Top 100 Best Selling R&B Soul Songs of 1986

Below is a list of the best selling Soul R&B songs from 1986, 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 1986.

(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: MCA 52770
chart position: RandB #1, UK #2, US #1, US AC #2
written by: Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager
album: Winner in You
 		Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald On My Own
1986 MCA
2 record label: Warner Bros.
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #6, US dance #1
written by: Prince
album: Parade
 		Prince Kiss
1986 Warner Bros.
3 record label: Columbia 06191
chart position: RandB #1, UK #6, US #1, US AC #2
written by: Gregory Abbott
album: Shake You Down
 		Gregory Abbott Shake You Down
1986 Columbia
4 record label: AandM 2861
chart position: RandB #3, US #1, UK #8, US dance #1, US AC #3
written by: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
album: Crash
 		The Human League Human
1986 A&M
5 record label: Elektra 69564
chart position: RandB #29, UK #2, US #1
written by: Mick Hucknall & Neil Moss
album: Picture Book
 		Simply Red Holding Back the Years
1986 Elektra
6 record label: Arista 9466
chart position: RandB #3, UK #8, US #1, US AC #1
written by: Linda Creed & Michael Masser
album: Whitney Houston
 		Whitney Houston Greatest Love of All
1986 Arista
7 record label: Atlantic 89446
chart position: RandB #2, UK #2, US #3, US dance #1, S AC #38
written by: John Smith
album: Poolside
 		Nu Shooz I Can't Wait
1986 Atlantic
8 record label: Jive 1754
chart position: RandB #1, UK #12, US #1, US AC #1
written by: Billy Ocean, Wayne Anton Braithwaite & Barry Eastmond (as Barry James Eastmond)
album: Love Zone
 		Billy Ocean There'll Be Sad Songs
1986 Jive
9 record label: Manhattan 50047
chart position: RandB #7, UK #3, US #2, US AC #37, US dance #1
written by: Robbie Nevil, Duncan Pain & Mark Holding
album: Robbie Nevil
 		Robbie Nevil C'est la vie
1986 Manhattan
10 record label: AandM 2855
chart position: RandB #3, US #1, UK #10, US dance #1, US AC #10
written by: Jimmy Jam (as James Harris III), Terry Lewis & Janet Jackson
album: Control
 		Janet Jackson When I Think of You
1986 A&M
11 record label: Atlanta Artists 884 933
chart position: RandB #1, UK #3, US #6, US dance #1
written by: Larry Blackmon & Tomi Jenkins
album: Word Up!
comments: [funk]
 		Cameo Word Up
1986 Atlanta Artists
12 record label: Atlantic 89361
chart position: UK #1, US #9, US AC #10
written by: Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
album: Stand By Me: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
comments: [re release]
 		Ben E. King Stand by Me
1986 Atlantic
13 record label: Motown 1843
chart position: RandB #6, UK #7, US #2, US AC #3
written by: Mike Frenchik, Lionel Richie & Carlos Rios
album: Dancing on the Ceiling
 		Lionel Richie Dancing on the Ceiling
1986 Motown
14 record label: AandM 2812
chart position: RandB #1, UK #3, US #4, US dance #2, US AC #38
written by: Jimmy Jam (as James Harris III), Terry Lewis & Janet Jackson
album: Control
 		Janet Jackson What Have You Done for Me Lately
1986 A&M
15 record label: SMP 3 (UK)
chart position: UK #1
written by: Berry Gordy and Billy Davis [Roquel Davis] (as Tyran Carlo)
 		Jackie Wilson Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl in Town)
1986 SMP
16 record label: Revue 733
chart position: UK #1
written by: Ben Peters
album: Everything To Me
comments: [Reggae]
 		Boris Gardiner I Wanna Wake Up with You
1986 Revue
17 record label: MCA 52774
chart position: RandB #4, UK #5, US #3, US dance #4
written by: Jerry Knight & Aaron Zigman
album: The Jets
 		The Jets Crush on You
