The 10 Best Michelle Branch Songs of All-Time
In 2000, Michelle Branch made her first tentative steps in the music industry with her self-produced debut album, Broken Bracelet, which consisted of a collection of songs she’d been working on since she was 14. It caught the attention of Maverick Records, and a year later, she followed it up with her major-label debut, The Spirit Room. Since then, she’s been nominated for multiple Grammy’s for both her solo work and her collaborations with the short-lived country music duo The Wreckers, ventured into acting, and released a third critically acclaimed album. Here’s our pick of the 10 best Michelle Branch songs of all time.
10. Sooner or Later
Kicking off our list of the 10 best Michelle Branch songs of all time is Sooner or Later, a swinging country song with banjos, steel guitar fills, and a narrator with a burning passion for someone who doesn’t even know she cares. Released as Branch’s first single after leaving The Wreckers (and her first-ever country song), it took the singer to number 93 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, number 35 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks, and number 46 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in the fall of 2009.
9. Hopeless Romantic
In February 2017, Branch released Hopeless Romantic, her first single since 2011’s Loud Music. Written by Branch, The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney, Gus Seyffert, Amy Kuney and Harlan Silverman, the song failed to make an impression on the charts, but received a warm reception from the critics, with Billboard issuing a glowing review and saying that “[Branch’s] smooth vocals perfectly complement the mid-tempo, laid-back drums and guitar throughout the song.”
8. Loud Music
Described by Pop Crush as “the kind of song that sounds best, well, loud, with its ’80s pop flavor and heavy-on-the-guitar back-track,” Loud Music is a winning combination of big beats, breezy rhythms, and beautiful vocals. Released as a single from The Loud Music Hits EP in June 2011, it became Branch’s biggest selling single since 2003’s Breathe, charting at number 19 on the US Billboard Adult Top 40 chart.
7. A Horse with No Name
A Horse with No Name was originally recorded by America, becoming their most successful single of all time when it went to number one in Canada, Finland, and the US on its release in 1971. It’s since become one of the most iconic songs of the decade, even if some of its lyrics (“The heat was hot”; “There were plants, and birds, and rocks, and things”) have raised the odd eyebrow over time. In 2017, Branch teamed up with her then-boyfriend, now-husband, the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney, for a modern take on the classic.
6. Are You Happy Now?
In 2003, Branch earned one of the highest-charting positions of her solo career with Are You Happy Now?, which was released as the lead single from her second studio album, Hotel Paper. The song peaked at number three on the US Adult Top 40 chart and number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was also a hit internationally, reaching number 31 in the UK, number 4 in Belgium, and number 16 in New Zealand. If that wasn’t enough, it also managed to pick up a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
5. Breathe
Named one of the best Michelle Branch songs of all time by thereviewsarein.com, Breathe became the singer’s last entry into the top 40 to date on its release as the second single from the album Hotel Paper in September 2003, peaking at number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
4. Goodbye to You
Goodbye to You is a tender ballad written about the heartbreak of a relationship coming to an end. Although originally recorded for her debut album, Broken Bracelet, it was later revisited for her second album and major-label debut, The Spirit Room. Released as the album’s final single in July 2002, it reached number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 on the US Adult Top 40. It also proved moderately successful overseas, peaking at number 32 in New Zealand.
3. All You Wanted
Described by mrsgiggles.com as “a teen fairytale worth believing in,” All You Wanted’s insanely catchy chorus is one of the most irresistible in Branch’s catalog, and one of the chief attractions of her major-label debut, The Spirit Room. After receiving an overwhelmingly positive reception from music critics, it took the charts by storm, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the 2nd highest-charting single of Branch’s career. It also managed to break into the top 40 in the UK, where it peaked at number 33.
2. The Game of Love
In 2002, Branch teamed up with legendary rock band Santana for The Game of Love. Speaking about the experience later, she recalled: “It was the first time for me to sing somebody else’s song. Usually I’m like: ‘Oh I want it this way’ and I’m in charge…I didn’t meet [Carlos Santana at the recording session], I didn’t know what was going on…It felt to me like wow it seems like there’s so much at stake, I’m going to go in there and just sing my heart out and just cross my fingers.” Issued as a single in September 2002, it sailed to number 5 on the Billboard Hit 100 to become Branch’s highest charting position. It also proved a major hit internationally, breaking into the top 10 in Canada and New Zealand and reaching number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.
1. Everywhere
In at number one on our list of the best Michelle Branch songs of all time is Everywhere, a song written by Branch and John Shanks about those days early on in a relationship when every little thing serves as a reminder of your partner. Released as the lead single from The Spirit Room in July 2001, the song was an international hit, breaking into the top 20 in the US, UK, Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. In 2017, Billboard named its chorus as one of the greatest of the 21st century.
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