Top 100 Best Selling R&B Soul Songs of 1980

Below is a list of the best selling Soul R&B songs from 1980, 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 1980.

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

showing 1-100 of 860 records Next >
‹r› i
artist discography/bio
read song lyrics, etc.
year
record label
1 record label: Motown 1494
chart position: RandB #1, UK #2, US dance #1, US 31, US AC #18
written by: Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards
album: Diana / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 11
comments: [Motown Sound]
Diana Ross Upside Down
1980 Motown
2 record label: Casablanca 2233
chart position: RandB #2, UK #2, US #1, US dance #1
written by: Steven Greenberg
album: Mouth to Mouth
comments: [disco]
Lipps, Inc. Funkytown
1980 Casablanca
3 record label: De lite 807
chart position: RandB #1, UK #7, US #1, US dance #1, US AC #34
written by: Donna Johnson, Claydes Charles Smith, Earl Eugene Toon Jr., James
album: Celebrate!
comments: [disco funk]
Kool & the Gang Celebration
1980 De lite
4 record label: Elektra 47031
chart position: RandB #2, US #1, UK #7, US dance #2
written by: John Deacon
album: The Game
Queen Another One Bites the Dust
1980 Elektra
5 record label: Tamla 54317
chart position: RandB #1, UK #2, US #5, US dance #10
written by: Stevie Wonder
album: Hotter Than July
comments: [Motown Sound]
Stevie Wonder Master Blaster (Jammin')
1980 Tamla
6 record label: Atlantic 3664
chart position: RandB #5, US #4, UK #4, US dance #50, US AC #3
written by: Sam Cooke & Michael Zager
The Spinners Cupid -- I've Loved You for a Long Time (medley)
1980 Atlantic
7 record label: Warner 49505
chart position: RandB #1, UK #7, US #4, US dance #2, US AC #26
written by: Rod Temperton
album: Give Me the Night
George Benson Give Me the Night
1980 Warner
8 record label: AandM 2216
chart position: RandB #1, UK #6, US #7, US dance #1
written by: Louis Johnson, George Johnson
album: Light Up the Night
comments: [disco funk jazz]
The Brothers Johnson Stomp!
1980 A&M
9 record label: RCA 1962
chart position: UK #1, US Dance #6
written by: L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer
album: Hang Together
comments: [disco dance]
Odyssey Use It Up and Wear It Out
1980 RCA
10 record label: 20th Century 2460
chart position: RandB #12, UK #4, US #6, US dance #5, US AC #5
written by: James Mtume & Reggie Lucas
album: 11
Stephanie Mills Never Knew Love Like This Before
1980 20th Century
11 record label: Motown 1491
chart position: RandB #6, US #5, UK #13, US dance #1
written by: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
album: Diana / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12
Diana Ross I'm Coming Out
1980 Motown
12 record label: Tabu 493
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, US dance #1, UK #51
written by: Sigidi Abdullah & Harold Clayton
album: S.O.S.
The S.O.S. Band Take Your Time (Do It Right)
1980 Tabu
13 record label: De lite 802
chart position: RandB #3, UK #23 US #5, US AC #11
written by: George Brown & Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang Too Hot
1980 De lite
14 record label: Atlantic 11496
chart position: UK #3, US Dance #1
written by: Narada Michael Walden and Lisa Walden
album: Let Me Be Your Angel
comments: [disco dance]  
Stacy Lattisaw Jump to the Beat
1980 Atlantic
15 record label: RCA 1894
chart position: RandB #1, UK #2, US #19, US dance #1
written by: Leon Sylvers III, Stephen Shockley & William Shelby
album: The Whispers
comments: [disco dance]
The Whispers And the Beat Goes On
1980 RCA
16 record label: Carrere 161 (UK)
chart position: UK #2
written by: Daniel Vangarde and Jean Kluger
album: Greatest Hits
comments: [disco]
Ottawan D.I.S.C.O.
