Music Metrics Vault

Johnny Nash

Data updated on 2024-11-02 19:17:55 UTC
Although he initially built his career in the R&B world, singer Johnny Nash proved a pivotal force behind the mainstream acceptance of reggae with the international success of his 1972 chart-topper "I Can See Clearly Now." Already a seasoned performer by the time of its release, Nash had enjoyed modest success singing pop and R&B music before a late-'60s trip to Jamaica set him on a path that would dramatically alter his career. One of the first American acts to record in Kingston, Nash reached his commercial peak in the early '70s and remained popular, especially in England, throughout the decade, after which he more or less retired from recording, touring every now and then up until his death in 2020.

Born in Houston, Texas, on August 19, 1940, Nash honed his vocal skills singing in his Baptist church's choir, and by 13 was a regular on the local television series Matinee, performing covers of current R&B hits. In 1956, he was discovered by Arthur Godfrey, appearing on his radio and TV broadcasts for the next seven years. Nash signed to ABC-Paramount to release his 1957 debut single, "A Teenager Sings the Blues," scoring his first chart hit early the following year with a rendition of Doris Day's "A Very Special Love." In late 1958, he also teamed with Paul Anka and George Hamilton IV for the inspirational "The Teen Commandments." Marketed as a rival to Johnny Mathis, he even began a film career with 1959's Take a Giant Step, also appearing in 1960's Key Witness before his career flagged with a series of little-noticed singles for Warner Bros., Groove, and Argo.

Nash returned to prominence in 1965 when the ballad "Let's Move and Groove Together" reached the R&B Top Five; more importantly, the record became a major hit in Jamaica, where he traveled in 1967 on a promotional tour. During a return trip, he cut the ska-influenced single "Hold Me Tight" at Byron Lee's Federal Studios; a Top Five pop hit on both sides of the Atlantic, the record was issued on his own JAD label, which in early 1970 scored a Top 40 hit with a reggae-fied rendition of Sam Cooke's "Cupid" as well. The following year, Nash scored a major British hit with his reading of the Bob Marley perennial "Stir It Up." While living in Britain, he signed to Epic, which in 1972 released his biggest hit, "I Can See Clearly Now"; the song sat atop the American pop charts for four weeks. Although his popularity at home again dimmed, Nash returned to the U.K. charts in 1975 with his number one classic "Tears on My Pillow," followed a year later by another Sam Cooke cover, "(What A) Wonderful World."

He gradually retired from performing, although he released an album, Here Again, in 1986, and made a few live appearances. In the early 2000s, Nash began the work of transferring analog tapes of his material from the '70s and '80s to a digital platform at Tierra Studios in his native Houston. Intensely private, he stayed out of the public eye except for occasional tours as the 21st century deepened. Johnny Nash died at his home in Houston on October 6, 2020; he was 80 years old. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