1986 MCA
18 record label: Def Jam 7303 (UK)
chart position: RandB #1, UK #4, US #9, US dance #7
written by: Vincent F. Bell
album: Juice
 		Oran Juice Jones The Rain
1986 Def Jam
19 record label: Profile 5112
chart position: RandB #8, UK #8, US #4, US dance #6
written by: Steven Tyler & Joe Perry
album: Raising Hell
 		Run-D.M.C. featuring Aerosmith Walk This Way
1986 Profile
20 record label: Ten Records 96
chart position: RandB #64, UK #2, US #5, US dance #41
written by: Narada Michael Walden & Preston Glass
album: Frantic Romantic
 		Jermaine Stewart We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off
1986 Ten Records
21 record label: AandM 2830
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #19, US dance #2
written by: Jimmy Jam (as James Harris III), Terry Lewis & Janet Jackson
album: Control
comments: [dance]
 		Janet Jackson Nasty
1986 A&M
22 record label: Carrere 400
chart position: RandB #54, US #2, US AC #1
written by: Jay Gruska & Paul Gordon
album: Carl Anderson/Gloria Loring
comments: [love ballad]
 		Gloria Loring & Carl Anderson Friends and Lovers
1986 Carrere
23 record label: Capitol 5615
chart position: RandB #3, US #2, UK #33, US dance #11, US AC #23
written by: Terry Britten & Graham Lyle
album: Break Every Rule
comments: [disco funk]
 		Tina Turner Typical Male
1986 Capitol
24 record label: Tent 40901 (UK)
chart position: UK #2
written by: Billy Livsey and Peter Sinfield
album: Silk and Steel
comments: [pop soul]
 		Five Star Rain or Shine
1986 Tent
25 record label: MCA 52857
chart position: RandB #17, US #7, UK #12, US dance #8, US AC #4
written by: Rod Temperton
album: Running Scared: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
comments: [dance]
 		Michael McDonald Sweet Freedom
1986 MCA
26 record label: Fanfare 7 (UK)
chart position: UK #2
written by: James George Hargreaves
album: Sinitta!
comments: [disco dance]
 		Sinitta So Macho
1986 Fanfare
27 record label: Motown 1873
chart position: RandB #5, UK #17, US #7, US AC #1
written by: Lionel Richie
album: Dancing on the Ceiling
 		Lionel Richie Ballerina Girl
1986 Motown
28 record label: Gordy 1842
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, US dance #10, US AC #18
written by: Ina Wolf
album: El DeBarge
 		El DeBarge Who's Johnny (Short Circuit Theme)
1986 Gordy
29 record label: Elektra 44
chart position: RandB #2, US #8, UK #13, US AC #3
written by: Anita Baker, Gary Bias & Louis Johnson
album: Rapture...
 		Anita Baker Sweet Love
1986 Elektra
30 record label: MCA 52968
chart position: RandB #2, US #3, UK #79, US AC #1
written by: Rupert Holmes
album: The Jets
comments: [beat ballad]
 		The Jets You Got It All
1986 MCA
31 record label: AandM 2877
chart position: RandB #1, US #5, UK #42, US dance #1
written by: Jimmy Jam (as James Harris III), Terry Lewis & Janet Jackson
album: Control
 		Janet Jackson Control
1986 A&M
32 record label: Mercury 888 016
chart position: UK #4, US #6, US Dance #12, US AC #1
written by: Andy Connell, Corinne Drewery and Martin Jackson
album: It's Better to Travel
comments: [jazz funk]
 		Swing Out Sister Breakout
1986 Mercury
33 record label: Tent 40515 (UK)
chart position: UK #3
written by: Billy Livsey and Gary Bell
album: Luxury of Life
comments: [pop soul]
 		Five Star System Addict
1986 Tent
34 record label: Jay 7001
chart position: RandB #1, US #8, UK #13, US dance #1
written by: Marcus Thompson, Michael Marshall & Alex Hill
album: Vicious Rumors
 		Timex Social Club Rumors
1986 Jay
35 record label: Warner Bros. 7 28818
chart position: RandB #4, UK #23, US #10, US AC #2
written by: Jimmy Jam (as James Harris III) & Terry Lewis
album: Chillin'
comments: [sweet soul] [love ballad]
