The 10 Best Jennifer Nettles Songs of All-Time
Jennifer Nettles was born and raised out of Douglas, Georgia before music fans first heard of the multi-talented artist that has performed as an actress, musician, and singer. Fans may know her best as the lead singer from the group Sugarland along with Kristian Bush and Kristian Hall. For Nettles, the start of her singing career began when she sang at her local church and in community theater. From 1986 until 1993, she performed with Georgia’s 4-H Clovers & Company, then graduated from college in 1997 with degrees in sociology and anthropology. After college, she first formed her own band in 1999, which saw her record and release three studio albums and two live albums. In the year 2000, the Jennifer Nettles Band became the announced winner of The Big Deal $100,000 Music Search competition that was held by Mars Music. Jennifer Nettles joined Kristian Bush and Kristen Hall as a member of Sugarland’s band in 2003. However, come 2006, Kristian Hall left to pursue other interests, leaving Nettle and Bush behind to continue without her. Now performing as a duo, from 2006 until 2009, both artists performed extremely well before embarking on solo projects. In 2015, Nettles began performing as an actress, now wanting to add this to her professional artist portfolio. While with Sugarland, there has been a total of six studio albums, a live album, and a compilation album that has been released. There is also a roster of eighteen singles, as well as nine non-single songs that achieved charting success. As a solo artist, Jennifer Nettles has recorded and released four studio albums, two live albums, and an extended play (EP). Prior to Sugarland, while as Soul Miner’s Daughter, she released two studio albums. In addition to this, like the Jennifer Nettles Band, there were three studio albums recorded and released.
10. We Are the World 25 for Haiti (credited as Artists for Haiti)
In the multi-star performance of the relief single, (We Are the World 25 for Haiti,) this 2010 cover stemmed from 1985’s original, We Are the World. The song served as a fundraiser tribute, aimed at the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, which received mixed reviews by the critics. However, it was commercially successful at a global level, charting as high as number two on the US Billboard 100. It was actually a number one hit on the music charts belonging to Belgium and Norway. Jennifer Nettles was among the artists who performed in the relief song as the fourth soloist whose voice contributed to the success of the song.
9. That Girl
In 2013, Jennifer Nettles releases her first single as a solo artist since pairing up with Sugarland. (That Girl) peaked at number thirty-seven on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. In the song, Nettles narrates not wanting to be the girl whose man has betrayed his own wife by getting into an adulterous affair. That Girl was described as a lyrical counterpoint to Dolly Parton’s 1973 country classic, Jolene, which an inspired Nettles sang from the viewpoint of a woman who didn’t realize her love interest was already with another woman before her.
8. Unlove You
The first single from the second studio album released by Jennifer Nettles as a solo artist was (Unlove You). The album, (Playing with Fire), was released on May 13, 2016. On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, Unlove You peaked at number twenty-four and was critically acclaimed as a straightforward country ballad that demonstrated the remarkable vocal talent Nettles possesses.
7. Do What You Can (featuring Jon Bon Jovi)
(2020) is the name of Jon Bon Jovi’s fifteenth studio album, which was recorded while the world was in lockdown mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Do What You Can) was the album’s fourth single, which he collaborated with Jennifer Nettles. After its release, it became a number eight hit on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and a number twenty-eight hit on the US Billboard Country Airplay chart. This single served as a tribute to the people who were on the front lines, handling the stressful situation the pandemic brought upon essential workers, namely emergency workers and medical staff. The write-up of the song includes material that was handed to Bon Jovi by music fans who responded to his request to submit verse material of their own. There are many versions to this song, but it was the one he teamed up with Nettles that mostly played on the airwaves.
6. Something More (with Sugarland)
In 2005, (Something More) was the second single that was released from Sugarland’s debut album, (Twice the Speed of Life). With Jennifer Nettles as the lead vocalist, Kristian Bush and Kristian Hall sang as background vocals. It became a number two hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and a number one hit in Canada. Something More also became certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making it the second time Sugarland would earn this honor. However, it was the first time with Nettles as the lead vocalist.
5. All I Want to Do (with Sugarland)
Sugarland releases the album, (All I Wanna Do), in 2008 and its leading single of the same title. This RIAA platinum-certified single peaked at the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, as well as in Canada. It was also a crossover hit, peaking at number eighteen on the US Billboard Hot 100. With Jennifer Nettles as the lead vocalist, the popularity of Sugarland continued to grow, along with the shining star quality Nettles herself was becoming more recognized for.
4. Stay (with Sugarland)
On November 7, 2006, Sugarland released its second studio album, (Enjoy the Ride). The single, (Stay), was the first song Jennifer Nettles wrote independently It also became the first single to earn a platinum certification by the RIAA. On the music charts, Stay peaked as high as number two on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, as well as in Canada. It also won Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 2009 Grammy Awards, as well as Best Country Song. At the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards, Stay won Single of the Year and Song of the Year. Also in 2008, it also won the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year and Country Music Television’s Duo Video of the Year. Although the song is credited to Sugarland as a group, it is Jennifer Nettles that was recognized as the vocal talent that was instrumental in the single becoming such a huge hit.
3. Want To (with Sugarland)
Released in 2006, (Want To) was Sugarland’s first single from the duo’s second studio album, (Enjoy the Ride). This was the first time Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush performed as Sugarland without Kristian Hall still in the lineup. Nettles was the lead vocalist with Bush singing backup. Wanted To topped the US Billboard Hot Country chart, as well as Canada’s country music chart shortly after its release and became a certified gold hit with the RIAA. It was also a crossover hit as it charted at number thirty-two on the US Billboard Hot 100.
2. Who Says You Can’t Go Home (featuring Jon Bon Jovi)
In 2006, the country version recording of Jon Bon Jovi’s (Who Says You Can’t Go Home) featured Jennifer Nettles pairing up with him to perform this single. On the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, it peaked straight to the very top at number. This single comes from Jon Bon Jovi’s ninth studio album, (Have a Nice Day). Originally, Bon Jovi went with Keith Urban to record the single with him but felt it sounded too similar to his rock version. So, he opted for a female artist instead, which is where Jennifer Nettles came in.
1. Stuck Like Glue (with Sugarland)
(Stuck Like Glue) was an RIAA double-platinum certified single that was released in 2010 from Sugarland’s fifth studio album, The Incredible Machine. It was a number two hit on the US Billboard Country Songs chart, as well as a number seventeen hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, Stuck Like Glue peaked as high as number three and it also appeared on the UK Singles Chart at number seventy-four. Jennifer Nettles was the lead vocalist and was highly praised for her performance.