Total plays

756.1 million
Updated on 2024-11-02

Monthly listeners

4,609,699

Followers

63,109

Top Cities

  1. United Kingdom
    53,844 listeners
  2. Netherlands
    47,152 listeners
  3. France
    61,849 listeners
  4. Chile
    59,428 listeners
  5. Brazil
    62,508 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
I Can See Clearly Now
I Can See Clearly Now
357,670,945 2:43 1972-01-01
I Can See Clearly Now - Edit
I Can See Clearly Now - Edit
357,356,770 2:45 1972-01-01
Stir It Up
Stir It Up
4,793,765 3:02 1972-01-01
Tears On My Pillow
Tears On My Pillow
3,966,711 3:15 2002-02-11
Tears on My Pillow
Tears on My Pillow
3,966,711 3:18 1991-11-04
Hold Me Tight
Hold Me Tight
3,727,667 2:43 1991-11-04
Cupid
Cupid
3,707,800 3:24 1991-11-04
Guava Jelly
Guava Jelly
2,991,853 3:14 1972-01-01
I Can See Clearly Now - Studio Rio Version
I Can See Clearly Now - Studio Rio Version
2,685,929 3:12 2014-05-12
Let's Be Friends
Let's Be Friends
1,540,536 2:52 1991-11-04
Love Ain't Nothing (But A Monkey On Your Back)
Love Ain't Nothing (But A Monkey On Your Back)
1,353,509 2:16 1997-08-26
There Are More Questions Than Answers
There Are More Questions Than Answers
1,125,720 2:47 1972-01-01
Wonderful World
Wonderful World
871,865 3:02 1991-11-04
STIR IT UP
STIR IT UP
808,412 3:03 1972-01-01
Dream Lover
Dream Lover
539,586 2:44 1991-11-04
Cream Puff
Cream Puff
496,170 2:17 1972-01-01
Comma Comma
Comma Comma
495,005 3:00 1972-01-01
How Good It Is
How Good It Is
443,228 2:42 1972-01-01
Let's Move and Groove Together
Let's Move and Groove Together
407,363 3:22 1991-11-04
That's The Way We Get By
That's The Way We Get By
347,004 2:53 1972-01-01
Rock It Baby (Baby, We've Got a Date)
Rock It Baby (Baby, We've Got a Date)
333,322 3:11 1993-09-21
Ooh Baby You've Been Good to Me
Ooh Baby You've Been Good to Me
329,322 2:32 1972-01-01
All I Have to Do Is Dream
All I Have to Do Is Dream
314,732 2:50 1991-11-04
We're All Alike
We're All Alike
290,314 2:29 1972-01-01
You Poured Sugar On Me
You Poured Sugar On Me
278,911 3:27 1972-01-01
Ooh What a Feeling
Ooh What a Feeling
243,150 2:59 1991-11-04
Halfway to Paradise
Halfway to Paradise
240,741 2:59 1991-11-04
Reggae On Broadway
Reggae On Broadway
230,526 3:57 1991-11-04
(It Was) So Nice While It Lasted
(It Was) So Nice While It Lasted
229,906 3:36 1972-01-01
Loving You
Loving You
213,628 2:42 1991-11-04
Groovin'
Groovin'
174,107 1:49 2017-06-02
Don't Take Away Your Love
Don't Take Away Your Love
165,652 2:48 2008-05-05
Don't Take Away Your Love
Don't Take Away Your Love
165,572 2:48 2019-11-29
(What A) Wonderful World
(What A) Wonderful World
150,258 3:04 2017-06-02
For Your Love
For Your Love
143,759 3:52 2004-07-19
You Got Soul
You Got Soul
128,360 2:39 2017-06-02
I Can See Clearly Now
I Can See Clearly Now
104,928 3:23 2013-03-15
Mr. Sea
Mr. Sea
98,358 5:13 2017-06-02
Nice Time
Nice Time
91,439 2:32 1993-09-21
Closer - 12" Version
Closer - 12" Version
80,008 5:57 2017-06-02
The Fish And The Alley Of Destruction
The Fish And The Alley Of Destruction
78,877 4:09 1972-09-23
Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather
78,422 2:57 1993-09-21
The Voice Of Love (Remastered)
The Voice Of Love (Remastered)
74,714 2:16 2019-12-12
Cupid
Cupid
67,318 3:24 2016-12-07
