Top 10 Patti LaBelle Songs

Photo: Richlovespatti, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Patti Labelle songs list features great R&B classics mixed with fabulous soulful ballads from an incredibly talented singer. Our Patti Labelle songs list will only present songs from Patti Labelle’s solo career. The music she released with her band Labelle will be presented in a different list. We hope you enjoy this wonderful selection of songs from one of our favorite soul singers of all time.

# 10 – You Are My Friend

We open up our top 10 Patti Labelle songs list with one of the first single releases of her solo career. The beautiful, tender ballad “You Are My Friend” was released on Patti Labelle’s debut album, Patti Labelle. The album was released in 1978. The song was written by James Ellison, who was a former member of the band Labelle. The song broke the Billboard R&B charts, peaking at number sixty-one, but never made it to the Billboard Hot 100. Nonetheless, “You Are My Friend” became one of Patti Labelle’s signature songs.

# 9 – Love Has Finally Come

Continuing with our top 10 Patti Labelle songs list, we present another wonderful ballad entitled “Love Has Finally Come.” The song was recorded as a duet with the great Bobby Womack in 1984. It was released on Bobby Womack’s album The Poet II. Patti Labelle would eventually release the song on some of her compilation albums. The song was a big hit for both singers, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1984.

# 8 – Yo Mister

After opening up with a couple of beautiful ballads on our top 10 Patti Labelle songs list we turn to a great R&B tune called “Yo Mister.” Patti Labelle’s versatility as a singer is so astonishing. On this one, you hear Patti Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade” voice in full gear. The song “Yo Mister” was released on the album Be Yourself. The album was released in 1989. The song “Yo Mister” was written by the legendary artist we all loved, Prince. It’s amazing how many songs he wrote for other artists that people never realized were his. The song “Yo Mister” became a top 10 hit on the Billboard R&B charts in 1989, peaking at number six. This is a great one.

# 7 – The Right Kinda Lover

When you have Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produce your music, you know your chances for having a hit are very much elevated. The legendary producers who scored so many hits with Janet Jackson scored another one with Patti Labelle on this great dance track “The Right Kinda Lover.” The song went straight to number one on the U.S. Billboard Dance charts in 1994. The Right Kinda Lover was released on the soundtrack to the motion picture Beverly Hills Cop III.

# 6 – Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)

At number six on our top 10 Patti Labelle songs list is the classic track “Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is).“ This great R&B ballad was released on the album Burnin’. The album was released in 1991. Patti Labelle had another nice hit on her hands with this one, as the song peaked at number three on the Billboard R&B charts in 1991.

# 5 – Oh People

At the halfway point on our top 10 Patti Labelle songs list, we present the grooving R&B song “Oh People.” With lyrics that questioned social problems, the song was reminiscent of Marvin Gaye’s classic hit “What’s Going On.” The song “Oh People” was released on the album Winner In You. The record was released in 1986. “Oh People” was also issued as the second single from the album. It had a tough act to follow as the album’s first single, “On My Own,” hit number one on about a million music charts.

# 4 – If Only You Knew

If you have been listening to the tracks on this Top 10 Patti LaBelle songs list, you have probably come to the realization that Patti LaBelle stands as one of the best R&B ballad singers of all time. Further proof is found in her vocal performance on this great track “If Only You Knew.” The song was released in 1983. The song was a smash hit for Patti LaBelle, reaching number one on the Billboard R&B charts in 1984 and staying there for at least a month.

# 3 – Stir It Up

The song “Stir It Up” is the first of two in a row from the great Beverly Hills Cop Motion Picture Soundtrack album. “Stir It Up” was the second Patti Labelle single released from the album. The song was written by Dan Sembello and Allee Willis. “Stir It Up” broke both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts.

# 2 – New Attitude

As we begin to wind down our top 10 Patti Labelle songs list, we turn to her hot R&B dance classic “New Attitude.” Patti Labelle was on fire on this smoking track. The song turned out to be a big hit for Patti. “New Attitude” hit number seventeen on the US Billboard Hot 100. It climbed even higher on the Billboard R&B charts, peaking at number three.

# 1 – On My Own

We close out our Top 10 Patti Labelle songs list with the fantastic song “On My Own.” This was a big one for Patti Labelle and her co-vocalist Michael McDonald. “On My Own” stands as one of the most successful pop hits of the 1980s. The song went straight to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It also hit number one on the U.S R&B charts. Additionally, it took the number one spot on the charts in Canada, the Netherlands, and Ireland. It hit number two in the United Kingdom. Yes, it was a pretty popular song worldwide in 1986. The song “On My Own” was written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager. It was not only the biggest hit of Patti Labelle’s career, but it was also the biggest hit of Michael McDonald’s solo career.