Top 10 Rusted Root Songs

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Our top 10 Rusted Root songs list presents ten of the best songs released by an American rock band known for the incorporation of worldbeat, acoustic, and folk influences in its music. Rusted Root was formed in 1990 by vocalist/guitarist Michael Glabicki, percussionist Liz Berlin, and bassist Patrick Norman. The trio proceeded to add three more percussionists including Jim Donovan, John Buynak, and Jenn Wertz to its initial lineup.

Vocalist Michael Glabicki cited former Genesis singer Peter Gabriel’s fifth LP So as the primary influence towards the band’s incorporation of worldbeat influences in the band’s musical pursuits. The band has since its formation issued seven studio albums. Four of the band’s albums achieved mainstream success rising into the Billboard 200 Chart.

A Quick Rundown of the Albums Issued by the Band Rusted Root

In 1992, the band Rusted Root issued its debut studio album Cruel Sun. The band members co-produced this album alongside Dave Bryan. Despite not being issued on a major label, Cruel Sun was a success selling over a hundred thousand copies. Some of the best Rusted Root songs include “Send Me on My Way,” “Back to the Earth,” and “Martyr.” The success of Cruel Sun helped the band secure a recording contract with the record label Mercury Records.

After signing a deal with Mercury Records, Rusted Root issued its sophomore studio album When I Woke. The album was produced by Bill Bottrell, a songwriter/record producer best known for his work with multiple artists including Michael Jackson, Sheryl Crow, Electric Light Orchestra, Linda Perry, Tom Petty, and Madonna. When I Woke was a mainstream success rising to the top of the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart.

The album went ahead to grace the Billboard 200 Chart rising to a peak position of number fifty-one. When I Woke also made it to the Billboard 200 Year-end Chart ranking at position one hundred and seventy-seven. The album earned the band the only platinum-certified record of its career. When I Woke’s track listing included a number of songs from Cruel Sun with other impressive new tracks including “Ecstasy,” “Beautiful People,” “Cruel Sun,” and “Drum Trip.”

Remember, issued in 1996, marked the band’s third studio album. The album was Rusted Root’s second full-length studio album issued through Mercury Records. Remember was co-produced by the band members in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Jerry Harrison (who served as a member of The Modern Lovers and Talking Heads). As a producer, Jerry Harrison has worked with a number of artists including No Doubt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Elliot Murphy, and Violent Femmes.

Remember remains the highest-charting studio album by Rusted Root rising to the thirty-eighth spot on the Billboard 200 Chart. The album was also a commercial success in the US earning gold certification. “Faith I Do Believe,” “Virtual Reality,” “Heaven,” and “Sister Contine” are the best Rusted Root songs from the album.

In 1998, Rusted Root returned with its fourth eponymous studio album. Rusted Root marked the band’s final studio album by the band issued through Mercury Records. The band co-produced this album in conjunction with Pat Moran, a producer distinguished for his work with Iggy Pop, Robert Plant, Lou Reed, Rush, and Queen among others.

Rusted Root achieved mild mainstream success rising to position one hundred and sixty-five on the Billboard 200 Chart. The album featured a number of original tracks by the band including “She Roll Me Up,” “My Love,” and “Rising Sun.” However, the band’s cover of the Rolling Stones’ 1969 hit “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” plays second fiddle to none of the tracks on this album.

Four years after issuing its eponymous studio album, Rusted Root returned with its fifth studio album Welcome to My Party. The album marked Rusted Root’s only release through Island Records, a record label (once) home to Grace Jones, Tracy Bonham, Annie Lennox, U2, and PJ Harvey. Rusted Root reunited with Bill Bottrell on the production works of this album. Notably, Welcome to My Party marked the band’s final studio album to make it to the Billboard 200 peaking at position one hundred and twenty-nine. “Blue Diamonds” and “Welcome to My Party” were the most sought-after hits off this studio album.

In 2009, the band returned with its sixth studio album Stereo Rodeo. The album was issued through Adrenaline Records with the band’s lead vocalist Michael Glabicki handling its production works. Stereo Rodeo is home to some of the best Rusted Root songs including “Weary Bones,” “Dance in the Middle,” and the cover of the 1968 Mark James’ hit “Suspicious Minds.”

The Movement, issued in 2012, marks the band’s most recent studio album. This fan-funded album was issued through Shanachie Records, a label (once) home to Clannad, The Chieftains, Planxty, and the Grammy Award-winning music group Soweto Gospel Choir. “Monkey Pants,” “Sun and Magic,” and “Cover Me Up” are the top musical gems by Rusted Root from The Movements. Here we list our top 10 Rusted Root songs of all time.

#10 – Blue Diamonds

Introducing the top 10 Rusted Root songs of all time is the breathtaking hit “Blue Diamonds.” The song is one of the two singles for the band’s fifth studio album Welcome to My Party. Like most of the songs on this album, “Blue Diamonds” indulges its listeners into the band’s ear-candy acoustic earnestness. The fiery percussion-fueled instrumental of this song plays a significant role in transforming this hit into an all-time fan favorite.

