Music Metrics Vault

Luther Vandross

Data updated on 2025-02-06 11:51:30 UTC
Luther Vandross was one of the most successful R&B artists of the 1980s and '90s. Not only did he score a series of multi-million-selling albums containing chart-topping hit singles and perform sold-out tours of the U.S. and around the world, but he also took charge of his music creatively, writing or co-writing most of his songs and arranging and producing his records. He also performed these functions for other artists, providing them with hits as well. He was, however, equally well known for his distinctive interpretations of classic pop and R&B songs, reflecting his knowledge and appreciation of the popular music of his youth. Possessed of a smooth, versatile tenor voice, he charmed millions with his romantic music.

Vandross was born in New York City on April 20, 1951, and grew up in the Alfred E. Smith housing projects in lower Manhattan. Both of his parents, Luther Vandross, Sr., an upholsterer, and Mary Ida Vandross, a nurse, sang, and they encouraged their children to pursue music as a career. Vandross, Sr.'s older sister Patricia Van Dross was an early member of the Crests in the mid-'50s (appearing on their early singles, but leaving before they achieved success with "Sixteen Candles"), and Vandross himself began playing the piano at the age of three and took lessons at five, although he remained a largely self-taught musician. After the death of his father in 1959 when he was eight years old, he was raised by his mother, who moved the family to the Bronx. While attending William Howard Taft High School, he formed a vocal group, Shades of Jade, with friends Carlos Alomar, Robin Clark, Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, and Fonzi Thornton. All five, along with 11 other teenage performers, were also part of a musical theater workshop, Listen, My Brother, organized by the Apollo Theater in Harlem that recorded a single, "Listen, My Brother"/"Only Love Can Make a Better World," and appeared on the initial episodes of the children's television series Sesame Street in 1969. After graduating from high school that year, Vandross attended Western Michigan University, but dropped out after a year and returned home. He spent the next few years working at odd jobs while trying to break into the music business.

In 1973, Vandross got two of his compositions, "In This Lovely Hour" and "Who's Gonna Make It Easier for Me," recorded by Delores Hall on her album Hall-Mark, singing the latter song with her as a duet. In 1974, though uncredited, he sang background vocals on Maggie Bell's Queen of the Night, and in August of the same year Carlos Alomar, who had become David Bowie's guitarist, invited him to attend a Bowie recording session at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. He quickly became more than an observer, singing background vocals, serving as a vocal arranger, and co-writing the song "Fascination" with Bowie. The session resulted in the album Young Americans, and Vandross went on tour with Bowie as both backup singer and opening act. Meanwhile, Vandross' composition "Everybody Rejoice (A Brand New Day)" was featured in the Broadway musical The Wiz.

Through Bowie, Vandross met Bette Midler, who hired him to arrange vocals for her Broadway revue Bette Midler's Clams on the Half Shell. Midler also introduced him to her record producer, Arif Mardin, at Atlantic Records, and Vandross began to get steady work as a background singer and vocal arranger. In 1976, he appeared on albums by Midler, the Brecker Brothers Band, and Judy Collins. He also put together a vocal quintet called Luther, which signed to Atlantic's Cotillion Records subsidiary. Their self-titled debut album was released in June 1976. The tracks "It's Good for the Soul," "Funky Music (Is a Part of Me)," and "The Second Time Around" reached the R&B Top 40. The title song off the second Luther album, This Close to You (April 1977), reached the R&B chart, but that wasn't enough to keep Cotillion from dropping the group, which then broke up. (Vandross acquired the rights to the Luther recordings and saw to it that they remained out of print.)

Meanwhile, Vandross continued doing sessions. In 1977, he appeared on albums by Nils Lofgren, J. Geils Band, the Average White Band and Ben E. King, and Chic, among others. He also entered the lucrative world of writing and singing commercial jingles, and before long was the musical voice of everything from telephones, fast food, and beverages to various branches of the U.S. military on radio and television. In 1978, he appeared on well over a dozen albums, including releases by Carly Simon, Quincy Jones, Roberta Flack, Chic, and Cat Stevens.

Vandross gained greater attention in 1979. During the year, he appeared on albums by the likes of Sister Sledge, the Average White Band, Chic, and Evelyn "Champagne" King. Especially on jazz and disco recordings, he was just as likely to be a featured vocalist as a background singer. And he got a prominent credit when he arranged the background vocals for Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer's duet "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)," which became a number one pop hit in November 1979. He gained even more recognition in 1980, a year in which he appeared on studio albums by Chaka Khan, Melba Moore, and Mtume. But the most important credit for him that year was his work as lead vocalist of the studio group Change. He sang on the band's tracks "Searching," a Top 40 R&B hit, and "The Glow of Love," which also reached the R&B chart. This increased his profile even more, and he began circulating a demo tape to recording companies, seeking a solo deal that would allow him to write and produce his own records. On April 21, 1981, he signed with Epic.

