Since the premiere of the very first show way back in 2006, the stars of Bravo’sReal Housewivesfranchise have built up a reputation for being strong, independent women not afraid to speak their minds, chase their dream and toss a glass of wine in one another’s face every now and again.

In nearly every city, there’s been at least one Housewife who has stepped into the recording booth to try her hand at a second career as a singer.

Some, likeLuann de LessepsandKim Zolciak-Biermann, have succeeded in creating a healthy collection of hits. Others, likeErika Girardi(a.k.a. Erika Jayne) andKandi Burruss, came onto the series with established success in the field.

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Luann de Lesseps, Kim Zolciak Biermann, Kandi Burrus, Melissa Gorga, and Erika Jayne

Here’s the definitive (if completely subjective) ranking of everyReal Housewivessong so far:

  1. “I Am Real” — Simon van Kempen (Real Housewives of New York City)

Simon van Kempen, husband ofRHONY’s Alex McCord, was one of the few Househusbands to garner almost as much attention and fame from the Bravo cameras as his wife did. So it shouldn’t have been too much of a shock when he dropped his own single, “I Am Real.” The tune, which van Kempen famously debuted onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenwhile dressed in his signature red leather pants, had the Australian defending himself from his critics right off the bat. “I am real / I ain’t going to change,” Simon says in the song’s chorus. “Love me or hate me / I don’t give a damn.”

  1. “Bump It” — Michaele Salahi (Real Housewives of D.C.)

The Real Housewives of D.C.may have only lasted one season on Bravo, but its most infamous cast member — White House party crasher Michaele Salahi — surely would have had an epic season 2 storyline had they continued. Months after Bravo canceled the 2010 show, Salahi tried to return to the spotlight, dropping the single “Bump It.” The club jam, with its police sirens and talked-through lyrics, never quite stuck. But Salahi would go on to find a spot for herself in the music industry nonetheless, divorcing ex-husband Tareq in September 2011 and marrying Journey guitarist Neal Schon in 2013.

  1. “Revelation” — Gretchen Rossi (Real Housewives of Orange County)

Back in August 2010, in between season 5 and 6 ofThe Real Housewives of Orange County, Gretchen Rossi released her first dance single, “Revelation.” The song’s title may have promised Rossi would be opening her heart up, but really, the reality star was really just addressing how much she was being talked about (an approach already perfected in Lindsay Lohan’s “Rumors”). Sadly, the song didn’t get the radio play Rossi boasted it would in the tune’s lyrics. However, it did give Rossi the confidence to continue pursuing music.

  1. “Rockstar” —Melissa Gorga(Real Housewives of New Jersey)

Melissa Gorgadoesn’t live a rock star life as a New Jersey mother of three, but she sure knows how to party like one! TheReal Housewives of New Jerseystar debuted her pop single “Rockstar” during the Bravo show’s fourth season, encouraging listeners to “party in the club until the sun comes up” (like every rock star inevitably does). The tune sadly didn’t live up to Gorga’s other hits, but it still remains a fun listen.

  1. “Cry” —Danielle Staub(Real Housewives of New Jersey)

  2. “Feel the Rush” — Adriana de Moura (Real Housewives of Miami)

  3. “Google Me” — Kim Zolciak-Biermann (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

Zolciak-Biermann knew she was the talk of the town back in 2011, at the height of herRHOAfame. But for those who weren’t watching the hit Bravo franchise at the time, the reality star had clear instructions. “Research me, you’ll find me, click those keys and Google me!” she sang in the chorus of her second single, “Google Me.” Sadly, the song wasn’t very memorable. Hey, at least it probably helped Zolciak-Biermann’s search engine optimization!

