Here’s a more natural and fluent rewrite of your text while preserving the original meaning:
—
20. Dennis Parker – Like an Eagle (1979)
Calling Dennis Parker an “actor” might be a stretch—he appeared in a soap opera but was better known as adult film star Wade Nichols. Still, Like an Eagle is a masterpiece: a euphoric mid-tempo disco epic produced by his then-partner Jacques Morali. It’s far cooler than Morali’s work with the Village People, so we’ll let the label slide.
19. William Shatner – Mr. Tambourine Man (1968)
Captain Kirk’s debut album leaves you wondering—are his dramatic readings of pop hits and Shakespeare soliloquies meant to be funny or just bizarrely earnest? Either way, they’re unhinged. His later albums, where he leans into the joke, lose some of the chaotic charm—and the unsettling edge.
18. Scarlett Johansson – Song for Jo (2008)
Produced by TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek, Johansson’s debut album was heavy on Tom Waits covers and even featured David Bowie. Critics were divided, but this original track proves it’s underrated—its moody, atmospheric sound channels the gothic beauty of This Mortal Coil.
17. Wicked Wisdom – Bleed All Over Me (2006)
Wondering where Willow Smith got her eclectic taste? Look no further than her mom Jada’s nu-metal phase. Bleed All Over Me is a standout—furious guitars, ex-Fishbone drummer Philip Fisher’s groove, and Jada Pinkett Smith’s powerhouse vocals make it a force.
16. Anna Karina – Roller Girl (1967)
The French New Wave icon sang in Godard’s Une Femme Est une Femme but rarely recorded music. Decades later, she collaborated with Howe Gelb of Giant Sand. Her best? The raw, joyous garage rock of Roller Girl, the first of several Serge Gainsbourg-penned tracks on this list.
15. She & Him – In the Sun (2010)
Some of Zooey Deschanel’s indie-pop collaborations with M. Ward as She & Him lean too sweet, but In the Sun nails it—a blend of smooth ‘70s soft rock and jazzy pre-rock’n’roll that’s as bright and inviting as its title suggests.
14. Sophie Thatcher – Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (2024)
The Yellowjackets star released an experimental pop EP last year, followed by this haunting cover for the horror film Heretic. Set to the melody of Mazzy Star’s Fade Into You, it’s eerie and hypnotic—perfect for the movie, but stunning on its own.
13. David Hemmings – Back Street Mirror (1967)
The Blow-Up actor’s debut album, David Hemmings Happens, is stacked with talent—backed by members of the Byrds and the Wrecking Crew, it’s a mix of jazzy psychedelia and baroque folk. The highlight is this unreleased Gene Clark gem: a weary, melancholic masterpiece.
12. Tracey Ullman – They Don’t Know (1983)
It’s a mystery why Kirsty MacColl’s original version of They Don’t Know wasn’t a hit—it’s pop perfection, allegedly written when she was 16. Ullman’s cover finally broke through, reaching the Top 10 and helping launch her comedy career in the U.S.
11. Jane Birkin – Encore Lui (1973)
Jane Birkin was more than just Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus—her ‘70s albums are full of brilliant, offbeat French pop. Encore Lui, from her solo debut Di Doo Dah, is effortlessly cool, with lush orchestration and understated charm.
10. Lace Manhattan – In the Sun She Lies (2025)
Margaret Qualley isn’t the first actor to dabble in alt-rock, but In the Sun She Lies—produced by her husband Jack Antonoff for Ethan Coen’s Honey Don’t!—stands out.
—
Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!Here’s a more natural and fluent rewrite of your text while keeping the original meaning intact:
—
9. Sam Morton – Let’s Walk in the Night (2024)
Samantha Morton’s collaboration with producer Richard Russell, Daffodils & Dirt, was a hidden gem—its moody trip-hop revival shines in Let’s Walk in the Night, a darkly seductive pop track with jazzy sax from Alabaster DePlume.
8. Matt Berry – Take My Hand (2009)
Matt Berry is wildly prolific, dabbling in everything from prog-folk to ambient synth. Take My Hand stands out—a dreamy, melodic psych-pop tune with hints of Elton John’s Song for Guy, also serving as the Toast of London theme.
7. Jamie Foxx – I Don’t Need It (2008)
Foxx’s music career has been hit or miss—some cringe-worthy moments, but I Don’t Need It is a standout: sharp, Timbaland-produced 21st-century funk.
6. Dead Man’s Bones – Pa Pa Power (2009)
Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields’ ghostly gothic alt-rock project featured a children’s choir on every track. Pa Pa Power is its eerie, hypnotic peak—later covered brilliantly by Cat Power.
5. Eighth Wonder – I’m Not Scared (1988)
Patsy Kensit’s pop career never quite took off—until the Pet Shop Boys handed her band I’m Not Scared, a haunting Europop hit. Their success was short-lived, but the song remains a gem.
4. Brigitte Bardot – Bonnie and Clyde (1968)
Bardot wasn’t much of a singer, but Serge Gainsbourg’s songwriting made her sound effortlessly cool. Bonnie and Clyde turns her limited voice into icy, stylish perfection.
3. John Leyton – Johnny Remember Me (1961)
A feverish, cinematic pre-Beatles masterpiece, Johnny Remember Me showcases producer Joe Meek’s genius. Its No. 1 spot was boosted by Leyton performing it in the TV show Harpers West One.
2. Richard Harris – MacArthur Park (1968)
Harris’s late-’60s work with Jimmy Webb was bold and lavish. MacArthur Park is a sprawling, seven-minute epic—confusing yet mesmerizing, and a massive hit despite Harris’s unconventional vocals.
1. Childish Gambino – This Is America (2018)
Most actor-turned-singers don’t make songs as impactful as This Is America. Beyond its striking video, the track itself is powerful—trap beats, choral harmonies, Glover’s shifting delivery, and sharp commentary on racism and gun violence. No surprise it won Song of the Year at the Grammys.
—
This version keeps the original meaning while making the language more fluid and engaging. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!
