Photo: Dave Catchpole / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Our Top 10 Wishbone Ash songs list takes a look at an English band from Devon formed in the late 1960s. The group’s original lineup consisted of Martin Turner on bass and vocals, Andy Powell on guitars, Ted Turner on guitars and Steve Upton on bass. That original lineup would continue together until 1974 when guitarist Ted Turner was replaced by Laurence Wisefield. The amount of lineup changes that would occur within Wishbone Ash from that point on would make you dizzier than a ride on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. From our standpoint, the biggest lineup change that would affect the legacy of Wishbone Ash occurred in 1980 when founding member and lead vocalist Martin Turner left the band. While we will cover the band’s entire career, the majority of the Wishbone Ash songs listed where will come from the band’s glory days in the 1970s with Martin Turner in the group.
The band Wishbone Ash in name have been releasing studio albums for fifty years. From 1970 to 2020, the band has released twenty four studio albums. The band’s first album was released in 1970 entitled Wishbone Ash. Their most recent album was just released this year in 2020 entitled Coat Of Arms. Andy Powell is the only original member of the band remaining. During their fifty year recording period, the band had most of its success on the album music charts in the 1970s. The band’s third album entitled Argus was their highest charting record in the United Kingdom peaking at number three in 1972. In the United States, the band’s highest charting album was released in 1973 entitled Wishbone Four. That album peaked at number forty four on the Billboard Album charts. Wishbone Ash has also released twelve live albums and ten compilation albums. They were never a big time hit singles band as hits are not common among progressive rock groups. However, the band has released twenty singles during their long fifty year career.
Wishbone Ash were a very influential progressive rock band that stood out at the time from many of the other British Progressive rock bands. Their use of dual guitarists may have been popular in the southern rock format but it was more unique in the progressive rock genre. Their utilization of the blues in progressive rock was also influential. Our top 10 Wishbone Ash songs list serves as a small introduction to the band. Simply put, these guys were great and you need to check them out if you are not already aware of all their great songs.
# 10 – Sometime World
We open up our top 10 Wishbone Ash songs list with a great track from the band’s legendary Argus album. If your going to buy one Wishbone Ash album, this in the one to go with. The album was released in 1972. It has been reissued multiple times with bonus tracks on CD. The song “Sometime World,” was written by Martin Turner and Ted Turner.
# 9 – That’s That
It was interesting to hear John Wetton sing lead vocals with Wishbone Ash. The 1981 Wishbone Ash album Number the Brave was the only record John Wetton recorded with Wishbone Ash. This was right before John Wetton would form his super group Asia and have incredible success with that band. Still, this great song “That’s That,” penned by John Wetton is our favorite song form the Number The Brave albums. Its simply killer.
# 8 – Something’s Happening In Room 602
This great instrumental track “Something’s Happening In Room 602,” was released on the album Nouveau Calls. The album was released in 1987. The album was completely instrumental which was quite interesting because it was the first album in fourteen years to feature the bands original lineup. That in itself is reason to check out this very cool guitar track that almost has a certain Dick Dale vibe to it at times.
# 7 – Jail Bait
Continuing with our top 10 Wishbone Ash songs list we turn to the great rocking track entitled “Jail Bait.” The song was released on the band’s album entitled Pilgrimage. The album was released in 1971. The song was written by Martin Turner, Steve Upton, Ted Turner and Andy Powell. We love the song’s introduction which has a cool “Roadhouse Blues,” by The Doors vibe to it.
# 6 – Blind Eye
“Bind Eye,” was released on the band’s first album entitled Wishbone Ash. Love the dual guitar sound and the boogie woogie piano playing that dances all around the track. The great piano playing was provided by Procol Harum’s Matthew Fisher. Sounds like Lynyrd Skynyrd was listening to this track.
# 5 – You See Red
“You See Red,” is probably one of the most underrated Wishbone Ash songs. This great track was released on the album No Smoke Without Fire. The album was released in 1978. “You See Red,” was the opening track on the album. The main guitar lick sound on this track always reminded me of the band Yes meets The Eagles. And speaking of guitars, don’t miss this track’s killer guitar solo.
# 4 – So Many Things To Say
As we edge close in on our the number one spot on this top 10 Wishbone Ash songs list we turn to the band’s fourth album entitled simply Wishbone Four. This great song was the album’s opening track. The album was released in 1973. This one always reminded me of The Who.
# 3 – Persephone
I could listen to that opening guitar solo all day long and never turn it down. This amazing slow progressive rock blues song was released on the album There’s The Rub. It was the fifth Wishbone album released. It also introduced fans to the amazing guitar talents of the groups newest member Laurie Wisefield. The track presented here is from the band’s live album entitled Live Dates 2.
# 2 – The King Will Come
It was a toss up between The King Will Come, Time and Blowin’ Free for the number one spot on our top 10 Wishbone Ash songs list. All three are brilliant tracks. In fact, the entire Argus album could have landed on this top 10 Wishbone Ash songs list, but we wanted to keep space available to present songs from their other albums which are pretty darn good in their own right.
# 1 – Blowin’ Free / Time Was
These two are just so great we had to pick them both for our number one spot. Our favorite Wishbone Ash songs have always been the wonderful tunes “Blowin’ Free,” and “Time Was.” These songs capture so many different genres of rock and roll. It’s almost like Yes meets Crosby Stills Nash & Young meets The Grateful Dead meets The Allman Brothers Band. No one sounded like Wishbone Ash, yet you could hear Wishbone Ash in everyone and everyone in Wishbone Ash. Are you dizzy yet?
You’re joking, right?
where is Leaf and Stream? The charge and rich it has compares to none of the above songs!
Umm… Phoenix?
Hopefully, your BBQ is better than your understanding of Wishbone Ash.
Terrible list for the most of a great band
It’s amazing when people say terrible list and not realize that they are calling the songs from a band they supposably like terrible.