Best 70′s and 80′s R&B and Soul Songs
Suggested by SMSOld School songs of the 70′s and 80′s have always been my favorite. It seems like every time I listen to oldies I always find a forgotten masterpiece hardly anyone has hard before. I have chosen my personal favorites, these are simply the best i have heard on any music bests list and some of these songs are hard to find also. Enjoy!
Angel
- Artist: Anita Baker
- Genre: R&B/Soul
18. Another one bites the dust
- Artist: Queen
- Genre: R&B/Soul
17. Portuguese Love
- Artist: Teena Marie
- Genre: R&B/Soul
The song peaked at #54 on the R&B chart, and is still a popular tune in the “Quiet Storm” formats. The song was also played during the wedding reception of Toni Childs and Todd Garrett on TV’s Girlfriends.
16. Betcha by Golly Wow
- Artist: The Stylistics
- Genre: R&B
It was one of the biggest hits by The Stylistics and released one year after. It made number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and on the UK Singles Chart in 1972 and number thirteen that same year.
At first, the song was recorded in 1970 by the trumpeter Freddie Hubbard’s album The Best of Freddie Hubbard. Another early version, “Keep Growing Strong”, was a single release on the Bell label by singer-actress Connie Stevens. But the composition scored a hit when it was released by The Stylistics in 1971, in their first album (The Stylistics) of this Philadelphia soul group.
15. I Keep Forgetting
- Artist: Michael McDonald
- Genre: R&B/Soul
McDonald played in several local bands (such as Mike and the Majestics, Jerry Jay and the Sheratons, the Reeb-Toors, the Del Rays and The Guild) while attending McCluer High School in his hometown of Ferguson, Missouri, now a city of some 25,000 people in St. Louis County, Missouri. McDonald was ‘discovered’ while playing with a group called Blue and consequently moved to Los Angeles in 1970.
14. Let Me Be Your Angel
- Artist: Stacey Lattisaw
- Genre: R&B
When Stacy was a teenager in her early 1980s, she had a string of Top 40 R&B hits, with several songs — “Let Me Be Your Angel,” “Love on a Two Way Street” and “Miracles” — crossing over to the pop mainstream. she recorded her first album for Cotillion Records at the age of 12 in 1979, under the direction of record producer Van McCoy. However it was not until she hooked up with Narada Michael Walden, a former drummer with the Mahavishnu Orchestra who was just beginning a career as a producer, that she became a star.
13. I’d Rather be with you
- Artist: Bootsy Collins
- Genre: Funk
William “Bootsy” Collins (born October 26, 1951 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a funk bassist, singer, and songwriter.
Rising to prominence with James Brown in the late 1960s, and with Parliament-Funkadelic in the ’70s, Collins’ driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk. Collins is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.
12. Geniuos of Love
- Artist: Tom Tom Club
- Genre: Nu-Funk
“Genius of Love” was a huge hit, in the clubs and on the R&B and dance charts, soon earning the Tom Tom Club LP a Gold Sales Award in 1982. Despite its relatively low chart position in the United Kingdom, the song received a great deal of airplay on UK radio and became a club favourite in Britain, helped by the popularity of the accompanying video.
The song’s narrator implies that her boyfriend is a “maven of funk mutation” and compares him to James Brown, Bob Marley, Smokey Robinson, Hamilton Bohannon, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Sly and Robbie, and Kurtis Blow.They released an updated version of this in 1999 called “Who Feelin’ It,” which mentions a new list of influences.
11. Sara Smile
- Artist: Hall & Oates
- Genre: R&B/Soul
Daryl Hall wrote the song for his girlfriend, Sara Allen, and had a cover featuring Hall and Oates overly made-up to the point where they (especially Hall, who had long hair then) looked like women. On an interview with Hall & Oates on VH1′s Behind the Music, Hall looked like “the girl he always wanted to go out with” on the cover.
