The 10 Best Tori Kelly Songs of All-Time
Hailing from Wildomar, California, is Victoria Loren Kelly, otherwise better known as the American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly. Born on December 14, 1992, Kelly is remembered by long-term fans as a teenager, posting videos on her YouTube channel, as well as appearing on American Idol in 2010. While she did well enough to win a ticket to Hollywood, Kelly did not make the cut that would see her compete through the show’s ninth season. While Kelly admitted she was devastated when she failed to impress the judges enough, she opted to shrug off the disappointment and move forward. In 2012, Kelly independently releases a debut EP (Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly).
A year later, she has a manager, Scooter Braun, who helps her sign with Capitol Records. Her first major-label EP (Foreword) is released shortly after her 2013 record deal begins. Kelly’s first debut album (Unbreakable Smile) is released in 2015 and it peaks at number two on the US Billboard 200. Her follow-up album (Hiding Place), is released in 2018 and sees the young songstress win two Grammy Awards, namely for Best Gospel Performance/Song and Best Gospel Album.
In 2019, Kelly releases her third studio album (Inspired by True Events) and in 2020, she releases her first Christmas album (A Tori Kelly Christmas). In addition, to hit singles and successful albums, Tori Kelly has also lent her voice as the character known as Meena in the 2016 animated movie (Sing) and its 2021 sequel (Sing 2).
10. Psalm 42
In 2018, (Psalm 42) is released as part of Kelly’s second studio album (Hiding Place). It peaked at the third spot with the US Billboard Gospel Songs. The ballad covering the biblical message within Psalms 42 is performed brilliantly through the form of a ballad, stating how the Lord is needed. Fans of gospel music find Kelly’s performance matches the sentiment Christians feel as they walk in a faith system they share with hers.
9. Lullaby (featuring Professor Green)
The mix of Green’s hip-hop style with Kelly’s soft melodic voice made this song from Professor Green’s 2014 album (Growing Up in Public) a fan favorite. The song performed well as a single within Green’s UK nation, peaking at #4, and has also since earned BPI’s Gold Certification since its release.
8. I Was Made for Loving You (featuring Ed Sheeran)
Coming from Tori Kelly’s debut album (Unbreakable Smile) charts worldwide, peaking at its best at number ten with the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles in 2015. This duet she performs with Ed Sheeran was a song they wrote and performed together. Since the release of (I Was Made for Loving You), the single has reached Gold Certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
7. Hollow
Originally released in digital format on October 19, 2015, (Hollow) was later reissued and added to Kelly’s debut album (Unbreakable Smile). Despite the song achieving moderate chart success, it has sold enough copies to become Certified Platinum by the RIAA. This song was also featured during a commercial for the 2017 Kia Forte.
6. Together (featuring Kirk Franklin)
During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, Kirk Franklin and Tori Kelly perform the inspirational single (Together). This track is featured on KING & COUNTRY’s album (Burn the Ships (Deluxe Edition: Remixes & Collaborations)) as part of a collaborative effort by all the music artists involved to lift the spirits of music fans as society had to undergo a time of bewilderment and uncertainty.
5. I’ll Find You (featuring Lecrae)
The combined vocal talent of Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae and contemporary Christian artist Tori Kelly performs the duet (I’ll Find You), which is featured on Lecrae’s 2017 album (All Things Work Together). The single may not have found a place on any major music charts, but it has since earned RIAA’s Platinum Certification as a testimony to its commercial success. If music fans don’t like what they hear they won’t buy it. With over a million copies of the single already sold since its release in 2017 it boldly speaks they love it.
4. Should’ve Been Us
There are two versions of the single (Should’ve Been Us). The first is Tori Kelly performing as a soloist while the second features Jeremih. Either version has proven to be a favorite among the fans and music critics. Coming from Kelly’s debut album (Unbreakable Smile) that came out in 2015, Should’ve Been Us achieved moderate chart success globally, peaking as high as #16 with the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40 Airplay. Since its release, the single has also achieved Platinum Certification from the RIAA.
3. Take Back Home Girl (featuring Chris Lane)
Coming from Chris Lane’s 2017 album (Laps Around the Sun) is a duet where he and Tori Kelly perform (Take Back Home Girl). Since its release, the single has achieved double Platinum Certification from the RIAA, proving the fans were more than happy to take a copy for their own.
2. Never Alone (featuring Kirk Franklin)
Performing with Kirk Franklin, Kelly’s single (Never Alone) comes from her second album (Hiding Place), which was released in 2018. This contemporary gospel song reached top rank with the US Billboard Gospel Songs chart, as well as earned a series of nominations for various music awards. It also won a Grammy Award in 2019 for Best Gospel Performance/Song.
1. Nobody Love
Coming from her 2015 debut album (Unbreakable Smile), is the first single Tori Kelly releases that would put her name on the worldwide map as one of its new musical stars. (Nobody Love) charted worldwide, ranking at its highest in New Zealand a #5. It also received Gold Certification from the RIAA, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), and the Recorded Music of New Zealand (RMNZ).
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