Vandross immediately began work on his debut album, although during 1981 he appeared on albums by Bob James, Bernard Wright, Change, Stephanie Mills, and several others. In June 1981 his composition "You Stopped Loving Me" was sung by Roberta Flack, with him arranging and singing background vocals, and it became a Top 40 R&B hit for her. Vandross' own version was included on his debut solo album, Never Too Much, released in August. The LP was a tour de force for him; he produced it and wrote six of its seven songs, the exception being a cover of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's Dionne Warwick hit "A House Is Not a Home." Vandross expressed his musical vision on Never Too Much, and that vision was of a smooth neo-soul style that recalled the pop/R&B of his youth, particularly the music of such predecessors as Warwick, Aretha Franklin, the softer Motown artists, like Smokey Robinson, and some of the girl groups of the early '60s, such as the Shirelles. The title song, "Never Too Much," topped the R&B chart; second single "Don't You Know That?" reached the R&B Top Ten; and third single "Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl)" also charted R&B. The album hit number one R&B in November and was certified gold in December. (It went platinum five years later and double platinum in 1997.) But Vandross encountered more resistance in the pop realm, where the album reached only the Top 20 and the single "Never Too Much" only made the Top 40. Artistically and commercially, these results set a pattern for Vandross' career. Appearing regularly, his albums showed great consistency in style and content, even to the point of featuring a cover of a classic pop/R&B song on each disc. And while they also sold consistently to the R&B audience, they rarely received equal support from pop fans.

Vandross still enjoyed working as a background singer. In 1982, for example, he appeared on albums by Michael Franks, Kleeer, and Linda Clifford. At the same time, Vandross' demonstrated abilities as songwriter, producer, and vocal arranger opened up to him the opportunity to work with some of the artists he had grown up idolizing, as well as his contemporaries. He first turned his attention to Cheryl Lynn, producing her R&B Top Ten album Instant Love (June 1982); writing the title song, which became a Top 20 R&B hit, and singing a duet with her on a revival of the 1968 Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell hit "If This World Were Mine," which reached the R&B Top Five.

Next, he turned to Aretha Franklin, producing her July 1982 LP Jump to It, and writing or co-writing four of its eight songs, including the title track, an R&B number one. It was her first gold album in six years. Somehow, he found time to make his second solo album, Forever, For Always, For Love, released in September, again serving as his own producer and writing or co-writing all the tracks except for covers of Smokey Robinson's 1965 hit for the Temptations "Since I Lost My Baby" and, in a medley with his own "Bad Boy," Sam Cooke's "Having a Party." Vandross' co-writers on some of the songs were bassist Marcus Miller and keyboard player Nat Adderley, Jr., musical associates who would work with him throughout his career. Forever, For Always, For Love was another R&B chart-topper for Vandross, throwing off three singles, the Top Five "Bad Boy/Having a Party," the Top 20 "Since I Lost My Baby," and the chart entry "Promise Me." The LP was certified gold in two months and platinum in six.

Vandross' multiple career tracks continued apace in 1983. He produced Aretha Franklin's next album, Get It Right, composing the title song, which hit number one R&B, with Marcus Miller, and its follow-up, "Every Girl (Wants My Guy)," a Top Ten R&B hit. Then, he turned to another idol of his youth, Dionne Warwick, producing her album How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye. He and Warwick sang the title song as a duet which became her first R&B Top Ten hit in eight years; it also made the pop Top 40. And, although it took until December, Vandross managed to come up with his third solo album, the aptly titled Busy Body. "I'll Let You Slide" and "Superstar/Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" made the R&B Top Ten, and "Make Me a Believer" was a chart entry; as usual, the album hit number one R&B, but only the Top 40 of the pop chart; and as usual, sales certifications poured in, the album going gold in two months and platinum in January 1985.

Vandross finally eased off on his recording schedule during 1984, if only because he was now a major concert attraction and toured in both North America and Europe. His only credit for the year was his composing (with Marcus Miller), arranging, producing, and singing background vocals on the song "You're My Choice Tonight (Choose Me)" for Teddy Pendergrass, a Top 20 R&B hit. Vandross was thus able to lavish more time on his fourth album, The Night I Fell in Love, released in March 1985. The album spent seven weeks atop Billboard's R&B LP list, going gold and platinum simultaneously as soon as it was eligible for certification in May and double platinum in 1990. It also reached number 14 on the pop chart, Vandross' best showing yet. With his own album out of the way, he made some selected appearances on other albums in 1985.

Vandross spent much of 1986 working on his own material. The results of his efforts were first heard in June when "Give Me the Reason" was included on the soundtrack to the film Ruthless People and released as a single that went Top Five R&B and reached the pop chart. Vandross' fifth album, also titled Give Me the Reason, followed in September. His fifth consecutive R&B chart-topper, it included additional singles "Stop to Love" (number one R&B and his first Top 20 pop hit); the duet with Gregory Hines "There's Nothing Better Than Love" (also number one R&B and a pop chart entry); "I Really Didn't Mean It" (Top Ten R&B); and "So Amazing." Simultaneous gold and platinum certifications in December were followed by a double-platinum award in 1990.

