Our Top 10 Deniece Williams Songs list looks at a legendary singer, songwriter and record producer. She is probably best known for her song “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.” She has a distinctive soprano voice. She sings operatic runs similar to her idol Minnie Riperton. She has four number one hits (“Too Much, Too Little Too Late,” “I’ve Got the Next Dance,” “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy”). She has four Grammy awards. Some of her other singles include “Free,” “Silly,” “Black Butterfly,” “Baby, Baby My Loves All for You,” “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” as well as others.
June Deniece Chandler was born on June 3, 1951. She used to sing in casinos while she was in college. She recorded her early work as Deniece Chandler. She released a string of non-album singles before she released her album. She was also a back up singer for Stevie Wonder. In addition to Stevie Wonder, she sang back up for Syreeta Wright, Minnie Riperton and Roberta Flack. She eventually got a record deal with Columbia Records.
This is Niecy came out in 1976. The album peaked at number three on the r&b charts and number 33 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the singles “Free” and “It’s Important to Me.” The album went on to sell over 500,000 copies. Songbird came out in 1977. The album peaked at number 23 on the r&b charts and number 66 on the Hot 200 charts. It features the single “Baby, Baby My Love’s All for You.” She recorded a duet album with Johnny Mathis called That’s What Friends Are For. The album peaked at number 14 on the r&b charts and number 19 on the Hot 200 charts. The album features cover songs. It features the single “You’re All I Need to Get By.” When Love Comes Calling was released in 1979. The album peaked at number 27 on the r&b charts and number 96 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “I Found Love” and “I’ve Got the Next Dance.”
My Melody came out in 1981. The album peaked at number 13 on the r&b charts and number 74 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the singles “It’s Your Conscience,” “Silly” and “What Two Can Do.” The album sold over 500,000 copies. Niecy came out in 1982. The album peaked at number five on the r&b charts and number 20 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the singles “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle,” “Waiting by Hotline” and “Waiting.” I’m So Proud came out in 1983. The album peaked at number 10 on the r&b charts and number 54 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Do What You Feel” and “I’m So Proud.” Let’s Hear It for the Boy came out in 1984. It peaked at number 10 on the r&b charts and number 26 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the singles “Let’s Hear It for the Boy, “ “Black Butterfly” and “Next Love.” She would go on to release several other albums throughout her career.
Deniece Williams has one of the most beautiful voices in music. She has an unbelievable vocal range. She is more than just the singer who recorded “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.” She has had several hits throughout her career. She can soar to heights unknown with her pretty vocals. She is on the same level as the power balladeers. She deserves her flowers, and this list gives us the chance to celebrate her. Our Top 10 Deniece Williams Songs list will feature her best songs.
# 10 – Love Won’t Let Me Wait – Johnny Mathis ft. Deniece Williams
The first song on our Top 10 Deniece Williams Songs list is “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” from the album A Special Part of Me. The song has an r&b beat. The sensual song is about a couple who want to be together. They want to spend the night together. They consider it being a fantasy. They sing sweet nothings to each other. They want to be with each other and they don’t want to wait to be together. He pleads with her not to say no to him. He wants to be with her until he sees the sun come up. She believes the time is right for them to be together. She wants him to take her hand and explore seduction with her. This jam is exactly what lovers need to get together.
Major Harris recorded this track first so his version is most likely the one you recognize. We want to highlight Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams’ version of the track. They changed his version of the song. They made the song a duet when he sang it as a solo artist. His version of the track has the TSOP (the sound of Philadelphia) sound while their version is smooth r&b.
They maintain the concept of the song, but the music is different from Major Harris’ version of it. Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams have amazing chemistry with each other. They have worked together on a few tracks. This track gave them a chance to reunite and sing together again. They have beautiful voices. Their voices complement each other. He comes down an octave while she goes up an octave.
# 9 – Yes, I’m Ready
The next song on our Top 10 Deniece Williams Songs list is “Yes, I’m Ready.” The song has an r&b sound. The seductive song is about being ready to fall in love with someone. She has feelings for a guy and she’s ready to be with him. She is inexperienced and falling in love for the first time. She wants to tell him how she feels about him. She prepared a speech to tell him how she feels about him. She expresses her feelings. She tells him that she’s ready to learn how to love him and treat him right. She wants to be the woman in his life.
If the title looks familiar, you shouldn’t be surprised. The song was made famous by Barbara Mason. She made this an r&b staple. Deniece Williams took a chance recording this song. This is one of Barbara Mason’s signature songs. Deniece Williams didn’t do a karaoke version of it. She speeds up the melody and the tempo on her version while Barbara Mason’s is slower. Deniece Williams vocals are strong. She sounds a little unrecognizable on this track, but it shows off her versatility. She starts the song in her lower register and then she sings in a higher key. This may be Barbara Mason’s song, but Deniece Williams does a good job on it.
