Showing posts with label Roberta Flack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roberta Flack. Show all posts

Monday, February 3, 2025

The Grammy Song and Record of the Year Winners Ranked

The Grammys:

Song and Record of the Year Winners

The Grammy Awards have been given annually since 1958. Two of the most prestigious awards are Record of the Year (given to the performers) and Song of the Year (given to the songwriters). Below is a listing of all songs to receive either award. Following that is a ranking by the DMDB of all those songs.

Check out other “songs of the year” lists here.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the two-part Dave’s Music Database podcast celebrating the Grammy Winners for Record and Song of the Year 1959-1992 (debut: April 5, 2022 at 7pm CST) and 1993-2022 (debut: April 12, 2022 at 7pm CST). which references songs on this list. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

SONG/RECORD WINNERS BY YEAR:

  • 2025 SONG: Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” (2024)
  • 2025 RECORD: Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” (2024)
  • 2024 SONG: Billie Eilish “What Was I Made For?” (2023)
  • 2024 RECORD: Miley Cyrus “Flowers” (2023)
  • 2023 SONG: Bonnie Raitt “Just Like That” (2022)
  • 2023 RECORD: Lizzo “About Damn Time” (2022)
  • 2022 RECORD/SONG: Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak as Silk Sonic “Leave the Door Open” (2021)
  • 2021 SONG: H.E.R. “I Can’t Breathe” (2020)
  • 2021 RECORD: Billie Eilish “Everything I Wanted” (2020)
  • 2020 RECORD/SONG: Billie Eilish “Bad Guy” (2019)

  • 2019 RECORD/SONG: Childish Gambino “This Is America” (2018)
  • 2018 SONG: Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” (2016)
  • 2018 RECORD: Bruno Mars “24K Magic” (2016)
  • 2017 RECORD/SONG: Adele “Hello” (2015)
  • 2016 SONG: Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” (2014)
  • 2016 RECORD: Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
  • 2015 RECORD/SONG: Sam Smith “Stay with Me” (2014)
  • 2014 SONG: Lorde “Royals” (2013)
  • 2014 RECORD: Daft Punk with Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” (2013)
  • 2013 SONG: Fun with Janelle Monáe “We Are Young” (2012)
  • 2013 RECORD: Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
  • 2012 RECORD/SONG: Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
  • 2011 RECORD/SONG: Lady Antebellum “Need You Now” (2009)
  • 2010 SONG: Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)
  • 2010 RECORD: Kings of Leon “Use Somebody” (2008)

  • 2009 SONG: Coldplay “Viva La Vida” (2008)
  • 2009 RECORD: Robert Plant with Alison Krauss “Please Read the Letter” (2007)
  • 2008 RECORD/SONG: Amy Winehouse “Rehab” (2006)
  • 2007 RECORD/SONG: Dixie Chicks “Not Ready to Make Nice” (2006)
  • 2006 SONG: U2 “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” (2005)
  • 2006 RECORD: Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (2004)
  • 2005 SONG: John Mayer “Daughters” (2004)
  • 2005 RECORD: Ray Charles with Norah Jones “Here We Go Again” (2004)
  • 2004 SONG: Luther Vandross “Dance with My Father” (2003)
  • 2004 RECORD: Coldplay “Clocks” (2002)
  • 2003 RECORD/SONG: Norah Jones “Don’t Know Why” (2002)
  • 2002 SONG: Alicia Keys “Fallin’” (2001)
  • 2002 RECORD: U2 “Walk On” (2001)
  • 2001 RECORD/SONG: U2 “Beautiful Day” (2000)
  • 2000 RECORD/SONG: Santana with Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999)

  • 1999 RECORD/SONG: Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
  • 1998 RECORD/SONG: Shawn Colvin “Sunny Came Home” (1997)
  • 1997 RECORD/SONG: Eric Clapton “Change the World” (1996)
  • 1996 RECORD/SONG: Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
  • 1995 SONG: Bruce Springsteen “Streets of Philadelphia” (1994)
  • 1995 RECORD: Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1994)
  • 1994 SONG: Peabo Bryson with Regina Belle “A Whole New World” (1992)
  • 1994 RECORD: Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
  • 1993 RECORD/SONG: Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
  • 1992 RECORD/SONG: Natalie Cole with Nat “King” Cole “Unforgettable” (1991)
  • 1991 SONG: Bette Midler “From a Distance” (1990)
  • 1991 RECORD: Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (1989)
  • 1990 RECORD/SONG: Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1988)

  • 1989 RECORD/SONG: Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (1988)
  • 1988 SONG: Linda Ronstadt with James Ingram “Somewhere Out There” (1986)
  • 1988 RECORD: Paul Simon “Graceland” (1986)
  • 1987 SONG: Dionne Warwick & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
  • 1987 RECORD: Steve Winwood “Higher Love” (1986)
  • 1986 RECORD/SONG: USA for Africa “We Are the World” (1985)
  • 1985 RECORD/SONG: Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (1984)
  • 1984 SONG: The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
  • 1984 RECORD: Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)
  • 1983 SONG: Willie Nelson “Always on My Mind” (1982)
  • 1983 RECORD: Toto “Rosanna” (1982)
  • 1982 RECORD/SONG: Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes” (1981)
  • 1981 RECORD/SONG: Christopher Cross “Sailing” (1980)
  • 1980 RECORD/SONG: The Doobie Brothers “What a Fool Believes” (1978)

