Vocal Analysis of Bonnie Raitt's 1992 Grammy performance - I Can't Make You Love Me 

The combination of Bonnie's vocals and Bruce Hornsby's piano is magical.

"but you won't" .....that one line is so heartbreaking

Thank you for giving Bonnie the attention she so richly deserves. She is a treasure, one of the best vocalists/musicians/performers America has ever produced. We just saw her in Vegas and it was mind blowing. God bless Bonnie.

Anyone who has a Fender Stratocaster model named after her, is not a nobody.

Not many vocalists can drive me to tears.

Austin City Limits had a recent concert of Bonnie and her band the weekend of Feb. 25/26th 2024 on PBS. She has such purity in her voice whether she does blues, pop, folk, or rock. She and her band are the ultimate professionals in their music and she plays the best slide guitar in the business.

Just sitting there and singing one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Pure grace and talent. What a treasure.

Bonnie's so great, but that's just an incredible song too. One of my favorites. So sad, because it's so true, we've all been there. Really moving. And Bonnie just kills it, she's so incredible.

For those who only watch this you're really missing a lot. She's also a monster guitarist. She does slide blues guitar like no other. Another favorite song of mine is "Angel From Montgomery." Beautiful song.

I’m consistently astounded at what this generation doesn’t know! It’s unprecedented.

I've loved her voice and songs for 40 plus years. I can't believe people don't know her. She has a smooth and relaxing voice. Ty for this review

Love Bonnie! But Bruce Hornsby on piano who’s a great artist in his own right

I can't believe people don't know Bonnie. She is so awesome. People really need to expand their musical knowledge. Too often we get stuck in a rut of only listening to one type of music. Open up people, your missing out on so much talent out there.

I went to a Bonnie Raitt concert when I lived on Maui, Hawaii in 1978. I had no idea who she was but I was hooked from the moment I heard her sing and play the blues/slide guitar. I have been a lifelong fan ever since that day. As impressive as that concert was she went on to even more success and I was thrilled to see her win a Grammy last year. This song is a masterpiece. Love you Bonnie!

It is crazy that people don't know the fabulous singer and guitar that is Bonnie Raitt. I am in awe of her vibrato.

"Morning will come, and I'll do what's right. Just give me 'til then to give up this fight." That lyric is so true and powerful for those of us who have lived it.

Bonnie played with and learned from all the blues legends as a young woman and that bluesy feel just comes so effortlessly from her. I’ve always loved her tone, her phrasing, her expression, her storytelling, and of course, her slide playing. She’s wonderful. Thank you for this analysis!

She's one of the best slide guitar players ever, too. People just need to listen to the Nick of Time Album.

I love that you pointed out the lack of breathiness, especially as the song opened. It's a tremendously sad, heartbroken song, but the way Bonnie sings it, this lady, this character, is not falling apart. She's resigned, but she's strong. She's going to move on. She's strong. I think the great majority of other singers would have interpreted this in a much more weepy way.

No truer words were ever sung. It's really hard when the one you love won't love you back.

I had the pleasure of seeing Bonnie Raitt live in a small theater about 10 years ago. Mark Cohn was opening. He had an interesting observation. "She makes it look so effortless that it's easy to miss the fact that she's a total badass."

I loved Bonnie in the ‘70’s when I was in high school. Still do.

She’s got an amazing voice. I’ve seen her live a number of times and never a wrong note.

This song never fails to make me cry. It came out in a period in my life when my wife and I divorced. I was devastated. Then I heard this song, and it made me cry so much, but her voice and lyrics also provided me so much comfort, I found a way to move on. Beautiful song, beautiful voice. She is an excellent guitar player, her music seems to always be bluesy country songs mostly I would say.

Bonnie Raitt moves me. She has such an emotional delivery. Thanks for this great reaction. Speaking of the '80s; her duet with John Lee Hooker on his song, I'm in the mood, is so good, but I'm sure you already know this.

This song, and Bonnie's singing just slays me. Tears every single time I hear it. I've been a fan since her days as a local Cambridge singer, and she has only ripened with age. Here I especially appreciate her complete control of and use of dynamics and her blues background--something that is completely missing from today's singers, and more the pity.

Thank you, Bethany, for choosing Bonnie Raid. Gosh, how composed and confident she sits there on stage. Her gift of storytelling, combined with her red hair and pale skin, reminds me of the Irish royalty at Tara, and Ireland's rich history of storytelling and musical richness. To me, Bonnie is a natural, with her poise, and vibrant voice, plus her gift of sharing emotions, without drama on the outside, so that it's like an arrow flying straight to its target. I could feel it land in my 💚

...with a the fantastic Bruce Hornsby on top of that! Love it!

