Our Top 10 Dionne Warwick Songs list looks at one of music’s legendary singers. Dionne Warwick is one of music’s biggest hitmakers. She is one of the most charted female vocalists of all time. The majority of her singles landed on the Hot 100 chart. Her hits also landed on the R&B and adult contemporary charts. She had 56 singles land on the Hot 100 chart between 1962 and 1998. Out of the 56 singles, 12 of them reached the top 10. There aren’t too many female artists that have achieved that feat.
Warwick has sold over 75 million singles and 25 million albums worldwide. Some of her hits include “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Love Power,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?,” Walk on By,” “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” “Heartbreaker,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “That’s What Friends Are For” as well as others. She’s a six-time Grammy Award winner. She’s won numerous Billboard, American Music, NAACP, and People’s Choice Awards. In addition to singing, Warwick hosted the TV show Solid Gold in the 1980s. She also became known for hosting infomercials for the Psychic Friends Network in the 1990s. Warwick appeared on the reality show Celebrity Apprentice in 2011.
Marie Dionne Warwick was born on December 12, 1940. Music was in her blood. Her family were members of the group the Drinkard Singers. Her mother managed the Gospel group. The group featured her mother, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Gospel singer Cissy Houston is Warwick’s aunt. Dee Dee Warwick is her sister. Whitney Houston is Warwick’s first cousin. It was only natural that Dionne Warwick would become a singer. Warwick began singing gospel music as a child at New Hope Baptist Church in New Jersey. She was discovered when she was singing background for the musical group The Drifters. She recorded numerous demos for Burt Bacharach.
She released her first album Presenting Dionne Warwick in 1963. It peaked at number 14 on the UK charts. The album features the singles “Don’t Make Me Over,” “It’s Love That Really Counts,” “Make It Easy on Yourself” and “Walk on By.” Anyone Who Had a Heart was released in 1964. The album features the singles “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “This Empty Place,” “I Cry Alone” and “Getting Ready for the Heartbreak.” Make Way for Dionne Warwick also came out in 1964. It peaked at number 68 on the Billboard 200 charts and number 10 on the r&b charts. The album features the singles “A House Is Not a Home,” “People,” “They Long to Be Close to You,” “Reach Out for Me,” “You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)” and “Wishin’ and Hopin’.”
The Sensitive Sound of Dionne was released in 1965. The album peaked at number 107 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Who Can I Turn To,” “You Can Have Him,” “Unchained Melody” and “Wives and Lovers.” Here I Am was also released in 1965. The album peaked at number three on the R&B charts and number 45 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Here I Am,” “Looking with My Eyes,” “Are You There (With Another Girl),” “I Love You Porgy” and “This Little Light.” Here Where There is Love came out in 1966. This was her first album to make the top 20 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album peaked at number 18 on the Billboard 200 charts and number one on the R&B charts. It features the singles “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself,” “Alfie,” “As Long as He Needs Me,” “I Wish You Love” and “Blowing in the Wind.” The album sold over 500,000 copies. Her picture didn’t appear on the album cover. The producers didn’t want to give away her identity.
The Windows of the World came out in 1967. It peaked at number 11 on the r&b charts and number 22 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the songs “I Say a Little Prayer,” “The Windows of the World,” “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me,” “Somewhere,” “You’re Gonna Hear from Me” and “Love.” Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls was also released in 1967. It peaked at number two on the R&B charts and number six on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the songs “Up, Up and Away,” “You’re My World,” “(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls,” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” and the album sold over 500,000 copies. Promises, Promises was released in 1968. The album peaked at number seven on the R&B charts and number 18 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Promises, Promises,” “The Girl’s in Love with You,” “Little Green Apples,” “Where Is Love?” and “Where Am I Going?”
I’ll Never Fall in Love Again came out in 1970. The project peaked at number seven on the R&B charts and number 23 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “Something,” “Didn’t We” and “My Way.” Just Being Myself came out in 1973. The album peaked at 178 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “(I’m Just) Being Myself” and “I Think You Need Love.” Then Came You came out in 1975. The album peaked at number 35 on the R&B charts and number 167 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Then Came You,” “Sure Thing,” and “Take It from Me.”
Dionne came out in 1979. The album peaked at number 10 on the R&B charts and number 12 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” “Déjà vu,” “After You,” and “The Letter.” The album sold over one million copies. No Night So Long was released in 1980. It peaked at number 22 on the R&B charts and number 23 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “No Night So Long” and “Easy Love.” Friends in Love came out in 1982. It peaked at number 33 on the R&B charts and number 83 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Friends in Love,” “Never Gonna Let You Go,” “Can’t Hide Love,” and “Betcha By Golly Wow.”
