Originally from Sedona, Arizona, Michelle Branch has been an actress, singer, and songwriter who has released four studio albums and two extended plays (EP) that have seen twelve singles where most of them realized charting success. At least this is featured on her resume as a solo artist. Before this, Branch had formed the Wreckers in 2005, a band that specialized in recording and releasing music that catered to the country genre. She and Jessica Harp recorded and toured together until 2007 when they disbanded to pursue music careers as soloists.
Before Wreckers
Born and raised in Arizona, Branch had already begun to take a dedicated interest in singing when she enrolled for voice lessons at Northern Arizona University at eight. As a teenager, she was gifted her first guitar, leading to Branch pouring more focus into building a music career, which both her parents fully supported. They were instrumental in helping their daughter book and perform at local gigs that would lead to her discovery. They also funded her first album, Broken Bracelet, released as an independent label on July 1, 2000, a day before she turned seventeen. Between that and a pair of songs she sent to Rolling Stone’s website in 1999, recognition of her talent is what would pave the way for Michelle Branch to become a chart-hitting music star.
Top 10 Michelle Branch Songs
#10 – I’m Feeling You (featuring Santana)
As the Wreckers at the time, Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp performed “I’m Feeling You” with Carlos Santana for his 2005 album, All That I Am. The song served as one of two occasions Branch and Santana collaborated on a song. Despite some of the issues both Branch and Harp issued about some of the circumstances revolving around the song and its recording, it still performed well enough that it earned decent chart rankings between Canada and the US. “I’m Feeling You” peaked at number five on Canada’s Radio & Records and the US Billboard Adult Contemporary charts. On the Adult Top 40 Airplay, the song charted at number six and fifty-five on the US Billboard Hot 100.
#9 – Loud Music
“Loud Music” comes from the EP of the same name in 2011. The song was initially intended for a studio album that never got released. The retro style of Loud Music may bring fans of the 1980s pop-rock culture back into an era with a decent talent pool of female artists who could have just as easily played this song at the peak of their careers and gotten away with it. Much reference is made within the song lyrics that bring up some of the classic hits brought forth by AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and The Rolling Stones.
#8 – Hopeless Romantic
Although the song didn’t appear on any billboard charts, “Hopeless Romantics” the laid-back feel to it illustrates Michelle Branch’s true talent as a songwriter without the pressure to appease the critics. Nevertheless, some of the critics seemed to love it anyway as they make comments about Branch’s smooth delivery as a vocalist. Also noted is the style of guitar play Branch is also known for as soft parallels in perfect harmony with the theme of being a hopeless romantic enjoying a song that is designed to be a relaxing, feel-good musical moment. The album, which shares the same title as its leading track, was released on April 7, 2017, making it the fourth studio album recording to Branch’s credit.
#7 – Breathe
The second single from Michelle Branch’s album, Hotel Paper, is “Breathe.” On the US Billboard Dance Club Songs, it peaked at number three. On the US Billboard Adult Top 40, it charted at number thirteen, and at number eighteen on the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40. The US Billboard Hot 100 featured “Breathe,” rank as high as number thirty-six while on Australia’s Recording Industry Association’s chart at number forty-five. The guitar-dominant song brings a listener to an era where greats such as Sheryl Crow dominated the music charts with some of her classic hits. Branch’s vocals is as smooth as silk, which makes this song an easy-listening favorite.
#6 – Goodbye to You
The third and final single from Michelle Branch’s 2001 album, The Spirit Room, was “Goodbye to You,” originally recorded for her debut album, Broken Bracelet, but later re-recorded. In 2002, the song peaked at its highest on the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40 at number eleven. On the US Billboard Adult Top 40, it charted at number fifteen, and on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number twenty-one. The lonely tone associated with the ballad showcased the talent behind Branch’s vocals and her guitar play. It makes for a great breakup song without being hateful or spiteful.
#5 – Are You Happy Now?
On the US Billboard Adult Top 40 Airplay, “Are You Happy Now?” peaked at number four. On the US Billboard Hot 100, the song charted at number sixteen. The first song released from Michelle Branch’s third studio album, Hotel Paper, also earned international charting success as it peaked at number four on Belgium’s Ultratip chart. Among the nations of Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, and the UK, the song appeared within the top 40 of their respective music charts. Are You Happy Now? was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 2004, but Pink’s Trouble won instead.
#4 – All You Wanted
From the first major-label album, The Spirit Room, which was recorded by Michelle Brand in 2001, “All You Wanted” was the second single to be released. It was one of three songs from the album to realize chart success as it peaked as high as number two on the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40, number four on the US Billboard Adult Top 40 Airplay, and number six on the US Billboard Hot 100. Overseas, All You Wanted charted as high as number three on New Zealand’s official music chart and at number thirty-three on the UK Singles Chart. Inspirational despite the heartbreak theme, Branch’s fairytale-like approach to the subject through her vocals and music play comes across as a bit of a soul-soothing tune.
#3 – Leave the Pieces (as the Wreckers)
Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp briefly formed the country band the Wreckers. They recorded the single “Leave the Pieces,” which would dominate the music charts in 2006 as it peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs and Billboard Canada’s Country charts. It also became certified gold in 2008 by the Recording Industry Association of America. The song also became a crossover hit by charting at number thirty-four on the US Billboard Hot 100. Leave the Pieces belongs to the Wreckers’ first studio album, Stand Still, Look Pretty. There is a classic country feel to the song that features the best of Branch and Harp’s vocal talent and their violin and guitar playing.
#2 – Everywhere
“Everywhere” was the first single for Michelle Branch that would appear on the music charts. It also remains one of her best-recognized hits associated with the artist as a soloist. In 2001, the song and the album The Spirit Room realized more than just billboard success. While Everywhere did peak at number five on the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and at number twelve on the US Billboard Hot 100, it also won the Viewer’s Choice award during MTV’s 2002 Video Music Awards. Internationally, the upbeat, guitar-heavy, pop-rock classic impressed the fans within the nations of Belgium and New Zealand the most, as the song peaked as high as number two on their charts. It also appeared within the top forty charts among the nations of Australia, Netherlands, Italy, Scotland, and the UK.
#1 – Game of Love (featuring Santana)
In 2003, “Game of Love” earned a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Michelle Branch and Carlos Santana For Santana, the single was one of the tracks featured on his 2002 album Shaman. Initially, the song was recorded by the New Radicals while with Santana, but the album producer, Clive Davis, felt the song would sound better with a woman’s vocals instead.
Updated February 14, 2024