I love Bonnie’s music. Heard her for the first time in the late 70’s and have been a fan ever since! She’s much better live than studio. What a fantastic voice!

and Bruce Hornsby's piano playing... stunning! Love Bonnie Raitt!

This was written by other composers but she sings it as if it was her personal story. A very rare and exceptional example of pathos.

Sublime. Such power, but under complete control. And pitch perfect, at least to my untrained ear. She has featured in several episodes of the excellent Transatlantic Sessions, shown here on the BBC. And she is just as impressive in a cosy room setting, jamming with other top musicians.

I’ve heard other people cover this and do it well, but I’m not all that interested in hearing it sung by anyone other than Bonnie. I just don’t need to. She is the ideal communicator of the melodies and sentiments therein. The best, in my book. Was SO glad to see you do a vocal analysis on BR. First saw her in NYC with Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, and others during one of the MUSE concerts. In the words of the great Vince Giordano, “What a night!”

Bonnie Has Been The "Gold Standard" For SO Long.... I Can't Believe It Took SO Long For Her Grammy's To Come!! I HATE How People Can Be SO IGNORANT & Call Her A "Nobody" Because She Wasn't On The HipHop Charts Or Whatever... Her MULTIPLE Grammy's Were Not Only Well Deserved But For Her Body Of Work From Decades Before! She Went To Radcliff But Dropped Out When She Discovered Her Passion & Great Talent & Thank God She Did! I've Loved Her Music & Heard Her Live More Times Than I Can Count...The PAIN In Her SOULFUL Voice Just Tears Your Heart Out! Then She Let's Loose With Her BAD ASS BLUES On Slide Guitar & Her Voice Inspired By The Blues Greats & She Just Blows You Away!! And Truly - Her "Conversational" & Storytelling Songwriting Has Always Been Incredible - She Was TOTALLY Unprepared To Recieve Her Very Recent "Song Of The Year" Grammy For Her Incredible "Just Like That," Woven From A True Story She Saw On The News About Organ Donation That Touched her Deeply...She Has Learned From & Performed With SO Many Great Artists From Different Genres - Even With Her Dad, Who Was A Star On Broadway! I Saw Her Once With Stevie Ray Vaughan @ Red Rocks - On My Birthday Even...She Sang @ Stevies' Funeral With Stevie Wonder & Jackson Browne... Bonnie Is A Very Gifted Artist & She Is STILL Touring!!! Go See Her Before She Stops!!

I love Bonnie Raitt. One of the best slide guitarists singers ever. I’ve seen her sing in Australia - she even popped on stage to back Mavis Staples! What an absolute class act.

And Bruce Hornsby, playing the piano. I saw her perform at the Beale Street Music Fest, in 2009. James Taylor too. Love me some Bonnie!!

Everytime i hear this song, all i can think is, Who wouldn't want to love her.

Raitt’s vocals are so pure, natural and unaffected, a lot like Karen Carpenter,This performance makes emotional every time I watch it. My favorite all-time female is is Linda Ronstadt, but Bonnie is just right up there.🥰 Thank you for breaking this performance down for us 🤗

Bonnie Raitt is a true music icon and legend. Thank you for giving her the recognition she so so richly deserves. To hear her sing this lovely song and also know she can dig in and growl out some barroom blues just highlights her amazing versatility as an artist.

The speaker looks like she's about to cry when Bonnie sings!!

And she still performs this song...as magical as ever.

Thank you for choosing this particular version. Bonnie is ethereal.

There is a small list, to me, of songs that simply were meant to be sung by just one person - this is on that list... perfect...

She conveys the pain she feels of rejection when she sings don't patronize me. My sister had a marriage like that she suffered the feeling of being rejection from her husband. Very sad.

She sings so purely from her soul and her heart. ❤️

This has been one of my favourite songs to sing for 2 decades now. The definitive version for me is her live version on Road Tested where she sings the off beat. This version is mixed. She's so engaging and those little extra sprinkles from Bruce Hornsby are magical.

Being a phenomenal guitarist as well as a vocalist, Bonnie incorporates her knowledge of structure and phrasing from the guitar into her vocals so when she riffs with her vocals it still fits within the structure of the music.

What an incredible vocalist, songwriter, musician and overall miracle she is.....First spoke to her in a San Francisco restaurant with a tiny, little Maltese pooch hidden away in her coat pocket.

Bonnie Rait such an amazing talent, her voice is just soooooooo

I was fortunate to get to see her in concert in 1994 Bruce Hornsby and the range opened for her. I have been a fan since the 70's she's just a powerhouse and can play that guitar like a boss ✌️

This is a wonderful song, and a tough one, as well. Because the title and the lyrics are quite true. I think she pulled off an excellent vocal delivery that night.

