Top 100 Best Selling R&B Soul Songs of 1979

Below is a list of the best selling Soul R&B songs from 1979, 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 1979.

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

showing 1-100 of 831 records Next >
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1 record label: Juana 3422
chart position: RandB #1, UK #1, US #1, US dance #1
written by: Frederick Knight
album: Sons Of Love
comments: [disco dance]
Anita Ward Ring My Bell
1979 Juana
2 record label: Polydor 14547
chart position: RandB #1, UK #4, US #1, US AC #4
written by: Dino Fekaris & Freddie Perren
album: 2 Hot
comments: [Sweet Soul]
Peaches & Herb Reunited
1979 Polydor
3 record label: Atlantic 3637
chart position: RandB #6, UK #1, US #2, US dance #8, US AC #5
written by: Denny Randell & Sandy Linzer
album: Dancin' And Lovin'
comments: [disco dance]
The Spinners Working My Way Back to You
1979 Atlantic
4 record label: RSO 918
chart position: RandB #44, UK #1, US #1, US dance #22, US AC #19
written by: Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb & Maurice Gibb
album: Spirit Having Flown
comments: [disco]
The Bee Gees Tragedy
1979 RSO
5 record label: Epic 50797
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #7, US dance #2, US AC #21
written by: Rod Temperton
album: Off The Wall
comments: [disco dance]
Michael Jackson Rock with You
1979 Epic
6 record label: Columbia 11125
chart position: RandB #20, US #1, UK #3, US dance #1, US AC #7
written by: Paul Jabara & Bruce Roberts
album: Wet & on the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes 1 & 2
comments: [disco]
Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer No More Tears
1979 Columbia
7 record label: Casablanca 978
chart position: RandB #3, UK #11, US #1, US dance #1
written by: Pete Bellotte, Harold Faltermeyer & Keith Forsey
album: Bad Girls
comments: [disco]
Donna Summer Hot Stuff
1979 Casablanca
8 record label: Motown 1474
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #4, US AC #6
written by: Lionel Richie
album: Midnight Magic / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 11
comments: [Motown Sound] [ballad]
The Commodores Still
1979 Motown
9 record label: Casablanca 988
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, US dance #1, UK #14
written by: Donna Summer, Joe Esposito
album: Bad Girls
comments: [disco]
Donna Summer Bad Girls
1979 Casablanca
10 record label: Epic 50742
chart position: RandB #1, UK #3, US #1, US dance #2
written by: Michael Jackson
album: Off the Wall
Michael Jackson Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
1979 Epic
11 record label: Atlantic 3584
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #5, US dance #3, US AC #28
written by: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
album: Risque
Chic Good Times
1979 Atlantic
12 record label: Casablanca 2215
chart position: RandB #58, UK #7, US #1, US AC #4
written by: Toni Tennille
album: Make Your Move
Captain & Tennille Do That to Me One More Time
1979 Casablanca
13 record label: AandM 2151
chart position: RandB #4, UK #13, US #1, US AC #1, US dance #17
written by: Andy Armer & Randy Badazz Alpert
album: Rise
comments: [jazz funk] [instrumental]
Herb Alpert Rise
1979 A&M
14 record label: CBS 7721
chart position: RandB #2, UK #4, US #2, US AC #3
written by: David Foster, Jay Graydon & Bill Champlin
album: I Am...
