Photo: Eddie Mallin, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our Top 10 Gerry Rafferty Songs list takes a look at the solo career of Gerry Rafferty during his post Stealers Wheel years. Our Top 10 Gerry Rafferty songs list presents only Gerry Rafferty songs released on his solo albums and does not include any Stealers Wheel songs. Gerry Rafferty released ten solo albums throughout his career. He also released 20 singles. The highlight of his solo career was his brilliant album entitled City To City released in 1978 that spawned the two huge singles entitled “Baker Street,” and “Right Down The Line.” Gerry Rafferty enjoyed a very successful musical career around the world and was especially loved in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
# 10 – The Ark
We open up our top 10 Gerry Rafferty Songs list with the great song “The Ark.” The song was released on Gerry Rafferty’s biggest selling soo album entitled City To City. The album was released in 1978. This Celtic infused song was released as the fifth single from the album. The song was also placed as the album’s opener. The chorus on this one is outstanding.
# 9 – Sleepwalking
Continuing with our top 10 Gerry Rafferty songs list we turn to the song “Sleepwalking.” The song was released on the album also entitled Sleepwalking. The album was released in 1982. The song “Sleepwalking,” was the only single released from the album. Unfortunately, it did not break onto of the Billboard charts. I love this video, it just makes you want to dance…in your sleep.
# 8 – Bring It All Home
This great song “Bring It All Home,” was released on the album Snakes and Ladders. The record was released in 1980. The song “Bring It All Home,” was the first single released from the album. The song“Bring It All Home,” broke the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number 54. This one remind me a but of John Lennon. The intro also reminds me of the Saturday Nigh Live theme. Love it.
# 7 – Home And Dry
At number seven on our top 10 Gerry Rafferty songs list we once again return to the great City To City album. The song “Home and Dry,” was the fourth single released from this great record. In all Gerry Rafferty’s record company released six singles from the City To City album. There is a bit of a James Bond fell happening here at the beginning of the song. City To City is such a fantastic album.
# 6 – Get Out Of My Life Woman
“Get Out of My Life, Woman” was released in Gerry Rafferty’s album On A Wing and A Prayer. The album was released in 1992. “Get Out of My Life, Woman” was written by the great Allen Toussaint. If there is any writer not given enough credit in penning great rock and roll classics it’s Allen Toussaint. The song was originally recorded by Lee Dorsey. It was released as a single off the On A Wing and A Prayer album.
# 5 – Get It Right Next Time
As we enter the second half of our top 10 Gerry Rafferty songs list we turn to the song “Get It Right Next Time.” The song was released in the Night Owl album. The album was originally released in 1979. The song was issued as the third single from the album. It did well as it became at top 20 hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts. The songs just missed the Billboard Top 20 on the Hot 100 peaking at number twenty one.
# 4 – Night Owl
And speaking of the Night Owl album. At number four on our top 10 Gerry Rafferty songs list we present the title track song “Night Owl,” to this fabulous album. The song was released as the lead single from the record. The Night Owl album served as the follow up record to the City To City album. “Night Owl,” was released in 1979 , only a year after the City To City record.
# 3 – Can I Have My Money Back?
As we begin to wind down this top 10 Gerry Rafferty songs list we present the great song “Can I Have My Money Back.” The song Can I Have My Money Back? was released on Gerry Rafferty’s first solo album also entitled Can I Have My Money Back? Shortly after this record was released Gerry Rafferty formed Stealers Wheel with Joe Egan. This is a great country based rocker with some fine fiddle playing making this one a song that just seems to have gotten lost along the way.
# 2 – Right Down The Line
It was a tough choice between these next two songs on our Gerry Rafferty songs list. This wonderful song “Right Down The Line,” was released as the follow up single to Gerry Rafferty’s huge smash hit “Baker Street.” There was just something really special about this one. The song’s groove was infused with a melody line that was original and very highly addicting. Probably my favorite song from 1978.
# 1 – Baker Street
We close out our top 10 Gerry Rafferty songs list with the artist’s biggest hit of his solo career. The legendary song “Baker Street,” named after a real street in London was released on the grand City To City album in 1978. The song was a huge smash in the United States. It just missed earning Gerry Rafferty a number one record on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it did hit number one on the Cash Box charts in the United States. One of the great singles released in the decade of the 1970s.Raphael Ravenscroft played a saxophone riff on this one that was one for the ages. Have you ever heard a saxophone sound that big and grand? Wonder how many young people decided to start learning how to play the saxophone after hearing Baker Street?
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
