Essential Bonnie Raitt: 4 Songs All Fans Should Know

There’s nothing like a good Bonnie Raitt song! This blues rock and country rock icon has delivered hit after hit through the years, but there are a few noteworthy songs in her discography that are essential listening for any fan, big or small. Let’s dive into four essential Bonnie Raitt tracks worth revisiting or enjoying for the very first time!

1. “Something To Talk About”

Bonnie Raitt’s talent for the blues is unmistakable, but she’s far from a cookie-cutter clone of other blues crooners. She’s always had a very rock-focused and bittersweet vibe to the way she sings, and that’s evident in “Something To Talk About”. Raitt sings about heartbreak and some smack-talking friends in a way that is irresistible on this track.

2. “Sweet Home Chicago”

We’ll say it again for good measure: Bonnie Raitt’s heart and voice are so intertwined with blues, no matter what genre she takes on. She brought that bluesy energy to country music and heartland rock quite a few times throughout her career, particularly with her rendition of “Sweet Home Chicago”. 

This raw and stunning song was performed during a tribute concert for Buddy Guy, made even better by the accompanying talents of Tracy Chapman, Jeff Beck, and Beth Heart. Raitt really knows how to play the guitar and absolutely jams it out on this cover.

3. “Just Like That”

This essential Bonnie Raitt song nabbed the blues-rock icon a Grammy in 2023, and it makes sense why. “Just Like That” is a really amazing song that perfectly melts together airy country with folksy blues. It’s an Americana classic that you’d expect from a few decades ago, rather than the 2020s. 

Some fans of the losing artists at the Grammys that year weren’t happy about Raitt winning the award, but we think she absolutely deserved it.

4. “Runaway”

Yet another cover hits our list of essential Bonnie Raitt songs, but Raitt’s rendition of “Runaway” is more of a reimagining than a simple cover. This song was originally released by Del Shannon in the 1960s, and Raitt managed to put a more modern spin on the song. With as much respect as possible for Del Shannon, the OG song was a bit campy and silly. Raitt turned the track into a lusty, powerful song. And she managed to hit those high notes insanely well.

Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Americana Music Association

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