1980 Carrere
17 record label: Motown 1469
chart position: RandB #1, UK #8, US #9, US dance #2
written by: Lee Garrett & Stevie Wonder
album: Let's Get Serious / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 11
Jermaine Jackson Let's Get Serious
1980 Motown
18 record label: Casablanca 2236
chart position: RandB #9, US #5, UK #32, US dance #8, US AC #26
written by: Giorgio Moroder & Donna Summer
album: On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes 1 & 2
comments: [disco]
Donna Summer On the Radio
1980 Casablanca
19 record label: Columbia 11222
chart position: RandB #4, US #5, UK #45, US AC #21
written by: Leo Graham & Paul Richmond
album: After Midnight
comments: [beat ballad]
The Manhattans Shining Star
1980 Columbia
20 record label: Geffen 49563
chart position: RandB #13, US #3, UK #48
written by: Giorgio Moroder & Donna Summer
album: The Wanderer
comments: [disco]  
Donna Summer The Wanderer
1980 Geffen
21 record label: POLO 1
chart position: UK #2, US Dance #26
written by: Adrian Baker and Eddie Seago
comments: [disco]
Liquid Gold Dance Yourself Dizzy
1980 POLO
22 record label: Epic 50871
chart position: RandB #43, UK #3, US #10, US AC #4
written by: Tom Bahler
album: Off the Wall
comments: [ballad]
Michael Jackson She's Out of My Life
1980 Epic
23 record label: Polydor 2033
chart position: RandB #1, US #5, US AC #17
written by: Harry Ray, Al Goodman & Lee Walter
album: Ray, Goodman & Brown
comments: [Sweet Soul]
Ray, Goodman & Brown Special Lady
1980 Polydor
24 record label: Planet 47916
chart position: RandB #10, US #3, US dance #26, US AC #13
written by: Tom Snow & Cynthia Weil
album: Special Things
The Pointer Sisters He's So Shy
1980 Planet
25 record label: Motown 1496
chart position: RandB #14, UK #16, US #9, US AC #9
written by: Carole Bayer Sager & Michael Masser
album: To Love Again / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12
comments: [ballad]
Diana Ross It's My Turn
1980 Motown
26 record label: WEA 79111 (UK)
chart position: UK #1
written by: Ken Leray
album: Groove Me
comments: [Reggae]
Fern Kinney Together We Are Beautiful
1980 WEA
27 record label: Warner 49503
chart position: US #5, RandB #40, US dance #70, US AC #10
written by: Michael McDonald & Patrick Henderson
album: One Step Closer
The Doobie Brothers Real Love
1980 Warner
28 record label: Mercury 22 (UK)
chart position: RandB #4, UK #6, US #101, US Dance #52
written by: C. Wilson, L. Simmons, R. Wilson, R. Taylor
album: Gap Band II
comments: [disco funk]
The Gap Band Oops Up Side Your Head
1980 Mercury
29 record label: RCA 15
chart position: US #1, UK #33, US AC #16, US rock #54
written by: Janna Allen and Daryl Hall
album: Voices
Hall & Oates Kiss on My List
1980 RCA
30 record label: Warner 49221
chart position: RandB #1, US #9, US AC #37
written by: Sam Dees
album: One in a Million You
comments: [ballad]
Larry Graham One in a Million You
1980 Warner
31 record label: RSO 1021
chart position: RandB #29, UK #7, US #10, US AC #32
written by: Robin Gibb & Blue Weaver
album: Sunrise
Jimmy Ruffin Hold On to My Love
1980 RSO
32 record label: Tamla 54320
chart position: RandB# 4, UK #10, US #11, US AC #20
written by: Stevie Wonder
album: Hotter Than July
comments: [Motown Sound]
Stevie Wonder I Ain't Gonna Stand for It
1980 Tamla
33 record label: Mercury 154
chart position: RandB #1, UK #7, US #19, US dance #26
written by: Jonah Ellis, Alisa Peoples & Lonnie Simmons
album: The Two of Us