# 8 – Do What You Feel
The pining song is from the album I’m So Proud. It has an r&b beat. The longing song is about a woman letting her man know that he doesn’t have to be afraid to show how he feels. She wants him to let her know that he cares about her. She expects him to be assertive when it comes to love. He doesn’t seem comfortable with expressing himself so she wants him to open up to her. She wants to know why he keeps holding back from her. Is he holding out because of something that happened in his past? She wants him to move on from the past and be with her. She wants him to think about the future. She wants him to do what feels good to him.
The music for the song is cool. You can get up on the floor and dance to this track with the person in your life. The music is a mix of post-disco and r&b music. The mid-tempo song has just enough tempo to have you moving around. The song was recorded years ago, but it would still get you moving if the song was playing in a club. The melody is similar to Ashford and Simpson’s song “It Seems to Hang On.” Deniece Williams sounds like she’s having a good time on this track. She holds back vocally, but the song doesn’t need the vocal gymnastics that she’s capable of doing.
# 7 – Baby, Baby My Love Is All for You
The tender song is from the album Songbird. The track has an r&b sound. The warmhearted song is about the way she feels about the man she loves. She wants him to know that all her love is for him. She knew right away that she loved him. He’s the one she thinks of day and night. She’s never been loved like this before. She was grateful for the day she met him. She’s going to love him until the day she dies. She explains how much she loves him. She feels lucky to have him in her life. She thinks their love is the greatest story ever told. She’s offering her love to him.
The song is very infectious. You will be hooked as soon as the music starts. The music is captivating and will command your attention until the song is done. The lyrics are sentimental and express how she feels brilliantly. The melody is like something Earth, Wind & Fire recorded. Verdine White co-wrote this banger so it’s not a surprise the song has their stamp on it. Maurice White produced the track and did a fantastic job. His arrangement is brilliant.
The music is melodic and just as good as the lyrics and her vocals. Deniece Williams showcased her vocals on this track. She shows amazing control on this track. She sings softly at first and then lets loose as the song progresses. She doesn’t hold back on this song. She does beautiful runs throughout the song. She pushes herself and belts in the song. She holds high notes that could have been a disaster. She did it effortlessly. This song is an earworm that will stay in your head long after it’s done.
# 6 – Black Butterfly
The deep song is from the album Let’s Hear It for the Boy. The song has an r&b beat. The meaningful song is about embracing change. The song is about perseverance and strength. She wants people to move on from what’s holding you back in life. The song became an anthem for change in the movement. She wants you to be proud of yourself and embrace how beautiful you are. She wants everyone to get over their personal struggles in life. If you are dealing with personal strife, this is the song for you. You can listen to this jam when you need guidance and want help moving on with your life.
This song will help restore your faith that you will make it. This song is timely because of everything that’s going on in the world today. This is a beautiful and inspirational song. The music will stir emotions inside of you. The music might bring a tear to your eye. The instrumental break is soul stirring and moving. We must talk about Deniece Williams vocals. Words can’t describe how exquisite she sounds on this song. She gives this song her all. She leaves nothing on the table when she sings the lyrics.
Her runs are extraordinary. She turns the song into a power ballad, and we’re excited about it. You won’t be disappointed by the climax of the song. She nails the track. She holds notes and saves the best for last. She does a whistle register that is reminiscent of Minnie Riperton and Mariah Carey. She gets an A+ for what she did on this song.
# 5 – Silly
The next song on our Top 10 Deniece Williams Songs list is “Silly” from the album My Melody. The song has a soul and r&b beat. The reflective song is about a woman who thinks she’s “silly” to do everything she can for the person she loves only to not be appreciated. She makes sacrifices and compromises for him only for things to go unnoticed. She loved him even though he was just out to score with her. She knows she should let go and move on with someone else, but she didn’t. She wants love to stop making a fool of her. She didn’t want love making her fight for a man who doesn’t want her. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do things for someone you love. There comes a point where you must give up.
If you are someone who does everything in a one-sided relationship, you will sing along with Deniece Williams. She will have you asking for love to stop making a fool of you too. She sings the song from a female’s point of view, but men can relate to it as well. Men, as well as women, have been “silly” in love. The fact that it’s a simple theme makes it easy for all of us to relate to it. The music is soft and it compliments her voice. The song has the TSOP sound. Deniece Williams is the highlight of the song. Her voice is sweet and beautiful. She doesn’t turn the song into a power ballad because she keeps things soft. We aren’t complaining about that because the song didn’t need belting when it wasn’t that loud.
