20 Luther Vandross Classic Hits

During his outstanding career. Luther Vandross reached number one on the Billboard R&B album chart eight times (seven consecutive number one albums), and he recorded seven songs which hit the top of the singles chart.

01
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1981: "Never Too Much"

Luther Vandross performs

David Redfern / Redferns

Luther Vandross composed and produced the title song of his 1981 debut solo album which reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male. 

02
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1982: "A House Is Not A Home

Luther Vandross performs

Michael Putland / Getty Images

Luther Vandross covered Dionne Warwick's 1964 song "A House Is Not A Home" on his 1981 debut solo album, Never Too Much. His version was seven minutes long, and was always a highlight of his live performances.

03
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1984: "Superstar"/"Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)"

Luther Vandross performs

Paul Natkin / WireImage

For his third solo album, Busy Body, Luther Vandross recorded a unique medley of The Carpenters' 1971 hit "Superstar" and Aretha Franklin's classic from 1973, "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)." It was always a magical moment when he performed the medley in concert. 

04
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1989: "Here and Now"

Luther Vandross performs

Paul Natkin / WireImage

"Here and Now" was a number one Billboard R&B hit from the 1989 album, The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love. It earned him his first Grammy Award: Best Male R&dB Vocal Performance in 1991​ and was his first song to enter the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. 

05
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2003: "Dance With My Father"

Luther Vandross performs

Michel Linssen / Redferns

"Dance With My Father" won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male in 2004. It was the title tune of Vandross' 13th solo album, and Dance With My Father also won Best R&B Album.

06
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1980: "The Glow of Love" with Change

Luther Vandross portrait

Harry Langdon / Getty Images

Luther Vandross sang lead vocals on "The Glow of Love" by the Italian group Change which hit number one on the Billboard Dance chart in 1980. 

07
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1994: "Endless Love" with Mariah Carey

Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey in the studio

Waring Abbott / Getty Images

Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey covered the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross classic "Endless Love" for his 1994 album, Songs. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.

08
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2004: "The Closer I Get To You" with Beyonce

Luther Vandross performs

Raymond Boyd / Getty Images

Luther Vandross and Beyonce won Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2004 Grammy Awards for their version of the Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway classic, "The Closer I Get To You." 

09
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1991: "Power of Love/Love Power"

Luther Vandross candid photo

Evan Agostini / Liaison

"Power of Love/Love Power" from Luther Vandross' 1991 album, Power of Love, remained at number one for two weeks on the Billboard R&dB chart. Vandross received Grammy Awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male, and Best R&B Song.

10
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1988: "Any Love"

Luther Vandross at an event

Evan Agostini / ImageDirect

The title song of Luther Vandross' sixth album, Any Love, became his fourth Billboard R&B number one hit in 1988.

11
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1984: "If This World Were Mine" with Cheryl Lynn

Luther Vandross performs

Frank Micelotta / Getty Images

Luther Vandross produced Cheryl Lynn's 1982 Instant Love album featuring their version of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell classic, "If This World Were Mine."

12
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1994: "Always and Forever"

Mary J. Blige and Luther Vandross

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The classic "Always and Forever" was originally recorded by Heatwave in 1977. Luther Vandross covered it for his 1994 Songs album and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

13
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1986: "If Only For One Night

Luther Vandross at an event

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Brenda Russell recorded "If Only For One Night" on her 1979 debut solo album, and Luther Vandross spun his own magic on the song for his 1985 album, The Night I Fell in Love.

14
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1986: "Give Me The Reason"

Luther Vandross performs

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Luther Vandross hit number three on the Billboard R&B chart in 1986 with the title song of his fifth solo album, Give Me The Reason. The song was also included on the soundtrack of the movie Ruthless People starring Danny DeVito and Bette Midler, It received Grammy Awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance—Male and Best R&B Song.

15
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1986: "Stop To Love"

Luther Vandross portrait

GAB Archive / Redferns

"Stop To Love" from Luther Vandross's 1986 Give Me The Reason album was his second number one single on the Billboard R&B chart.

16
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1983: "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" with Dionne Warwick

Luther Vandross and Dionne Warwick

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Dionne Warwick was one of Luther Vandross' idols, and it was like a dream come true for him to record the duet "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" with her. It was the title song of her 1983 album which he produced.

17
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1980: "Searching" with Change

Luther Vandross at an event

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"Searching" was one of two songs (along with "The Glow Of Love") by the Italian group Change featuring lead vocals by Luther Vandross that hit number one on the Billboard dance chart in 1980.

18
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1987: "So Amazing"

Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston

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Luther Vandross received an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and a nomination for Favorite Soul/R&B Album for Give Me The Reason in 1985. The enchanting ballad "So Amazing" was one of the singles from the album, and although it was not a major chart hit, it lived up to its name in concert and was always a favorite on tour.

19
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1982: "Baby Boy/Having A Party"

Luther Vandross at an event

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Luther Vandross paid tribute to Sam Cooke by covering his 1962 hit "Having A Party" as a medley with an original song, "Bad Boy." "Bad Boy/Having a Party" was the first single from Vandross' second album, Forever, For Always, For Love, in 1982.

20
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1985: "'Till My Baby Comes Home"

Luther Vandross receiving an award

Frank Micelotta / ABC / ImageDirect

"'Til My Baby Comes Home" was the first single from Luther Vandross' fourth consecutive number one platinum album, The Night I Fell In Love, released in 1985.