Jim Croce Songs Ranked

James Joseph Croce (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’s songs ranked.

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20. Age (Age, 1973)

“Excellent song… would be terribly snubbed if not at least listed. Hauntingly beautiful, but strays from the super short timing present in Croce’s other songs, as it clocks in at nearly 4 minutes long. Lyrics are very well-thought-out.”

19. Speedball Tucker (Life and Times, 1973)

“Speedball Tucker” is the silliest song on the album, about a lead-footed truck driver who keeps the accelerator to the floor, consequences be damned. Says a Georgia state policeman who pulls Speedball over: “Hey, 95 was the route you were on–it was not the speed limit sign.” Clever line.”

18. Box #10 (You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, 1972)

“Box #10″ straddles the line between character song and ballad, but I’ll use its inclusion on Bad Bad Leroy Brown- Jim Croce’s Greatest Character Songs as the tiebreaker and count it in the former category. It’s a nice little song about a young guitar player who leaves home but soon finds himself asking mom and dad for help after a string of bad luck.”

17. The Hard Way Every Time (I Got A Name, 1973)

“There are some older fashioned folkie songs like the philosophical “Age”, which was released before on Croce, and on here it feels like fitting tribute to his own life of ups and downs. “The Hard Way Every Time” does a good job in doing that as well and is a heartbreaking closer, giving this great album a round finish.”

See more: Jim Croce Albums Ranked

16. Tomorrow’s Gonna Be a Brighter Day (You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, 1972)

“Tomorrow’s Gonna Be a Brighter Day” is the first such song and, though it’s certainly not horrible, it might be the worst ballad on any of Croce’s main three albums.”

15. New York’s Not My Home (You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, 1972)

“A formidable set from a grossly neglected and underrated singer-songwriter. Nice blend of love songs, introspective material and character sketches. Definitely worth searching out.”

14. Working at the Car Wash Blues (I Got a Name, 1974)

“While guys like Harry Nilsson tried a more sophisticated approach, including psych influences, Jim Croce plays straight blue-collar folk-country in this album. Perhaps that is the reason why he sounds so sincere as a singer-songwriter here.”

13. Roller Derby Queen (Life and Times, 1973)

“Roller Derby Queen,” a dry-humored song about a man who falls in love with a roller derby skater who, if we are to believe Jim’s description, is rather disgusting. But Jim’s character falls head over heals.”

12. Walking Back to Georgia (You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, 1972)

“Walkin’ Back to Georgia” is a sweetly simple, melodic love song. This feels like the natural path a man like him must take for his own sake.”

11. Lover’s Cross (I Got a Name, 1974)

“Lover’s Cross” is a rather serious song lamenting a break up; it’s one of the best of his career. “Lover’s Cross” is another strong showing in the long line of Croce’s relationship songs.”

10. A Long Time Ago (You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, 1972)

“A Long Time Ago” is another sweet love song that fits very well with those big hits and I wonder why it wasn’t one – it borders on cheesiness but Jim’s sincere delivery makes you stop being cynical about it. Beautiful melody; lyrics are meaningful as ever even today.”

9. Hey Tomorrow (You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, 1972)

“Hey Tomorrow” is a straightforward tune strummed on the acoustic guitar–I guess Jim and Maury were tired of all the intricate finger picking by this point. Nice song to close things out.”

8. Photographs and Memories (You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, 1972)

“Photographs and Memories” is bittersweet and features an unexpected, subtly pleasant tempo increase from verse to chorus. “Photographs and memories” an astounding song about the loss of a special person in there narrator’s life.”

7. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown (Life and Times, 1973)

“Jim Croce is one of my absolute favorite singer-songwriters; his simple yet earnest voice offers a warm, almost paternal presence to every song he penned. “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” would be effective enough as a silly novelty ditty had it been nothing more than Croce telling a humorous Western narrative on his guitar, but his backing band decided to go all out on the production end: chorus, slamming piano riffs, groovy bass lines, call and response guitar solos.”

See more: Nick Drake Albums Ranked

6. One Less Set of Footsteps (Life and Times, 1973)

“One Less Set of Footsteps” is a very solid pop song to open the album. This has a signature sharp lyrics, a melody worthy of McCartney and a great Maury Muehleisen hook.”

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

“One of the most under-rated singer-songwriters of all time, and not generic in any way like some people think he is. Croce had emotion, and though “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” is more of a playful track, its not representative of his real side, his more serious material. Even for a fun track, this song is still excellent.”

4. I’ll Have to Say I Love You In a Song  (I Got a Name, 1974)

“The idea in the title may not be original, as Elton John’s “Your Song” got there first three years earlier, but while Jim Croce’s posthumous release lacks that number’s innocent charm, it’s still a pretty enough tune and has well stood the test of time.”

3. Time In a Bottle (You Don’t Mess Around With Jim, 1972)

“I cried the first time I heard this when it was first introduced to me in 2016. I felt every word; lived every wonderful emotion. What an incredible storyteller he is. Simply beautiful. I have a dry soul. This song finds tears from deep within and brings them out.”

2. Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels (You Don’t Mess Around With Jim, 1972)

“What song better captures the idea of life? A boy’s girlfriend leaves him, but he still feels like calling her to see how she is. While he what’s for the call to go through he thinks about life and decides to move on.  The best guitar work on any Croce song other than maybe ‘I’ll have to say I Love you in song'”

1. I Got a Name (I Got a Name, 1973)

“‘I Got a Name’ is a beautiful, thought-provoking song. When I was listening to it for the time, Jim Croce’s words pierced my heart, and I knew that they will stay there for a long time.”