Jim Croce Albums Ranked

James Joseph Croce (/ˈkroʊtʃi/; January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973) was an American folk and rock singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, Croce released five studio albums and numerous singles. His first two albums were commercially unsuccessful, failing to chart or produce any hit singles. During this period, Croce took a series of odd jobs to pay bills while he continued to write, record, and perform concerts. After forming a partnership with songwriter and guitarist Maury Muehleisen his fortunes turned in the early 1970s. His breakthrough came in 1972; his third album You Don’t Mess Around with Jim produced three charting singles, including “Time in a Bottle”, which reached No. 1 after his death. The follow-up album, Life and Times, contained the song “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”, which was the only No. 1 hit he had during his lifetime. On September 20, 1973, the day before the lead single to his fifth album, I Got a Name, was released, Croce, along with five others, was killed in a plane crash, at the height of his popularity. Croce’s music continued to chart throughout the 1970s following his death. His wife, Ingrid Croce, was his early songwriting partner and she continued to write and record after his death, and his son A. J. Croce himself became a singer-songwriter in the 1990s. Here are all of Jim Croce albums ranked.

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7. Home Recordings: Americana (2003)

“This new collection is a treasure trove of never before released recordings. What makes this collection special is that these songs were recorded by Jim at his kitchen table. These unpolished recordings reveal deep honesty and musical sincerity. It’s nice to listen to these recordings, especially after Jim has been gone for so long.”

6. Down the Highway (1980)

“Down the Highway is a compilation album that was released by Lifesong Records. Down the Highway was released in 1975 and is 35 minutes and 35 seconds long. On this album is some of his best work. Jim Croce’s folk style is clearly heard on this album. This is A1 material and if you are a Jim Croce fan, then this is a must for your collection.”

5. Facets (1966)

“Facets is Classic Jim Croce @ his best. I can only imagine what kind of music would still be coming out of his amazing talent, he could make a guitar put you on another planet, & like all Stars his voice and rhythm were one of a kind. When you hear any of his music you know instantly that it’s Jim Croce! “

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4. Life & Times (1973)

“This was his second mainstream album and the one that featured “Bad Bad Leroy Brown,” the song that most people know from his career. It doesn’t disappoint. Along with being an incredibly sentimental and fun listen (depending on the track), all the songs feature Croce’s vocals, which held a warm, inviting, compassionate and loving tone to them.”

3. The Faces I’ve Been (1975)

“Obviously a lot of thought, love and care went into this collection of songs recorded by Jim before his three signature albums. Many of them appeared in later releases, but this is the first one to give a glimpse of what I like to believe is the real Jim Croce, sans some of the commercial trappings present on the other albums.”

2. I Got a Name (1973)

“There’s not a bad track here, every song is just superb, and it all flows wonderfully. Sure, many of the songs are available in various compilations, but there’s nothing quite like hearing the album the way it was meant to be heard. And that album art, classic. That sepia-tinted shot of Croce smoking with that all-too-1973 font the title is printed in, just great.”

1. You Don’t Mess Around With Jim (1972)

“”You Don’t Mess Around With Jim”, Croce’s 1972 debut, could easily pass for a greatest hits album from the late, great Jim Croce, climbing to no#1 on the charts – this album is simply almost perfect, featuring the classic songs, “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be A Brighter day”, “Photographs And Memories”, “Walkin’ Back To Georgia”, “New York’s Not My Home”, “Operator (that’s not the way it feels)”, and the timeless “Time In A Bottle”, plus countless others on here that reveal the great singer-songwriter as Jim Croce really was, a true-blue musician who enjoyed what he was doing. “