Ronnie James Dio was obsessed with role-playing game-type fantasy, work-obsessed, and capable of outsinging a good majority of rock vocalists. He made over-the-top rock records. Dio, his solo vehicle, is one of the greatest heavy metal groups of all time.

It’s true, Ronnie Dio was a member of at least three famous rock groups – Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio. But it’s the latter in which he completely held the creative reins, and the one I’m focusing on today. These are the 10 best songs by Dio.

Greatest 10 Songs by Dio

10. “Don’t Talk to Strangers”

Don’t forget that Ronnie James Dio had been testing out this kind of material for years. The Dio band wasn’t meant to alienate old fans. It was just meant to save him the trouble of sharing the profits with the likes of Tony Iommi or Ritchie Blackmore.

That’s why “Don’t Talk to Strangers” could’ve easily been a Rainbow or Black Sabbath song. It was a highlight of Dio’s debut album, which, in turn, is the band’s career milestone.

9. “Fever Dreams”

Ronnie didn’t lose interest in music. But the market that he’d fought hard to be a part of had nearly disappeared by the 2000s.

Dio put out records less often. But, when the group released music, like the 2000s “Magica,” it was part of an ambitious affair meant to please the old sympathizers.

“Magica” is the best album recorded by Dio after the chart hits stopped. It’s a long, complicated, and generally satisfying affair. “Fever Dreams” is the obvious single, the most polished and enjoyable of the tracks on the album.

8. “Egypt (The Chains Are On)”

Ronnie James had been on some really big tours before starting his own band. He’d dealt with large audiences, bossy managers, and flashy guitarists. He knew how the game was played.

The lyrics to “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” don’t exactly resemble either the 1980s streets of Cairo or the Biblical tales.

But what the menacing, slow-paced rocker did offer was a perfect opportunity for it to be Dio’s elaborate stage show. By 1984, the concert extravaganza rolled into your town equipped with pyramid-shaped drum risers and mini-sphinx statues. Audiences were spoiled!

7. “Sacred Heart”

You have to hand it to Dio. The singer and his band possessed a great work ethic. This helped them release an album every 12 months for four years straight.

“Sacred Heart” was the name of the third release, and, also one of the strongest cuts on the record.

The song was something of a peace offering to the loyal faithful who were worried about their hero’s embrace of a more polished heavy metal sound. Instead, “Sacred Heart” is the long, quasi-mystical journey supporters had come to expect.

6. “Rainbow in the Dark”

Dungeon masters never really run out of D&D missions. Hence, why would Ronnie James Dio run out of lyrics?

Sure, you’re likely to find the words “rainbow,” “demon,” or “rock n’ roll” in most of his songs. But that’s just a way of telling you directly what you’re likely to get, eh?

“Rainbow in the Dark” is the debut album’s attempt at something resembling a power ballad. But the synergy between the band members, which included Vivian Campbell, Jimmy Bain and Vinny Appice, is what really makes this recording special.

5. “Stand Up and Shout”

Power metal bands are, arguably, the ones most influenced by Dio. But what most bands do manage to get in terms of fantasy-themed pomposity, they fail to capture when it comes to pure rocking.

By the time of the “Holy Diver” album, Ronnie James Dio had performed on stages all over the world. He knew how to get a crowd rowdy and rocking. “Stand Up and Shout” is one of the finest, grittiest songs that the singer produced.

4. “Rock N’ Roll Children”

There were plenty of rockers who had zero chance during the MTV era. Ronnie James Dio was, on paper, at least, not of them. Dio’s music was dramatic, imaginative and just begged for the treatment of B-movie-styled horror videos. In retrospect, the ability to direct them at a reasonable cost may have been decades away.

“Rock N’ Roll Children” was proof of concept that the video – rock anthem tandem could work. No, it’s not a good video! But it’s certainly eye-catching.

Besides, Dio delivers what you and the band’s numerous 80s fans expected. This one will get stuck in your head!

3. “We Rock”

With momentum on its side, Dio returned for its sophomore album and delivered something nearly as good, and with just as much energy. This one cracked the US Top 40 and, in retrospect, may have had the better singles.

Album opener, “We Rock”, isn’t merely another fists-in-the-air browler. It’s one of the best-sounding records of the 1980s. Rarely, if ever, did Dio, whose singing is at its peak here, manage to sound as mysterious, evil and, frankly, uncharacteristically non-outlandish. I think that it’s a great song!

2. “The Last in Line”

I think that at his best, Dio’s compositions had excellent dynamics. When playing for keeps, however, Dio’s songs had just one gear.

Like “Temple of the King,” or “Children of the Sea,” “The Last in Line” also benefits from a great, slow guitar intro. The transitions toward the dramatic rocking section, or the catchy chorus, feel natural.

And this, together with the excellent singing, makes “The Last in Line” a mighty, mighty fine metal song. More intros, please!

1. “Holy Diver”

Bam-ba-ba-bam Ba-ba-Bam-Bam-Bam! The riff rises up to the sky like Beethoven’s intro to the “5th Symphony.” Indeed, rockers may be just as familiar with the Vivian Campbell-played guitar part.

The fact is that Ronnie James Dio wasn’t just a singer with a great vocal range. By 1984, he was a man with a serious, well-constructed plan. Maybe that’s why the early records were so successful.

The singer was also a strong collaborator, and a decent guitarist and keyboard player. The “Holy Diver” single is credited solely to him.

For the final piece of the puzzle, the singer brought together a great band that truly rivalled the iterations of the groups that Ozzy Osbourne, his great rival, put together.

In many ways, “Holy Diver” is everything that Ronnie James Dio had been trying to do since his earliest career, but in its finest, sharpest form. It’s a very memorable track, Dio’s greatest recorded moment and one of the greatest songs of all time.