Hope Davis
Last updated on May 17th, 2023 at 08:36 pm
Barry White was a legend of his time, with sweet, soulful love songs that survive today. Although he might not be around anymore, his songs remain a massive portion of his legacy.
If you’re a lover, strap in! We’ve got a list of 15 of the best Barry White songs, sure to make you hum along with his iconic smooth voice.
1. “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me”
First on our list of the best Barry White songs comes the top of the line, “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me” from the 1977 album Barry White Sings For Someone You Love. Ekundayo Paris and Nelson Pigford wrote this one and it was produced by White. The song was his last top ten hits and peaked at the fourth spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
This is a romantic love number and the only top ten from White that didn’t have him on as a co-writer. The tune is so popular it was sampled by Mary J. Blige in “You Bring Me Joy” and Robbie Williams in “Rock DJ”.
2. “Practice What You Preach”
“Practice What You Preach” is a song from White’s 1994 album The Icon Is Love. It was written by White, Edwin Nicholas, and Gerald Levert. The tune won a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year, all while peaking at number eighteen on the Billboard Hot 100.
Again, this song is a very intimate love song from White. He sings about a woman who is all talk but doesn’t act on what she says. It’s a longing melody, a style White excelled at in his time.
3. “Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up”
We take a step back in time with White’s “Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up” from his 1973 album Stone Gon’. He did everything for this songwriting, producing and recording it himself. The tune peaked at seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for eighteen weeks. It also eventually became a gold record.
“Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up” is a song about sticking by a lover’s side forever and ever. In 1997, it was rereleased and covered by the British singer, songwriter, and actress Lisa Stansfield. She won several awards for the rendition, all to the credit of White’s successful songwriting, producing, and singing skills that lead to the original song.
4. “I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby”
“I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby” is a hit from the 1973 album I’ve Got So Much To Give. It was also White’s first single from the album, written and produced by White. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached a gold album status for over a million record sales.
This song has been covered by many artists since its first release. A few include Jimmy Smith, Gene Rice, and The Samantha Brothers. It’s a seductive tune and one of the first songs that pushed him toward his destiny of becoming a singer and songwriter.
5. “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything”
Barry White’s “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” is from the 1974 album Can’t Get Enough. It was written by White, Peter Radcliffe, and Tony Sepe, then produced by Barry White himself. “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the charts for an incredible fifteen weeks.
This song has some unique origins. It was first written by Peter Radcliffe as a country/western song in 1956. He couldn’t get anyone to latch onto the tune, so it sat around until White took it and morphed it into a 70s romantic disco number. It had an incredible journey and eventually succeeded as one of White’s best.
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6. “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe”
“Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” is a staple from the 1974 album Can’t Get Enough, written and produced by Barry White. Although it wasn’t on the Billboard Hot 100 for the longest of his songs, it hit the highest. “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe” peaked at number one and stayed on the chart for twelve weeks.
The song goes into depth about being truly, deeply, and madly in love with a person. White reveals he can’t live without this individual, hence the song title. He will never be able to get enough of them.
7. “Oh What A Night For Dancing”
Barry White’s “Oh What A Night For Dancing” is from the 1977 album Barry White Sings To Someone You Love. It’s a soul/funk tune written and produced by Barry White and arranged by John Roberts.
“Oh What A Night For Dancing” is one of the best of White’s disco era, peaking at twenty-four on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s a flirty, friendly, romantic song, joyous about a quality evening and what might come after for the loving couple.
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8. “I’ve Got So Much To Give”
“I’ve Got So Much To Give” is a song from the 1973 album of the same name, originally released as a single and then transitioning to become the lead number on the album. It was written by Barry White and produced under the 20th Century music label.
This tune has some wonderful Barry White work. He produced and wrote it, adding a section from The Love Unlimited Orchestra at the beginning. Over the instrumentals, White speaks words of love to his love interest. It also ends with this instrumental. This song was what set White’s famed romantic persona in stone.
9. “What Am I Gonna Do With You”
Ninth on our list of the best Barry White songs is “What Am I Gonna Do With You”, a song from the 1975 album Just Another Way To Say I Love You. It was his fifth song to hit the top ten mark on the Billboard Top 100 and is easily one of his most successful numbers. It was written and produced by Barry White.
This hit is about White’s experience with his second wife in every relationship – music. He is in love with singing and melodies because they took him from the worst position in his life to the best.
10. “Let The Music Play”
“Let The Music Play” is a song from the 1976 album of the same name, written and produced by Barry White. It’s a funk/soul song and has been covered by multiple artists, including Christopher John.
This tune is a rarity amongst Barry White songs. Instead of romance, White sings about heartbreak and the more somber side of love. It’s a song about moving past the misery of broken love.
11. “You’re So Good, You’re Bad”
Barry White’s “You’re So Good, You’re Bad” is next on our list, released on the 1977 album Barry White Sings for Someone You Love. This tune was written by Aaron Schroeder and Jerry Ragovoy and boasts nearly a six-minute runtime.
Of course, there are tons of innuendos in these lyrics. It’s a romantic song, filled with passion for another person.
12. “All Because Of You”
“All Because of You” is a hit from the 1975 album Just Another Way To Say I Love You. It was written by Barry White, Frank Wilson, and Michael Nunes. It’s another song about heartbreak, another rarity for the king of romantic music for lovers.
This tune croons about a man who will never be the same because of a woman. He talks about his broken heart, revealing it’s written all over him. He’ll never be the same because of what he’s been through with her.
13. “Just The Way You Are”
Our thirteenth selection is “Just The Way You Are” from the 1978 album The Man. It was a Billy Joel song first, appearing the year before on the 1977 Billy Joel album The Stranger. Although many questioned the choice to release a different rendition so soon, it became clear Joel’s tune made an excellent transition to R&B/Soul.
The song is about a man telling a woman she can’t change. In fact, he doesn’t want her to transform to please him. It’s a concept begging to be sung in White’s smooth voice, and it works well.
14. “Love’s Theme”
“Love’s Theme” is a tune from Rhapsody in White by The Love Unlimited Orchestra. Although it technically isn’t a White singing project, it’s one of his nonetheless. This tune is entirely instrumental and one of the few of its kind to get so high on the charts.
Many people attribute this tune to the influence of the disco scene. The following year, disco took off with many influences from iconic instrumental scores like “Love’s Theme”.
15. “Super Lover”
Last up on our list of the best Barry White songs is the iconic “Super Lover” from the 1989 album The Man is Back!. It was written by Barry White, Jack Perry, and William Jones and produced by Barry White himself.
“Super Lover” has a Janet Jackson-esque backing track. It’s fun, and it’s in the style of the late 80s – how can you go wrong with this classic?
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