Stir It Up - Alternative Mix
Stir It Up - Alternative Mix
66,734 3:02 1972-09-23
Ol' Man River
Ol' Man River
55,648 2:47 2008-05-05
Ol' Man River
Ol' Man River
55,629 2:47 2019-11-29
Mellow Mood
Mellow Mood
49,478 3:20 1993-09-21
Strange Feeling
Strange Feeling
42,814 2:52 2018-02-02
I'm Movin On
I'm Movin On
42,748 2:22 2016-06-10
My Merry Go Round
My Merry Go Round
42,346 4:11 2017-06-02
Some of Your Lovin'
Some of Your Lovin'
39,216 2:19 2022-11-04
Looks Like the End of the World
Looks Like the End of the World
37,412 2:44 2021-12-22
Imagination
Imagination
33,898 3:28 2020-05-01
Beautiful Baby
Beautiful Baby
33,879 2:47 2017-06-02
Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen.
Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen.
32,992 3:54 2022-04-14
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
32,992 3:56 2020-11-12
As Time Goes By
As Time Goes By
29,848 2:48 2021-12-22
Can I Come Back for More?
Can I Come Back for More?
29,086 4:24 1993-09-21
My Foolish Heart
My Foolish Heart
27,327 3:42 2020-05-01
Celebrate Life
Celebrate Life
27,238 3:47 2017-06-02
Gonna Open Up My Heart Again
Gonna Open Up My Heart Again
27,108 4:05 2017-06-02
Cream Puff
Cream Puff
26,190 2:05 1993-09-21
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye (Remastered)
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye (Remastered)
25,711 2:51 2019-12-12
Take Me Away from the Crowd
Take Me Away from the Crowd
23,812 3:30 2020-11-12
The Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
22,874 3:12 2020-11-12
World of Tears
World of Tears
22,243 2:29 2022-11-04
Ooh What A Feeling
Ooh What A Feeling
20,896 2:51 2010-07-09
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child.
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child.
20,375 4:08 2022-04-14
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
20,375 4:10 2020-11-12
Rock You to Your Socks
Rock You to Your Socks
20,324 2:42 2017-06-02
Like Someone in Love
Like Someone in Love
20,080 3:21 2020-05-01
I Had the Craziest Dream
I Had the Craziest Dream
20,078 3:29 2020-05-01
Midnight Moonlight
Midnight Moonlight
19,834 3:12 2020-05-01
Yellow House
Yellow House
19,687 3:42 2017-06-02
You Can't Go Halfway
You Can't Go Halfway
19,467 2:46 2017-06-02
Walk With Faith In Your Heart (Remastered)
Walk With Faith In Your Heart (Remastered)
18,921 2:33 2019-12-12
Walk with Faith in Your Heart
Walk with Faith in Your Heart
18,921 2:36 2022-11-04
Baby Won't You Please Come Home
Baby Won't You Please Come Home
18,723 2:14 1959-01-01
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
18,723 2:17 2010-01-05
(Oh Jesus) We're Trying to Get Back to You
(Oh Jesus) We're Trying to Get Back to You
18,660 3:29 2017-06-02
You Better Stop (Messing Around)
You Better Stop (Messing Around)
18,445 2:38 2017-06-02
Wonderful Woman
Wonderful Woman
17,669 3:43 2017-06-02
Kisses
Kisses
17,073 2:29 2022-01-06
Closer
Closer
17,030 3:36 2017-06-02
A Very Special Love
A Very Special Love
16,850 2:56 2021-12-22
Let's Fly Away.
Let's Fly Away.
16,735 2:29 2022-04-14
Let's Fly Away
Let's Fly Away
16,735 2:33 2021-12-22
The Very First Time
The Very First Time
16,182 4:14 2017-06-02
Want to
Want to
16,086 3:42 2020-05-22
'S Wonderful
'S Wonderful
15,958 1:59 1959-01-01