  1. “Can’t Wait to Grow Up” — Milania Giudice (Real Housewives of New Jersey)

  2. “Unbreakable” — Gretchen Rossi (Real Housewives of Orange County)

Rossi brought her diary into the recording studio with her to help her record her third single, “Unbreakable.” The fast-paced number appeared to be a clap back to all her haters — “You did your best/ How hard you tried but/ It don’t even matter/ I am never shattered” — but it turned out to be a tribute to love Slade Smiley’s son, who was going through cancer treatments at the time. “One afternoon he was singing to his dad about the pain he was going through, but he was still so happy and upbeat and it inspired me to write a song aboutbeing unbreakable no matter what life throws you,” Rossi told Bravo’s The Daily Dish upon its release in 2012.

  1. “Who Gon' Check Me Boo” – Shereé Whitfield (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

  2. “Wig (Wish I Gave a S—") — Kim Zolciak-Biermann (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

After years out of the music game, Zolciak-Biermann jumped back into the recording pool in 2018 with “Wig (Wish I Gave a S—)” — a tune she debuted at the Stoli Key West Cocktail Contest. Featuring Zolciak-Biermann’s auto-tuned vocals against a generic electronic beat and lyrics like “K-I-M / I am,” the song never really snatched wigs like one would hope. Still, give it time. The mother of six documented the recording of her latest song in a season of herRHOAspinoff,Don’t Be Tardy.

  1. “Haven’t Loved Right” —Kandi Burruss(Real Housewives of Atlanta)

RHOAviewers got to understand the heartbreak starKandi Burrussfelt over the death of her former fiancé A.J. Jewell in her emotional ballad “Haven’t Loved Right.” Though the two had split when Jewell died in October 2009 during a club brawl, his death still left Burruss torn. “I wish I could hold you in my arms again for one more night,” she sings. “And I wish I could be the one you’re in love with just one more time.” Burruss married husband Todd Tucker in 2014.

  1. “Nothing Without You” — Gretchen Rossi (Real Housewives of Orange County)

Burruss wasn’t the only one singing about a lost love. In 2009, Rossi dropped the ballad “Nothing Without You,” which she dedicated to ex Jeff Beitzel, who died on September 2008 from a battle with leukemia. “I’ll always long for you / You’re the one who saved me,” she sang in the touching tune. Rossi co-wrote this song with Michelle Featherstone, and while it didn’t become a huge smash, the money it did make went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the Jeff Beitzel Foundation.

  1. “Better Late Than Never” — Riley Burruss (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

  2. “Never Let Me Go” —Melissa Gorga(Real Housewives of New Jersey)

In June 2013, Gorga released “Never Let Me Go” — yet another dance track in her cannon of bops. This one, with echoes of Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” had Gorga singing to her ride-or-die about staying true through the tough times. Though the song got airtime inRHONJ’s fourth season, it never caught on as much as Gorga’s first release, “On Display.” Still, listen back and you’ll hear an infectious piece of pop perfection.

  1. “You Can’t Control Me” — Jo De La Rosa (Real Housewives of Orange County)

When she wasn’t fighting with ex-boyfriend Slade Smiley, Jo De La Rosa spent a good chunk of energy during her time on the first two seasons ofRHOCtrying to be a singer. The fruit of that labor – which came out in 2008, two years after she leftRHOC– is an album calledUnscriptedand her single, “You Can’t Control Me.” Though she was split from Smiley at the time, the two had collaborated on the spinoffDate My Ex: Jo & Slade,where Smiley helped her find love. De La Rosa returned the favor with this track, which features her singing about her desire to free herself from a man’s control.

  1. “The Time Is Now” —Gretchen Rossi(Real Housewives of Orange County)

De La Rosa may have been ready to kick Smiley to the curb, but Gretchen Rossi had different feelings. TheRHOCstar began dating Smiley not long after she joinedRHOCin 2008. In 2013,she recorded this touching proposal ballad. “I’m ready to spend my life with you,” she sang. “The time is now.” Smiley said yes, but that proposal would be the end of Rossi’s run onRHOC.The two have still yet to tie the knot,prioritizing instead their desire to start a family. The couple welcomed daughterSkylar Grayin July 2019.

