Top 100 Best Selling R&B Soul Songs of 1973
1973

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 that did not make it into our top 100.

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

showing 1-100 of 959 records Next >
‹r› i
artist discography/bio
read song lyrics, etc.
year
record label
1 record label: Tamla 54232
chart position: RandB #3, US #1, UK #7, US AC #1
written by: Stevie Wonder
album: Talking Book / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 8
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Stevie Wonder You Are the Sunshine of My Life
1973 Tamla
2 record label: Atlantic 2940
chart position: RandB #2, US #1, UK #6, US AC #2
written by: Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel
album: Killing Me Softly
comments: [ballad]
Roberta Flack Killing Me Softly with His Song
1973 Atlantic
3 record label: Motown 1239
chart position: RandB #5, US #1, UK #9, US AC #1
written by: Ron Miller, M. Masser
album: Touch Me in the Morning / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 8
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Diana Ross Touch Me in the Morning
1973 Motown
4 record label: 20th Century 2069
chart position: RandB #10, US #1, UK #10, US AC #1
written by: Barrry White
album: Under the Influence of... Love Unlimited
comments: Instrumental
 		Love Unlimited Orchestra Love's Theme
1973 20th Century
5 record label: Tamla 54234
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #31
written by: E. Townsend
album: Let's Get It On / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 8
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Marvin Gaye Let's Get It On
1973 Tamla
6 record label: Tamla 54238
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #18
written by: Leonard Caston, Anita Poree and Frank Wilson
album: Eddie Kendricks / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 9
comments: [disco dance] [Motown Sound]
 		Eddie Kendricks Keep On Truckin'
1973 Tamla
7 record label: Buddah 383
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #55, US AC 19
written by: Jim Weatherly
album: Imagination...
comments: [beat ballad]
Gladys Knight & the Pips Midnight Train to Georgia
1973 Buddah
8 record label: Rocky Road 30073
chart position: RandB #10, US #1, UK #51, US AC #3
written by: Jerry Fuller
album: Show and Tell
comments: [beat ballad]
Al Wilson Show and Tell
1973 Rocky Road
9 record label: Soul 35098
chart position: RandB #1, US #2, UK #31, US AC #15
written by: Jim Weatherly
album: Neither One of Us / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 8
comments: [ballad] [Motown Sound]
 		Gladys Knight & the Pips Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)
1973 Soul
10 record label: AandM 1411
chart position: RandB #10, US #1, UK #52
written by: Bruce Fisher and Billy Preston
album: Music Is My Life
 		Billy Preston Will It Go Round in Circles
1973 A&M
11 record label: Vibration 521
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #14, US AC #27
written by: Sylvia Robinson & Michael Burton
album: Pillow Talk / The Best of All Platinum
comments: [disco dance]
 		Sylvia Pillow Talk
1973 Vibration
12 record label: P.I.R. 3524
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #9
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: Back Stabbers / The Best Of Philadelphia
comments: [disco] [philly sound]
