ThisisRnB Presents: Summer Playlist (’80s Edition)

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Lionel Richie – All Night Long (All Night)

The first single from Richie’s second solo album, Can’t Slow Down, was a break-out hit. It combined Richie’s soulful Commodores style with Caribbean influences, which proved to be a huge success as the single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Pop, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts in 1983.

 

Michael Jackson – Billie Jean

There’s no doubt that The King of Pop dominated the 80’s with his best-selling studio album of all time, Thriller. In 1983 “Billie Jean” spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and topped the R&B chart within three weeks. It topped the charts in 11 other countries as well. At the 1984 Grammy Awards the song earned Jackson two of a record eight awards; Best R&B Song and Best R&B Male Vocal Performance.

 

Prince – When Doves Cry

Released as the lead single from his famed ‘84 album Purple Rain, the song was a global hit and Prince’s first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the chart for five weeks. It also reached No. 1 on the Hot R&B Singles and Hot Dance Club Songs. The single went on to sell over 2 million copies in the United States alone.

 

The Whispers – Rock Steady

Released as a single from their eighteenth studio album Just Gets Better with Time in 1987, the record was their highest charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at No. 7 and their second No. 1 on the Hot Black Singles Chart. It was produced by Antonio “L.A.” Reid & Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.

 

Mary Jane Girls – All Night Long

Written and composed by Rick James, the song was released as a single from the girls 1983 self-titled album, it peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard R&B chart. It has been sampled by many artists including Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Ice Cube and more.

 

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1 Comment
  1. mon88 10 years ago

    Great playlist thanks!

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