 		The Force M.D.s Tender Love
1986 Warner Bros.
36 record label: Motown 1866
chart position: RandB #2, UK #45, US #9, US AC #1
written by: Greg Phillinganes, Lionel Richie & Cynthia Weil
album: Dancing on the Ceiling
 		Lionel Richie Love Will Conquer All
1986 Motown
37 record label: Jive 9510
chart position: RandB #1, US #10, UK #49, US AC #5
written by: Billy Ocean, Wayne Anton Braithwaite & Barry Eastmond (as Barry James Eastmond)
album: Love Zone
 		Billy Ocean Love Zone
1986 Jive
38 record label: Mercury 888 074
chart position: RandB #2, US #10, UK #30, US dance #35, US AC #35
written by: Ronald Bell (as Khalis Bayyan), Kool & the Gang & James
album: Forever
 		Kool & the Gang Victory
1986 Mercury
39 record label: Columbia 05844
chart position: RandB #3, US #8
written by: Full Force
album: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force
comments: [love ballad]
 		Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam All Cried Out
1986 Columbia
40 record label: Atlantic 89417
chart position: US dance #1, RandB #30, US #10
written by: Stephen Bray, Regina [Regina Richards] & Mary Kessler
album: Curiosity
comments: [pop soul]
 		Regina Baby Love
1986 Atlantic
41 record label: Polydor 885 106
chart position: RandB #1, UK #5, US #42, US dance #1
written by: Gwen Guthrie
album: Good to Go Lover
comments: [disco funk]
 		Gwen Guthrie Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But the Rent
1986 Polydor
42 record label: Epic 06523
chart position: RandB #1, US #15, UK #24, US dance #27, US AC #7
written by: Luther Vandross & Nat Adderley Jr.
album: Give Me the Reason
comments: [disco, boogie]
 		Luther Vandross Stop to Love
1986 Epic
43 record label: 21 Records 99497
chart position: RandB #5, UK #8, US #21
written by: Donna Allen, Emridge Jones & Lou Pace (as Louis Pace)
album: Perfect Timing
 		Donna Allen Serious
1986 Records
44 record label: MCA 52947
chart position: RandB #1, US #9, UK #60, US AC #24
written by: Melvin Riley
album: Long Time Coming
comments: [love ballad]
 		Ready for the World Love You Down
1986 MCA
45 record label: Supreme 107
chart position: US dance #1, RandB #23, UK #3, US #78
written by: Mike Stock, Matt Aitken & Pete Waterman
album: F.L.M.
comments: [dance, boogie]
 		Mel & Kim Showing Out
1986 Supreme
46 record label: AandM 2814
chart position: RandB #2, US #13, US AC #2
written by: Andy Goldmark & Bruce Roberts
album: Emotional
comments: [beat ballad]
 		Jeffrey Osborne You Should Be Mine
1986 A&M
47 record label: Tamla 1832
chart position: RandB #8, UK #17, US #24, US AC #1
written by: Stevie Wonder
album: In Square Circle
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Stevie Wonder Overjoyed
1986 Tamla
48 record label: Jive 9540
chart position: RandB #10, US #16, UK #34, US AC #1
written by: Billy Ocean, Wayne Anton Braithwaite & Barry Eastmond (as Barry James Eastmond)
album: Love Zone
comments: [love ballad]
 		Billy Ocean Love Is Forever
1986 Jive
49 record label: RCA 14421
chart position: RandB #7, UK #7, US #41, US dance #5
written by: Sue Sheridan & Paul Chiten
album: Silk and Steel
 		Five Star Can't Wait Another Minute
1986 RCA
50 record label: Atlanta Artists 888 193
chart position: RandB #1, US #21, UK #27, US dance #10
written by: Larry Blackmon & Tomi Jenkins
album: Word Up!