  1. “Flatline” —Porsha Williams(Real Housewives of Atlanta)

  2. “I Just Wanna” —Melissa Gorga(Real Housewives of New Jersey)

Gorga’s “I Just Wanna,” released in 2012, may not have gotten theRHONJpush that some of her other songs did, but it did get a professionally produced music video . The track itself sounds like it belongs alongside Pitbull’s catalogue (rapper Santino Noir, who guests on the track, makes a perfect substitution for the Miami hype man). And the video has plenty of A+ hairography. Turn the volume up and, like Gorga, dance dance dance ‘til you can’t can’t can’t anymore more more.

  1. “Girl Code (Don’t Be So Uncool)” —Luann de Lesseps(Real Housewives of New York City)

A fight with costars Carole Radziwill and Heather Thomson during a disastrous trip to Turks and Caicos on season 7 ofRHONYinspired de Lesseps’ third single, “Girl Code (Don’t Be So Uncool).” The funky girl power hit called back to de Lesseps' iconic “Don’t be all, like, uncool” line, and featured de Lesseps' daughter Victoria on its chorus. A banger.

  1. “The Ring Didn’t Mean a Thing” — Kim Zolciak-Biermann andKandi Burruss(Real Housewives of Atlanta)

  2. “Fake People” —Kandi Burruss(Real Housewives of Atlanta)

Always one to channel her frustrations into her music, Burruss used her anger at Williams andPhaedra Parks' season 9 shenanigans to inspire her 2018 track “Fake People.” The clap-back track makes it clear that Burruss has no plans for a reconciliation. “I can’t f— with fake people / They always want something for nothing, but they ain’t doing nothing for me,” she sings in the pop jam. “I can’t f— with fake people / Smile in my face no doubt while you plotting on me.”

  1. “Closet Freak” — Miss Lawrence (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

After years of hanging in the background, frequentRHOAguest Miss Lawrence stepped into the spotlight in 2011 when Burruss brought the stylist into the studio to record his first single, “Closet Freak.” The empowering dance anthem found Miss Lawrence calling out a closeted lover. “You wanna act like you don’t know me when we’re out in public / but at my house the other day, you were steady callin' out my name,” Miss Lawrence sang. “I’m not your closet freak.” Thoughthe song wasn’t a major hit, it did bring Miss Lawrence success: Currently, the actor and singer appears on Fox’sStar.

  1. “I See You” — Candiace Dillard (Real Housewives of Potomac)

Candiace Dillardcouldn’t stop singing the praises of longtime love Chris Bassett attheir August 2018 wedding… literally! As a gift for her new husband, theReal Housewives of Potomacstar performed a song penned just for him! Co-written with singer/songwriter Veda Whisnant, the love ballad had Dillard paying tribute to her “everything,” whom she proudly called “the one” in the tune’s lyrics. “One things clear, one thing’s true / through it all, I see you,” Dillard sang, her sultry pipes giving the R&B jam depth and heart.

  1. “Love Comes Through” — Ronnie andShamari DeVoeA.K.A. Me and Mari (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

Halfway through her first season as an Atlanta Housewife, Blaque singer Shamari DeVoe and her husband Ronnie DeVoe (of Bell Biv DeVoe fame) released the first single of their new supergroup, Me and Mari. The R&B power couple sure had great chemistry on the sweet 2019 pop duet, which found them boasting about their love. “I can’t imagine me with somebody else,” Ronnie crooned. “I swear to God, I’m glad I found you.”

  1. “Feelin' Jovani” —Luann de Lesseps(Real Housewives of New York City)

Jovani isn’t just a popular fashion house supplying glittery mermaid dresses; it’s also a state of mind! That’s according to Luann de Lesseps, whose fourth single — “Feelin' Jovani” — paid tribute to the brand. De Lesseps was introduced to Jovani throughRHONYcast mateDorinda Medleyin season 10. She became so enamored with the evening wear, as often seen in her #CountessAndFriends cabaret show, that she based her 2019 musical entry around the brand. The result was a catchy club jam and an equally fun music video featuring Andy Cohen and fellow Housewives Cynthia Bailey (RHOA) andLisa Rinna(RHOBH). Of course, it could also be interpreted as a kiss-off to Medley for heckling her during a cabaret performance.

