30 Great Songs of k.d. lang

About k.d.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1961 k.d. lang first hit the scene in 1983 when she formed the Patsy Cline tribute band The Reclines. Their first single was "Friday Dance Promenade" which did not Garner much attention but Led to the 1984 release of k.d.'s debut album A Truly Western Experience which received positive reviews from music critics and put her name in front of the Canadian people.

"k.d. lang is the greatest singer in the whole world" - Michael Buble

It was a countrified power-pop cover of Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden" that put k.d. on the map. The song was the first song to make it onto any national charts anywhere in the world. It made it to #7 on the Adult Contemporary charts in Canada and #45 on the Canadian Country charts. Some music critics felt lang's version topped Lynn Anderson's recording. Released on the Sire Records label the single made its way into record stores across the US and gained attention as a curiosity piece.

"I don't sing anything that hurts my voice" - k.d. lang

lang's vocal type is a mezzo soprano. She sings in a powerful husky dark tone in her lower range. Her higher range resonates beautifully, and she can sing in ranges higher than a contralto. lang is truly an underrated singer and is rarely placed on All-time Greatest Singers lists on which she deserves a place.

lang has won eight Juno awards and four Grammys. She has also been active as an animal rights, gay rights, and Tibetan human rights activist.

Bubbling Under

Before moving on to the 30 Great Songs of k.d. lang I wanted to share this extended list of other great k.d. lang songs.

66. "Flame of the Uninspired" (2007) / 65. "My Last Cigarette" (1997) / 64. "I Confess" (2011) / 63. "Theme from the Valley of the Dolls" (1997) / 62. "The Mind of Love" (1992) / 61. "Leavin' On Your Mind" (2003) / 60. "Sexuality" (1995) / 59. "Love for Sale" (2006) / 58. "Sugar Buzz" (2011) / 57. "Heaven" (2011) / 56. "Love's Great Ocean" (2000) / 55. "Lifted by Love" (2011) / 54. "Angel Eyes" (2007) / 53. "The Joker" (1997) / 52. "Hush Sweet Lover" (1993) / 51. "Our Day Will Come" (1989) / 50. "It's Happening with You" (2000) / 49. "Hain't it Funny" (1997) / 48. "You're OK" (1995) / 47. "The Consequences of Falling" (2000) / 46. "Help Me" (2007) / 45. "Sing it Loud" (2011) / 44. "Simple" (2004) / 43. "Just Keep Me Moving" (1993) / 42. "Jealous Dog" (2007) / 41. "Wash Me Clean" (1992) / 40. "So, in Love" (1990) / 39. "Helpless" (2004) / 38. "Rose Garden" (1987) / 37. "Hallelujah" (2004) / 36. "I Dream of Spring" (2007) / 35. "Love is Everything" (2004) / 34. "Save Me" (1992) / 33. "After the Gold Rush" (2004) / 32. "Full Moon of Love" (1989) / 31. "Three Days" (1989)

30 Greatest Songs of k.d. lang

30. "I'm Down to My Last Cigarette" (1988)

Parent Album: Shadowland

This was the first of three singles from the trendsetting Owen Bradley produced album Shadowland. The song made it to #7 on the Canadian Country charts and #21 on the US Country charts. This bluesy tune was written by Harlan Howard and Billy Walker. Walker used the song on the B-Side of his Top 5 Country hit "Cross the Brazos at Waco".

29. "Big Big Love" (1987)

Parent Album: Absolute Torch and Twang

k.d. shines with an enthusiastic vocal on this upbeat country tune. As always guitarist and longtime k.d. lang collaborator Ben Mink gives a fine guitar solo.

28. "Coming Home" (2007)

Parent Album: Watershed

This frolicking pop ballad makes good use of k.d.'s deep rich lower voice. In songs like this it is evident that some of k.d.'s early vocal influences are that of Anne Murray and Karen Carpenter. Bryan Sutton's lively flat picking acoustic guitar parts add a nice touch to the song - it adds a bit of an underlying country flair to the song.

27. "Busy Being Blue" (1984)

Parent Album: A Truly Western Experience

k.d. re-recorded this song for her classic 1988 album Shadowland. But it is this earlier rendition that makes the grade. While the added saxophone is great on the more polished Shadowland version. The more authentic earthy rendition on A Truly Western Experience features an effectively rootsy and bluesy vocal by k.d.

26. "Summerfling" (2000)

Parent Album: Invincible Summer

"Summerfling" is one of k.d.'s best known pop tunes which was a hit on the US Dance charts and an Adult Contemporary hit in Canada.

25. "If I Were You" (1995)

Parent Album: All You Can Eat

k.d. wrote "If I Were You" with her longtime collaborator Ben Mink. In the US the song topped the dance charts. Billboard named it k.d. lang's sixth-best song citing k.d. 's expressive vocal performance.

24. "Pine and Stew" (1984)

Parent Album: A Truly Western Experience

"Pine and Stew" is one of k.d.'s earliest songs. She wrote it back in 1981. k.d. says the song is about being happy with the natural elements.