  • 1979 RECORD/SONG: Billy Joel “Just the Way You Are” (1977)
  • 1978 SONG (tie): Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977)
  • 1978 SONG (tie): Barbra Streisand “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)” (1976)
  • 1978 RECORD: Eagles “Hotel California” (1977)
  • 1977 SONG: Barry Manilow “I Write the Songs” (1975)
  • 1977 RECORD: George Benson “This Masquerade” (1976)
  • 1976 SONG: Judy Collins “Send in the Clowns” (1975)
  • 1976 RECORD: Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)
  • 1975 SONG: Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were” (1973)
  • 1975 RECORD: Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” (1974)
  • 1974 RECORD/SONG: Roberta Flack “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (1973)
  • 1973 RECORD/SONG: Roberta Flack “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969)
  • 1972 SONG: Carole King/James Taylor “You’ve Got a Friend” (1971)
  • 1972 RECORD: Carole King “It’s Too Late” (1971)
  • 1971 RECORD/SONG: Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
  • 1970 SONG: Joe South “Games People Play” (1968)
  • 1970 RECORD: The Fifth Dimension “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969)

  • 1969 SONG: Roger Miller “Little Green Apples” (1968)
  • 1969 RECORD: Simon & Garfunkel “Mrs. Robinson” (1968)
  • 1968 RECORD/SONG: The Fifth Dimension “Up, Up and Away” (1967)
  • 1967 SONG: The Beatles “Michelle” (1965)
  • 1967 RECORD: Frank Sinatra “Strangers in the Night” (1966)
  • 1966 SONG: Tony Bennett “The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme from The Sandpiper)” (1965)
  • 1966 RECORD: Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass “A Taste of Honey” (1965)
  • 1965 SONG: Louis Armstrong “Hello, Dolly!” (1964)
  • 1965 RECORD: Stan Getz with Joao Gilberto “The Girl from Ipanema” (1964)
  • 1964 RECORD/SONG: Henry Mancini “The Days of Wine and Roses” (1963)
  • 1963 SONG: Sammy Davis, Jr. “What Kind of Fool am I?” (1962)
  • 1963 RECORD: Tony Bennett “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” (1962)
  • 1962 RECORD/SONG: Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
  • 1961 SONG: Ferrante & Teicher “Theme from Exodus” (1960)
  • 1961 RECORD: Percy Faith “A Theme from A Summer Place” (1960)
  • 1960 SONG: Johnny Horton “The Battle of New Orleans” (1959)
  • 1960 RECORD: Bobby Darin “Mack the Knife” (1959)
  • 1959 RECORD/SONG: Domenico Modugno “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue)” (1958)

SONG/RECORD WINNERS RANKED:

This is the DMDB’s ranking of all songs which have won Grammys for Song or Record of the Year.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
2. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
3. Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
4. Eagles “Hotel California” (1977)
5. Bobby Darin “Mack the Knife” (1959)
6. Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
7. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
8. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
9. Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
10. Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)

11. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)
12. USA for Africa “We Are the World” (1985)
13. Coldplay “Viva La Vida” (2008)
14. Santana with Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999)
15. Adele “Hello” (2015)
16. Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” (2014)
17. Roberta Flack “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (1973)
18. Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes” (1981)
19. Lorde “Royals” (2013)
20. Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977)

21. Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (1984)
22. Willie Nelson “Always on My Mind” (1982)
23. Simon & Garfunkel “Mrs. Robinson” (1968)
24. Roberta Flack “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969)
25. Daft Punk with Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” (2013)
26. U2 “Beautiful Day” (2000)
27. Lady Antebellum “Need You Now” (2009)
28. Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (2004)
29. Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were” (1973)
30. Johnny Horton “The Battle of New Orleans” (1959)

31. Alicia Keys “Fallin’” (2001)
32. Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
33. Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
34. The Fifth Dimension “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969)
35. Amy Winehouse “Rehab” (2006)
36. Carole King “It’s Too Late” (1971)
37. Fun with Janelle Monáe “We Are Young” (2012)
38. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
39. Billie Eilish “Bad Guy” (2019)
40. Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (1989)

41. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)
42. Dionne & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
43. Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” (1974)
44. Domenico Modugno “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue)” (1958)
45. Coldplay “Clocks” (2002)
46. Sam Smith “Stay with Me” (2014)
47. Percy Faith “A Theme from A Summer Place” (1960)
48. Billy Joel “Just the Way You Are” (1977)
49. Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1994)
50. Natalie Cole with Nat “King” Cole “Unforgettable” (1991)

51. Tony Bennett “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” (1962)
52. Frank Sinatra “Strangers in the Night” (1966)
53. Louis Armstrong “Hello, Dolly!” (1964)
54. Kings of Leon “Use Somebody” (2008)
55. Bruce Springsteen “Streets of Philadelphia” (1994)
56. Stan Getz with Joao Gilberto “The Girl from Ipanema” (1964)
57. Miley Cyrus “Flowers” 58. The Doobie Brothers “What a Fool Believes” (1978)
59. Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” (2016)
60. Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1988)

61. Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak as Silk Sonic “Leave the Door Open” (2021)
62. Peabo Bryson with Regina Belle “A Whole New World” (1992)
63. Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (1988)
64. James Taylor “You’ve Got a Friend” (1971)

DMDB Top 2%:

65. Christopher Cross “Sailing” (1980)
66. Toto “Rosanna” (1982)
67. Lizzo “About Damn Time” (2022)
68. The Beatles “Michelle” (1965)
69. Steve Winwood “Higher Love” (1986)
70. Childish Gambino “This Is America” (2018)

71. Eric Clapton “Change the World” (1996)
72. Norah Jones “Don’t Know Why” (2002)
73. Barbra Streisand “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)” (1976)
74. Shawn Colvin “Sunny Came Home” (1997)
75. Barry Manilow “I Write the Songs” (1975)
76. Bruno Mars “24K Magic” (2016)

DMDB Top 5%:

77. The Fifth Dimension “Up, Up and Away” (1967)
78. Dixie Chicks “Not Ready to Make Nice” (2006)
79. Billie Eilish “What Was I Made For?” (2023)
80. Judy Collins “Send in the Clowns” (1975)

81. Billie Eilish “Everything I Wanted” (2020)
82. Paul Simon “Graceland” (1986)
83. U2 “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” (2005)
84. Henry Mancini “The Days of Wine and Roses” (1963)
85. U2 “Walk On” (2001)
86. Bette Midler “From a Distance” (1990)
87. George Benson “This Masquerade” (1976)
88. Sammy Davis, Jr. “What Kind of Fool am I?” (1962)
89. Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” (2024)

DMDB Top 10%:

90. Linda Ronstadt with James Ingram “Somewhere Out There” (1986)
91. Tony Bennett “The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme from The Sandpiper)” (1965)
92. Robert Plant with Alison Krauss “Please Read the Letter” (2007)
93. Ferrante & Teicher “Theme from Exodus” (1960)
94. John Mayer “Daughters” (2004)
95. Carole King “You’ve Got a Friend” (1971)
96. Roger Miller “Little Green Apples” (1968)
97. Joe South “Games People Play” (1968)
98. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass “A Taste of Honey” (1965)
99. Luther Vandross “Dance with My Father” (2003)

DMDB Top 20%:

100. Bonnie Raitt “Just Like That” (2022)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

101. H.E.R. “I Can’t Breathe” (2020)
102. Ray Charles with Norah Jones “Here We Go Again” (2004)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 1/19/2012; last updated 2/3/2025.

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Tuesday, October 15, 1991

Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 box set released

First posted 11/11/2020; updated 11/16/2020.

Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974

Various Artists

Released: October 15, 1991

Recorded: 1947 to 1974

Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU

Sales (in millions): -- US, -- UK, -- world (includes US and UK)

Genre: R&B

Tracks:

Song Title by Act [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts.

Tracks, Disc 1:

  1. Lowe Groovin' by Joe Morris
  2. That Old Black Magic by Tiny Grimes
  3. Annie Laurie by Tiny Grimes (11/20/1948, B-side of “Midnight Special”)
  4. Midnight Special by Tiny Grimes (11/20/1948, 12 RB)
  5. The Applejack by Joe Morris
  6. Cole Slaw by Frank Culley (5/14/1949, 11 RB)
  7. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee by Stick McGhee (4/2/1949, 26 US, 2 RB)
  8. So Long by Ruth Brown (9/17/1949, 4 RB)
  9. I'll Get Along Somehow (Parts 1 & 2) by Ruth Brown
  10. Hey Little Girl by Professor Longhair
  11. Mardi Gras in New Orleans by Professor Longhair
  12. Tee Nah Nah by Harry Van Walls
  13. Danny Boy by Al Hibbler (8/12/1950, 9 RB) *
  14. Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere by Joe Morris (10/7/1950, 1 RB)
  15. Teardrops from My Eyes by Ruth Brown (10/28/1950, 1 RB)
  16. One Monkey Don't Stop No Show by Stick McGhee
  17. Don't You Know I Love You by The Clovers (6/9/1951, 1 RB)
  18. Shouldn't I Know by The Cardinals (10/6/1951, 7 RB)
  19. Chill Is On by Big Joe Turner (12/15/1951, 3 RB)
  20. Chains of Love by Joe Turner (6/30/1951, 2 RB, sales: 1 million)
  21. Fool, Fool, Fool by The Clovers (9/29/1951, 1 RB)
  22. One Mint Julep by The Clovers (4/19/1952, 2 RB)
  23. Wheel of Fortune by The Cardinals (3/15/1952, 6 RB)
  24. Sweet Sixteen by Big Joe Turner (4/12/1952, 3 RB)
  25. 5-10-15 Hours by Ruth Brown (4/12/1952, 1 RB)
  26. Gator's Groove by Willis Jackson
Tracks, Disc 2:
  1. Ting-a-ling—The Clovers by The Clovers (7/26/1952, 1 RB)
  2. Daddy Daddy by Ruth Brown (9/6/1952, 3 RB)
  3. The Midnight Hour by Ray Charles (9/11/1952)
  4. A Beggar for Your Kisses by Diamonds
  5. Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean by Ruth Brown (3/14/1953, 23 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  6. Good Lovin' by The Clovers (7/25/1953, 2 RB)
  7. Wild Wild Young Men by Ruth Brown (6/20/1953, 3 RB)
  8. Mess Around by Ray Charles (6/19/1953, 3 RB)
  9. Honey Hush by Joe Turner (9/19/1953, 53 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  10. Soul on Fire by LaVern Baker
  11. Money Honey by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters (10/31/1953, 1 RB)
  12. Lovey Dovey by The Clovers (3/20/1954, 2 RB)
  13. Such a Night by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters (3/13/1954, 2 RB)
  14. Tipitina by Professor Longhair
  15. White Christmas by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters (12/18/1954, 6 US, 2 RB)
  16. Honey Love by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters (9/11/1954, 21 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  17. Whatcha Gonna Do by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters (3/26/1954, 2 RB)
  18. Shake, Rattle and Roll by Joe Turner (5/8/1954, 22 US, 1 RB)
  19. Sh-Boom by The Chords (7/3/1954, 5 US, 2 RB)
  20. Oh What a Dream by Ruth Brown (8/7/1954, 1 RB) *
  21. Jam Up by Tommy Ridgley
  22. After the Lights Go Down Low by Al Hibbler *
  23. Tomorrow Night by LaVern Baker (1/15/1955)
  24. Tweedle Dee by LaVern Baker (1/15/1955, 14 US, 4 RB, sales: 1 million)
  25. I Got a Woman by Ray Charles (1/22/1955, 79 US, 1 RB)
  26. Greenbacks by Ray Charles (10/29/1955, 5 RB)
Tracks, Disc 3:
  1. Door Is Still Open by The Cardinals (4/2/1955, 4 RB)
  2. Flip, Flop and Fly by Joe Turner (3/19/1955, 2 RB)
  3. A Fool for You by Ray Charles (7/2/1955, 1 RB)
  4. This Little Girl of Mine by Ray Charles (7/9/1955, 9 RB)
  5. Play It Fair by LaVern Baker (10/22/1955, 2 RB)
  6. Adorable by The Drifters (11/5/1955, 1 RB)
  7. Smokey Joe's Cafe by The Robins (12/3/1955, 79 US, 10 RB)
  8. Ruby Baby by The Drifters (5/12/1956, 10 RB)
  9. In Paradise by The Cookies (3/31/1956, 9 RB)
  10. Chicken and the Hawk by Joe Turner (1/14/1956, 7 RB)
  11. Devil or Angel by The Clovers (12/31/1955, 6 US, 3 RB, airplay: 1 million)
  12. Drown in My Own Tears by Ray Charles (2/25/1956, 1 RB)
  13. Hallelujah, I Love Her So by Ray Charles (5/31/1956, 5 RB, airplay: 1 million)
  14. Jim Dandy by LaVern Baker (12/15/1956, 17 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  15. Down in Mexico by The Coasters (3/17/1956, 8 US, 8 RB)
  16. Corrine Corina by Joe Turner (4/21/1956, 2 RB, sales: 1 million)
  17. Treasure of Love by Clyde McPhatter (5/26/1956, 16 US, 1 RB, 27 UK)
  18. Love, Love, Love by The Clovers (6/23/1956, 30 US, 4 RB)
  19. It's Too Late by Chuck Willis (7/7/1956, 3 RB)
  20. Lonely Avenue by Ray Charles (10/20/1956, 6 RB)
  21. Since I Met You Baby by Ivory Joe Hunter (11/17/1956, 12 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million)
  22. Lucky Lips by Ruth Brow (2/9/1957, 25 US, 6 RB, sales: 1 million)
  23. Without Love (There Is Nothing) by Clyde McPhatter (1/12/1957, 4 RB)
  24. Fools Fall in Love by The Drifters (3/9/1957, 69 US, 10 RB)
  25. Midnight Special Train by Joe Turner
  26. Empty Arms by Ivory Joe Hunter (4/6/1957, 2 RB)
  27. C.C. Rider by Chuck Willis (4/20/1957, 1 RB)
  28. Searchin' by The Coasters (5/6/1957, 3 US, 1 RB, 30 UK, sales: 1 million)
Tracks, Disc 4:
  1. Young Blood by The Coasters (5/6/1957, 8 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  2. Mr. Lee by The Bobbettes (8/3/1957, 6 US, 1 RB, 1 CN)
  3. Long Lonely Nights by Clyde McPhatter (8/5/1957, 49 US, 1 RB) *
  4. Betty and Dupree by Chuck Willis (2/3/1958, 15 RB)
