List of quiet storm songs

This is a list of songs associated with the quiet storm radio format, widely heard in the United States starting in 1976[1] as a form of early evening/late night easy listening music aimed at a sophisticated African American audience.[2] Quiet storm radio programs thrived in the 1980s, with many stations across the US carrying a quiet storm program at night, and a few stations broadcasting in the format all day long.[3] The field adapted in the 1990s as new listeners embraced neo-soul experimentation, hip hop samples and beats, as well as more explicit themes. Slow jams with quiet storm elements continued to be produced through the 2000s and 2010s.[4]

Quiet storm songs are a mix of genres, including pop, contemporary R&B, smooth soul, smooth jazz and jazz fusion – songs having an easy-flowing and romantic character. The format first appeared in 1976 but initially it drew from songs recorded earlier. After the radio format became popular, songs were written to fit the format, and in that manner the radio style became a broad "super-genre" of music.[5][6]

Songs

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Year Artist Song Album Notes
1971 The Temptations "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" Sky's the Limit [7]
1971 Al Green "Let's Stay Together" Let's Stay Together [1]
1971 Jerry Butler "Ain't Understanding Mellow" The Sagittarius Movement (duet with Brenda Lee Eager[7])
1972 Luther Ingram "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" independent single [7]
1972 Billy Paul "Me and Mrs. Jones" 360 Degrees of Billy Paul [6]
1973 Barry White "I've Got So Much to Give" I've Got So Much to Give [7]
1973 The Moments "Sexy Mama" independent single [8]
1973 Bloodstone "Natural High" Natural High [7]
1973 Roberta Flack "Killing Me Softly with His Song" Killing Me Softly [6]
1973 Marvin Gaye "Let's Get It On" Let's Get It On [9]
1973 Marvin Gaye "Distant Lover" Let's Get It On [6]
1973 Marvin Gaye "Come Get to This" Let's Get It On [10]
1974 Tower of Power "Time Will Tell" Back to Oakland [8]
1974 Barry White "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" Can't Get Enough [1]
1974 Roberta Flack "Feel Like Makin' Love" Feel Like Makin' Love [6]
1974 The Stylistics "You Make Me Feel Brand New" Rockin' Roll Baby [11]
1975 The Blackbyrds "Walking in Rhythm" Flying Start [10]
1975 Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon" To Be True [12]
1975 Dorothy Moore "Misty Blue" Misty Blue [7]
1975 Natalie Cole "I Can't Say No" Inseparable [13]
1975 Natalie Cole "Inseparable" Inseparable [13]
1975 The Isley Brothers "For the Love of You" The Heat Is On [13]
1975 Smokey Robinson "Quiet Storm" A Quiet Storm [14]
1976 Marvin Gaye "After the Dance" I Want You [7]
1976 Commodores "Sweet Love" Movin' On [7]
1976 Norman Connors "You Are My Starship" You Are My Starship (vocals by Michael Henderson and Phyllis Hyman[6])
1976 George Benson "This Masquerade" Breezin' [10]
1976 L.T.D. "Love Ballad" Love to the World [6]
1977 The Isley Brothers "Footsteps in the Dark" Go for Your Guns [6]
1977 The Isley Brothers "Voyage to Atlantis" Go for Your Guns
1977 The Gap Band "Messin' with My Mind" The Gap Band [13]
1977 Bill Withers "Lovely Day" Menagerie [10]
1977 Natalie Cole "Peaceful Living" Unpredictable [13]
1977 Phyllis Hyman "I Don't Want to Lose You" Phyllis Hyman [13]
1977 Heatwave "Always and Forever" Too Hot to Handle [15]
1977 Natalie Cole "La Costa" Thankful [13]
1978 Teddy Pendergrass "Close the Door" Life Is a Song Worth Singing [6]
1978 The O'Jays "Use ta Be My Girl" So Full of Love [6]
1978 Angela Bofill "This Time I'll Be Sweeter" Angie
1978 Roberta Flack "The Closer I Get to You" Blue Lights in the Basement (duet with Donny Hathaway[6])