10. Fantasy
- Artist: Earth, Wind and Fire
- Genre: R&B
Earth, Wind & Fire is an world renowed American R&B band led by Maurice White which was formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969. They are known for a number of hit singles, including “Shining Star” and “September”, and the band is also famous for its fusion of many genres of music into one unique sound.
The band has won six Grammys and have been Grammy nominated twenty times. They have earned more than 50 gold and platinum albums. They have sold over 90 million albums worldwide. Miles Davis is reported to have described EW&F “my favourite” and “the best”. Quincy Jones has proclaimed himself to be “biggest fan of Earth, Wind & Fire since day one.”
9. Always and Forever
- Artist: Heatwave
- Genre: R&B
In 1977 their first single, “Boogie Nights” from their debut album, reached number two on the British pop charts in January, and also became a number 2 hit in America in November. The group’s debut album, Too Hot to Handle, finally appeared in late-spring 1977, giving Heatwave a number eleven hit in the U.S. – reaching number five on the R&B charts, while the next single, the soul ballad “Always and Forever”, closed out the year with a number two U.S. R&B hit and #18 pop hit in December.
8. Emotion
- Artist: Samantha Sang
- Genre: R&B
“Emotion” is a 1977 single recorded by Australian pop singer Samantha Sang for the Private Stock label. Written by The Bee Gees members Barry & Robin Gibb (who, along with fellow Bee Gee brother Maurice sang background vocals), and produced by Barry, the song was Sang’s only hit single, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. It was featured in the film The Stud (1978) starring Joan Collins.
7. Sail On
- Artist: Commodores
- Genre: R&B
6. How deep is Your Love
- Artist: Bee Gees
- Genre: R&B
“How Deep Is Your Love” is a song recorded by the Bee Gees in 1977. Originally intended for Yvonne Elliman, it was ultimately used as part of the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever. It was a number three hit in the UK. In the U.S., it topped the Billboard Hot 100 on 24 December 1977 and stayed in the Top 10 for a then-record 17 weeks. The song also spent six weeks atop the U.S.
5. A Dream
- Artist: Bunny Debarge
- Genre: R&B
“A Dream” was one of the few songs in which DeBarge member and lone female member, sister Bunny DeBarge played a role as both its songwriter and its lead vocalist while her four brothers (Mark, Randy, El and James DeBarge) sung in the background. The song talked of a woman’s dose of reality when she realizes the happiness she thought she felt with a suitor wasn’t real, recalling how at one point she and her lover “danced to a melody” of a song, then when “the music stops”, she realizes the dream is “haunting (her) again”.
4. I Love you for all Seasons
- Artist: The Fuzz
- Genre: Pop
The Fuzz was an American vocal trio from Washington, D.C.. They started out in 1970 as The Passionettes, but changed their name when they signed to Calla Records in 1971. Their self-titled debut came out that year, and the single “I Love You for All Seasons” went Top 10 R&B and peaked at #21 on the US Billboard Pop Singles chart. The follow-up single, “Like an Open Door”, hit #14 on the R&B charts, but further singles had no success and the group split up in 1972
3. Time will Reveal
- Artist: El Debarge
- Genre: R&B
“Time Will Reveal” is a 1983 hit single recorded by R&B family quintet DeBarge and released as the first single off the group’s third album, In a Special Way, it was also the group’s biggest hit prior to the group’s 1985 hit, “Rhythm of the Night” and also became one of the most covered R&B singles.
2. Zoom
- Artist: The Commodores
- Genre: R&B
The year was 1977 – and this was the album that turned the Commodores into certifiable superstars in the crossover and commercial market. Not that they weren’t popular before – they had a huge R&B following, consistently amazing albums, and some pop music success, but nothing like it was after this album was released. 1977 was the year that the group embarked upon a massive nationwide tour, and their audience grew and grew to monumental proportions. This album was flying off the shelves in the music stores. Three of the songs from it that would go on to be classics were responsible for that. Ad campaigns, movie and TV roles for the funk sextet from Alabama followed as a result.
