Longing in Their Hearts
Bonnie Raitt · 1994
54 min · 12 tracks · blues
A soulful blend of Americana and blues, rich with heartfelt melodies and introspective lyrics that evoke deep emotional landscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Love Sneakin' Up on You Start here — This track features an infectious groove and showcases Raitt's signature slide guitar work, blending pop sensibilities with blues roots to create an uplifting anthem about unexpected romance.
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Dimming of the Day — A poignant cover of Richard Thompson's song, Raitt's rendition highlights her emotive vocal delivery and deep connection to the lyrical themes of longing and vulnerability.
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Steal Your Heart Away — This track combines an engaging melody with reflective lyrics about love and heartache, perfectly encapsulating the album's exploration of emotional complexities.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and skilled musicianship, with a cohesive sound that reflects Raitt's style.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a slower, reflective pace that continues through much of the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- emotive lyrical storytelling
- introspective evening relaxation
- layered, rich sonic textures
- gradual emotional builds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Raitt's reputation after her prior success and garnered significant commercial acclaim.
- Career context
- Released in 1994, Longing in Their Hearts marked Bonnie Raitt's return after a five-year hiatus following her acclaimed album, Luck of the Draw. At this point in her career, Raitt was solidifying her status as a respected artist within the Americana and blues genres, having experienced significant commercial success in the early '90s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lucinda Williams· Shawn Colvin· Mary Chapin Carpenter
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Longing in Their Hearts
The narrative shifts from personal reflection to addressing a collective yearning for connection, creating an intimate yet universal feel.
This structural choice emphasizes communal emotions over individual experiences, deepening the impact of the song’s exploration of shared longing.
Tracklist
- 1 Love Sneakin' Up on You Start here 3:41
- 2 Longing in Their Hearts 4:48
- 3 You 4:27
- 4 Cool, Clear Water 5:27
- 5 Circle Dance 4:11
- 6 I Sho Do 3:38
- 7 Dimming of the Day 3:39
- 8 Feeling of Falling 6:17
- 9 Steal Your Heart Away 5:44
- 10 Storm Warning 4:31
- 11 Hell to Pay 4:03
- 12 Shadow of Doubt 4:26
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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