Top 10 Bill Withers Songs

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Our Top 10 Bill Withers Songs takes a look at the songs of one of the most cherished and soulful singer-songwriters of all time. Everyone loved Bill Withers because he sang with passion, spirit, and a sense of hope; his voice was simply pitch-perfect. His songs crossed musical genres because they were simply too good to be strangled by categorization. While most of Bill Withers’ recorded output was released in the 1970s, songs such as “Lean On Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” have become timeless. At a time when songwriters such as Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, James Taylor etc… were all succeeding in the singer-songwriter movement of the early 1970s, Bill Withers took it one step further by adding R&B to the lone singer-songwriter genre of pop-folk music. There was an originality to the Bill Withers sound that captivated audiences across the board.

Bill Withers released seven studio albums in the 1970s and a final studio album in 1985. Bill Withers would also celebrate multiple collaborations with other musical artists. One of Bill Withers’ biggest hits occurred when he teamed up with saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. on the Bill Withers penned song “Just The Two Of Us”. The song won a Grammy Award in 1981.

Our Top 10 Bill Withers Songs list looks back at ten of our favorite Bill Withers songs. It is by no means a definitive list, but rather just a small sampling of the music of one of the greatest R&B singers and songwriters of all time.

# 10 – Three Nights And A Morning / Harlem

We open up our top 10 Bill Withers songs list with a double header from Bill Withers. “Three Nights and a Morning” was Bill Withers’ first single release in 1967. It’s a smoking R&B track that remains one of our favorite Bill Withers songs. Just listen to that horn section dance around Bill Withers’ killer vocals. When Bill Withers released his first album, he recorded the song again and titled it “Harlem.” The album version is much different from the original 1967 release. It’s fascinating to listen to both of them. Bill Withers released “Harlem” a few times throughout his career.

# 9 – Lovely Night for Dancing

If there ever was a reason for checking out these top 10 lists, it’s because of songs like this. This is such a great song that most people have probably never heard of unless you owned the album Menagerie. The song “Lovely Night for Dancing” defines the meaning of soul! With such fine explicitness, the words “Get up and dance with me” grooved on this one. Bill Withers recorded “Lovely Night for Dancing” for his sixth studio album, Menagerie, which was released in October 1977 by Columbia Records. The album was produced by Withers himself alongside Clarence McDonald and recorded at The Record Plant in Los Angeles. Withers provided lead vocals, bringing along a stellar lineup of musicians including Ray Parker Jr. on guitar, Jerry Knight on bass, Russ Kunkel on drums, and Clarence McDonald on keyboards. Paul Riser’s smooth horn and string arrangements enriched the track, perfectly complementing Withers’ effortless vocal style.

# 8 – The Same Love That Made Me Laugh

The sound of 1970s soul and pop explodes on this great song “The Same Love That Made Me Laugh.” This smoking Bill Withers song was released on the album Justments. released by Sussex Records in April 1974. Withers himself penned this deeply introspective track, produced alongside Melvin Dunlap, James Gadson, Ray Jackson, and John Barnes. The song was recorded at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, featuring Withers on lead vocals and guitar, complemented by the smooth precision of James Gadson on drums, Melvin Dunlap on bass, and Ray Jackson and Benorce Blackmon adding expressive guitar work. John Barnes provided sensitive keyboard textures, crafting an arrangement that seamlessly mirrored the reflective mood of Withers’ lyricism.

Upon its release, “The Same Love That Made Me Laugh” resonated significantly with both audiences and critics, climbing to number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reaching number 10 on the Billboard R&B chart.

# 7 – Oh Yeah

The mid-1980s tune by Bill Withers utilizes the grooves and sounds of 80s tech in the most magnificent fashion underneath the great soulful singing of Bill Withers. It’s interesting to hear Bill Withers sing over this type of arrangement. It’s very different from his 1970s material and reflects the time period more than anything else. The song “Oh Yeah” was released on the album Watching You Watching Me. It was a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot R&B charts in 1985.

# 6 – Lonely Town, Lonely Street

Bill Withers recorded “Lonely Town, Lonely Street” for his celebrated second studio album, Still Bill, released in May 1972 by Sussex Records. Withers collaborated closely with the accomplished musicians who also co-produced the album, including Benorce Blackmon on guitar, Raymond Jackson on keyboards, James Gadson on drums, and Melvin Dunlap on bass. Recording sessions took place at The Record Plant in Los Angeles, capturing the organic and emotionally charged soulfulness that became Withers’ hallmark. The track was not released as a single, but its vibrant instrumentation and raw vocal authenticity made it an essential part of the album’s lasting appeal.