1. Strawberry Letter 23
- Artist: Brothers Johnson
- Genre: R&B
“Strawberry Letter 23″ is a song written by Shuggie Otis, although known most prominently by the version done by The Brothers Johnson. Otis wrote the song for a girlfriend, who used strawberry-scented paper in letters to him. George Johnson of The Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis’ cousins when he came across Freedom Flight, Otis’ 1972 album that featured the song. The group would later record it for their 1977 album Right On Time, under legendary producer Quincy Jones. The album would go platinum. “Strawberry Letter 23″, as recorded by The Brothers Johnson, in a funkier, more dance oriented vein than the original Otis version, hit the Hot 100 #5 and R&B #1 in 1977. The famous solo in this song was originally recorded by Shuggie Otis. Studio guitar player Lee Ritenour later recreated Shuggie Otis’ original solo for the Brothers Johnson 1977 album.
Great Great Great!
This takes a broth back to the good old days when music was music.. This website is awsome.
love this list
im up late nights trying to remember an old soul steppers song, but all i can remember are the word miss or mizz, it went something like miss you don't have to be a fool. sorry but thas all i remember. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME. maury woods.
Maury, the song is titled "Ms." David Oliver i believe
Does anyone know how I can find an old school funk song (played on WBLS) with the words "When the goin gets tough….the tough get goin"? (Not the Billy Ocean song!)
THANKS!!
Hi Philly,
I realise that I may be a little late but I think that the song that your looking for is "Get Tough" by KLeer. I hope this helps:>)
That group your looking for is Kleeer
What about Obryan (together always).
What about Obryan (togeher always)
EXCELLENT!!!!! However, being human, I always want more, MORE, MORE of a good thang!!!!!
I think the group that sings "when the tough gets goinin" is "SUN".
Im looking for this song.. from back in the late 70's or early 80's. It goes like this:
Now I belong to you, and you belong to me, time has found someone, has finaly found someone soo true..there has come a time when love, has brought us together..etc..
Can someone please help me with this song.. this guy has at least 4 octives in his voice.
Shonne if you havent found it yet that sounds like "You're So Very Special" by the group ONE WAY
the album is called "Who's Foolin' Who?"
I love that song. Let me hear from you as im not on here a lot. My email address is
such memories I love this it doesn't get any btter when you wanna remeisce!
Looking for a song called the Feelings Gone by a local DC group called Artwork? Help!
Although I like every song on this list, it is missing crucial early 70′s hits and come on… No “What’s Going ON” by M.Gaye? Thanks for remembering The Fuzz–great song!
Looking for a song made in the 70's by a group that made that one song…. Words say: Something got to change with me and you….( and you) …Something got to change with me and you…. (and you)…..Change, Change Change. I think the name of the song is chane made in about 1974 or 1975.
i am looking for a song with the words that's something like "girl i saw you last night with your arms around another man so tight, what can I say …" it was a slow jam from the 80's. Maybe someone can help?
hi did you find that song? (girl I saw you last night with your arms around another man so tight…) I am also looking for it? Thanks
Looking for a duet song by a woman and a man maybe from the 80′s which goes like “I promise I wont hurt and I will love you always”. Other lyrics like “You’re my friend. You’re are my man.” Can someone help?
the artist is pebbles and the song is called always
i normally dont comment on these boards, but this list is simply AMAZING!!!!!
I'm looking for an old song I forgot the name but some if the lyrics goes something like this I think…. " You've said the words time and time again I cannot believe my eyes, you broke my heart and left me blind, how you hurt me." I think that is how some of the lyrics go, please someone help. This song has been in my brain for years and for the life of me I can't remember the title or you sang it, all I know is that a woman or a group of women sing it.
Can some one tell me where I can download a song by L.A.X "All my love"?