  5. What Am I Livin' For by Chuck Willis (5/5/1958, 25 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  6. Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes by Chuck Willis (5/5/1958, 9 RB)
  7. Yakety Yak by The Coasters (5/31/1958, 1 US, 1 RB, 12 UK, sales: 1 million)
  8. Lover's Question by Clyde McPhatter (10/4/1958, 6 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million, airplay: 2 million)
  9. I Cried a Tear by LaVern Baker (12/8/1958, 6 US, 2 RB, sales: 1 million)
  10. Night Time Is the Right Time by Ray Charles (1/5/1959, 95 US, 5 RB)
  11. Charlie Brown by The Coasters (2/2/1959, 2 US, 2 RB, 12 UK, 1 CN, sales: 1 million)
  12. What'd I Say (Parts 1 & 2) by Ray Charles (7/6/1959, 6 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  13. There Goes My Baby by The Drifters (6/1/1959, 2 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million)
  14. Along Came Jones by The Coasters (5/18/1959, 9 US, 14 RB)
  15. Let the Good Times Roll by Ray Charles (1/11/1960, 78 US)
  16. Poison Ivy by The Coasters (8/24/1959, 7 US, 1 RB, 15 UK, sales: 1 million)
  17. Dance with Me by The Drifters (10/12/1959, 15 US, 2 RB, 17 UK, sales: 1 million)
  18. Just for a Thrill by Ray Charles (5/23/1960, 16 RB)
  19. This Magic Moment by The Drifters (2/13/1960, 16 US, 4 RB, airplay: 3 million)
  20. Save the Last Dance for Me by The Drifters (9/5/1960, 1 US, 1 RB, 2 UK, 1 CN, 1 AU, sales: 1 million, airplay: 6 million)
  21. Shopping for Clothes by The Coasters (10/3/1960, 83 US)
  22. Spanish Harlem by Ben E. King (12/31/1960, 10 US, 15 RB, airplay: 3 million)
  23. Young Boy Blues by Ben E. King (10/14/1961, 66 US)
  24. Stand by Me by Ben E. King (5/8/1961, 4 US, 1 RB, 1 UK, 1 CN, airplay: 7 million)
  25. Gee Whiz Look at His Eyes by Carla Thomas (1/28/1961, 10 US, 5 RB)
  26. Saved by LaVern Baker (4/10/1961, 37 US, 17 RB)
  27. Just Out of Reach of My Two Empty Arms by Solomon Burke (9/4/1961, 24 US, 7 RB)
Tracks, Disc 5:
  1. Little Egypt (Ying-Yang) by The Coasters (4/24/1961, 23 US, 16 RB)
  2. Amor by Ben E. King (7/29/1961, 18 US, 10 RB, 38 UK)
  3. Last Night by The Mar-Keys (7/1/1961, 3 US, 2 RB)
  4. I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song) by The Ikettes (1/13/1962, 19 US, 3 RB)
  5. You Don't Miss Your Water by William Bell (4/28/1962, 95 US)
  6. I Found a Love by The Falcons (3/31/1962, 75 US, 6 RB)
  7. Cry to Me by Solomon Burke (1/22/1962, 44 US, 5 RB)
  8. Don't Play That Song (You Lied) by Ben E. King (4/21/1962, 11 US, 2 RB)
  9. Green Onions by Booker T. & the MG's (8/11/1962, 3 US, 1 RB, 7 UK, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million)
  10. Up on the Roof by The Drifters (11/3/1962, 5 US, 4 RB, airplay: 5 million)
  11. See See Rider by LaVern Baker (12/1/1961, 34 US, 9 RB)
  12. I (Who Have Nothing) by Ben E. King (6/29/1963, 29 US, 16 RB)
  13. If You Need Me by Solomon Burke (4/20/1963, 37 US, 2 RB)
  14. These Arms of Mine by Otis Redding (3/23/1963, 83 US, 20 RB)
  15. Hello Stranger by Barbara Lewis (5/4/1963, 3 US, 1 RB)
  16. On Broadway by The Drifters (3/16/1963, 9 US, 7 RB, airplay: 6 million)
  17. Just One Look by Doris Troy (6/8/1963, 10 US, 3 RB, 1 CN)
  18. Do the Mashed Potatoes (Parts 1 & 2) by Nat Kendricks & The Swans (2/13/1960, 84 US, 8 RB)
  19. Land of 1000 Dances by Chris Kenner (6/29/1963, 77 US)
  20. Walkin' the Dog by Rufus Thomas (10/5/1963, 10 US, 4 RB, sales: 1 million)
  21. Release Me by Esther Phillips (10/27/1962, 8 US, 1 RB, airplay: 5 million)
  22. Mercy, Mercy by Don Covay (9/5/1964, 35 US, 1 RB)
  23. Under the Boardwalk by The Drifters (6/27/1964, 4 US, 4 RB, 45 UK, airplay: 3 million)
  24. And I Love Him by Esther Phillips (4/17/1965, 54 US, 11 RB)
  25. Hold What You've Got by Joe Tex (12/19/1964, 5 US, 1 RB)
  26. Mr. Pitiful by Otis Redding (2/6/1965, 41 US, 10 RB)
  27. Baby I'm Yours by Barbara Lewis (6/19/1965, 11 US, 5 RB, airplay: 2 million)
Tracks, Disc 6:
  1. Teasin' You by Willie Tee (2/27/1965, 97 US, 12 RB)
  2. Got to Get You Off My Mind by Solomon Burke (3/6/1965, 22 US, 1 RB) *
  3. I Want to Do Everything for You by Joe Tex (8/28/1965, 23 US, 1 RB) *
  4. I've Been Loving You Too Long by Otis Redding (5/15/1965, 21 US, 2 RB)
  5. A Sweet Woman Like You by Joe Tex (12/4/1965, 29 US, 1 RB) *
  6. In the Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett (6/26/1965, 21 US, 1 RB, 12 UK, sales: 1 million, airplay: 2 million)
  7. See-Saw by Don Covay (10/30/1965, 44 US, 5 RB)
  8. Respect by Otis Redding (9/4/1965, 35 US, 4 RB, airplay: 2 million)
  9. You Don't Know Like I Know by Sam & Dave (1/1/1966, 90 US, 7 RB)
  10. When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge (4/9/1966, 1 US, 1 RB, 2 UK, 1 CN, sales: 1 million, airplay: 7 million)
  11. 634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.) by Wilson Pickett (2/12/1966, 13 US, 1 RB, 36 UK) *
  12. Hold on, I'm Comin’ by Sam & Dave (4/9/1966, 21 US, 1 RB, sales: 2 million, airplay: 1 million)
  13. Cool Jerk by The Capitols (4/9/1966, 7 US, 2 RB)
  14. Neighbor, Neighbor by Jimmy Hughes (5/28/1966, 65 US, 4 RB)
  15. Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett (7/30/1966, 6 US, 1 RB, 22 UK)
  16. Knock on Wood by Eddie Floyd (8/27/1966, 28 US, 1 RB, 19 UK, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million)
  17. Try a Little Tenderness by Otis Redding (12/3/1966, 25 US, 4 RB, 46 UK)
  18. Mustang Sally by Wilson Pickett (11/19/1966, 23 US, 6 RB, 28 UK, airplay: 1 million)
  19. When Something Is Wrong with My Baby by Sam & Dave (2/11/1967, 42 US, 2 RB)
  20. Sweet Soul Music by Arthur Conley (3/11/1967, 2 US, 2 RB, 7 UK, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million)
  21. I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You by Aretha Franklin (3/4/1967, 9 US, 1 RB, 5 CN, sales: 1 million)
  22. Do Right Woman-Do Right Man by Aretha Franklin (6/3/1967, 37 RB, sales: 1 million)
  23. Show Me by Joe Tex (3/4/1967, 35 US, 24 RB)
  24. Tramp by Otis & Carla (5/6/1967, 26 US, 2 RB, 18 UK)
  25. Funky Broadway by Wilson Pickett (8/5/1967, 8 US, 1 RB, 43 UK)
  26. Hip Hug-Her by Booker T (3/25/1967, 37 US, 6 RB)
  27. Soul Man by Same & Dave (9/9/1967, 2 US, 1 RB, 24 UK, sales: 2 million)
Tracks, Disc 7:
  1. Respect by Aretha Franklin (4/10/1967, 1 US, 1 RB, 10 UK, 3 CN, 14 AU, sales: 1 million, airplay: 2 million)
  2. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin (9/30/1967, 8 US, 2 RB, 11 CN, 36 AU, airplay: 2 million)
  3. Soul Finger by The Bar-Kays (5/20/1967, 17 US, 3 RB, 33 UK, sales: 1 million)
  4. Baby I Love You by Aretha Franklin (7/1/1967, 4 US, 1 RB, 39 UK, 3 CN, 51 AU, sales: 1 million)
  5. Skinny Legs and All by Joe Tex (10/28/1967, 10 US, 2 RB, sales: 1 million)
  6. Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin (11/30/1967, 2 US, 1 RB, 43 UK, 4 CN, 51 AU, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million)
  7. I'm in Love by Wilson Pickett (12/2/1967, 45 US, 4 RB)
  8. Memphis Soul Stew by King Curtis (9/16/1967, 6 RB)
  9. Sweet Sweet Baby, Since You've Been Gone by Aretha Franklin (3/2/1968, 5 US, 1 RB, 47 UK, 6 CN, 76 AU) *
  10. Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding (1/8/1968, 1 US, 1 RB, 3 UK, 7 CN, sales: 4 million, airplay: 7 million)
  11. Tighten Up by Archie Bell & the Drells (3/30/1968, 1 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million)
  12. Slip Away by Clarence Carter (7/6/1968, 6 US, 2 RB, sales: 1 million)
  13. Think by Aretha Franklin (5/2/1968, 7 US, 1 RB, 26 UK, 6 CN, 49 AU, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million)
  14. Too Weak to Fight by Clarence Carter (11/2/1968, 13 US, 3 RB, sales: 1 million) *
  15. Can I Change My Mind by Tyrone Davis (12/21/1968, 5 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million) *
  16. First Time I Ever Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack (3/4/1972, 1 US, 4 RB, 14 UK, 1 CN, 1 AU, sales: 1 million, airplay: 3 million)
  17. Take a Letter, Maria by R.B. Greaves (10/18/1969, 2 US, 10 RB, sales: 1 million, airplay: 2 million)
  18. Rainy Night in Georgia by Brook Benton (1/3/1970, 4 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million, airplay: 2 million)
  19. The Ghetto by Donny Hathaway (1/10/1970, 87 US, 23 RB)
  20. Turn Back the Hands of Time by Tyrone Davis (3/7/1970, 3 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  21. Compared to What by Eddie Harris & Les McCann (1/10/1970, 85 US, 35 RB)
  22. Call Me by Aretha Franklin (1/21/1970, 13 US, 1 RB, 11 CN) *
Tracks, Disc 8:
  1. Don't Play That Song (You Lied) by Aretha Franklin (8/8/1970, 11 US, 1 RB, 13 UK, 13 CN, sales: 1 million)
  2. Precious Precious by Jackie Moore (12/5/1970, 30 US, 12 RB) *
  3. Groove Me by King Floyd III (10/10/1970, 6 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  4. Patches by Clarence Carter (7/18/1970, 4 US, 2 RB, 2 UK, sales: 1 million)
  5. Don't Knock My Love, Pt. 1 by Wilson Pickett (4/24/1971, 13 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million) *
  6. Funky Nassau (Parts 1 & 2) by The Beginning of the End (5/1/1971, 15 US, 7 RB, 31 UK)
  7. Thin Line Between Love and Hate by The Persuaders (8/14/1971, 15 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million)
  8. Rock Steady by Aretha Franklin (10/23/1971, 9 US, 2 RB, 12 CN, sales: 1 million)
  9. Day Dreaming by Aretha Franklin (3/11/1972, 5 US, 1 RB, 13 CN, sales: 1 million) *
  10. You've Got a Friend by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (6/12/1971, 29 US, 8 RB)
  11. Clean Up Woman by Betty Wright (11/20/1971, 6 US, 2 RB, sales: 1 million)
  12. Could It Be I'm Falling in Love? by The Spinners (12/30/1972, 4 US, 1 RB, 11 UK, sales: 1 million, airplay: 2 million)
  13. Killing Me Softly with His Song by Roberta Flack (1/20/1973, 1 US, 2 RB, 6 UK, 1 CN, 1 AU, sales: 1 million, sales: 5 million)
  14. Where Is the Love? by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (6/3/1972, 5 US, 1 RB, 1 UK, sales: 1 million)
  15. I'll Be Around by The Spinners (8/19/1972, 3 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million, airplay: 2 million)
  16. Feel Like Makin' Love by Roberta Flack (6/15/1974, 1 US, 1 RB, 34 UK, 1 CN, sales: 1 million, airplay: 3 million)
  17. One of a Kind (Love Affair) by The Spinners (4/28/1973, 11 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million) *
  18. Sideshow by Blue Magic (4/20/1974, 8 US, 1 RB, sales: 1 million) *
  19. Mighty Love by The Spinners (1/19/1974, 20 US, 1 RB)
  20. Love Won't Let Me Wait by Major Harris (3/15/1975, 5 US, 1 RB, 37 UK, sales: 1 million, airplay: 1 million)

* Songs added to the reissue.

Total Running Time: 10:20:44

Rating:

4.766 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings)

Quotable: “Should be a part of any collection that presumes to take American music -- not just rock & roll or rhythm & blues – seriously” – Bruce Eder, All Music Guide

Awards:

About the Album:

“This eight-CD set should be a part of any collection that presumes to take American music -- not just rock & roll or rhythm & blues -- seriously. Atlantic Records was one of dozens of independent labels started up after the war by neophyte executives and producers, but it was different from most of the others in that the guys who ran it were honest and genuinely loved music. Coupled with a lot of luck and some good judgment, the results trace a good chunk of the history of American music and popular culture.” AMG

Disc one opens with cuts which slot in somewhere midway between jazz, bop, and ‘race’ music (as the term was used then). Disc two is pure, distilled R&B, the stuff filling the airwaves of black radio and the jukeboxes in the "wrong" parts of town in 1952-54. Surprisingly, the material on Disc three, covering 1955-57, isn’t very different in content or character from Disc two, despite the fact that it covers the period when white teenagers were starting to listen to and buy these records in large numbers.” AMG Disc 2 captured some of the songs celebrated as quintessential to the birth of rock and roll, such as the Chords’ “Sh-Boom” and Big Joe Turner’s “Shake, Rattle and Roll”

“It’s only with Disc four that one sees the consequences of the late ‘50s – Ray Charles in his final days with the label, juxtaposed with the Drifters in their post-1958 incarnation and the start of the company's relationship with Stax/Volt Records.” AMG Highlights include Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say” and Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me.” The latter was one of those rare songs to hit the charts in two separate runs – first hitting the top 10 pop charts in 1961 and again in 1986 as the title song from the movie of the same name.

“Disc six (1965-67) is practically a mini-tribute to Stax/Volt, filled with the best-known sides of Eddie Floyd, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Booker T. & the MG’s.” AMG The standout track is the iconic “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge. Redding’s original version of “Respect” is also featured, but it’s on the next disc that we get Aretha Franklin’s cover of the song, which she turned into a classic anthem for female empowerment.

“Discs seven and eight run from the late '60s and the heyday of Aretha Franklin to some great early-‘70s soul, including Roberta Flack and the Spinners.” AMG Among the highlights from the two discs are Otis Redding’s “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay.”

The booklet, with a full sessionography and biographical notes on each artist, would be worth 20 bucks on its own.” AMG

Notes: The original box set was released in 1985. When it was rereleased in 1991, it was expanded to eight discs from seven. Songs in the track listing marked with an asterisk (*) are the ones which were added to the reissue.

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Saturday, March 2, 1974

Roberta Flack won Grammys for Song and Record of the Year

Killing Me Softly with His Song

Roberta Flack

Writer(s): Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel, Lori Lieberman (see lyrics here)

First Charted: January 20, 1973

Peak: 15 US, 13 CB, 13 HR, 2 RB, 6 UK, 13 CN, 12 AU, 5 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.)

Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, -- UK, 1.0 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 5.0 radio, 8.3 video, 158.82 streaming

Killing Me Softly

The Fugees

First Charted: March 2, 1996

Peak: 2a US, 11 RR, 30 AC, 20 A40, 15 RB, 15 UK, 17 AU, 13 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.)

Sales (in millions): -- US, 1.46 UK, 2.98 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 0.4 radio, 227.0 video, 496.83 streaming

Awards (Roberta Flack):

Click on award for more details.

Awards (Fugees):

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

At the 16th Grammy Awards on March 2, 1974, Roberta Flack took home the prizes for Song and Record of the Year. She owes this monster hit to Don McLean – and airline headsets.

Folk singer Lori Lieberman was at a Don McLean show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles when she was inspired to write a poem RS500 – but not by “American Pie” or McLean’s other big hit, “Vincent.” No, she heard album track “Empty Chairs,” and thought, “Whoa! This person knows me!” TC Unsure how to put the poem into lyric form, TC she showed it to two men she was working with at the time: Gimbel and Fox of Happy Days fame. RS500

She recorded the song and released it as a single, but didn’t take off – well, that is, until it was literally lifted off the ground in its inclusion on a tape of music for airline headsets. SJ Roberta Flack’s curiosity was peaked when she saw the song title in an in-flight magazine while on a flight from L.A. to New York. SJ She says she “absolutely freaked” RS500 and knew she had to cover the song. TC

She and producer Quincy Jones spent three months polishing the track in the studio RS500 to create the “lushy romantic and forlorn atmosphere.” TC The result was her second chart-topper, three Grammy wins, the biggest song of 1973, WHC and, according to Blender magazine, is the eleventh most performed song ever. TC

More than 20 years later, the Fugees revived the song with the intention “to bring musicality back to hip-hop.” HL Their version became a big radio hit in 1996 and even lifted a remix of Flack’s original into the dance club play charts.

Resources:

  • DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Roberta Flack
  • DMDB Encyclopedia entry for The Fugees
  • TC Toby Creswell (2005). 1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time. Thunder’s Mouth Press: New York, NY. Pages 387-8.
  • HL Michael Heatley and Spencer Leigh (1998). Behind the Song: The Stories of 100 Great Pop & Rock Classics. London, England: Blandford Books. Page 70.
  • SJ Bob Shannon and John Javna (1986). Behind the Hits: Inside Stories of Classic Pop and Rock and Roll. New York, NY; Warner Brothers, Inc. Page 164.
  • WHC Joel Whitburn (1999). A Century of Pop Music. Menomonee Falls, WI; Record Research, Inc. Page 100.

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Last updated 11/12/2022.

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Saturday, April 15, 1972

Roberta Flack hit #1 with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Roberta Flack

Writer(s): Ewan MacColl (see lyrics here)

Released: June 20, 1969 as album cut on First Take

First Charted: March 4, 1972

Peak: 16 US, 14 CB, 15 GR< 15 HR, 16 AC, 4 RB, 14 UK, 13 CN, 12 AU, 5 DF (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, -- UK, 1.0 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 4.0 radio, 32.66 video, 88.81 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

In 1957, Ewan MacColl, a Scottish political singer/songwriter wrote this folk song for his future wife, Peggy Seeger. According to him, she called him needing a song for a romantic scene in a play. He wrote it in less than an hour. Then he called her and taught it to her over the phone. RC She, however, said he sent her tapes to listen to and this song was one one. WK

The Kingston Trio covered the song for their 1962 album New Frontier. Other versions were recorded by Peter, Paul & Mary; the Brothers Four; Joe & Eddie; the Chad Mitchell Trio; and Gordon Lightfoot. WK Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, Leona Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Mel Torme have also covered the song. According to MacColl’s daughter, Ewan hated all of them, saying they “were travesties, bludgeoning, histrionic, and lacking in grace.” WK

Roberta Flack heard the 1963 Joe & Eddie version when she was teaching at Washington DC’s Banneker Junior High School and taught it the girls in the Glee Club. SF She performed the song, a much slower version than the original, regularly at the Pennsylvania Avenue club Mr. Henry’s. SF When she signed with Atlantic Records, this was one of the songs she chose to record for her 1969 debut album First Take. She recorded two more albums before the song became a hit. Clint Eastwood called her about using the song in a love scene for Clint Eastwood’s movie Play Misty for Me. After people saw the movie and hit the record stores to buy the song, Atlantic Records released the two-year-old song as a single. FB

It took only six weeks to reach #1, where it then spent six weeks. It was the longest chart-topper for a solo female artist since 1956’s “The Wayward Wind” by Gogi Grant. The song won Grammys for Record and Song of the Year.

Resources:

First posted 3/11/2021; last updated 1/31/2024.

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