Blood, Sweat & Tears emerged during a vibrant period in music history, the late 1960s and early 1970s, an era characterized by experimentation and innovation in rock and roll. Alongside contemporaries like Chicago, The Buckinghams, and Lighthouse, Blood, Sweat & Tears were pioneers in seamlessly blending rock with a prominent brass section. This fusion created a distinctive sound that resonated with audiences and left an indelible mark on the music landscape.
Originally conceived by the visionary Al Kooper, Blood, Sweat & Tears first captured attention with their debut album, ‘Child Is The Father To The Man,’ released in 1968. This album showcased Kooper’s innovative approach, but he departed shortly after. The arrival of vocalist David Clayton-Thomas marked a new chapter for the band. With Clayton-Thomas at the helm, Blood, Sweat & Tears achieved mainstream success, dominating pop charts with a string of unforgettable hits. While their chart-topping streak eventually subsided, their music has endured, captivating listeners for over four decades. Here’s a countdown of the top 10 Blood, Sweat & Tears songs that solidified their legacy.
- Sometimes In Winter
Kicking off our list of essential Blood Sweat And Tears Songs is ‘Sometimes In Winter,’ a hidden gem from their self-titled second album, a massive commercial success. Guitarist Steve Katz, a founding member and crucial contributor, takes the lead vocals on this track. While primarily recognized for his guitar work and songwriting, Katz’s vocal performance here adds a unique dimension to the song. ‘Sometimes In Winter’ is a beautiful ballad that exemplifies the band’s signature brass-infused sound, enhanced with almost baroque musical arrangements, showcasing their versatility beyond their more well-known hits.
- Lucretia MacEvil
‘Lucretia MacEvil,’ penned by lead vocalist David Clayton-Thomas, is a quintessential Blood Sweat and Tears song, embodying their stone-cold soul-funk style. The song is driven by powerful horn accents that propel the energetic rhythm as Thomas delivers a dynamic vocal performance. A captivating mid-song instrumental battle between guitar and horns further exemplifies the band’s musical prowess. Released in the fall of 1970, ‘Lucretia MacEvil’ climbed to No. 29 on the charts and played a significant role in propelling their third album to the coveted No. 1 position, cementing their status as hitmakers.
- Morning Glory
Blood Sweat and Tears demonstrated their exceptional taste in material by frequently drawing from outside songwriters. ‘Morning Glory,’ a Tim Buckley classic from his 1967 album ‘Goodbye and Hello,’ serves as a prime example. ‘Morning Glory’ is inherently a beautiful song, and while Tim Buckley’s rendition is widely considered definitive, Blood Sweat and Tears infused it with their own distinctive brass-rock identity, effectively remaking it in their own musical image. Interestingly, ‘Morning Glory’ was also previously covered by The Stone Poneys, featuring a young Linda Ronstadt, highlighting the song’s appeal across different musical styles.
- Go Down Gamblin’
‘Go Down Gamblin’ explodes with full-throttle rock energy, launching Blood Sweat and Tears’ fourth album with undeniable impact. The song is characterized by its prominent and powerful horn section, while Steve Katz contributes blistering lead guitar work. Bobby Colomby’s impeccable drumming provides the solid rhythmic foundation, driving the song forward with relentless energy. ‘Go Down Gamblin” achieved Top 40 success, peaking at No. 32 in the summer of 1971, proving their continued relevance in a changing music scene.
- High on a Mountain
‘High on a Mountain’ stands out as a highlight from the band’s fourth album and is another example of Steve Katz’s songwriting talent. This Blood Sweat and Tears song is imbued with a dynamic soulfulness that remains captivating even decades later. Lyrically evocative with lines like “Wild eyed and lonely running out of time, some will say I died half crazy,” the song is further enhanced by David Clayton-Thomas’s signature vocal delivery and, as always, the brilliant horn arrangements that are a hallmark of the band’s sound.
- And When I Die
Securing the No. 5 spot on our list of top Blood Sweat and Tears songs is ‘And When I Die,’ one of their most recognizable tracks and their third consecutive No. 2 hit. Written by the gifted singer-songwriter Laura Nyro, ‘And When I Die’ was initially recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1966. Nyro herself recorded a version for her 1967 debut album, ‘A New Discovery.’ However, the song reached its full potential when Blood Sweat and Tears recorded it in 1969. Their rendition became a defining track on their self-titled second album, solidifying its massive success in the fall of that year.
- I Can’t Quit Her
‘I Can’t Quit Her,’ a gem penned by founding member Al Kooper, sounds like a hit that inexplicably never achieved its deserved recognition. This Blood Sweat and Tears song is a perfect example of soul-influenced pop, yet it surprisingly failed to make a significant chart impact. The song subtly incorporates elements reminiscent of Kooper’s earlier band, The Blues Project, alongside a strong Motown influence. The addition of brass and strings elevates ‘I Can’t Quit Her’ to a true classic, showcasing the band’s ability to blend diverse musical styles.
- You’ve Made Me So Very Happy
Blood Sweat and Tears achieved their first major hit with ‘You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.’ Reaching the charts in March 1969, it remained a chart fixture for over three months, ultimately peaking at No. 2. The song was originally recorded by Motown singer Brenda Holloway in 1967, who co-wrote it with Motown head Berry Gordy. Holloway’s version, while excellent, only briefly touched the Top 40. Blood Sweat and Tears transformed the song, making it definitively their own, a testament to their unique interpretive and arrangement skills, turning it into one of their signature blood sweat and tears songs.
- I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know
‘I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know,’ another composition by founding member Al Kooper, showcases Blood Sweat and Tears at their most soulful and bluesy. This powerful ballad served as the opening track on their debut album, ‘Child Is The Father To Man.’ It not only effectively introduced the band’s distinctive sound and style but also firmly established Al Kooper as a significant creative force beyond being just a sideman. The raw emotion and musical depth of ‘I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know’ solidify its place among the top blood sweat and tears songs.
- Spinning Wheel
Topping our list of the best Blood Sweat and Tears songs is ‘Spinning Wheel.’ This track became the band’s second major hit, arriving just two months after the release of their self-titled second album in early 1969. Written by David Clayton-Thomas, ‘Spinning Wheel’ perfectly encapsulates the band’s musical blueprint. It’s a masterclass in horn-driven pop/rock, elevated by Clayton-Thomas’s soulful vocals. ‘Spinning Wheel’ reached No. 2 in the spring of 1969, marking the second in an impressive streak of three singles that narrowly missed the top spot, solidifying its place as the number one blood sweat and tears song.
Next: Top 10 Al Kooper Keyboard Songs
