GLOBALRPH MUSICATLAS

Michael Bolton: Artist Essentials

Fifteen original performances introduce the soaring ballads, soul interpretations and brighter pop songs.

TOP SONGS BY ARTIST

15 selected recordings

A compact route through the 1987-1997 recordings, with ten central selections followed by five useful extensions. Earlier songs by other performers and later orchestral remakes are kept separate.

Selections and recommended order are MusicAtlas editorial choices.

15 date-supported selections6 beyond the yearly lists2 annual version matches under review
All artist collectionsSaved Essentials

Save one reference to this artist collection. Your existing 75-song shortlist keeps its own entries.

ARTIST BACKGROUND

About Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton is a singer and songwriter known for a soulful vocal style and a repertoire spanning pop, soul standards and screen music. His songwriting collaborations include Steel Bars with Bob Dylan, while Go the Distance connected his voice with Disney's Hercules. Other projects explore Sinatra songs, classical arias and Motown material. A Symphony of Hits revisits his established repertoire with orchestral arrangements. His work has also included television comedy, including appearances with the Lonely Island and a Netflix Valentine's special.

Artist background sources

Michael Bolton - ABC artist and host biography
Singer/songwriter roles, vocal style, Steel Bars co-writing, Hercules recording, Sinatra/classical/Motown projects, orchestral rerecordings and named comedy projects. The archived biography's current-tour, sales, awards and forthcoming-project statements are not carried forward. | Retrieved 2026-10-17

Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.

Selections with an annual version match under review are omitted from Beyond the yearly lists until the match is resolved.

Showing 10 of 10 selected recordings.

This depth selects the first 10 recordings in the recommended sequence. Changing the order rearranges those same selections.

When only a year is established, chronological order within that year is approximate.

01list
order

How Am I Supposed to Live Without You

Michael Bolton

First released: 1989 (year verified)

Original album: Soul Provider

Original 1989 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The restrained opening makes the sustained rise of the chorus especially clear.

Annual appearances: 1989 | 1990

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1989 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1989 in the release history of Soul Provider. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1989 studio recording
Credit: Michael Bolton
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Soul Provider

Soul Provider - original 1989 program
The original ten-track program establishes Soul Provider, How Am I Supposed to Live Without You, How Can We Be Lovers and When Im Back on My Feet Again in 1989. Subsequent 1990 singles and annual appearances do not redate the original album performances. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

02list
order

When a Man Loves a Woman

Michael Bolton

First released: 1991 (year verified)

Original album: Time, Love & Tenderness

Original 1991 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: Listen for the contrast between quieter phrasing and the larger vocal climaxes.

Annual appearances: 1992

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1991 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1991 in the release history of Time, Love & Tenderness. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1991 studio recording
Credit: Michael Bolton
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Time, Love & Tenderness

Time Love & Tenderness - original 1991 program
The original program identifies the selected recordings in 1991, including the full approximately 5:30 title track and approximately 4:33 Missing You Now. Later single edits and annual-list years are separate. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

03list
order

Said I Loved You...But I Lied

Michael Bolton

First released: 1993 (year verified)

Original single: Said I Loved You...But I Lied

Original 1993 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The gradually expanding melody offers a central example of the dramatic ballad style.

Annual appearances: 1994

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1993 (year verified)

The recording-specific original release field establishes 1993. The conflicting album-level January 1992 placeholder is not adopted; the 1994 annual appearance remains a later event.

Recording: Original 1993 studio recording
Credit: Michael Bolton
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: Said I Loved You...But I Lied

Said I Loved You But I Lied - recording-specific original year
The original recording item explicitly gives October 1993. The album-level January 1992 placeholder conflicts with this recording field and the original rights year, and is not adopted. Only 1993 is assigned. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

04list
order

How Can We Be Lovers

Michael Bolton

First released: 1989 (year verified)

Original album: Soul Provider

Original 1989 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The stronger rhythmic motion provides a lively contrast to the slower selections.

Annual appearances: 1990

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1989 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1989 in the release history of Soul Provider. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1989 studio recording
Credit: Michael Bolton
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Soul Provider

Soul Provider - original 1989 program
The original ten-track program establishes Soul Provider, How Am I Supposed to Live Without You, How Can We Be Lovers and When Im Back on My Feet Again in 1989. Subsequent 1990 singles and annual appearances do not redate the original album performances. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

05list
order

Soul Provider

Michael Bolton

First released: 1989 (year verified)

Original album: Soul Provider

Original 1989 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The easily followed refrain gives a welcoming entry into the original album.

