The 35 best '80s R&B songs

There’s no doubt that Michael Jackson went from star to superstar thanks to his iconic album Thriller. The best-selling album of all time spawned seven singles, including the hit “Billie Jean.” Co-produced by Jackson’s frequent collaborator Quincy Jones, “Billie Jean” tells the story of artists dealing with groupies for all the wrong reasons. One of the most iconic moments in history was when Jackson performed the track on the television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, and his signature moonwalk dance move was born.

"Before I Let Go" is arguably the most recognizable song in Maze's discography. Written and produced by lead singer Frankie Beverly, the band released the track in 1981 as a single from their fifth album, Live in New Orleans. Almost 40 years after its release, Beyoncé covered the song for her 2019 film Homecoming, giving the track another resurgence for younger generations. 

In 1980, soulful duo Yarbrough & Peoples released their debut album, The Two of Us. Led by the hit single “Don’t Stop the Music,” the two sing about becoming so entranced with the music to continue to dance, so there’s no need to stop playing the tunes. 

In 1980, Stephanie Mills released her fourth album, Sweet Sensation, which featured her biggest single to date, “Never Knew Love Like This Before.” The track is pretty self-explanatory: Mills beams about sharing a love she never experienced before, and now that she has love in her life, she never wants to let it go. 

In 1980, R&B trio Shalamar released its fourth album, Three for Love, which included the hit single “This Is for the Lover in You.” Group member Howard Hewitt takes lead vocals to sing from the perspective of confessing his love and giving his lover a ring to show that he’s fully ready for commitment. 

Soulful diva Diana Ross worked with Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers on her hit single “Upside Down.” Since the track was released in 1980, the production still had disco elements heavily heard in the decade prior. “Upside Down” topped several charts, including the Billboard Hot 100. 

Boy band New Edition teamed up with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on their iconic 1988 hit single “If It Isn’t Love.” On the track, the guys sing about trying to suppress their feelings for a love interest. “If It Isn’t Love” became a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

One of Chaka Khan’s most iconic songs is her 1983 hit “Ain’t Nobody.” Collaborating with her band Rufus, the track finds Khan singing about how she was once lonely, but now she has a new love, and nobody has made her happier. “Ain’t Nobody” won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. 

Funk band Kool & the Gang always knew how to drop proper tracks that kept people on the dancefloor. Their hit song “Celebration” encouraged listeners to party hard and celebrate the good times. 

In 1984, UK band Sade released its debut studio album, Diamond Life, which spawned four singles, including the hit track “Smooth Operator.” The single was unique as it mixed soul and R&B with jazz and bossa nova elements, which makes it an easy listen. The track helped the band break into the US markets and became a top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

The ‘80s showcased how more artists were moving away from the ‘70s disco sound and into more funk and pop elements. Funk band Cameo showcased that immensely on its Word Up! album, which featured the hit single “Candy.” On the track, Cameo reflects on being so enamored with a love interest and captivated by them, like candy! 

Janet Jackson may be the youngest of the Jackson family, but she truly came into her own with her third album, Control. It was the first album in which she started working with longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The album’s third single “When I Think of You” finds Janet reflecting on how she feels at ease and peace when she thinks of her love interest, something about the thought of him just makes her feel that the world is alright. 

R&B trio Guy, thanks to group member Teddy Riley, were the architects of a new sub-genre, New Jack Swing. Their self-titled album featured the hit single “Groove Me,” which is about a couple having an eventful night of love-making. 

There’s no doubt that Anita Baker released one of the best R&B songs of the ‘80s with her single “Sweet Love,” but it’s arguably one of the best love songs of all time. On the track, Baker reflects on how much she believes in her partner and that their love can’t compare to anyone else’s love. 

If there’s a list of one of the greatest vocalists of all time, Luther Vandross should definitely be on it. After working as a background vocalist for a number of artists , including David Bowie, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, and more, he made his solo debut in 1981 with his album Never Too Much. Led by the album title track, Vandross reflects on how one could never do too much when it comes to matters of the heart. 

In 1981, Teena Marie released her fourth album, It Must Be Magic, led by the hit single “Square Biz.” On the track, Marie reiterates how much her love is real as she tells a potential love interest. “Square Biz” reached No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart. 

After the group DeBarge saw minor success with their debut album, they came back with a vengeance on their sophomore album, All This Love. In their 1982 single “I Like It,” the group puts their feelings on display, stating their admiration for their love interests. 

R&B artists are masters at creating love ballads, and Freddie Jackson is no different. In 1985, Jackson released his smooth single “You Are My Lady,” a track in which the singer professes his undying love and wants to make sure he shows it in the right way. As he sings on the hook, “You are my lady / You’re everything I need, and more / You are my lady / You’re all I’m living for.” 