 		The O'Jays Love Train
1973 P.I.R.
13 record label: Atlantic 2995
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #26, US AC #33
written by: Stevie Wonder, Clarence Paul & Morris Broadnax
album: Let Me in Your Life
comments: [beat ballad]
 		Aretha Franklin Until You Come Back to Me
1973 Atlantic
14 record label: 20th Century 2018
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #23, US AC #27
written by: Barry White
album: I've Got So Much To Give
 		Barry White I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby
1973 20th Century
15 record label: Kama Sutra 577
chart position: RandB #22, US #1
written by: Errol Brown and Tony Wilson
album: About Us
comments: [rock soul] Original version by Hot Chocolate not released in the US
 		Stories Brother Louie
1973 Kama Sutra
16 record label: T Neck 2251
chart position: RandB #2, US #6, UK #14
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: The Isleys
album: 3 Plus 3 featuring That Lady
comments: originally recorded and released in 1964
 		The Isley Brothers That Lady
1973 T Neck
17 record label: Tamla 54235
chart position: RandB #1, US #4, UK #29, US AC #41
written by: Stevie Wonder
album: Innervisions / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 9
comments: [disco dance] [Motown Sound]
 		Stevie Wonder Higher Ground
1973 Tamla
18 record label: De lite 559
chart position: RandB #2, US #4, UK #51
written by: Robert Bell, Ronald Bell, Donald Boyce, Melvin Brown, Robert Mickens, Claydes Smith, Dennis Thomas
album: Wild and Peaceful
comments: [funk]
 		Kool & the Gang Jungle Boogie
1973 De lite
19 record label: United Artists 163
chart position: RandB #5, US #2
written by: Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, B.B. Dickerson, Leroy Jordan,Charles Miller
album: The World Is a Ghetto
comments: [funk]
 		War The Cisco Kid
1973 United Artists
20 record label: 20th Century 2058
chart position: RandB #2, US #7, UK #14, US AC #40
written by: Barry White
album: Stone Gon'
Barry White Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up
1973 20th Century
21 record label: Buddah 393
chart position: RandB #1, US #4, UK #56
written by: Gerry Goffin & Barry Goldberg
album: Imagination...
 		Gladys Knight & the Pips I've Got to Use My Imagination
1973 Buddah
22 record label: AandM 1463
chart position: RandB #1, US #4, US AC #34
written by: Billy Preston
album: Everybody Likes Some Kind of Music
comments: [jazz funk instrumental]
Billy Preston Space Race
1973 A&M
23 record label: Dunhill 4339
chart position: RandB #2, US #4, US AC #14
written by: B. Potter, D. Lambert
album: Keeper Of The Castle
comments: [love ballad]
 		Four Tops Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got)
1973 Dunhill
24 record label: Tamla 54242
chart position: RandB #1, US #8, UK #15
written by: Stevie Wonder
album: Innervisions / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 9
 		Stevie Wonder Living for the City
1973 Tamla
25 record label: P.I.R. 3533
chart position: RandB #1, US #7, UK #21, US AC #48
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: Black & Blue
comments: [philly sound disco dance]
 		Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes The Love I Lost (Part 1)
1973 P.I.R.
26 record label: Avco 6105020
chart position: RandB #5, US #5, UK #34
written by: Thom Bell, Kenny Gamble & Linda Creed
album: Round 2
comments: [philly sound sweet soul ballad]
The Stylistics Break Up to Make Up
1973 Avco
27 record label: Avco 4625
chart position: RandB #3, US #14, UK #6, US AC #44
written by: Linda Creed & Thom Bell
album: Rockin' Roll Baby
comments: [philly sound]
 		The Stylistics Rockin' Roll Baby
1973 Avco
28 record label: Decca 33057
chart position: RandB #42, US #5, UK #52, US AC #12
written by: Mentor Williams
album: Drift Away
comments: [country pop soul]
Dobie Gray Drift Away
1973 Decca
29 record label: United Artists 5265
chart position: UK 4, RandB #11, US #22
written by: Tina Turner
album: Nutbush City Limits
Ike & Tina Turner Nutbush City Limits
1973 United Artists
30 record label: Tamla Motown 854
chart position: RandB #1, US #7, UK 53
written by: Norman Whitfield
album: Masterpiece...