comments: [ballad]
Earth, Wind & Fire After the Love Has Gone
1979 CBS
15 record label: T.K. 1035
chart position: UK #3, US #1, US AC #27
written by: Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch
album: Do You Wanna Go Party
comments: [ballad]
KC & The Sunshine Band Please Don't Go
1979 T.K.
16 record label: Ariola 7736
chart position: RandB #6, US #1, UK #6, US dance #5
written by: Eddie Floyd & Steve Cropper
album: Knock on Wood
comments: [disco]
Amii Stewart Knock on Wood
1979 Ariola
17 record label: Motown 1477
chart position: RandB #86, UK #2, US #4, US AC #2
written by: Carol Connors & David Shire
album: Late At Night / Fast Break OST / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 11
comments: [love ballad]
Billy Preston & Syreeta With You I'm Born Again
1979 Motown
18 record label: Cotillion 44251
chart position: RandB #1, US #2, UK #8, US dance #1, US AC #30
written by: Bernard Edwards, Lehman & Nile Rodgers
album: We Are Family
comments: [disco]
Sister Sledge We Are Family
1979 Cotillion
19 record label: Casablanca 973
chart position: RandB #30, UK #2, US #3, US dance #14
written by: Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo & Victor Willis
album: Go West
comments: [disco]
Village People In the Navy
1979 Casablanca
20 record label: RSO 925
chart position: RandB #57, UK #13, US #1, US AC #15
written by: Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb & Maurice Gibb
album: Spirits Having Flown
The Bee Gees Love You Inside Out
1979 RSO
21 record label: Columbia 10956
chart position: RandB #2, US #6, UK #4, US dance 14
written by: Jon Lind & Allee Willis
album: I Am...
comments: [disco]
Earth, Wind & Fire with The Emotions Boogie Wonderland
1979 Columbia
22 record label: Scope 2
chart position: UK #2
written by: Diana M. Bovell
album: Silly Games
comments: [Reggae]
Janet Kay Silly Games
1979 Scope
23 record label: Epic 50656
chart position: RandB #3, UK #4, US #7, US dance #20
written by: Michael Jackson & Randy Jackson [Jackson 5]
album: Destiny
The Jacksons Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
1979 Epic
24 record label: Casablanca 2227
chart position: RandB #20, US #2, US AC #1
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Barbara Mason
album: Moonlight Madness
comments: [love ballad]
Teri DeSario with K.C. Yes, I'm Ready
1979 Casablanca
25 record label: Motown 1466
chart position: RandB #8, UK #8, US #4, US AC #9
written by: Lionel Richie
album: Midnight Magic / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 10
comments: [Motown Sound] [ballad]
The Commodores Sail On
1979 Motown
26 record label: Casablanca 2201
chart position: RandB #13, US #2, UK #29, US dance #54, US AC #44
written by: Donna Summer
album: Bad Girls
comments: [disco]
Donna Summer Dim All the Lights
1979 Casablanca
27 record label: Cotillion 44245
chart position: RandB #1, UK #6, US #9, US dance #1
written by: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
album: We Are Family
comments: [disco]
Sister Sledge He's the Greatest Dancer
1979 Cotillion
28 record label: De lite 801
chart position: RandB #1, UK #9, US #8
written by: George Brown & Kool & the Gang
album: Ladies' Night
Kool & the Gang Ladies' Night
1979 De lite
29 record label: Tamla 54303
chart position: RandB #5, UK #52, US #4, US AC #1
written by: Stevie Wonder
album: Stevie Wonder's Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants
comments: [Motown Sound]
Stevie Wonder Send One Your Love
1979 Tamla
30 record label: Solar 1709
chart position: RandB #1, US #8, US dance #1, UK #45, US AC #47
written by: William Shelby & Leon Sylvers III
album: Big Fun
Shalamar The Second Time Around
1979 Solar
31 record label: Tamla 54306
chart position: RandB #4, US #4, US AC #34
written by: Smokey Robinson & Marv Tarplin
album: Where There's Smoke / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 11
comments: [Motown Sound] [ballad]
Smokey Robinson Cruisin'
1979 Tamla
32 record label: Arista 0419
chart position: RandB #18, US #5, US AC #5
written by: Richard Kerr & Will Jennings
album: Dionne [1979 album]
comments: [ballad]
Dionne Warwick I'll Never Love This Way Again
1979 Arista
33 record label: P.I.R. 3681
chart position: RandB #1, UK #5, US #13, US dance #10
written by: Gene McFadden, John Whitehead & Jerry Cohen
album: McFadden & Whitehead / The Best Of Philadelphia
comments: [disco dance]