Yarbrough & Peoples Don't Stop the Music
1980 Mercury
34 record label: Epic 50938
chart position: RandB #2, US #12, US dance #1, UK #29
written by: Michael Jackson & Randy Jackson
album: Triumph
The Jacksons Lovely One
1980 Epic
35 record label: Atlantic 3661
chart position: RandB #8, UK #3, US #56, US dance #6
written by: Reggie Lucas & James Mtume
album: Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway Back Together Again
1980 Atlantic
36 record label: Warner 17680
chart position: UK #2
written by: Joe Sample and Will Jennings
album: Now We May Begin
comments: [ballad]
Randy Crawford One Day I'll Fly Away
1980 Warner
37 record label: Epic 01032
chart position: UK #6, RandB #30, US dance #1, US #77
written by: Jackie Jackson & Michael Jackson
album: Triumph
The Jacksons Can You Feel It
1980 Epic
38 record label: WEA 79141 (UK)
chart position: RandB #5, UK #14, US dance #1, US #40
written by: Davide Romani & Tanyayette Willoughby
album: The Glow of Love
comments: [disco funk]
Change A Lover's Holiday
1980 WEA
39 record label: Epic 1294
chart position: RandB #50, UK #7, US #73, US dance #1
written by: Michael Jackson, Jackie Jackson & Randy Jackson [Jackson 5]
album: Triumph
The Jacksons Walk Right Now
1980 Epic
40 record label: Atlantic 11413
chart position: RandB #4, UK #8, US #66, US dance #8
written by: Narada Michael Walden, Allee Willis & T. M. Stevens
album: The Dance of Life
comments: [disco funk]
Narada Michael Walden I Shoulda Loved Ya
1980 Atlantic
41 record label: 20th Century 2443
chart position: RandB #2, UK #12, US #49, US dance #10
written by: Leon Haywood
album: Naturally
comments: [disco funk]
Leon Haywood Don't Push It, Don't Force It
1980 20th Century
42 record label: AandM 2211
chart position: RandB #32, US #18, US AC #1
written by: Chuck Mangione
album: Fun and Games
comments: Jazz Funk Instrumental
Chuck Mangione Give It All You Got
1980 A&M
43 record label: Motown 1185 (UK)
chart position: RandB #21, UK #6, US dance #4
written by: Teena Marie, Richard Rudolph
album: Lady T / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 11
comments: [Motown Sound] [funk]
Teena Marie Behind the Groove
1980 Motown
44 record label: Capitol 4869
chart position: RandB #21, US #21, US AC #3
written by: Gerry Goffin & Michael Masser
album: Don't Look Back
comments: [ballad]
Natalie Cole Someone That I Used to Love
1980 Capitol
45 record label: Arista 0527
chart position: RandB #19, US #23, US AC #1
written by: Richard Kerr & Will Jennings
album: No Night So Long
comments: [ballad]
Dionne Warwick No Night So Long
1980 Arista
46 record label: Boardwalk 5702
chart position: RandB #9, US #18, US AC #30
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: City Nights
comments: [sweet soul]  
Tierra Together
1980 Boardwalk
47 record label: Motown 1203
chart position: RandB #9, UK #28, US #37, US dance #2
written by: Teena Marie
album: Irons in the Fire / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 11
comments: [disco funk]
Teena Marie I Need Your Lovin
1980 Motown
48 record label: Graduate 6 (UK)
chart position: UK #4
written by: Astro, Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Ali Campbell
album: Signing Off
comments: [reggae]
UB40 Food for Thought -- King
1980 Graduate
49 record label: Arista / GRP 2506
chart position: RandB #1, UK #10, US dance #9
written by: Tom Browne & Toni Smith
album: Love Approach
comments: [funk]
Tom Browne Funkin' for Jamaica (N.Y.)
