest and most entertaining.

# 4 – I Wanna Go Back – Can’t Hold Back

“I Wanna Go Back” was released by Eddie Money in 1986 on the platinum-certified album Can’t Hold Back. Written by Monty Byrom, Danny Chauncey, and Ira Walker, the song had first appeared on Billy Satellite’s 1984 debut album before Money turned it into one of his most memorable records. His version reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 3 on the Album Rock Tracks chart, and No. 33 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The saxophone and backing vocals add extra color to a song already loaded with nostalgia and regret. Money sounds completely at home in the lyric, which is one reason his version became the recording most listeners remember.

# 3 – Baby Hold On – Eddie Money

“Baby Hold On” is one of Eddie Money’s signature tracks and one of the records that immediately established him as a major rock voice. Released in 1977 as the first single from his self-titled debut album, the song was written by Money and guitarist Jimmy Lyon and produced by Bruce Botnick. Its sharp guitar hook and huge chorus gave the song the perfect balance of rock muscle and pop accessibility. “Baby Hold On” reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 in Canada, and No. 19 in Australia. Decades later, it remains one of the clearest examples of why Eddie Money’s debut album connected so strongly with rock audiences.

# 2 – Think I’m In Love – No Control

“Think I’m in Love” was the lead single from Eddie Money’s 1982 album No Control and became the record that pushed him back into the Top 40. Co-written by Money and Randy Oda, the song reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart. The track has the big chorus and punchy guitar-driven sound that made No Control such an important comeback album for Money. Its vampire-themed music video, with Money playing a Dracula-like character, became an early MTV favorite. The combination of humor, hooks, and genuine rock energy makes it one of the defining Eddie Money songs of the 1980s.

# 1 – Gimme Some Water – Life for the Taking

From Eddie Money’s second studio album, Life for the Taking, “Gimme Some Water” stands as one of his rawest and most cinematic rock tracks. Written solely by Money, the song tells an outlaw story of desperation, regret, and a plea for water after everything has gone wrong. David Lindley handles guitar, while Lonnie Turner plays bass, Gary Mallaber drives the rhythm on drums, and Tom Scott contributes the horn arrangement. Produced by Bruce Botnick, the recording combines Money’s rough vocal delivery with a Southwestern edge that gives the story real atmosphere. Although it was not released as a single, “Gimme Some Water” became a long-running fan favorite and one of the songs that best captures the tougher side of Eddie Money.