Music Metrics Vault

Billy Paul

Data updated on 2025-09-16 13:40:50 UTC
Billy Paul earned all his hits in the '70s as an R&B vocalist, although he'd been recording since the '50s, when he debuted on Jubilee. Born in Philadelphia in 1935, Paul was featured on radio broadcasts at the age of 11 and had an extensive jazz background. (He worked with Dinah Washington, Miles Davis, and Roberta Flack, as well as Charlie Parker, before forming a trio and recording for Jubilee.)

His original 1959 recording of "Ebony Woman" for New Dawn was later re-recorded for Neptune as the title of his 1970 LP. He signed the next year with Philadelphia International and scored his biggest hit in 1972 with "Me and Mrs. Jones," topping both the R&B and pop charts. Paul had one other Top Ten R&B single, "Thanks for Saving My Life," in 1974. He remained on Philadelphia International until the mid-'80s. Paul recorded one LP for Total Experience in 1985, Lately, and another for Ichiban before announcing his retirement in 1989 in London. He continued to do occasional club dates, however, both in America and overseas. He died in April 2016 at the age of 80. ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi

Genres

: philly soul soul motown classic soul

Total plays

919.0 million
Updated on 2025-09-16

Monthly listeners

1,347,757

Followers

330,955

Top Cities

  1. Brazil
    São Paulo
    32,790 listeners
  2. Belgium
    Brussels
    19,801 listeners
  3. Netherlands
    Amsterdam
    17,381 listeners
  4. United Kingdom
    London
    33,943 listeners
  5. France
    Paris
    15,841 listeners

Related artists

Lou Rawls
Lou Rawls
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George McCrae
Rose Royce
Rose Royce
Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
The Chi-Lites
The Chi-Lites
Aaron Neville
Aaron Neville