Bonnie is also a mean guitarist. Being the daughter of John Raitt she was probably exposed to music from an early age. Bonnie is always pitch perfect and a brilliant musician. I am glad that you have chosen her to analyze. Her Nick of Time album won album of the. year and is fantastic.

I've been lucky enough to see her in concert twice, once in Minneapolis and once in Hollywood Fl. Both concerts were great.

Saw her play live in Ottawa several years ago. Extraordinary. A real treasure. ❤❤❤

What a mesmerizing voice, really hard to turn away.

This is such a fantastic piece; the impactful lyrics and the amazing playing by Hornsby. I can't think of a more beautiful sad song.

Younger generations do not know who Bonnie Raitt is? Wow! 🙄 I first heard about her and her singing while discovering the No nukes triple album, somewhere back in 1978 or 79 ? (my memory's not what it's been) and instantly fell in love with that voice. It's about those years in the late 70's when I also discovered Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt among other many female artists. Until then I only knew Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez mostly. This was a glorious period musically speaking and as my ears became more and more acustomed to these enchanting voices, the young man in me also fell more and more in love with women like Grace Slick, Stevie Nicks, Carly simon then Pat Benatar. Nowadays I tend to calm down and sooth my passionate needs with the melodies of Loreena McKennit but from time to time it feels reassuring to go back in time with these never ageing ladies voices.

Just WONDERFUL. WHAT A GREAT SINGER. THANK YOU.

Saw her in 1972 in Sprague Hall at Yale. Such a great performance of this tune!

I've seen Bonnie many times, and she is the best. One of those flawless voices, great slide guitar, tribute to all those great blues artists...

Thank YOU for your wonderful appreciation lesson on Bonnie's vocal and performing techniques and talent. She had probably sung this song hundreds of times by the time of this performance, but she's not bored with it or just phoning it in. I've watched several live recordings of this song - each is slightly different with her tone and phrasings - and they are all so much more interesting and passionate than her studio recording. Like the two beautiful sustained notes in a row: 12:31 and 12:37. Maybe it's just raw talent but I want to believe that, with time, Bonnie developed the singing confidence and a sense of her own style to make her vocals' emotions unfold. I'm not a singer but it might be a thing with us seasoned folks in general?

Bonnie & Bruce Hornsby are awesome together...

I saw her at the Royal Albert Hall in London,and she owned that beautiful concert hall.

Love Bonnie’s voice❤. This song always gets me in the feels. So sad😢

It must be in the blood, because Bonnie's father, John Raitt was one of the best singer/actors gracing the stages of Broadway and Hollywood musicals. I know I saw them sing together onstage on television once but for the life of me cannot remember what it was. Thank you for paying honor to this American treasure. A true living legend.

I am old so of course I know Bonnie’s music well. I love that young folks are appreciating her talent.

A true classic and master class on writing a song. When I first heard this song many years ago I was going through a 14 year break up. Of course it hit me, but as music always has, I found a way out of that depression through music. Love this song and always will. Such a great post and reaction. Loved the analysis. Please stay safe and much love.

Bonnie's father was Broadway star John Rait. It runs in the family.

This song was playing over the radio in the restaurant when my ex and I decided to divorce. It is the single most heartbreaking moment in my life. Her voice will always make me cry.

Bonnie is soooo fantastic!!! 💕

When you reacted to Roy Orbison singing "Only the Lonely", Bonnie was singing back up as well as K.D.Lang and Jennifer Warrens. My favorite concert included many of the musical giants of my generation.

Bonnie Raitt is a great singer, guitarist & songwriter who covers many genres such as blues, rock, folk & country. Her biggest hits are from the 70's-90's. "Something To Talk About", "Love Sneakin' Up On You", "Nick Of Time", “Have A Heart”, "I'm In The Mood" (duet with John Lee Hooker ), "Papa Come Quick" etc.

Thank you for this! Bonnie is an absolute legend and this song and her voice are so beautifully melancholic, however, I have to say George Michael's version is equally as beautiful - if you haven't heard it, you must.

Thanks Bethany for this great analysis! I've been listening to Bonnie Raitt since the late 80's. Love her voice and that slide guitar she plays so well!

Love this version thanks for breaking it down for us very enjoyable. Bonnie is a gem

... another great song ... one of the best ballads outthere ... played it several times with different bands ... :)

Thank you so much for this tribute. Bonnie Raitt, k.d. Lang and Jennifer Warrens sang back up at my favorite concert of all time "Black & White Night Tribute to Roy Orbison. (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4MXdzlTTmv8.html). These 3 women have contributed so much beauty and humanity to the world with their music.

I’ll make these comments because I didn’t see anyone mention them. Bonnie’s father, John, was a famous musical singer and best known for the musicals - Oklahoma & Carousel. This song was written by Mike Reid. Reid may be best know as a defensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals. He also helped lead Penn State to a 22-0 record his junior and senior years. After his retirement from the NFL he became a Nashville song writer.