  1. “Real Close” —Danielle Staubft. Lori Michaels (Real Housewives of New Jersey)

In 2010, Danielle Staub teamed up with lesbian singer Lori Michaels to record her debut single, “Real Close.” The tortured love ballad had Staub and Michaels singing about a relationship in which one person has commitment issues and the other pulls them closer. While many viewed the song as a coming out for Staub, it turns out art didn’t exactly reflect life. Still, she and Michaels did give us an intimate performance onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.

  1. “Gone with the Wind Fabulous” —Kenya Moore(Real Housewives of Atlanta)

  2. “How Many F—s” — Erika Jayne (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)

To coincide with her first season ofReal Housewives of Beverly Hills, Girardi released a new single under her stage name (Erika Jayne) — letting both her castmates and viewers know that she wouldn’t be letting the drama affect her. It was a bold move from a bold artist, and the dance hit immediately became an anthem among her loyal fans (including Christina Aguilera, who lit the Internet up when she covered the track on her Instagram). Of course, from PantyGate to PuppyGate, Girardi has given plenty of “f—s” when it comes to the show’s battles. But that doesn’t make the song any less fun.

  1. “Chic, C’Est La Vie” —Luann de Lesseps(Real Housewives of New York City)

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Countess speaking. We have arrived.” That’s how de Lesseps kicked off her 2011 single, “Chic C’est La Vie.” The tune, “sung” in de Lesseps' signature spoken word style, is a total campy delight — with a chorus that instantaneously gets lodged in your head. Adding to the fun factor for Housewives fans? The fact that the filming of its video, at The Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey, caused major drama during season when Ramona Singer refused to be a part of it. Cast members Jill Zarin and Kelly Bensimon ended up joining instead, launching 1,000 GIFs in the process.

  1. “On Display” —Melissa Gorga(Real Housewives of New Jersey)

  2. “Fly Above” —Kandi Burruss(Real Housewives of Atlanta)

Burruss was at the end of her first season onRHOAin 2009 when she released “Fly Above.” The song, a musical version of “When they go low, we go high” if there ever were one, would be an indication of how the Grammy winner would handle herself on the show from that point on. From battles with her mother to her fallout with pal Phaedra Parks, Burruss has always kept her cool. “I fly above all the drama,” she sang in the song’s chorus. “It’s beneath me.”

  1. “Money Can’t Buy You Class” —Luann de Lesseps(Real Housewives of New York City)

Money may not be able to buy you class, but it sure did buy de Lesseps her signature song. The Countess released the cheeky dance track in 2010, complete with its very own music video (so scandalous that it became a storyline onRHONYall on its own).Before its release, no one imagined the tune would be the start of a whole singing career for de Lesseps. All that changed, though, with one listen. Like a fine wine, this bop has only gotten better with age.

  1. “Work Done” —Porsha Williams(Real Housewives of Atlanta),Melissa Gorga(Real Housewives of New Jersey) andSonja Morgan(Real Housewives of New York City)

Who would have thought that Fiber One would be behind one of the biggest Housewives bangers of all time? But that’s exactly what happened in July 2019, when they brought together Williams, Gorga, andRHONYstar Sonja Morgan to record a song to help launch theirnew reworked line of soft-baked bars and brownies, The tongue-in-cheek dance tune had the Housewives giving a nod and a wink to the plastic surgery they’ve had in the past “Always getting work done / tweak it to perfection,” they sang. “Getting work done / keep up if you can!” Plus,RHOCstarTamra Judgeand Morgan’sRHONYcast mateDorinda Medleygot in on the action, making cameos in the video. The Pussycat Dolls could never.

  1. “XXPEN$IVE” — Erika Jayne (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)

  2. “Tardy for the Party” — Kim Zolciak-Biermann (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

source: people.com