Top 10 Grace Jones Songs (2025)

Feature Photo: Stu Collier / Shutterstock.com

Our Top 10 Grace Jones Songs celebrates a towering figure in the music industry, whose stage presence was as dynamic and controversial as the versatility of her music. Grace Jones is not only a groundbreaking musician but also an accomplished songwriter, record producer, model, and actress. As a model-turned-musician, she was pivotal in the cross-dressing movement of the 80s, influencing a host of major artists such as Lorde, Lady Gaga, Solange, Annie Lennox, and Rihanna.

Originally from Jamaica, Grace Jones moved to New York as a teenager and quickly made her mark in the fashion world, becoming one of the few black models to grace the covers of Vogue and Elle. She worked with major fashion houses like Kenzo and Yves St. Laurent. In 1977, she signed with Island Records and burst onto the New York music scene. Over the years, Jones’ music has incorporated elements from a range of genres, including post-punk, funk, pop, and reggae, creating a unique and eclectic sound.

Jones’ discography is filled with hits that have solidified her status as an undisputed icon in the entertainment industry. Her influence is seen in the works of modern powerhouses like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Madonna, who have all drawn from the stylistic and performative elements that Jones pioneered. With numerous awards and accolades under her belt, including career achievement awards, Grace Jones’ legacy is a testament to her formidable impact on music and culture.

Let’s dive into the top 10 Grace Jones songs that have cemented her as one of the most awe-inspiring icons in music history.

# 10 – Nipple to the Bottle

Kicking off our top 10 Grace Jones songs is “Nipple to the Bottle” from her sixth studio album, Living My Life. Co-written with the legendary Sly Dunbar, this track perfectly encapsulates the funky vibe of the 80s, highlighted by Grace Jones’ powerful vocals. The song is particularly notable for its spectacular bass line, which lends a catchy rhythm to the overall instrumentation.

True to its lyrics, “Nipple to the Bottle” showcases Grace Jones’ unapologetic and bold musical style, setting her apart in the industry and, as the song suggests, sending other artists back to refine their craft. The song’s success was marked by its performance on the charts, where it reached the top 20 on both the Billboard R&B and Dance charts, cementing its place as a significant hit in Grace Jones’ illustrious career.

# 9 – Williams’ Blood

When many speculated that Grace Jones might be past her prime with the influx of new talent in the music scene, she proved her enduring artistry with the release of her 2008 album Hurricane. One of the standout tracks from this album, “Williams’ Blood,” is an autobiographical ballad that delves deeply into Grace Jones’ family history.

In “Williams’ Blood,” Grace Jones reflects on her heritage, revealing how she inherited her musical talents from her mother’s side of the family—the Williams—rather than conforming to the strict religious upbringing enforced by her father, Reverend Robert Jones. The song serves as a poignant exploration of her past, detailing the challenging dynamics within her family and how she found her own path to redemption not through her father’s gospel, but through the musical gifts passed down from her mother. This track not only highlights Jones’ personal story but also showcases her ability to convey deep emotional truths through her music.

# 8 – Private Life

Featured on her 1980 album Warm Leatherette, “Private Life” stands out as one of Grace Jones’ quintessential 80s hits. The song tackles the theme of dismissing another person’s drama with a biting, mocking tone. Originally written by Chrissie Hynde for The Pretenders’ eponymous album, “Private Life” found a new and definitive interpretation through Grace Jones’ unique delivery.

Grace Jones’ version of “Private Life” brings a depth and intensity that resonated with listeners, transforming the song into a powerful statement on personal boundaries and the intrusion of others. Chrissie Hynde herself praised Jones’ rendition, acknowledging it as a masterpiece and stating that Jones’ performance was exactly how the song was meant to be delivered. This endorsement underscores the impact of Grace Jones’ artistry and her ability to make a song distinctly her own.

# 7 – Walking in the Rain

Grace Jones’ cover of “Walking in the Rain,” originally by the Australian band Flash and the Pan, is a prime example of her ability to not only match but elevate the music she chooses to reinterpret. Featured on her 1981 album Nightclubbing, her version adds a new layer of depth and charisma, making the song distinctively her own. Jones’ rendition of “Walking in the Rain” is celebrated for its sultry delivery and cool detachment, encapsulating her iconic persona. The cover was so well-received that it became a key feature in her music documentary, A One Man Show, highlighting its significance in her repertoire.

