Amy Winehouse arrives at the BRIT Awards 2007 in association with MasterCard at Earls Court on February 14, 2007 in London.

The late Amy Winehouse had a short-lived music career, but she put out hit after hit. With the new biopic coming out later this month, we have ranked the British songstress’ best songs of all time.

46664 Concert: In Celebration Of Nelson Mandela's Life - Performance, Amy Winehouse's 7 Best Songs
(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Amy’s Beginnings And Rise To Fame

Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983, in London, England. Many of her uncles on her mother’s side were jazz musicians. Her grandmother Cynthia was a singer who dated jazz saxophonist Ronnie Scott. Cynthia and Amy’s parents influenced her interest in jazz from a young age.

At 14 years old, Winehouse began playing guitar and began writing music shortly afterward. She began her career as an entertainment journalist for the World Entertainment News Network and sang with a local group called the Bolsha Band. By 2000, she became the featured female vocalist with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Winehouse released her debut album, Frank, in 2003. Most of the songs on the album are influenced by jazz, and Winehouse co-wrote every one. After the release of her first album, Winehouse changed her sound to the girl groups of the ’50s and ’60s, like the Ronettes. She emulated her signature beehive hairdo and Cleopatra-esque makeup after the group.

Back to Black was released in 2006, releasing “Rehab” as its first single. Time magazine named “Rehab” the Best Song of 2007. In 2008, Winehouse received five Grammy Awards. As successful as Winehouse became during this period, she was also struggling with alcoholism, drug use, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders.

The singer was hospitalized, canceled shows, and entered rehab from 2007 to her death at 27 years old in 2011. She was found dead in her London home by her bodyguard. A coroner said her death was accidental, with a report saying her blood alcohol content was five times the legal driving limit. According to the coroner, the “unintended consequence” of so much alcohol was her “sudden and unexpected death.”

Since her death, one documentary has been released, titled Amy. In the upcoming biopic set for release on May 17, Marisa Abela portrays the late Winehouse. According to a press release, Back to Black was made with the full support of the Amy Winehouse Estate, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Publishing.

The movie is billed as a “never-before-seen glimpse” into the Grammy winner’s early, intense journey to fame and the release of her groundbreaking studio album. Director Taylor-Johnson says of Abela starring as Winehouse: “The moment she looked into the lens at her first audition, I knew she was the perfect actor to play Amy Winehouse. She put in an enormous amount of work, attention to every detail, and she trained daily for hours to be able to sing throughout the entire movie. She doesn’t impersonate Amy, she inhabits her.”

Keep scrolling to see Amy Winehouse’s 7 best songs ranked:

  • 7. Rehab

    For probably the most popular of all her songs, “Rehab” was a constant radio play when it was released in the US. Obviously, Winehouse has struggled with addiction and this song is a more playful approach to the heavy subject matter as the chorus sings, “They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, ‘no, no, no.'”

  • 6. Tears Dry On Their Own

    The lyrics of this Back to Black track are dejected and angry, but the way Winehouse sings the chorus feels joyous. Winehouse sings about the better times of a relationship, but as her lover walks away, “the sun goes down.” She struggles with why she lets a “stupid” man affect her so much, so she pushes herself to move on.

  • 5. Wake Up Alone

    This track has Winehouse convincing herself that staying busy keeps her from wondering where her lover is. When she catches herself spiraling in thought, she keeps herself busy so she doesn’t drink or think about the dread. This is one of her songs that fully embodies the ’50s influence she evokes.

  • 4. What Is It About Men

    From her 2003 album Frank, Winehouse questions herself, “What is it about men?” that brings out her destructive side. She lists that she is nurturing but the tears that she holds back for uncovering her fears. Her R&B influence makes this jam one of our favorites with the way Winehouse croons about her self-destructive tendencies taking over her.

  • 3. Love Is A Losing Game

    This Back to Black hit is one of her simpler songs of the album, yet her most heartbreaking. “Till the chips were down, know you’re a gambling man, love is a losing hand,” Winehouse sings. The singer-songwriter is haunted by the memories of a love that is laughed at by the gods.

  • 2. You Know I'm No Good

    What we love about this song is the unabashed declaration of being trouble and owning it. Winehouse sings of cheating on her guy with her ex-boy, but thinking of her man. She struggles with being faithful, but can’t or won’t change her ways. Then, when her man finally gives up on caring, she wonders who stuck the knife in first playing a dangerous game in love. It’s also such a fun song to sing along to.

  • 1. Back to Black

    It comes as no surprise that Winehouse’s best song has to go to “Back to Black.” This song hits. Every. single. time. Whether you are going through heartache or not, this song is just a delight to listen to. “Back to Black” was inspired by Winehouse’s relationship with her then-boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil, who had left her for an ex-girlfriend. This is the song that comes to mind when we think of Amy Winehouse’s iconic sound.

Sign me up for the Sunny 102.7 email newsletter!

As a member of the Sunny VIP club, you'll get even more of the music that makes you feel good! You'll get the latest news, concert info, contest alerts, and more!

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.