comments: [funk]
 		Cameo Candy
1986 Atlanta Artists
51 record label: Warner 28583
chart position: UK #4
written by: Randy Crawford
album: Abstract Emotions
comments: [love ballad]
 		Randy Crawford Almaz
1986 Warner
52 record label: Arista 655 (UK)
chart position: RandB #14, US #16, UK #96, US AC #5
written by: Jermaine Jackson, Michael Omartian & Stevie Wonder
album: Precious Moments
 		Jermaine Jackson I Think It's Love
1986 Arista
53 record label: Arista 9453
chart position: RandB #9, US #22, UK #54, US dance #4, US AC #21
written by: Beppe Cantarelli & Roy Freeland
album: Who's Zoomin' Who?
 		Aretha Franklin Another Night
1986 Arista
54 record label: Total Experience 2700
chart position: RandB #8, UK #4
written by: Lonnie Simmons & Rudy Taylor
album: Gap Band 8
comments: [disco funk boogie]
 		The Gap Band Big Fun
1986 Total Experience
55 record label: Solar 69525
chart position: RandB #7, UK #8, US #42
written by: Bo Watson & June Watson Williams
album: Headlines
comments: [disco dance]
 		Midnight Star Midas Touch
1986 Solar
56 record label: Tabu 05848
chart position: RandB #2, UK #17, US #44, US dance #8
written by: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
album: Sands of Time
comments: [disco funk boogie]
 		The S.O.S. Band The Finest
1986 Tabu
57 record label: Motown 1858
chart position: RandB #7, US #21, US dance #11
written by: Nick Mundy, Franne Golde & Paul Fox
album: Chico DeBarge
 		Chico DeBarge Talk to Me
1986 Motown
58 record label: Atlantic 9392
chart position: US dance #1, RandB #36, UK #48, US #28
written by: John Smith & Valerie Day
album: Poolside
 		Nu Shooz Point of No Return
1986 Atlantic
59 record label: Arista 9546
chart position: RandB #2, US #28, UK #46, US dance #19, US AC #17
written by: Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen, Lisa Walden
album: Aretha [1986 album]
 		Aretha Franklin Jimmy Lee
1986 Arista
60 record label: Portrait 05846
chart position: RandB #8, UK #89, US #20, US AC #6
written by: Sade Adu & Stuart Matthewman
album: Promise
 		Sade Never As Good As the First Time
1986 Portrait
61 record label: MCA 52841
chart position: RandB #43, US #15, UK #86, US dance #18
written by: Rod Temperton
album: Klymaxx
 		Klymaxx Man Size Love
1986 MCA
62 record label: MCA 52877
chart position: RandB #7, UK #26, US #29
written by: Andy Goldmark & Bruce Roberts
album: Winner in You
 		Patti LaBelle Oh, People
1986 MCA
63 record label: EMI 7
chart position: UK #7, US Dance #15
written by: Derek Bramble
album: Breaking Away
 		Jaki Graham Set Me Free
1986 EMI
64 record label: Paisley Park 28711
chart position: RandB #15, US #23, UK #45, US dance #11
written by: Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman & Prince
album: Parade
 		Prince Mountains
1986 Paisley Park
65 record label: MCA 52905
chart position: RandB #3, US #21
written by: Curtis Williams, Jesse Belvin & Gaynel Hodge
album: Under the Blue Moon
 		New Edition Earth Angel
1986 MCA
66 record label: Warner 28588
chart position: RandB #17, US #27, US dance #9, UK #95
written by: Carl Sturken & Evan Rogers