's Wonderful
's Wonderful
15,958 2:01 2010-01-05
Almost in Your Arms
Almost in Your Arms
15,894 2:20 2021-12-22
Almost In Your Arms (Remastered)
Almost In Your Arms (Remastered)
15,894 2:20 2019-12-12
What Kind Of Love Is This
What Kind Of Love Is This
15,830 3:05 1993-09-21
That Woman
That Woman
15,331 2:60 2017-06-02
Too Proud (Remastered)
Too Proud (Remastered)
15,181 2:12 2019-12-12
Some of Your Lovin'
Some of Your Lovin'
14,451 2:20 2021-12-22
Cry Like The Wind (Remastered)
Cry Like The Wind (Remastered)
14,242 2:23 2019-12-12
I'm Beginning To See The Light.
I'm Beginning To See The Light.
14,035 2:33 2022-04-14
I'm Beginning to See the Light
I'm Beginning to See the Light
14,035 2:37 2020-05-01
(You Gave Me Such) Good Vibrations
(You Gave Me Such) Good Vibrations
14,034 4:01 2017-06-02
Cigarretes, Whisky and Wild, Wild Women - Remastered
Cigarretes, Whisky and Wild, Wild Women - Remastered
13,977 2:54 1962-01-12
I Got Rhythm
I Got Rhythm
13,550 2:14 1959-01-01
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles.
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles.
13,247 2:18 2022-04-14
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
13,247 2:19 2020-05-01
It's Always You
It's Always You
13,090 2:49 2020-05-01
That's All
That's All
12,762 3:24 2020-05-01
I'm Counting on You
I'm Counting on You
12,356 2:22 2022-11-04
I'm Beginning To See The Light
I'm Beginning To See The Light
12,311 2:34 1959-01-01
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home.
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home.
12,263 2:13 2022-04-14
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home
12,263 2:15 2020-11-12
Baby Won't You Please Come Home
Baby Won't You Please Come Home
12,263 2:16 2021-12-22
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home?
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home?
12,263 2:14 2020-05-01
You're Driving Me Crazy.
You're Driving Me Crazy.
12,099 1:50 2022-04-14
You're Driving Me Crazy
You're Driving Me Crazy
12,099 1:51 2020-05-01
Jamaica
Jamaica
11,850 3:43 2017-06-02
You're the One
You're the One
11,750 4:53 2017-06-02
A Teenager Sings The Blues (Remastered)
A Teenager Sings The Blues (Remastered)
11,506 2:35 2019-12-12
I Wish I Knew
I Wish I Knew
11,420 3:06 2020-05-01
I Wish I Knew
I Wish I Knew
11,414 3:07 2000-01-01
Take a Giant Step
Take a Giant Step
11,370 2:20 2022-11-04
Baby, Baby, Baby.
Baby, Baby, Baby.
11,245 2:49 2022-04-14
Baby, Baby, Baby
Baby, Baby, Baby
11,245 2:54 2020-05-01
It's Always You
It's Always You
11,224 2:50 2020-11-12
Jeepers Creepers.
Jeepers Creepers.
10,892 2:26 2022-04-14
Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepers
10,892 2:30 2020-05-01
The Prayer Of St Francis
The Prayer Of St Francis
10,726 3:32 2000-01-01
You're Driving Me Crazy
You're Driving Me Crazy
10,694 1:51 1959-01-01
I Believe
I Believe
10,555 2:26 2000-01-01
The Edge of Love
The Edge of Love
10,459 3:28 2017-06-02
Darn That Dream
Darn That Dream
10,405 3:08 2020-11-12
Dam That Dream
Dam That Dream
10,405 3:07 2020-05-01
Bless This House
Bless This House
10,241 3:12 2000-01-01
Here I Am Broken Hearted
Here I Am Broken Hearted
10,165 3:19 2021-12-22
Here Am I Broken Hearted
Here Am I Broken Hearted
10,165 3:19 2020-11-12
For All We Know