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Me and Mrs. Jones
Me and Mrs. Jones
192,859,352 4:45 1972-01-01
Me & Mrs. Jones
Me & Mrs. Jones
192,859,352 4:48 1995-01-01
Me And Mrs. Jones
Me And Mrs. Jones
192,859,352 4:47 2000-01-01
Me & Mrs Jones
Me & Mrs Jones
192,797,160 4:45 2013-01-01
Your Song
Your Song
81,765,163 6:29 1972-01-01
Only the Strong Survive
Only the Strong Survive
10,431,544 5:36 1977-01-01
Let 'Em In
Let 'Em In
8,692,504 5:03 1976-01-01
Am I Black Enough for You?
Am I Black Enough for You?
5,144,744 5:16 1965-01-01
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - 12" Version
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - 12" Version
4,986,909 8:41 1973-01-01
Let the Dollar Circulate
Let the Dollar Circulate
2,754,534 4:59 1975-12-01
Thanks for Saving My Life
Thanks for Saving My Life
2,239,346 2:58 1973-10-12
Let's Make a Baby
Let's Make a Baby
1,810,117 7:11 1975-12-01
Me and Mrs Jones (with Billy Paul)
Me and Mrs Jones (with Billy Paul)
1,356,385 3:55 2014-11-03
How Good Is Your Game
How Good Is Your Game
1,256,617 4:08 1976-01-01
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded)
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded)
1,209,937 4:54 2013-06-06
Me And Mrs. Jones
Me And Mrs. Jones
1,209,937 4:54 2015-01-01
Me and Mrs. Jones - Rerecorded
Me and Mrs. Jones - Rerecorded
1,209,937 4:54 2009-09-01
Bring the Family Back
Bring the Family Back
1,193,322 5:02 1979-01-01
It's Too Late
It's Too Late
1,155,473 4:33 1972-10-25
Brown Baby
Brown Baby
1,102,028 4:35 1972-10-25
Without You
Without You
1,058,393 3:17 1976-01-01
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
894,177 3:01 2011-01-01
July, July, July, July
July, July, July, July
769,795 5:29 1975-01-01
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
635,041 2:36 1968-01-01
War of the Gods
War of the Gods
620,972 10:06 1973-10-12
Mrs. Robinson
Mrs. Robinson
616,606 4:30 1970-07-01
False Faces
False Faces
585,266 4:39 1979-01-01
Me and Mrs. Jones - Single Version
Me and Mrs. Jones - Single Version
555,247 3:42 1972-10-25
Let's Stay Together
Let's Stay Together
524,940 6:26 1972-10-25
Billy's Back Home
Billy's Back Home
505,621 4:32 1975-01-01
When Love Is New
When Love Is New
481,016 5:31 1973-01-01
I'm Gonna Make It This Time
I'm Gonna Make It This Time
444,902 4:23 1972-10-25
East
East
416,919 6:27 1971-06-15
People Power
People Power
407,031 4:17 1975-12-01
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live in London
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live in London
390,175 9:02 1972-10-25
I Think I'll Stay Home Today
I Think I'll Stay Home Today
351,588 6:18 1976-01-01
I Want Cha' Baby
I Want Cha' Baby
338,169 6:17 1975-12-01
I'm Just a Prisoner
I'm Just a Prisoner
328,730 8:04 1972-10-25
Let 'Em In
Let 'Em In
320,097 4:60 1999-04-06
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life
312,462 4:15 1971-06-15
I Trust You
I Trust You
298,943 4:14 1976-01-01
Me & Mrs. Jones
Me & Mrs. Jones
291,648 4:58 2010-11-01
Me And Mrs. Jones
Me And Mrs. Jones
291,648 4:56 2009-04-02
Me and Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
Me and Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
291,648 4:58 2008-08-01
Love Buddies
Love Buddies
269,703 3:39 1971-06-15
Black Wonders of the World
Black Wonders of the World
251,029 7:56 1975-01-01
Everybody's Breakin' Up
Everybody's Breakin' Up
250,157 5:03 1977-01-01
The Whole Town's Talking
The Whole Town's Talking
248,176 4:47 1973-10-12
Don't Give Up On Us
Don't Give Up On Us
246,872 3:39 1977-01-01
Ebony Woman
Ebony Woman
223,304 3:52 1970-07-01
Let's Fall In Love All Over Again
Let's Fall In Love All Over Again
222,671 3:50 1970-07-01
Sooner Or Later
Sooner Or Later
217,803 5:36 1977-01-01
Thank You (For This Blessing)
Thank You (For This Blessing)
216,910 2:58 1979-01-01
It's Critical
It's Critical
204,912 3:51 1979-01-01
I See the Light
I See the Light
202,053 6:13 1973-10-12
When Will I See You Again / Love Train - Live Medley
When Will I See You Again / Love Train - Live Medley
193,098 8:02 2014-03-28
We All Got A Mission
We All Got A Mission
177,021 3:21 1976-01-01
I Gotta Put This Life Down
I Gotta Put This Life Down
168,358 4:46 1979-01-01
Amanhã (feat. Billy Paul)
Amanhã (feat. Billy Paul)
166,693 5:25 1988-01-01
Be Truthful to Me
Be Truthful to Me
161,719 3:09 1975-01-01
Takin' It To The Streets
Takin' It To The Streets
159,384 4:51 1977-01-01
I Was Married
I Was Married
144,224 7:19 1973-10-12
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live in England - December 1973
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live in England - December 1973
143,336 8:49 1973-12-01
The Times Of Our Lives
The Times Of Our Lives
136,101 5:02 1977-01-01
Windy
Windy
136,095 2:50 1970-07-01
What A Way To Love
What A Way To Love
130,027 4:21 1979-01-01
Me & Mrs Jones - Live
Me & Mrs Jones - Live
122,191 5:56 2018-12-20
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live
122,191 5:59 2014-03-28
Me and Mrs Jones (Live)
Me and Mrs Jones (Live)
122,191 5:56 2020-08-16
Malorie
Malorie
119,030 3:47 1975-12-01
My Head's On Straight
My Head's On Straight
112,385 3:12 1975-01-01
Magic Carpet Ride
Magic Carpet Ride
111,036 5:19 1971-06-15
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - Danny Krivit Mix
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - Danny Krivit Mix
102,994 9:49 2021-08-13
Am I Black Enough For You? - Single Version
Am I Black Enough For You? - Single Version
102,517 3:19 1972-10-25
One Man's Junk
One Man's Junk
101,983 3:16 1977-01-01
Bluesette
Bluesette
100,921 3:08 1968-01-01
There's A Small Hotel
There's A Small Hotel
97,394 4:28 1971-06-15
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
96,136 5:08 2022-10-21
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental Version]
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental Version]
94,055 4:54 2013-06-06
Compared to What
Compared to What
92,698 5:20 1971-06-15
Gee Baby I'm Sorry / Take Good Care of Yourself / The Runner - Live Medley
Gee Baby I'm Sorry / Take Good Care of Yourself / The Runner - Live Medley
84,768 4:54 2014-03-28
On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
84,405 4:37 1968-01-01
Sexual Therapy
Sexual Therapy
83,762 4:34 1985-01-01
Let's Make A baby - Single Version
