Hearts’ 18 favourite songs: The tracks that made Ann and Nancy Wilson
Despite the multiple breakups Heart experienced over their 50-year journey, Nancy and Ann Wilson always found a way to reunite on stage.
The classic rock duo broke barriers for women in a male-dominated genre, proving that women rock just as hard as men and inspiring a whole generation of acts. With virtuosic musicianship and a vital swagger, the duo, who were raised on the likes of Led Zeppelin, brought something entirely new to music, and proudly proclaimed, “Getting started in music so young, it was a calling.”
Although the band didn’t exactly skyrocket to success overnight, they put in years of hard work to ensure Heart finally reached the top. Then, their self-titled 1985 album was a game-changer, becoming their first to hit number one on the charts in the US. From then on, everything the Wilson sisters touched turned to gold.
And they had the natural skill to do so. “Ann had this God-given talent of voice, and I had this burning desire to become proficient on the guitar,” Nancy explained. This, she would argue, is what made them stand out as the real deal. “I think proficiency is what nobody can argue with,” she proudly asserted. And they had the passion to really make their technical chops connect with bull’s-eye precision.
In the 1980s, Heart scored plenty of hits, finally getting recognition after years of grinding behind the scenes. They dominated the charts with hits like ‘These Dreams’ and ‘What About Love’. Their electrifying performances and genre-defying sound earned them legions of fans and established them as one of the most dynamic acts in rock music. In 2013, Heart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their place in music history.
During an episode of The Celebrity Playlist Podcast, the duo shared some of their favourite songs, providing a glimpse into the many influences that helped to shape their lives and careers. “It’s quite difficult to narrow it all down,” Nancy admitted. “[These are] the things that inspire, things that taught us how to play and sing, and songs that were turning points, that made us cry and laugh,” she added.
They began with ‘State of Independence’ by Donna Summer from her 1982 album, explaining the appeal of Quincy Jones, who produced the album: “The groove on this song is amazing. It’s just so mind-blowing. There’s all kinds of celebrities in this chorus. The groove will just blow your head off.” Following the pattern of songs with excellent grooves, they added that Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ “changed all of our lives, in many, many ways”.
Discussing ‘Do It Again’, they explained: “Steely Dan is like no other band. These guys took jazz and stood it in its ear and made their own sound out of jazz and rock, and East Coast that took sarcasm and a wink and a sneer and made it really accessible. I still don’t know how they did that. The first time I heard a Steely Dan song, I had to buy the single and put it in an envelope to a friend of mine in Germany because it was so groundbreaking.”
The Wilsons also discussed some of the best contributions to rock, including Led Zeppelin’s ‘The Crunge’ and Robert Plant’s “sexy” track ‘Fortune Teller’. They add that Lucinda Williams is “one of the best songwriters” who “nails it emotionally and poetically in a way that no one else can do it,” praising her achievements in an oftentimes toxic environment. Discussing ‘Car Wheels On A Gravel Road’, their appreciation for Williams ties to her ability to be “painful” but in a way that “you have to laugh”.
From the upbeat and innovative disco of Donna Summer to the blues of Robert Plant away from his searing band and Elton John’s pop profundity, all these tracks can be heard in the glowing alloy of Heart. They poured all their passion into a singular sound, and had the skill to pull it off with awesome aplomb.
Check out the full list below.
Ann and Nancy Wilson’s favourite songs:
- Donna Summer – ‘State of Independence’
- Michael Jackson – Thriller’
- Steely Dan – ‘Do It Again’
- Harry Nilsson – ‘Early In The Morning’
- Stevie Wonder – ‘Fingertips’
- Steely Dan – ‘Time Out Of Mind’
- Robert Plant – ‘Fortune Teller’
- Led Zeppelin – ‘The Crunge’
- Lucinda Williams – ‘Car Wheels On A Gravel Road’
- The Black Crowes – ‘She Talks To Angels’
- Steely Dan – ‘Third World Man’
- Bob Dylan – ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’
- Joni Mitchell – Hejira’
- Elton John – ‘No Shoestrings on Louise’
- The Left Banke – ‘Pretty Ballerina’
- Jeff Beck – ‘Diamond Dust’
- The Rolling Stones – ‘Brown Sugar’
- Elton John – ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’
