Our Top 10 Rosie Gaines Songs list looks at an accomplished singer, songwriter, and musician. If her voice sounds familiar, she’s one of the main vocalists on Prince and the New Power Generation’s song “Diamonds and Pearls. Her biggest claim to fame as a solo artist is the song “Closer Than Close.” Rosie Gaines worked with Prince and Tevin Campbell. The singer’s musical inspiration is R&B, soul, funk, dance, and hip-hop. The fusion of these genres creates a captivating sound listeners enjoy. She’s known for her rich and versatile vocal abilities. Rosie Gaines pours her heart out in every song, whether she sings ballads or dance songs. Her passion is evident in every note. She bares her soul, leaving nothing unsaid.
Rosemary Gaines was born on June 26, 1960. She rose to fame when she joined Prince’s group, The New Power Generation. She sang lead or background vocals on the group’s hit singles, “Gett Off,” “Cream,” and “Diamonds and Pearls.” Rosie Gaines appears in the single “Nothing Compares 2 U.” In 1985, she released her first album, Caring. Caring includes the singles “Skoo-logy (Ain’t No Strain),” “Wake Up,” and “Good Times.” She recorded her second album, No Sweeter Love, in 1987. It features the song “Crazy.” Closer Than Close premiered in 1995. The album includes the singles “I Want U” and “Closer Than Close.” Arrival dropped in 2002. It features the singles “Want an Angel,” “We Can’t Go on Like This,” and “Beautiful World.” Rosie Gaines recorded the album Welcome to My World in 2006. The project features the songs “Just a Moment Away,” “I Do,” and “Take a Chance.”
Rosie Gaines is a talented but underrated singer who deserves her flowers. The songs are honest and relatable. Her ability to convey deep emotions through her music is impressive. Rosie Gaines’ vocals blow your mind every time she sings. She battles health issues, but her music remains in the hearts of her fans. Our Top 10 Rosie Gaines Songs list puts a spotlight on her impeccable music.
# 10 – Nothing Compares 2 U (Live) Prince and the New Power Generation ft. Rosie Gaines
The 10th song on our Top 10 Rosie Gaines Songs list is “Nothing Compares 2 U.” It appears on Prince’s album, The Hits/The B-Sides. The song premiered in 1993. This song is about the inability to move on after a lost love. Prince begins talking about time passing since his lover left him. His life lost its joy and purpose. He self-destructed when she left him. Prince describes what he went through when she left. Rosie Gaines picks up her cue. She takes the role of the lover. Her character feels free since they broke up. She does whatever she wants. Despite her new freedom, she feels sad and lonely. Nothing compares to the love she lost. In verse three, he questions what he did wrong in the relationship. She tries moving on with her life, but they remind her of her lost love.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” is a live version of Prince’s song. Most people recognize Sinead O’Connor’s version. Prince and Rosie Gaines’ version is phenomenal. Their voices complement each other. Prince sings in a lower key than listeners recognize. Rosie Gaines makes use of her eloquent voice. Prince was a musical genius. It took a talented singer to match his abilities. She proved she could handle it. Rosie Gaines’ soul-stirring vocals matched Prince’s flawless talent effortlessly. They owned this song as if it were the only version ever recorded. Prince and Rosie Gaines made this song their own. This version deserves more attention than it receives. We picked this song for our list because the live version sparkles like diamonds. Prince and Rosie Gaines’ emotions shine through the song.
# 9 – I 2 I (Eye to Eye) Tevin Campbell ft. Rosie Gaines
“I 2 I (Eye to Eye)” is ninth on our Top 10 Rosie Gaines Songs list. The track appears on the Goofy Movie Soundtrack. This single premiered in May 1995. The song is about self-discovery. Tevin Campbell and Rosie Gaines talk about people reaching out to each other. Love brings people together and breaks down walls that keep them apart. Despite the obstacles we face, love brings people together.
“I 2 I (Eye to Eye)” is an inspirational anthem celebrating personal growth. The uplifting message is relatable to listeners of all ages. It teaches you that love is a deep emotion. Love has the power to bring people together. Listeners appreciate the song’s positive message. We need songs like this as a reminder that love matters and makes a difference. This feel-good song warms your heart. We applaud Tevin Campbell and Rosie Gaines for recording a track that appeals to people of all ages. The energetic beat invites you to the dance floor. It’s impossible to sit still while the song plays. They are an unlikely duo, but they made it work. Tevin Campbell and Rosie Gaines give each other room to shine. They bring different things to the song. Tevin Campbell is perky, and Rosie Gaines sounds soulful.