1980 Arista / GRP
50 record label: Cotillion 46001
chart position: RandB #8, US #21, US AC #34
written by: Bunny Hull & Narada Michael Walden
album: Let Me Be Your Angel
comments: [sweet soul ballad]
Stacy Lattisaw Let Me Be Your Angel
1980 Cotillion
51 record label: Motown 1202
chart position: UK #5, US #109
written by: Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers
album: Diana / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 11
Diana Ross My Old Piano
1980 Motown
52 record label: Motown 1489
chart position: RandB #8, US #20, US AC #47
written by: Milan Williams
album: Heroes
comments: [disco funk] [Motown Sound]
The Commodores Old-Fashion Love
1980 Motown
53 record label: Island 210
chart position: RandB #56, UK #5, US dance #49
written by: Bob Marley
album: Uprising
comments: [Reggae]
Bob Marley & the Wailers Could You Be Loved
1980 Island
54 record label: RCA 5
chart position: UK #6
written by: Ralph Kotkov
album: Hang Together
comments: [love ballad]
Odyssey If You're Looking for a Way Out
1980 RCA
55 record label: WEA 79156
chart position: RandB #23, UK #11, US dance #1
written by: Mauro Malavasi & Paul Slade
album: The Glow of Love
Change (featuring Luther Vandross) Searching
1980 WEA
56 record label: Polydor 2053
chart position: RandB #37, US #19, US AC #33
written by: Dino Fekaris & Freddie Perren
album: Twice the Fire
comments: [love ballad]
Peaches & Herb I Pledge My Love
1980 Polydor
57 record label: Warner 49570
chart position: RandB #9, UK #10, US #61
written by: Rod Temperton
album: Give Me the Night
George Benson Love X Love
1980 Warner
58 record label: De lite 810
chart position: RandB #11, UK #15, US dance #1
written by: Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang
album: Celebrate!
comments: [disco funk]
Kool & the Gang Take It to the Top
1980 De lite
59 record label: Solar 4
chart position: RandB #3, US #28, UK #55, US AC #40
written by: Nicholas Caldwell
album: The Whispers
comments: [sweet soul ballad]
The Whispers Lady
1980 Solar
60 record label: Mercury 76091
chart position: RandB #1, UK #22, US dance #19
written by: Charlie Wilson, Lonnie Simmons & Rudy Taylor
album: Gap Band III
comments: [disco funk boogie]
The Gap Band Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)
1980 Mercury
61 record label: CBS 8529 (UK)
chart position: RandB #41, UK #7, US dance #27
written by: Rodney Franklin
album: You'll Never Know
comments: [jazz funk] [instrumental]
Rodney Franklin The Groove
1980 CBS
62 record label: Arista 0515
chart position: RandB #40, UK #12, US #53, US dance #24
written by: Alan Gorrie
album: Shine
comments: [disco funk]
Average White Band Let's Go Round Again
1980 Arista
63 record label: WEA 79141 (UK)
chart position: RandB #49, UK #14, US dance #1
written by: Davide Romani, Wayne Garfield & Mario Malavasi
album: The Glow of Love
comments: [disco funk boogie]
Change (featuring Luther Vandross) The Glow of Love
1980 WEA
64 record label: Horizon 12702
chart position: RandB #18, UK #17, US #60, US dance #42
written by: Yellow Magic Orchestra & Martin Denny
comments: [instrumental]
Yellow Magic Orchestra Computer Game
1980 Horizon
65 record label: De lite 803
chart position: RandB #74, UK #10, US #102, US dance #12
written by: Ida Reid
album: Sure Shot
Crown Heights Affair You Gave Me Love
1980 De lite
66 record label: Arista 0494
chart position: RandB #6, US #30, US AC #34
written by: Ray Parker Jr
album: Two Places at the Same Time
Ray Parker Jr (aka Raydio) Two Places at the Same Time
1980 Arista
67 record label: Tamla 54311
chart position: RandB #4, US #31
written by: Smokey Robinson
album: Warm Thoughts
comments: [Motown Sound] [sweet soul ballad]
Smokey Robinson Let Me Be the Clock
1980 Tamla
68 record label: Elektra 12414 (UK)
chart position: RandB #7, US dance #5, UK #62, US #42
written by: Patrice Rushen, Charles Mims (as Charles Mims Jr.), Freddie Washington & Sheree Brown
album: Pizzazz
comments: [disco funk]
Patrice Rushen Haven't You Heard
1980 Elektra
69 record label: CBS 8982
chart position: RandB #8, UK #29, US #44, US dance #85
written by: Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Maurice White & Verdine White
album: Faces
comments: [funk]
Earth, Wind & Fire Let Me Talk
1980 CBS
70 record label: Casablanca 211 (UK)
chart position: RandB #35, UK #32, US #36
written by: Pete Bellotte & Harold Faltermeyer
album: Bad Girls
Donna Summer Walk Away
1980 Casablanca
71 record label: Ensign 4512
chart position: UK #8
written by: Eddie Grant
album: Can't Get Enough
comments: [Reggae]
Eddy Grant Do You Feel My Love?