Ever heard the voices of two artists who were meant to make beautiful music? That’s the feeling of hearing the collaborations between Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack. On their track “Back Together Again,” their vocals blend perfectly as they sing about two people who drifted apart and found each other again. 

In 1983, Cheryl Lynn released her fifth studio album, Preppie, which featured the hit single “Encore.” Produced and written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the clever song lyrics showcase how good love-making deserves an encore, similar to audiences who want to see another performance of a good Broadway play or movie. 

In 1984, Prince released his sixth studio album, Purple Rain, which featured the hit song “When Doves Cry.” In typical Prince form, his music is pretty genreless, to the point that his songs couldn’t be boxed into just one genre. “When Doves Cry" finds Prince blending soul sounds with rock, funk, and psychedelic pop. After spending five weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, it was the top-selling single of the year. 

In 1982, Patrice Rushen released her seventh studio album, Straight from the Heart. The album garnered three singles, but it was led by the massively successful track “Forget Me Nots.” On the track, Rushen is hoping to rekindle a love with an ex-partner. Over the years, “Forget Me Nots” has been sampled by artists such as George Michael and Will Smith. 

When Bobby Brown decided to leave his group New Edition and pursue a solo career, his superstardom skyrocketed with his sophomore album, Don’t Be Cruel. The project garnered five singles, including the smooth track “Every Little Step.” Teaming up with collaborators L.A. Reid and Babyface, the track finds Brown in disbelief that his crush is showing mutual interest, and he’s ready to show why they’re meant to be together. 

In 1985, Whitney Houston burst onto the scene with her self-titled debut album, which featured several singles, including the slow jam “Saving All My Love for You.” The song may sound like a love song to casual listeners, but Houston actually sings of being in love with someone else’s man. The song became Houston’s first No. 1 hit, winning a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. 

In 1988, Al B. Sure! released his debut album, In Effect Mode, which was led by the hit single “Nite and Day.” On the track, Sure! has no problem confessing his feelings for his partner. As he says in the first verse, “I’ll love you more in the rain or shine / And making love in the rain is fine / A love so good and I call it mine.” 

Cherrelle teamed up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on her sophomore album High Priority. On the album’s second single “Saturday Love,” she collaborated with fellow singer Alexander O’Neal as they sing about a past love that didn’t work out, but the feelings come back to them when they see each other again. 

In 1980, The Jacksons released their fourteenth album, Triumph. It spawned five singles, including the hit "Can You Feel It," in which the brothers sing about how they feel a good change is brewing in the world. 

Marvin Gaye’s 1982 album Midnight Love was the final album he released before his tragic passing. By the time he released the album’s lead single, “Sexual Healing,” Gaye already established his celebrity status as a sex symbol thanks to his previous hit single, “Let’s Get It On.”

In 1987, Keith Sweat teamed up with writer and producer Teddy Riley for his debut single “I Want Her.” It showcased the New Jack Swing sound that Riley helped usher to the masses. On the track, Sweat reflects on seeing a potential love interest, what he deems his dream girl, and how much he wants to be with her. 

The Gap Band’s 1982 hit single “Outstanding” continues to stand the test of time. On the track, the band sings about the attraction they have towards a potential love interest. As they sing on the hook, “Outstanding, girl you knock me out / Exciting, you make me wanna shout.” 

The Isley Brothers is one of the most sampled groups in music history. Their 1983 hit single “Between the Sheets” has been sampled by several artists, including Whitney Houston, Da Brat, and The Notorious B.I.G. The track is self-explanatory as the group sings about being intimate with a partner. 

Earth, Wind & Fire is the type of band that blended a plethora of sounds in their music including soul, funk, disco, pop, and so much more. In 1981, they released their eleventh studio album, Raise!, which was led by the hit single “Let’s Groove.” Between the horn sections and vocoder riffs, it’s the perfect track to keep people grooving on the dance floor.

On The Temptations’ 1984 track “Treat Her Like a Lady,” the band sings about being chivalrous to their partners. They highlight how a man should always treat women with kindness and respect. On the track, they sing about how their mothers taught them to be delicate with women; they then go into singing about opening doors and helping a woman with her coat. 

On Stevie Wonder’s 1984 hit “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” he sings about how there doesn’t need to be a special occasion for someone to call a loved one and check up on them. The song became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song since it was featured on The Woman In Red soundtrack.

In 1980, Teddy Pendergrass released his fourth studio album, TP, which featured his hit single “Love T.K.O.” Although it was a cover of a previous David Oliver song, Pendergrass’ version became widely popular. On the track, Pendergrass describes how winning the game of love can feel like a battle, and he’s ready to stop losing at it.