For All We Know
10,020 3:01 2020-05-01
It's Always You
It's Always You
9,949 2:50 2000-01-01
I Got Rhythm.
I Got Rhythm.
9,762 2:12 2022-04-14
I Got Rhythm
I Got Rhythm
9,762 2:15 2020-11-12
Back In Time - Single Version
Back In Time - Single Version
9,625 2:49 2017-06-02
Please Don't Go
Please Don't Go
9,554 2:42 2022-11-04
The Wish
The Wish
9,512 2:33 2022-11-04
Let's Get Lost.
Let's Get Lost.
9,107 2:53 2022-04-14
Let's Get Lost
Let's Get Lost
9,107 2:56 2020-11-12
Lets Get Lost
Lets Get Lost
9,107 2:58 2021-12-22
The Teen Commandments
The Teen Commandments
9,107 1:44 2022-11-04
Looking For A Girl
Looking For A Girl
8,918 2:43 1959-01-01
And The Angels Sing.
And The Angels Sing.
8,796 2:19 2022-04-14
And the Angels Sing
And the Angels Sing
8,796 2:25 2020-11-12
Alone Together.
Alone Together.
8,766 3:32 2022-04-14
Darn That Dream
Darn That Dream
8,757 3:09 2000-01-01
Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepers
8,691 2:27 1959-01-01
I Dream of You
I Dream of You
8,656 3:42 2020-05-01
Dream of You
Dream of You
8,656 3:42 2020-11-12
Baby Baby Baby
Baby Baby Baby
8,648 2:51 1959-01-01
Baby, Baby, Baby
Baby, Baby, Baby
8,648 2:51 2010-01-05
I´m Movin´on - Remastered
I´m Movin´on - Remastered
8,447 2:18 1962-01-12
Alone Together
Alone Together
8,394 3:36 2021-12-22
Midnight Moonlight
Midnight Moonlight
8,142 3:15 2000-01-01
I Believe
I Believe
8,072 2:27 2020-11-12
Let The Rest Of The World Go By.
Let The Rest Of The World Go By.
8,041 2:23 2022-04-14
Let the Rest of the World Go By
Let the Rest of the World Go By
8,041 2:27 2021-12-22
It's No Good for Me
It's No Good for Me
8,012 2:43 2022-01-06
It's All Right With Me.
It's All Right With Me.
7,679 2:12 2022-04-14
It's All Right with Me (No Matter How It All Turns Out)
It's All Right with Me (No Matter How It All Turns Out)
7,679 2:15 2020-11-12
Looking For A Girl.
Looking For A Girl.
7,481 2:41 2022-04-14
Looking for a Girl
Looking for a Girl
7,481 2:45 2020-05-01
It's All Right With Me
It's All Right With Me
7,467 2:13 1959-01-01
S' Wonderful.
S' Wonderful.
7,465 1:58 2022-04-14
'S Wonderful
'S Wonderful
7,465 1:59 2020-11-12
S' Wonderful
S' Wonderful
7,465 2:01 2021-12-22
S Wonderful
S Wonderful
7,465 2:01 2020-05-01
I Got A Robe.
I Got A Robe.
7,399 2:25 2022-04-14
I Got a Robe
I Got a Robe
7,399 2:27 2020-11-12
Bless This House
Bless This House
7,397 3:14 2020-11-12
Be the Good Lord Willing
Be the Good Lord Willing
7,232 3:20 2020-11-12
The End of the World
The End of the World
7,220 2:45 2022-11-04
Don't Forget
Don't Forget
7,176 3:29 2017-06-02
I Got A Robe
I Got A Robe
7,145 2:26 2000-01-01
Imagination
Imagination
6,987 3:30 2000-01-01
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
6,926 4:03 2020-11-12
(You've Got) The Love I Love
(You've Got) The Love I Love
6,842 2:35 2020-11-12
You've Got the Love I Love
You've Got the Love I Love
6,842 2:37 2021-12-22
For All We Know
For All We Know
6,816 3:03 2000-01-01
The Ladder of Love
The Ladder of Love
6,811 2:35 2022-11-04
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
6,696 2:19 1959-01-01
That's All
That's All
6,676 3:25 2000-01-01
Together.
Together.
6,508 2:24 2022-04-14
Together
Together
6,508 2:26 2020-11-12
I Heard of a City Called Heaven
I Heard of a City Called Heaven