McFadden & Whitehead Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
1979 P.I.R.
34 record label: Casablanca 959
chart position: RandB #10, US #4, UK #34, US AC #17
written by: Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder & Pete Bellotte
album: Live and More / Sleepless Nights
comments: [disco dance]
Donna Summer & Brooklyn Dreams Heaven Knows
1979 Casablanca
35 record label: Windsong 11530
chart position: RandB #37, US #5, US AC #1
written by: David Lasley & Allee Willis
comments: [ballad]
Maxine Nightingale Lead Me On
1979 Windsong
36 record label: Epic 8045 (UK)
chart position: RandB #5, UK #7, US #10
written by: Rod Temperton
album: Off The Wall
Michael Jackson Off the Wall
1979 Epic
37 record label: Casablanca 965
chart position: RandB #21, US #8, US dance #2, US AC #19
written by: Bob Esty & Michele Aller
album: Take Me Home
comments: [disco dance]
Cher Take Me Home
1979 Casablanca
38 record label: Ariola 7742
chart position: RandB #27, UK #3, US AC# 50
written by: Dominic Bugatti & Frank Musker
album: New Dimensions
comments: [love ballad]
The Three Degrees Woman in Love
1979 Ariola
39 record label: Sugar Hill 101
chart position: RandB #4, UK #3, US #36, US dance #14
written by: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
album: Sugarhill Gang
comments: [hip hop]
The Sugarhill Gang Rapper's Delight
1979 Sugar Hill
40 record label: Warner 49050
chart position: RandB #1, UK #41, US #11, US dance #2
written by: Prince
album: Prince
Prince I Wanna Be Your Lover
1979 Warner
41 record label: Arista 0399
chart position: RandB #3, US #9, US AC #25
written by: Ray Parker Jr
album: Rock On
Ray Parker Jr (aka Raydio) You Can't Change That
1979 Arista
42 record label: Casablanca 984
chart position: UK #15, US Dance #14, US #45
written by: Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo and Victor Willis
album: Go West
Village People Go West
1979 Casablanca
43 record label: Arista 0388
chart position: RandB #1, US #12, US dance #3
written by: Emanuel LeBlanc, Herb Lane, Keith Crier & Paul Service
album: Disco Nights
comments: [disco dance]
GQ Disco Nights (Rock Freak)
1979 Arista
44 record label: MCA 41054
chart position: RandB #17, UK #5, US #36, US dance #75
written by: Joe Sample & Will Jennings
album: Street Life
comments: [jazz funk]
The Crusaders featuring Randy Crawford Street Life
1979 MCA
45 record label: Infinity 50011
chart position: RandB #60, UK #17, US #24, US AC #1
written by: Jay Beckenstein
album: Morning Dance
comments: [jazz funk] [instrumental]
Spyro Gyra Morning Dance
1979 Infinity
46 record label: 20th Century 7363 (UK)
chart position: RandB #13, UK #6, US #65, US dance #1
written by: Edwin Starr, Arthur Eugene Pullam & Robert Dickerson
album: Clean
comments: [disco]
Edwin Starr Contact
1979 20th Century
47 record label: Motown 1459
chart position: RandB #52, US #11, US dance #8, US AC #43
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: Bonnie Pointer [1978 album]
comments: [disco dance] [Motown Sound]
Bonnie Pointer Heaven Must Have Sent You
1979 Motown
48 record label: Salsoul 2078
chart position: RandB #1, US #20, US dance #1
written by: Raymond Earl, Kim Miller & Scott Miller
album: Instant Funk
comments: [disco funk]
Instant Funk I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)
1979 Salsoul
49 record label: Warner Bros. 17333 (UK)
