Top 100 Best Selling R&B Soul Songs of 1965

Below is a list of the best selling Soul R&B songs from 1965, sorted by the most popular or best selling first. Click "year" to sort by year. Place mouse on to see information about song. Click song title to play song and to read details about the song including lyrics (if available). Click checkbox to add song to playlist. Click checkbox at top of column to add all songs below it to playlist. Click label to list songs from that record label. Following on from the top 100 chart are listings of hundreds of other lesser-known Soul R&B songs from 1965.

(Songs are sorted in highest US R&B Top 100 and/or UK Top 100 chart position order)

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1 record label: Motown 1074
chart position: RandB #2, US #1, UK #7
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: More Hits By The Supremes
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Supremes (with Diana Ross) Stop! In The Name Of Love
1965 Motown
2 record label: Motown 1076
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #23
written by: Brian Holland, Lamount Dozier and Eddie Holland Jr.
album: Second Album / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 4
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Four Tops I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
1965 Motown
3 record label: Gordy 7038
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #43
written by: Smokey Robinson & Ronald White
album: The Temptations Sing Smokey / David Ruffin At His Best
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Temptations My Girl
1965 Gordy
4 record label: Decca 31827
chart position: RandB #11, US #2, UK #3
written by: John Madara, David White and Leonard Borisoff
album: 1 2 3
comments: [northern soul]
 		Len Barry 1-2-3
1965 Decca
5 record label: Motown 1083
chart position: RandB #2, US #1, UK #39
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: I Hear A Symphony
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Supremes (with Diana Ross) I Hear A Symphony
1965 Motown
6 record label: Motown 1075
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #40
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: More Hits By The Supremes / US Motown Chartbusters Vol. 1
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Supremes (with Diana Ross) Back In My Arms Again
1965 Motown
7 record label: Dyno Voice 209
chart position: RandB #4, US #2, UK #5
written by: Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell
album: The Toys Sing 'A Lover's Concerto' And 'Attack'
comments: [northern soul]
 		The Toys A Lover's Concerto
1965 Dyno Voice
8 record label: Tamla 54124
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #14
written by: Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy & Stevie Wonder
album: Up Tight
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Stevie Wonder Uptight (Everything's Alright)
1965 Tamla
9 record label: Back Beat 546
chart position: RandB #2, US #2, UK #30
written by: Roy Head
album: Roy Head and The Traits
 		Roy Head Treat Her Right
1965 Back Beat
10 record label: Checker 1120
chart position: RandB #1, US #4, UK #11
written by: Raynard Miner & Carl Smith (as Carl William Smith)
album: The New Look
comments: [northern soul]
 		Fontella Bass Rescue Me
1965 Checker
11 record label: Philles 129
chart position: RandB #6, US #4, UK #14
written by: Zaret & Alex North
album: Just Once In My Life
comments: [pop soul ballad]
 		The Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody
1965 Philles
12 record label: King 6015
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #29
written by: James Brown
album: Out Of Sight
comments: [funk]
 		James Brown I Got You (I Feel Good)
1965 King
13 record label: Motown 1081
chart position: RandB #2, US #5, UK #34
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: Second Album
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Four Tops It's The Same Old Song
1965 Motown
14 record label: ABC Paramount 10739
chart position: RandB #5, US #6, UK #50, US AC #1
written by: Buck Owens
album: Crying Time
comments: [southern soul ballad]
 		Ray Charles Crying Time
1965 ABC Paramount
15 record label: Arctic 105
chart position: RandB #2, US #5
written by: Barbara Mason
album: Yes, I'm Ready / The Very Best of Barbara Mason
comments: [sweet soul ballad]
 		Barbara Mason Yes, I'm Ready
1965 Arctic
16 record label: Soul 35008
chart position: RandB #1, US #4
written by: Jr. Walker (as Autry DeWalt)
album: Shotgun
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Jr. Walker & The All Stars Shotgun
1965 Soul
17 record label: Congress 234
chart position: RandB #16, US #8, UK #6
written by: Lincoln Chase
 		Shirley Ellis The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap)
1965 Congress
18 record label: Argo 5506
chart position: RandB #2, US #5
written by: Billy Page
album: The In Crowd
comments: [jazz funk instrumental]
The Ramsey Lewis Trio The In Crowd
1965 Argo
19 record label: Tamla 54112
chart position: RandB #1, US #8
written by: William Robinson Jr., Warren Moore and Marvin Tarplin
album: Moods of Marvin Gaye
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Marvin Gaye I'll Be Doggone
1965 Tamla
20 record label: Tamla 54122
chart position: RandB #1, US #8
written by: Pete Moore, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers & Marv Tarplin (as Marvin Tarplin)
album: Moods Of Marvin Gaye
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Marvin Gaye Ain't That Peculiar
1965 Tamla
21 record label: King 45 5999
chart position: RandB #1, US #8, UK 25
written by: James Brown
album: Out Of Sight
comments: [funk]
 		James Brown Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
1965 King
22 record label: Philles 130
chart position: RandB #13, US #5, UK #48
written by: Carl Sigman & Robert Maxwell
album: Back To Back
comments: [pop soul ballad]
 		The Righteous Brothers Ebb Tide
1965 Philles
23 record label: DCP Int. 1128
chart position: RandB #3, US #10
written by: Teddy Randazzo, Bob Weinstein (as Bobby Weinstein) & Harshman
album: Goin' Out Of My Head
comments: [beat ballad]