It doesn't seem to be availible anywhere.
i had forgotten about the brothers johnson, my 2 favorites are RJ's Arrivals, Shackles and also The SOS Band, The Finest for me definitely those 2 from that time period.
Hey does anyone know that group and it was that one guy that held his note for like 5 minutes long…I want to say the temptations, but I don't think that it was them…anybody have any idea of who I'm speaking of????????? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!
Could be
Sheriff – "When I'm With You"
A-Ha – "Summer Moved On"
Air Supply – "All Out Of Love"
its the Dells Stand in my coner
the Dells – stay in my corner
I think this may be what you’re looking for. Glenn Leonard was singing that sweet tenor, on this particular tune. It is flawlessly done. Frankly one of the sweetest things they ever recorded. Line up was Glenn Leonard, Dennis Edwards, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and the often overlooked but highly talented Richard Street. Album is entitled, “Do The Temptations”. The last time I saw Glenn, he still had a PERFECT Afro.
The Dells Stay in my Corner
I’m looking for the name of a song that goes”so your going away and there nothing let to say but i wish you well and hope you find some peace of mind” please help its driving me crazy!!!
Looking for a song by The Deal, something about day and night in response to when I love you. Help!! I need the name of this song
the song is “two Occasions”
hey!
The name of that song is “Two Occassions”
Love this song!
in desperate need of this fam that is a true R&B ballad. It has a slow, deep,and lush beat with a male and female vocalist singin their hearts out. I barely caught the end of the song due to the dj but the male singer either started off his verse or the hook crooning “sometimes, sometimessss”
I think you’re talking about the song called ” I call your name” by Switch, which is the DeBarge family.
“Sometimes, Sometimes, baby. I need you to show me, show me that it’s not a mirage.” LOL that’s Atlantic Starr- “Am I Dreamin”. With the sexxxxxxxy sexxxxxy Sharon Bryant.
The FUZZ formerly the passionettes attended WESTERN H.S. in Washington,D.C. The group consisted of SHEILA YOUNG, VAL WILLIAMS and BARBARA GILLIAM. The FATHER’S CHILDREN formerly the dreams also attended WESTERN H.S. and had a hit with Frankie Karl called “DON’T BE AFRAID do as I say”. Each high school in D.C. from the 1960′s – 1980′s had talented entertainers going up against each other first intheir high schools, then a city-wide talent show.
iam looking for a name of a song in the 70,s the words are. you and me can simple be together endlessly we be in love,you and i can have a prefect state of mind.chours is if your heart is srong then we can,t go wrong baby can,t you see babe is you and me.it reminds me of my hubby and i going out together 1978 to 1979.happy memories. thank you
Hi, I have been searching for a song made I think in the early eighties. It was rhythm and blues and sung by two male singers. Parts of the lyrics are:
…”From now on in it will be easy, so easy for you and I. We’ve found the purpose and the reason, the need is all inside. (last line before bridge)
bridge: It’s just a life long, love song. with lyrics that say, that we’re still number one, and now composed, our love is strong and we have both prepared for the greatest love affair of the all!”
that i have in my collection also.
The Greatest Love Affair – Jeffrey Osborne
I am trying to find the name of this song from early 70′s, some of the words were “looks like the school of life caught us early baby” “good morning darling, how do you feel”
omg. i thought i was the only one on this earth who remembers this song. before i leave this world, i want to hear that song again. maybe an old school dj might be able to help us.
i too am soooo looking for this old school song please help!!!!
LOL. I, Too, look for this for many years. Well, get ready , to travel down memory lane. It’s Tommy Tate.
I love this site It takes me back
looking for a song from the early eighties, slow soul song sung by a lady. parts of it are..i give all of me, from now until eternity…the road ahead of us, won’t make it around…it’s now or never-er, say you do, you. now or never, now or never..
