Our top 10 Sass Jordan songs list digs deep into the music of a Juno Award-winning artist known for her influence in the Canadian rock scene since the late ‘80s. The British-born Canadian rock star started her professional music career in the ‘80s. Her love for music started saw her teen years painted with regular singing with a bunch of her buddies. Eventually, Jordan’s appreciation for music saw her earn a spot in a local band going by the name The Pinups, where she served as a vocalist.
Her sensational vocals saw her working as a session vocalist for other established artists such as The Box. Sass Jordan’s impressive vocals were not the only defining traits of her readiness to pursue a solo career. The Canadian singer had something to squeeze out of her songwriting skills with a number of local artists including Michael Breen recording songs she had penned. With such a skillset, acquiring a recording contract wasn’t a tough deal to strike.
Sass Jordan easily earned a recording contract with Atlantic Records where she issued her debut solo studio album. Over the years, Sass Jordan has issued a couple more albums all of which showcase her endearing musicianship. Other than her initial hard rock influences, Sass Jordan has shown some versatility thanks to the pop rock and blues rock inflections in some of her songs/albums.
In 1988, Sass Jordan issued her debut studio album Tell Somebody. The album was issued through Atlantic Records under the production of Pierre Bazinet. Other artists who have worked with Pierre Bazinet include Luba, Boulevard, Celine Dion, Haze & Shuffle, and Jean LeClerc. Tell Somebody was barely successful in the mainstream—this ended up being Sass Jordan’s only album issued through Atlantic Records. “So Hard,” “Tell Somebody,” and “Stronger Than Paradise” are some of the most impressive picks from the album.
Sass Jordan returned four years later with her sophomore studio album Racine. The album shot to the second spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart rising to position one hundred and seventy-four on the Billboard 200 Chart. Racine saw Sass Jordan take on barroom hard rock-styled influences drawing comparisons to the American band The Black Crowes.
Racine marked Sass Jordan’s first album issued through MCA Records. The album was however issued through Aquarius Records in Canada. Working on Racine’s production works was Rick Neigher, a record producer known for work with Joe Cocker, The Troys, Beu Sisters, and John Mellencamp. “Make You a Believer,” “Who Do You Think You Are,” and “You Don’t Have to Remind Me” are some of the best Sass Jordan songs from the album Racine.
Rats, issued in 1994, marked Sass Jordan’s third studio album. The album was issued through Aquarius Records under the production of Nick DiDia. Other artists who have worked with the Grammy Award-winning producer Nick DiDia include Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Audioslave, Billy Talent, Aldo Nova, Rage Against the Machine, and The Gaslight Anthem among others.
Rats climbed to the fifth spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart. The album also graced the Billboard 200 Chart peaking at position one hundred and fifty-eight (this is the highest ever by any Sass Jordan album). “High Road Easy,” “Ugly,” “Sun’s Gonna Rise,” “Damaged,” and “Pissin’ Down” are some of the top musical gems by Sass Jordan from the album Rats.
In 1997, Sass Jordan returned with her fourth studio album Present. The album was also issued through Aquarius Records under the production of Rick Neigher. Unfortunately, Present was a mainstream flop failing to make it to major mainstream charts. The album is however home to some of the best Sass Jordan songs including “Desire,” “People Talk,” and “Do What I Can.”
Sass Jordan marked her last album under Aquarius Records with her fifth studio album Hot Gossip. The album was issued in 2000 under the production of Richard Chycki. Other artists who have worked with record producer Richard Chycki include Def Leppard, Dream Theater, Rush, Needtobreathe, and Simple Plan. “People Talk” and “Monday Morning” are some of the popular songs by Sass Jordan from the album.
Get What You Give, issued in 2006, marked Sass Jordan’s sixth studio album. The album was issued through Horizon Recordings under the production of Canadian singer/songwriter Colin Linden. Colin Linden has also worked with an array of successful artists including Bruce Cockburn, Lucinda Williams, Keb’ Mo’, and Emmylou Harris. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” “What You Gonna Do,” and “The Feelings Gone” are some of the best Sass Jordan songs from the album.
Sass Jordan went ahead to issue her seventh studio album From Dusk ‘Til Dawn in 2009. The album From Dusk ‘Til Dawn was produced by Derek Sharp. “Home Again,” “What I Need,” and “Why Did You” are the top musical gems from the album. From Dusk ‘Til Dawn was followed up by the 2017 album Racine Revisited, a rerecording of Sass Jordan’s sophomore album Racine.
Rebel Moon Blues and Bitches Blues, Sass Jordan’s next two albums saw the singer go the blues rock way. The albums were issued through Stony Plain Records, a label (once) home to Ronnie Earl, Emmylou Harris, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Steve Earle among others. The two albums were quite impressive having them grace the Billboard Blues Albums Chart at the fifth and fifteenth spot, respectively.
“Still Got the Blues,” Leaving Trunk,” and “Am I Wrong” are some of the best Sass Jordan songs from Rebel Moon Blues. Bitches Blues on the other hand is home to some of the popular Sass Jordan songs including “Still Alive and Well,” “Even,” and “Still the World Goes Round.” Here we serve you our top 10 Sass Jordan songs of all time.
#10 – Have You Ever Seen the Rain
While Sass Jordan might have had tons of impressive original songs, we can’t help but recognize the effort she put into the cover song “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” The song was penned by John Fogerty and issued first on Creedence Clearwater Revival’s album Pendulum in 1970. Sass Jordan’s cover of the song “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” is featured on her sixth album Get What You Give.