chart position: RandB #3, US #18, UK #29, US AC #12
written by: Skip Scarborough
album: Livin' Inside Your Love
George Benson Love Ballad
1979 Warner Bros.
50 record label: Columbia 3 10884
chart position: US dance #1, RandB #15, UK #8, US #41
written by: Eric Matthews & Gary Turnier
album: Keep On Dancin'
comments: [disco]
Gary's Gang Keep On Dancin'
1979 Columbia
51 record label: Arista 0459
chart position: RandB #25, US #15, US AC #1
written by: Isaac Hayes & Adrienne Anderson
album: Dionne [1979 album]
Dionne Warwick Deja Vu
1979 Arista
52 record label: Island 6525(UK)
chart position: UK #5, US Dance #8
written by: Daniel Vangarde, Jean Kluger and Nelly Byl
comments: [disco]
Gibson Brothers Que Sera Mi Vida
1979 Island
53 record label: Pye 46147
chart position: UK #5
written by: Chris Amoo and Eddie Amoo
album: Can You Feel the Force
The Real Thing Can You Feel the Force
1979 Pye
54 record label: Polydor 2011
chart position: RandB #11, US #18, US dance #3
written by: Jesse Stone
album: Don't Let Go
comments: [disco dance]
Isaac Hayes Don't Let Go
1979 Polydor
55 record label: Vanguard 5011
chart position: UK #8, US Dance #56
written by: Chris Hills and Laurel Dann
album: Turn The Music Up!
comments: [disco]
The Players Association Turn the Music Up!
1979 Vanguard
56 record label: Ariola America 7753
chart position: RandB #36, UK #5, US #69
written by: Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, John Densmore, Barry Leng & Simon May
album: Knock on Wood
comments: [disco]
Amii Stewart Light My Fire -- 137 Disco Heaven
1979 Ariola America
57 record label: Motown 1462
chart position: RandB #12, UK #40, US #19, US AC #41
written by: Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
album: The Boss / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 10
comments: [Motown Sound]
Diana Ross The Boss
1979 Motown
58 record label: Dash 5050
chart position: RandB #4, US #21, US dance #26
written by: Ish Ledesma (as Ishmael Ledesma)
album: Hot Numbers
comments: [disco dance]
Foxy Hot Number
1979 Dash
59 record label: MCA 531
chart position: RandB #1, US #30, US dance #5
written by: David Wolinski
album: Masterjam
Rufus (and Chaka Khan) Do You Love What You Feel
1979 MCA
60 record label: Capitol 4674
chart position: RandB #46, US #26, UK #15, US Dance #7
written by: Gloria Jones
album: Shipwrecked
comments: [disco dance]
Gonzalez Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet
1979 Capitol
61 record label: 20th Century 2408
chart position: RandB #28, UK #9, US #79, US dance #7
written by: Edwin Starr
album: Happy Radio
comments: [disco]
Edwin Starr H.A.P.P.Y. Radio
1979 20th Century
62 record label: RCA Victor 1386
chart position: RandB #7, UK #67, US #23, US dance #25
written by: John Fitch & Reuben Cross
album: Smooth Talk
Evelyn King (aka Evelyn Champagne King) I Don't Know If It's Right
1979 RCA Victor
63 record label: Atlantic 3620
chart position: RandB #33, UK #15, US #43, US dance #3
written by: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
album: Risque
comments: [disco dance]
Chic My Forbidden Lover
1979 Atlantic
64 record label: Arista 0426
chart position: RandB #5, US #20
written by: Billy Stewart
album: Disco Nights
GQ I Do Love You
1979 Arista
65 record label: Warner 8874
chart position: RandB #2, US #36, US dance #1
written by: Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
album: Stay Free
comments: [disco dance]
Ashford & Simpson Found a Cure
1979 Warner
66 record label: Motown 1172 (UK)
chart position: RandB #21, UK #40, US AC #43, US #25
written by: Milan Williams
album: Midnight Magic / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 11
The Commodores Wonderland
1979 Motown
67 record label: 20th Century 2403
chart position: RandB #8, US #22
written by: James Mtume & Reggie Lucas
album: Whatcha Gonna Do with My Lovin'
Stephanie Mills What Cha Gonna Do with My Lovin
1979 20th Century
68 record label: Horizon 123
chart position: RandB #15, US #30, US AC #8
written by: Brenda Russell
album: Brenda Russell
Brenda Russell So Good, So Right
1979 Horizon
69 record label: AandM 2202
chart position: RandB #20, UK #46, US #30, US AC #23, US dance #45
written by: Andy Armer & Randy Badazz Alpert (as Randy Badazz)
album: Rise
comments: [jazz funk instrumental]
Herb Alpert Rotation
1979 A&M
70 record label: P.I.R. 3727
chart position: RandB #4, US #28
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: Identity Yourself
comments: [ballad]
