Photo: Bruce from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our Top 10 Tones And I Songs list looks at the songs of a very successful Australian music artist who burst onto the scene in 2019 with a huge hit single entitled “Dance Monkey,” that hit number one around the world. It’s rare that an artist can write such big hits in the pop music genre without a team of writers in today’s modern music world, but that seems to be the style of Toni Watson who is the artist behind the name Tones and I. Not only has Toni Watson written some huge hits, she has broken chart records in both The United Kingdom and her native home of Australia. She is a fascinating and brilliant artist whose songs we will definitely have to update on this list many times as it seems she is just getting started.
# 10 – Lonely
We open up our top 10 Tones And I songs list with the fabulous song entitled “Lonely.” This is a such a great song that starts out as a ballad and then tresends into that great upbeat Tones and I groove that is found on so many of Toni Watson’s songs. We just love it. The song was released on the album entitled Welcome To The Madhouse.
# 9 – The Kids Are Coming
Continuing with our top 10 Tones And I songs list we take a listen to the great song entitled “The Kids Are Coming.” The song was released on the EP entitled The Kids Are Coming. The EP was released in 2019. It was the fourth single released from the EP. The song was a hit on the Australian Music Charts peaking at number sixty five. The song also was a hit on the New Zealand Hit Singles Charts reaching all the way up to number twenty nine.
# 8 – Won’t Sleep
Well we were bound to be introduced to songs written about the lockdown during the lockdown and this is one of them. In the number eight spot on our top 10 Tones And I songs list we present the song entitled “Won’t Sleep.” The song was released on the album entitled Welcome To The Madhouse. The album was released in 2020. It was the second single released from the album. The song was a hit on the Australian Music Charts reaching number seventy seven.
# 7 – Welcome To The Madhouse
In the number seven position on our top 10 Tones And I songs list is the song entitled “Welcome To The Madhouse.” This was the title track to Tones and I debut album titled Welcome To The Madhouse. This is an interesting track as it crossed many musical genres feeding of the styles of artists like Meghan Trainor, Rihanna and a bit of Michael Jackson meets Pink. The song was the album’s opening track. It was never released as a single.
# 6 – Cloudy Day
Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Tones And I songs list we present the song “Cloudy Day.” The song was released on the album entitled Welcome To The Madhouse. The album was released in 2021. It was the third single released from the album so far. The song was a hit on the Australian Music Charts reaching number thirty one. The song did not break onto any of the other music charts around the world.
# 5 – Johnny Run Away
At the halfway point on our top 10 Tones And I songs list is the cool tune “Johnny Run Away.” The song was issued on the album entitled The Kids Are Coming. The album was released in 2019. It was the first single released from the album. It also stands as the debut single of Tones and I. The song was a hit on the Australian Music Charts peaking at number twelve. The song also was a hit on Ireland’s Music Charts hitting number eighty three.
# 4 – Bad Child
At the number four spot on our top 10 Tones And I songs list we present the song “Bad Child.” The song was released as a stand alone single. It would become a platinum selling single having been released in 2020. The song was a top 20 hit on the US Billboard Rock Tracks Charts peaking at number nineteen. The song also was a hit on the Australian Music Sales Charts reaching all the way up to number fifteen. In Switzerland, the song hit number thirteen.
# 3 – Fly Away
Moving along on our top 10 Tones And I songs list we present the song entitled “Fly Away.” The song was released on the album entitled Welcome To The Madhouse. The album was released in 2020. It was the first single released from the album. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Rock Charts peaking at number twenty three. The song also was a hit on the Australian Music Charts reaching all the way up to number four. The song was also a top 20 hit in in Ireland and The United Kingdom.
# 2 – Never Seen The Rain
Just off the top spot on our top 10 Tones And I songs list is the bouncy song “Never Seen The Rain.” This song just puts you in a good mood. It’s got a great piano vibe and a very powerful chorus.The song shifts back and forth from a simple arrangement on the verse to a complex one on the chorus.The song was released on the album entitled The Kids Are Coming. The album was released in 2019. It was the third single released from the album. The song was a big hit in Belgium where it peaked at number three. In Australia it was also a top 10 hit reaching all the way up to number six.
# 1 – Dance Monkey
Just of the top spot on our top 10 Tones And I songs list we present the song that made it all happen for Toni Watson. “Dance Monkey,” was her breakout single. It was also her first single release in the United States. This was a huge hit song that won various awards around the world. The song was released on the EP entitled The Kids Are Coming. The album was released in 2019. It was the second single released from the EP. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number four. The song hit number one in Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Australia, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, and Switzerland. In the United Kingdom, the song hit number one and broke Whitney Houston’s record for most consecutive weeks at number one.
Top 10 Tones And I Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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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)
