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 as a form of early evening/late night easy listening music aimed at a sophisticated African American audience. 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. 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.
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.
Songs
Year | Artist | Song | Album | Notes |
1971 | "Just My Imagination " | Sky's the Limit | ||
1971 | "Let's Stay Together" | Let's Stay Together | ||
1971 | "Ain't Understanding Mellow" | The Sagittarius Movement | ||
1972 | " I Don't Want to Be Right" | independent single | ||
1972 | "Me and Mrs. Jones" | 360 Degrees of Billy Paul | ||
1973 | "I've Got So Much to Give" | I've Got So Much to Give | ||
1973 | "Sexy Mama" | independent single | ||
1973 | Bloodstone | "Natural High" | Natural High | |
1973 | "Killing Me Softly with His Song" | Killing Me Softly | ||
1973 | "Let's Get It On" | Let's Get It On | ||
1973 | "Distant Lover" | Let's Get It On | ||
1973 | "Come Get to This" | Let's Get It On | ||
1974 | Tower of Power | "Time Will Tell" | Back to Oakland | |
1974 | "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" | Can't Get Enough | ||
1974 | "Feel Like Makin' Love" | Feel Like Makin' Love | ||
1974 | "You Make Me Feel Brand New" | Rockin' Roll Baby | ||
1975 | "Walking in Rhythm" | Flying Start | ||
1975 | "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon" | To Be True | ||
1975 | "Misty Blue" | Misty Blue | ||
1975 | "I Can't Say No" | Inseparable | ||
1975 | "Inseparable" | Inseparable | ||
1975 | "For the Love of You" | The Heat Is On | ||
1975 | "Quiet Storm" | A Quiet Storm | ||
1976 | "After the Dance" | I Want You | ||
1976 | Commodores | "Sweet Love" | Movin' On | |
1976 | "You Are My Starship" | You Are My Starship | ||
1976 | "This Masquerade" | Breezin | ||
1976 | L.T.D. | "Love Ballad" | Love to the World | |
1977 | "Footsteps in the Dark" | Go for Your Guns | ||
1977 | "Messin' with My Mind" | The Gap Band | ||
1977 | "Lovely Day" | Menagerie | ||
1977 | "Peaceful Living" | Unpredictable | ||
1977 | "I Don't Want to Lose You" | Phyllis Hyman | ||
1977 | Heatwave | "Always and Forever" | Too Hot to Handle | |
1977 | "La Costa" | Thankful | ||
1978 | "Close the Door" | Life Is a Song Worth Singing | ||
1978 | "Use ta Be My Girl" | So Full of Love | ||
1978 | "This Time I'll Be Sweeter" | Angie | ||
1978 | "The Closer I Get to You" | Blue Lights in the Basement | ||
1978 | "I'm So into You" | Crosswinds | ||
1978 | Chic | "At Last I Am Free" | C'est Chic | |
1978 | Rose Royce | "Wishing on a Star" | ' | |
1978 | "Déjà Vu " | Wild and Peaceful | ||
1978 | "The Answer Is You" | Somewhere in My Lifetime | ||
1978 | "Gonna Make Changes" | Somewhere in My Lifetime | ||
1978 | Delegation | "Oh Honey" | The Promise of Love | |
1978 | Ashford & Simpson | "Is It Still Good to Ya" | Is It Still Good to Ya | |
1978 | "I'm Gonna Miss You in the Morning" | Sounds...and Stuff Like That!! | ||
1978 | "What You Won't Do for Love" | Bobby Caldwell | ||
1979 | "Rise" | Rise | ||
1979 | "Feel the Fire" | What Cha' Gonna Do with My Lovin | ||
1979 | Peaches & Herb | "Reunited" | 2 Hot | |
1979 | "No Hiding Place" | The Gap Band II | ||
1979 | "Between You Baby & Me" | Heartbeat | ||
1979 | "What You Won't Do for Love" | We're the Best of Friends | ||
1979 | Commodores | "Still" | Midnight Magic | |
1979 | "I Can't Help It" | Off the Wall | ||
1979 | "I Try" | Angel of the Night | ||
1979 | "Cruisin'" | Where There's Smoke... | ||
1980 | Kool & the Gang | "Too Hot" | Ladies' Night | |
1981 | "Being With You" | Being With You | ||
1981 | "We're in This Love Together" | Breakin' Away | ||
1981 | "Two Hearts" | Stephanie | ||