Let's Make A baby - Single Version
80,208 3:47 2021-07-16
Your Song - Live in England - December 1973
Your Song - Live in England - December 1973
78,107 8:41 1973-12-01
Lately
Lately
73,019 4:04 1985-01-01
Where I Belong
Where I Belong
72,945 4:07 1977-01-01
America (We Need the Light)
America (We Need the Light)
72,505 5:21 1975-12-01
Peace Holy Peace
Peace Holy Peace
69,364 6:54 1973-10-12
New Day, New World Comin'
New Day, New World Comin'
64,000 4:33 1973-01-01
Only the Strong Survive - Single Version
Only the Strong Survive - Single Version
60,709 3:30 2021-07-16
Me and Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Remastered]
Me and Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Remastered]
59,474 5:46 2012-11-08
So Glad To See You Again
So Glad To See You Again
57,337 4:44 1979-01-01
Word Sure Gets Around
Word Sure Gets Around
57,084 4:22 1976-01-01
Everything Must Change
Everything Must Change
53,672 5:19 1975-01-01
Purple Rain
Purple Rain
52,103 7:19 2002-10-08
I Only Have Eyes for You
I Only Have Eyes for You
51,309 4:22 1985-01-01
Love Won't Come Easy
Love Won't Come Easy
47,210 4:09 1976-01-01
Only the Strong Survive - J*Ski Re-Edit
Only the Strong Survive - J*Ski Re-Edit
46,007 8:20 2021-07-09
Thanks for Saving My Life - Live in England - December 1973
Thanks for Saving My Life - Live in England - December 1973
45,575 4:17 1973-12-01
Fire in Her Love
Fire in Her Love
43,353 4:25 1985-01-01
Everyday People
Everyday People
43,181 3:54 1970-07-01
Billy Boy
Billy Boy
41,982 2:43 1968-01-01
Proud Mary
Proud Mary
41,350 2:22 1970-07-01
Always And Forever (feat. Billy Paul)
Always And Forever (feat. Billy Paul)
40,040 4:59 2011-10-10
When It's Your Time to Go
When It's Your Time to Go
37,279 4:59 1975-01-01
Game Of Life
Game Of Life
37,097 3:53 1979-01-01
The Windmills Of Your Mind
The Windmills Of Your Mind
35,782 7:57 1970-07-01
Jesus Boy (You Only Look Like A Man)
Jesus Boy (You Only Look Like A Man)
35,489 4:17 1971-06-15
War of the Gods (Part 1) - Single Version
War of the Gods (Part 1) - Single Version
35,462 5:37 1973-10-12
Enlightenment
Enlightenment
33,441 4:52 1975-01-01
How Good Is Your Game - Single Version
How Good Is Your Game - Single Version
33,236 3:34 2021-07-16
(If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?
(If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?
32,720 2:41 1971-06-15
Love Train
Love Train
30,078 5:03 2009-02-17
I've Got so Much to Live For
I've Got so Much to Live For
29,798 4:50 1975-01-01
Feeling Good
Feeling Good
29,787 8:40 1968-01-01
Treasure Of My Life
Treasure Of My Life
29,228 4:39 1979-01-01
Hot Date
Hot Date
27,663 4:17 1985-01-01
I Wish It Were Yesterday
I Wish It Were Yesterday
26,891 3:49 1971-06-15
Let Me In
Let Me In
25,144 3:51 1985-01-01
I Search No More
I Search No More
24,887 3:42 1985-01-01
That's Life
That's Life
23,994 4:01 1968-01-01
Missing You
Missing You
23,738 2:52 1968-01-01
Psychedelic Sally
Psychedelic Sally
23,378 2:59 1970-07-01
Your Song
Your Song
22,209 7:31 2002-10-08
Get Down to Lovin'
Get Down to Lovin'
21,927 4:30 1985-01-01
Me and You
Me and You
21,495 4:23 1985-01-01
Traces
Traces
21,165 3:60 1970-07-01
On a Clear Day
On a Clear Day
19,889 4:28 1985-01-01
Let's Get It On
Let's Get It On
19,758 5:56 2002-10-08
Bring the Family Back - Single Version
Bring the Family Back - Single Version
19,394 3:30 2021-07-16
Just In Time
Just In Time
17,788 4:01 1968-01-01
Only the Strong Survive
Only the Strong Survive
17,369 6:14 2002-10-08
Me and Mrs Jones
Me and Mrs Jones
17,287 4:54 2011-07-15
July, July
July, July
16,983 5:29 2002-10-08
The Whole Town's Talking - Single Version
The Whole Town's Talking - Single Version
16,619 2:48 1973-10-12
Intro
Intro
16,101 2:13 2002-10-08
I Was Married - Single Version
I Was Married - Single Version
15,898 3:59 1973-10-12
Somewhere
Somewhere
15,601 3:37 1968-01-01
Me and Mrs Jones
Me and Mrs Jones
15,276 9:03 2002-10-08
Let Em In
Let Em In
14,647 3:48 2002-10-08
It's Too Late
It's Too Late
14,446 5:49 2002-10-08
Without You
Without You
13,806 5:15 2002-10-08
Let 'Em In - DJ Reverend P Edit
Let 'Em In - DJ Reverend P Edit
13,171 7:57 2021-08-13
Perfume - Remasterizado
Perfume - Remasterizado
13,170 4:22 1999-01-01
It's Critical - 12" Version
It's Critical - 12" Version
12,523 6:29 2021-06-18
Brown Baby - Live in England - December 1973
Brown Baby - Live in England - December 1973
12,326 7:09 1973-12-01
Let The Dollar Circulate - Scratch N'Sniff's Extended Re-Rub
Let The Dollar Circulate - Scratch N'Sniff's Extended Re-Rub
12,011 6:39 2021-07-09
Good Thing Goin On
Good Thing Goin On
11,853 4:35 1995-10-31
Brown Baby
Brown Baby
11,709 4:06 2002-10-08
War Of The Gods Introduction - Live in England - December 1973
War Of The Gods Introduction - Live in England - December 1973
10,911 2:01 1973-12-01
It's Critical
It's Critical
10,536 3:24 2002-10-08
Clean up the Ghetto
Clean up the Ghetto
10,313 3:47 2002-10-08
False Faces
False Faces
9,569 4:33 2002-10-08
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Slowed + Reverb]
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Slowed + Reverb]
8,812 5:44 2023-05-31
I Wish It Would Rain
I Wish It Would Rain
8,557 4:26 2019-06-11
End
End
7,996 2:43 2002-10-08
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA - June 1973
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA - June 1973
6,047 8:34 2012-01-30
The Whole Town's Talking - A Tom Moulton Mix
The Whole Town's Talking - A Tom Moulton Mix
5,475 8:39 2021-05-14
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up]
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up]
4,900 4:14 2023-05-31
Me And Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
Me And Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
3,522 4:51 2023-05-31
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live
3,462 5:53 2021-11-29
Me And Mrs Jones
Me And Mrs Jones
3,462 5:53 2009-02-17
East - Live at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA - June 1973
East - Live at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA - June 1973
2,868 10:21 2012-01-30
Your Song - Short Version
Your Song - Short Version
2,606 3:42 2021-11-05
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental]
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental]
2,244 4:51 2023-05-31

