Others tried to do what he did, but nobody could do what he did (like he could do it, baby). The best Barry White songs may have made him the boss of bedroom soul (and the ruler of songs with brackets in their titles), but if you are stuck with the idea that he was an example of 70s excess, you should kick back and really listen. This guy had the funk, the soul, and the disco down to a T.
Here are 20 thrilling tracks from The Man and his talented allies such as Love Unlimited and The Love Unlimited Orchestra. They are sexy, steamy, and romantic, yes, but also full of the real low-down slow-jam swing. Once you’ve heard Barry White, the others just don’t do it right…
Think we’ve missed some of your best Barry White songs? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Listen to the best Barry White songs on Apple Music and Spotify.
20: You’re The First, The Last, My Everything
A Barry White anthem, declaring undying devotion on his 1974 Can’t Get Enough album. The melody is logical, churning through the chord changes, while Love Unlimited offer vocal support. The White machine was in full flow for this monster.
You're The First, The Last, My Everything
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19: You See The Trouble With Me
Barry is lost without his woman – no surprise, given his evident fixation on love and romance. A huge UK pop hit, “You See The Trouble With Me” somehow didn’t match this success in the States. Listen for the superb guitar figures provided by future Ghostbusters theme-song star Ray Parker, Jr, who played on numerous Barry classics and co-wrote this one.
You See The Trouble With Me
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18: Your Sweetness Is My Weakness
Barry White produced this song for singer Jackie Lee – aka Earl Nelson of “Harlem Shuffle” hitmakers Bob And Earl – in 1970, and Lee returned to it using the alias Jay Dee, under White’s supervision, in 1974. But Barry’s brilliantly arranged disco cut ruled, and was the key track on his 1978 album The Man. That vocal… so calm, so in control.
Your Sweetness Is My Weakness
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17: Move Me No Mountain (Love Unlimited)
Pure class: perfect and precise mid-70s soul from the group that comprised Barry’s wife, Glodean, her sister Linda, and Diane Taylor. The White stuff is here, but the feel is so tender: they don’t want a hero, they want someone who really cares. From the collectible, much-pirated Love Unlimited album In Heat (1974).
Move Me No Mountain
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16: It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down With Me
The hard-edged opening groove: can this really be Barry? It was, and was a massive hit in 1977, refreshing his commercial appeal. Sound familiar? Some of it was rehashed on Robbie Williams’ “Rock DJ.”
It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me
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15: It’s Only Love Doing Its Thing
A superbad intimate slow jam, perfect for a spot of two-step strutting or a seduction scene. From the album The Man, “It’s Only Love Doing Its Thing” was picked up by Simply Red, who covered it as “It’s Only Love.”
14: Sweet Moments (Love Unlimited Orchestra)
This halting, quiet storm of a song has a pensive, underplayed feel, full of badass Barry White bedroom funk. The original B-side of the 1973 hit “Love’s Theme,” it deserves more attention in its own right.
Sweet Moments - The Love Unlimited Orchestra
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13: Standing In The Shadows Of Love
On the first song from White’s first solo album, I’ve Got So Much To Give, Barry pays tribute to Motown, one of his key influences. Those who say he borrowed a lot from Isaac Hayes could cite the feel of this Four Tops cover as evidence, but within the same album, Barry flew beyond Hayes’ powerful gravitational pull.
Standing In The Shadows Of Love
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12: Never, Never Gonna Give You Up
Barry White sounds dark and obsessed on this song from his Stone Gon’ album. He ain’t letting you go. Never, never.
Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up
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11: I’ve Found Someone
Presumably, he meant Glodean, Mrs. White. From Barry White’s first album, the lover man plays it low, slow and sincere on a tune with a Philly feel.
10: Satin Soul (Love Unlimited Orchestra)
Barry White’s backing group, The Love Unlimited Orchestra, cut records in their own right under Barry’s production umbrella, with White and orchestrator Gene Page running this tight ship. “Satin Soul,” from their 1974 album White Gold, was an early disco monster, covered by artists as diverse as Boris Gardiner and Henry Mancini, as well as Page, who delivered his own version.
9: You’re The One I Need
The chilling strings, the heavy slow groove: it must be late 70s Barry White. This pulse-stirring song from 1979’s The Message Is Love album was sampled a couple of times by Tupac Shakur, and looped by Heavy D and Big Daddy Kane, but the original is still the daddy.
8: What Am I Gonna Do With You
The groove on this song is so slick and tight, it’s like Barry White pushed a button and it came out 3D printed. But this is no robotic proto-disco workout: listen to the big man’s agony here. He can’t deal with the passion his woman is putting on him, it’s just too strong.
What Am I Gonna Do With You
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7: Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe
Barry White is insatiable – but only for you. He knows this unstoppable desire is beyond control and he admits he finds himself screaming – which, in reality, Barry doesn’t often do. He’s actually a rather controlled vocalist who picks his asides carefully. This wickedly driven steady groover was a US No.1 in 1974, and donated a title to his only US No.1 pop album, Can’t Get Enough. His fans really couldn’t.
Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe
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6: I’m Qualified To Satisfy You
From 1977’s Is This Whatcha Wont?, Barry White has what it takes for bedtime satisfaction – and we’re talking licks more than Horlicks. The album went beyond Barry’s usual limits of propriety; that sounds like a mild cuss word in the fourth line of the song. And that guitar? Is it implying a fast-flicking tongue? You decide.
I'm Qualified To Satisfy You (Edit)
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5: Playing Your Game, Baby
Almost a blueprint for hip-hop, “Playing Your Game, Baby” is like a groove loop played by humans, with occasional icy string stabs that could easily be scratches. Barry is locked in a sexy, perhaps even kinky game with his lover. Everyone wins.
Playing Your Game, Baby
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4: Let The Music Play
A hit single in 1975 and title track of an album issued the following year, which offers a longer cut that presents us with a picture of Barry trudging the streets alone before heading for a disco in the hope of forgetting a failing relationship. It won’t work, Barry, you care too much.
Let The Music Play
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3: All Because Of You
Gentle as a falling feather, this gloriously sensitive tune is pure symphonic soul, with churning guitars, strings like silk sheets and so much space in the mix. From 1975’s utterly mighty album Just Another Way To Say I Love You.
2: You’re So Good, You’re Bad
Another thriller from the Sings For Someone You Love album, this taking-its-time groover has a light-steppin’, Latin feel (Barry White cut a few songs with a Latin vibe) and keeps the vocal content to a minimum. The music is enough of a loving message in itself.
1: I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby
Those opening drums are among the most sampled sounds in hip-hop, but “I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby” stands entirely on its own merits as the utterly arresting song that launched Barry White’s solo chart career and introduced the world to his personal brand of funky soul. But Barry lied: he loved us so much more than a little.
I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby
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Looking for more? Discover how Barry White’s romantic soul seduced the world.
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FAQs
What was Barry White's biggest song? ›
1: I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby
But Barry lied: he loved us so much more than a little.
Barry White scored his only UK Singles Chart Number 1 in 1974 with You're My First, My Last, My Everything and went on to rule the rest of the decade with songs that had lengthy titles and sold over 100 million records worldwide.
How old was Barry White when he died? ›Barry White, whose deep voice and lushly orchestrated songs added up to soundtracks for seduction, died yesterday in Los Angeles. He was 58. A statement released by his manager, Ned Shankman, said the cause was kidney failure caused by hypertension. In his songs, Mr.
What songs are Barry White known for? ›- "What Am I Gonna Do with You" - 3:33.
- "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" - 4:35.
- "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" - 4:31.
- "Honey Please, Can't Ya See" - 3:14.
- "Love Serenade" - 7:06.
- "Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up" - 4:50.
- "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby" - 4:12.
They are best known for their million-selling instrumental track "Pick Up the Pieces", and their albums AWB and Cut the Cake.
Who wrote the most great songs? ›He is in the Guinness Book of World Records . Irving Berlin wrote more than 1,500 songs, including scores for 20 Broadway shows.
Who had 7 number 1 hits in a row? ›Music historians cite Whitney's record-setting achievements: the only artist to have seven consecutive number one Billboard Hot 100 hits ("Saving All My Love for You," "How Will I Know," "Greatest Love of All," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)," "Didn't We Almost Have It All," "So Emotional" and "Where Do ...
Who has the most consecutive number 1 hits? ›With the release of her single "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" in early '88, Whitney Houston set the record as the only artist ever to reach the milestone of seven consecutive No. 1 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Who has the most #1 hits in history? ›The Beatles, unsurprisingly, lead the way with a record 20 No. 1s, all earned between 1964 and 1970.
Who inherited Barry White's money? ›Although his estate was estimated to be worth $20 Million Barry White had not updated his Will for many years. Although Barry and his second wife Glodean had been separated for many years, they had not divorced, therefore Glodean inherited his estate. His partner Katherine Denton received nothing.
How old is Barry Allen when he dies in the comics? ›
He first forms the Rogues. 14 years ago - 29-year-old Barry takes on Wally West as his apprentice & sidekick Kid Flash at the suggestion of Iris West when he gains similar powers in a lab accident. Roscoe Dillon's powers flare. He attacks the Rogues and battles Barry, ultimately dying as the Speed Force consumes him.
What was Barry White's net worth? ›What was Barry White's net worth? Barry White was an American singer-songwriter who had a net worth of $20 million at the time of his death in 2003 at the age of 58.
What voice type was Barry White? ›Barry White didn't have a particularly great voice -- his gruffly warm baritone made up in character what it lacked in range.
Whose voice is deeper than Barry White? ›Axl Rose has a lower baritone than Barry White, and can reach higher notes than Tina Turner and Beyoncé.