1981 | Rose Royce | "Golden Touch" | Rose Royce V: Golden Touch | |
1981 | "Turn Your Love Around" | The George Benson Collection | ||
1981 | "Endless Love" | ' | ||
1981 | "A House Is Not a Home" | Never Too Much | ||
1981 | "Just the Two of Us" | Winelight | ||
1981 | "Yearning for Your Love" | The Gap Band III | ||
1981 | "Nothin' Comes to Sleepers" | The Gap Band III | ||
1981 | "Just Once" | The Dude | ||
1981 | "Fire and Desire" | Street Songs | ||
1982 | "Baby, Come to Me" | Every Home Should Have One | ||
1982 | "Sexual Healing" | Midnight Love | ||
1982 | Tavares | "A Penny for Your Thoughts" | New Directions | |
1982 | "Remind Me" | Straight from the Heart | ||
1982 | "Ribbon in the Sky" | Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I | ||
1982 | "If This World Were Mine" | Instant Love | ||
1982 | "The Best Is Yet to Come" | The Best Is Yet to Come | ||
1982 | "I Keep Forgettin' " | If That's What It Takes | ||
1982 | DeBarge | "All This Love" | All This Love | |
1983 | "Tonight I Give In" | Too Tough | ||
1983 | "Mornin'" | Jarreau | ||
1983 | "'Til Tomorrow" | Midnight Love | ||
1983 | "Between the Sheets" | Between the Sheets | ||
1983 | "Choosey Lover" | Between the Sheets | ||
1983 | "Human Nature" | Thriller | ||
1983 | "Baby Be Mine" | Thriller | ||
1983 | "The Lady in My Life" | Thriller | ||
1983 | "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" | Born to Love | ||
1983 | "So Amazing" | How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye | ||
1983 | "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" | How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye | ||
1983 | Art of Noise | "Moments in Love" | Into Battle with the Art of Noise | |
1984 | "Hello" | Can't Slow Down | ||
1984 | "Love Light in Flight" | The Woman in Red soundtrack | ||
1984 | Sade | "Hang On to Your Love" | Diamond Life | |
1985 | Sade | "Smooth Operator" | Diamond Life | |
1985 | Sade | "Your Love Is King" | Diamond Life | |
1985 | "Suddenly" | Suddenly | ||
1985 | "Through the Fire" | I Feel for You | ||
1985 | "Creepin'" | The Night I Fell in Love | ||
1985 | "Saving All My Love for You" | Whitney Houston | ||
1985 | Loose Ends | "Hangin' on a String " | So Where Are You? | |
1985 | Force MDs | "Tender Love" | Krush Groove | |
1985 | "Overjoyed" | In Square Circle | ||
1986 | Kenny G | "What Does It Take " | Duotones | |
1986 | "I Know We'll Make It" | Gap Band VII | ||
1986 | "Do You Get Enough Love" | Always in the Mood | ||
1986 | René & Angela | "You Don't Have to Cry" | Street Called Desire | |
1986 | "Sweet Love" | Rapture | ||
1986 | "Caught Up in the Rapture" | Rapture | ||
1987 | "Same Ole Love " | Rapture | ||
1987 | "No One in the World" | Rapture | ||
1987 | "Funny How Time Flies " | Control | ||
1987 | "Without You" | Leonard Part 6 | ||
1987 | Kashif | "Love Changes" | Love Changes | |
1988 | "Giving You the Best That I Got" | Giving You the Best That I Got | ||
1988 | "Make It Last Forever" | Make It Last Forever | ||
1988 | "Just Because" | Giving You the Best That I Got | ||
1988 | "Lead Me into Love" | Giving You the Best That I Got | ||
1988 | "Piano in the Dark" | Get Here | ||
1988 | Al B. Sure! | "Nite and Day" | In Effect Mode | |
1988 | "Two Occasions" | Eyes of a Stranger | ||
1988 | New Edition | "Can You Stand the Rain" | Heart Break | |
1989 | Michel'le | "Something in My Heart" | Michel'le | |
1989 | "I Don't Have the Heart" | It's Real | ||
1989 | "Here and Now" | The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love | ||
1989 | "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" | Rich and Poor | ||
1989 | Maze | "Silky Soul" | Silky Soul | |
1989 | Skyy | "Real Love" | Start of a Romance | |
1990 | Najee | "I'll Be Good to You" | Tokyo Blue | |
