Top 10 Albert King Songs

Photo: Grant Gouldon, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Albert King Songs list looks back at 10 great Albert King songs that played a heavy role in influencing a generation of rock guitar players. Albert King is regarded as one of the all-time greatest guitar players in musical history. He was a left-handed guitarist who took the blues to deep, dark emotional levels that resonated among a large audience. He balanced out his rooted blues playing with an R&B feel that was often helped by his collaborations on record with Booker T and The MG’s. Our Top 10 Albert King songs list looks at ten classic Albert King songs that have stood the test of time.

# 10 – I’ll Be Doggone

We open up our Top 10 Albert King songs list with the legendary blues artist’s cool tune “I’ll Be Doggone.” The song was released on Albert King’s legendary album I’ll Play The Blues For You. The album was released in 1972. This was a huge song originally performed by Marvin Gaye in 1965. It had become Marvin Gaye’s first million-selling single. The song was written by Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore, and Marvin Tralin. Albert King puts his unique touch of the blues on this classic track.

# 9 – Killing Floor

Continuing with our Albert King songs list, we turn to his great version of the classic Chester Burnett song “Killing Floor.” This great track was released on the 1969 album Years Gone by Albert King. On this record, Albert King used some of the top musicians of the time period, including Booker T. Jones on keys, Steve Cropper on guitar, Donald Dunn on bass, and Al Jackson Jr. on drums.

# 8 – Phone Booth

In the number eight spot on our top 10 Albert Kings songs list, we listen to the sensational song “Phone Booth.” The song was released on I’m in a Phone Booth, Baby. The song was written by Richard Cousins, Robert Cray, Mike Vannice and Dennis Walke. It was the album’s opening track. This is a slick rhythm and blues style blues tune that defined the blues revival of the mid-1980s when artists like Robert Cray had become very popular.

Read More: Top 10 Robert Cray Songs

# 7 – She Caught the Katy (And Left Me a Mule to Ride)

For the great song “She Caught the Katy (And Left Me a Mule to Ride)” we go all the way back to 1971. The song was released on the album Lovejoy. The song was written by the legendary Taj Mahal and James Rachell. This is a very popular blues song that has been covered by many artists including The Blues Brothers, Phish, Peter Frampton, Wet Willie, and Widespread Panic. And who doesn’t love that great title?

# 6 – You Don’t Love Me

In the number six spot on our Albert King songs list, we return again to the great album Years Gone By, released in 1969. Listen to those great horns introducing the song as they wrap around the excellent guitar soloing by Albert King. The song “You Don’t Love Me” was performed as an instrumental on the album. Willie Cobbs wrote the song. This song has been covered by many artists, including a great version by The Allman Brothers Band on their Live At The Fillmore album.

Read More: Top 10 Allman Brothers Songs

# 5 – Don’t You Lie To Me (I Get Evil)

At the halfway point on our Albert King songs list, we showcase the great song “Don’t You Lie To Me,” also called “I Get Evil.” Albert King has recorded the song multiple times. The version presented here was from his debut album entitled The Big Blues. The album was released in 1962. That’s the legendary Johnnie Johnson of Chuck Berry’s band playing that rocking piano.

# 4 – Crosscut Saw

At number four on our Albert King songs list, we present the first of two songs from Albert King’s classic blues album Born Under A Bad Sign. The album was released in 1967. It was a compilation album of various recording sessions. It would become one of the most influential blues albums ever released. First up is the killer tune “Crosscut Saw. R.G. Ford wrote the song. It’s an old Mississippi blues song that Albert King had a minor hit with in his recording with Booker T & the MGs

# 3 – Born Under A Bad Sign

As we move along on our Albert King songs list, we present one more song from the Born Under A Bad Sign album that served as the album’s title cut. The song was written by Stax Recording artists William Bell and Booker T. It would become one of Albert King’s signature songs. Cream recorded one of the most famous versions of the song on their Wheels Of Fire album. Many years later, Albert King would record a sizzling version of the song with Stevie Ray Vaughan.

# 2 – Don’t Throw Your Love on Me So Strong

Albert King released many legendary albums throughout his career. One of his most famous is his debut album, The Big Blues, released in 1962. Featured here from the album is the song “Don’t Throw Your Love on Me So Strong.” This great song became Albert King’s first hit record and the first to be charted on any Billboard music charts. The song hit number 14 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Sides charts. It would also be the highest charting single of Albert King’s career.

# 1 – I’ll Play The Blues For You (Pts 1 & 2)

We close out our Albert King songs list with the title track from his legendary album I’ll Play The Blues For You (Pts 1 & 2). The song “I’ll Play The Blues For You (Pts 1 & 2),” is fueled by that great r&b style uptempo groove sound that people loved about Albert King. It was like a cross between James Brown and B.B. King. We could listen to this one all night. The song was released as a single and hit number thirty one on the US Billboard R&B Charts in 1972.