Five Regina Spektor Tunes You Should Know

An acclaimed singer, songwriter and pianist, Regina Spektor got her start in New York City’s indie scene as part of the East Village’s so-called “anti-folk” movement. Spektor self-released her debut album, 2001’s 11:11, and its followup, 2002’s Songs. On the strength of her work and growing following, she signed to Sire Records in 2004, going on to release six studio albums of new material (2022’s Home, Before and After is her most recent), four EPs and two live albums. Released as singles, nearly a dozen of Spektor’s songs have charted in the US., U.K. and/or elsewhere. On the occasion of new color vinyl releases of five albums from her major-label catalog – all released in May – here’s a look at five standout tracks from Regina Spektor.

“Fidelity” from Begin To Hope (2006)
A single from Spektor’s second major-label album, “Fidelity” was inspired by High Fidelity, the movie adaptation of Nick Hornby’s 1995 novel of the same name. The single would earn a Gold record (500,000 units sold in the U.S.). With its flavors of jazz and baroque pop, “Fidelity” remains Spektor’s highest-charting single. The track’s appeal led to its use in at least half a dozen television programs.

“Laughing With” from Far (2009)
Spektor released her fifth album, Far, in 2009. For that project, she worked with a variety of producers, including Jacknife Lee, who has worked with a variety of artists including R.E.M. and U2. Spektor leveraged her classical background in developing a string arrangement for the song. “Laughing With” reached the #14 spot on Billboard’s U.S. singles chart; its success also rekindled interest in (and sales of) “Fidelity.”

“On the Radio” from Live in London (2010)
While touring the world in support of Far, Regina Spektor recorded her first live album. Documenting a performance at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, Live in London showcased nearly two dozen songs from her growing body of work. The concert’s leadoff track, “On the Radio” was first heard on Begin to Hope. Released as a single, the live recording sold respectably but did not chart in the U.S. Yet like “Fidelity,” it has been used in the soundtrack of many films and TV programs.

“Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)” from What We Saw From the Cheap Seats (2012)
For her 2012 album, Spektor revisited a song from her early indie days. “Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)” had been featured on 2001’s Songs. A re-recorded version of the piece – now with a full arrangement – would be the second of three singles from her 2012 album. Perhaps owing in part to its lyrics, some of which are in French, the single charted in Belgium.

“Bleeding Heart” from Remember Us To Life (2016)
Spektor’s seventh album, Remember Us to Life earned significant critical praise, and no less than four singles would be released from the album. The first of those, “Bleeding Heart” also opened the album. While the single didn’t chart, it remains the most popular (most-streamed) track from Remember Us to Life.