Top 10 Peabo Bryson Songs

Photo: Kdrayf02, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Peabo Bryson Songs list takes a look at one of music’s most soulful singers. He is known for singing love ballads. He has had crossover appeal with his solo songs as well as his duets. His biggest hit singles are “Feel the Fire,” “I’m So Into You,” “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again,” “A Whole New World,” “Beauty and the Beast” as well as other hit singles. Peabo Bryson’s real name is Robert Peapo “Peabo” Bryson. He was born on April 13, 1951. The Grammy winner started singing backup for different groups when he was 14. He released his self-titled debut album in 1976. It features the singles “Do You Believe In Love,” “I Can Make It Better,” “Smile” and “Lovely Lady.” The album had local success.

He released the album Reaching for the Sky in 1978. It features the singles “Feel the Fire,” “Reaching for the Sky,” “A Fool Already Knows” and “Love from Your Heart.” The album peaked at number 11 on the r&b charts and 49 on the Billboard 200 charts. It sold over 500,000 copies. “Reaching for the Sky” is the hitmaker’s first top 10 hit single.

Peabo Bryson released the album Crosswinds in 1978. It reached number three on the r&b charts. It features the singles “I’m So Into You,” “She’s a Woman,” “Crosswinds,” “Point of View” and “Spread Your Wings.” “Crosswinds” was a top 40 r&b hit single. He released a duet album with Natalie Cole called We’re the Best of Friends in 1979. It debuted at number 44 on the Billboard 200 and number seven on the r&b charts. It features the singles “Gimme Some Time,” “What You Won’t Do for Love,” “Let’s Fall in Love” and “I Want To Be Where You Are.”

Peabo Bryson released the album Paradise in 1980. It peaked at number 13 on the r&b charts and number 79 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Minute By Minute,” “I Love The Way You Love,” “Paradise” and “ I Believe in You.” He released two albums in 1981. Turn the Hands of Time features the singles “I’ve Been Down,” “My Life” and “Why Don’t You Make Up Your Mind.” I Am Love peaked at number six on the r&b charts and number 40 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Let the Feeling Flow” and “There’s No Guarantee,”

Peabo Bryson released the album Don’t Play with Fire in 1982. It features the singles “Gimme Your Love,” “Remember When (So Much In Love),” “Words” and “Don’t Play with Fire.” He released the duet album Born to Love with Roberta Flack in 1983. It debuted at number 25 on the Billboard 200 charts and number eight on the r&b charts. It features the singles “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” and “You’re Looking Like Love to Me.” The album sold over 500,000 copies.

Straight from the Heart was released in 1984. It peaked at number 12 on the r&b charts and number 44 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” “Slow Dancin’” and “I Get Nervous.” Take No Prisoners came out in 1985. It peaked at number 40 on the r&b charts. It features the singles “Love Always Finds a Way,” “Take No Prisoners,” “Falling for You” and “There’s Nothin’ Out There.”

Peabo Bryson released the album Quiet Storm in 1986. It features the singles “Good Combination,” “Catch 22” and “Somebody in Your Life.” He released the album Positive in 1988. The album debuted at number 42 on the r&b charts. It features the singles “Without You,” “Tonight” and “I Want To Know.” All My Love was released in 1989. The album peaked at number 27 on the r&b charts. It features the singles “Show and Tell” “Palm of Your Hand” and “All My Love.”

Peabo Bryson released the album Can You Stop the Rain in 1991. The album reached number one on the r&b charts. This is his first number one r&b album. It features the singles “Can You Stop the Rain,” “I Can’t Imagine,” “Closer Than Close” and “Shower You with Love.” The album sold over 500,000 copies. Through the Fire came out in 1994. The album peaked at number 54 on the r&b charts. It features the singles “A Whole New World,” “Never Saw a Miracle,” “Through the Fire,” “By the Time This Night Is Over” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

Unconditional Love was released in 1999. It peaked at number 75 on the r&b charts. It features the singles “Did You Ever Know,” “Ain’t Nobody” “A Song for You” and “Light the World.” Missing You was released in 2007. It peaked at number 41 on the r&b charts. It features the singles “Missing You,” “I Try,” “I Promise I Do” and “My Last Goodbye.” He released Stand for Love in 2018. It peaked at number seven on the Independent charts. It features the singles “Love Like Yours and Mine,” “Stand for Love,” “Here for You” and “Smile.”

