Joan Osborne was born in 1962 in Anchorage, Kentucky, and began her musical journey in New York City during the late 1980s. Initially, she aimed to form her own label but eventually signed with Mercury Records. Osborne released her debut album, Soul Show: Live at Delta 88, in 1991. Although the album garnered moderate success, it was the release of her sophomore album that catapulted her into the spotlight.

In 1995, Osborne's album Relish featured the breakout hit "One of Us," which dominated the U.S. singles chart for two weeks. Following this success, tracks like "Right Hand Man" and "St. Teresa" also gained popularity, contributing to her growing fanbase. Her participation in the 1997 Lilith Fair tour further expanded her audience, making her a significant figure in the music scene of the late '90s. That same period saw Osborne receiving multiple Grammy nominations in both 1996 and 1997.

Osborne’s commitment to social causes, such as "Rock the Vote," led her to cover "I'm Just a Bill" alongside Isaac Hayes for the 1998 Schoolhouse Rocks the Vote! benefit album. Throughout her career, she collaborated with music legends, including Stevie Wonder, Melissa Etheridge, and Bob Dylan. In September 2000, she released Righteous Love, which continued to build her discography. The following year, she was featured in the documentary Standing in the Shadow of Motown and toured with the Funk Brothers.

In the 2000s, Osborne explored new musical directions, releasing How Sweet It Is in 2003, a collection of soul and R&B covers. After performing with Phil Lesh and Friends, she released Pretty Little Stranger in 2006, followed by Breakfast in Bed in 2007, which included popular covers of classic songs. Her next studio album, Little Wild One, came out in 2008 and was succeeded by Bring It on Home in 2012, which earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album.

Joan Osborne is also known for her political activism, particularly with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). Since volunteering as a clinic escort in the 1980s, she has organized benefit concerts and was honored as a PPFA "Woman of the Year" in 1997, notably promoting the organization during her performance at Lilith Fair despite opposition.

Osborne remains an active performer and recording artist. She is a member of the rock group Trigger Hippy, alongside notable musicians like Steve Gorman and Jackie Greene, which released its debut album in 2014. That same year, she released Love and Hate. Following this, she explored new projects, including the 2017 cover album Songs of Bob Dylan, 2020's Trouble and Strife, and the 2022 live compilation Radio Waves. In 2023, she continued to evolve her sound with the studio album Nobody Owns You, further solidifying her place in the music industry.