The Musical Legacy of Amy Winehouse: Her Best Songs

On the tenth anniversary of her tragic death, I pay tribute to the remarkable musical legacy that Amy Winehouse left during her brief time on Earth. Here, I delve into her artistry and impact and rank her 30 best songs.

Ten years ago today, Amy Winehouse died at the age of 27 in the Camden area of London. The official cause of death was accidental alcohol poisoning, which was sadly of little surprise to the millions who watched her very public battle with alcoholism, drug addiction, and other mental health problems. Her very tumultuous — and ultimately tragic — life was the source of constant tabloid exploitation, critical commentary, and police investigations, as well as grave concern among family, friends, and fans. The tragedy of it all was so epic, in fact, that it formed the basis for an Oscar-winning film. (Amy, the critically acclaimed 2015 documentary by Asif Kapadia, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.)

But all-too-often lost amidst all the speculation, judgments, and heartbreak is the fact that during her very brief music career Amy Winehouse established herself as one of the most unique and talented artists of the 21st century.