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Temptations Masterpiece
1973 Tamla Motown
31 record label: Stax 0179
chart position: RandB #1, US #9, UK #34
written by: Homer Banks, Carl Hampton & Ray Jackson
album: Be What You Are / The Best of The Staple Singers
 		The Staple Singers If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)
1973 Stax
32 record label: Atco 6914
chart position: RandB #19, US #9, UK #54
written by: Mac Rebennock
album: In the Right Place
comments: [funk]
 		Dr. John Right Place, Wrong Time
1973 Atco
33 record label: London 1046
chart position: RandB #4, US #10, UK #40, US AC #20
written by: Charles McCormick
album: Natural High
comments: [sweet soul love ballad]
 		Bloodstone Natural High
1973 London
34 record label: RCA 2351
chart position: RandB #14, US #17, UK #20, US AC #8
written by: Sherman Marshall & Thom Bell
album: I'm Doin' Fine Now / The Best of New York City
comments: [philly sound disco dance]
 		New York City I'm Doin' Fine Now
1973 RCA
35 record label: P.I.R. 3535
chart position: RandB #2, US #10, UK #54
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: Ship Ahoy / The Best Of Philadelphia
comments: [philly sound disco dance]
The O'Jays Put Your Hands Together
1973 P.I.R.
36 record label: Hi 2247
chart position: RandB #2, US #10
written by: A. Green, M. Hodges
album: Call Me...
comments: [southern soul]
 		Al Green Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
1973 Hi
37 record label: Atlantic 2973
chart position: RandB #4, US #29, UK 7, US AC #20
written by: Thom Bell & Linda Creed
album: The Spinners (Detroit)
comments: [philly sound]
 		The Spinners Ghetto Child
1973 Atlantic
38 record label: United Artists 281
chart position: RandB #6, US #8
written by: Howard Scott, B.B. Dickerson , Harold Brown, Charles Miller,Lercy Jordan
album: Deliver the Word
comments: [funk jazz]
 		War Gypsy Man
1973 United Artists
39 record label: Atlantic 2962
chart position: RandB #1, US #11, US AC #19
written by: Joe Jefferson
album: The Spinners (Detroit)
comments: [philly sound]
 		The Spinners One of a Kind (Love Affair)
1973 Atlantic
40 record label: Stax 0161
chart position: RandB #1, US #11
written by: Don Davis
album: Taylored in Silk
comments: [southern soul]
 		Johnnie Taylor I Believe in You (You Believe in Me)
1973 Stax
41 record label: Hi 2235
chart position: RandB #2, US #10
written by: Al Green, Al Jackson Jr. & Willie Mitchell
album: Call Me...
comments: [southern soul]
 		Al Green Call Me (Come Back Home)
1973 Hi
42 record label: Epic 5 11017
chart position: RandB #3, US #12
written by: Sly Stone (as Sylvester Stewart)
album: Fresh
comments: [funk]
 		Sly & the Family Stone If You Want Me to Stay
1973 Epic
43 record label: Motown 1280
chart position: RandB #4 , US #12, UK #51, US AC #43
written by: Harold Johnson, Andrew Porter & Gregg Wright
album: Diana and Marvin
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye You're a Special Part of Me
1973 Motown
44 record label: Atlantic 2969
chart position: RandB #1, UK #37, US #20, US AC #44,
written by: Carolyn Franklin & Sonny Saunders
album: Hey Now Hey
 		Aretha Franklin Angel
1973 Atlantic
45 record label: Westbound 214
chart position: RandB #1, US #15
written by: Ohio Players
album: Pleasure
comments: [funk]
 		Ohio Players Funky Worm
1973 Westbound
46 record label: Blue Thumb 6171
chart position: RandB #12, US #11
written by: Allen Toussaint
album: The Pointer Sisters
comments: [funk]
 		The Pointer Sisters Yes We Can Can
1973 Blue Thumb
47 record label: Hi 2257
chart position: RandB #1, US #19, UK #52
written by: Al Green & Willie Mitchell
album: Livin' for You
comments: [southern soul]
 		Al Green Livin' for You
1973 Hi
48 record label: ABC 11407
chart position: RandB #4, US #15
written by: McKinley Jackson & James Reddick
album: Out Here on My Own
comments: [ballad]
Lamont Dozier Trying to Hold On to My Woman
1973 ABC
49 record label: Dunhill 4354
chart position: RandB #2, US #15
written by: Dennis Lambert & Brian Potter
album: Shaft in Africa Motion Picture Soundtrack
 		Four Tops Are You Man Enough
1973 Dunhill
50 record label: Philly Groove 175
chart position: RandB #11, US #28, UK #16
written by: Allan Felder & Norman Harris
album: Armed and Extremely Dangerous
comments: [philly sound]
 		First Choice Armed and Extremely Dangerous
