
Photo: bagoum [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Rickie Lee Jones’ debut album was released in 1979. She instantly became a household name because of the smash success of the album’s single “Chuck E’s In Love.” In 1980 she won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
In 1981, Rickie Lee Jones released her second album entitled Pirates. It was an album that defined incredible artistic growth bathed in deep emotion. It was an incredible artistic statement and, in simple terms, a joy to listen to. It still is. The album also featured some of the most respected musicians and artists of the 1970s, including Donald Fagen of Steely Dan, jazz saxophonist Tom Scott and David Sanborn, Trumpeter Randy Brecker, and legendary drummer Steve Gadd.
In 1983, Rickie Lee Jones released an EP entitled Girl at Her Volcano. One year later, Rickie Lee Jones returned with her third full-length album entitled Magazine. Flying Cowboys
was released in 1989, Pop Pop
in 1991 and Traffic From Paradise
in 1993.
By 1993, Rickie Lee Jones had already released six spectacular albums and one EP in her first fourteen years. She was not done yet. In 1995, Rickie Lee Jones released Naked Songs: Live and Acoustic in 1997, Ghostyhead
in 2000, It’s Like This
in 2001, Live At Red Rocks
in 2003, The Evening of My Best Day
in 2007, The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard
, in 2009 Balm in Gilead
, in 2012 The Devil You Know
, in 2015 The Other Side Of Desire, in 2019 Kicks, and her most recent album as of this writing 2023’s, Pieces of Treasure.
With such a massive body of work of incredible depth, it seems almost criminal to list only ten songs. But that’s what we do, and for those who have never heard of Rickie Lee Jones, we hope this serves as a wonderful introduction to one of our most cherished artists. For those dedicated Rickie Lee Jones fans, there will undoubtedly be songs that you love that will not be on the list because there was just not enough room for all of them. It’s tough to pick only ten, and we tried to spread it out a bit. So please be kind in your comments and realize that this is a loving tribute to an incredible artist who has brought us so much joy over the years.
# 10 – Old Enough
We open our Rickie Lee Jones songs list with a beautiful song released on her 2009 album Balm in Gilead. Rickie Lee Jones and David Kalish wrote the song. The Balm in Gilead album featured an amazing cast of musicians, including Ben Harper, Bill Frisell, Alison Krauss, Vic Chesnutt, and so many more. Released thirty years after her debut album, Balm in Gilead
stands as one of Rickie Lee Jones’ finest records.
# 9 – Ugly Man
This smoking cool jazz track opens Rickie Lee Jones’ 2003 album The Evening Of My Best Day. The song was supposedly written about President George Bush. The song features some great guitar work by Bill Frisell and smooth piano laying by pianist Neil Larsen. Rickie Lee Jones always used the best musicians in the business on her albums. One has to be a pretty influential and important artist to land the musicians that Rickie Lee Jones always got to play on her albums. The album was recorded at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, California
# 8 – Chuck E’s In Love
The great Rickie Lee Jones song “Chuck E’s In Love” was the first Rickie Lee Jones tune that most of us had ever heard. The song’s great guitar riff, unforgettable chorus, and clever ending found a mass cultural audience that fell in love with the song and the artist instantly. This one will definitely bring you back to the late 1970s.
The lineup of studio musicians on the albums is stunning. It was mix of legendary studio players and many superstar artists On keyboards; she enjoyed the service of such legends as Michale McDonald, Randy Newman, and Dr. John. On drums, she had in the studio Stev Gadd, Jeff Pocaro, and Andy Newmark. On horns, she had players like Tom Scott, Ernie Watts, and Chuck Findley.
The song “Chuck E’s In Love” hit number 4 on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100. It was nominated for multiple Grammy Awards but did not win. Nonetheless, it did help Rickie Lee Jones take home the Grammy Award for best new artist.
# 7 – Satellites
The Rickie Lee Jones song “Satellites” was released on Rickie Lee Jones’s fourth full-length album, Flying Cowboys. The album was released in 1989. Walter Becker, who was a founding member of Steely Dan, produced the album. “Satellites” was the only single released from the album. The groove in this one is off the charts. It’s cool to hear how Walter Becker brought his Steely Dan touch to the artistry of Rickie Lee Jones.
# 6 – Juke Box Fury
In 1983, Rickie Lee Jones moved to Paris, France, to find inspiration in creating her third album, The Magazine. The result was a deep album full of beautiful melodies and heartfelt, resonating lyrics. The album yielded a hit single in the song “It Must Be Love.” However, our favorite song on the album has always been the track “Juke Box Fury.”
# 5 – Jimmy Choos
The amazing song “Jimmy Choos” was released on the album The Other Side of Desire. In 2015, Rickie Lee Jones was still releasing incredible music. The video for this one is such a work of art. If you’re a musical artist, you can’t help but be completely inspired by songs like this one.
# 4 – Wild Girl
“Wild Girl,” was the opening track to her magnificent 2009 album Balm in Gilead. From the opening guitar strum to that swinging groove, Rickie Lee Jones lays down a vocal line that depicts the essence of cool. In “Wild Girl,” Rickie Lee Jones sings with such ease and simplicity that gives new meaning to the old blues phrase “less is more.” From day one until the present day, that cool has never gone away.
# 3 – Company
Do you remember the first time you heard this song? If you were like us, you just stood frozen, jaw dropping. It’s not often you hear a song that blows you away on the very first listen while bringing tears to your eyes. “Company” is a ballad that paints a sad and heartfelt cinematic universe that it can be difficult to listen to. It’s as genuine as it gets.
# 2 – We Belong Together
“We Belong Together” was the answer to “Company.” Rickie Lee Jones opened her sophomore album, Pirates, with this great song. We saw it as a response to the lost love of the song “Company.” For every breakup, there is always the possibility of finding someone new. Someone who hopefully makes one forget the previous heartbreak. Someone that finally makes you feel like you belong…..together.
# 1 – Living It Up
The sheer beauty of this musical masterpiece is almost incomprehensible. It’s an epic piece that goes through various rhythmic changes, soaring joyous melody lines, and, of course, all presented to the listener via some of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century. It’s original creative and just makes you feel good with a side of cool attached. That defines what Rickie Lee Jones has given us for the past forty years. Thanks Rickie!
10 Essential Rickie Lee Jones Songs You Must Hear article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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No “The Last Chance Texaco” ?
another vote for Last Chance Texaco.
also her cover of Rainbow Sleeves is fab.
Love that you choose later songs – she is s viral, contributing artist now and forever! Get her in the Hall of Fame!
100% Agree “Living it Up” is a masterpiece.
No Young Blood, Pirates or Danny’s All Star Joint?
Sigh