The 10 Best Johnny Winter Songs of All-Time

Musician Johnny Winter passed away in 2014. However, his passing has only served to increase his level of popularity with music lovers of all ages. For the most part, Winter performed in the Blues genre, but not in the traditional sense you might initially think.

He had a tendency to fill every song with so much energy that they became almost electric. In fact, he often combined Blues and Rock in order to create a sound that was, at its core, completely unique. In addition to performing, he also produced music for others. Somehow, he found the time to write a number of songs as well.

Below are 10 of his best songs. If you’ve never heard his material before, you are truly in for a treat.

10. Mojo Boogie (1990)

The one thing that really stands out about this song is that it has a wicked guitar solo in it. As a matter of fact, the whole song is really a showcase for someone who can play the guitar until it practically catches fire.

Rest assured, Winter was able to do exactly that. The song itself is a fun little diddy that almost perfectly combines the two genres of Blues and Rock in a manner that is virtually seamless. When you put all of that together, it’s easy to understand why this was one of the songs Winter became almost synonymous with.

9. Leland Mississippi Blues (1969)

This is another song that brings the Blues to light in a completely different manner. Some might argue that it’s more Rock than Blues, but it really is a good marriage between the two. It’s a song that also pays homage to both the culture surrounding Blues music and the location that serves as the song’s namesake.

8. Rock Me Baby (1973)

This is a bit of a departure from many of the songs that Winter often performed. It’s far more gentle than a lot of the high-energy songs he was so well known for. It definitely has a Blues vibe but it almost sounds like a combination between that genre and Easy Listening or perhaps even Jazz.

The end result is a happy tune that makes you want to sing along, dance even if you think you can’t, and all around enjoy the music that is undoubtedly as unique as you are.

7. Ain’t Nothing to Me (1973)

The title pretty much says it all here. It’s one of those songs that talks about letting go and learning to enjoy those little surprises life tends to throw at you, even when you least expect it. At its core, it is a song about learning to go with the flow instead of allowing every little thing to upset you.

It’s the perfect thing to listen to on a day when you feel like none of your plans are working out because it changes your mindset to something more relaxed. That in turn gives you the chance to focus on the issues with a calm demeanor as opposed to panicking.

6. I’m Yours and I’m Hers (1969)

That’s right, you have a song about not being able to make a decision about the person this storyteller wants to be with. At first, it might seem like a song of indecision. In reality, it is a song about refusing to settle. The storyteller wants to be with both women and so he makes the decision to do exactly that.

5. Hustled Down in Texas (1969)

Have you ever been to a particular place and felt like you were almost wearing a target on your back from the moment you arrived? That is basically what the lyrics in this song are all about. It tells the tale of someone who travels to a small Texas town, only to be labled as an outsider from the very beginning. If this has ever happened to you, you already know how uncomfortable things can get. You can probably also identify with this song quite well.

4. Memory Pain (1969)

We all have those memories that we wish we could erase from our minds. It doesn’t even matter what the particular memory in question is, the feeling is almost universal. This is a tune that speaks to that, making it one of the favorites for anyone who has ever felt this way in their own life.

3. Johny B. Goode (1969)

Virtually everyone is familiar with this song, as it has been covered by numerous artists for decades. It always seems to be quite popular, regardless of the version that may be circulating at any given point in time. Winter’s version is definitely one of the most energetic ones out there.

2. Highway 61 Revisited (1969)

This is a song that became a staple for Winter. He even re-recorded it years later and there are several versions of the song which were performed live. It has his name written all over it, as it has loads of energy, plenty of Rock and Blues influence, and some truly impressive guitar riffs.

1. Be Careful With a Fool (1969)

This sounds like solid advice, regardless of the situation you find yourself in. Just as the title implies, you should always use caution when you are around someone who repeatedly makes questionable decisions. At the end of the day, most people just want to find peace. That’s unlikely to happen when you have to put out one fire after another, so to speak, all at the hands of someone else. In short, you don’t want to be dragged into someone else’s drama, so pick your friends wisely.

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