Top 10 Burton Cummings Songs

Photo: Michael Borkson, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Burton Cummings Songs list looks at the songs of one of Canada’s most loved rock and roll stars of all time. Most rock fans will recognize the name Burton Cummings from his days as one of the founding members of the classic rock band The Guess Who. During his time with The Guess Who, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman would release some of the greatest rock and roll classic songs like “American Woman” and “These Eyes.” However, Burton Cummings has also celebrated a very long, successful solo rock and roll career. Burton Cummings has released twelve albums and nearly forty singles as a solo artist. Our Top 10 Burton Cummings songs list presents 10 of the best songs Burton Cummings has released outside of his work with The Guess Who.

# 10 – My Own Way to Rock

We open up our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list with the rocking Billy Joel piano-style single entitled “My Own Way to Rock.” Just take a listen to how this killer tune opens up with a great rock and roll piano riff that is repeated by the cool horn section that blows into the song as the entire group ignites on this smoking song. The song was released on the album My Own Way to Rock. It was the second single released from the album. The album was released in 1977. The song also hit the Canadian Pop Music Charts, reaching number thirty-eight. The song hit the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seventy-four. It’s a fabulous way to open up our Burton Cummings songs list.

# 9 – Nothing Rhymed

Continuing with our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list, we listen to the great pop song entitled “Nothing Rhymed.” This great tune has a nice and sweet Celtic feel to it. The song was released on the album entitled Burton Cummings. The album was released in 1976. The song was never released as a single, but it has always been one of our favorite tracks on the album. Burton Cummings and the great Gilbert O’ Sullivan wrote the song.

# 8 – Timeless Love

At number eight on our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list, we present the beautiful ballad entitled “Timeless Love.” There is a bit a Lou Reed “Sweet Jane” fell to the songs as the chord changes echo that Lou Reed classic in the songs intro and in between the verses. Burton Cummings’ vocals performance on this live version is so stunning. The song was released on the album entitled My Own Way to Rock. The album was released in 1977. It was the first single released from the album. The song hit the Canadian Adult Contemporary Music Charts, peaking at number thirteen. The song also hit the Canadian Pop Music Charts, reaching number forty-four. The song hit the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seventy-four.

# 7 – I’m Scared

In the number seven position on our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list is the song entitled “I’m Scared.”Love that bass lick at the song’s start. This song is so soulful in an Elton John “Philadelphia Freedom” sort of way. The song was released on the album entitled Burton Cummings. The album was released in 1976. It was the second single released from the album. The song hit the Canadian Adult Contemporary Music Charts, peaking at number six. The song also hit the Canadian Pop Music Charts, reaching number forty three. The song hit the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number sixty one.

# 6 – I Will Play a Rhapsody

Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list, we present the big-sounding ballad song entitled “I Will Play a Rhapsody.” The song was released on the album entitled Dream of a Child. The album was released in 1978. It was the second single released from the album. The song hit the Canadian Adult Contemporary Music Charts, peaking at number three. The song was also a hit on the Canadian Pop Music Charts, reaching number twenty.

# 5 – Fine State of Affairs

At the halfway point on our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list is the cheery, grooving song entitled “Fine State of Affairs.” You can hear the sound of the 80s all over this one in an almost Hall & Oates vibe. The song was issued on the album entitled Woman Love. The album was released in 1980. It was the first single released from the album. The song hit the Canadian Adult Contemporary Music Charts, peaking at number thirty. The song was also a hit on the Canadian Pop Music Charts, reaching number ten.

# 4 – You Saved My Soul

The piano intro on this one is so memorable. It reminds me of the Andrew Gold song “Thank You For Being A Friend.” At number four on our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list, we present the song entitled “You Saved My Soul.” The song was released on the album entitled Sweet Sweet. The album was released in 1981. It was the first single released from the album. The song hit the Canadian Adult Contemporary Music Charts peaking at number twelve. The song also hit the Canadian Pop Music Charts reaching number thirty one. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number thirty seven.

# 3 – Take One Away

Moving along on our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list, we present the splendid song entitled “Take One Away.” The song was released on the album entitled Plus Sign. The album was released in 1990. It was the first single released from the album. The song was a hit on the Canadian Adult Contemporary Music Charts peaking at number six. It would be Burton Cummings’ last top 10 hit on any of the world’s music charts. The song also was a hit on the Canadian Pop Music Charts reaching number sixteen.

# 2 – Break It to Them Gently

Just off the top spot on our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list, we celebrate the spirited country-style song entitled “Break It to Them Gently.” The song was released on the album entitled Dream of a Child. The album was released in 1978. It was the first single released from the album. The song was a hit on the Canadian Adult Contemporary Music Charts, peaking at number one, making it Burton Cummings’ second number single of his solo career. The song also was a hit on the Canadian Pop Music Charts reaching number nine. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number eighty five.

# 1 – Stand Tall

Yes, we all know this one. It’s one of the all-time classic pop singles of the 1970s. It has one of the most amazing choruses ever. Burton Cummings delivers one of the best pop vocals ever laid down on vinyl. We wrap up our top 10 Burton Cummings songs list with the song “Stand Tall.” The song was released on the album entitled Burton Cummings. The album was released in 1976. It was the first single released from the album. The song was a hit on the Canadian Adult Contemporary Music Charts peaking at number one. The song also was a hit on the Canadian Pop Music Charts reaching number four. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number ten. The song also was a hit on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Music Charts rising all the way to number two.