Yesterday, Solomon Burke passed away due to natural causes. He was 70.
The King of Rock ‘N Soul was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and penned many a stellar song, but he never quite received the mainstream success he deserved. Today we honor his legacy with 10 of his finest.
10. “Let Me Wrap My Arms Around You”
Is there any doubt why Burke named his 1975 album Music to Make Love By?
9. “Don’t Give Up on Me”
The ultimate apology: “I’d like to make amends for all the love that I never, never shown.”
8. “If You Need Me”
This 1963 cover of a Wilson Pickett tune was one of Burke’s highest-charting performances.
7. “The Price”
You’d have to be pretty cruel (not to mention tone-deaf) to laugh and call Solomon your personal clown in front of all your friends.
6. “Tonight’s the Night”
Burke’s dulcet vocals are in top form here as he urges you to lock the door, take the phone off the hook and enjoy a little, ahem, quality time.
5. “Fast Train”
A hauntingly beautiful tale of a life spinning out of control.
4. “Down in the Valley”
This 1962 track was later covered by Otis Redding.
3. “Got to Get You Off of My Mind”
With the wailing back-up vocalists, the horn section, and, of course, Burke’s smooth voice, it’s easy to see why this was the most successful song of his long career.
2. “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love”
This classic has been covered by the likes of The Rolling Stones and The Blues Brothers, but no one does it like the original.
1. “Cry to Me”
Burke’s greatest song was actually a hit for him twice—when it originally came out in 1962, and again in 1987 after it was famously used in Dirty Dancing.