23. "Pollyann" (1984)

Parent Album: N/A

"Pollyann" was written by k.d. and was recorded around the time of her debut album "A Truly Western Experience" but was not included on the album. The music video for the song is included on the 25th Anniversary Edition of the album released in 2010. Aside from k.d.'s enthusiastic vocals her bcking band gives some great Beach Boys like harmony vocals that set the song surfing.

22. "Western Stars" (1988)

Parent Album: Shadowland

k.d.'s velvety vocal performance drives this beautiful country and western song. The song features a nice range of guitars including a great steel guitar performance by the master Buddy Emmons. Chris Isaak wrote the song and included it in his 1985 debut album Silverstone.

21. "Got the Bull by the Horns" (1987)

Parent Album: Angel with a Lariat

k.d. does a bang-up rendition of this song. Her rapid vocal timing is exceptional. She doesn't miss a note or inflection. She is spot on 100% of the time with this complex rockabilly (or as I call it psychobilly) vocal arrangement.

20. "Bopalena" (1984)

Parent Album: A Truly Western Experience

k.d. makes good use of her deep lower register again and makes a home run. Her deeper husky voice gives the song both depth, strength, and youthful angst. Dave Bjarnason provides some crisp dynamic drum work as Stewart MacDougall fires up that piano, at points giving it a Jerry Lee Lewis sound. Myself being a guitar aficionado I must give Gordie Matthews much praise for his rocking guitar work.

This rockabilly classic was written by two country music legends: Webb Pierce and Mel Tillis. The song was a hit in 1958 for Ronnie Self and made it to #68 in the US.

19. "Shadowland" (1988)

Parent Album: Shadowland

Once again k.d. reaches down to the esoteric depths of her soothing rich and deep voice. Very few female performers can effectively emote in such deep and dark tones but k.d. lang more than successfully sings this song with a mesmerizing beauty.

The album Shadowland was produced by Owen Bradley, who produced Patsy Cline's best-known works.

18. "Ridin' the Rails (with Take 6) (1990)

Parent Album: Dick Tracy (Soundtrack)

Written by Andy Paley and Need Claflin. Paley also produced this cool jazz/blues song in which k.d. is joined by a Capella sextet Take 6. Andy Paley performed the song "Now, I'm Following You" in the 1990 film Dick Tracy" which starred Warren Beatty and Madonna.

The B-Side to "Ridin' the Rails," is another k.d. lang recording with Take 6 called "Seven Lonely Days," a rare k.d. lang find. Patsy Cline originally recorded the song.

"Ridin' the Rails" made it to #19 on the Adult Contemporary chart in Canada.

Note from Rick Henry: "Ridin' the Rails" is one of my personal favorites.

17. "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" (1987)

Parent Album: Angel with a Lariat

This is another song which Patsy Cline recorded first. k.d.takes the song and makes it her. Her smooth delivery is a powerhouse of emotion. While k.d. did not chart with the song, it is a fan favorite.

16. "Pay Dirt" (1987)

Parent Album: Angel with a Lariat

k.d. has stated that much of her early songs were influenced by the idea of the 1960s/70s television sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies. She loved the thought of mixing extreme urban with extreme country. "Pay Dirt", which was written by k.d., is representative of that urban/country mix. The song is filled with all types of ironies including an electric guitar which shifts from rootsy rockabilly licks to slick modern rock chords. There's k.d. with her aggressive and raw cowpunk country lead vocals blended with a polished Beach Boys type harmony vocal done by the boys in the band. And there's fiddles galore!!! The song screams FUN from start to finish.

15. "Hanky Panky" (1984)

Parent Album: A Truly Western Experience

k.d. mentions Malcolm McLaren's "Buffalo Gals" in reference to her earlier 'square dance' influenced cowpunk songs. She's mentioned that she likes how McLaren, a punk guy, used square dancing as an influence for "Buffalo Gals." k.d. calls "Hanky Panky" her kitschy version of "Buffalo Gals."

14. "Black Coffee" (1988)

Parent Album: Shadowland

"Black Coffee" is a great standard first recorded by Sarah Vaughan. She took the song to #13 in the US. Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald have recorded the song. k.d.'s recording of the song has become a centerpiece of the Shadowland album and is considered an essential k.d. lang track.

13. "Constant Craving" (1992)

Parent Album: Ingénue

This is the song that made k.d. an international star. "Constant Craving" is her biggest hit reaching the Top 40 in Australia, Canada*, Iceland, Ireland*, UK*, and the US. (* denotes Top 15 chart placement). The song also made it to #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart in Canada and the US.

"Constant Craving" signifies k.d.'s shift from country to pop music. The song received nominations for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Female (which she won) at the 1993 Grammy Awards.

Written by k.d. lang and her frequent collaborator, Ben Mink. Mink is best known for his musical partnership with lang, though he also holds producer credits with other well-known artists such as the Barenaked Ladies, Bruce Cockburn, and Ann Wilson of Heart.

12. "Angel with a Lariat" (1987)

Parent Album: Angel with a Lariat

The upbeat title track of her now classic album is complete with saloon style piano parts reminiscent of the early 1900s, expertly executed complex drum patterns, a rockin' rockabilly guitar solo, exciting backing vocals, and k.d.'s bold and energetic lead vocals.

