David Cassidy's 10 best songs, ranked

13 August 2026, 14:13

By Mayer Nissim

David Cassidy broke out of the world of TV to become a real popstar

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Known to a generation of Americans as Keith Partridge on The Partridge Family, David Cassidy was also a genuine pop phenomenon.

That was especially true outside his native US, with Cassidy racking up major hits in the UK, South Africa, Australia and Europe.

David Cassidy facts: Songs, TV roles, marriages and tragic death of the Partridge Family icon
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Cassidy's singles included a mix of covers alongside songs written for him by some of the era's slickest songwriters.

His heyday came in the early 1970s, though he continued to record into the 1980s and beyond.

If you're looking to get into Cassidy's back catalogue or just a reminder of his biggest and best songs, we've got you covered.

Rock Me Baby

David Cassidy - Rock Me Baby (1974) HD 0815007

The glammy opener, title track and absolute standout from David's second album, released in 1972.
Written by Johnny Cymbal and Peggy Clinger, 'Rock Me Baby' was a soulful stomp of a record that you could imagine any number of Brit glam bands performing.
Could It Be Forever

David Cassidy - Could It Be Forever ( Promo Video 1973 Rebroadcast 192 TV HQ Audio )

The second single from David's debut Cherish album, 'Could It Be Forever' was co-written by album producer (and The Partridge Family musical producer) Wes Farrell together with Danny Janssen.
While the track stalled in the US chart, over in the UK it was released as a double-A-side with 'Cherish" and got to number two in the charts, staying in the top 40 for a massive 43 weeks.
The Puppy Song

David Cassidy - The Puppy Song (1973 Television Recording)

Written by Harry Nilsson for Mary Hopkin at the request of Paul McCartney, her version was included on the Opportunity Knocks singer's 1969 Apple Records' debut Post Card.
Nilsson recorded his own version later that year for his Harry album, but it was David Cassidy who brought the song to its biggest audience when he released it as a single in 1973 (a double-A-side charttopper), with the lyrics also giving their name to his third Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes album.
And listen out for Doobie Brother Michael McDonald on electric piano.
Darlin'

Darlin'

For The Beach Boys, after Pet Sounds came the failed attempt at Smile (its remnants were released as Smiley Smile), before releasing Wild Honey. Underrated at the time, the album's stature has grown over the years.
Its second single 'Darlin' peaked at number 19 (USA) and 11 (UK) so was already well known when David Cassidy covered it in 1975 for his fourth album The Higher They Climb.
That record was appropriately produced with Beach Boy Bruce Johnston, with David's version not quite matching the original but still being a lovely slice of blue-eyed soul on its own terms.
If I Didn't Care

David Cassidy - If I Didn't Care

Many of David Cassidy's hits were covers of relatively recent songs, but 'If I Didn't Care' dated back a little further.
It was written by Jack Lawrence and recorded by The Ink Spots featuring Bill Kenny in 1939. David might have heard Connie Francis (1959) or The Platters (1961) take it on, before he catapulted it to number 9 in the UK singles chart in 1974.
The Last Kiss

David Cassidy - The last Kiss 1985

By the 1980s, David Cassidy wasn't the star he was in the mid-1970s, but while the fame had faded somewhat, the talent most definitely had not.
After nine years away, he released the 1985 comeback album Romance, which he co-wrote with producer Alan Tarney.
'The Last Kiss' was actually recorded first by Cliff Richard with different lyrics in 1981 as 'Young Love' from his Wired for Sound, but Cassidy had a trump card for his version: guest vocals from the actual George Michael.
It got all the way to number 6 in the UK singles chart and proved that Cassidy still absolutely had it.
I Am A Clown

David Cassidy - I Am A Clown (1973).

After a couple of singles each from his first album Cherish and second album Rock Me Baby, David Cassidy had definitely become a bigger star in the UK than back home in the US.
And over here, he went back to Cherish for a third single for the UK market, the Tony Romeo-penned 'I Am A Clown', a longtime fan favourite that had a brilliant spoken intro. It went all the way to number 3.
Cherish

David Cassidy - Cherish (Audio)

Terry Kirkman wrote 'Cherish' for his band The Association in half an hour at his parents' California home. His band scored a number one hit with the track in 1966, making it a well known track for David Cassidy to launch his solo pop career with in 1971.
It went to number 9 in the US, number 2 in the UK (as a double-A-side with 'Could It Be Forever'), and gave its name to David's successful debut album.
How Can I Be Sure

David Cassidy - How Can I Be Sure? • TopPop

Inspired by The Beatles' trad pop leanings of 'Yesterday' and 'Michelle', Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati wrote 'How Can I Be Sure' for The Young Rascals, who released it in 1967 as a single and included it on their album Groovin'.
It was a number four hit for that band, and was successfully covered first by Dusty Springfield in 1970 (the incredible 'Spooky' was on the flip) before David Cassidy put his own spin on it a couple of years later.
It did pretty well in the US, reaching number 25, and went all the way to number one in the UK.
Daydreamer

David Cassidy - Daydreamer (1973)

David's second UK chart-topper was 'Daydreamer', writteny by Terry Dempsey and released with 'The Puppy Song' on the B-side and, like that song featured the electric piano talents of Michael McDonald.
A smooth, slick, slice of easy listening pop with just the slightest touch of surfing psych, it's one of those tracks that best shows off Cassidy's genuine emotional heft. A quiet classic.