The greatest R&B songs from the 1970s

In 1979, Donna Summer a.k.a. The Queen of Disco released her seventh studio album Bad Girls. On the titular track, Summer highlights ladies of the night who are hanging outside of clubs to pick up men.

In 1974, Barry White released his third solo album Can’t Get Enough, which was led by the hit single “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe.” On the track, White reflects on how there’s no such thing as loving a person too much. He knows it took quite some time to find the love of his life, but now that he has her, he’s never letting her go. 

One of the essential elements of Diana Ross’ 1976 track “Love Hangover” is how it starts as off as a sensual midtempo jam but then midway into the song it turns into a funky disco record. On the track, Ross reflects on being so drunk on love that she doesn’t even want a cure for it. 

When Marvin Gaye released his 1971 hit single “What’s Going On,” it was told from the perspective of a military veteran returning home to see injustices and hatred occurring. Over the years, the song has become an anthem as a desire for a more peaceful world. As he mentions in the second verse, “Father, father / We don’t need to escalate / You see, war is not the answer / For only love can conquer hate.” 

On Earth, Wind & Fire’s iconic 1978 single “September,” the band reflects on a joyful time that took place on September 21st. In recent years, the song has been a celebratory song that people reflect about on Twitter. It’s the type of infectious song that can put any listener in a joyful mood. The song became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1973, Gladys Knight & The Pips released their No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Midnight Train to Georgia.” On the track, Knight sings of a man who tries a new life in Los Angeles, but the move was too much. He desires to go back to a more simple life in Georgia, so he decides to leave the City of Angels. 

In 1979, Michael Jackson teamed up exclusively with Quincy Jones to produce his fifth solo album Off the Wall. One of the standout singles is “Rock With You” in which Jackson reflects on being lost in a groove with a love interest. As he sings in the second verse, “Out on the floor / There ain’t nobody but us / Girl when you dance / There’s a magic that must be love.”

Stevie Wonder penned the hit “Tell Me Something Good” for funk band Rufus, with lead vocals handled by Chaka Khan. The funky guitar riffs blend well with Khan’s voice as she sings about having good love for a potential partner. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

James Brown is often referred to as the Godfather of Soul, and his funky sound was at the helm of that name. His 1973 hit record “The Payback” tells the perspective of a man who’s out to get revenge to people that did him wrong.

In 1972, Stevie Wonder released his fifteenth studio album Talking Book, led by the hit single “Superstition.” On the track, Wonder highlights some of the world’s most popular superstitions and their negative effects, such as fallen ladders and broken mirrors. “Superstition” earned Wonder several Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Song. 

Roberta Flack doesn’t shy away from the yearning of being intimate with her partner on her single “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” She reflects on the how the seasons change and seeing other couples together makes her want to love her partner a little harder. 

One thing about R&B in the ‘70s, artists were masters at creating love songs about frowned-upon behavior. That was evident in Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs. Jones” single in which he reflects on having an affair with a married woman. As he sings on the hook, “Me and Mrs. Jones / We got a thing going on / We both know that it’s wrong / But it’s much too strong to let it go now.” 

On Al Green’s 1971 track “Let’s Stay Together,” the singer reflects on falling in love with a partner and yearning to spend the rest of his life with them. As he sings in the second verse, “Let me say that since, baby, since we’ve been together / Ooh, loving you forever is what I need / Let me be the one you come running to / I’ll never be untrue.” 

In 1979, Prince released his self-titled sophomore album, which was led by the hit single “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” On the track, Prince highlights how he might not be the richest man, but he will surely treat his lady the way she deserves to be treated. 

Songwriting and production duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff were primary creators of soulful sounds in the '70s. They teamed up with Lou Rawls on his breakthrough hit “You”ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.” On the track, Rawls is telling a lover that they’ll never find a love that is comparable to how he'll treat them. 

On Bill Withers’ 1977 track “Lovely Day,” the crooner highlights how no matter how difficult life may get, he has his partner by his side that puts a smile on his face. As he sings on the hook, “Then I look at you / And the world’s alright with me / Just one look at you / And I know it’s gonna be a lovely day.” 

In 1974, sister group Labelle released their hit single “Lady Marmalade,” an interesting take about a man who gets an offer from a sex worker. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but the most popular cover came in 2001 when Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, and Lil' Kim released their rendition for the Moulin Rouge film. 