album: Private Passion
comments: disco dance boogie
 		Jeff Lorber & Karyn White Facts of Love
1986 Warner
67 record label: Select 62267
chart position: RandB #17, UK #7, US dance #18
written by: Whistle, Kangol (as The Kangol Kid) & Howie Tee
album: Whistle
comments: [hip hop]
 		Whistle (Nothin' Serious) Just Buggin'
1986 Select
68 record label: Arista 9528
chart position: RandB #20, UK #58, US #21, US dance #33, US rock #36
written by: Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
album: Aretha [1986 album]
 		Aretha Franklin Jumpin' Jack Flash
1986 Arista
69 record label: RCA 14326
chart position: UK #12, US #14, US dance #7
written by: Dr. Robert
album: Animal Magic
 		The Blow Monkeys Digging Your Scene
1986 RCA
70 record label: Manhattan 10
chart position: RandB #25, US #22, US dance #9
written by: Carl Sturken, Evan Rogers, Jeff Pescetto & David Grant
album: One Step Closer
 		Gavin Christopher One Step Closer to You
1986 Manhattan
71 record label: Solar 69547
chart position: RandB #3, UK #16, US #69, US dance #34
written by: Bill Simmons, Vincent Calloway, Belinda Lipscomb, Reggie Calloway, Melvin Gentry & Bobby Lovelace
album: Headlines
comments: [disco funk]
 		Midnight Star Headlines
1986 Solar
72 record label: Tent 40981
chart position: RandB #13, UK #15, US #67, US dance #26
written by: Michael Margules (as Michael Jay) & Marvin Morrow
album: Silk and Steel
comments: [pop soul]
 		Five Star If I Say Yes
1986 Tent
73 record label: Profile 5119
chart position: RandB #12, US #29, UK #42, US dance #44
written by: DJ Run (as Joseph Simmons), DMC (as Darryl McDaniels) & Jam Master Jay (as Jason Mizell)
album: Raising Hell
comments: [hip hop]
 		Run-D.M.C. You Be Illin
1986 Profile
74 record label: Motown 1859
chart position: RandB #4, US dance #2, US #48, UK #76
written by: Arnie Roman & Stephen Lunt (as Stephen Broughton Lunt)
album: Take Me All The Way
 		Stacy Lattisaw Nail It to the Wall
1986 Motown
75 record label: Capitol 5644
chart position: RandB #18, UK #43, US #30, US AC #12
written by: Terry Britten & Graham Lyle
album: Break Every Rule
 		Tina Turner Two People
1986 Capitol
76 record label: MCA 52773
chart position: RandB #7, UK #24, US dance #1
written by: Colonel Abrams & Marston Freeman
album: Colonel Abrams
comments: [disco, dance, boogie]
 		Colonel Abrams I'm Not Gonna Let You
1986 MCA
77 record label: RCA 5062
chart position: RandB #17, US #33, UK #78, US dance #7, US AC #27
written by: Andy Goldmark & Bruce Roberts
album: Hot Together
 		The Pointer Sisters Goldmine
1986 RCA
78 record label: Chrysalis 42965
chart position: RandB #65, UK #8, US dance #31
written by: Paul Hardcastle
album: Paul Hardcastle
comments: (feat. Carol Kenyon)
 		Paul Hardcastle Don't Waste My Time
1986 Chrysalis
79 record label: Elektra 69511
chart position: RandB #6, US #37, UK #51, US AC #9
written by: Garry Glenn & Dianne Quander
album: Rapture...
 		Anita Baker Caught Up in the Rapture
1986 Elektra
80 record label: MCA 52768
chart position: RandB #3, US #38, US dance #16
written by: Christine Perren & Richard Wyatt Jr.