# 4 – Free
The expressive song is on the album This is Niecy. The song has an r&b and soul beat. The inspirational song is about someone who wants to be “free.” She wants to move on with her life. She has dealt with a lot and now she wants to escape from it. She wants to be herself. The story begins with our narrator telling a man what he wants to hear. She lets him know there’s nothing that’s too good for them. After she whispers the sweet nothings, she wants to be “free.” She talks about how the man pleases her, but she wants her freedom. She doesn’t want to waste any time because she won’t be around much longer. The song is up for different interpretations. It’s up to you how you want to relate to the song.
This track is captivating. The song has the TSOP sound. It has the classic Philly sound written all over it. The song opens with the sound of windchimes. The windchimes may seem out of place, but they fit in with the song. She starts the song in a whisper and drives you in for the rest of the track. She utilizes her upper register throughout the song. She sounds similar to Minnie Riperton on this track. She patterned her vocals after the woman she used to sing background vocals for in the beginning of her career. She shows exceptional range on this track. Her notes are incredible, and we don’t think anyone else could do what she did on this track. The song has become so popular that other artists have covered it.
# 3 – It’s Gonna Take a Miracle
The devastating song is from the album Niecy. The song has an r&b beat. The emotional song is about a woman who is upset about a breakup. She thinks it will take a miracle to get over the love she lost. She couldn’t believe she was so blinded by his love. She allowed him to play her, and he broke her heart. She tells the listeners what he did to hurt her and how it will take a miracle to make her love someone new. She can’t stop herself from loving him. She knows he treated her badly, but she’s head over heels in love with him.
It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Deniece Williams singing this song, but someone beat her to it. The Royalettes recorded this track before her. They recorded the song in 1965. The tempo of the Royalettes song is different from Deniece Williams’ version of it. Sheila Ross did a good job singing lead on the song, but Deniece Williams took the song to another level. She hit all the right notes on this song. She poured her heart out on the track. She belted on the track and her vocals were terrific. Deniece Williams version performed better on the charts than the Royalettes’ version. You can still listen to both versions of the song, but Deniece Williams knocked the song out of the park.
# 2 – Too Much, Too Little Too Late Johnny Mathis ft. Deniece Williams
This song is from the album You Light Up My Life. The song has an r&b and soul beat. The plaintive song is about a couple who realize that their relationship is done. They realize that there’s nothing left in their relationship, and they should break up. They can’t deny anymore that there’s nothing left for them. It’s time to call it quits. The narrators tell a bittersweet story about a couple who try their best to hold on to a relationship that no longer works. They make the right call to end it instead of lying to each other by staying.
The music is smooth and moving. If you listen to the instrumentation, you would think this was a song about falling in love. You will have to listen to the lyrics to realize the song is about the end of a relationship. With that said, the music is beautiful and heartfelt. The musicians do a great job playing on this song. The music is hypnotic and will put you in a trance. Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams’ chemistry is electric. Their voices blend so well together on this song. She does operatic runs throughout the song. She also sings in her upper register.
Johnny Mathis sings in his smooth velvet baritone voice. He sings the song in his lower register, and it matched her upper register flawlessly. This song became a big hit for the dynamic duo. He wanted to take his career in a different direction, and it was the right call because this song peaked at number one on the Hot 100 charts and the r&b charts. This is the second biggest song of Deniece Williams’ career. If you know her music, you know which song was the biggest one of her career. This song could have been number one on our list, but it lost the coin toss.
# 1 – Let’s Hear It for the Boy
The number one song on our Top 10 Deniece Williams list is “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” from her album of the same name as well as the Footloose Soundtrack. The song has a dance, pop and r&b beat. The unconditional song is about a woman who loves her boyfriend despite his flaws. She loves him unconditionally. She’s aware that he might not be the type of guy her friends would date, but he’s enough for her. He treats her right and that’s what makes her happy. She wants to celebrate her man because she loves him. It’s a nice change to hear someone sing about loving someone unconditionally. There aren’t too many females who sing about loving a man who doesn’t have anything. She is willing to overlook what he doesn’t have and praise him.
This is the song that helped define Deniece Williams’ career. She had hit songs before this track, but this is the song that helped her gain mainstream attention. She was an r&b star before this track came out. Once this song was released, everything changed for her. There’s no way we could end our list without including her biggest song. The beat is bouncy and will have you moving around as soon as it starts. You can tell this is an 80s jam. The song can still get you moving today.
Deniece Williams reached for the stars with her vocals. She shows excellent control over her voice. She starts the song softly and works her way up to a frenzy. Once she gets to the bridge, she lets loose, and we couldn’t be happier about it. If you’re not singing along with her at this point, you might have to get your pulse checked. She commands you to sing along with her. She performs her operatic runs in this song, and she utilizes the whistle register. Everything about this song works. The track is flawless.
Top 10 Deniece Williams Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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