 		Little Anthony & The Imperials Hurt So Bad
1965 DCP Int.
24 record label: Blue Cat 102
chart position: RandB #6, US #8
written by: John T. Taylor
comments: [pop soul]
 		The Ad Libs The Boy From New York City
1965 Blue Cat
25 record label: Gordy 7039
chart position: RandB #5, US #8, UK #26
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: Dance Party / US Motown Chartbusters Vol. 2
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Martha (Reeves) & The Vandellas Nowhere To Run
1965 Gordy
26 record label: RCA Victor 47 8486
chart position: RandB #2, US #7
written by: Sam Cooke
album: Shake
 		Sam Cooke Shake
1965 RCA Victor
27 record label: Atlantic 2289
chart position: RandB #1, US #21, UK #12
written by: Wilson Pickett & Steve Cropper
album: In The Midnight Hour / The Exciting Wilson Pickett / Atlantic Soul Classics
comments: [southern soul]
 		Wilson Pickett In The Midnight Hour
1965 Atlantic
28 record label: Imperial 66110
chart position: RandB #40, US #7
written by: Burt Bacharach & Hal David
album: This Is Jackie DeShannon
comments: [pop soul]
 		Jackie DeShannon What The World Needs Now Is Love
1965 Imperial
29 record label: Tamla 54127
chart position: RandB #2, US #11, UK #44
written by: Pete Moore, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers & Marv Tarplin
album: Going To A Go-Go
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Smokey Robinson & The Miracles Going To A Go-Go
1965 Tamla
30 record label: Charger 105
chart position: RandB #11, US #13, UK #25
written by: Billy Page
album: Sings For 'In' Crowders That Go 'Go Go'
comments: [northern soul]
 		Dobie Gray The In Crowd
1965 Charger
31 record label: Philles 127
chart position: RandB #26, US #9
written by: Phil Spector, Gerry Goffin and Carole King
album: Just Once In My Life
comments: [pop soul]
 		The Righteous Brothers Just Once In My Life
1965 Philles
32 record label: Atlantic 2283
chart position: RandB #5, US #11
written by: Van McCoy
album: Baby I'm Yours / The Best of Barbara Lewis
 		Barbara Lewis Baby I'm Yours
1965 Atlantic
33 record label: Motown 1080
chart position: RandB #6, US #11
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: More Hits By The Supremes
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Supremes (with Diana Ross) Nothing But Heartaches
1965 Motown
34 record label: Atlantic 2300
chart position: RandB #9, US #11
written by: Helen Miller and Roger Atkins
album: The Best of Barbara Lewis
 		Barbara Lewis Make Me Your Baby
1965 Atlantic
35 record label: Mirwood 5502
chart position: RandB #4, US #14
written by: Fred Smith & Earl Nelson
album: The Duck
comments: [northern soul]
 		Jackie Lee The Duck
1965 Mirwood
36 record label: Cadet 5522
chart position: RandB #6, US #11, US AC #18
written by: Bert Russell (as Bert Berns) & Wes Farrell
album: Hang On Ramsey!