Apart from a handful of outside collaborations, Vandross spent the two-year interval between his fifth and sixth albums doing shows and working on that sixth album, Any Love, which appeared in October 1988. It topped the R&B chart and gave Vandross his first Top Ten pop album, with the usual simultaneous gold and platinum certifications two months after release. The title song topped the R&B list and penetrated the pop chart. Vandross had by now become an international success, and a record-breaking ten-night stand at London's Wembley Arena in March 1989 was commemorated with a home video, Live at Wembley. At the close of an enormously successful decade, Vandross and Epic determined to sum things up, and in October 1989 issued the two-LP greatest-hits compilation The Best of Luther Vandross: The Best of Love, which included two new tracks, "Here and Now" and "Treat You Right." With those additions, the collection didn't just summarize Vandross' career, it finally gave him his long-sought major crossover hit, as "Here and Now" not only topped the R&B chart but also hit the pop Top Ten. It also won Vandross his first Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.

Between the release of the hits album and his next regular studio album, Power of Love, which appeared in April 1991, Vandross as usual lent his talents to other artists' recordings, including Quincy Jones' Back on the Block. He wrote and produced the song "Who Do You Love" for Whitney Houston's album I'm Your Baby Tonight. Vandross' seventh album, Power of Love, suggested that the pop breakthrough he had achieved with "Here and Now" would be sustained. The advance single, "Power of Love/Love Power," not only topped the R&B chart, but also went Top Five pop, and the LP, Vandross' seventh R&B number one, was his second to penetrate the pop Top Ten. A million seller by June 1991, it went double platinum two years later in the wake of the further singles. "Power of Love/Love Power" was named Best R&B Song at the 1991 Grammys, and the Power of Love album won Vandross another trophy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.

One might have supposed that all was well in the world of Luther Vandross, but he filed suit against Sony Music Entertainment (which had acquired CBS Records), citing California Labor Code Section 2855, which limits personal service contracts to seven years. By then, he had been with CBS/Sony for nearly 11 years, fulfilling a ten-album contract that still had three albums to go. Whether he really wanted to void his contract, believing that Epic still hadn't done enough to sell his records to the pop audience, or simply intended to use the suit to induce the record company to renegotiate his deal on more favorable terms, is unclear. The record company in question settled quietly. The terms of the settlement were not reported, but thereafter, Vandross had a vanity label, his records going out under the Epic/LV imprint.

As usual, following the release of Power of Love, Vandross found the time to work with other artists. He appeared on 1991 albums by BeBe & CeCe Winans, Patti LaBelle, and Richard Marx. In 1992, he kept his name before the public with special appearances, starting with the soundtrack to the film Mo' Money, released in June, which featured "The Best Things in Life Are Free," which he performed with Janet Jackson, Bell Biv DeVoe, and Ralph Tresvant. It hit number one on the R&B chart and went Top Ten pop.

Never Let Me Go, Vandross' eighth album, was released in June 1993. Maybe the promotional staff at Epic was demoralized by the recent lawsuit, or perhaps the rise of hip-hop, was affecting matters, but the commercial response to Vandross' new music was slightly disappointing. The single reached the R&B Top Ten but was only a minor pop chart entry, and Never Let Me Go, despite marking a new pop chart peak for Vandross at number six, was his first new album not to reach number one. For the first time, the singer's momentum was slowing. An idea came from Sony president Tommy Mottola and his then-wife, superstar Mariah Carey. Vandross had put at least one oldie on every one of his albums: why not do an all-covers album? The result was the modestly titled Songs, released in September 1994. The album was prefaced by a cover of the 1981 Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit "Endless Love," on which Vandross sang a duet with Carey. The single peaked at number two on the pop chart, a new high for Vandross. The album went to number two R&B and number five pop, another crossover high for the singer. It was an immediate million-seller and went double platinum within 18 months.

His commercial status restored, Vandross undertook his usual pursuits, singing background vocals on the occasional album and touring. For his next album, he tried another favorite record company concept, the holiday collection. This Is Christmas, released in October 1995, became a perennial seller. Vandross spent most of the year working on Your Secret Love, the album that would complete his Epic Records contract. It was released in October 1996, following the title song, which went on to win Vandross another Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. Simultaneous gold and platinum certifications arrived in December.

The following September, Epic/LV released his valedictory collection, One Night with You: The Best of Love, Vol. 2, which began with four new recordings, none of them written or produced by him, but instead contributed by such usually reliable hitmakers as Diane Warren, R. Kelly, and the team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Understandably, Epic didn't do much of a promotional job on this contractual obligation release, which nevertheless reached the R&B Top 40 and the pop Top 50.

While weighing offers from different record companies, Vandross made more guest appearances. He performed at a Burt Bacharach tribute concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, singing "Windows of the World" and "What the World Needs Now." The show was filmed for television and taped, resulting in a soundtrack album, One Amazing Night. Vandross also paid tribute to Patti LaBelle at the same venue for a PBS special. Deciding on Virgin, he presented a new album, I Know, in August 1998. It was a commercial disappointment, only going gold and generating just one Top 40 R&B hit in "Nights in Harlem." As a result, he left Virgin after only this one release.