In “Lonely Town, Lonely Street,” Withers confronted the paradox of isolation within crowded urban environments through vivid imagery and emotionally direct lyricism. Lyrics like “You can live your life in a crowded city, you can walk along a crowded street, but the city really ain’t no bigger than the friendly people that you meet” highlighted Withers’ insightful observation of urban anonymity and the elusive pursuit of meaningful connection. His verses emphasized that superficial charm and outward confidence—being a “sweet-toned high-class talker” or a “stone expert at kissing” ultimately fall short without genuine interaction and understanding. This honest portrayal of loneliness contrasted powerfully with the joyful optimism captured in tracks like “Lovely Night for Dancing,” showcasing Withers’ remarkable emotional versatility.

# 5 – Lovely Day

Bill Withers recorded “Lovely Day” for his sixth studio album, Menagerie, released by Columbia Records in late 1977. This optimistic soul anthem was produced by Withers and Clarence McDonald, and recording sessions took place at The Record Plant studio in Los Angeles. The musicians featured alongside Withers included Ray Parker Jr. on guitar, Jerry Knight on bass, Russ Kunkel on drums, and Clarence McDonald on keyboards, with Ralph MacDonald contributing percussion. The arrangement was beautifully enriched by a vibrant horn and string section, orchestrated by Paul Riser, which amplified the track’s uplifting mood.

Upon its release, “Lovely Day” achieved significant chart success, peaking at number 6 on Billboard’s R&B chart and number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1978. The song enjoyed a resurgence in popularity internationally, notably reaching number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. Critics praised “Lovely Day” for its flawless blend of melodic accessibility and sophisticated musicianship, solidifying its place among Withers’ finest works. The song’s enduring popularity has since made it an anthem frequently used in films, commercials, and other media to signify moments of happiness and optimism.

# 4 – Use Me

If we were going to make a list of the most incredible bass lines ever written in pop music history, Bill Withers’ bass line from “Use Me” would heavily anchor the list. The classic track “Use Me” was released on the Still Bill album. The record was released in 1972. The song “Use Me” was a huge success for Bill Withers. It just missed becoming a number one hit as it peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Chuck Berry’s novelty song “My Ding-a-Ling” prevented it from hitting number one.

# 3 – Just The Two Of Us

“Just the Two of Us,” recorded by Grover Washington Jr. with Bill Withers providing soulful lead vocals, was featured on Washington’s 1980 album Winelight, released by Elektra Records. This collaboration between Washington and Withers came to life through recording sessions at Rosebud Recording Studio in New York City, under the production guidance of Ralph MacDonald and William Salter. The session featured an exceptional lineup, with Grover Washington Jr. himself delivering iconic saxophone solos, Marcus Miller on bass guitar, Richard Tee on keyboards, Eric Gale on guitar, and Steve Gadd on drums. This esteemed gathering of musicians crafted an elegant, sophisticated blend of smooth jazz and soul, perfectly complementing Withers’ warm vocal presence.

Instrumentally, the song is underscored by Washington’s mellow, expressive saxophone, which gracefully weaves around Withers’ confident vocal delivery, creating a gentle, smooth sonic experience. The song’s unmistakable rhythmic groove and melodic sophistication earned significant acclaim upon release, striking a balance between accessible pop sensibilities and the nuanced musicianship of jazz. With its memorable hook and lyrical sincerity, the track secured an impressive commercial performance, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. It further dominated Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart at number two and reached number three on the R&B chart. The song’s enduring popularity eventually earned it the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1982, marking one of Withers’ career highlights.

# 2 – Ain’t No Sunshine

Listen to how this brilliant musical piece starts out. Bill Withers’ incredible voice is so strong and heart-wrenchingly soulful that he doesn’t need any musical accompaniment to captivate the listener instantly. With just a little bass, the song moves forward in its minor chord progression, becoming even more interesting. As soon as the strings explode into the arrangement, you know you’re listening to one of the most stunning R&B pop songs ever recorded. This one was, and always will be, really special.

The song “Ain’t No Sunshine” was written by Bill Withers. The song was released on his album Just As I Am. The album was released in 1971. The song was a huge hit for Bill Withers. “Ain’t No Sunshine” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971.

# 1 – Lean On Me

Anyone alive in the early 1970s will no doubt remember how popular this song was. Bill Withers composed and released this legendary song on his Still Bill album in 1972. At a time of much turmoil in the United States, with the Kent State shootings a year earlier, the Vietnam War still raging on, and the matters of civil rights still resonating, Bill Withers’s “Lean On Me” echoed throughout society as a song of hope with a gesture of a helping hand. The song’s message, written without any self-directives toward any group or party, has resonated with every new generation since its release. That is the mark of a timeless song.

In 1972, Bill Withers’ song “Lean On Me” went straight to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song hit number one on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles charts. Fifteen years later, the musical act Club Nouveau would cover the song and score a number one hit with their version of “Lean On Me,” in 1987. There have been fewer than ten songs in history that have hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 recorded by two different artists.