Ruth Brown was a pioneering artist of rhythm and blues, who left an indelible mark on the music industry with her powerful vocals and emotive performances. With a career spanning over six decades, Brown was a trailblazer for women in music, paving the way for future generations of artists.
In this list, we will explore the top 10 best Ruth Brown songs of all time, showcasing the timeless classics that have made her one of the most influential and respected vocalists of her generation. From soulful and bluesy ballads to upbeat and lively rock and roll anthems, these songs demonstrate the range and versatility of Brown’s artistry, cementing her status as a true legend of music.
With her emotive and powerful performances, Brown has inspired and touched the hearts of millions, making her songs a true treasure of modern music. So without further ado, let’s explore the top 10 best Ruth Brown songs of all time.
1. “If I Can’t Sell It, I’ll Keep Sittin’ on It”
“If I Can’t Sell It, I’ll Keep Sittin’ on It” is a playful and sassy song by Ruth Brown, released in 1953. The song has a catchy, upbeat melody and features Brown’s powerful and dynamic vocals. The lyrics express a sense of confidence and determination, with Brown singing about the value of her goods and her refusal to sell them for anything less than what they’re worth. “If I Can’t Sell It, I’ll Keep Sittin’ on It” has been praised for its infectious energy and Brown’s impressive vocal range, showcasing her talent as a performer and entertainer. With its playful lyrics and upbeat sound, the song has become a classic of rhythm and blues, and remains a favorite among fans of Brown’s music.
2. “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean”
“(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean” is a classic and timeless song by Ruth Brown, released in 1953. The song has a catchy, upbeat melody and features Brown’s powerful and dynamic vocals. The lyrics express a sense of disappointment and frustration, with Brown singing about a man who mistreats her and the impact it has on her relationship with her mother. “He Treats Your Daughter Mean” has been praised for its strong vocals and its ability to capture the spirit of the early rhythm and blues sound. The song remains a favorite among fans of Brown’s music and is considered a true classic of the genre. With its catchy melody and emotive lyrics, “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean” continues to resonate with listeners today, reminding us of the power of music to capture the complexities of human emotion.
3. “Teardrops from My Eyes”
“Teardrops from My Eyes” is a classic and soulful song by Ruth Brown, released in 1950. The song has a bluesy and emotive sound, featuring Brown’s powerful and dynamic vocals. The lyrics express a sense of heartbreak and pain, with Brown singing about the tears she has shed over a lost love. “Teardrops from My Eyes” has been praised for its emotional depth and Brown’s ability to convey the pain and sadness of lost love. The song became a huge hit, reaching number one on the R&B charts and becoming one of Brown’s signature songs. With its raw emotion and soulful sound, “Teardrops from My Eyes” remains a favorite among fans of rhythm and blues, cementing Brown’s status as one of the greatest vocalists of her generation.
4. “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin'”
“This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin'” is an upbeat and lively song by Ruth Brown, released in 1958. The song has a catchy and dynamic sound, featuring Brown’s powerful and dynamic vocals. The lyrics express a sense of excitement and joy, with Brown singing about her love for rock and roll music and the thrill of dancing to it. “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin'” has been praised for its infectious energy and Brown’s impressive vocal range, showcasing her talent as a performer and entertainer. The song became a huge hit, reaching the top 25 on the pop charts and becoming one of Brown’s most popular songs. With its upbeat sound and joyful lyrics, “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin'” remains a classic of early rock and roll, and a testament to Brown’s talent and influence as a singer and performer.
5. “Lucky Lips”
“Lucky Lips” is a joyful and upbeat song by Ruth Brown, released in 1957. The song has a catchy and dynamic sound, featuring Brown’s powerful and dynamic vocals. The lyrics express a sense of optimism and hope, with Brown singing about the power of a lucky kiss to bring good fortune and happiness. “Lucky Lips” has been praised for its infectious energy and Brown’s impressive vocal range, showcasing her talent as a performer and entertainer. The song became a huge hit, reaching the top 10 on the pop charts and becoming one of Brown’s most popular songs. With its upbeat sound and joyful lyrics, “Lucky Lips” remains a classic of early rock and roll, and a testament to Brown’s talent and influence as a singer and performer.
6. “I Don’t Know”
“I Don’t Know” is a soulful and powerful song by Ruth Brown, released in 1959. The song has a bluesy and emotive sound, featuring Brown’s rich and dynamic vocals. The lyrics express a sense of confusion and uncertainty, with Brown singing about the complexities of love and the difficulty of understanding one’s own feelings. “I Don’t Know” has been praised for its emotional depth and Brown’s ability to convey the complexity and nuance of human emotion. The song became a hit on both the R&B and pop charts, cementing Brown’s status as one of the most influential and respected vocalists of her generation. With its raw emotion and soulful sound, “I Don’t Know” remains a classic of rhythm and blues, reminding us of the power of music to capture the complexities of the human experience.
7. “Oh What a Dream”
“Oh What a Dream” is a soulful and dreamy song by Ruth Brown, released in 1954. The song has a slow and sensual sound, featuring Brown’s rich and emotive vocals. The lyrics express a sense of longing and desire, with Brown singing about a romantic dream that feels too good to be true. “Oh What a Dream” has been praised for its romantic and dreamy quality, and Brown’s ability to convey the emotions of love and longing. The song became a hit on both the R&B and pop charts, cementing Brown’s status as one of the most talented and influential vocalists of her generation. With its slow and sultry sound and romantic lyrics, “Oh What a Dream” remains a classic of rhythm and blues, and a testament to Brown’s talent and influence as a singer and performer.
8. “5-10-15 Hours”
“5-10-15 Hours” is a lively and upbeat song by Ruth Brown, released in 1952. The song has a catchy and dynamic sound, featuring Brown’s powerful and dynamic vocals. The lyrics express a sense of devotion and commitment, with Brown singing about the amount of time she spends thinking and dreaming about her lover. “5-10-15 Hours” has been praised for its infectious energy and Brown’s impressive vocal range, showcasing her talent as a performer and entertainer. The song became a hit on both the R&B and pop charts, and remains a fan favorite and a testament to Brown’s talent and influence as a singer and performer. With its upbeat sound and romantic lyrics, “5-10-15 Hours” is a classic of early rhythm and blues, and a reminder of the power of music to capture the emotions of love and devotion.
9. “Yesterday”
“Yesterday” is a soulful and melancholic song by Ruth Brown, released in 1958. The song has a slow and emotive sound, featuring Brown’s rich and dynamic vocals. The lyrics express a sense of heartbreak and sadness, with Brown singing about the pain of losing a lover and the memories that remain. “Yesterday” has been praised for its emotional depth and Brown’s ability to convey the pain and sadness of lost love. The song became a hit on both the R&B and pop charts, cementing Brown’s status as one of the greatest vocalists of her generation. With its raw emotion and soulful sound, “Yesterday” remains a classic of rhythm and blues, and a testament to Brown’s talent and influence as a singer and performer.
10. “Things About Comin’ My Way”
“Things About Comin’ My Way” is a soulful and bluesy song by Ruth Brown, released in 1997. The song has a slow and melancholic sound, featuring Brown’s rich and dynamic vocals. The lyrics express a sense of struggle and perseverance, with Brown singing about the challenges and hardships she has faced in her life. “Things About Comin’ My Way” has been praised for its emotional depth and Brown’s ability to convey the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The song earned critical acclaim and became a favorite among fans of Brown’s music, showcasing her talent as a performer and the timeless quality of her music. With its soulful sound and powerful lyrics, “Things About Comin’ My Way” is a true masterpiece of blues music, and a testament to Brown’s enduring influence as an artist and performer.