Thanks for helping
I remember some of the lyrics from an 80′s R&S song, but don’t remember who sang it. I think it’s called “I can’t believe we’re over”
“Too many times you made the blunder by telling me you’d be with me though rain and thunder,
As time goes by I never see you as much as I did when you lived around the corner
Chours:
I can’t believe it’s over, I can’t believe we’re through,
I can’t believe it’s over, I won’t believe it’s true
I’m not a child any more, you was the one I adored but there’s plenty more fish in the sea for me
(plenty more fish in the sea for me)
LOL Found it
It’s Over – The Funk Masters
does anyone remember this song- the lyrics ‘you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain,’that’s all i can remember. an r&b old school classic. help
this old school r&b song- ‘you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.’ please help!!!
I’m looking for an early 80s funk/soul song. I do know it’s a duet and a slow jam. The chorus is either You are my sunshine or shine on me. Both female and male have a deep voice.
Can anybody please help! I love this old jam, and try to find it.
MTUME – YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE
i am looking for the title and artist of song with these lyrics, do you wanna dance, i said do you wanna dance. it was an r and b or dance tune. it had the sound and feel of the kliques loves dance. it was released and had air time in the early 80s. ’81 0r ’82. any clues? i do not recall the group having other hits.
anyone can tell me who sang the song three billion people?
hi there can anyone tell me who sings an 80s soul tune that goes a little something like this ( all night with you, thats all i want to do, all night with you, together,)
Soul Corporation’s Let’s Go Together.
I’m looking for this band that is like the fundamentals but uses no instruments most of the time, they all sing low. And they all sang together in harmony. I have not heard them in at least 7 years and it was a friends cd. I have looked and looked please help if you can.
Common and Drake,has made me think about of exactly why beef in Hip Hop adds an extra dimension. new Hip Hop artistsjust don’t have that spark that old school hip hop folk had.
CAN ANYBODY HELP ME TO GET THE FOLLOWING SONGS LETTERS?…
Another day won’t matter – BILLY OCEAN
Everlasting Love – BILLY OCEAN
looking for name of r & b song from 70s..male singer starts out talking about writing a letter to his lady,but then just sings it..awesome ballad…help!
“A Letter To Myself” The Chi-Lites
…excellent song!!
hi there, please can anyone tell me the name of this R&B ballad/song and the singer. It’s a male voice from the 80s (I think)… it goes like this… I gave it all away, there’s really nothing more to say, I gave it all away, and now all I can do is…
Looking for the 70′s R&B song by a black male containing the lyrics “Little girl blue,I love you” or perhaps it is the title of the song.
I distinctly remember George Benson Doing a version of this VERY old song: however, I can’t find a trace of it. I even recall him performing it live … may have been on “The Midnight Special”, “Rock Concert” or “In Concert”, if you remember those shows. But I WILL keep looking.
Can someone help me find a song. Its from early 80′s, like 81 or 82. It’s a male singing. The lyrics are “you’re my everyday love, in my everyday life and I think about you all the time…” I hope those are correct. Does anybody know what I’m talking about. Thanks!!
Hi I am looking for a miracles or ibelieve in miracles its a male singing not sure if its r & b soul slow jam or ballade help!!!
Thanks Lynn
FOUR TOPS – I BELIEVE IN YOU AND ME?
Or Maybe, Hot Chocolate – “I Believe In Miracles. One of my sisters’ favorites.
To Lisa 8/26/11 and Karen Bell 11/10/11 my sentiments exactly I have been looking for this song also I have strong recollections that this was released around 1970 or 1971 on KoKo label by Luther Ingram and also I believe it was the B side It seems as though no one remembers this song! I had the record and so many more which were lost when our family home was destroyed by fire Would love to hear this song once again Someone please post the School of Life!!!
Hiya. Looking for a early/mid seventies night club song. Males, with numbers in the lyrics and it’s not 39 46 was my number! Been looking for years and not heard it since Room at the Top, ilford, Essex
Cheers – good site by the way
Looking for a song that says “Miss you’re so proud and strong. Miss you’ll admit when you’re wrong . Miss you’re so much woman you do have to try and be no man.
