Our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list looks back at the songs of a group that exploded onto the music scene in 1980 with a huge hit album. Three out of the band’s first four single releases went straight to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Not many bands or groups can claim that kind of success on their debut album not named the Beatles. Wilson Phillips returned to release a handful of albums after their initial release, but eventually the group broke up never really fulfilling the promise that they seemed to present when there released their magnificent debut album. They did still make great music, but nothing came close to the commercial success of their debut album and it’s four top 10 singles and three number ones.
The group Wilson Phillips consists of Chynna Phillips and Wendy and Carnie Wilson. For those who may be unfamiliar with those names and might be a little young, those three brilliant singers were the daughters of rock royalty. Chynna Phillips is the daughter of John Phillips and Michelle Phillips. Both John and Michelle had been founding members of the legendary band The Mamas & the Papas. Wendy Wilson and Carnie Wilson are the daughters of the one and only Brian Wilson whose group The Beach Boys stand as one of the most famous musical groups of all time. While there have been many sons and daughters of famous musicians who have put together their own groups, we could easily argue that Wilson Phillips were one of the most successful.
10 – Doctor My Eyes
We open up our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list with the classic song entitled “Doctor My Eyes.” Everyone knows this legendary Jackson Browne song, It’s one of rock and roll’s most loved tunes. Jackson Browne originally released “Doctor My Eyes,” back in 1972 on his debut album. It would earn Jackson Browne a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Wilson Phillips recorded Jackson Browne’s song for their sensational third album entitled California. The group had broke up but got back together twelve years later to record this wonderful album of stunning cover songs paying tribute to some of the finest songs to come out of the 1960s and 1970s.
# 9 – Hold On
Continuing with our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list we showcase the group’s first number one single of their career in the spirited song titled “Hold On.” This was the one that made it all happen for the group and turned them into an instant household name. Yes, we all watched that video hundreds of times.The song was released on the album entitled Wilson Phillips. The album was released on May 8, 1990. It was the first single released from the album.
“Hold On,” was a massive hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number one. The song also broke onto the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts peaking at number one. “Hold On,” was composed by Carnie Wilson, Chynna Phillips and Glen Ballard who was also the man behind the success of the brilliant Alanis Morissette debut album that would come out a few years later. I’d like to see what’s in his wallet.
# 8 – All The Way from New York
In the number eight spot on our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list we present the song entitled “All the Way from New York.” This was a very personal and haunting song written by Chynna Phillips. It’s heavy production actually adds to the story of family turmoil that Chynna Phillips writes about. The song was released on the album entitled Shadows and Light. The album was released in 1992. The song was never released as a single.
# 7 – I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
In the number seven position on our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list is the song entitled “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.” Wilson Phillips may not have relesed many albums over the years, but one of the really special ones that they did release was a fabulous Christmas album entitled Christmas in Harmony. The album also reunited the group with their original producer Glen Ballard who had helped Wilson Phillips achieve so much of their original success. The song “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, was released as first single from the album. “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday,” was a classic rock and roll Christmas song written by Roy Wood who many fans might know from his groups The Move, Wizzard and Electric Light Orchestra.
# 6 – God Only Knows
Arriving in the number six spot on our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list we present one of the greatest Beach Boys songs ever released. Wilson Phillips did this legendary song justice. Brian Wilson wrote a masterpiece when he composed this song. His daughters Carnie and Wendy were very much aware of how special this one was. You can hear it instantly in there harmonies with Chynna Phillips. The Wilson Phillips version was released on the album entitled Dedicated. The album was released in 2012. It was their highest charting album in twenty years as the album hit number twenty nine on the US Billboard Top 200 album charts.
# 5 – You’re in Love
At the halfway point on our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list is the ravishing song entitled “You’re in Love.” We can’t tell you how many musicians were talking about the harmonies that Wilson Phillips recorded especially on songs like this one when these songs were first heard. The song was issued on the album entitled Wilson Phillips. “You’re in Love,” was the fourth single released from the album. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number one making it the album’s third number one single.
# 4 – Give It Up
At the number four spot on our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list we present the energetic song entitled “Give It Up” The song was released on the album entitled Shadows And Light. The album was released in 1992. “Give It Up” was the second single released from the album. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number thirty. The song reached higher on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts peaking at number eleven.
# 3 – Release Me
Cascading through our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list we check out the outstanding song entitled “Release Me.” The song was released on the album entitled Wilson Phillips. The album was released in 1990. “Release Me,” was the second single released from the album. It was also the second straight number one single from the album as the song hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. That wasn’t the only chart where it hit number one. “Release Me,” also blew up the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts peaking at the number one spot. The song would also become Wilson Phillips first number one single in Canada.
# 2 – You Won’t See Me Cry
Just of the top spot on our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list we celebrate the song entitled “You Won’t See Me Cry.” This single stands as the much anticipated follow to the group’s remarkable debut album.They did not disappoint with this one. The song opens up with those Wilson Phillips harmonies that are simply to die for. The song “You Won’t See Me Cry,” is brilliantly written as the chord changes create a sonic landscape of wonder and originality. This was a marvelous song to be released as the opening single from their second album. “You Won’t See Me Cry,” was composed by Wilson Phillips and Glen Ballard.
# 1 – In My Room
Number one doesn’t always have to be about the biggest hit single. A number one song should be about the greatest recording a band ever released because of artistic merits. We close out our top 10 Wilson Phillips songs list with the phenomenal song entitled “In My Room.” The classic Brian Wilson Beach Boys song found a new home pretty much in the home where it came from. The girls hax their dad Brian Wilson playing piano on this beautiful recording as they pay tribute to their father and the music that he gave to us all. The arrangement is simple. It’s just Brian Wilson playing piano while the girls harmonize and sing in such loving fashion. Brian Wilson even sings a verse and adds harmonies in other parts of the song.
The Wilson Phillips version of the song “In My Room,” was released on the album entitled California. The album was released in 2004. They knew what they were doing when they closed the album with this memorable recording.
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Top 10 Wilson Phillips Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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