Western R&B Popularity Ranking [2025]

No More TearsBarbra Streisand & Donna Summer57rank/position

Barbra Streisand / Donna Summer – No More Tears (Enough is Enough) (Extended Version)

This is a song that moves you with its intro piano chord progression and a lyrical style that gently, patiently sings from the very first line.

If you’re a fan of Western music from the ’70s, you might know it: a track by the actress and singer Barbra Streisand.

Or so you think—midway through, it makes a dramatic shift, transforming into a super funky, danceable tune.

It’s a legendary track that had a profound influence on later generations.

You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)Sylvester58rank/position

Sylvester – You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

This is a classic by the American singer Sylvester, whose soaring, gospel-rooted falsetto and shimmering synths make your whole heart want to dance.

Bursting with powerful, joyous energy that seems to declare with every fiber, “Being my true self is this wonderful!”, the song gently frees the listener’s spirit.

Released as a single from the album Step II in October 1978, it set a record by topping the U.

S.

dance chart for six consecutive weeks.

It was also used in the TV show Friends.

When you want to let go and have pure fun, listening to this track gives you a mysterious kind of courage—as if it affirms every version of who you are.

BreakoutSwing Out Sister59rank/position

Swing Out Sister – Breakout (Official Music Video)

An iconic song that epitomizes the radiant synth-pop of the ’80s arrives from the British group Swing Out Sister.

Its exhilarating rhythm, brass section, and strings weave a sophisticated sound that brilliantly fuses synth-pop with jazz elements.

Conceived by band member Corinne Drewery while she was hospitalized after a riding accident, the track was released in September 1986 with an uplifting message, achieving a stellar performance of No.

4 in the UK and No.

6 in the US.

Featured on the album “It’s Better to Travel,” it also earned two Grammy nominations.

Breathing new life into disco, this track is perfect for nighttime drives or anytime you want to lift your spirits.

act ii: date @ 8 (remix) feat. Drake4Batz60rank/position

4Batz – act ii: date @ 8 (remix) feat. Drake

The Dallas-born artist 4Batz, who is bringing fresh energy to the R&B scene, is generating buzz with his latest track.

This work is a remix version featuring Drake, released in March 2024.

Set to a stylish R&B sound, the lyrics vividly depict a date starting at 8 p.

m.

4Batz’s distinctive vocal tone and Drake’s fluid rap blend seamlessly, inviting listeners into a special night.

The original version, released in December 2023, also drew major attention and rapidly boosted 4Batz’s profile.

It’s a perfect song for a nighttime drive or as background music for a date with someone special.

She Works Hard For The Money – Single VersionDonna Summer61rank/position

She Works Hard For The Money

When it comes to disco numbers from the ’80s, the “Queen of Disco,” Donna Summer, naturally tops the list.

The song we’re featuring today was produced by Michael Omartian, written and composed by Summer herself, and released in 1983 as a hit single.

Also known in Japan by the title “Tales of Passion,” it became one of Summer’s signature songs.

Led by a mechanical bass line and that distinctly ’80s snare sound, the track brilliantly blends pop and rock elements with a catchy melody.

Her overwhelming vocal prowess needs no explanation.

Be sure to take a look at the lyrics as well—they’re rooted in Summer’s own experiences.

The HustleVan McCoy62rank/position

Van McCoy – “The Hustle”

Released in 1975.

It debuted at No.

1 on the Billboard weekly chart upon release.

Written and composed by hitmaker Van McCoy, its memorable chorus sticks in your head.

It became their best-selling single with over 10 million copies sold and won a Grammy the following year.

It also gained popularity in Japan, dominating the Oricon chart at No.

1 for more than two months.

Many people may recognize it from commercials.

I’ll Take You ThereThe Staple Singers63rank/position

The Staple Singers – I’ll Take You There (Official Lyric Video)

This is a soul-stirring gem released in March 1972 by The Staple Singers, a gospel-soul group that epitomizes American music.

As a family band made up of a father and his children, their seamless harmonies and powerful groove captivate listeners and won’t let go.

Issued as a single from the album “Be Altitude: Respect Yourself,” the track was produced by Stax Records’ renowned Al Bell.

Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, it skillfully weaves elements of funk and gospel to convey a message yearning for a world free of racial discrimination.

It reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its breezy, body-swaying sound makes it a perfect recommendation for anyone who wishes for peace through music.