comments: [jazz funk instrumental]
The Ramsey Lewis Trio Hang On Sloopy
1965 Cadet
37 record label: Hickory 45 1332
chart position: UK #10, US #12
written by: Don Gant and Joe Melson
album: Run Baby Run
comments: [northern soul]
 		The Newbeats Run Baby Run (Back Into My Arms)
1965 Hickory
38 record label: Tamla Motown 811
chart position: RandB #3, US #14
written by: Smokey Robinson, Ronald White, Pete Moore (as Warren Moore) & Marv Tarplin
album: Going to a Go-Go
comments: [sweet soul] [Motown Sound]
 		Smokey Robinson & The Miracles My Girl Has Gone
1965 Tamla Motown
39 record label: Gordy 7047
chart position: RandB #4, US #13
written by: Smokey Robinson, Ronald White & Pete Moore
album: The Temptin' Temptations / US Motown Chartbusters Vol. 2
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Temptations My Baby
1965 Gordy
40 record label: Tamla 54118
chart position: RandB #2, US #16
written by: Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore (as Warren Moore) & Marv Tarplin
album: Going to a Go-Go
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Smokey Robinson & The Miracles The Tracks of My Tears
1965 Tamla
41 record label: Gordy 7040
chart position: RandB #3, US #18, UK #45
written by: Smokey Robinson & Pete Moore (as Warren Moore)
album: The Temptations Sing Smokey / US Motown Chartbusters Vol. 1
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Temptations It's Growing
1965 Gordy
42 record label: Constellation 149
chart position: RandB #3, US #18, UK #41
written by: Curtis Mayfield
album: The Girl Don't Care
 		Gene Chandler Nothing Can Stop Me
1965 Constellation
43 record label: Tamla 54113
chart position: RandB #4, US #16
written by: Smokey Robinson & Pete Moore
album: Going to a Go-Go / US Motown Chartbusters Vol. 1
comments: [sweet soul ballad] [Motown Sound]
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles Ooo Baby Baby
1965 Tamla
44 record label: Red Bird 10024
chart position: RandB #20, US #20, UK #23
written by: R. Hawkins, B. Hawkins, J. Johnson
album: Chapel of Love
comments: [pop soul]
 		The Dixie Cups Iko Iko
1965 Red Bird
45 record label: Gordy 7043
chart position: RandB #4, US #17
written by: Smokey Robinson & Pete Moore (as Warren Moore)
album: The Temptin' Temptations
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Temptations Since I Lost My Baby
1965 Gordy
46 record label: ABC Paramount 10622
chart position: RandB #3, US #14
written by: Curtis Mayfield
album: People Get Ready
comments: [ballad]
 		The Impressions People Get Ready
1965 ABC Paramount
47 record label: Volt 126
chart position: RandB #2, US #21
written by: Otis Redding & Jerry Butler
album: Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
comments: [deep soul ballad]
Otis Redding I've Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now)
1965 Volt
48 record label: Dial 4016
chart position: RandB #1, US #23
written by: Joe Tex
album: The New Boss
comments: [southern soul]
 		Joe Tex I Want to (Do Everything for You)
1965 Dial
49 record label: DCP Int. 1136
chart position: RandB #15, US #16
written by: Teddy Randazzo
album: Goin' Out Of My Head
comments: [pop soul]
 		Little Anthony & the Imperials Take Me Back
1965 DCP Int.
50 record label: Atlantic 2276
chart position: RandB #1, US #22
written by: Delores Burke & Solomon Burke
album: The Best of Solomon Burke
comments: [southern soul]
 		Solomon Burke Got to Get You Off My Mind
1965 Atlantic
51 record label: Checker 1105
chart position: RandB #1, US #25
written by: Raynard Miner, Billy Davis, Carl Smith, Gene Barge
album: We're Gonna Make It
comments: [southern soul]
 		Little Milton We're Gonna Make It
1965 Checker
52 record label: Vee Jay 684
chart position: RandB #3, US #23
written by: Richard Parker
album: Baby Boy
comments: [northern soul]
 		Fred Hughes Oo Wee Baby, I Love You
1965 Vee Jay
53 record label: Motown 1084
chart position: RandB #9, US #19
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: Second Album
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Four Tops Something About You
1965 Motown
54 record label: Ric Tic 103
chart position: RandB #8, US #21
written by: Bill Sharpley & Edwin Starr
comments: [northern soul]
 		Edwin Starr Agent Double-O Soul
1965 Ric Tic
55 record label: Chess 1932
chart position: RandB #4, US #24
written by: Billy Stewart
album: I Do Love You / Billy Stewart Remembered
 		Billy Stewart Sitting in the Park
1965 Chess
56 record label: Atlantic 2288
chart position: RandB #2, US #28
written by: Solomon Burke & Don Covay
album: The Best of Solomon Burke
comments: [blues soul]
 		Solomon Burke Tonight's the Night
1965 Atlantic
57 record label: Dial 4022
chart position: RandB #1, US #29
written by: Joe Tex
album: The Love You Save
comments: [southern soul]