Beyond the yearly lists
Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1989 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1989 in the release history of Soul Provider. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1989 studio recording
Credit: Michael Bolton
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Soul Provider

Soul Provider - original 1989 program
The original ten-track program establishes Soul Provider, How Am I Supposed to Live Without You, How Can We Be Lovers and When Im Back on My Feet Again in 1989. Subsequent 1990 singles and annual appearances do not redate the original album performances. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

06list
order

Time, Love and Tenderness

Michael Bolton

First released: 1991 (year verified)

Original album: Time, Love & Tenderness

Original 1991 full album recording, approximately 5:30

MusicAtlas editorial note: Stay with the full album performance to hear how the repeated phrases develop.

Annual version match under review

The selected recording has release evidence, but its version has not been matched to the retained annual entry. It is omitted from Beyond the yearly lists until this match is resolved.

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1991 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1991 in the release history of Time, Love & Tenderness. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1991 full album recording, approximately 5:30
Credit: Michael Bolton
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Time, Love & Tenderness

Time Love & Tenderness - original 1991 program
The original program identifies the selected recordings in 1991, including the full approximately 5:30 title track and approximately 4:33 Missing You Now. Later single edits and annual-list years are separate. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

Greatest Hits 1985-1995 - new tracks and documented single editions
Can I Touch You There and A Love So Beautiful are documented as 1995 recordings in the original program. The approximately 4:17 single Time Love and Tenderness and shorter Missing You Now explicitly featuring Kenny G differ from the original album presentations. Incorrect inherited 1980/1989 fields are not used to date those older selections. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

07list
order

Missing You Now

Michael Bolton featuring Kenny G

First released: 1991 (year verified)

Original album: Time, Love & Tenderness

Original 1991 full album recording with Kenny G, approximately 4:33

MusicAtlas editorial note: The spaces around the lead invite attention to the instrumental replies as well as the melody.

Annual version match under review

The selected recording has release evidence, but its version has not been matched to the retained annual entry. It is omitted from Beyond the yearly lists until this match is resolved.

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1991 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1991 in the release history of Time, Love & Tenderness. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1991 full album recording with Kenny G, approximately 4:33
Credit: Michael Bolton featuring Kenny G
Role in this collection: Lead vocalist with Kenny G on saxophone

Original album: Time, Love & Tenderness

Time Love & Tenderness - original 1991 program
The original program identifies the selected recordings in 1991, including the full approximately 5:30 title track and approximately 4:33 Missing You Now. Later single edits and annual-list years are separate. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

Greatest Hits 1985-1995 - new tracks and documented single editions
Can I Touch You There and A Love So Beautiful are documented as 1995 recordings in the original program. The approximately 4:17 single Time Love and Tenderness and shorter Missing You Now explicitly featuring Kenny G differ from the original album presentations. Incorrect inherited 1980/1989 fields are not used to date those older selections. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

08list
order

To Love Somebody

Michael Bolton

First released: 1992 (year verified)

Original album: Timeless (The Classics)

Original 1992 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The sustained delivery gives the familiar melodic line a distinct sense of scale.

Annual appearances: 1993

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1992 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1992 in the release history of Timeless (The Classics). Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1992 studio recording
Credit: Michael Bolton
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Timeless (The Classics)

Timeless The Classics - original 1992 program
The original 1992 program identifies Boltons To Love Somebody performance. The composition and earlier Bee Gees recording are separate from this selected cover recording. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

09list
order

(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

Michael Bolton

First released: 1987 (year verified)

Original album: The Hunger

Original 1987 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The measured groove is a useful place to compare the rougher and softer edges of the voice.

Beyond the yearly lists
Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1987 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1987 in the release history of The Hunger. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1987 studio recording
Credit: Michael Bolton
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: The Hunger

The Hunger - original 1987 program
The original program identifies Thats What Love Is All About and Boltons Dock of the Bay recording in 1987. A later anthology incorrectly carries a 1989 placeholder for the former; the original program takes precedence. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

10list
order

That's What Love Is All About

Michael Bolton

First released: 1987 (year verified)

Original album: The Hunger

Original 1987 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The broad chorus makes an accessible bridge between the earlier rock setting and the later ballads.

Beyond the yearly lists
Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1987 (year verified)

The selected original recording is documented in 1987 in the release history of The Hunger. Only year precision is assigned. Later singles, annual-list appearances, reissues and different performances do not replace the original year.

Recording: Original 1987 studio recording
Credit: Michael Bolton
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: The Hunger

The Hunger - original 1987 program
The original program identifies Thats What Love Is All About and Boltons Dock of the Bay recording in 1987. A later anthology incorrectly carries a 1989 placeholder for the former; the original program takes precedence. | Reviewed 2026-10-18

About this artist collection

The retained Michael Bolton solo identity and existing sourced biography remain unchanged. Kenny G is identified only on the selected collaboration; songwriters and original performers of covered compositions are not treated as Bolton recording credits.

First released means the earliest documented official public release of the selected recording. A year-only date does not assert a month or day. Later singles, chart years, compilations, remasters and reissues do not replace that date.

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1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.

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