The following quote is from the liner notes of the k.d. lang compilation Reintarnation:

"It's based on Elvis and the 'Viva Las Vegas' sound, but it's also my love song or homage to Patsy Cline. She was really the person who ignited my whole career. I was into performance art and industrial punk music and then I got into Patsy and got the vision for country music. I've always attributed Patsy Cline with being the person who kick-started me, so she's the angel with the lariat."

Rick Henry's Comment: I always described the percussion in this song as having a train moving quickly on the tracks type sound.

11. "Watch Your Step Polka" (1987)

Parent Album: Angel with a Lariat

The album Angel with a Lariat is filled with a good amount of fun upbeat cowpunk tunes and "Watch Your Step Polka" is no exception - the entire album is great from start to finish.

10. "Friday Dance Promenade" (1983)

Parent Album: N/A

This was k.d.'s very first release. The song was recorded in her first manager's recording studio in Edmonton, Alberta. He had a special where you pay $1000, and you get to record two sides on his 16-track studio and 500 copies would be pressed on the Bumstead label. The single is very rare and generally sells for an average price of around $220. The single did not chart but was an impressive first release. k.d. of course wrote the song and she name drops Patsy Cline.

9. "High Time for a Detour" (1987)

Parent Album: Angel with a Lariat

This is one great fiddle kickin' electric guitar kickin' tune.

8. "Barefoot" (1991)

Parent Album: Salmonberries (Soundtrack)

This is one of the most evocatively haunting songs of k.d.'s entire career. The song is featured in the film Salmonberries in which k.d. stars as Kotzebue, an orphaned Eskimo and young woman of androgynous appearance who works as a male miner in Alaska.

7. "Don't Be a Lemming Polka" (1993)

Parent Album: Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (Soundtrack)

Although k.d. recorded this one after her 'cowpunk' days ended she wrote it early on in her career. k.d. recorded this song for the 1993 film/soundtrack Even Cowgirls Get the Blues a good year and a half after having a hit with "Constant Craving." By this point in time, she had long dropped her cowpunk style, so this was a sort of going back to her roots.

6. "Diet of Strange Places" (1987)

Parent Album: Angel with a Lariat

A fan favorite which lyrically is one of k.d.'s best. The lyrics describe the emotions of loneliness with words relating to hunger such as craving, empty, tasteless, fed and the word hunger itself.

k.d. wrote this song in 1985 while in Japan on a day she was fasting. She says the song is about being an outsider.

5. "Miss Chatelaine (1992)

Parent Album: Ingénue

The music video for this song is like watching a dream come true. It's complete with bubbles, swirling lights, candelabras, chandeliers. k.d. parodies her own androgynous image by appearing in a yellow ball gown with fringe and daisy earrings.

The song, a homage to Lawrence Welk, is a standout in k.d.'s catalog. The swirling violins, acoustic guitars, happy accordion coupled by a Brazilian Bossa Nova rhythm make the song a delicious piece of ear candy.

Chatelaine is in reference to the Canadian women's publication that named k.d. woman of the year in 1988.

4. "Tune into My Wave" (1987)

Parent Album: Angel with a Lariat

This cowpunkbilly (country + punk + rockabilly) song is a fan favorite highlight of the album Angel with a Lariat which was produced by the legendary Dave Edmunds. Edmunds' influence is unmistakably present on the album with his trademark alt-rockabilly sound. Featuring a big, snappy drum sound, with plenty of guitars mixed upfront, and k.d.'s impeccable vocals.

3. "Trail of Broken Hearts" (1989)

Parent Album: Absolute Torch and Twang

k.d. says that "Trail of Broken Hearts" (and "Pulling Back the Reins") were stepping stones to Ingénue and away from country. VH1 immediately latched onto "Trail of Broken Hearts" and put the song into regular rotation.

k.d.'s vocal on this one is big and powerful yet sensitive, intimate, and emotive.

● Rick Henry's Comment: I really love everything about this song!!!

2. "Turn Me Round" (1987)

Parent Album: Angel with a Lariat

k.d.'s creative relationship with collaborator Ben Mink started with this song. k.d. met Ben in 1985 during the Canadian Cultural Show in Japan. She let Ben know she had been signed to Sire records and that she was looking for songs. A few months later Ben mailed her a demo tape which included "Turn Me Round." This was the beginning of a great long lasting creative relationship.

Ben Mink rightfully features prominently on this song. He provides his energetic electric guitar, electric mandolin, and the violin. Complete with a square dance caller which adds to the upbeat fun of the song.

1. "Pullin' Back the Reins" (1989)

Parent Album: Absolute Torch and Twang

Probably k.d.'s most powerful and effective vocal of her career. This soulful blues jazz and country-tinged song was written by k.d. lang and Ben Mink and was the fourth single released out of six from the Absolute Torch and Twang album.

k.d. sees this as being a transitional song pulling her away from country toward the various musical styles, she experimented with which led to her classic Ingénue.

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This is it. I hope you have enjoyed this review of k.d. lang's music. She is an extraordinary artist and deserves to be recognized.

Thank you!