- Anne Murray songs are the reason she is known across the world; she is the first female solo singer from Canada to attain the No. 1 spot on the U.S. charts and the first to bag a Gold record, this was for her famous song, Snowbird.
- The 79 years old and mother of two retired in 2008 and has sold over 50 million albums throughout her music career.
- The four-time Grammy winner’s discography includes 32 studio albums, 15 compilation albums, 8 Christmas albums, 6 video albums, and one live album.
Anne Murray is a Canadian country singer who gained recognition with the release of popular songs like Snowbird and A Little Good News. The solo artist has achieved record-breaking sales over the 45 years of her music career. She has received an impressive volume of awards, thanks to her melodious and warm alto performances.
Murray is the first woman Canadian singer to win Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards of 1984. With over 50 million albums sold across the globe, her career has been financially rewarding as much as it has won her some of the most coveted awards in the business.
She has received Grammy Awards, Juno Awards, American Music Awards, Country Music Associated Awards, and Canadian Country Music Associated Awards, to name a few. In all, the Canadian singer recorded over 200 songs before retiring in 2008.
Best Songs of Anne Murray
The Canadian singer had 76 singles to her name before retiring from the music industry in 2008. While she has released a heap of great songs, here are the 10 best-ranked Anne Murray songs of all time.
1. Snowbird
- Release Year – Mid 1970
- Writer – Gene MacLellan
- Album – Snowbird
This song is one of Anne’s biggest hits, it made the Top 10 crossover hit in the Country, Pop, and Adult Contemporary song chart. Snowbird was the first American Gold record ever awarded to a Canadian female soloist. This is surely the most popular of the best Anne Murray songs.
Snowbird Lyrics
Beneath this snowy mantle cold and clean
The unborn grass lies waiting
For its coat to turn to green
The snowbird sings the song he always sings
And speaks to me of flowers
That will bloom again in spring
When I was young
My heart was young then, too
Anything that it would tell me
That’s the thing that I would do
But now I feel such emptiness within
For the thing that I want most in life’s
The thing that I can’t win
Spread your tiny wings and fly away
And take the snow back with you
Where it came from on that day
The one I love forever is untrue
And if I could you know that I would
Fly away with you
The breeze along the river seems to say
That he’ll only break my heart again
Should I decide to stay
So, little snowbird
Take me with you when you go
To that land of gentle breezes
Where the peaceful waters flow
Spread your tiny wings and fly away
And take the snow back with you
Where it came from on that day
The one I love forever is untrue
And if I could you know that I would
Fly away with you
Yeah, if I could you know that I would
Fly away with you
2. Danny’s Song
- Release Year – 1972
- Writer – Kenneth Clark Loggins
- Album – Danny’s Song
Danny’s Song was a hit in the early 1970s and more than just a profitable breakthrough. It was nominated for Grammys’ Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. This song made it to the Top 10 on three of the biggest Billboard charts. Also, it was No. 10 on the country chart and No. 7 on the pop chart. Danny’s song spent two weeks on the easy listening chart as No.1.
Danny’s Song Lyrics
And we’ve just begun, I think I’m gonna have a son
He will be like you and me, as free as a dove
Conceived in love, the sun is gonna shine above
I’m so in love with ya honey
Everything bring a chain of love
And in the morning when I rise
Bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me every thing’s gonna be all right
Drink it up, love him and he’ll bring you luck
And if ya find he helps your mind, better take him home
Yeah ‘n don’t you live alone, try to earn what lovers own
I’m so in love with ya honey
Everything bring a chain of love
And in the morning when I rise
Bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me every thing’s gonna be all right
I’m so in love with ya honey
Everything bring a chain of love
And in the morning when I rise
Bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me every thing’s gonna be all right
3. A Love Song
- Release Year – 1973
- Writers – D.L. George and Kenny Loggins
- Album – Love Song
This song was a No. 1 hit in Anne’s native Canada, and it also topped the charts on the US Adult Contemporary charts. In 1975, the album earned Anne a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
A Love Song Lyrics
Flies so high and sings so good
And he brings to you
What he sings to you.
Well, he told if I try, I could fly for you
And I wanna try for you. ’cause
I wanna rock you in my arms all night long
I wanna get to know you
I wanna show you the peaceful feelin’ of my home.
Northern Lights and skies ablaze
And I bring to you,
Lover, when I sing to you.
Show the trail of my love and I
Sing to you,
Love is what I bring to you.
I wanna rock you in my arms all night long
I wanna get to know you
I wanna show you the peaceful feelin’ of my home.
I wanna rock you in my arms all night long
I wanna get to know you
I wanna show you the peaceful feelin’ of my home.