Peabo Bryson has had a long career. He is known for his smooth and tenor vocals as well as his stirring soulful love songs. He had to compete with the likes of Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, Donny Hathaway, as well as other male r&b acts, but he managed to maintain a loyal fanbase. Bryson has had several hit singles throughout his career. This Top 10 Peabo Bryson Songs list will feature his best songs.

# 10 – Reaching for the Sky

The first song on our Top 10 Peabo Bryson Songs list is the top 10 hit “Reaching for the Sky” from the album of the same name. This song has an r&b sound. This is an inspirational song about endless possibilities. The song is ambiguous because it can be about different things. It can be about love or being inspired to do anything. The music is soft and soothing. It is reminiscent of an Earth, Wind & Fire song. The bass line is rhythmic and melodic. The rest of the music can put you in a sentimental mood. Bryson’s vocals are excellent. He does a lot of beautiful runs throughout the song. He proved that he could compete with his male counterparts when it comes to r&b music. His background singers also do a great job supporting him. This isn’t one of his signature songs, but it’s definitely worth listening to.

# 9 – Let the Feeling Flow

The next song on our Top 10 Peabo Bryson Songs list is “Let the Feeling Flow” from the I Am Love album. This song has an r&b and soul sound. This is a beautiful love song about falling in love. The music is soft and romantic. The musical arrangement is amazing. It never misses a beat. Bryson’s vocals are through the roof. His voice is silky and smooth. He displays such raw talent in this song. He belts throughout the song. He also holds impressive notes throughout the song. He pours his heart out while he is expressing his love for the woman he loves. His runs are awesome. The chorus will hook you immediately. The song has one of the smoothest bridges in music. This song is a masterpiece. It really showcases how great of a singer Bryson is.

# 8 – Can You Stop the Rain

This metaphoric song is on the album of the same name. This song has an r&b and pop sound. This is a metaphoric song about love. The song is comparing love to rain. The song is a tearjerker because of the powerful message behind it. It lets you know that love can beat a storm. The music is comforting and filled with heart and soul. The keys are melodic and mesmerizing. The music is perfect for the bedroom or for just chilling out with the one you love. Bryson’s voice is undeniably heart stopping in this track. He sounds pure and angelic. He belts towards the end of the song, which is truly amazing. He also holds little notes that are impressive.

# 7 – Feel the Fire

This romantic song is on the Reaching for the Sky album. This song has an r&b and soul sound. This is a beautiful song about love and comparing love to fire. There aren’t too many people who can get away with singing a song with this type of confidence. Bryson shows that he can sing about anything. His tenor vocals are perfect for this soothing music. The music is fitting for quiet storm radio. The musical arrangement is impeccable. The song is beautifully produced. The music gives Bryson a chance to shine. He sings the song as if he meant it. He holds incredible towards the end of the song. There have been cover versions of this song, but Bryson’s version is one of the best. This is a quiet storm staple and perfect baby making music.

# 6 – I’m So Into You

This loving song is from the Crosswinds album. This song has an r&b and soul sound. This is a classic ballad about a man trying to take a woman from another man. The music is smooth and soulful. The piano is guaranteed to put you in a sexy mood. The orchestral swell is perfect for slow dancing. You will be hook to the lyrics as soon as you hear the first line. His voice is so captivating that it will automatically grab your attention. He is singing about stealing another man’s woman, but he makes it sound romantic. This song is out of character for Bryson because he usually sings about falling in love. He doesn’t usually sing about taking another man’s woman. He proved he was up for the challenge. Another man might have made the lyrics sound vulgar, but he makes it sound sweet. It is well produced and arranged. It is a beautiful song.