What was Barry White's first song? ›Born in Galveston, Texas, Barry White grew up singing gospel songs with his mother and taught himself to play piano. He made his first record when he was 16 with a group called the Upfronts. The song was called "Little Girl" and released on a local L.A. label.
What is the 1 most listened to band of all time? ›According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.
Which band broke the most records? ›Guinness World Records holds that Iron Maiden has the most songs — 51 — featured in video games than any other metal artist.
Who is number 1 song writer of all time? ›| Rank | Name | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bob Dylan | May 24, 1941 – present |
| 2 | Paul McCartney | June 18, 1942 – present |
| 3 | John Lennon | October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980 |
| 4 | Chuck Berry | October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017 |
"Old Town Road" holds the record for the longest stretch at No. 1 with 19 weeks.
What is the shortest number 1 hits? ›
The Shortest Hot 100 Hits
While it just misses the second list above, Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs' “Stay” is the shortest No. 1: just 1:38 in length. The classic led the Nov. 21, 1960, Hot 100.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
The group has the most No. 2-peaking hits without a No. 1: five. They reached the runner-up slot with “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Green River,” “Travelin' Band/Who'll Stop the Rain” and “Lookin' Out My Back Door/Long As I Can See the Light.”
Elvis Presley, recognised as the best-selling solo music artist of all time by Guinness World Records, sold over 400.
Who was the youngest artist to have a #1 song? ›When the track reached No. 1, Stevie became the youngest solo artist to have topped the Billboard Hot 100 – though another future Motown superstar, Michael Jackson, was aged just 11 years 155 days when The Jackson Five's “I Want You Back” topped the Billboard charts in January 1970.
What band had 6 consecutive #1 hits? ›Did you know that the Bee Gees are the only group in pop history to write, produce, and record SIX consecutive chart-topping singles? 1977's Saturday Night Fever and the 1978's Spirits Having Flown combine to yield a total of six number one hits!
What is the biggest selling album of all time? ›Taking the top spot of the original studio record with the highest number of albums sold in the U.S. is Michael Jackson's “Thriller” at 33 million. From the titular “Thriller” to other singles like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” this 1982 release is jam-packed with hits and deserves every ounce of recognition.
Who sold most albums ever? ›Perhaps unsurprisingly, British rock band The Beatles are top of the list for best-selling artists worldwide, with 183 million units certified sales. Second is Garth Brooks with over 157 million units sales, followed by Elvis Presley with 139 million units.
What are the top 3 songs of all time? ›- 1 Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen. ...
- 2 Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin. ...
- 3 Imagine - John Lennon. ...
- 4 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana. ...
- 5 One - Metallica. ...
- 6 Hotel California - Eagles. ...
- 7 Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd. ...
- 8 Hey Jude - The Beatles.
Barry White was one of the most successful soul and disco artists of the 1970s, and his music still lives on nearly 20 years after his death in 2003.
What was Barry White famous for? ›The American singer-songwriter had many hits in the 1970s, and recorded some of the most enduring songs of the soul, funk and disco era. Best known for hits including 'You're the First, the Last, My Everything' and 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe', Barry White sold over 100 million records worldwide.
How many #1 songs did Barry Manilow have? ›
He has recorded and released 51 Top 40 singles on the Adult Contemporary Chart, including 13 that hit number one, 28 that appeared within the top ten, and 36 that reached the top twenty.
Which Barry White album reached number one in 1974? ›...
Year-end charts.
| Chart (1974) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Canada | 137 |
| UK Singles | 32 |
Astonishingly, although he went on to become a masterful musician, Barry never learned how to read music. Everything that would follow came directly from his head, initially dictated to a producer or arranger.
Who has the deepest natural voice? ›Tim Storms (born August 28, 1972) is an American singer and composer. He holds the Guinness World Record for both the "lowest note produced by a human" and the "widest vocal range".
Who has the strongest voice in history? ›- 1 of 35. Celine Dion. Kevin Winter/Getty Images. ...
- 2 of 35. Barbra Streisand. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for BSB. ...
- 3 of 35. Etta James. ...
- 4 of 35. Nina Simone. ...
- 5 of 35. Aretha Franklin. ...
- 6 of 35. Whitney Houston. ...
- 7 of 35. Smokey Robinson. ...
- 8 of 35. Mariah Carey.
A singer named Tim Storms holds the Guinness record for hitting the lowest note. It's the musical note G-7, and it registered at 0.189 Hertz. He also holds the record for the widest vocal range, of 10 octaves!!
Who has the biggest hit song of all time? ›According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.
Which song has been played the most? ›The most-streamed song in Spotify history is credited to… The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights." The song, which was released in November 2019, has been streamed over 3 billion times on the platform! This is a huge thing.
Who has the most 1 songs of all time? ›Though unclear for how long, the Beatles still reign supreme as the artist with the most No. 1 songs of all time.