Top 10 James Gang Songs

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Our Top 10 James Gang Songs list looks at an early 1970s trio who remains one of our favorite bands in classic rock history. The James Gang released their first album entitled Yer’ Album in 1969. The album featured Joe Walsh on guitar, Tom Kriss on bass, and Jim Fox on drums. The band’s follow-up album, The James Gang Rides Again, was issued in 1970. The album featured Dale Peters replacing Tom Kriss on bass. Joe Walsh released one more record with the James Gang in 1971. The album Thirds featured the same three core musicians from the band’s second record. After the group’s third album, Joe Walsh left the band, eventually became a member of The Eagles, and released a series of successful solo albums.

The James Gang continued to record albums despite Joe Walsh leaving the band. The band released six more albums after Joe Walsh departed, ending with their final album, Jesse Come Home, in 1976.

# 10 – Midnight Man

Opening up our Top 10 James Gang Songs list is the excellent track “Midnight Man.” The song was released on the final Joe Walsh James Gang album, Thirds, which was released in 1971. “Midnight Man” opened side two of the record. Joe Walsh wrote the song and also handled the lead vocals on the track. That opening guitar riff that sounds so good is then met hand in hand with some sensational, stinging guitar lead riffs that just blow away the listener. This band was just so good.

# 9 – Woman

The James Gang song “Woman” was issued on the band’s second album, The James Gang Rides Again. We love the song’s opening drum and bass groove setting up the entrance of the great Joe Walsh. No one records songs like this anymore. The song was written by Joe Walsh, Dale Peters, and Jim Fox.

# 8 – Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet

The James Gang song “Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” is one of only two songs on this James Gang songs list that does not feature the talents of Joe Walsh. The song “Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” was released on the band’s fifth album, Passin’ Thru. The album was released in 1972. This has nothing to do with the very similar titled Bachman-Turner Overdrive song.

# 7 – Tend My Garden

The James Gang song “Tend My Garden” was issued on their 1970 album The James Gang Rides Again. The song was written and sung by Joe Walsh. It was the album’s B-side opening track. This one takes a little while to get going. The slow intro lasts a little bit over a minute. Yet, it’s all worth it when that bass drops in, and Joe Walsh begins to sing and play.

# 6 – Standing In The Rain

In 1973, legendary guitarist Tommy Bolin joined the James Gang and recorded a smoking album entitled Bang. Tommy Bolin had already released two albums with his own band called Zephyr. Later on, in 1970, Tommy Bolin joined the legendary classic rock band Deep Purple. Nonetheless, in 1973, Tommy Bolin joined The James Gang, bringing a distinctive sound to the band.

The very cool Bang album was probably the most enjoyable James Gang album that did not feature Joe Walsh. Tommy Bolin brought his sound and energy to the group and breathed new life into the band. One of the standout songs on the Bang LP was the killer track “Standing in the Rain.”

# 5 – Ashes The Rain And I

The James Gang ballad “Ashes The Rain and I” was released on the album The James Gang Rides Again. The song “Ashes The Rain And I” was the album’s closing track. Joe Walsh and Dale Peters wrote the song. The song’s classical acoustic opening guitar lines define the talents of Joe Walsh beyond that loud, distorted sound that he was known for. The strings that surrounded the song’s haunting melody made for one of the most distinctively different tracks in the band’s catalog.

# 4 – The Bomber /Closet Queen/Bolero/Cast Your Fate To The Wind

From the album, The James Gang Rides Again. The song “The Bomber” was written by Joe Walsh, Dale Peters, and Jim Fox. For obvious reasons, the song’s songwriting credits are given to Maurice Ravel and Vince Guaraldi. Simply stated, it’s just a great piece of music. The legendary Joe Walsh guitar sound and soloing ability heats up the track right after the opening verse. There is nothing like hearing Joe Walsh tare it up on Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero.”

# 3 – Walk Away

Of all the James Gang songs on this list, no song was as commercially successful as the track “Walk Away.” The song “Walk Away” was released on the band’s Thirds album. The song hit number 51 on the Billboard Top 100. It was the highest-charting song of the band’s career.

# 2 – Funk 48

Rounding out our Top 10 James Gang songs list is a pair of tracks that are as closely named as possible. The great James Gang song Funk #48 was released on the band’s first album, Yer Album. The album was released on March 29, 1969. It was the same year The Beatles released Abbey Road, The Rolling Stones released Let It Bleed, and Led Zeppelin released their debut album. Amid all that great music, The James Gang exploded onto the scene and grabbed some of that rock and roll pie for themselves.

# 1 – Funk #49

While some fans may like the song “Funk #48” a little more than the song “Funk #49,” there is no comparison regarding overall popularity. The great James Gang song “Funk # 49” is easily the most recognizable James Gang Song of the band’s career. It’s that one song that everyone says, “Hey, I didn’t know they did that song.”