Top 10 Blue Murder Songs

Blue Murder Songs

Our top 10 Blue Murder songs looks back at the songs of a great rock and roll band that stands as one of those groups that were vastly underrated because of their short run. Additionally, there was a difference in personal between there first and second albums as well as quality of material. Nonetheless, the first Blue Murder album is considered one of the great rock and roll records of the late 1980s and pretty much one of the most underrated. The group was founded in the 1980s by guitarist John Sykes. During the band’s formation there were many musicians who got involved with the group including many failed attempts at finding a pure lead singer. In the end, Blue Murder would become a power trio featuring John Sykes, Tony Franklin, and the legendary ex Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice.

John Sykes, Tony Franklin, and Carmine Appice would release the first album entitled Blue Murder in 1989. The album would be produced by the great producer Bob Rock who did many of Metallica’s best records. It would be the only Blue Murder album to feature the trio of John Sykes, Tony Franklin, and Carmine Appice. It took four years to follow up the Blue Murder album. In 1993, Blue Murder released the album entitled Nothin’ But Trouble . The album did feature the original lineup although Franklin and Appice did not play on every song. Other musicians on the record included Marco Mendoza on bass, Tommy O’Steen on drums, Nik Green on keyboards and Kelly Keeling on vocals.

# 10 – Black-Hearted Woman

We open up our top 10 Blue Murder songs list with the raging song entitled “Black-Hearted Woman.” This one just kills. The band almost sounds like Metallica at points on this track. One can really hear the influence of producer Bob Rock on this track. John Sykes is just tearing it up on vocals and guitar. Carmine Appice is so thunderous. If this opening track on our top 10 Blue Murder songs list does not grab you, then we don’t know what else to tell you. The song was released on the debut Blue Murder album. It was placed as the album’s closing number.

# 9 – Cry for Love

Continuing with our top 10 Blue Murder songs list, we take a listen to the pulsating song “Cry for Love.” John Sykes’s work with Whitesnake plays an active role in this song, as the opening is just pure Whitesnake. This is guitar-driven rock with an 80s big-hair attitude. The only problem was that it was 1993, and everyone was into Nirvana and the Seattle sound. This album would have probably done much better if it had been released about seven years earlier.

# 8 – Cold Sweat

In the number eight spot on our top Blue Murder 10 songs list we present the song entitled “Cold Sweat.” This classic Thin Lizzy song was released on the Blue Murder live album entitled Screaming Blue Murder: Dedicated to Phil Lynott. The song was composed by John Sykes and the late Phil Lynott. John Sykes had been a member of Thin Lizzy. The live Blue Murder version is very cool and we thought it was essential to add to this Blue Murder songs list. Listen to that John Sykes guitar solo. The album was released in May of 1994.

# 7 – Riot

In the number seven position on our top Blue Murder 10 songs list is the dazzling song entitled “Riot.”The song was released on the debut album entitled Blue Murder. “Riot” was the album’s opening track. The song’s opening moments are very 80s, with the rain falling through the soft keyboard sounds until all breaks loose with Carmine’s intense drumming, Franklin’s raging bass playing, and, of course, the roaring sound of John Sykes’s guitar and vocals. What a way to open up their first album. Listen to this one all the way through, as it’s filled with great guitar riffs and bass solos and energy that define how good this band is.

# 6 – Itchycoo Park

Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Blue Murder songs list, we present the song “Itchycoo Park.” The song was released on the 1993 album Nothin’ But Trouble. If this one sounds familiar to you, it’s actually a great cover of an old Small Faces song.

# 5 – Blue Murder

At the halfway point on our top 10 Blue Murder songs list is the exhilarating song titled appropriately “Blue Murder.” Hey, why not name a song after the name of your band? It’s good for publicity. This one starts out and it’s a furious Carmine Appice on the drums. It’s not long until Franklin and Sykes join the party for one of the great rockers from the group’s debut album. This is the song that Carmine Appice fans will go nuts over.

# 4 – Out Of Love

At the number four spot on our top 10 Blue Murder songs list we present the song entitled “Out Of Love.” This is one of those magical 80s rock and roll ballads that is very reminiscent of the classic Whitesnake ballads. And it’s just as good if not better. John Sykes proves he can sings a ballad with the best of them. The production by Bob Rock is once again spectacular. This is just so good and most people never heard it.

# 3 – We All Fall Down

Cranking it up on our top 10 Blue Murder songs list we present the exhilarating song entitled “We All Fall Down.” This was one of the best, if not the best songs on the band’s second album titled Nothin’ But Trouble. John Sykes is on fire on this track. We love the drumming of Tommy O’Steen who just smokes it. The song “We All Fall Down.” was placed as the album’s opening track. Good choice!

# 2 – Valley of the Kings

Just off the number one spot on our top 10 Blue Murder songs list, we present the song entitled “Valley of the Kings.” The song was released on the album entitled Blue Murder. The album was released in 1989. “Valley of the Kings” was the first single released from the album. This is a phenomenal song and performance. Sadly, it didn’t sell that well, and MTV got frustrated with the band and refused to play any more of their videos after this song did not do well on the channel. The channel made a stupid decision because these guys were so good. Listen to John Sykes play that solo while Carmine Appice pounds the drums underneath it all sending this one to the high rock and roll heavens. Yeah, baby, that’s what I’m talking about.

# 1 – Jelly Roll

We close out our top 10 Blue Murder songs list with the stunning song entitled “Jelly Roll.” This is one of those videos that, if you start watching, you won’t be able to stop for many reasons. This is easily one of the best songs you may have never heard. It’s rock and roll and roll, it’s blues, its metal, it’s glam, it’s everything that we love about rock and roll. You’re going to thank us after listening and watching this video. Your life will be transformed, and you will never be the same again….at least until dinner. The song was released on the album entitled Blue Murder. It was the second single released from the album.