Heartbreaker came out in 1982. The album peaked at number 13 on the R&B charts and number 25 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the singles “Heartbreaker,” “All the Love in the World,” “Take the Short Way Home,” and “Our Day Will Come.” The album sold over one million copies. Friends came out in 1985. The album peaked at number eight on the R&B charts and number 12 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “That’s What Friends Are For” and “Whisper in the Dark.” The album sold over 500,000 copies. Reservations for Two was released in 1987. The album peaked at number 32 on the R&B charts and number 56 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Love Power” and “Reservations for Two.” Warwick would go on to record several more albums over the years.
Dionne Warwick had a long career in music. She started her career in the 1950s, and she’s a legendary singer. She has recorded a lot of hits throughout her career. She didn’t just rely on her family to become famous. She became a star in her own right. She was successful to the point where other artists covered her songs. She made history as one of the most charted female artists ever. As we mentioned earlier, there aren’t many artists who have accomplished this feat. She has so many hits that compiling this list was a challenge. Our Top 10 Dionne Warwick Songs list will feature some of her best songs.
# 10 – Then Came You – featuring The Spinners
The first song on our Top 10 Dionne Warwick Songs list is “Then Came You” from the album of the same name. The song has an R&B, soul, and pop sound. This is Warwick and The Spinner’s first number-one pop hit. It’s also her highest-charting R&B single. The romantic song is about not knowing about love until the person they loved came along. The music is upbeat and has a classic sound to it. It sounds like a combo of disco, funk, and R&B music.
The music is catchy and will have you heading towards the dance floor. The track has the TSOP (the sound of Philadelphia) element. The energetic music is perfect for her vocals and The Spinners’ vocals. Here is some trivia about the song. Dionne Warwick didn’t want to record the track because she didn’t like it. She also didn’t think the song would be a hit. She may not have liked the music, but the song became one of her biggest hits. Luckily, she changed her mind about recording it.
Let’s talk about their vocals. We’ll start with Warwick’s vocals. She nails her verses. You would never know she didn’t want to record the track because she gave it her all. She nails every vocal professionally. She sings in a higher octave than she does on her other tracks. She belts in the song. She sounds like she’s having fun, so it’s hard to believe she didn’t want to record it. Bobby Smith is right at home with this track. It sounds like something The Spinners would have recorded. He brings his reliable vocals onto the track, and it works like magic. Warwick and Smith’s vocals were magical together. They both win the vocal challenge.
# 9 – Love Power with Jeffrey Osborne
The next song on our Top 10 Dionne Warwick Songs list is “Love Power” from the Reservations for Two albums. The track has an R&B and soul sound to it. The lush song is about a continuing love affair. This is the second duet on our Top 10 Dionne Warwick Songs list. The song tells a story about how powerful love can be. Love can take over and make you do crazy things. This song is relatable to anyone who has been in love and seen what it can do to you.
The music’s perfect for R&B and jazz radio. The intoxicating duet is her last track on the Hot 100 charts. It would also be the only number-one hit adult contemporary song for Osborne. The music is mellow and laid back. The ballad is perfect for when you want to be romantic with someone you love. It has a soft beat to it. The musician list reads like a who’s who in music. Burt Bacharach plays the synthesizer. David Foster is also playing the synthesizer. Greg Phillinganes is playing the keyboard. Kenny G is playing the alto saxophone. His solo is worth a listen. It makes the song sound romantic and sexy.
The music is low-key so that worked for their vocals. They sing some of the songs in their lower registers. Warwick sings in her alto voice when she sings alone. She comes up with a key when she sings the pre-chorus. Warwick sings with a bit of breath when she raises a key, but it doesn’t hurt the song. She sings in her lower register while singing along with Osborne in the chorus. Osborne sings in his smooth, baritone voice. He also goes down an octave when they reach the chorus. Their voices blended well together when they sang the chorus. They don’t belt or reach for the stars, but the song didn’t require vocal gymnastics. They did an impressive job without turning the track into a power ballad.
# 8 – I Say a Little Prayer
The devotional song is from The Windows of the World album. The track has a soul and pop sound to it. The tribute song is about a woman who is worried about her man fighting in the Vietnam War. The song can also resonate with couples in love. People have used this track as their wedding song. Here is some trivia about the classic track. Burt Bacharach didn’t think the song would be a hit. He felt the song was rushed, and he didn’t like it. He shouldn’t have doubted the track because it became a hit. The song was recorded in the 1960s and became popular again when featured in the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding.