1980 Ensign
72 record label: T Neck 2290
chart position: RandB #1, US #39
written by: Ronald Isley, Kelly Isley, Rudolph Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley & Chris Jasper
album: Go All the Way / Beautiful Ballads
comments: [slow jam]
The Isley Brothers Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time for Love)
1980 T Neck
73 record label: RSO 1041
chart position: RandB #40, US #41, US dance #1
written by: Michael Gore & Dean Pitchford
album: I'm Yours
comments: [disco]
Linda Clifford Red Light
1980 RSO
74 record label: 20th Century 2449
chart position: RandB #3, US #52, US dance #5
written by: James Mtume & Reggie Lucas
album: Sweet Sensation
Stephanie Mills Sweet Sensation
1980 20th Century
75 record label: Solar 012
chart position: RandB #6, UK #51, US #87, US dance #5
written by: William Shelby & Ricky Smith
album: Adventures in the Land of Music
comments: [disco dance]
Dynasty I've Just Begun to Love You
1980 Solar
76 record label: Mercury 76075
chart position: RandB #4, UK #47, US #87, US dance #9
written by: Kurtis Blow, Robert Ford Jr., J.B. Moore, Russell Simmons & Larry Smith
album: Kurtis Blow
comments: [hip hop]
Kurtis Blow The Breaks
1980 Mercury
77 record label: Ensign 42
chart position: UK #9
written by: Keith Drummond, Elroy Bailey, Anthony Brightly, Desmond Mahoney, Rupert Hanson and Cledwyn Rogers
comments: [Reggae]
Black Slate Amigo
1980 Ensign
78 record label: P.I.R. 3116
chart position: RandB #2, US #44
written by: Cecil Womack, Linda Womack & Gip Noble
album: TP / The Best Of Philadelphia
comments: [philly sound ballad]  
Teddy Pendergrass Love T.K.O.