# 8 – Pain
The eighth song on our Top 10 Rosie Gaines Songs list is “Pain.” “Pain” appears on the Concrete Jungle album. The song debuted in June 2016. The song is about a broken relationship. In the beginning, the relationship was great. Things took a turn for the worse, and they fell apart. He makes things better when she has pain in her heart. It’s a mystery how he fixes things for her. Loving him brings her pain, but she feels good when he’s around. She’s confused about their relationship. Rosie Gaines gives details about their relationship. Their love wasn’t easy because their personalities clashed. They dealt with drama, but his kisses promised forever. She knows it’s time for her to move on with her life.
“Pain” is an emotional song that discusses a toxic relationship. Rosie Gaines talks about how it feels when someone you love breaks your heart. It’s hard moving on when love still exists. The deeply felt lyrics describe couples dealing with pain. You empathize with the lyrics if you’re not in pain. The lyrics hit you like a ton of bricks when you get hurt. “Pain’s” jazzy beat soothes your soul. The music is an excellent soundtrack for her voice. Rosie Gaines’ voice sparkles in this type of song. Her deep vocals are phenomenal. She channels Chaka Khan throughout the song. If you close your eyes, you might think Chaka Khan is singing. Her polished vocals sell the song. You won’t feel pain listening to this stunning song.
# 7 – Good Times
The seventh song on our list is “Good Times.” It’s the third single from her Caring album. This track hit the shelves in 1985. The song is about a woman who refuses to let her man get away. She needs him and doesn’t want him to go. He’s good for her, and she doesn’t want anyone else. She remembers the good times they spent together. He takes over her dreams every night. It’s easy for her to tell him how she feels. She thinks about the things they went through together. The singer loved the way he put his arms around her. His arms felt good around her. They shared true love. Their love was a fantastic ride. She couldn’t believe he would think about leaving.
The poignant song is about a relationship ending. She doesn’t want him to leave. The singer reminisces about the good times. It’s a realistic story about a woman who doesn’t want her relationship to end. If you lose the love of your life, these lyrics hit home. She describes how we feel when we’re on the verge of losing someone we love. The music has a jazz and soul sound. It has a bouncy beat despite the theme of the song. Dancing to the song keeps you from feeling depressed. The drumbeat drives the music. Rosie Gaines’ graceful vocals blend well with the music. She sings in time with the beat changes. Rosie Gaines shows versatility because her voice goes up and down with the beat changes. Her incredible runs are what the doctor ordered. Rosie Gaines’ remarkable vocals should convince anyone not to leave.
# 6 – I Want U
“I Want U” appears on the Closer Than Close album. It hit the shelves in 1995. The song is about longing for someone. She’s terrified that her desire may lead to heartbreak. Despite this fear, her desire for him is unwavering. She knows him on multiple levels. Her need for him is intense. She pleads with him not to leave her. The idea of him leaving breaks her heart. Her feelings for him surpass a casual attraction. She is in love with him.
“I Want U” is an intense song about a woman who desires the man in her life. The lyrics portray her fear of losing the man she loves. Her love for him consumes her mind and heart. She feels empty without him. People dream about this love. When you love someone, you never want them to leave. “I Want U” describes this feeling. If you find someone you love, you want to hold on to them. Rosie Gaines wrote an ideal song that explores the fear of losing someone you love. This song allows her to show off her vulnerable side. We get inside her mind as she expresses her feelings for her man. Rosie Gaines experimented with her musical style. The song contains elements of New Jack Swing music. She went for a youthful sound for this song. Rosie Gaines sings in her lower register, reminiscent of Vesta Williams and Chaka Khan. We applaud her for changing her musical style because it proves her talent knows no limits.
# 5 – Crazy
We arrived at the halfway point of our Top 10 Rosie Gaines Songs list. “Crazy” appears on the No Sweeter Love album. This single dropped in 1987. It’s about someone who feels like a woman for the first time. She never knew she could feel that way. Rosie Gaines plans to hold on to him. He is the only one who protects her heart. His love drives her insane. She doesn’t want to lose him because he’s too good for her. His comments intoxicate her. She wants to make his troubles go away. The games they play make her come alive. His love drives her out of her mind.
“Crazy” is a beautiful song about a woman in love. Rosie Gaines captures the feeling of falling in love for the first time. It’s a smooth love song that makes you believe in love. If you and your lover are in the mood for slow dancing, this song works. This track works for weddings and anniversaries. Anyone would feel special hearing these lyrics. It features a dazzling chorus that stays in your head when the song ends. Rosie Gaines’ vocals sizzle throughout the song. Her exemplary vocals command your attention. Longtime listeners and casual listeners are in for a treat with this song. Rosie Gaines refuses to hold back and vocally soars during the finale. We picked this song because it shows off her spectacular talent. This romantic track belongs in your playlist.