The song has been covered quite a bit over the years. Dionne Warwick’s version is probably the best-known version of the track. The music has an energetic sound. The track begins with the piano chords as well as a horn. It sounds like doo-wop at the beginning of the track. The string and horn sections dominate the track. The drums give the song a tempo to make you move around. The music speeds up while she sings the chorus. Warwick pours her heart out while she expresses how she feels about her man. She invites you to sing the catchy chorus with her. She belts when she sings the chorus and slows things down when she sings the verses. She’s able to shift gears without missing a beat. It’s easy to see why Warwick had a hit with this track because everything about it works.
# 7 – Walk on By
The angry song is from the Make Way for Dionne Warwick album. The track has a soul and pop beat. The bitter song is about a woman who wants her former lover to leave her alone. This song was recorded years ago, but it can still be relatable today. People still want their former lovers to leave them alone when they are done. The lyrics will make you think. They will also make you emotional and touch your heart. There are a lot of artists who covered this track so the lyrics meant something to other artists as well.
Some of the artists who have covered the song are Isaac Hayes, Cyndi Lauper, Kool & the Gang, Gloria Gaynor, Mel Torme, Connie Francis, Seal, The Miracles, Little Anthony and the Imperials as well as others. Dionne Warwick’s version is arguably one of the best versions recorded. She touches your heart as she tells the man to walk away. She sells the story very well. She makes you believe that she wants him out of her life for good. She knows it’s hard to let go, but she needs him to “walk on by.” She sings the song sweetly even though she wants him to leave. She sings the track in her upper register. She has an alto voice so that could have been a mistake. She might have sounded sharp, but she did enough to make her voice pleasant to the ear.
# 6 – Reservations for Two – with Kashif
The sexy song is from the same name album. It has an R&B sound. The magical ballad is about a couple who have been apart and want to make time to be together. The lyrics are moving and powerful. The lyrics are about a couple who want to fight to keep their relationship together. This song is perfect for couples in danger of breaking up and wanting to keep fighting to stay together. This is another duet featured on our Dionne Warwick list.
The music is perfect for quiet storm radio. It has a classic 80s sound to it, but it doesn’t sound dated. The music could still be appreciated today. Warwick worked with the same producer as her cousin Whitney Houston. Kashif produced a track that would have been perfect for him to record with Houston. It sounds like a song she would have recorded. Warwick and Kashif are unlikely, but they pull it off very well. Kashif gives Warwick room to shine vocally. She belts in all of the right places. She takes her voice to places she hasn’t done in the past. She’s right at home with this track. Kashif does an excellent job with his vocals. His baritone voice is smooth as silk. You could get lost listening to their outstanding vocals. There is nothing more they need to do to make this song great because it’s flawless.
# 5 – Don’t Make Me Over
The next song on our Top 10 Dionne Warwick Songs list is “Don’t Make Me Over” from the Presenting Dionne Warwick album. The song is pop, easy to listen to, and has a soul sound. The empowering song is about acceptance. She wants the world to accept her for who she is and what she does. She doesn’t want to be changed. The lyrics are inspirational because she shows her strength. She doesn’t want anyone to change her. The song has a positive message about being accepted for who you are. The song is relatable today because everyone wants to be accepted for who they are. This is Warwick’s first big hit single.
The music has a doo-wop and orchestral sound to it. It sounds like it has a big band sound. It was recorded in the 1960s, but it sounds like it was from the 1950s. It may have a classic sound, but the music could still be appreciated today. The music is rhythmic and melodic. The music is majestic and celestial throughout the track. It has a beautiful instrument accompaniment that was designed for her alto vocals. She sounds unrecognizable in the song. She sings in a different pitch. You could forget that Dionne Warwick is singing the song. She shows that she has versatility.
She belts throughout the song. She almost turns the song into a power ballad. If she held long notes, it could have been a power ballad. The background singers do a marvelous job supporting her. Singer Sybil covered the song in the 80s and she had a hit with the track too. She made her version different from this one. Warwick’s version is more tender than Sybil’s, but both of them are very good.
# 4 – That’s What Friends Are For – with Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Elton John
The anthemic song is from the Friends album. The song has a soul, pop and adult contemporary beat. The inspirational song is about helping friends through good times and bad times. The song is a charity single for AIDS research. Warwick had seen a lot of her friends die from AIDS, so she wanted to record a track and dedicate to proceeds to research for the disease. Here is some trivia about the song. The song was originally supposed to be a solo project featuring Warwick. Warwick heard the track and wanted to record it with Stevie Wonder.
The parties involved wanted to include another singer to the track. Gladys Knight was invited to sing in the song. Clyde Davis wanted Elton John to sing in the song. The artists didn’t record their verses together. Wonder does his thing on the harmonica. He is at home with that instrument. Elton John tickles the ivories on the piano. He is a maestro when it concerns the piano. The other musicians do a great job playing the soft music. Warwick opens the song with her verse. She sings in her alto voice and shows versatility. She sings in a higher key just before she ends her verse. Wonder sings the second verse of the track. He sounds soulful. His voice is magical and commands your attention.
Elton John does the third verse on the track. He sounds soulful, too. Gladys Knight’s deep and rich voice closes out the verses. She manages to hold a note without her voice breaking. Her voice was deep, so she took a chance, holding a note. Elton John belts the chorus before all the artists join in for the track’s finale. They all belt the chorus until the song fades out. The song is similar to the hit We Are The World. Everyone had a chance to shine on the song, just like the other charity single. They worked well together, so maybe they will do it again one day.
# 3 – Déjà vu
The lush song is from the Dionne album. The song has a pop and r&b sound to it. The sultry song is about feelings that are triggered by the man in her life. She experiences “déjà vu” because she feels that the guy is someone she used to know. Isaac Hayes wrote this song for Warwick. Barry Manilow produced the track. The unlikely trio created a magical song together. It has a sexy beat to it. It’s a mixture of class and elegance. The music for this tender ballad will move you. It will make you feel emotional. The music is soft and tender to match her vocals.
Barry Manilow is a maestro on the piano. He did a magnificent job on it. The violin is a standout instrument on the track. The bass line is fire. Will Lee is playing the funky bass line. Warwick’s vocals are sweet. She sings with a breathiness in her voice that makes her sound sultry. She sings the song in her upper register and it works with the music. She keeps her voice soft to match the music. She doesn’t try to shout over the instrumentation. She doesn’t hold any notes, but that’s fine. The track is too soft for that type of singing. She would have sounded like she was over singing if she belted too much in the song.
# 2 – Heartbreaker
The anthemic song is from the Heartbreaker album. The song has an R&B and pop beat. The popular song is about a man who is a heartbreaker. She questions why he has to be a heartbreaker. She thought she was the woman he needed in his life. The message of the song is relevant today. People have questioned why their hearts were broken when they did everything right. The track is about a one-sided relationship. The story talks about what happens when you give your all to someone uninterested in you. This song is one of Warwick’s biggest hits from the 80s. Here is some trivia about the song. Warwick didn’t think the song would be a hit.
She recorded it because she trusted The Bee Gees. She chose to trust The Bee Gees because they didn’t steer her wrong with this catchy track. The song has a classic Bee Gees sound. It sounds like mixtures of songs they’ve written for other artists. Warwick and the Bee Gees seem unlikely, but they created magic. The music is simple. It features a synthesizer, keyboard, and guitar. They proved that simple was better. The simplistic music gives you a chance to focus on Warwick’s vocals. She sings the song passionately. It’s hard to believe that she didn’t like the song. She belts throughout the track.
She takes you on a ride that you never want to end. She reaches for the stars with this song. She belts without sounding as if she’s shouting throughout the song. The Bee Gees sing in the background of the music and are unique. They sing in a deeper pitch, a great accompaniment to her vocals. They harmonized well together. There aren’t enough words to describe how incredible this song is. The track is an earworm that will stay in your head after it’s done. You may want to put this track on repeat so you can hear it over again.
# 1 – I’ll Never Love This Way Again
The number one song on our Top 10 Dionne Warwick Songs list is “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” from the Dionne album. The hit song is about not loving someone the way she did before. She declared that she would never love that way again. The lyrics could bring tears to your eyes because they are heartfelt. The lyrics are moving and beautiful. Actress Cheryl Ladd recorded this song on her album. The song didn’t chart for Ladd. Country singer Billie Jo Spears recorded this song, too. The song didn’t do well for her either. Warwick covered the track, and it became a hit.
She won a Grammy Award for her version of the track. It’s easy to see why she won the award. Warwick’s version of this song is a masterpiece. She starts the track softly and then blows us away with her power. She sings in time with the mesmerizing music. She lets loose when she sings the chorus. She tries her best to turn this song into a power ballad. She gives the song a huge build-up from the bridge and then blows us away with the final chorus. Her version is flawless, so you should take a chance to check out the other versions of the song. Her version is perfect. Everything about the song works, from the breathtaking music to her outstanding vocals. The track deserves the number one spot on our list.
Feature Photo: Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Updated June 14, 2024
Top 10 Dionne Warwick Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