4. You Won’t See Me
- Release Year – 1974
- Writers – John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- Album – Love Song
Anne Murray’s version of this song was a Top Ten hit in the United States and Canada: it reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Easy Listening. Murray later re-recorded the song as a duet with Shelby Lynne as part of her “Duets: Friends & Legends” album in 2007. It is hard to imagine anyone would disagree that this is one of the best Anne Murray songs.
You Won’t See Me Lyrics
I have had enough, so act your age
We have lost the time that was so hard to find
And I will lose my mind if you won’t see me
You won’t see me
But I can’t get through, my hands are tied
I won’t want to stay, I don’t have much to say
But I can turn away if you won’t see me
You won’t see me
You won’t see me
I wouldn’t mind if I knew what I was missin’
They’re filled with tears (they’re just filled with tears)
And since I (and since I) lost you (I lost you)
It feels like years (it just feels like you)
And I just can’t go on (and I can’t, can’t go on)
If you won’t see me
You won’t see me
You won’t see me
I wouldn’t mind (I wouldn’t mind)
If I knew what I was missin’ (if I knew, I was missin’)
They’re filled with tears
And since I (and since I) lost you (lost you)
It feels like years
Yes, it seems, seems so long since you’ve been gone
And I just can’t (and I can’t) go on (go on)
If you won’t see me
You won’t see me
You won’t see me
Do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do
Do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do
Do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do, do-do-do-do
5. You Needed Me
- Release Year -1978
- Writer – Randy Goodrum
- Album – Let’s Keep It That Way
This song was first recorded by Anne Murray in 1978 and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. You Needed Me was the No.1 hit single in the United States in 1978 for which she won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 21st Grammys Award.
You Needed Me Lyrics
I was confused, you cleared my mind
I sold my soul, you bought it back for me
And held me up and gave me dignity
Somehow you needed me
To face the world out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me
I can’t believe it’s true
I needed you and you were there
And I’ll never leave, why should I leave?
I’d be a fool ’cause I finally found someone who really cares
When I was lost you took me home
You gave me hope when I was at the end
And turned my lies back into truth again
You even called me “friend”
To face the world out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me
6. I Just Fall in Love Again
- Release Year – 1979
- Writers – Steve Dorff, Larry Herbstritt, Harry Lloyd, and Gloria Sklerov
- Album – New Kind of Feeling
Anne Murray released her version of I Just Fall In Love Again in 1979, overshadowing Dusty Springfield’s version which was released 6 months earlier. Murray’s version topped Billboard’s Country and Adult Contemporary charts for three weeks. Billboard ranked this song as the No.1 Country hit of 1979.
I Just Fall in Love Again Lyrics
Or am I really lying here with you?
Baby, you take me in your arms
And though I’m wide awake, I know my dream is comin’ true
Just one touch and then it happens every time
There I go by, just fall in love again and when I do
I can’t help myself, I fall in love with you
The way I hold you when the night just seems to fly
Easy for you to take me to a star
Heaven is that moment when I look into your eyes.
Just one touch and then it happens every time
There I go by, just fall in love again and when I do
I can’t help myself, I fall in love with you
7. Shadows in the Moonlight
- Release Year -1979
- Writers – Charlie Black and Rory Bourke
- Album – New Kind of Feeling
Shadows in the Moonlight was released as the second single from the album “New Kind of Feeling” during Murray’s peak as a crossover artist. It was one of the three chart-toppers for Anne in 1979 and also charted on the Hot 100. The song peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.
Shadows in the Moonlight Lyrics
Darlin’, I’ll meet you ev’ry midnight
Hand in hand we’ll go
Dancin’ through the Milky Way
Where we can love the whole night away
We’ll be shadows in the moonlight
Right up ’til the light of day
And baby, so are we
I’m gonna make you glad you came
Just bring your love for me
And darlin’, I will do the same
Darlin’, I’ll meet you ev’ry midnight
Hand in hand we’ll go
Dancin’ through the Milky Way
You’ll be glad you came
Just you wait and see
Darlin’, I’ll meet you ev’ry midnight
Hand in hand we’ll go
Dancin’ through the Milky Way
Where we can love the whole night away
We’ll be shadows in the moonlight
Right up ’til the light of day
8. Broken Hearted Me
- Release Year – 1979
- Writer – Randy Goodrum
- Album – I’ll Always Love You
This song spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles chart. Broken Hearted Me also became Muray’s twelfth No. 1 single on the Canadian country chart. There is no doubt about it, Broken Hearted Me is one of the best Anne Murray songs.