#9- Evil Ways

While it never made it to the track listing of any of the band’s studio albums, “Evil Ways” remains one of the fan-favorite tracks by the band. The song is featured on the five-track extended play of the same name. Initially, “Evil Ways” was issued in 1967 by jazz percussionist Willie Bobo. However, the song was made popular by the band Santana—the band featured its version of this hit on its 1969 debut studio album.

Santana’s version of “Evil Ways” was a mainstream success rising to the ninth spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Another popular version of this hit is Johnny Mathis’ 1970 rendition. Rusted Root’s version of the song was featured on the soundtrack album of the 1995 comedy-drama film Home for the Holidays.

#8 – Drum Trip

At the eighth spot on our top 10 Rusted Root songs list is the radiant hit “Drum Trip.” The song serves as the album-opening track of the band’s platinum-certified sophomore studio album When I Woke. This powerful hand drum jam emphasizes the significant role of percussions in Rusted Root’s musical pursuits. “Drums Trip” gives us over three minutes of Rusted Root’s unadulterated drum beats with some random background speech and eerie feminine voices.

#7 – You Can’t Always Get What You Want ft. Hot Tuna

In 1998, Rusted Root members issued their most remarkable cover hit “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” The song was featured on the band’s fourth studio album Rusted Root. Initially, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” was issued in 1969 by The Rolling Stones featuring on the album Let It Bleed. The Rolling Stones’ version was a mainstream success rising to position forty-two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Rusted Root teamed up with the legendary American blues rock band Hot Tuna in the release of this cover hit. Other artists who gave impressive renditions of this iconic hit include Aretha Franklin, Def Leppard, and Luther Alison. The band’s cover of the hit “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” is the only song from the album Rusted Root on this list.

#6 – Faith I Do Believe

Number six on our top 10 Rusted Root songs list is the phenomenal hit “Faith I Do Believe.” The song is featured on the band’s third studio album Remember. Like most of the songs on the album Remember, “Faith I Do Believe” showcases the band’s improved instrumental skills. The song finds the band pushing the limits of its worldbeat explorations while taking some interest in blues rock influences.

This catchy hit serves as a perfect opener to the band’s third studio album Remember exhibiting the band’s melodic virtues. The strong hooks of this hit add to its appeal explaining the reasons why this hit remains the crest of Rusted Root’s musicianship on the album Remember. However, “Faith I Do Believe” is rivaled by the hit “Virtual Reality,” another hit from Remember that was popularized by its use in the 1996 epic disaster film Twister.

#5 – Back to the Earth

“Back to the Earth” serves as a perfect emblem of Rusted Root’s worldbeat explorations. The song is featured as the final track on the band’s sophomore studio album When I Woke. “Back to the Earth” was also featured on the band’s debut studio album Cruel Sun. This standout track features tremendous percussions with tribal-like chants/vocals. Michael’s vocals in this song are nothing less than impressive!

#4 – Beautiful People

When I Woke, the band’s sophomore studio album, featured quite a number of top musical gems from Rusted Root’s album Cruel Sun. However, the album also featured new standout tracks including “Beautiful People.” The song is a soft melody affair made even more appealing by the impressive emotion-filled vocal delivery by Michael Glabicki. Jenn Wertz and Liz Berlin add some allure to the song with their remarkable backing vocals. “Beautiful People” was covered by Off the Beat, a cappella group from the University of Pennsylvania.

#3 – Martyr

At the third spot of our top 10 Rusted Root songs list is the jaunty hit “Martyr.” “Martyr” is a dance-oriented track from the band’s sophomore studio album When I Woke. The song is also featured on the band’s debut studio album Cruel Sun. “Martyr” features a fantastic groove and impressive solos which help crown it a fan-favorite track! Michael Glabicki once again makes his mark with his signature energy-filled vocals.

#2 – Ecstasy

“Ecstasy” is yet another impressive song from the band’s platinum-certified album When I Woke. The song finds the band taking on some salsa-like tunes which make it feel like a dance-oriented track. “Ecstasy” features impressive guitar solos that add to the song’s rhythmic feel. Nevertheless, this Latin-influenced groovy hit is a politically charged hit that was inspired by Glabicki’s trip to Nicaragua during the Contra War.

#1- Send Me on My Way

Number one on our top 10 Rusted Root songs list is the spirit-lifting hit “Send Me on My Way.” The song was first issued on the band’s debut studio album Cruel Sun—it would later get featured on Rusted Root’s sophomore platinum-certified album When I Woke. “Send Me on My Way” is by far the signature hit to Rusted Root’s musical pursuits.

The song showcases strong reliance on the percussions with Michael Glabicki going the extra mile to showcase his vocal dexterity. “Send Me on My Way” also features some fascinating flute tunes from John Buynak. The song remains Rusted Root’s most successful hit on the mainstream rising to position seventy-two on the Billboard Hot 100. “Send Me on My Way” earned platinum certification in the US proving to have been a commercial success.