In 1999 and 2000, Vandross kept his hand in with soundtrack and session work. He eventually ended his search for a new record company affiliation, becoming the first act signed to veteran record executive Clive Davis' new label, J Records. He made his label debut with the track "If I Was the One," included on the soundtrack of Dr. Doolittle 2. The song also appeared on Luther Vandross, which was released two weeks later. Vandross and Davis served as co-album producers, with individual tracks produced by others, and new songwriters were brought in to give Vandross a new, current sound. The makeover was largely successful, as the album made the pop Top Ten and just missed topping the R&B chart, reaching platinum status by November.

His career revitalized once again, Vandross toured in early 2002, then began work on a second album for J. He co-wrote the title song for his new album, "Dance with My Father," with Richard Marx, and they combined for a heartfelt tribute to Vandross' father. The album was finished by the spring of 2003, and Vandross was preparing for a round of publicity work when he collapsed in his New York apartment, the victim of a serious stroke. Despite his illness, J released "Dance with My Father," which became an R&B and pop Top 40 hit and a gold record, introducing the album, which hit number one on both charts, a first for him. The album sold over two million copies. Vandross was a sentimental favorite at the 2003 Grammy Awards, and his career total of trophies doubled from four to eight as he won Song of the Year and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, for "Dance with My Father," Best R&B Album, and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "The Closer I Get to You." He made an appearance via videotape to accept his awards and promised to return to action soon. Meanwhile, J Records had kept his name before the public by releasing the concert collection Live Radio City Music Hall 2003, in October 2003. By all reports, Vandross continued his recovery in 2004 and into 2005; he even appeared on Oprah Winfrey's television show. But on July 1, 2005, it was announced that he had died, having "never really recovered" from his stroke.

It is notable that, in the precarious world of popular music, Vandross sold records in the millions consistently for over two decades. It is even more notable that, although he certainly molded his music to a certain extent to meet the marketplace, he also imposed his own direction on R&B. Vandross, coming along in the wake of disco and while rap/hip-hop was in its infancy, insisted on reverence for the soul music of the then-recent past and deliberately reformulated it in an "old-school" approach. Even as rap dominated the charts in the early years of the 21st century, he maintained his passion for romantic and melodic music, and he drew listeners along with him. His early death at the age of 54 robbed American popular music of one of its more consistent and compelling voices, and it is only a partial comfort that he left behind a substantial body of work. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi

Genres

: quiet storm soul

Total plays

1.3 billion
Updated on 2025-02-06

Country

United States

Monthly listeners

4,851,706

Followers

3,454,948

Top Cities

  1. United Kingdom
    113,188 listeners
  2. South Africa
    Johannesburg
    211,347 listeners
  3. South Africa
    Pretoria
    110,767 listeners
  4. South Africa
    Cape Town
    78,596 listeners
  5. South Africa
    Durban
    74,993 listeners