 		Joe Tex A Sweet Woman Like You
1965 Dial
58 record label: Motown 1073
chart position: RandB #9, US #24
written by: Jo Hunter & William
album: The Four Tops
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Four Tops Ask the Lonely
1965 Motown
59 record label: Chess 1922
chart position: RandB #6, US #26
written by: Billy Stewart
album: I Do Love You / Billy Stewart Remembered
comments: [beat ballad]
 		Billy Stewart I Do Love You
1965 Chess
60 record label: Atlantic 2306
chart position: RandB #4, US #53, UK #29
written by: Steve Cropper & Wilson Pickett
album: In the Midnight Hour
comments: [southern soul]
 		Wilson Pickett Don't Fight It
1965 Atlantic
61 record label: Tamla 54111
chart position: RandB #12, US #25
written by: Smokey Robinson
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Brenda Holloway When I'm Gone
1965 Tamla
62 record label: Tamla 54117
chart position: RandB #16, US #25
written by: Marvin Gaye, David Hamilton & Clarence Paul
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Marvin Gaye Pretty Little Baby
1965 Tamla
63 record label: Amy 927
chart position: RandB #7, US #28
written by: Allen Toussaint (as Naomi Neville)
album: The New Lee Dorsey
comments: [northern soul]
 		Lee Dorsey Ride Your Pony
1965 Amy
64 record label: Arctic 108
chart position: RandB #12, US #27
written by: Barbara Mason
album: Yes, I'm Ready
comments: [ballad]
 		Barbara Mason Sad, Sad Girl
1965 Arctic
65 record label: Soul 35013
chart position: RandB #7, US #29
written by: Jr. Walker (as Autry DeWalt Jr.), Willie Woods & Lawrence Horn
album: Shotgun
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Jr. Walker & the All Stars Shake and Fingerpop
1965 Soul
66 record label: Checker 1131
chart position: RandB #13, US #37, UK #32
written by: Billy Davis [Roquel Davis], Carl Smith & Raynard Miner
comments: [northern soul]
 		Fontella Bass Recovery
1965 Checker
67 record label: Volt 128
chart position: RandB #4, US #35
written by: Otis Redding
album: Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
 		Otis Redding Respect
1965 Volt
68 record label: ABC Paramount 10647
chart position: RandB #9, US #29
written by: Curtis Mayfield
album: People Get Ready
 		The Impressions Woman's Got Soul
1965 ABC Paramount
69 record label: Atlantic 2268
chart position: RandB #10, US #43, UK #35
written by: Gerry Goffin & Carole King
album: I'll Take You Where The Music's Playing
comments: [pop soul]
 		The Drifters At the Club
1965 Atlantic
70 record label: RCA Victor 47 8486
chart position: RandB #9, US #31
written by: Sam Cooke
album: Ain't That Good News
comments: [southern soul ballad]
 		Sam Cooke A Change Is Gonna Come
1965 RCA Victor
71 record label: Chess 1924
chart position: RandB #10, US #31
written by: Tony Clarke
comments: [pop soul]
 		Tony Clarke The Entertainer
1965 Chess
72 record label: ABC Paramount 10629
chart position: RandB #7, US #37
written by: Jesse Smith, Johnny Paden, Frank Paden, Willie Stephenson & Melvin Mason
 		The Marvelows I Do
1965 ABC Paramount
73 record label: Motown 1078
chart position: RandB #8, US #35
written by: Stevenson, Hunter
album: The Original Spinners
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Spinners I'll Always Love You
1965 Motown
74 record label: Kellmac 1003
chart position: RandB #5, US #41
written by: Larry Brownlee
 		The C.O.D.'s Michael
1965 Kellmac
75 record label: Tamla 54116
chart position: RandB #11, US #34
written by: Stevenson, Hunter
album: The Marvelettes Anthology
comments: [Motown Sound] [northern soul]
 		The Marvelettes I'll Keep Holding On
1965 Tamla
76 record label: RCA Victor 47 8631
chart position: RandB #18, US #32
written by: Sam Cooke
album: Twistin' The Night Away
comments: [northern soul]
 		Sam Cooke Sugar Dumpling
1965 RCA Victor
77 record label: Philips 40303
chart position: UK #8, US #108
written by: Bea Verdi and Buddy Kaye
comments: [pop soul]
 		Dusty Springfield In the Middle of Nowhere
1965 Philips
78 record label: ABC Paramount 10750
chart position: RandB #12, US #33
written by: Curtis Mayfield
comments: [northern soul]
 		The Impressions You've Been Cheatin
1965 ABC Paramount
79 record label: Quality 1776
chart position: RandB #5, US #43
written by: Steve Cropper, Al Jackson Jr., Booker T. Jones
comments: [jazz funk instrumental]
The Packers Hole in the Wall
1965 Quality
80 record label: Old Town 1183
chart position: RandB #11, US #56, US AC #8
written by: Gayle Brown & Hazel Johnson
album: Intimately Yours
comments: [ballad]
 		Arthur Prysock It's Too Late Baby, Too Late
1965 Old Town
81 record label: Checker 1113
chart position: RandB #4, US #43
written by: Carl Smith, Billy Davis & Raynard Miner
album: We're Gonna Make It
comments: [blues soul]
 		Little Milton Who's Cheating Who?