1978 Peabo Bryson "I'm So into You" Crosswinds [16]
1978 Chic "At Last I Am Free" C'est Chic [6]
1978 Rose Royce "Wishing on a Star" Rose Royce II: In Full Bloom [6]
1978 Teena Marie "Déjà Vu (I've Been Here Before)" Wild and Peaceful [17]
1978 Phyllis Hyman "The Answer Is You" Somewhere in My Lifetime [13]
1978 Phyllis Hyman "Gonna Make Changes" Somewhere in My Lifetime [13]
1978 Delegation "Oh Honey" The Promise of Love [8]
1978 Ashford & Simpson "Is It Still Good to Ya" Is It Still Good to Ya [12]
1978 Quincy Jones "I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning" Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! (vocals by Luther Vandross and Patti Austin[6])
1978 Bobby Caldwell "What You Won't Do for Love" Bobby Caldwell [6]
1979 Herb Alpert "Rise" Rise [10]
1979 Stephanie Mills "Feel the Fire" What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin' (duet with Teddy Pendergrass[12])
1979 Peaches & Herb "Reunited" 2 Hot [7]
1979 The Gap Band "No Hiding Place" The Gap Band II [13]
1979 Curtis Mayfield "Between You Baby & Me" Heartbeat (duet with Linda Clifford[12])
1979 Natalie Cole "What You Won't Do for Love" We're the Best of Friends (duet with Peabo Bryson[13])
1979 Commodores "Still" Midnight Magic [18]
1979 Michael Jackson "I Can't Help It" Off the Wall [6]
1979 Angela Bofill "I Try" Angel of the Night [19]
1979 Smokey Robinson "Cruisin'" Where There's Smoke... [6]
1980 Kool & the Gang "Too Hot" Ladies' Night [10]
1981 Smokey Robinson "Being With You" Being With You [6]
1981 Al Jarreau "We're in This Love Together" Breakin' Away [10]
1981 Stephanie Mills "Two Hearts" Stephanie (duet with Teddy Pendergrass[20])
1981 Rose Royce "Golden Touch" Rose Royce V: Golden Touch [8]
1981 George Benson "Turn Your Love Around" The George Benson Collection [10]
1981 Diana Ross "Endless Love" Endless Love: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (duet with Lionel Richie[20])
1981 Luther Vandross "A House is Not a Home" Never Too Much [6]
1981 Grover Washington Jr. "Just the Two of Us" Winelight (vocal by Bill Withers[10])
1981 The Gap Band "Yearning for Your Love" The Gap Band III [6]
1981 The Gap Band "Nothin' Comes to Sleepers" The Gap Band III [21]
1981 Quincy Jones "Just Once" The Dude (vocal by James Ingram[6])
1981 Rick James "Fire and Desire" Street Songs (duet with Teena Marie[6])
1982 Patti Austin "Baby, Come to Me" Every Home Should Have One (duet with James Ingram[6])
1982 Marvin Gaye "Sexual Healing" Midnight Love [1]
1982 Tavares "A Penny for Your Thoughts" New Directions [8]
1982 Patrice Rushen "Remind Me" Straight from the Heart [8]
1982 Stevie Wonder "Ribbon in the Sky" Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I [10]
1982 Cheryl Lynn "If This World Were Mine" Instant Love (duet with Luther Vandross[12])
1982 Grover Washington Jr. "The Best Is Yet to Come" The Best Is Yet to Come (vocal by Patti LaBelle[10])
1982 Michael McDonald "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" If That's What It Takes [10]
1982 DeBarge "All This Love" All This Love [6]
1983 Angela Bofill "Tonight I Give In" Too Tough [22]
1983 Al Jarreau "Mornin'" Jarreau [10]
1983 Marvin Gaye "'Til Tomorrow" Midnight Love
1983 The Isley Brothers "Between the Sheets" Between the Sheets [13]
1983 The Isley Brothers "Choosey Lover" Between the Sheets [13]
1983 Michael Jackson "Human Nature" Thriller [6]
1983 Michael Jackson "Baby Be Mine" Thriller [6]
1983 Michael Jackson "The Lady in My Life" Thriller [6]
1983 Peabo Bryson "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" Born to Love (duet with Roberta Flack[12])
1983 Dionne Warwick "So Amazing" How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye [4]