Related artists

Teddy Pendergrass
Teddy Pendergrass
Freddie Jackson
Freddie Jackson
Anita Baker
Anita Baker
Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle
Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill
Atlantic Starr
Atlantic Starr
Eric Benét
Eric Benét
Karyn White
Karyn White
After 7
After 7
Stephanie Mills
Stephanie Mills
Force M.D.'s
Force M.D.'s
Joe
Joe
Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Never Too Much
Never Too Much
342,795,109 3:50 1968-01-01
Endless Love (with Mariah Carey)
Endless Love (with Mariah Carey)
119,032,693 4:20 1994-09-20
Dance With My Father
Dance With My Father
82,851,598 4:26 2003-06-10
I'd Rather
I'd Rather
57,616,997 4:20 2006-01-01
Always and Forever
Always and Forever
53,473,155 4:53 1994-09-20
Here and Now
Here and Now
41,800,772 5:23 1989-01-01
So Amazing
So Amazing
36,813,518 3:43 1986-09-19
A House Is Not A Home
A House Is Not A Home
27,750,595 7:08 1989-01-01
A House Is Not a Home
A House Is Not a Home
27,750,595 7:08 1942-01-01
The Closer I Get to You (feat. Beyoncé Knowles)
The Closer I Get to You (feat. Beyoncé Knowles)
26,227,617 6:26 2003-03-10
Take You Out - Radio Edit
Take You Out - Radio Edit
19,768,899 3:26 2001-06-19
If This World Were Mine (with Luther Vandross) - Single Version
If This World Were Mine (with Luther Vandross) - Single Version
19,670,164 4:00 1982-06-11
Please Come Home for Christmas
Please Come Home for Christmas
18,915,145 3:38 1995-10-18
If Only for One Night
If Only for One Night
18,243,039 4:16 1985-03-08
Don't You Know That?
Don't You Know That?
14,967,981 4:03 1981-07-23
The Glow of Love - Full Length Album Mix
The Glow of Love - Full Length Album Mix
14,834,291 6:13 1980-01-01
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
14,648,710 5:06 1995-10-18
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
14,648,710 5:06 2015-11-18
Every Year, Every Christmas
Every Year, Every Christmas
12,027,569 5:07 1995-10-18
There's Nothing Better Than Love
There's Nothing Better Than Love
10,473,218 4:43 1972-01-01
Bad Boy / Having a Party
Bad Boy / Having a Party
9,778,313 5:16 1982-09-21
Your Secret Love
Your Secret Love
8,310,388 4:13 1996-10-01
Wait for Love
Wait for Love
8,294,118 5:18 1985-03-08
Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl)
Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl)
7,971,198 4:58 1981-07-23
Give Me the Reason
Give Me the Reason
7,883,847 4:46 1986-09-19
If I Didn't Know Better
If I Didn't Know Better
7,750,189 4:08 2003-06-10
Better Love
Better Love
7,691,236 6:25 1982-09-21
Buy Me a Rose
Buy Me a Rose
7,617,479 3:48 2003-06-10
Superstar
Superstar
7,557,873 5:38 2003-01-01
Superstar / Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
Superstar / Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
7,137,216 9:19 1983-11-25
Power Of Love / Love Power
Power Of Love / Love Power
6,335,882 6:42 1997-01-01
Power of Love / Love Power
Power of Love / Love Power
6,335,882 6:42 1991-04-26
Make Me a Believer
Make Me a Believer
5,963,916 5:26 1983-11-25
Think About You
Think About You
5,753,151 5:05 2003-06-10
Any Love
Any Love
5,657,254 5:03 1988-09-23
Since I Lost My Baby
Since I Lost My Baby
5,497,443 5:27 1982-09-21
Searching - Full Length Album Mix
Searching - Full Length Album Mix
5,462,725 8:03 1980-01-01
The Impossible Dream
The Impossible Dream
5,334,883 5:16 1994-09-20
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
5,259,526 4:53 1994-09-20
Stop To Love
Stop To Love
5,179,423 5:10 1989-01-01
Stop to Love
Stop to Love
5,179,423 5:10 1986-09-19
Anyone Who Had a Heart
Anyone Who Had a Heart
4,868,467 5:46 1986-09-19
Promise Me
Promise Me
4,815,575 4:43 1982-09-21
The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody)
The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody)
4,223,678 4:45 1995-10-18
Keeping My Faith In You
Keeping My Faith In You
4,199,254 4:55 1998-01-01
This Is Christmas
This Is Christmas
4,175,076 4:46 1995-10-18
Love Won't Let Me Wait
Love Won't Let Me Wait
4,021,282 7:31 2003-10-14
Creepin'
Creepin'
3,998,329 4:06 1985-03-08
Now That I Have You
Now That I Have You
3,856,484 5:01 1998-01-01
Medley
Medley
3,757,738 12:49 2003-10-14
The Closer I Get to You (feat. Beyoncé Knowles)
The Closer I Get to You (feat. Beyoncé Knowles)
3,613,743 6:26 2003-06-10
Don't Want To Be A Fool
Don't Want To Be A Fool
3,520,192 4:35 1997-01-01
