Gone Solo: 50 Chart-Topping Songs by 50 Artists Who Left Their Bands
From Stevie Nicks and Harry Styles to Belinda Carlisle and Beyoncé, check out 50 songs by 50 artists who claimed independence from their bands.
Who’s the mightiest gone-solo musician of them all? In honor of Independence Day, we’re looking back at 50 artists who claimed independence from their bands. From Stevie Nicks and Harry Styles to Belinda Carlisle and Beyoncé, these artists proved they could go their own way and make it on their own.
The list was created by Chris Molanphy — host of the Slate podcast Hit Parade — using a weighted formula that includes hit albums, album chart “group boost,” RIAA certifications, Hot 100 performance, length of solo career, and Rock Hall induction status.
Top 50 Songs by 50 Artists Who Went Solo
50. Annie Lennox – “Walking on Broken Glass”
49. Method Man – “Bring the Pain”
48. Darius Rucker – “Wagon Wheel”
47. Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop (That Thing)”
46. Björk – “Human Behaviour”
45. Omarion – “O”
44. Ozzy Osbourne – “Crazy Train”
43. Belinda Carlisle – “Mad About You”
42. Wyclef Jean – “Gone till November”
41. Harry Styles – “Adore You”
40. Chaka Khan – “I Feel for You”
39. Fergie – “Glamorous”
38. Don Henley – “All She Wants to Do Is Dance”
37. Sammy Hagar – “Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy”
36. Lou Reed – “Perfect Day”
35. Peter Frampton – “Show Me the Way”
34. Gwen Stefani – “Hollaback Girl”
33. Camila Cabello – “Havana”
32. Jeff Beck – “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers”
31. Stevie Nicks – “Edge of Seventeen”
30. Dr. Dre – “Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang”
29. Ice Cube – “It Was a Good Day”
28. Patti LaBelle – “Lady Marmalade”
27. Bobby Brown – “My Prerogative”
26. Steve Winwood – “Higher Love”
25. Ricky Martin – “Livin’ la Vida Loca”
24. Joan Jett – “I Hate Myself for Loving You”
23. Peter Gabriel – “Sledgehammer”
22. Busta Rhymes – “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check”
21. Sting – “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free”
20. Paul Simon – “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”
19. Smokey Robinson – “Cruisin'”
18. Tina Turner – “Better Be Good to Me”
17. Neil Young – “Old Man”
16. Gloria Estefan – “Conga”
15. Justin Timberlake – “Cry Me a River”
14. Van Morrison – “Brown Eyed Girls”
13. Lionel Richie – “All Night Long”
12. Phil Collins – “You Can’t Hurry Love”
11. 2PAC – “California Love”
10. George Michael – “Faith”
9. Paul McCartney – “Hi, Hi, Hi”
8. Diana Ross – “Love Hangover”
7. Cher – “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves”
6. Lil Wayne – “A Milli”
5. Kenny Rogers – “The Gambler”
4. Beyoncé – “Crazy in Love”
3. Eric Clapton – “After Midnight”
2. Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
1. Rod Stewart – “Maggie May”
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