Check Bruce Hornsby “Mandolin Rain”. Masterpiece of vocal, his piano, all the accompaniment… near perfection. Story telling.

💙💙💙💙💙 ... I love listening to you as much as I love listening to the singers ... ... ... your reaction is so crisp and thorough and meaningful with the right usage of the musical terminology and breaking down of the vocals ... it's a real pleasure ... ... ... thank you so much ... !!! ... greetings from Miami

I happened upon this incredible documentary about the L.A. music scene in 1977 the other day. Bonnie is featured prominently throughout. It’s on RU-vid. Highly recommended.

This is one of those rare songs that you have to take your shoes off to listen to. It deserves total peace and quiet. Right up there with Olivia Newton John's Falling.

Great breakdown. That performance brought me to tears. She's playing a role here, so she's vulnerable, fragile even, within the song. But she's so confident as an artist that she can play with the melody line as she does at 11:53 in your video, going away like a blues singer does. Also want to note that's Bruce Hornsby playing the piano, and he wrote the song. Now will you please react to Phoebe Snow's version of "Love Makes A Woman?" 🙂

It's called living the song and what comes after that. Either it speaks to you or it doesn't don't explain 1 plus one equals .enjoy the real emotion.

Bonnie Raitt is divine... I've been listening to this track since it came out.. and a little tear creeps out when I listen to it.. As you know her music I suspect you know it but I would love you to react to her version of Richard Thompson's "A Heart Needs A Home".... it's live version is on you tube and I would adore t if you gave it a reaction... Keep on rocking.

OMG! The people who don't know who she is must 2 years old! If I had kids they would know who she is! (I'm 62, btw)

A very special song, intimate. The words seem to have fallen from heaven, in their right place perfectly. So true and just so sad, for all of us that have been there.... Bruce Hornsby makes a difference, adds to this song (with his unique way of playing). Yeah, every time I hear this one I kind of choke up, tear up... Love, the most beautiful thing - but it is not guaranteed. Love Bonnie´s voice, love the Vocalyst! ;-)

Just saw her live a couple weekends ago and she's still got it - her performance of this song even 30 years later provokes so many emotions.

The first time I heard this song was on my soap opera As the World Turns for a Lilly/Holden story .I believe that Martha who played Lilly sang it, so the first time I heard Bonnnie I was just amazed so sadly beautiful.

Bonnie's version is awesome. Teddy Swims does it great too. I was lucky enough to see Bonnie perform live in the 1970s. The original writer Mike Reid ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aXioyWBRG0M.html

I absolutely love this song, and, as a classical pianist and composer, I appreciate your approach to your analysis of Bonnie Raitt's gifts! Incidentally, would you ever consider advising a composer? Among my unfinished projects is a song cycle for mezzo-soprano and piano.

So delicious. Having Bruce there live was a treat too. Bonnie seriously doesn't have a bad album. She's so awesome. The song she won a grammy for Best Americana Performance, Made Up Mind was written by the Bros. Landreth, good Canadian boys. Check them out!

Saw her live in 1985 … wonderful performance.

Magnificently written tune! Love to see a video talking about how much a great melody/lyric/arrangement helps brings out the best in a vocalist.

The poignancy of this song is absolutely palpable

A talent that is phenomenal!

Just found your channel today; as a teenager of the 90’s, I’m deeply enjoying seeing you experience, understand, and describe the technique and talent of these artists. The ones where it’s your first listen (Alice In Chains) are especially captivating! You’re really doing them right, showing so much respect and honor. Your own passion for music and in fact life are also evident. Thank you so much for sharing this all with us. It’s hard not to want to fall totally in love with you, o internet vision!

I've been a Bonnie Raitt fan since she was singing backup for Little Feat. ICMYLM was a huge commercial success and for very good reason, but have a listen to The Glow. Deep inner sorrow and loneliness has never sounded so beautiful. Her vocal gymnastics expressing it at their finest.

My wife says I'm allowed to be in love with her.

I remember very well seeing this performance on the Grammys. Breathtaking! I was already a big fan, had seen her live in the 80s, and owned many of her CDs. I put her right up there with Linda Ronstadt, although of course she doesn't sing in many genres like Linda. Her version of Baby Mine from Dumbo (the Disney film, found on a compilation CD) could wring tears from a stone. And there is a CD called Beat the Retreat that features the songs of the great Richard Thompson, and her version of When the Spell is Broken is just - well, spellbinding. Never get tired of hearing it. She has recorded many, many great songs (love her version of Silver Threads and Golden Needles, too), but you have to go a long way to find a song as perfect as this one right here.