1965 Checker
82 record label: Soul 35012
chart position: RandB #10, US #36
written by: Henry Cosby, Jr. Walker (as Autry DeWalt Jr.) & Willie Woods
album: Shotgun
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Jr. Walker & the All Stars Do the Boomerang
1965 Soul
83 record label: Atlantic 2301
chart position: RandB #5, US #44
written by: Don Covay & Steve Cropper
album: See Saw
comments: [northern soul]
 		Don Covay & the GoodTimers See-Saw
1965 Atlantic
84 record label: 20th Century 555
chart position: RandB #13, US #34
written by: Barrett Strong, Wade Flemons & Charles Barksdale
album: Mary Wells
comments: [northern soul]
 		Mary Wells Use Your Head
1965 20th Century
85 record label: Gordy 7046
chart position: RandB #4, US #50
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Kim Weston Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)
1965 Gordy
86 record label: DCP Int. 1149
chart position: RandB #23, US #34
written by: Jimmy Henderson, Sid Robin (as Sidney Robin) & Bertha Scott
album: Goin' Out Of My Head
comments: [love ballad]
 		Little Anthony & the Imperials I Miss You So
1965 DCP Int.
87 record label: Atlantic 2281
chart position: RandB #11, US #54, US AC #14
written by: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
album: And I Love Him
comments: [jazz soul]
 		Esther Phillips And I Love Him
1965 Atlantic
88 record label: United Artists 853
chart position: RandB #26, US #36
written by: Casey Spencer
album: I'm a Happy Man
comments: (featuring Eugene Pitt)
 		The Jive Five I'm a Happy Man
1965 United Artists
89 record label: Soul 35013
chart position: RandB #7, US #43
written by: Willie Woods
album: Shotgun
comments: [Motown Sound] [jazz soul instrumental]
Jr. Walker & the All Stars Cleo's Back
1965 Soul
90 record label: Modern 1005
chart position: RandB #28, US #36
written by: Steve Venet & Tommy Boyce
album: Soul The Hits
comments: [northern soul]
 		The Ikettes Peaches 'N' Cream
1965 Modern
91 record label: Duke 385
chart position: RandB #4, US #63
written by: Don Robey (as Deadric Malone)
 		Bobby Bland These Hands (Small But Mighty)
1965 Duke
92 record label: Volt 124
chart position: RandB #10, US #41
written by: Steve Cropper & Otis Redding
album: The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads
Otis Redding Mr. Pitiful
1965 Volt
93 record label: Gordy 7045
chart position: RandB #25, US #36
written by: William 'Mickey' Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter & Clarence Paul
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Martha (Reeves) & the Vandellas You've Been in Love Too Long
1965 Gordy
94 record label: Constellation 158
chart position: RandB #2, US #81
written by: Curtis Mayfield
album: Live On Stage In '65
 		Gene Chandler Rainbow '65
1965 Constellation
95 record label: RCA 47 8693
chart position: RandB #26, US #53, US AC #9
written by: Brook Benton & Clyde Otis
album: Mother Nature, Father Time
comments: [ballad]
 		Brook Benton Mother Nature, Father Time
1965 RCA
96 record label: Parrot 9737
chart position: RandB #26, US #10, UK #1, US AC #3
written by: Les Reed & Gordon Mills
album: Along Came Jones
comments: [pop soul]
 		Tom Jones It's Not Unusual
1965 Parrot
97 record label: Back Beat 548
chart position: RandB #6, US #86
written by: Don Robey (as Deadric Malone)
 		O.V. Wright You're Gonna Make Me Cry
1965 Back Beat
98 record label: JoDa 102
chart position: RandB #4, US #88
written by: Margaret Nash
comments: [ballad]
 		Johnny Nash Let's Move and Groove (Together)
1965 JoDa
99 record label: Atco 45 6907
chart position: UK #11
written by: Smokey Robinson and Ronald White
album: Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
 		Otis Redding My Girl
1965 Atco
100 record label: Atco 6359
chart position: RandB #19, US #1, UK #1
written by: Sonny Bono
album: Look At Us
comments: [pop soul]
 		Sonny & Cher I Got You Babe
1965 Atco


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