1973 Philly Groove
51 record label: Stax 0176
chart position: RandB #2, US #15
written by: Mack Rice
album: Taylored in Silk
 		Johnnie Taylor Cheaper to Keep Her
1973 Stax
52 record label: Warner 7687
chart position: RandB #11, US #17, US AC #36
written by: Emilio Castillo & Stephen Kupka
album: Tower of Power
 		Tower of Power So Very Hard to Go
1973 Warner
53 record label: Columbia 45838
chart position: RandB #3, US #43
written by: Edward Bivins
album: There's No Me Without You
comments: [philly sound ballad]
The Manhattans There's No Me Without You
1973 Columbia
54 record label: Soul 35105
chart position: RandB #2, US #19
written by: Merald Knight, Gladys Knight & Johnny Bristol
album: Neither One of Us
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Gladys Knight & the Pips Daddy Could Swear (I Declare)
1973 Soul
55 record label: Wand 11252
chart position: RandB #1, US #21
written by: Maurice Barge & Jimmie Jiles
album: The First Time We Met / Discs of Gold
comments: [sweet soul ballad]
 		The Independents Leaving Me
1973 Wand
56 record label: Tamla 54241
chart position: RandB #3, US #21, UK #51
written by: Marvin Gaye
album: Let's Get It On
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Marvin Gaye Come Get to This
1973 Tamla
57 record label: United Artists 35623
chart position: RandB #18, US #15
written by: Charles Miller, Harold Brown, Howard Scott, Lee Oskar, Lonnie Jordan, B.B. Dickerson
album: Deliver the Word
comments: [funk]
 		War Me and Baby Brother
1973 United Artists
58 record label: Spring 133
chart position: RandB #6, US #37, UK #14
written by: Raeford Gerald
album: The Power of Joe Simon
comments: [northern soul]
 		Joe Simon Step by Step
1973 Spring
59 record label: Spring 138
chart position: RandB #3, US #18
written by: Joe Simon
album: Cleopatra Jones Motion Picture Soundtrack
 		Joe Simon ft. The Mainstreeters Theme from Cleopatra Jones
1973 Spring
60 record label: Tamla Motown 856
chart position: RandB #10, US #28, UK #20
written by: Freddie Perren & Christine Yarian
album: Skywriter / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 8
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Jackson 5 Hallelujah Day
1973 Tamla Motown
61 record label: People 621
chart position: RandB #1, US #22
written by: James Brown
album: Doing It To Death
comments: [funk]
 		Fred Wesley & the J.B.s Doing It to Death
1973 People
62 record label: Philly Groove 179
chart position: UK #9, RandB #25, US #56
written by: Allan Felder & Norman Harris
album: Armed and Extremely Dangerous
comments: [philly sound]
 		First Choice Smarty Pants
1973 Philly Groove
63 record label: Avco 4618
chart position: RandB #8, US #23, US AC #4
written by: Burt Bacharach & Hal David
album: Round 2
comments: [philly sound sweet soul]
The Stylistics You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)
1973 Avco
64 record label: Spring 139
chart position: RandB #3, US #24
written by: Prince Phillip Mitchell (as Phillip Mitchell)
album: It Hurts So Good
comments: [southern soul ballad]
Millie Jackson Hurts So Good
1973 Spring
65 record label: Brunswick 55500
chart position: RandB #2, US #30, UK #57
written by: Eugene Record & Barbara Acklin
album: The Chi-Lites
The Chi-Lites Stoned Out of My Mind
1973 Brunswick
66 record label: Pride 1031
chart position: RandB #7, US #22
written by: Leon Sylvers III (as Leon Sylvers)
album: Foster Sylvers
comments: [pop soul]
 		Foster Sylvers Misdemeanor
1973 Pride
67 record label: Motown 1277
chart position: RandB #2, US #28
written by: Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Don Fletcher, Jerry Marcellino & Mel Larson
album: Get it Together
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Jackson 5 Get It Together
1973 Motown
68 record label: CTI 4000
chart position: US #2, UK #7, US AC #5
written by: Richard Strauss
album: Prelude
comments: [jazz funk instrumental]
Deodato Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)
1973 CTI
69 record label: P.I.R 2506
chart position: RandB #6, US #36, UK #32
written by: Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: Save the Children / The Best Of Philadelphia
comments: [philly sound]
 		The Intruders I'll Always Love My Mama (Part 1)
1973 P.I.R
70 record label: United Artists 255
chart position: RandB #2, US #29
written by: James Cox
album: Facts of Life...