6,503 3:12 2020-11-12
Won't You Let Me Share My Love with You
Won't You Let Me Share My Love with You
6,427 2:42 2022-11-04
Penthouse Serenade.
Penthouse Serenade.
6,291 3:37 2022-04-14
Penthouse Serenade
Penthouse Serenade
6,291 3:41 2021-12-22
I See God
I See God
6,214 3:06 2020-11-12
Moment Of Weakness (Remastered)
Moment Of Weakness (Remastered)
6,063 2:10 2019-12-12
Like Someone In Love
Like Someone In Love
6,044 3:23 2000-01-01
The Eyes Of God.
The Eyes Of God.
6,036 3:18 2022-04-14
The Eyes of God
The Eyes of God
6,036 3:21 2020-11-12
The Prayer Of St. Francis.
The Prayer Of St. Francis.
6,006 3:31 2022-04-14
The Prayer of St. Francis
The Prayer of St. Francis
6,006 3:33 2020-11-12
A Thousand Miles Away
A Thousand Miles Away
5,867 2:13 2022-11-04
Let's Go Home.
Let's Go Home.
5,823 2:46 2022-04-14
Let's Go Home
Let's Go Home
5,823 2:51 2021-12-22
And The Angels Sing
And The Angels Sing
5,667 2:24 1959-01-01
Let's Drop Out Of Sight.
Let's Drop Out Of Sight.
5,622 2:38 2022-04-14
Let's Drop out of Sight
Let's Drop out of Sight
5,622 2:41 2021-12-22
Lost In A Trance.
Lost In A Trance.
5,351 3:30 2022-04-14
Lost in a Trance
Lost in a Trance
5,351 3:34 2021-12-22
The Love Nest.
The Love Nest.
5,341 2:19 2022-04-14
The Love Nest
The Love Nest
5,341 2:23 2021-12-22
My Foolish Heart
My Foolish Heart
5,163 3:43 2000-01-01
The Wish (Remastered)
The Wish (Remastered)
4,854 2:30 2019-12-12
That's My Desire
That's My Desire
4,708 3:04 2020-11-12
It's All Right with Me
It's All Right with Me
4,707 3:10 2020-05-01
And the Angels Sing
And the Angels Sing
4,686 2:55 2020-05-01
I Had The Craziest Dream
I Had The Craziest Dream
4,602 3:31 2000-01-01
But Not for Me
But Not for Me
4,498 2:20 2022-11-04
Here Am I Broken Hearted
Here Am I Broken Hearted
4,465 3:24 2000-01-01
Ambitions Of A Rider
Ambitions Of A Rider
4,284 2:42 2023-03-15
I´ll Walk Alone (Remastered)
I´ll Walk Alone (Remastered)
4,166 2:21 2019-12-12
I Dream Of You
I Dream Of You
4,145 3:44 2000-01-01
(You've Got) The Love I Love
(You've Got) The Love I Love
4,081 2:34 1959-01-01
You've Got The Love I Love
You've Got The Love I Love
4,081 2:36 2010-01-05
Moment of Weakness
Moment of Weakness
3,927 2:19 2022-11-04
You've Got the Love I Love
You've Got the Love I Love
3,652 3:00 2020-05-01
Too Proud
Too Proud
3,623 2:14 2022-11-04
Too Much Love
Too Much Love
3,509 2:21 2022-11-04
The Eyes Of God
The Eyes Of God
3,151 3:20 2000-01-01
A Teenager Sings the Blues
A Teenager Sings the Blues
3,089 2:37 2022-11-04
We Kissed
We Kissed
2,979 2:56 2021-12-22
You're Looking at Me
You're Looking at Me
2,842 2:50 2022-11-04
I Got Rhythm
I Got Rhythm
2,833 2:15 2000-01-01
4 Real
4 Real
2,669 3:26 2021-11-19
I Got Rhythm
I Got Rhythm
2,520 6:02 2020-05-01
I Want Jesus To Walk With Me
I Want Jesus To Walk With Me
2,516 3:60 2000-01-01
Truly Love
Truly Love
2,459 2:50 2022-11-04
I'm Movin' On
I'm Movin' On
2,430 2:22 2023-01-20
Baby, Baby, Baby
Baby, Baby, Baby
2,427 2:52 2000-01-01
I Lost My Baby
I Lost My Baby
2,246 2:54 2022-11-04
Roots of Heaven
Roots of Heaven
2,090 2:38 2022-11-04
I Lost My Baby (Remastered)
I Lost My Baby (Remastered)
2,056 2:59 2019-12-12
I'm Leaving
I'm Leaving
2,043 2:13 2022-01-06
Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepers