10 Tracks to Remember Tina Turner

In 1984, with music videos already ruling the way people appreciated music, the appearance of Tina Turner in the song “What’s Love Got To Do With It” created waves all over. Besides the image of Tina facing the camera or walking in a leather miniskirt, people related to the lines, “Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?”, and the description of love as a second-hand emotion.

The song, from the album Private Dancer, was one of the two big hits that people identified Tina with. The other one “The Best,” often mistakenly called “Simply The Best” because of its main phrase, was actually a hit for Cyndi Lauper before Tina made it her own in 1989.

Tina, who passed away in Kusnacht, Switzerland, on May 24th, 2023 at the age of 83, had more to her than these two mega-hits. After releasing “Boxtop” in 1958 under the name Little Ann, she debuted as Tina Turner in “A Fool In Love,” a duet with her partner Ike Turner, who she ultimately split from. Encompassing a cross-section of styles from rock n’ roll and pop to soul and rhythm n’ blues, she became one of the most sought-after live performers of her generation.

Born Anne Mae Bullock, Tina was also known for embracing Buddhism. Musically, she has built up a huge catalog over the years. Here, we chronologically look at 10 gems released by her.

“A Fool In Love” (1960)

Written by Ike Turner, this 1960 release was one of the first rhythm n’ blues songs to become a mega-selling pop hit. It was also Tina’s first professional release as lead singer though she had recorded for Ike and his band as backup vocalist since 1958. Tina’s distinct voice attracted immediate attention, and the lines, “You’re just a fool, you know you’re in love” became a fan favorite.

“River Deep – Mountain High” (1966)

It was produced by Phil Spector, who had seen the Ike & Tina Turner Revue at a California club. He wanted to use Tina’s voice for the song but Ike agreed only on the condition that they were given joint credit. The song used a rag doll as a theme, and the musicians included Leon Russell on keyboards and Glen Campbell on guitar. Later versions by the Animals and Deep Purple increased its popularity. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1999.

“Proud Mary” (1971)

Written by John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Proud Mary” was successfully covered by Elvis Presley and Ike & Tina Turner. At that time, Tina was the victim of an abusive relationship, and the song symbolized freedom. Starting slowly but suddenly getting into a funk-driven sound, It became a symbol of her live act. It also won Tina her first Grammy, for Best R&B Performance by a Duo Or Group With Vocal.

“Nutbush City Limits” (1973)

This was a semi-autobiographical song written by Tina as a tribute to her rural hometown of Nutbush, Tennessee. None of the musicians were given credit though it is rumored that Marc Bolan of T-Rex played guitar. The raw energy of Tina’s voice gave the song everlasting appeal. It achieved cult status in Australia, thanks to a line dance created during the 1970s disco era, and which recently became a TikTok sensation.

“Acid Queen” (1975)

One normally identifies this song with the version written by Pete Townshend of the Who, and later used in the rock opera Tommy, in which Tina starred as the “Acid Queen,” appearing and singing in a scene-stealing cameo. Tina also had her own version in the album Acid Queen, where she also sang the Rolling Stones hit “Under My Thumb” and Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” It was the last album Ike and Tina released as a duo.

“What’s Love Got To Do With It” (1984)

Writers Graham Lyle and Terry Britten had offered this song to other singers including Cliff Richard and Donna Summer, who both didn’t record it. Of course, it was destined to be Tina Turner’s biggest hit, making it her first and only Billboard Hot 100 single. The song won three Grammys in 1985 – Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The music video, featuring Tina in a leather miniskirt, became hugely popular. The song was from the album Private Dancer, whose title song written by Mark Knopfler was also a hit.

“We Don’t Need Another Hero” (1985)

Also written by Lyle and Britten, it was featured in the film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, starring Mel Gibson and Tina. The lines were, “We don’t need another hero, we don’t need to know the way home, all we need is life beyond Thunderdome”. The music video featured Tina in a chain mail gown, like her character Aunty Entity. Saxophonist Timmy Capello and a children’s choir made appearances. The song was recently in the news following the release of a cover by Swedish band Ghost.

“The Best” (1989)

Writers Holly Knight and Mike Chapman first offered the song to Paul Young, who rejected it. Bonnie Tyler was the first to record it, achieving commercial success. Tina then recorded it in her own way, after requesting the writers for a few changes. She released it in the 1989 album Foreign Affairs, and Tyler admitted that Tina did “a much better job than I did.” The song has since been identified with Tina’s version.

“I Don’t Wanna Fight” (1993)

This song has an interesting story. It was written by British singer Lulu, her brother Billy Lawrie and Steve DuBerry. They offered it to singer Sade, who passed it on to Tina. The song was used in the Tina biopic What’s Love Got To Do With It, starring Angela Bassett as the singer. The lines, “I don’t care who’s wrong or right, I don’t really want to fight no more” was also interpreted as a reflection of Tina’s state of mind at that point. It was her last single to chart in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

“GoldenEye” (1995)

The song was composed for the James Bond film soundtrack by Irish musicians Bono and The Edge. It was first offered to Depeche Mode, but they were busy touring, giving Tina the prestigious opportunity of singing a 007 theme song. The song had the lines, “GoldenEye I found his weakness, GoldenEye he’ll do what I please, GoldenEye no time for sweetness, but a bitter kiss will bring him to his knees.” The music video was directed by Jake Scott. The song was also used in Turner’s album Wildest Dreams.