Frank Sinatra Albums Ranked

Francis Albert Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide. While Sinatra never learned how to read music, he worked very hard from a young age to improve his abilities in all aspects of music. A perfectionist, renowned for his dress sense and performing presence, he always insisted on recording live with his band. His bright blue eyes earned him the popular nickname “Ol’ Blue Eyes”. Sinatra led a colorful personal life and was often involved in turbulent affairs with women, such as with his second wife Ava Gardner. He later married Mia Farrow in 1966 and Barbara Marx in 1976. Sinatra had several violent confrontations, usually with journalists he felt had crossed him, or work bosses with whom he had disagreements. He was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors in 1983, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan in 1985, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997. Sinatra was also the recipient of eleven Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Trustees Award, Grammy Legend Award, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was collectively included in Time magazine’s compilation of the 20th century’s 100 most influential people. After Sinatra’s death, American music critic Robert Christgau called him “the greatest singer of the 20th century”, and he continues to be seen as an iconic figure. Here are all of Frank Sinatra’s albums ranked.

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10. Sinatra At The Sands, 1966

“Mark me among the minority – I don’t object to Sinatra’s monologue at all. In fact, I think it captures the time, place, and performer perfectly – which is what a Live album is supposed to do, isn’t it? The Count Basie orchestra sounds terrific and Sinatra is in good voice (although rough in a couple of spots). The standards from Sinatra’s handbook are all here and they are presented well. I am not necessarily a Sinatra fan, but this is how I picture Frank Sinatra to be.”

9. September Of My Years, 1965

“A great introspective album from Mr. Sinatra. Great production and material this record presents a maturing Sinatra, well done.”

8. A Swingin’ Affair!, 1957

“Brilliant companion album to, swinging lovers. Frank is on top form throughout, especially on, I wish I were in love again, I got it bad, and, stars fell on Alabama. Great record.”

7. Swing Easy!, 1954

“Another brilliant Frank Sinatra album. Collaborating with Nelson Riddle, Sinatra produces a pleasing easy on the ear recording. Originally an eight-track LP, it has now been extended to twelve, still, the original release is lovely. Featuring, I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter, and, all of me, and though the extended version adds songs such as lean baby, and, I love you, the original is still probably better. Good album.”

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6. Come Dance With Me!, 1959

“A darn good swing album from the master of the genre. I’m pretty new to Sinatra, but I’ve been accumulating his records pretty fast, since you can find them pretty cheap at record stores for the time being. You can’t go wrong with “Dancing in the Dark”, “I Could Have Danced All Night”, and “Saturday Night”. The album is entertaining and good throughout. A must have for any fan.”

5. Songs For Young Lovers, 1954

“One of Sinatra’s finest recordings. Songs for young lovers, see the beginning of his working relationship with Nelson Riddle, and it’s a brilliantly enjoyable record with plenty of highlights. They can’t take that away from me, someone to watch over me(on the extended twelve-track version), a foggy day, and, my funny Valentine, are all standout tracks. Brilliant.”

4. Come Fly With Me, 1958

“A trip around the world with Frank Sinatra, all the way from exotic booze in Bombay to pizza in his very own living room, come to fly with me, follows Frank from Capri to Vermont, from Paris to Hawaii. Some great songs in the title track, let’s get away from it all, and, Brasil. An enjoyable record from start to finish, the ultimate holiday LP.”

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3. Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely, 1958

“One of many classic albums Frank Sinatra released in the fifties and early sixties, and possibly the best. This is my favorite Sinatra record along with, no one cares. The hauntingly beautiful orchestrations from Nelson Riddle are the perfect foil for Sinatra’s voice, who was at his peak around this time. Angel eyes, what’s new?, ebb tide, they’re all stunning, but the clincher is, of course, the brilliant barroom torch song, one for my baby, much more a Sinatra signature tune than, my way, or, New York, New York ever was. A heart-rending classic, only the lonely, is Frank Sinatra at his best.”

2. Songs For Swingin’ Lovers!, 1956

“Songs for swingin’ lovers is quite possibly Frank Sinatra’s most enjoyable album. It’s a giddy hoot of a record with Sinatra and arranger Nelson Riddle combining to produce one of their best collaborations. There are fantastic versions of, you make me feel so young, you brought a new kind of love to me, and, I’ve got you under my skin. It’s a brilliant LP, and one of Sinatra’s most essential albums.”

1. In The Wee Small Hours, 1955

“Growing up isn’t easy, especially when it involves slouching in empty bars, sleeping alone, missing taxis to end up crawling home legless staring at reflections of yesterday in shop windows. Yet through Frank’s mid-50s’ misery, his productive gene mated with Nelson Riddle’s uber-sophistication, Voyle Gilmore stirring up this alchemy to make for a viable, although harrowing narrative, part of the album’s lure to begin with. Frank’s relationship with Riddle brought out splendor in songs, Riddle acting in some ways like a movie director, while Gilmore stares into Sinatra’s conscience forcing him to face self-doubt and humility for the first time. The air is nostalgic, heavy with regret, music often taking the upper hand on Frank, forcing him to answer lonesome melodies in a paranoid, nearly schizophrenic manner, Gilmore careful not to tip him over the edge. There are moments of rebelliousness too – ‘Glad to Be Unhappy’, a reprieve from misery, ‘Last Night When We Were Young’, pinpointing how much Nelson Riddle did to bring out the real Sinatra. It is a forlorn, heart sinking title song that sums up how much Sinatra was hurting, beauty and misery making such good company.”