Broken Hearted Me Lyrics
Every night you keep stayin’ on my mind
All my friends say I’ll survive
It just takes time
No I don’t see how it can if it’s broken all apart
A million miracles could never stop the pain
Or put all the pieces together again
No I don’t think time is gonna heal this broken heart
No I don’t see how it can while we are still apart
And when you hear this song
I hope that you will see
That time won’t heal a broken-hearted me
Playin’ games, different lovers, different names
They keep sayin’ I’ll survive
It just takes time
No I don’t see how it can if it’s broken all apart
A million miracles could never stop the pain
Or put all the pieces together again
No I don’t think time is gonna heal this broken heart
No I don’t see how it can while we are still apart
And when you hear this song
I hope that you will see
That time won’t heal a broken-hearted me
Read Also: 20 Best Alice Cooper Songs Of All Time
9. Daydream Believer
- Release Year – 1967
- Writer – John Stewart
- Album – I’ll Always Love You
Daydream Believer was recorded by Canadian singer Murray in 1979. This song reached No. 3 on the U.S Country Singles chart and No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Daydream Believer Lyrics
Of the blue bird as she sings
The six-o’clock alarm would never ring
But six rings and I rise
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes
The shaving razor’s cold and it stings
Oh what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen
As a white knight on his steed
Now you know how happy I can be
Oh, our good times start and end
Without all I want to spend
But how much baby do we really need
Oh what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen
10. Could I Have This Dance
- Release Year – August 1980
- Writers – Wayland Holyfield and Bob Hous
- Album – Urban Cowboy Soundtrack
This song was recorded for the 1980 romantic movie, Urban Cowboy. On Murray’s compilation album, it is one of the greatest hits. It was recorded as Murray’s tenth Top 40 on the U.S Pop Singles chart and her fifth country hit as a soloist. Could I Have This Dance was also featured in the 2021 American slasher film, Halloween Kills. No one should suggest otherwise, this will always be counted among the best Anne Murray songs.
Could I Have This Dance Lyrics
The first time we danced, and I knew
As we swayed to the music, and held to each other
I fell in love with you
Could you be my partner, every night
When we’re together, it feels so right
Could I have this dance for the rest of my life
When I held you close, to me
As we moved together, I knew forever
You’re all I’ll ever need
Could you be my partner, every night
When we’re together, it feels so right
Could I have this dance, for the rest of my life
Could you be my partner, every night
When we’re together, it feels so right
Could I have this dance, for the rest of my life
Other Notable Best Anne Murray Songs
- I Say a Little Prayer – Released in 1971 (with Glen Cambell)
- By the Time I Get to Phoenix – Released in mid-1971 (with Glen Cambell)
- Tears Are Not Enough – Released in 1985
- Put Your Hand in the Hand – Released in 1971
- He Thinks I Stil Care – Released in 1971
- Son of a Rotten Gambler –Released in 1974
Best Albums of Anne Murray
Having sold over 50 million records, Anne Murray is one of the top-selling Canadian female soloists in history. The 79 years old has 32 studio albums to her name, in addition to 8 Christmas albums, 15 compilation, and 5 live albums.
Listed below, in no particular order, are some of her highest-ranked and best albums:
- Snow Bird – Released in 1970, under the Capitol Records
- Country Cronnin – Released in 2002, under the Straightway Records/EMI
- The Best … So Far – Released in 1994, under the Capitol Records/SBK
- Let’s Keep It That Way – Released in 1978, under the Capitol Records
- Anne Murray’s Christmas Album – Released in 2008, under the Manhattan Records/EMI
- Duets: Friends and Legend – Released in 1970, under the Manhattan Records/EMI
- Anne Murray’s Greatest Hits – Released in 1980, under the Capitol Records
- Highly Prized Possession – Released in 1974, under the Capitol Records
- Somebody is Waiting – Released in 1980, under the Capitol Records
Early Life and Family Background of Anne Murray
Morna Anne Murray was born on June 20, 1945. She was born in the coal-mining town of Springhill in Nova Scotia, Canada. Her parents were medical practitioners. While her dad James Carson Murray was a doctor, her mother Marion Murray was a registered nurse.
The only girl child in the family of six, Anne developed a passion for music at a very young age and started taking piano lessons. At the age of 15, she started taking voice lessons as well. Anne got married to Bill Langstroth in 1975 and the union was blessed with two children. However, they separated in 1998 after 22 years of marriage. Sadly, Langstroth died in 2013 at the age of 81.
The Canadian artist studied at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax but transferred to the University of New Brunswick in 1966 where she earned a degree in physical education. While at the university, Annie started her career as a singer.
Prior to her debut album What About Me which was released in 1968, she earned a contract with the Canadian branch of Capitol Record. In the summer of 1970, with the release of Snowbird, Anne was catapulted to No.1 on the Easy Listening chart. She was the first Canadian female soloist to Top the Billboard list, paving the way for other Canadian singers and songwriters.
