The title track of 1973’s Nutbush City Limits was the first hit song Tina Turner wrote, and signaled a shift in her career from creative reliance on her abusive husband Ike. A year later she would record her first solo album.
‘Nutbush City Limits’ is a tribute to Tina’s Tennessee hometown. I can’t imagine tourism to the rural town increasing after these lyrics hit the airwaves, but it must be cool for any community to have a signature song.
Nine years and a dozen albums after their debut, Ike & Tina Turner released their top-selling album, 1970’s Workin’ Together. The tracklist featured five Ike Turner originals and a half dozen covers, including two Beatles songs.
The standout track — one that would become the duo’s biggest hit and signature song — was a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Proud Mary.’
People throw around the words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ a lot these days, but there’s no denying that a couple of weeks ago we lost a truly legendary and iconic artist when Tina Turner passed away after a long illness.
I’ve always wanted to do a Tina Turner deep dive, but the lack of availability of many of her early albums has made it difficult. However, in lieu of a proper immersion in her catalog, I do want to spend this week honoring her memory by highlighting five of her best-loved recordings.
Meet Me In Montauk 