The O'Jays Forever Mine
1979 P.I.R.
71 record label: Ariola Hansa 546
chart position: UK #8, US Dance #52
written by: Milton Kellem
comments: [disco]
Viola Wills Gonna Get Along without You Now
1979 Ariola Hansa
72 record label: MCA 12459
chart position: RandB #52, US #101, UK #15, US dance #10
written by: Alicia Myers & Kevin McCord
album: Happy Feet
Al Hudson & the Soul Partners (One Way) You Can Do It
1979 MCA
73 record label: Fantasy 855
chart position: RandB #27, UK #46, US #40, US dance #4
written by: Carlo Donida, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
album: Stars
comments: [disco]
Sylvester I (Who Have Nothing)
1979 Fantasy
74 record label: CBS 7902
chart position: RandB #47, UK #16, US #64
written by: Eddie Del Barrio (as Eduardo Del Barrio), Maurice White & Allee Willis
album: I Am...
Earth, Wind & Fire Star
1979 CBS
75 record label: Ariola 801
chart position: UK #9
written by: Dominic Bugatti and Frank Musker
album: 3D
The Three Degrees My Simple Heart
1979 Ariola
76 record label: Polydor 14532
chart position: RandB #10, US #32, US dance #25
written by: Judy Wieder & John Footman (as John L. Footman)
Alton McClain & Destiny It Must Be Love
1979 Polydor
77 record label: T Neck 2287
chart position: RandB #27, UK #14, US #90, US dance #44
written by: Ronald Isley, Kelly Isley , Rudolph Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley & Chris Jasper
album: Winner Takes All
comments: [disco funk]
The Isley Brothers It's a Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop)
1979 T Neck
78 record label: P.I.R. 137361
chart position: RandB #5, US #38, US dance #12
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: The Jones Girls / The Best Of Philadelphia
comments: [disco dance]
The Jones Girls You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else
1979 P.I.R.
79 record label: RSO/Curtom 921
chart position: RandB #49, UK #28, US #41, US dance #11
written by: Paul Simon
album: Let Me Be Your Woman
comments: [disco]
Linda Clifford Bridge Over Troubled Water
1979 RSO/Curtom
80 record label: Polydor 2021
chart position: RandB #61, UK #32, US #42, US dance #19
written by: Dino Fekaris
album: I Have a Right
comments: [disco]
Gloria Gaynor Let Me Know (I Have a Right)
1979 Polydor
81 record label: Atlantic 3638
chart position: RandB #42, UK #21, US #101, US dance #3
written by: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
album: Risque
comments: [disco dance]
Chic My Feet Keep Dancing
1979 Atlantic
82 record label: Planet 9924
chart position: RandB #20, US #30, US dance #18
written by: Allen Toussaint
album: Energy
comments: [disco]
The Pointer Sisters Happiness
1979 Planet
83 record label: Ariola 7757
chart position: UK #9, US Dance #30
written by: Hunter, Keller
album: Leave a Light
comments: [disco]
Eruption One Way Ticket
1979 Ariola
84 record label: MCA 1253 (UK)
chart position: RandB #31, UK #13, US #105
written by: Miles Gregory
album: Rainbow Connection IV
comments: [disco dance]
Rose Royce Is It Love You're After
1979 MCA
85 record label: P.I.R. 7728 (UK)
chart position: UK #10
written by: Jack Robinson, James Bolden and Vivienne Savoie Robinson
album: The Best Of Philadelphia
comments: [disco dance]