# 5 – Show and Tell

The next song on our Top 10 Peabo Bryson Songs list is “Show and Tell” from the All My Love album. This is an emotional song about the games he plays to express the love he feels for the woman he loves. We dare you not to fall in love with this song. This is a cover song, but Bryson makes it his own. The music is sensual and rhythmic and suitable for dancing. He doesn’t stray far from the original arrangement. There is a sensual saxophone solo in the bridge that is guaranteed to put you in a romantic mood. He puts that “Peabo Bryson” magic on it vocally. He sings in time with all of the beat changes. He does nice runs after each lyric. He belts throughout the chorus and even has a growl. It may be hard to listen to the original version because Bryson does such a great job with this one.

# 4 – Beauty and the Beast ft Celine Dion

This is the first of Bryson’s Disney collaborations. This Grammy Award winning song is from the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack. This sensual song is about the characters in the movie. It tells a beautiful story about how the characters got together. This is a glorious ballad that will bring you to tears. The musical arrangement is excellent. With the exception of the title of the song, it could have easily been about a couple in love. This song will tug at your heartstrings. Bryson and Celine Dion have powerful vocals. Their voices blend well together. They hold back a little with the belting, but they did tease fans a little by belting towards the end, which was a treat. They both won the vocal battle because they both do an amazing job.

# 3 – A Whole New World ft Regina Belle

This is the second of Bryson’s Disney collaborations. This inspirational song is from the Aladdin soundtrack. This song has an r&b sound. This is a grandiose song about desiring something more than what they have. It teaches you not to settle for less. It was written for the movie, but it is a life lesson. The musical production is spectacular. The keys are melodic. It features a rhythmic guitar solo that is impeccable. Bryson and Belle sound remarkable together. They sang songs together before so it wasn’t hard for them to collaborate on this track. Their voices compliment each other very well. The music caters to both of their voices. They both have their chance to shine in the song. Both of their voices soar at the end of the song. They both win the vocal battle because they both hold notes and belt throughout the song.

# 2 – Tonight I Celebrate My Love ft Roberta Flack

This beautiful song is from the Born to Love duet album. This song has an r&b, soul and soft rock sound. This is a touching song about them celebrating their love for each other. It is the perfect song for a wedding. Here is some trivia about the song. Bryson didn’t like the song at first. He didn’t think songwriter Michael Masser was a good enough singer when he performed the demo. He agreed to record the song because of Roberta Flack. Once they did the song, he loved it. It’s a good thing he changed his mind because this is an amazing song. It’s hard to believe he didn’t want to do it. The music is romantic and sets the mood for the theme of the song.

The song is so romantic that it was featured on the hit soap opera Days of Our Lives. Bryson and Flack’s voices are opposites from each other because she is an alto and he is a tenor. For this song, they both sing in different octaves. Bryson came down an octave while she came up an octave. They don’t do much belting, but it wasn’t needed. They just do smooth and straight singing. Their voices really soar in the infectious hook. This song is fire and could have been number one.

# 1 – If Ever You’re in My Arms Again

We have come to the number one song on our Top 10 Peabo Bryson Songs list. The number one song is the second chances song “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” from the Straight from the Heart album. This song has an r&b and adult contemporary sound. This is a regretful song about him wanting another chance with the woman he loves. The music is magnificent. It sounds romantic considering it’s about him losing the love of his life. Bryson’s vocals are phenomenal. He sells the story he is telling. You can believe that he is yearning to get the woman he loves back. He starts the song off smoothly and then lets loose by the pre-chorus. Speaking of the chorus, it practically begs you to sing along with it. He vocally soars in the bridge and then takes off towards the end of the song. If you’re ever in trouble with the one you love, you should play this song. It may get you off the hook. The song is unforgettable and touches your heart. It deserves its place in the number one spot.