# 4 – My Tender Heart
“My Tender Heart” is a non-album single that premiered in 1997. This song is about longing for a lost love. She copes with the loss of her lover. Their relationship faded. When he left, she felt alone. The pain affected her. She feels vulnerable. The second verse highlights his infidelity. His betrayal broke her heart. Despite this realization, she can’t live without him. She yearns for his love.
“My Tender Heart” depicts a woman struggling to let go of a lost love. His love takes over her heart. The heart-wrenching song describes the complexities of emotions felt after losing the one you love. Anyone suffering from heartbreak knows what she means. Letting go of someone you love is difficult, especially when they break your heart. Rosie Gaines knows the right way to tell a story about heartbreak. These words move you if you relate to the lyrics. She used metaphors to tell her heartbreaking story. This track displays her emotions throughout the song. The song features a classic R&B sound that never gets old. This beat stirs emotions inside of you. Rosie Gaines knows her way around a ballad. She takes her time building the song to a show-stopping finish. Rosie Gaines performs remarkable runs after the bridge. We chose this song for the list because we love listening to her perform this song.
# 3 – I Surrender
“I Surrender” is the third song on our list. The non-album single hit the shelves in 1998. This song is about a woman who wants to give in to temptation with the man she loves. She surrenders herself to him. Their chemistry is electrifying. He stays on her mind every day. She enjoys kissing him. He satisfies her in every way. She loves the fact that he loves her. The singer feels like she’s in heaven when she’s with him. She won’t leave his side. Rosie Gaines promises to love her man forever.
The lustful song is about a woman giving into temptation. She longs to take her relationship to the next level. Rosie Gaines used an up-tempo beat for this theme. Songs like these are usually ballads. We give Rosie Gaines credit for changing things up. The energetic music gets you on the dance floor. It’s excellent for dancing or working out. The music gets your heart pumping. It’s reminiscent of the disco era. Rosie Gaines shows off her vocal acrobatics. She belts and holds notes throughout the song. Her vocals remind you of Chaka Khan, Martha Wash, and Aretha Franklin. Her voice is pure gold. Today’s singers need lessons from her on vocal delivery. This song proves her big voice works for up-tempo songs.
# 2 – Closer Than Close
“Closer Than Close” appears on the album of the same name. It premiered in May 1987. This passionate love song is about a woman who wants physical intimacy. She longs for closeness with the man she loves. Their connection intensifies whenever they get together. She dreams about making love with her man. The singer experienced heartbreak before and won’t do it again. She found the man of her dreams.
“Closer Than Close” depicts a woman’s desire for intimacy in a relationship. He ignites passion in her. This single is for anyone longing for intimacy with their partner. Rosie Gaines wrote a profound song that resonates with listeners. The hard-hitting music drives you to the dance floor. This beat allows you and your partner to go wild on the dance floor. The track has a 90s club beat. It gets the party started decades later. The beat doesn’t allow room for power notes, but Rosie Gaines delivered vocally. She used her big voice despite the up-tempo beat. Rosie Gaines experimented with her phrasing. Her voice shakes when she sings the chorus. It works with the beat changes. This change might not work with other artists, but she delivers. Rosie Gaines’ vocals remind us of Chaka Khan and Anita Baker rolled into one.
# 1 – Diamonds and Pearls Prince and The New Power Generation ft. Rosie Gaines
“Diamonds and Pearls” is the number one song on our Top 10 Rosie Gaines Songs list. The song appears on the album of the same name. This song debuted in November 1991. The track is about the power of unconditional love. It explores how far someone goes to show their affection. He wants to give her diamonds and pearls as a gesture of love. Prince believes love comes from within you. He offers her the world, but he gives her the love he has in his heart.
“Diamonds and Pearls” is a gorgeous ballad about unconditional love. The heartfelt lyrics convey the message that love means more than money. It teaches listeners to love with their hearts and not their wallets. This romantic ballad has a rock edge. The musical production mesmerizes listeners. It grabs your attention once the music starts and refuses to let go. The lush musical swells blow your mind. Prince and Rosie Gaines are a vocal match made in heaven. Prince sings in a lower key while Rosie Gaines performs in a higher key. Their voices complement each other. Without a doubt, Prince delivers, but she takes the song to another level. Her addition takes you to church. She vocally reaches for the stars. We chose this song to close the list because of their sizzling vocal chemistry.
Top 10 Rosie Gaines Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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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)