Frantique Strut Your Funky Stuff
1979 P.I.R.
86 record label: Motown 1478
chart position: RandB #42, US #40, US dance #4
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: Bonnie Pointer [1979 album]
comments: [disco] [Motown Sound]
Bonnie Pointer I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
1979 Motown
87 record label: Tamla 54297
chart position: RandB #19, US #34, US AC #44, US dance #33
written by: Norma Helms & Mitchell Bottler
album: Ride to the Rainbow
comments: [Motown Sound]
Thelma Houston Saturday Night, Sunday Morning
1979 Tamla
88 record label: RAK 289 (UK)
chart position: UK #11
written by: David Most, Steve Glen and Mike Burns
comments: [sweet soul ballad]
Kandidate I Don't Wanna Lose You
1979 RAK
89 record label: T.K. 7517 (UK)
chart position: RandB #32, UK #53, US #56, US dance #3
written by: David Mackey & Theophilus Coakley
album: T Connection
comments: [disco dance]
T-Connection At Midnight
1979 T.K.
90 record label: Solar 1482
chart position: RandB #27, UK #40, US #70, US dance #6
written by: Kossi Gardner
album: In Danceland
comments: [disco dance]
Carrie Lucas Dance with You
1979 Solar
91 record label: Warner - RFC 8757
chart position: US dance #1, RandB #60, US #48
written by: Gino Soccio
album: Cutline
comments: [disco dance]
Gino Soccio Dancer
1979 Warner RFC
92 record label: State 82
chart position: RandB #6, US #45, US AC #34
written by: Ken Gold & Michael Denne
album: The Promise of Love
Delegation Oh, Honey
1979 State
93 record label: Cotillion 45001
chart position: RandB #35, UK #17
written by: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
album: We Are Family
comments: [disco dance]
Sister Sledge Lost in Music
1979 Cotillion
94 record label: Epic 50600
chart position: RandB #17, US #47, US dance #5
written by: Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb & Robin Gibb
album: Melba [1978 album]
comments: [disco dance]
Melba Moore You Stepped into My Life
1979 Epic
95 record label: Island 6503
chart position: UK #10, US Dance #48
written by: Daniel Vangarde and Alex Francfort
album: Cuba
comments: [disco dance]
Gibson Brothers Ooh! What a Life
1979 Island
96 record label: Columbia 10971
chart position: RandB #26, US #73, US dance #1
written by: Cheyenne Fowler & Keg Johnson
album: When Love Comes Calling
comments: [disco dance]
Deniece Williams I've Got the Next Dance
1979 Columbia
97 record label: Cotillion 44254
chart position: RandB #4, US #43
written by: Ricardo Williams
album: In the Purest Form
comments: [disco funk]
Mass Production Firecracker
1979 Cotillion
98 record label: P.I.R. 7740
chart position: RandB #2, US #48
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: Teddy
comments: [Soul Ballad]
Teddy Pendergrass Turn Off the Lights
1979 P.I.R.
99 record label: Drive 6278
chart position: RandB #9, US #86, US dance #4
written by: Peter Brown & Robert Rans
comments: [disco funk]
Peter Brown Crank It Up (Funky Town)
1979 Drive
100 record label: Warner 49040
chart position: RandB #1, US #77, US dance #43
written by: George Clinton
album: Uncle Jam Wants You
comments: [funk]
Funkadelic (Not Just) Knee Deep
1979 Warner


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