Unlike the roots rock/country rock approach by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sass Jordan gives the song “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” a touch of blues influence. While her rendition of “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” never made it big on the mainstream, it remains one of the most impressive covers of the song. Other artists who have covered the song include Rod Stewart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Spin Doctors, and The Lumineers.
#9- Desire
“Desire” is one of the best Sass Jordan songs that have had a lasting impression in the minds of the singer’s fans. The song is featured on her fourth studio album Present. “Desire” is one of Sass Jordan’s songs composed by Tony Reyes. Other artists who have worked with Tony Reyes include Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson, Sugababes, Joan Jones, and Ciara.
Sass Jordan revealed that she had just welcomed her daughter to the world when the music video for the song “Desire” was filmed. While we see beauty in her musicianship in that video, Sass Jordan visualizes her struggle in balancing motherhood and being a rock star. The song “Desire” climbed to the twelfth spot on the Canadian RPM Chart.
#8- Am I Wrong
“Am I Wrong” is a song initially issued in 1994 by Keb’ Mo’ on his eponymous sophomore album. Sass Jordan featured this song on her 2020 studio album Rebel Moon Blues. It’s quite amazing to see Sass Jordan going hard after more than three decades since she started her professional music journey.
Her recent albums have seen her take on songs penned earlier by legends—Sass Jordan gives the songs a fresh bluesy feel that proves to be irresistible. Yet another recent cover by Sass Jordan that has impressed her fanbase is “Still Alive and Well,” a 1972 song initially released by Edgar Winter’s White Trash—the cover is featured on her 2022 album.
#7- I’m Not
When the question of her most underrated song popped up in one of her interviews, Sass Jordan responded that it’s the hit “I’m Not.” But is the song really underrated? Well, in her perception it is. We find the song “I’m Not” quite an alluring pick good enough to grace our top 10 Sass Jordan songs list.
The song is featured on Sass Jordan’s third studio album Rats. Just like Sass Jordan, we love this song’s lyrics and how the chorus kicks in—quite a masterpiece! “I’m Not” made it to the Canadian RPM Chart peaking at number forty-seven.
#6- So Hard
Coming in at number six on our top 10 Sass Jordan songs list is the alluring hit “So Hard.” The song is featured on Sass Jordan’s debut studio album Tell Somebody. Sass Jordan teamed up with Bill Beaudoin in composing this track. “So Hard” strikes a balance between Jordan’s hard rock and pop rock influences.
Sass Jordan’s vocals in the song “So Hard” are just magical! The song went ahead to grace the Canadian RPM Chart peaking at number forty-one. “So Hard” features one of Sass Jordan’s most impressive music videos.
#5- Sun’s Gonna Rise
“Sun’s Gonna Rise” is among the tempestuous tracks delivered by Sass Jordan. The song is featured on her third studio album Rats. “Sun’s Gonna Rise” finds Sass Jordan singing about moving on from a relationship marred with deception. The song was composed by Sass Jordan in conjunction with Stevie Salas, a guitar virtuoso known for prolific rock instrumentation.
Despite the pain of being hurt, Sass Jordan expresses the need to rise above the hurt, heal, and move on with life. “Sun’s Gonna Rise” was a mainstream success peaking at the seventh spot on the Canadian RPM Chart. The song is Sass Jordan’s only release to ever grace the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at position eighty-six.
#4- You Don’t Have to Remind Me
There are quite a number of songs from the album Racine that will definitely make any Sass Jordan fan jump for joy. One of the songs from the album that has retained its appeal in the hearts of Sass Jordan fans is the track “You Don’t Have to Remind Me.” The song is quite a poignant pick that reflects the emptiness and pain in the singer’s voice.
“You Don’t Have to Remind Me” was a mainstream success having peaked at number fifteen on the Canadian RPM Chart. The song also graced the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart peaking at number twelve.
#3- High Road Easy
The third pick on our top 10 Sass Jordan songs list is the remarkable hit “High Road Easy.” “High Road Easy” is featured on Sass Jordan’s third studio album Rats. The song was inspired by a real situation in Sass Jordan’s life. Sass Jordan revealed to have been close to someone who was addicted to drugs at the time.
“High Road Easy” is the second highest-charting single by Sass Jordan. The song graced the Canadian RPM Chart peaking at number nine. “High Road Easy” also climbed to the sixth spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart.
#2- Tell Somebody
“Tell Somebody” became Sass Jordan’s groundbreaking song upon release in 1988. The song serves as the album’s title track of Sass Jordan’s debut studio album. “Tell Somebody” singlehandedly catapulted Sass Jordan to fame in Canada overnight after its Erik Canuel-directed video received rotation on MuchMusic. Erik has also directed music videos for Paul Piché, Sylvain Cossette, Norman Iceberg, and Vilain Pingouin.
“Tell Somebody” was a mainstream success rising to the eleventh spot on the Canadian RPM Chart. The song earned Sass Jordan the Most Promising Female Vocalist accolade in the 1989 Juno Awards ceremony beating Patti Jannetta, Candi, Lisa Lougheed, and Michelle Wright.
#1- Make You a Believer
Number one on our top 10 Sass Jordan songs list is the fascinating hit “Make You a Believer.” The song is featured on Sass Jordan’s sophomore studio album Racine. “Make You a Believer” penned this song in collaboration with Rick Neigher. The lyrics to this song are quite straightforward—they are all about believing in oneself.
“Make You a Believer” made it to the twelfth spot on the Canadian RPM Chart. The song also graced the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart peaking at number eleven. “Make You a Believer” was covered by the Dutch-born musician Lana Wolf.
Feature Photo: Damien D. from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 10 Sass Jordan Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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