Today, music fans from across the globe are mourning a fallen star. Tina Turner, the big-voiced (and later big-haired) Tennessee-born singer passed away on May 24 at the age of 83 years old.
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For a career that spanned seven decades, from St. Louis night clubs with her ex-husband, Ike Turner to award show performances in Hollywood, she did as much for music as nearly anyone on Earth.
But while the iconic singer, who was a personal favorite of Beyoncé’s no less, will be missed, she will also be remembered fondly. Nowhere more so than in her music. To celebrate the life and career of Tina Turner, we wanted to share her Top 10 songs of all time.
1. “What’s Love Got to Do with It”
Likely Tina Turner’s most famous song, this track was something of a comeback hit after a long career. Written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten, this song landed on her 1984 multi-platinum-selling album, Private Dancer. It went on to win three Grammy Awards, including Record and Song of the Year.
2. “Proud Mary”
Written originally by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater in 1969, Turner’s cover of “Proud Mary” in 1971 hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
3. “I Can’t Stand the Rain”
Originally by Ann Peebles and released in 1973, Turner brought her electrifying voice to this classic in 1984 for her album, Private Dancer.
4. “Private Dancer”
The title track to Turner’s 1984 LP, “Private Dancer” was first recorded by the U.K. new wave group Dire Straits. The song, which concludes the LP, hit No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
5. “Goldeneye”
Written by U2’s Bono and the Edge, “Goldeneye” was cut by Turner for the 1995 James Bond movie of the same title. Turner made the track her own and one of her best recordings.
6. “Be Tender with Me Baby”
Written by Albert Hammond and Holly Knight, “Be Tender with Me Baby” came out on Turner’s 1989 LP, Foreign Affair. Turner belts it out with her iconic voice on this dramatic track.
7. “River Deep – Mountain High”
A song from Ike & Tina, “River Deep-Mountain High” came out on the duo’s 1966 LP of the same name.
8. “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)”
Recorded by Turner for the 1985 dystopian film, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, Turner also plays the role of Aunty Entity in the movie.
9. “The Best”
Originally recorded by the Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler and released in 1988, “The Best” has since become associated with Turner’s electric voice. It’s a chorus we’ve heard in countless TV commercials by now, too. Turner released her rendition in 1989 on the LP, Foreign Affair.
10. “Let’s Stay Together”
A cover of the seminal Al Green song, “Let’s Stay Together” has layers of greatness. Released in 1983, Turner sings the second verse first in her offering.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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