Tanya Tucker started amassing hits when she was just 13 years old. She saw her first taste of fame with her version of “Delta Dawn,” which rivaled renditions from the likes of Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, and Bette Midler. In the subsequent decades, Tucker managed to recreate that whirlwind success time and time again.
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[RELATED: The 23 Best Tanya Tucker Quotes]
Tucker has shared 25 studio albums over her tenure in the country scene, each producing timeless hits and garnering the country star an enviable amount of accolades. We’ve combed through those albums and chosen a select few of Tucker’s best songs as a career retrospective. Check out our picks for the top 10 Tanya Tucker songs, below.
10. “Here’s Some Love”
“Here’s Some Love” was the title track to Tucker’s only No. 1 album. While maintaining a classic country air, the song had just enough adult contemporary flavor to garner some crossover appeal for Tucker.
9. “Soon”
“Soon” is a guitar-driven ballad that is palpably bittersweet. Tucker sings about broken promises in a relationship: Someday slowly turns to never / Tears and champagne offer no solution. Her deeply emotional performance earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
8. “Strong Enough to Bend”
Tucker leans into a bluegrass sound in “Strong Enough to Bend.” In contrast to “Soon,” this track is all about enduring love. She sings, Like a tree out in the backyard / That has never been broken by the wind / Our love will last forever / If we’re strong enough to bend.
7. “Dream Lover”
“Dream Lover” is one of two duets Tucker recorded with Glen Campbell on her Dreamlovers album. This track stands as a memento of the two country superstars’ tumultuous relationship. They sing in the chorus of this Bobby Darin cover, I want a dream lover so I don’t have to dream alone.
6. “San Antonio Stroll”
Tucker was just 17 years old when “San Antonio Stroll” was released. The track is classic country toe-tapper filled with lyrics about that big square dance in town and that old opry show. Tucker delivers this ode to small-town living perfectly.
5. “Would You Lay With Me (in a Field of Stone)”
“Would You Lay With Me (in a Field of Stone)” scored Tucker the second biggest crossover of her career. She fully commits to her lovelorn state on this track, singing, Wipe the blood away from my dying hand / If I give my self to you.
4. “Blood Red and Goin’ Down”
“Blood Red and Goin’ Down” is a stellar example of the narrative style Tucker made use of early on in her career. She sets the scene, Daddy said, “Now come girl / We’re headed down the road to Augusta” / And frankly through his clenched teeth / He called Mama’s name and then he cussed her. Tucker was only 15 when she recorded this song, but manages to imbue a maturity that gives this track the emotional weight it deserves.
3. “What’s Your Mama’s Name”
Speaking of Tucker’s knack for storytelling, “What’s Your Mama’s Name” tells the tale of a man trying to reconnect with his daughter. What’s your mama’s name, child? What’s your mama’s name? / Does she ever talk about a place called New Orleans? / Has she ever mentioned a man named Buford Wilson? / What’s your mama’s name, child? What’s your mama’s name, she sings.
2. “Delta Dawn”
When you think of Tucker, “Delta Dawn” is likely one of the first songs that come to mind. This track —which was also recorded by the likes of Bette Midler, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and Waylon Jennings—helped jump-start Tucker’s career when she was just 13 years old.
1. “Lizzie and the Rain Man”
Coming in at No. 1 is “Lizzie and the Rain Man.” The song peaked at No. 7 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart—an impressive feat given how heavy-handed the twang on this track is. Yet another poignant narrative, this track was inspired by the film The Rainmaker.
Credit: Derrek Kupish / Courtesy Scott Adkins PR