1980 P.I.R.
79 record label: Atlantic 11404
chart position: RandB #6, UK #34, US #64, US dance #34
written by: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers
Sister Sledge Got to Love Somebody Today
1980 Atlantic
80 record label: Chrysalis 2461
chart position: RandB #27, UK #15, US dance #71
written by: David Grant & Peter Martin [Peter Michael Martin]
album: Intuition
Linx You're Lying
1980 Chrysalis
81 record label: Atlantic 11554
chart position: RandB #8, UK #51, US dance #1
written by: Narada Michael Walden & Bunny Hull
album: Let Me Be Your Angel
comments: [disco funk]
Stacy Lattisaw Dynamite
1980 Atlantic
82 record label: Solar 12049
chart position: RandB #60, UK #13
written by: Joey Gallo & Leon Sylvers III
album: Big Fun
comments: [disco dance]
Shalamar I Owe You One
1980 Solar
83 record label: Epic 50956
chart position: RandB #21, UK #19, US #110, US dance #74
written by: Rod Temperton
album: Candles
comments: [funk]
Heatwave Gangsters of the Groove
1980 Epic
84 record label: Casablanca 2261
chart position: UK #11, US Dance #27
written by: Jacques Morali, Phil Hurtt (as Phillip Hurtt) and Henri Belolo
album: Can't Stop the Music
comments: [disco]
Village People Can't Stop the Music
1980 Casablanca
85 record label: Prelude 8011
chart position: UK #11
written by: Rodney Brown and Willie Lester
album: You Got What It Takes
comments: [disco funk boogie]
Bobby Thurston Check Out the Groove
1980 Prelude
86 record label: Mercury 76089
chart position: RandB #8, US #40, US dance #25
written by: Michael Cooper
album: Touch
comments: [funk]
Con Funk Shun Too Tight
1980 Mercury
87 record label: Island 6617 (UK)
chart position: UK #11
written by: Daniel Vangarde, Alex Francfort and Nelly Byl
album: On The Riviera
comments: [disco]
Gibson Brothers Mariana
1980 Island
88 record label: Island 6483
chart position: UK #12
written by: Daniel Vangarde and Jean Kluger
album: Cuba
comments: [disco]
Gibson Brothers Cuba
1980 Island
89 record label: P.I.R. 3107
chart position: RandB #3, US #52, US dance #52
written by: Ken Hirsch & Ronald Miller [Ronald Dean Miller] (as Ron Miller)
album: TP
comments: [ballad]  
Teddy Pendergrass Can't We Try
1980 P.I.R.
90 record label: Motown 1490
chart position: RandB #32, US #34
written by: Stevie Wonder
album: Let's Get Serious
comments: [Motown Sound]
Jermaine Jackson You're Supposed to Keep Your Love for Me
1980 Motown
91 record label: De lite 38
chart position: UK #13
written by: Josh Armstead and Milton Middlebrook
album: Slippin' and Dippin'
comments: [disco]
Coffee Casanova
1980 De lite
92 record label: Warner 17712
chart position: RandB #2, US #86, US dance #19
written by: Roger (as Roger Troutman)
album: Zapp
comments: [funk]
Zapp More Bounce to the Ounce
1980 Warner
93 record label: Columbia 11239
chart position: RandB #3, US #46
written by: Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
album: About Love
Gladys Knight & the Pips Landlord
1980 Columbia
94 record label: TSOP 4790
chart position: RandB #3, US #55
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: The Year 2000
comments: [philly sound]
The O'Jays Girl, Don't Let It Get You Down
1980 TSOP
95 record label: AandM 2283
chart position: RandB #19, US #40
written by: Billy Osborne, Jeffrey Osborne & Richard Kerr
album: Shine On
comments: [ballad]  
L.T.D. Shine On
1980 A&M
96 record label: Gordy 7183
chart position: RandB #11, US #43, US dance #23
written by: Angelo Bond, Berry Gordy & J. Mayer
album: Power
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Temptations Power
1980 Gordy
97 record label: Believe In A Dream 5600
chart position: RandB #6, US #89, US dance #22
written by: Nick Mann, Bill Beard & Chet Fortune
album: The Awakening
comments: [disco funk]
The Reddings Remote Control
1980 Believe In A Dream
98 record label: ARC 11407
chart position: RandB #10, US #48, US AC #30
written by: David Foster, Brenda Russell & Maurice White
Earth, Wind & Fire You
1980 ARC
99 record label: Arista 0569
chart position: RandB #3, US #56
written by: Phil Perry & Chuck Jackson
album: Aretha [1980 album]
comments: [ballad]
Aretha Franklin United Together
1980 Arista
100 record label: Arista 12323
chart position: RandB #12, UK #47, US #101, US dance #6
written by: James Mtume & Reggie Lucas
album: You Know How to Love Me
comments: [disco dance]
Phyllis Hyman You Know How to Love Me
1980 Arista


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next >






Log in to use playlist feature
(no registration required)