1983 Dionne Warwick "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye (duet with Luther Vandross[4])
1983 Art of Noise "Moments in Love" Into Battle with the Art of Noise [23]
1984 Lionel Richie "Hello" Can't Slow Down [6]
1984 Stevie Wonder "Love Light in Flight" The Woman in Red soundtrack [18]
1984 Sade "Hang On to Your Love" Diamond Life
1985 Sade "Smooth Operator" Diamond Life [6]
1985 Sade "Your Love Is King" Diamond Life
1985 Sade "The Sweetest Taboo" Promise [24]
1985 Billy Ocean "Suddenly" Suddenly [6]
1985 Chaka Khan "Through the Fire" I Feel for You [6]
1985 Luther Vandross "Creepin'" The Night I Fell in Love [18]
1985 Whitney Houston "Saving All My Love for You" Whitney Houston [6]
1985 Loose Ends "Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" So Where Are You? [10]
1985 Force MDs "Tender Love" Krush Groove
1985 Stevie Wonder "Overjoyed" In Square Circle [6]
1986 Kenny G "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" Duotones (vocal by Ellis Hall[10])
1986 The Gap Band "I Know We'll Make It" Gap Band VII [13]
1986 Shirley Jones "Do You Get Enough Love" Always in the Mood [10]
1986 René & Angela "You Don't Have to Cry" Street Called Desire [12]
1986 Anita Baker "Sweet Love" Rapture
1986 Anita Baker "Caught Up in the Rapture" Rapture
1987 Anita Baker "Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year)" Rapture
1987 Anita Baker "No One in the World" Rapture
1987 Janet Jackson "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)" Control
1987 Peabo Bryson "Without You" Leonard Part 6 (duet with Regina Belle)
1987 Kashif "Love Changes" Love Changes (duet with Meli'sa Morgan[12])
1988 Anita Baker "Giving You the Best That I Got" Giving You the Best That I Got
1988 Keith Sweat "Make It Last Forever" Make It Last Forever (duet with Jacci McGhee[4])
1988 Anita Baker "Just Because" Giving You the Best That I Got
1988 Anita Baker "Lead Me into Love" Giving You the Best That I Got
1988 Brenda Russell "Piano in the Dark" Get Here (with Joe Esposito)
1988 Al B. Sure! "Nite and Day" In Effect Mode [10]
1988 The Deele "Two Occasions" Eyes of a Stranger [4]
1988 New Edition "Can You Stand the Rain" Heart Break [25]
1989 Michel'le "Something in My Heart" Michel'le [4]
1989 James Ingram "I Don't Have the Heart" It's Real
1989 Luther Vandross "Here and Now" The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love [4]
1989 Randy Crawford "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" Rich and Poor [10]
1989 Maze "Silky Soul" Silky Soul [10]
1989 Skyy "Real Love" Start of a Romance [8]
1990 Najee "I'll Be Good to You" Tokyo Blue (vocal by Vesta Williams[10])
1990 Babyface "Whip Appeal" Tender Lover [6]
1990 Mariah Carey "Vision of Love" Mariah Carey [1]
1990 Whitney Houston "All the Man That I Need" I'm Your Baby Tonight [1]
1990 Quincy Jones "The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)" Back on the Block (vocals by Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge, and Barry White)[26]
1990 Freddie Jackson "Love Me Down" Do Me Again [1]
1990 Mariah Carey "Love Takes Time" Mariah Carey [1]
1991 Freddie Jackson "Do Me Again" Do Me Again [1]
1991 Fourplay "After the Dance" Fourplay (vocal by El DeBarge[10])
1991 Lisa Fischer "How Can I Ease the Pain" So Intense [4]
1991 Peabo Bryson "Can You Stop the Rain" Can You Stop the Rain [1]
1991 Teddy Pendergrass "It Should've Been You" Truly Blessed [1]
1991 Luther Vandross "Power of Love/Love Power" Power of Love [4]
1991 Tracie Spencer "Tender Kisses" Make the Difference [4]
1991 Phyllis Hyman "When You Get Right Down to It" Prime of My Life [13]
1992 Boyz II Men "End of the Road" Boomerang [4]
1992 Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" The Bodyguard [1]
1992 Toni Braxton "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" Toni Braxton [27]
