Our Top 10 Wendy & Lisa Songs list looks at the music of two brilliant musicians and songwriters who got their start as members of the band Prince & The Revolution. Both Wendy & Lisa played a significant role in probably the most commercially successful period of Prince’s career. The two artists were featured heavily in the motion picture Purple Rain. Both Wendy Melvin and Lisa Coleman would continue to work together after Prince broke up The Revolution and hired new musicians for his future projects. Wendy Melvin and Lisa Coleman would continue with their stage name, Wendy & Lisa, in releasing a series of albums together while collaborating in film and television scoring. The duo never had a massive hit single but have retained a loyal following of fans as they have released five studio albums sporadically over the past thirty-five-plus years.
# 10 – Ballon
We open our list with the gorgeous song entitled “Ballon.” It was great to have the sound of Wendy & Lisa back after ten years of absence of new material. The song “Ballon” was released on the album entitled White Flags of Winter Chimneys. The album was released in 2008. “Ballon” is a moody piece that clearly defines the impact their film and television scoring had on their songwriting. The song starts out with a haunting piano riff blanked in a warm string pad. It’s just so Wendy & Lisa and I love it so much.
# 9 -Reaching One
The song “Reaching One” was released on the album entitled Girl Bros. The album was released in 1998. It would be re-released a year later in 1999 with a different title called Wendy & Lisa “Girl Brothers Inc. It seemed they probably realized it was important to keep their name in the title, as many people didn’t realize that Girl Bros was a Wendy & Lisa album. “Reaching One” is a tremendous grooving song that echoed the style of their first two albums. We are digging that bass and drum groove that opens the song, which is soon met by a bass synth that will melt your lollipop.
# 8 – Blues Away
In the number eight spot on our top 10 Wendy & Lisa songs list, we present the song “Blues Away.” The song was released on the album entitled Wendy and Lisa. The album was released in 1987. This was the duo’s first solo album release. This great rocking song opened up side two of the album. It was one of the heaviest songs on the record, with a funk rock groove that was simply to die for. The song was written by Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman and Bobby Z. Robert B. Rivkin also known as Bobby Z was a former bandmate of Wendy & Lisa playing drums in the Revolution. His drumming fuels the groove behind this awesome song.
# 7 – Strung Out
The song “Strung Out.” was released on the Eroica album. The album was released in 1990. This was Wendy & Lisa’s third album release. This is a heck of a jamming song. I can never get enough of listening to Wendy sing lead. The video for this song is simply mesmerizing. “Strung Out “was the first single released from the album. In the United Kingdom, the song hit number forty-four on the charts. It’s a shame the song wasn’t more successful in the United States, as it’s a great track. The song’s harmonies also feature Wendy & Lisa’s sisters, Susannah Melvoin and Cole Ynda.
# 6 – This Is the Life
Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Wendy & Lisa songs list we present the song “This Is the Life.” The song opens with a chord progression that echoes the legendary song “Purple Rain.” The song was released on the soundtrack album to the motion picture Dangerous Minds which starred actress Michelle Marie Pfeiffer. Fueled by the late Coolio’s hit “Gangster Paradise,” the soundtrack album sold more than three million copies, making it one of the biggest-selling albums in 1995. Wendy & Lisa’s song “This Is The Life” closed out the album. The song also originally appeared on their debut album titled as “The Life.”
# 5 – Are You My Baby?
At the halfway point on our top 10 Wendy & Lisa songs list is the pulsating song “Are You My Baby?” While Wendy & Lisa had developed their own sound, of course, they could not help but also be inspired by the man who brought them their fame in the first place. This is probably the most Prince inspired song that they released as solo artists. Just take a look at the spectacular video performance below.
# 4 – Lolly Lolly
Talking about great songs? Talking about my baby is what I’m talking about if you know what I mean. This one smokes. Wendy & Lisa knew how to lay down a groove with such substance that one could not stop listening. At number four on our top 10 Wendy & Lisa songs list, we present the jubilant “Lolly Lolly.” The song was released on the album entitled Fruit At The Bottom. The album was released in 1989. In the United Kingdom, the song hit number sixty four. It was a top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number eight.
# 3 – Waterfall
This one gives me thrills and chills. The song was released on the album entitled Wendy & Lisa. The album was released in 1987. This album had so many great songs that it must have been tough to choose which one to release as the first single. “Waterfall” would become the first single released from the album. It was a great choice because this is such an outstanding song.
Wendy & Lisa had to be two of the most talented and sexiest female singer-songwriters on the planet at the time. And, of course, they still are. “Waterfall” would become the duo’s only single to break into the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number fifty-six. It was a top 20 hit on the charts in Italy, Belgium, and The Netherlands.
# 2 – Fruit At The Bottom
Just off the top spot on our top 10 Wendy & Lisa songs list, we celebrate the song “Fruit At The Bottom.” Now, this is what you call a fun song. When this album first came out, I always played this song. I think that’s very important to remember when you’re looking back at songs about how you felt about them when you first heard them. This one was special. The song closed out their second album, Fruit At The Bottom. The album was released in 1989.
# 1 – Honeymoon Express
This is what you call a breathtaking funk meets soul meets pop meets who knows what single. And what’s crazier was it was never been released as an official single and never charted. We close out our top 10 Wendy & Lisa songs list with the song “Honeymoon Express.” This phenomenal song was released on the album entitled Wendy & Lisa. The album was released in 1987. The song opened up the album. Don’t miss this video, you will watch it repeatedly.
Feature Photo: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
Sources:
Charting information used in the analysis and research of the commercial success of these songs comes from Billboard Magazine Charts
https://www.billboard.com/charts/
Other sources for important factual information include the band’s website
https://wendyandlisa.com/
Further analysis is provided by the writer’s experience as a fan (a very big fan), educator, and music journalist.