comments: [southern soul]
 		Bobby Womack Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out
1973 United Artists
71 record label: De lite 557
chart position: RandB #5, US #29, UK #54
written by: Kool and the Gang
album: Wild and Peaceful
comments: [funk]
 		Kool & the Gang Funky Stuff
1973 De lite
72 record label: Buddah 363
chart position: RandB #6, US #28, US AC #18
written by: Jim Weatherly
album: Imagination...
comments: [ballad]
 		Gladys Knight & the Pips Where Peaceful Waters Flow
1973 Buddah
73 record label: Gordy 7133
chart position: RandB #1, US #27
written by: Norman Whitfield
album: 1990
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		The Temptations Let Your Hair Down
1973 Gordy
74 record label: Dunhill 4366
chart position: RandB #10, US #33, UK #29, US AC #41
written by: Renaldo Benson, Val Benson & Ivy Jo Hunter
album: Main Street People
Four Tops Sweet Understanding Love
1973 Dunhill
75 record label: Polydor 14162
chart position: RandB #4, US #27, UK #51
written by: James Brown
comments: [funk]
 		James Brown I Got Ants in My Pants (Part 1) (And I Want to Dance)
1973 Polydor
76 record label: Tamla 54239
chart position: RandB #7, US #27
written by: Smokey Robinson, Marv Tarplin & Pamela Young
album: Smokey...
comments: [love ballad]
 		Smokey Robinson Baby Come Close
1973 Tamla
77 record label: Bell 1313 (UK)
chart position: UK #7
written by: Geoff Stephens, Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
album: Love Games
 		The Drifters Like Sister and Brother
1973 Bell
78 record label: P.I.R. 3531
chart position: RandB #2, US #33, UK #53
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: Back Stabbers / The Best Of Philadelphia
comments: [philly sound]
