Top 10 Amanda Marshall Songs

Feature Photo: JeffJ at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Amanda Marshall songs list presents the best Amanda Marshall songs like “Let it Rain,” “Birmingham” “Believe in You,” and more. Even if we don’t count those well-known hits, this talented Canadian singer has plenty of musical offerings. She was born in Toronto on August 29, 1972, as an only child of a Canadian father and a Trinidad-born mother. Marshall has long described herself as “the product of an interracial marriage” and has even reflected on this in some of her songs, such as “Shades of Grey.” No, that song doesn’t make our top ten list, but it still is an illustration of how Marshall puts her soul and personal experience into her music. Either way, her experience has led to a rich tapestry of music we can enjoy.

Even during childhood, Marshall had long been interested in becoming a musical performer. She studied it extensively, even becoming a student at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She eventually became a regular performer at the Queen Street West bar, where she met guitarist Jeff Healey, who had ten Canadian chart-topping singles and one top-five single in the United States. He was so impressed with her musical abilities that he invited her to tour with him for an extended period.

As early as 1991, Marshall had signed a contract with Metalblade Records, but it wasn’t long before both parties realized this wasn’t a good fit, and they parted. No matter because Amanda did not let this roadblock get in her way. She signed a contract with Epic Records in 1994 and quickly contributed to Neil Young’s album Borrowed Tunes: A Tribute to Neil Young. This led to her debut album, the self-titled Amanda Marshall, being released in 1995, which led us to this special top-ten list.

# 10 – This Could Take All Night

This song was one of the notable examples of Amanda Marshall’s self-titled debut. It is most well-known for appearing in the 1996 film Tin Cup, about a golf prodigy who owns a driving range, falls in love, and comes in second as an underdog at the U.S. Open. “This Could Take All Night” had a popular music video that was interspersed between scenes where Kevin Costner and Rene Russo interacted in the movie. Interestingly enough, this piece was written by Steve Dorff and Linda Thompson.

Dorff is most notable for his work in country music, crafting hits for artists such as Anne Murray, Lee Greenwood, Kenny Rogers, and Eddie Rabbit. He also crafted some of the original musical scores for the TV show Growing Pains. Linda Thompson has also written songs for the Backstreet Boys, Air Supply, Barbara Streisand, and Elvis.

# 9 – Sitting On Top Of The World

“Sitting On Top Of The World” was a song Amanda collaborated with David Tyson to write. This was one of the first of many collaborations she would have with producer David Tyson, who is usually credited with helping to write Marshall’s song “Dark Horse.” “Sitting On Top Of The World” is customarily played at 115 beats per minute, similar in tempo to well-known pop tunes such as Europe’s “The Final Countdown,” Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” and Rick Astley’s “Together Forever.”

# 8 – Sunday Morning After

“Sunday Morning After” was written by Marvin O. Leonard Jr., Willaim Hort Mann, Peter Asher, and Amanda Marshall. It was first showcased on her third album, “Everybody’s Got a Story” in 2001. The song also made an appearance on 2003’s “Platinum Hits.” The song’s video was nominated for the IHeartRadio’s Much Music Video Award. It was one of those prototypical hangover songs where the protagonist partied a bit harder than she should have, but Marshall made it all her own and put her flair on it.

# 7 – Love Lift Me

“Love Lift Me” was an effort released on her second album, Tuesday’s Child, and as the title would indicate, it has a bit of a spiritual bent. It was recorded for Sony Music and Epic Records, and it has an exciting music video associated with it. The scene opens with Marshall performing as a boxer and being given smelling salts while she lies in the ring. Amanda collaborated with songwriters John Bettis, Randy Craig Cantor, and Eric M. Bazilian to produce this single, and it was the beginning of a long partnership between her and Bazilian. Does that name sound familiar? It should, because Eric Bazilian is not just a songwriter but a musical artist in his own right. He is a founding member of the 80’s pop band The Hooters.

# 6 – Fall From Grace

Written by Marc Jordan and Kim Bullard, “Fall From Grace” details a love where someone is hoping for more, but time keeps passing by. It was introduced on Marshall’s debut album, and it charted at a top five designation in Canada along with her other songs, “Sitting On Top of the World” and “Dark Horse.” As an American-born singer and songwriter, Marc Jordan has won several Juno Awards for his productions. It has several of his own Canadian hit songs, including “Marina del Rey” and “Survival.” When Kim Bullard is not writing songs, he plays keyboards for acts such as Elton John and Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

#5 – Beautiful Goodbye

This song was written by David Tyson and Christoper Ward, who collaborated with Marshall on several other songs on her debut album. According to the lyrics, the song tells the story of an individual reminiscing about the time they had together and wondering if that person she still sees from time to time feels the same way about that parting.

#4 – Dark Horse

“Dark Horse” is one of Amanda’s better songs because it peaked on the Pop Singles chart at number five in Canada. The song details a romantic encounter between the protagonist and her boyfriend and discusses how everyone was making fun of them, believing that the relationship would never last. However, Marshall sings that she is betting on “this Dark Horse,” using that as a metaphor for a love that she believes will survive against all odds. The song was also covered by country music singer Mila Manson in 1997 in her debut album That’s Enough of That.

# 3 – Believe in You

“Believe in You” was another offering that Amanda collaborated with Eric M. Bazilian to write. It paints a picture of setting goals. The song’s narrator says that she believes in the person she is speaking to, just like a river searching for the ocean or an individual reaching for a ring. It was on the album Touched By An Angel: The Album.

# 2 – Birmingham

As we close in on the top spot on our Amanda Marshall songs list, we turn to one of her most loved songs, “Birmingham.” This sensational song was released on her debut album called Amanda Marshall. The album was released in 1995. The song was composed by Dean McTaggart, David Tyson, and Gerald O’Brien. “Birmingham” was Amanda’s only single release to break onto the US Billboard music charts. Nonetheless, in her native home in Canada, the song won the Juno Award for Single of the Year.

# 1 – Let it Rain

“Let it Rain” is by far the most well-known and popular single by Amanda Marshall. It was released on her debut album and was initially recorded by singer-songwriter Kristen Hall for her album Be Careful What You Wish. For in 1994. However, Marshall’s is every bit as popular (if not more so) than Hall’s. Marshall’s version remains the biggest hit she has ever had outside of Canada, reaching number three in Norway!