The Top 100 R&B Songs of the 80's*: #30-21

We're getting into the funk and smooth grooves of the decade, as we feature ten more in our special:

 

 

#30:

"Give Me The Night"

George Benson
1980

This ten-time Grammy Award winner is one of the most respected jazz musicians of all-time.  Benson came out with this great song during the time when songs like "Take Your Time" by the S.O.S. Band, "One In A Million You", "Funkin' For Jamica" by Tom Browne, and "Upside Down" were out.  Tough road to hoe, there.  But George made the most of it, somehow getting to #1 for three weeks.

 

 

#29:

"Upside Down"

Diana Ross

1980

Speaking of "Upside Down", here is Ms. Ross with this #1 smash of four weeks.  The Guinness Book of World Records had Diana as "the most successful female artist in history" in 1993 for her work with the Supremes and as a solo artist, and in 1999, Billboard named her "Female Entertainer of the Century".

 

 

#28:

"Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)"
Isley Brothers
1980

The six-member Isley Brothers are the same group that gave us "Shout" and "It's Your Thing".  The Brothers took this great song to #1 for four weeks against "Stomp!" by the Brothers Johnson, "And The Beat Goes On", and Jermaine Jackson's "Let's Get Serious".  1980 was an incredible year for R&B!

 

#27:

"And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going"

Jennifer Holliday

1982

This incredible vocal performance from Ms. Holliday from the musical Dreamgirls was one of the great R&B songs from 1982.  It encountered stiff competition from "Let It Whip", the Gap Band's "Early In The Morning", and "Jump To It" by Aretha Franklin, yet still remained at #1 for four weeks.  Unbelievable that it wasn't a bigger Popular song...(#22)

 

 

 

#26:

"Cold Blooded"

Rick James
1983

You've heard this song mentioned often as being a tough competitor, for songs such as "She Works Hard For The Money", "Ain't Nobody", and "All Night Long.  The reason is that Rick James spent six weeks at #1 in 1983 with one of his biggest career R&B smashes.

 

 

 

#25:

"She's Strange"
Cameo
1984

Cameo also placed "Word Up" and "Candy" in The Top 100 R&B Songs of the 80's*.  They spent four weeks at #1 with this one, even more time at the top than they did with "Word Up".  It was sandwiched between "Somebody's Watching Me" and "Hello", making the four weeks all the more impressive.  Founder Larry Blackmon still tours with the group.

 

#24:

"And The Beat Goes On"

Whispers

1980

Here's another 1980 song that did well.  The Los Angeles-based Whispers staved off all challengers for five weeks to stand tall at #1.  Their talent was rewarded in 2003 when the Whispers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

#23:

"Let It Whip"

Dazz Band
1982

This group from Cleveland, Ohio dazzled with this one in 1982, which earned a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.  It rode high for five weeks against songs like "It's Gonna' Take A Miracle", "And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going", and "Early In The Morning".  That's a highly impressive resume, which is why the group comes in here at #23* with "Let It Whip". 

 

 

 

#22:

"Atomic Dog"

George Clinton
1983

Many songs tried to top "Billie Jean" in 1983, but this is the one that finally did it.  George Clinton, the genius behind Parliament/Funkadelic for so many great years, remained at #1 on the R&B chart for four weeks with this killer.  Clinton has been described as one of the foremost innovators of funk music.

#21:

"Part-Time Lover"

Stevie Wonder
1985

One of Stevie Wonder's biggest R&B hits of the 80's bested "You Are My Lady", Isley Jasper Isley's "Caravan Of Love" and "Don't Say No Tonight" by Eugene Wilde in 1985.

 

 

 

 

Ten songs to enjoy again and again.  The great thing about Inside The Rock Era is that you can go back at any time and "relive" the special.  When completed, we'll have The Top 100 R&B Songs of the 80's* listed in the Charts and Lists Tab at the top of the website.