1992 Sade "No Ordinary Love" Love Deluxe [6]
1993 Sade "Kiss of Life" Love Deluxe [4]
1993 Sade "Cherish the Day" Love Deluxe [4]
1993 Vanessa Williams "Love Is" Beverly Hills 90210 (duet with Brian McKnight[20])
1993 Jon Lucien "Would You Believe in Me" Mother Nature's Son [28]
1993 Toni Braxton "Another Sad Love Song" Toni Braxton [4]
1993 Toni Braxton "Breathe Again" Toni Braxton [4]
1993 Toni Braxton "Seven Whole Days" Toni Braxton [4]
1994 Barry White "Practice What You Preach" The Icon Is Love [4]
1994 Janet Jackson "Any Time, Any Place" Janet [4]
1994 Boyz II Men "I'll Make Love to You" II [4]
1994 Luther Vandross "Always and Forever" Songs
1995 Faith Evans "Soon as I Get Home" Faith [4]
1995 Whitney Houston "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" Waiting to Exhale [4]
1995 D'Angelo "Brown Sugar" Brown Sugar [4]
1995 TLC "Red Light Special" CrazySexyCool [4]
1996 Keith Sweat "Nobody" Keith Sweat (duet with Athena Cage[4])
1996 Maxwell "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite [4]
1996 Maxwell "Whenever Wherever Whatever" Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite [4]
1996 Toni Braxton "Un-Break My Heart" Secrets [4]
1997 Toni Braxton "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" Secrets [4]
1997 Toni Braxton "Let It Flow" Secrets [4]
1997 Toni Braxton "I Love Me Some Him" Secrets [4]
1997 Toni Braxton "I Don't Want To" Secrets [4]
1997 Erykah Badu "Next Lifetime" Baduizm [4]
1997 Mary J. Blige "Missing You" Share My World [4]
1997 Maxwell "This Woman's Work" independent single [4]
1997 Rachelle Ferrell "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This" Rachelle Ferrell (duet with Will Downing[29])
1997 Walter Beasley "Visions" Tonight We Love [30]
1997 Usher "Nice & Slow" My Way [4]
1998 Monica "Angel of Mine" The Boy Is Mine [4]
1998 Jon B. "They Don't Know" Cool Relax [4]
1998 Phyllis Hyman "Funny How Love Goes" Forever with You (duet with Damon Williams[13])
1998 Phyllis Hyman "The Kids" Forever with You [13]
1998 Dru Hill "Beauty" Enter the Dru [4]
1998 Tyrese "Sweet Lady" Tyrese [4]
1998 Lauryn Hill "Ex-Factor" The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill [4]
1999 Brandy "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" Never Say Never [4]
1999 Case "Happily Ever After" Personal Conversation [4]
1999 Brian McKnight "Back at One" Back at One [4]
1999 Luther Vandross "I'm Only Human" I Know (featuring Cassandra Wilson and Bob James[10])
1999 Joe "I Wanna Know" My Name Is Joe [4]
2000 D'Angelo "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" Voodoo [4]
2000 D'Angelo "Send It On" Voodoo
2000 Donell Jones "Where I Wanna Be" Where I Wanna Be [4]
2000 Kelly Price "As We Lay" Mirror Mirror [4]
2000 Carl Thomas "Lady Lay Your Body" Emotional [4]
2000 Sisqó "Incomplete" Unleash the Dragon [4]
2000 Musiq Soulchild "Love" Aijuswanaseing [4]
2004 Beyoncé "The Closer I Get to You" Dangerously in Love (duet with Luther Vandross[4])
2004 Luther Vandross "The Closer I Get to You" Dance with My Father (duet with Beyoncé[4])
2004 Usher "Burn" Confessions [4]
2007 Justin Timberlake "Until the End of Time" FutureSex/LoveSounds (featuring Beyoncé[4])
2010 Alicia Keys "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" The Element of Freedom [31]
2012 Usher "Climax" Looking 4 Myself [32]
2013 Alicia Keys "Fire We Make" Girl on Fire [33]
2014 Nicki Minaj "Four Door Aventador" The Pinkprint
2015 Janet Jackson "No Sleeep" Unbreakable (featuring J. Cole[34])

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Ripani, Richard J. (2006). The New Blue Music: Changes in Rhythm & Blues, 1950-1999. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 132. ISBN 1578068614.