Don't Want to Be a Fool
Don't Want to Be a Fool
3,520,192 4:35 1991-04-26
She's a Super Lady
She's a Super Lady
3,477,696 5:07 1981-07-23
For You to Love
For You to Love
3,364,355 5:38 1988-09-23
I (Who Have Nothing) (with Martha Wash)
I (Who Have Nothing) (with Martha Wash)
3,130,120 7:26 1991-04-26
The Best Things In Life Are Free - From "Mo' Money" Soundtrack
The Best Things In Life Are Free - From "Mo' Money" Soundtrack
3,030,939 4:36 1992-05-12
The Night I Fell in Love
The Night I Fell in Love
2,896,554 6:09 1985-03-08
My Favorite Things
My Favorite Things
2,858,015 5:57 1995-10-18
How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye (with Luther Vandross)
How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye (with Luther Vandross)
2,830,978 3:28 1983-11-25
The Christmas Song
The Christmas Song
2,804,099 4:29 1992-10-20
You're the Sweetest One
You're the Sweetest One
2,706,008 4:46 1982-09-21
I'd Rather - Radio Version
I'd Rather - Radio Version
2,694,770 4:51 2001-06-19
Evergreen
Evergreen
2,650,031 3:55 1994-09-20
Forever, for Always, for Love
Forever, for Always, for Love
2,649,235 6:23 1982-09-21
Love Won't Let Me Wait
Love Won't Let Me Wait
2,586,944 7:18 1988-09-23
Killing Me Softly
Killing Me Softly
2,582,223 5:32 1994-09-20
O' Come All Ye Faithful
O' Come All Ye Faithful
2,547,819 4:19 1995-10-18
Any Love - (Album Version)
Any Love - (Album Version)
2,468,613 4:25 1997-10-16
Can't Let You Go (The Sha La Song)
Can't Let You Go (The Sha La Song)
2,440,885 4:18 1999-01-01
Going In Circles
Going In Circles
2,284,386 5:11 1994-09-20
I Can Make It Better
I Can Make It Better
2,068,958 5:35 1996-10-01
Power of Love / Love Power - Master Single Version
Power of Love / Love Power - Master Single Version
2,062,630 4:20 2003-01-01
Power of Love (Love Power)
Power of Love (Love Power)
2,062,630 4:20 2008-01-22
I Really Didn't Mean It
I Really Didn't Mean It
2,044,495 4:28 2002-11-04
Never Too Much - 12" Version
Never Too Much - 12" Version
1,914,670 5:40 2007-01-01
Because It's Really Love
Because It's Really Love
1,892,758 6:14 1986-09-19
The Closer I Get to You (feat. Beyoncé Knowles) - Radio Edit
The Closer I Get to You (feat. Beyoncé Knowles) - Radio Edit
1,892,204 4:24 2006-01-01
Stop to Love
Stop to Love
1,881,056 4:22 2003-01-01
With a Christmas Heart
With a Christmas Heart
1,875,986 4:04 1995-10-18
I Listen to the Bells (with Darlene Love)
I Listen to the Bells (with Darlene Love)
1,831,012 6:07 1995-10-18
Take You Out
Take You Out
1,811,320 4:50 2003-10-14
You Stopped Loving Me
You Stopped Loving Me
1,713,394 5:16 1981-07-23
Knocks Me off My Feet
Knocks Me off My Feet
1,700,757 3:44 1996-10-01
My Sensitivity (Gets in the Way)
My Sensitivity (Gets in the Way)
1,633,756 4:11 1985-03-08
She Loves Me Back
She Loves Me Back
1,596,016 6:09 1982-09-21
A Kiss for Christmas
A Kiss for Christmas
1,576,192 4:12 1995-10-18
Shine
Shine
1,540,518 4:51 2006-01-01
Love The One You're With
Love The One You're With
1,515,278 5:03 1997-01-01
Love the One You're With
Love the One You're With
1,515,278 5:03 1994-09-20
Once Were Lovers
Once Were Lovers
1,496,092 4:35 2003-06-10
Once You Know How
Once You Know How
1,495,700 4:35 1982-09-21
The Best Things In Life Are Free - Classic 7" With Rap
The Best Things In Life Are Free - Classic 7" With Rap
1,461,589 4:23 1992-05-12
'Til My Baby Comes Home
'Til My Baby Comes Home
1,380,228 5:32 1985-03-08
The Lady Is A Tramp
The Lady Is A Tramp
1,351,807 3:24 2013-01-01
I Know
I Know
1,322,107 5:22 1998-01-01
A House Is Not a Home
A House Is Not a Home
1,321,645 10:19 2003-10-14
Apologize
Apologize
1,279,228 4:59 2003-06-10
I've Been Working
I've Been Working
1,255,979 6:35 1981-07-23
Lovely Day (feat. Busta Rhymes)
Lovely Day (feat. Busta Rhymes)
1,247,478 5:57 2003-06-10
Love the One You're With
Love the One You're With
1,237,354 3:46 2006-10-23
It's over Now
It's over Now
1,229,788 6:11 1985-03-08
I Really Didn't Mean It
I Really Didn't Mean It
1,227,337 5:43 1986-09-19
Can Heaven Wait
Can Heaven Wait
1,210,770 5:36 2001-06-19
The Glow of Love - Long Version
The Glow of Love - Long Version
1,208,350 8:17 1980-01-01
One Shining Moment - Luther Vandross Version
One Shining Moment - Luther Vandross Version
1,206,783 3:10 2016-03-22
Dance With My Father
Dance With My Father
1,201,344 4:26 2011-01-01
All The Woman I Need
All The Woman I Need
