Neil Sedaka Songs Ranked
Neil Sedaka is an American pop singer, pianist, composer, songwriter and record producer. Since his music career began in 1957, he has sold millions of records as a performer and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and others, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard “Howie” Greenfield and Phil Cody. After a short-lived tenure as a founding member of the Tokens, Sedaka achieved a string of hit singles over the late 1950s and early 1960s, including “Oh! Carol” (1959), “Calendar Girl” (1960), “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen” (1961) and “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” (1962). His popularity declined by the mid-1960s, but was revived in the mid-1970s, solidified by the 1975 Billboard Hot 100 number ones “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood”. Sedaka maintained a successful career as a songwriter, penning hits for other artists including “Stupid Cupid” (Connie Francis), “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo” (Tony Christie) and “Love Will Keep Us Together” (Captain & Tennille). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983 and continues to perform, mounting mini-concerts on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are all of Neil Sedaka songs ranked.
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10. Love Will Keep Us Together (The Tra-La Days Are Over, 1973)
“What a fun recording! I can’t believe I never heard this, the original version of the song by the man who wrote it. I really enjoy the feel of this recording, which has more of a relaxed, Beach Boys 60s vibe than the famous Captain and Tennille version that epitomizes a slick 70s sound. Both are brilliant tracks.”
9. Should’ve Never Let You Go (Steppin’ Out, 1976)
“Great song. Grew up with Neil Sedaka liked most of his music. Heard this duet with his daughter a few years back but could never find it. Amazon had it and I downloaded it. Very pretty song.’
8. Stairway to Heaven (Rock with Sedaka (Expanded Edition), 1959)
“The 1960 hit single “Stairway to Heaven”, by pop singer Neil Sedaka, peaked at #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and did well in Europe. It was his second major vocal hit following “Oh! Carol” in 1958 which helped solidify his music career and turn out a flow of hits between 1960 and 1962.”
See more: Neil Sedaka Albums Ranked
7. Bad Blood (The Hungry Years, 1975)
“This song is as much a testimony to Elton John as Neil Sedaka. Elton had the magic touch-anything he worked on turned to gold. That includes this single. Too bad the two of them had a falling out”
6. Next Door to an Angel (Circulate (Expanded Edition), 1960)
“He is an interesting singer for those who learn to use their head voice. One never knows if he has a naturally high voice or only had much talent and skill. He is underrated if it’s pure technique because it’s very hard to sing like him, even for tenors, I guess.”
5. Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen (Circulate (Expanded Edition), 1960)
“A great song for anyone turning 16, and anyone who is :young at heart! You can be way over 16 and still appreciate the words and music! Thank you Neil Sedaka for this classic and timeless song!”
See more: The Everly Brothers Songs Ranked
4. Calendar Girl (Rock with Sedaka (Expanded Edition), 1959)
“Not exactly sophisticated lyrics or the voice of the fifties but it ain’t chopped liver either. Calendar Girl is a catchy silly song about what is going to happen to this girl every month of the year. This tune is nothing special but was on the radio for a long time.”
3. Oh! Carol (Neil Sedaka Sings Little Devil and His Other Hits, 1961)
“Beautiful eternal song. Music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s had feelings and depth. Unfortunately, today’s music seems to have lost that. Powerful as the blow of an axe in your heart and sweet as a whisper in your heart. One of the best voices ever heard.”
2. Breaking Up is Hard to Do (Circulate (Expanded Edition), 1960)
“This man has so many songs that make you stop whatever you’re doing just to dance and clap along. A freaking legend! His voice is absolute velvet! One of the greatest talents ever! Music writing and vocals are unbelievable to this day!”
1. Laughter in the Rain (Laughter in the Rain, 1974)
“The melody has a wonderful creep, and the string work, while somewhat dated, does work as a nice contrast to Sedaka’s voice. The lyrics might be cliché, but they’re the right kind of cliché: the song chooses more vivid clichés in order for the listener to properly get a sense of the scene.”