  2. ^ Beamon, Todd (February 10, 1987). "Durable Radio Format Survives Shift in Tastes". The New York Times.
  3. ^ George, Nelson (October 4, 1986). "Quiet Storm Sweeps Black Radio". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 40. pp. 1, 90. ISSN 0006-2510.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb Da'shan Smith (July 12, 2018). "From Sade to Drake: The game-changers of the Quiet Storm genre". Revolt. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  5. ^ King, Jason (2007). "The Sound of Velvet Melting". In Weisbard, Eric (ed.). Listen Again: A Momentary History of Pop Music. Duke University Press. pp. 172–199. ISBN 978-0822390558.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Harvey, Eric (May 15, 2012). "The Quiet Storm". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Soul Classics Quiet Storm: The 70's (CD booklet). Rebound Records. 1995.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Smooth Grooves: A Sensual Collection (CD booklet). Rhino Entertainment. 1996.
  9. ^ "Quiet Storm Music Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Quiet Storm (Smooth & Silky) (CD booklet). Rhino Entertainment. 2007.
  11. ^ Body + Soul: Quiet Storm (CD booklet). Time/Life Music. 2001.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Smooth Grooves: Soulful Duets (CD booklet). Rhino Entertainment. 2002.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Bogdanov, Vladimir, ed. (2003). All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul. Hal Leonard. ISBN 9780879307448.
  14. ^ "A Quiet Storm - Smokey Robinson - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  15. ^ Holmes, Dave (14 February 2018). "This Playlist Is Proof Barack and Michelle Obama Still Have It". Esquire. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Peabo Bryson - Reaching for the Sky / Crosswinds (reissue) (2011) (Review)". SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  17. ^ Foley, Aaron. "Playlist: Eleven of Teena Marie's best songs". MLive.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  18. ^ a b c Cochrane, Naima (May 5, 2019). "Music Sermon: The Quiet Storm Is Still Brewing". Vibe. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  19. ^ Ollison, Rashod D. "Passionate sound of Angela Bofill endures for years". Baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  20. ^ a b c Soul Classics: Quiet Storm – The 80's (CD booklet). Rebound Records. 1996.
  21. ^ Holland, Bill (December 4, 1982). "Jones Keeps Up". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 48. p. 19. ISSN 0006-2510.
  22. ^ "Too Tough/Teaser - Angela Bofill - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  23. ^ Stiernberg, Bonnie. "The 50 Sexiest Songs of All Time". Pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  24. ^ "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s". Pitchfork. August 24, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  25. ^ "The Best Songs to Get You in the MoodNew Edition "Can You Stand the Rain?" (1988)". Complex. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  26. ^ Butta (June 20, 2008). "#41: Quincy Jones 'The Secret Garden'". Soulbounce. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  27. ^ Murphy, Keith (January 2007). "Smoothed Out on the R&B Tip". Vibe. Vol. 15, no. 1. p. 70. ISSN 1070-4701.
  28. ^ "Sweet Control: The Best of Jon Lucien - Jon Lucien - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  29. ^ Smooth Grooves: Soulful Duets (CD booklet). Rhino Entertainment. 2002.
  30. ^ Smooth Jazz: Quiet Storm (CD booklet). Shanachie Records. 2001.
  31. ^ Lambert, Molly (2010-12-13). "The Top 100 Tracks of 2010: The Element of Freedom (Alicia Keys)". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  32. ^ Hogan, Marc (February 15, 2012). "14 Ways Usher and Diplo's Slow Jam 'Climax' Keeps Peaking". Spin. New York. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  33. ^ Easlea, Daryl (November 30, 2012). "Review of Alicia Keys – Girl on Fire". BBC Music. BBC. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  34. ^ Garvey, Meaghan (June 23, 2015). "No Sleeep by Janet Jackson Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 21, 2021.