# 6 – My Jamaican Guy

“My Jamaican Guy” is one of Grace Jones’ most iconic tracks, showcasing her deep roots in Caribbean music with its reggae influences. Featured on her 1982 album Living My Life, the song highlights not just her musical talent but also personal elements of her life. It was inspired by Tyrone Downie of Bob Marley and The Wailers, focusing on his allure despite him being involved with someone else at the time.

The song also touches on the complex dynamics within Grace Jones’ family, particularly concerning her relationship with her parents. While her mother, Williams, provided backing vocals for the track, her involvement was kept uncredited due to the potential controversy it might stir within the church community, given her status as a pastor’s wife. This detail in the song’s background illuminates the supportive yet challenging relationship Grace had with her family, particularly in balancing her bold public persona with her private familial ties. “My Jamaican Guy” remains a testament to Grace Jones’ multifaceted life and career, blending personal history with musical innovation.

# 5 – Love is the Drug

Grace Jones’ cover of “Love is the Drug,” originally by Roxy Music, is a standout example of her ability to reinvent and personalize the music she adopts. Featured on her 1980 album Warm Leatherette, Jones infused the song with her unique style, making slight changes to the lyrics to better align with her artistic voice and aesthetic.

Jones’ version of “Love is the Drug” elevates the track with a deeper funk vibe and her signature formidable vocals, distinguishing it from the original while paying homage to its essence. The accompanying music video further showcases her artistic flair, blending high fashion and avant-garde visuals that perfectly complement the song’s theme and rhythm. This cover not only demonstrates Grace Jones’ skill as a vocalist and performer but also her capacity to transform a well-known track into something distinctly her own, adding a new layer of richness to an already beloved song.

#4 – La Vie En Rose

Featured on her 1977 debut album Portfolio, Grace Jones’ rendition of “La Vie En Rose” pays a stylish and heartfelt tribute to the signature song of French chanteuse Édith Piaf. While Grace Jones maintained the integrity of the original lyrics and melody, her version breathes new life into the classic with a lush, modern disco arrangement that sets it apart from Piaf’s.

Jones’ interpretation extends the emotional and sonic landscape of “La Vie En Rose,” infusing it with her distinctive charisma and a slower, more contemplative pace. This approach allowed her to honor the original while showcasing her ability to reinterpret a song in a way that feels both reverent and innovative.

Édith Piaf’s version of “La Vie En Rose” is iconic in its own right, having been awarded a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1998, a testament to its enduring impact on music history. Grace Jones’ cover complements this legacy by highlighting the song’s timeless appeal and demonstrating her unique artistry and emotional depth.

# 3 – Slave to the Rhythm

Number three on our list of top Grace Jones songs is “Slave to the Rhythm,” the title track from her 1985 album. This song is a powerful commentary on the music industry’s exploitation of artists. Written by producer Trevor Horn, Bruce Woolley, Simon Darlow, and Stephen Lipson, “Slave to the Rhythm” was originally intended for Frankie Goes to Hollywood. However, it ultimately became a signature piece for Grace Jones, showcasing her distinctive style and vocal prowess. The song’s production is rich and layered, featuring a compelling blend of spoken word, singing, and orchestration that encapsulates the artistic innovation of the mid-80s.

# 2 – Pull Up to the Bumper

Featured on her critically acclaimed 1981 album Nightclubbing, “Pull Up to the Bumper” is undoubtedly one of Grace Jones’ most iconic tracks. The song combines clever, innuendo-laden lyrics with a vibrant, funky beat that makes it irresistibly danceable. Despite its popularity on the dance floor and in clubs, “Pull Up to the Bumper” faced challenges in radio airplay due to its sexually suggestive content, which was considered provocative at the time. The song’s playful ambiguity and rhythmic groove have helped it maintain a lasting appeal, contributing significantly to its status as a Grace Jones classic.

# 1 – I’ve Seen the Face Before (Libertango)

Topping our list of the top 10 Grace Jones songs is “I’ve Seen That Face Before (Libertango),” a masterful reimagining of Astor Piazzolla’s classic “Libertango.” Grace Jones, along with collaborator Barry Reynolds, crafted new lyrics for the song, infusing it with a moody, evocative narrative that captures the shadowy aspects of Parisian nightlife. The track, featured prominently on her 1981 album Nightclubbing, stands out for its seamless blend of tango rhythms and reggae influences, showcasing Jones’ ability to cross musical boundaries. The song’s atmosphere is further enriched by its inclusion in key scenes of the film Frantic, enhancing its cinematic and mysterious quality.