1,129,039 4:54 1994-09-20
Never Too Much
Never Too Much
1,105,775 4:03 2003-10-14
If Only For One Night
If Only For One Night
1,100,708 5:58 2003-10-14
See Me
See Me
1,033,524 5:30 1986-09-19
I'm Only Human
I'm Only Human
1,026,012 5:29 1998-01-01
When You Call On Me (Baby That's When I Come Runnin')
When You Call On Me (Baby That's When I Come Runnin')
1,017,402 4:42 1997-01-01
I'm Gonna Miss You In The Morning
I'm Gonna Miss You In The Morning
1,016,771 3:33 1978-01-01
The Best Things In Life Are Free - Classic 7" Without Rap
The Best Things In Life Are Free - Classic 7" Without Rap
1,004,502 4:05 1992-05-12
Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
976,459 4:32 2006-01-01
Here And Now
Here And Now
963,684 7:41 2003-10-14
Goin' Out Of My Head
Goin' Out Of My Head
949,898 5:18 1996-10-01
May Christmas Bring You Happiness
May Christmas Bring You Happiness
935,423 4:30 1991-10-15
Other Side of the World
Other Side of the World
921,959 5:59 1985-03-08
Too Proud To Beg
Too Proud To Beg
902,095 4:51 1996-10-01
Wait for Love - Single Version
Wait for Love - Single Version
898,991 4:15 2006-01-01
She Saw You
She Saw You
878,198 5:44 2003-06-10
If Only For One Night/Creepin'
If Only For One Night/Creepin'
845,793 8:21 1989-01-01
Hello
Hello
830,503 4:42 1994-09-20
If It Ain't One Thing (feat. Foxy Brown) (feat. Foxy Brown)
If It Ain't One Thing (feat. Foxy Brown) (feat. Foxy Brown)
828,639 4:13 2003-06-10
Hearts Get Broken All The Time (But The Problem Is, This Time It's Mine)
Hearts Get Broken All The Time (But The Problem Is, This Time It's Mine)
821,295 5:20 2001-06-19
Shine - Radio Edit
Shine - Radio Edit
764,581 3:48 2014-11-07
Lovely Day (feat. Busta Rhymes) - Part II
Lovely Day (feat. Busta Rhymes) - Part II
757,050 3:55 2003-06-10
I Wanted Your Love
I Wanted Your Love
755,684 5:42 1983-11-25
Got You Home
Got You Home
736,450 3:39 2006-01-01
Glow Of Love
Glow Of Love
728,432 5:34 2003-10-14
Are You Using Me?
Are You Using Me?
725,856 5:21 1998-01-01
When I Need You
When I Need You
703,693 6:47 1998-01-01
Anyone Who Had A Heart
Anyone Who Had A Heart
700,735 5:59 2007-01-01
What The World Needs Now
What The World Needs Now
678,857 5:18 1994-09-20
I'd Rather
I'd Rather
676,927 5:29 2003-10-14
Ain't No Stopping Us Now
Ain't No Stopping Us Now
665,985 4:57 1998-03-09
I Know You Want To
I Know You Want To
641,496 4:27 1988-09-23
Right in the Middle
Right in the Middle
638,152 4:51 2003-06-10
Stop To Love
Stop To Love
633,370 5:16 2003-10-14
Hit It Again (feat. Queen Latifah) (feat. Queen Latifah)
Hit It Again (feat. Queen Latifah) (feat. Queen Latifah)
629,620 4:37 2003-06-10
Never Too Much - Original Remix
Never Too Much - Original Remix
615,463 6:45 2010-01-01
Medley
Medley
614,002 5:46 2003-10-14
Never Let Me Go
Never Let Me Go
607,092 4:30 1993-05-26
Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)
Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)
590,962 4:41 1993-05-26
They Said You Need Me
They Said You Need Me
556,092 4:40 2003-06-10
I Want The Night To Stay
I Want The Night To Stay
551,124 5:26 1991-04-26
Bring Your Heart To Mine
Bring Your Heart To Mine
532,833 4:22 2001-06-19
Busy Body
Busy Body
516,685 4:45 1983-11-25
Medley: How Deep Is Your Love/Love Don't Love Nobody
Medley: How Deep Is Your Love/Love Don't Love Nobody
497,152 3:12 1993-05-26
So Amazing - Intimate Mix
So Amazing - Intimate Mix
486,983 3:57 2007-01-01
I Gave It Up (When I Fell in Love)
I Gave It Up (When I Fell in Love)
481,430 4:46 1986-09-19
Like I'm Invisible
Like I'm Invisible
471,830 4:00 2001-06-19
Bad Boy / Having a Party - Single Version
Bad Boy / Having a Party - Single Version
471,365 3:57 2015-10-16
Isn't There Someone
Isn't There Someone
455,822 4:41 1998-01-01
She's So Good to Me - From "The Goonies" Soundtrack
She's So Good to Me - From "The Goonies" Soundtrack
455,182 5:39 1985-01-09
If I Was The One
If I Was The One
443,662 4:19 2001-06-15
'Til My Baby Comes Home
'Til My Baby Comes Home
434,224 5:33 1989-01-01
She Won't Talk To Me
She Won't Talk To Me
417,023 4:36 1988-09-23
Think About You - Radio Edit
Think About You - Radio Edit
412,504 3:29 2006-01-01
Get Myself Together - Louie Vega Remix
Get Myself Together - Louie Vega Remix
407,133 5:26 2018-06-29
One Night With You (Everyday of Your Life)
One Night With You (Everyday of Your Life)
405,031 4:25 1997-01-01