The Spinners landed their first top-10 Billboard hit with their 1972 single “I’ll Be Around.” On the track, the group sings about a couple who ended their relationship, however, the guy reiterates that he will always be available just in case his ex-lover calls him. As they sing on the hook, “Whenever you call me, I’ll be there / Whenever you want me, I’ll be there / Whenever you need me, I’ll be there / I’ll be around.” 

Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers wrote and produced the hit Sister Sledge single “We Are Family.” On the track, the group sings how they’ve built a strong family band with their siblings, it’s a song often heard at family reunions to this day. 

In 1979, The Jacksons released their thirteenth studio album Destiny, featuring the hit single “Blame It on the Boogie.” On the track, The Jacksons sing about how music can put one's body in a trance. 

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes came onto the scene in 1972 with their self-titled debut album. The album’s second single “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” — penned by Gamble and Huff — became a big hit peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lead vocals from Teddy Pendergrass find the singer reflecting on how couples go through ups and downs, but they’ve been together long enough to know each other. 

Aretha Franklin’s 1972 single “Day Dreaming” makes for a smooth record for all listeners. It’s the type of track in which Franklin is captivated by her lover and he stays on her mind quite a bit. She’s in love with him and wants to be his everything. 

Soul group Blue Magic came onto the scene in 1974 with the self-titled debut album. The single “Sideshow” is a ballad that finds the group reflecting on dealing with heartbreak, it became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

When Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You” is first heard, it sounds like a love song in the springtime with birds chirping on the track. On the song, Riperton reflects on how easy it is to love her partner and wants to grow old with them. Co-produced by Stevie Wonder, “Lovin’ You” became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

The O’Jays are sending a warning for people to keep an eye on so-called friends on their 1972 hit single “Back Stabbers.” The group reflects on fake friends who are jealous and want to steal their girlfriends from them. As they sing in the first verse, “Somebody’s out to get your lady / A few of your buddies, they sure look shady / The blades are long, clutched tight in their fist / Aiming straight at your back and I don’t think they’ll miss.” 

In 1971, funk band Sly & The Family Stone released its fifth studio album There’s a Riot Goin’ On featuring their hit single “Family Affair.” The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. 

In 1975, Natalie Cole released her debut album Inseparable with the lead single “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).” On the track, Cole is hopeful and optimistic about her current lover being the one who will be her forever love. As she sings in the first verse, “This will be an everlasting love / This will be the one I’ve waited for / This will be the first time anyone has loved me.” 

On The Isley Brothers’ hit single “That Lady, Pts. 1 & 2,” the group tells the perspective of a man who’s very curious about a woman who caught his eye. The Isleys sing about being captivated by her beauty and the dream of being with her. 

Teddy Pendergrass teamed up with songwriting and production duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff on his third solo album Teddy. The lead single “Turn Off the Lights” is the perfect bedroom ballad to put lovers in the mood for an intimate evening with their partners. 

In 1976, Deniece Willams released her debut album This Is Niecy, led by her hit single “Free.” Co-produced by Earth, Wind & Fire founder and lead vocalist Maurice White, “Free” finds Williams reflecting on her relationship and how sometimes she just needs a little escape to truly be herself. 

Some listeners may think that Rick James’ single “Mary Jane” is about a lady, but it’s actually about his love for marijuana. The clever songwriting makes it seem like he’s in love with a woman, but it’s play-on words on how marijuana makes him feel.

R&B duo McFadden & Whitehead made their debut with their self-titled album, led by the hit single “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” On the track, the two sing about how life can be filled with lows, but there’s always a turning point to see some positive change. They also want to reiterate how to not be held back by any naysayers. 

One thing is for certain about music in the ‘70s, artists loved singing about love. The Emotions were no different with their hit single “Best of My Love.” On the track, the trio sings from the perspective of a person filled with so much happiness with a partner by their side, and they’re ready to tell the world about it. 

L.T.D. know a thing or two about love and romance on their smash single “Love Ballad.” On the track, lead singer Jeffrey Osbourne tells the perspective of a man who’s finally found the love he’s longed to have, and sometimes folks won’t understand their love. As he sings on the hook, “Loving you gave me something new / That I’d never felt, never dreamed of.” 

Bootsy’s Rubber Band is all about declaring who they want on their hit single “I’d Rather Be With You.” On the track, the band sings about professing their love and hoping it lasts forever, especially after they messed up the relationship previously.