Our top 10 Gavin DeGraw songs list digs deep into the music of an American artist distinguished for his pop-rock and blue-eyed soul music. Born in 1977, the singer got passionate about music at a tender age, playing the piano and singing when he was eight. His brother, Joey DeGraw, is a reputable musician in the indie rock scene. Gavin DeGraw’s musical career was influenced by the music of Sam Cooke and Ray Charles.
He pursued a professional career after he left Berklee College of Music. It all started with signing a recording contract with J Records. J Records was founded by the Grammy Award-winning producer Clive Davis. Other successful artists who were attached to J Records include Alicia Keys, Monica, Mike Posner, Rod Stewart, and Santana.
His initial efforts led to the release of Chariot. The 2003 album entitled Chariot saw Gavin DeGraw present his transcendent pop-rock and soul-influenced songs to the music scene. The singer even pays homage to his influence, Sam Cooke, with a cover of his hit “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Chariot also featured remarkable tracks, including “Follow Through,” “Chariot,” and “I Don’t Want to Be.”
The album rose to the peak of Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. It also managed to rise to the fifty-sixth position on the Billboard 200. Chariot was Platinum-certified in the US and Denmark. Gavin DeGraw later hit the studio to record and release his eponymous sophomore LP.
The album Gavin DeGraw pushed the singer into greater fame, rising to the seventh spot on the Billboard Top 200 album charts. While the album didn’t sell more than Chariot, it remains Gavin DeGraw’s best-performing album on the Billboard Top 200 album charts. Gavin DeGraw is home to some of the best Gavin DeGraw songs, including “Cheated on Me” and “In Love with a Girl.”
In 2009, Gavin DeGraw continued his endless pursuit of fame in the music scene with the release of his third LP. The album entitled Free performed fairly on the charts, rising to the nineteenth spot on the Billboard 200. This soft rock-oriented album didn’t create much buzz for his career. Nevertheless, the album still features some great hits such as “Stay” and “Dancing Shoes.”
Free was Gavin DeGraw’s last album released under J Records. The record label was dissolved into RCA Records in 2011. Gavin DeGraw has released all his other albums under RCA Records. His album 2011 album called Sweeter came almost immediately after J Records was dissolved to RCA Records. The album featured some of the best Gavin DeGraw songs, including “Not Over You,” “Sweeter,” and “Soldier.” The album Sweeter peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200.
In the following year, Gavin DeGraw collaborated with Colbie Caillat on the hit “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Colbie and Gavin also penned the hit “We Both Know.” The song was featured on the soundtrack to the 2013 romantic drama film Safe Haven. “We Both Know” led Colbie and Gavin to their first-ever Grammy Award nomination on the Best Song Written for Visual Media category. However, the song lost to “Skyfall” by Adele.
Other album releases by Gavin DeGraw include Make a Move in 2013 and Something Worth Saving in 2016. The two albums charted on the Billboard 200, peaking at number thirteen and thirty-five, respectively. Gavin DeGraw also released a compilation album under the title Finest Hour: The Best of Gavin DeGraw in 2014. Here we present the best Gavin DeGraw songs of all time.
#10 – Stay
Opening our top 10 Gavin DeGraw songs list is the dazzling hit “Stay.” The song is one of the most alluring tracks from his album 2009 album entitled Free. “Stay” brings the best of Gavin DeGraw’s soft rock vibes infused with some pop feel. The song finds the singer pleading with a lady for a second chance to make things work between them.
“Stay” might not be as popular as other songs on the list. However, critics have lauded Gavin DeGraw’s vocals on this song, making it one of his best releases. Justin Bieber and The Kid LAROI released a high-spirited successful hit under the same title and lyrical theme.
#9 – Follow Through
“Follow Through” is one of the most enjoyable Gavin DeGraw songs released on his debut album Chariot (2003). The song finds Gavin expressing his high hopes about a looming relationship. While he admits that they might have had a bitter past, he believes they can still achieve the best from the relationship.
“Follow Through” was nominated for the Best Pop Song Performance Award in the Groovevolt Music and Fashion Awards in 2006. The song peaked at number thirty-three on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40. “Follow Through” was Gold-certified after its sales rose above the five hundred thousand mark.
#8 – Soldier
On the eighth spot of our top 10 Gavin DeGraw songs list is the charming hit “Soldier.” The song is featured on Gavin DeGraw’s LP Sweeter. “Soldier” finds the singer promising his significant other endless love and presence in life. The song has been lauded for its touching lyrics and the emotive vocals by Gavin DeGraw. “Soldier” peaked at number fifty-nine on the UK Singles Chart.
#7 – Fire
“Fire” is a pleasant-sounding hit penned by Gavin DeGraw, Johan Carlsson of Carolina Liar, and Ross Golan. The song is one of the new tracks on his compilation album Finest Hour: The Best of Gavin DeGraw. “Fire” is more than a pleasant-sounding song having its lyrics serve as a motivation to not quit.
The song’s lyrics are an inspirational piece perfectly penned and delivered to cheer someone towards living a meaningful life. “Fire” peaked at number twenty-nine on the Billboard Adult Top 40 Airplay.
#6 – She Sets the City on Fire
Number six on our top 10 Gavin DeGraw songs list is the splendid track “She Sets the City on Fire.” The song is one of the best Gavin DeGraw songs and the lead track to Something Worth Saving. “She Sets the City on Fire” is an alluring love ballad that finds the singer narrating about a lady with who he fell in love. The song peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard Adult Top 40 Chart.
#5 – Best I Ever Had
The album Make a Move is home to our number five track on the top 10 Gavin DeGraw songs list, “Best I Ever Had.” The song’s lyrics allude to thoughts that cloud one’s mind after missing his or her significant other. “Best I Ever Had” was penned as a tribute to a musician’s life on the road. Gavin DeGraw collaborated with Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls in penning the lyrics to this track. The song peaked at number seventy-five on the Billboard Hot 100.
#4 – Chariot
Moving to the fourth spot on our top 10 Gavin DeGraw songs list is the ravishing hit “Chariot.” The song serves as the album title track of Gavin DeGraw’s debut album. “Chariot” finds Gavin singing about the unbearable feeling he got when he moved to the city from his hometown.
Gavin uses the chariots metaphorically as a vehicle to take him home. The song’s lyrics best serve the moment when one wishes to return to a calm state or tranquil point in life. “Chariot” peaked at number thirty on the Billboard Hot 100.
#3 – In Love with a Girl
On the third spot of our top 10 Gavin DeGraw songs is the hit “In Love with a Girl.” The song is featured on Gavin DeGraw’s eponymous sophomore album. “In Love with a Girl” finds Gavin singing about the safety of being in a relationship with someone you have confidence in. “In Love with a Girl” features some impressive piano lines and distorted guitar riffs that add to the song’s brilliant feel. The song peaked at number twenty-four on the Billboard Hot 100.
#2 – Not Over You
“Not Over You” is a poignant track from Sweeter (2011). The song was penned by Gavin DeGraw and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic. Ryan Tedder teamed up with Jerrod Bettis to produce this track. “Not Over You” has its lyrics allude to trying to move on from an ex-lover. The song peaked at number eighteen on the Billboard Hot 100.
#1 – I Don’t Want to Be
Number one on our top 10 Gavin DeGraw songs list is the stunning hit “I Don’t Want to Be.” The song is featured on Gavin DeGraw’s debut LP Chariot. “I Don’t Want to Be” was inspired by the identity crisis menace amongst the adolescents. The singer inspires the young souls not to alter their personalities out of external pressures.
“I Don’t Want to Be” is the most acclaimed song by Gavin DeGraw. This inspirational track peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also adopted as the opening theme to the American drama TV series One Tree Hill.
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