Let's Make Tonight The Night
Let's Make Tonight The Night
403,887 4:18 2001-06-19
Let's Make The Night
Let's Make The Night
403,887 4:20 1997-05-14
It's All About You
It's All About You
393,389 5:28 1997-01-01
The Second Time Around
The Second Time Around
391,903 6:21 1988-09-23
The Best Things In Life Are Free - K Klass 7"
The Best Things In Life Are Free - K Klass 7"
391,745 4:25 1995-12-03
Anyone Who Had A Heart
Anyone Who Had A Heart
367,035 4:51 2005-08-31
Sometimes It's Only Love
Sometimes It's Only Love
364,612 4:55 1991-04-26
Grown Thangs
Grown Thangs
355,083 4:33 2001-06-19
For the Sweetness of Your Love
For the Sweetness of Your Love
351,049 7:25 1983-11-25
The Rush
The Rush
340,352 6:45 1991-04-26
Reflections
Reflections
339,691 3:20 1994-09-20
Nobody to Love
Nobody to Love
335,478 5:46 1996-10-01
Whether Or Not The World Gets Better (feat. Lisa Fischer)
Whether Or Not The World Gets Better (feat. Lisa Fischer)
329,714 5:32 1996-10-01
It's Hard For Me To Say Goodbye
It's Hard For Me To Say Goodbye
329,698 4:35 1996-10-01
Love It, Love It - Radio Edit
Love It, Love It - Radio Edit
327,268 3:24 2014-11-07
Ready For Love
Ready For Love
324,341 2:50 2007-01-01
I Wonder
I Wonder
314,034 5:11 1988-09-23
Heaven Knows
Heaven Knows
311,090 5:01 1993-05-26
Since You've Been Gone
Since You've Been Gone
308,082 4:15 1994-09-20
Get It Right
Get It Right
305,633 5:26 1998-01-01
I'll Let You Slide
I'll Let You Slide
300,100 5:21 1983-11-25
Any Day Now
Any Day Now
299,696 5:12 2001-06-19
Love Don't Love You Anymore
Love Don't Love You Anymore
299,231 5:12 1996-10-01
Treat You Right
Treat You Right
291,159 6:38 1989-01-01
Say It Now
Say It Now
286,755 4:33 2001-06-19
Searching (Single Edit)
Searching (Single Edit)
285,336 4:44 1980-01-01
I'm Gonna Start Today
I'm Gonna Start Today
280,893 6:13 1991-04-26
Come Back
Come Back
274,877 4:14 1988-09-23
The Best Things In Life Are Free - Classic 12"Mix
The Best Things In Life Are Free - Classic 12"Mix
273,908 5:54 1992-05-12
Love Is On The Way (Real Love)
Love Is On The Way (Real Love)
273,094 4:41 1993-05-26
Are You There (With Another Guy)
Are You There (With Another Guy)
270,380 5:55 2001-06-19
Nights In Harlem
Nights In Harlem
264,375 4:57 1998-01-01
Love Forgot
Love Forgot
260,151 5:36 2001-06-19
Are You Gonna Love Me
Are You Gonna Love Me
258,737 5:10 1988-09-23
She Doesn't Mind
She Doesn't Mind
250,526 4:05 1991-04-26
Shine - Freemasons Mixshow
Shine - Freemasons Mixshow
249,882 4:47 2015-10-16
Nights In Harlem - Remix
Nights In Harlem - Remix
246,924 5:25 1998-01-01
How Do I Tell Her
How Do I Tell Her
245,043 4:17 2001-06-19
Always and Forever - Live
Always and Forever - Live
238,401 5:03 2007-01-01
Religion
Religion
232,514 4:36 1998-01-01
So Amazing
So Amazing
228,640 4:13 2018-06-08
Dream Lover
Dream Lover
225,935 4:32 1998-01-01
There's Only You
There's Only You
225,685 4:54 2007-01-01
I Can't Wait No Longer (Let's Do This) (feat. Deidre 'Spin' Roper)
I Can't Wait No Longer (Let's Do This) (feat. Deidre 'Spin' Roper)
218,366 5:40 1996-10-01
Crazy Love
Crazy Love
218,164 5:13 1996-10-01
Love me Again
Love me Again
217,981 6:07 1993-05-26
Heaven Knows
Heaven Knows
217,505 4:25 2009-01-01
This Close To You
This Close To You
213,679 3:31 2024-06-07
Heart of a Hero
Heart of a Hero
209,680 3:28 1992-01-01
The Thrill I'm In
The Thrill I'm In
207,528 4:13 2012-04-13
If You Can't Dance
If You Can't Dance
198,581 2:27 2007-01-01
Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)
Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)
197,921 5:29 2024-04-19
Shine - Freemasons Radio
Shine - Freemasons Radio
197,235 3:40 2006-01-01
At Christmas Time - Remastered 2023
At Christmas Time - Remastered 2023
189,835 5:02 2023-11-03
You Really Started Something
You Really Started Something
189,284 4:36 2012-04-13
I'd Rather - Live at Radio City Music Hall, New York - Feb. 12, 2003
I'd Rather - Live at Radio City Music Hall, New York - Feb. 12, 2003
184,673 5:60 2023-02-10
My Body - Louie Vega Short Radio Mix
My Body - Louie Vega Short Radio Mix
177,726 3:42 2019-04-19
I Can Tell You That
I Can Tell You That
174,633 5:25 1991-04-26
Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)
Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)
169,508 3:33 2007-01-01
Emotional Love
Emotional Love
165,769 3:53 1991-04-26
This Time I'm Right
This Time I'm Right
165,594