1990 | Babyface | "Whip Appeal" | Tender Lover | |
1990 | "Vision of Love" | Mariah Carey | ||
1990 | "All the Man That I Need" | I'm Your Baby Tonight | ||
1990 | "The Secret Garden " | Back on the Block | ||
1990 | "Love Me Down" | Do Me Again | ||
1990 | "Love Takes Time" | Mariah Carey | ||
1991 | "Do Me Again" | Do Me Again | ||
1991 | Fourplay | "After the Dance" | Fourplay | |
1991 | "How Can I Ease the Pain" | So Intense | ||
1991 | "Can You Stop the Rain" | Can You Stop the Rain | ||
1991 | "It Should've Been You" | Truly Blessed | ||
1991 | "Power of Love/Love Power" | Power of Love | ||
1991 | "Tender Kisses" | Make the Difference | ||
1991 | "When You Get Right Down to It" | Prime of My Life | ||
1992 | Boyz II Men | "End of the Road" | Boomerang | |
1992 | "I Will Always Love You" | The Bodyguard | ||
1992 | "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" | Toni Braxton | ||
1992 | Sade | "No Ordinary Love" | Love Deluxe | |
1993 | Sade | "Kiss of Life" | Love Deluxe | |
1993 | Sade | "Cherish the Day" | Love Deluxe | |
1993 | "Love Is" | Beverly Hills 90210 | ||
1993 | "Would You Believe in Me" | Mother Nature's Son | ||
1993 | "Another Sad Love Song" | Toni Braxton | ||
1993 | "Breathe Again" | Toni Braxton | ||
1993 | "Seven Whole Days" | Toni Braxton | ||
1997 | "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This" | Rachelle Ferrell | ||
1994 | "Practice What You Preach" | The Icon Is Love | ||
1994 | "Any Time, Any Place" | Janet | ||
1994 | Boyz II Men | "I'll Make Love to You" | II | |
1994 | "Always and Forever" | Songs | ||
1995 | "Soon as I Get Home" | Faith | ||
1995 | "Exhale " | Waiting to Exhale | ||
1995 | TLC | "Red Light Special" | CrazySexyCool | |
1996 | "Nobody" | Keith Sweat | ||
1996 | Maxwell | "Ascension " | Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite | |
1996 | Maxwell | "Whenever Wherever Whatever" | Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite | |
1996 | "Un-Break My Heart" | Secrets | ||
1997 | "How Could an Angel Break My Heart" | Secrets | ||
1997 | "Let It Flow" | Secrets | ||
1997 | "I Love Me Some Him" | Secrets | ||
1997 | "I Don't Want To" | Secrets | ||
1997 | "Next Lifetime" | Baduizm | ||
1997 | "Missing You" | Share My World | ||
1997 | Maxwell | "This Woman's Work" | independent single | |
1997 | "Visions" | Tonight We Love | ||
1997 | Usher | "Nice & Slow" | My Way | |
1998 | Monica | "Angel of Mine" | The Boy Is Mine | |
1998 | Jon B. | "They Don't Know" | Cool Relax | |
1998 | "Funny How Love Goes" | Forever with You | ||
1998 | "The Kids" | Forever with You | ||
1998 | Dru Hill | "Beauty" | Enter the Dru | |
1998 | Tyrese | "Sweet Lady" | Tyrese | |
1998 | "Ex-Factor" | The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill | ||
1999 | Brandy | " I Do It for You" | Never Say Never | |
1999 | Case | "Happily Ever After" | Personal Conversation | |
1999 | "Back at One" | Back at One | ||
1999 | D'Angelo | "Brown Sugar" | Brown Sugar | |
1999 | "I'm Only Human" | I Know | ||
1999 | Joe | "I Wanna Know" | My Name Is Joe | |
2000 | D'Angelo | "Untitled " | Voodoo | |
2000 | D'Angelo | "Send It On" | Voodoo | |
2000 | "Where I Wanna Be" | Where I Wanna Be | ||
2000 | "As We Lay" | Mirror Mirror | ||
2000 | "Lady Lay Your Body" | Emotional | ||
2000 | Sisqó | "Incomplete" | Unleash the Dragon | |
2000 | Musiq Soulchild | "Love" | Aijuswanaseing | |
2004 | Beyoncé | "The Closer I Get to You" | Dangerously in Love | |
2004 | "The Closer I Get to You" | Dance with My Father | ||
2004 | Usher | "Burn" | Confessions | |
2007 | "Until the End of Time" | FutureSex/LoveSounds | ||
2010 | "Un-Thinkable " | The Element of Freedom | ||
2012 | Usher | "Climax" | Looking 4 Myself | |
2013 | "Fire We Make" | Girl on Fire |