New releases

Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up] - Single
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up] - Single
2023-05-31
[Cleopatra Records]
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
2022-10-21
[Music Access, Inc.]
The Best Of Billy Paul
The Best Of Billy Paul
2021-07-16
[Philadelphia International/Legacy]
Me & Mrs Jones (Billboard Hot 100 - No 01)
Me & Mrs Jones (Billboard Hot 100 - No 01)
2018-12-20
[Music Manager]
Me & Mrs Jones (UK Chart Top 20 - No. 12)
Me & Mrs Jones (UK Chart Top 20 - No. 12)
2018-12-20
[Music Manager]
Me and Mrs. Jones (Rerecorded)
Me and Mrs. Jones (Rerecorded)
2016-11-18
[Music Manager]
T.S.O.P. The Sound of Philadelphia (Live in Concert)
T.S.O.P. The Sound of Philadelphia (Live in Concert)
2014-03-28
[Music Manager]
Me and Mrs Jones (Single)
Me and Mrs Jones (Single)
2013-06-06
[Cleopatra Records]
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
2011-01-01
[Universal Music Division Label Panthéon]
Live In Paris
Live In Paris
2002-10-08
[Warner Strategic Marketing]
Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul
Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul
1999-04-06
[Epic/Associated/Legacy]
Lately
Lately
1985-01-01
[Cavalcade Records Ltd]
First Class
First Class
1979-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
Only The Strong Survive
Only The Strong Survive
1977-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
Let 'Em In
Let 'Em In
1976-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
When Love Is New
When Love Is New
1975-12-01
[Legacy Recordings]
Got My Head On Straight
Got My Head On Straight
1975-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
Live In Europe
Live In Europe
1973-12-01
[Legacy Recordings]
War of the Gods (Expanded Edition)
War of the Gods (Expanded Edition)
1973-10-12
[Epic/Legacy]
360 Degrees of Billy Paul (Expanded Edition)
360 Degrees of Billy Paul (Expanded Edition)
1972-10-25
[Epic/Legacy]
Going East
Going East
1971-06-15
[Legacy Recordings]
Ebony Woman
Ebony Woman
1970-07-01
[P.I.R.]
Feelin' Good at the Cadillac Club
Feelin' Good at the Cadillac Club
1968-01-01
[Epic/Legacy]