album: All for Love
 		New Edition A Little Bit of Love
1986 MCA
81 record label: Capitol 5616
chart position: RandB #1, UK #73, US #41
written by: Freddie Jackson & Paul Laurence
album: Just Like the First Time
 		Freddie Jackson Tasty Love
1986 Capitol
82 record label: AandM 2878
chart position: RandB #2, US #53, US dance #12
weeksinr&bchart: 18
written by: Jesse Johnson
album: Shockadelica
 		Jesse Johnson featuring Sly Stone Crazay
1986 A&M
83 record label: AandM 2822
chart position: RandB #4, UK #48, US #57, US AC #11
written by: Hamish Stuart
album: As the Band Turns
comments: [ballad]  
 		Atlantic Starr If Your Heart Isn't in It
1986 A&M
84 record label: AandM 2821
chart position: RandB #6, UK #1, US #1, US dance #4
written by: Rob Bolland, Ferdi Bolland & Falco
album: Falco 3
 		Falco Rock Me Amadeus
1986 A&M
85 record label: Polydor 885 358
chart position: RandB #2, UK #43, US #65
written by: Dennis Lambert, Andy Goldmark & Franne Golde
album: United
 		The Commodores Goin' to the Bank
1986 Polydor
86 record label: Capitol 5523
chart position: RandB #1, US #46
written by: Andre Cymone & Prince
album: Do Me Baby
comments: [slow jam]
 		Meli'sa Morgan Do Me Baby
1986 Capitol
87 record label: Manhattan 15
chart position: RandB #9, UK #56, US #69, US dance #4
written by: Grace Jones & Bruce Woolley
album: Inside Story
 		Grace Jones I'm Not Perfect
1986 Manhattan
88 record label: MCA 52976
chart position: RandB #1, UK #27, US dance #42
written by: Carl McIntosh, Jane Eugene & Steve Nichol
album: Zagora
 		Loose Ends Slow Down
1986 MCA
89 record label: Gordy 1857
chart position: RandB #7, US #43, US AC #8
written by: Burt Bacharach, Bruce Roberts & Carole Bayer Sager
album: El DeBarge
comments: [love ballad]
 		El DeBarge Love Always
1986 Gordy
90 record label: Epic 650216
chart position: RandB #3, UK #60, US #57
written by: Luther Vandross & Nat Adderley Jr.
album: Give Me the Reason
comments: [disco, boogie]
 		Luther Vandross Give Me the Reason
1986 Epic
91 record label: Paisley Park 28620
chart position: RandB #18, UK #36, US #63, US dance #21
written by: Prince
album: Parade
 		Prince Another lover hole nyohead
1986 Paisley Park
92 record label: Warner 28671
chart position: RandB #21, UK #52, US #53, US dance #11
written by: David Gamson & Green Gartside
album: Destiny
comments: [disco, funk, boogie]
 		Chaka Khan Love of a Lifetime
1986 Warner
93 record label: Sleeping Bag 19
chart position: RandB #61, UK #32, US dance #1
written by: John Fair
comments: [disco dance]
 		Dhar Braxton Jump Back (Set Me Free)
1986 Sleeping Bag
94 record label: MCA 52866
chart position: RandB #1, US #57
written by: Larry White, Lee Peters & Kirk Crumpler
album: King of Stage
comments: [love ballad]
 		Bobby Brown Girlfriend
1986 MCA
95 record label: Mercury 884 271
chart position: RandB #1, US #62, US dance #47
written by: Rene Moore & Angela Winbush
album: Street Called Desire
comments: [love ballad]
 		René & Angela Your Smile
1986 Mercury
96 record label: Warner 28523
chart position: RandB #16, UK #19
written by: Narada Michael Walden, Preston Glass & Suzanne Valentine
album: While the City Sleeps
comments: [disco, funk, boogie]
 		George Benson Shiver
1986 Warner
97 record label: Motown 1833
chart position: RandB #9, US #56, US dance #6
written by: Robbie Nevil & Tommy Faragher
album: Skin on Skin
 		Vanity Under the Influence
1986 Motown
98 record label: Capitol 422 (UK)
chart position: RandB #4, UK #79, US #84
written by: Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
album: Real Love
 		Ashford & Simpson Count Your Blessings
1986 Capitol
99 record label: Capitol 5632
chart position: RandB #1, UK #96
written by: Gene McFadden, James McKinley and Linda Vitali
album: A Lot of Love
comments: [love ballad]
 		Melba Moore with Freddie Jackson A Little Bit More
1986 Capitol
100 record label: Elektra 69561
chart position: RandB #11, US dance #13, US #46
written by: Ernesto Phillips & Keith Diamond
album: Restless
comments: [disco, funk, boogie]
 		Starpoint Restless
1986 Elektra


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