 		The O'Jays Time to Get Down
1973 P.I.R.
79 record label: Enterprise 9085
chart position: RandB #7, US #30, UK #52, US AC #34
written by: Isaac Hayes
album: Joy
Isaac Hayes Joy
1973 Enterprise
80 record label: RAK 149
chart position: UK #7
written by: Errol Brown and Tony Wilson
album: Cicero Park
comments: [pop soul]
 		Hot Chocolate Brother Louie
1973 RAK
81 record label: Atlantic 2982
chart position: RandB #19, US #30, US AC #3
written by: Janis Ian
album: Killing Me Softly
comments: [ballad]
 		Roberta Flack Jesse
1973 Atlantic
82 record label: 20th Century 2062
chart position: RandB #35, US #83, UK #11
written by: Barry White & Paul Politi
album: Under the Influence of... Love Unlimited
Love Unlimited It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It's Spring)
1973 20th Century
83 record label: Tamla Motown 849
chart position: RandB #20, US #34, UK #53, US AC #8
written by: Irene Higgenbotham, Ervin Drake & Dan Fisher
album: Lady Sings the Blues
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Diana Ross Good Morning Heartache
1973 Tamla Motown
84 record label: Hi 2248
chart position: RandB #6, US #38, UK #41
written by: Ann Peebles, Don Bryant & Bernard Miller
album: I Can't Stand The Rain / Ann Peebles Greatest Hits
comments: [southern soul]
 		Ann Peebles I Can't Stand the Rain
1973 Hi
85 record label: Columbia 45776
chart position: RandB #15, US #28, US AC #16
written by: Thom Bell & Linda Creed
album: One Man Band
comments: [philly sound]
 		Ronnie Dyson One Man Band (Plays All Alone)
1973 Columbia
86 record label: 20th Century 2042
chart position: RandB #5, US #32, US AC #46
written by: Barry White
album: I've Got So Much Love to Give
 		Barry White I've Got So Much Love to Give
1973 20th Century
87 record label: Cube 60
chart position: RandB #92, UK #8
written by: John Worth
comments: [ballad]
 		Jimmy Helms Gonna Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse
1973 Cube
88 record label: Invictus 1251
chart position: RandB #7, US #59, UK #21
written by: General Johnson & Geoff Bowen
album: Skin I'm In
comments: [funk]
 		Chairmen of the Board Finder's Keepers
1973 Invictus
89 record label: Atlantic 2941
chart position: RandB #8, US #33, UK #51
written by: Aretha Franklin & Bernice Hart
album: Hey Now Hey
 		Aretha Franklin Master of Eyes
1973 Atlantic
90 record label: Gordy 7131
chart position: RandB #2, US #35
written by: Norman Whitfield
album: Masterpiece...
comments: [ballad] [Motown Sound]
 		The Temptations Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)
1973 Gordy
91 record label: Brunswick 55491
chart position: RandB #3, US #3
written by: Eugene Record & Sandra Drayton
album: A Letter to Myself
comments: [sweet soul ballad]
The Chi-Lites A Letter to Myself
1973 Brunswick
92 record label: Sussex 250
chart position: RandB #12, US #31, UK #51
written by: Bill Withers
album: Still Bill
Bill Withers Kissing My Love
1973 Sussex
93 record label: Mercury 73385
chart position: RandB #6, US #29
written by: Don Covay
album: Super Dude I
comments: [ballad]
Don Covay I Was Checkin' Out--She Was Checkin' In
1973 Mercury
94 record label: Cadet 5696
chart position: RandB #3, US #34
written by: Henry Williams & Marv Johnson
album: Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation
comments: [ballad]
 		The Dells Give Your Baby a Standing Ovation
1973 Cadet
95 record label: RCA Victor 0912
chart position: RandB #4, US #35
written by: Bobby Womack
album: Birth Day
comments: [disco funk]
 		New Birth I Can Understand it
1973 RCA Victor
96 record label: Westbound 216
chart position: RandB #12, US #31
written by: Andrew Noland, Gregory Webster, Walter
album: Ecstasy
comments: [funk]
 		Ohio Players Ecstasy
1973 Westbound
97 record label: Buddah 331
chart position: RandB #9, US #31
written by: Curtis Mayfield
album: Give Me Your Love / The Very Best of Barbara Mason
 		Barbara Mason Give Me Your Love
1973 Buddah
98 record label: Stax 0156
chart position: RandB #4, US #33
written by: Prince Phillip Mitchell (as Phillip Mitchell)
album: City in the Sky / The Best of The Staple Singers
comments: [disco dance]
 		The Staple Singers Oh La De Da
1973 Stax
99 record label: Capitol 3674
chart position: RandB #5, US #35
written by: Floyd Butler & Billy Osborne
album: Check It Out
comments: [ballad]
 		Tavares Check It Out
1973 Capitol
100 record label: Polydor 14210
chart position: RandB #4, US #58, UK #52
written by: James Brown
album: The Payback
comments: [funk]
 		James Brown Stoned to the Bone (Part 1)
1973 Polydor


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >






Log in to use playlist feature
(no registration required)





☰