DAVID OLIVER – MS.
I am trying to find an old R&B slow song which i stumbled upon on the flip side of a hit sung by a male group and it starts like this its hard to find a woman whos real, you see for so long no one has ever cared how i feel…. you seem to turn away never saying sorry nor good bye…
I have been trying to find this song for about 15+ years
Hello! Looking for this “Quiet Storm” standard with the following lyrics-”If you could read between the lines yeah” “I have no choice but to play if you would just read between the lines” “Who did what who did what to who and why” “Now the game has started and rules are set” “Between the lines you’ll see the games that I’m playing”
Wow. You got really deep. That was Howard Kenney.
OMG! OMG! OMG! Thank you-Thank you-Thank you! I can’t thank you enough for helping me to find this song. Here lately, its been playing in my mind almost daily. It reminds me of my carefree college days at Bowie State. I can’t thank you enough. GOD BLESS YOU!
Looking for ID of a song played on Friday April 20 at approcimately 11:12- 11:14pm on WBLS- lyrics were mostly “I was blind but now I can see” or something very close to that, repeated end to end, kind of a trance/mix almost, was on Quiet Storm program . Thanks for any help!
I’m listening to a CD of old school love songs that someone made for me. I’m listening to a song that I LIKE but can’t remember who sang it. The name is “I promise (I do love you)”. I’m not sure but I think that it was in the 80′s…
Some lyrics from “I promise (I do love you)” are: you’re the one for me…I want you to want me…girl, you just gotta believe me…take me in your arms…” Also, the vocalists are male. That’s all I remember…does that help anyone to remember who sang it????
Probably , by Dream Boy. Most of these songs I know, because I am a musician and former balladeer. Gotta know what makes the woman melt. LOL Probably why I have so many children. ROTFLMBO
Thanks DeAnthonyM, I saw this answer in several previous posts. But, my husband was still skeptical because he insisted that it couldn’t be right. He finally agreed that if anyone else’s response was ‘DreamBoys’ then he would have to accept it as the right answer. Thanks for bringing an end to our disagreement and proving the superiority of this site!
I’M SO GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE,, TAKES ME BACK TO WHEN LIFE WAS SLOW AND SO SIMPLE,,
Same here. It’s good to help people find their lost or stolen memories. Sometimes it makes all the difference in the world. The other language that is shared and understood by all nations, cultures and generations …. MUSIC. I’ll check by here and there. I have 2 instrumentals from the 70′s that I cant call the name or artists on. But they are so deep in my heart, til I remember them, darn near note for note. I’m actually in the process of recording them myself. it’s a lot of instrumentation, and I’m playing them all myself … it could take a while. LOL Hopefully I can put them up on youtube and get someone to identify them. I guess I’ve goofed off enough. Gotta get back to recording. I STILL record REAL music. LOL
I just found this site from a web search. So good to find people into REAL music today. I am working on a list of MOSTLY r&b (but some are not) songs that my moms would play regularly and was heard all the while I was growing up. I would like to share the list here, maybe it could spark or help with a search because it’s exactly how I compiled this list. Would it be ok?
yes, i would very much like to receive your list; hope it includes the song with lyrics-’…the party’s over we have to be married before the end of october..the school of life’. thank you. i’m pc illiterate and need all the help i can get!!!
may i call you rob? thank you very much for the info on tommy tate. you are a Godsend. every Christmas an r&b song can’t tell if by male or female- ‘here we are such a perfect combination xmas & you never had a xmas quite like this before singing joy to our world…’ please if you can help. thank you
This is a great list. Thank you for entertaining us with this live concert, video and special event footage of the best musical artists ever!
I’m sorry I didn’t mention the song locator DeAnthanyM and this fabulous web site-Akorra.com.
Will refer you to everyone!!!!!!!
Wow..Thank you for your kind words. I am pleased that you like the website.
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Best 70′s and 80′s R&B and Soul Songs