Music Metrics Vault

Billy Ocean

Data updated on 2025-04-24 08:13:27 UTC
Billy Ocean's string of smash international hits in the '80s -- starting with 1984's "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" and running through 1988's "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" -- tends to obscure his enduring success in his home base of the United Kingdom. Although new hits dried up for Ocean after the '90s, his '80s singles -- which also include the ballads "Suddenly" and "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" along with the bouncy, inspirational "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" -- retained their popularity, allowing the singer to sustain a career into the 21st century.

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Billy Ocean -- born Leslie Sebastian Charles on January 21, 1950 -- moved to England with his family when he was ten years old, gravitating toward music not much later. At first taken with calypso music, he soon learned to love soul and rock, then started to play clubs when he was a teenager. He released two singles as Les Charles in 1971 ("Nashville Rain") and 1972 ("Reach Out a Hand") before singing with Scorched Earth on the 1974 single "On the Run." A year later, he adopted the stage name Billy Ocean and had a number two U.K. hit with "Love Really Hurts Without You," a single that also managed to reach 22 on Billboard's Hot 100. "Love Really Hurts Without You" anchored his 1975 self-titled debut, which generated two further U.K. hits in "L.O.D. (Love on Delivery)" and "Stop Me (If You've Heard It All Before)." The non-LP single "Red Light Spells Danger" went all the way to two in 1977, but the singles from his 1979 album City Limit didn't crack the Top 40. Its two successors -- 1981's Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) and 1982's Inner Feelings -- didn't manage to generate hits in the U.K., but "Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)" did make it into the U.S. R&B Top Ten in 1981.

Ocean's career truly took off in 1984, when "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" was released as the first single from his fifth album, Suddenly. "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)," which was released as "European Queen" and "African Queen" in regional markets, rocketed into the Top Ten throughout the world, peaking at two in the U.S. and six in the U.K. Two other major hits followed in 1985 -- the rocker "Loverboy," which went to two in the U.S., and the ballad "Suddenly," which peaked at four on Billboard -- establishing Billy Ocean as an international star. Released at the beginning of 1986, Love Zone consolidated Ocean's success via the chart-topping singles "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" and "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)"; additionally, it generated the U.S. Top 20 hits "Love Zone" and "Love Is Forever." Tear Down These Walls, released in 1988, kept Ocean's momentum going thanks to the major hit "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car." This hot streak was summarized on 1989's Greatest Hits, which went platinum in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

Ocean took a hiatus after Tear Down These Walls, returning in 1993 with the R. Kelly-produced Time to Move On. This R&B-dominated album proved to be his last for over a decade and a half. During this extended hiatus, he concentrated on raising a family, returning to action in 2007 with a worldwide tour. He followed this comeback with 2009's Because I Love You, his first album in 16 years. A year later, the U.K. hits compilation The Very Best of Billy Ocean reached 17 on the charts. In 2013, he released Here You Are, an album of covers of his favorite songs. Three years after its original release, Here You Are was repackaged with a bonus disc of greatest hits for a U.K. re-release, which was followed a year later by a U.S. release that paired the album with his five biggest hits. In 2020, Ocean re-teamed with long-time writing collaborator Barry Eastmond for the LP One World. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Total plays

1.3 billion
Updated on 2025-04-24

Monthly listeners

5,909,137

Followers

1,260,649

Top Cities

  1. United Kingdom
    135,343 listeners
  2. Australia
    110,943 listeners
  3. Australia
    94,882 listeners
  4. Chile
    99,318 listeners
  5. Mexico
    83,574 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Love Really Hurts Without You
Love Really Hurts Without You
275,928,264 2:59 1976-01-05
Caribbean Queen (No More Love On the Run)
Caribbean Queen (No More Love On the Run)
259,457,668 7:55 1984-09-12
European Queen (No More Love On the Run)
European Queen (No More Love On the Run)
259,457,668 4:06 2014-03-21
When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going
When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going
86,849,480 4:07 2006-06-03
Red Light Spells Danger
Red Light Spells Danger
77,920,002 3:31 1976-01-05
Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
66,282,263 4:45 2006-11-20
Suddenly
Suddenly
62,984,315 3:55 1984-09-12
Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car
Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car
54,105,477 5:34 1988-03-07
Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
54,105,477 5:34 2008-05-21
Loverboy
Loverboy
27,950,817 4:10 2009-11-27
There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)
There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)
19,731,125 4:53 1986-01-01
Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) - Extended Mix
Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) - Extended Mix
9,517,038 8:14 1984-09-12
Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)
Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)
7,137,636 7:55 2009-12-14
Nights (Feel Like Gettin' Down)
Nights (Feel Like Gettin' Down)
6,019,100 4:42 1972-01-01
The Colour of Love
The Colour of Love
5,435,779 4:22 1988-03-07
Stay the Night
Stay the Night
5,085,261 3:11 1981-01-01
Love Is Forever
Love Is Forever
3,729,479 4:14 1986-01-01
A Simple Game
A Simple Game
3,265,645 5:03 2013-04-22
Are You Ready - 12" Version
Are You Ready - 12" Version
3,136,150 6:54 1980-07-01
Love Zone
Love Zone
2,878,892 4:13 2010-04-26
L.O.D. (Love on Delivery)
L.O.D. (Love on Delivery)
2,777,833 2:44 1976-01-05
No Woman No Cry
No Woman No Cry
2,707,818 5:24 2013-04-22
Loverboy
Loverboy
2,529,183 5:17 1984-09-12
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
2,403,186 5:44 1986-01-01
Stop Me (If You've Heard It All Before)
Stop Me (If You've Heard It All Before)
2,035,494 3:59 1976-01-05
The Long and Winding Road
The Long and Winding Road
1,879,400 4:43 1984-09-12
When the Going Gets Tough - Extended Version
When the Going Gets Tough - Extended Version
1,854,519 7:33 1986-01-01
Love You More
Love You More
1,397,034 4:28 2020-09-04
Loverboy - Extended Mix
Loverboy - Extended Mix
1,363,888 8:08 1984-09-12
Mystery Lady
Mystery Lady
1,356,559 3:55 2010-04-26
Are You Ready
Are You Ready
1,315,078 4:26 1980-07-01
A Change Is Gonna Come
A Change Is Gonna Come
1,128,457 4:17 2013-04-22
Syncopation
Syncopation
1,114,854 5:22 1984-09-12
Here's to You
Here's to You
1,025,750 4:15 1988-03-07
Bitter Sweet
Bitter Sweet
989,176 4:57 1986-01-01
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
984,966 2:59 2012-12-14
Everything's So Different Without You
Everything's So Different Without You
885,319 4:20 1993-06-07
Having a Party
Having a Party
850,104 5:14 2013-04-22
Everlasting Love
Everlasting Love
835,616 3:18 1981-01-01
It's Never Too Late to Try
It's Never Too Late to Try
722,041 4:53 1986-01-01
You Send Me
You Send Me
662,340 4:51 2013-04-22
Love Zone
Love Zone
641,427 5:36 1986-01-01
Calypso Crazy
Calypso Crazy
629,592 4:28 1988-03-07
Cry Me a River
Cry Me a River
621,595 4:10 2013-04-22
Tear Down These Walls
Tear Down These Walls
611,429 3:40 1988-03-07
If I Should Lose You
If I Should Lose You
586,665 3:59 1984-09-12
Rose
Rose
544,145 5:25 1993-06-07
Mystery Lady
Mystery Lady
538,543 5:04 1984-09-12
We Gotta Find Love
We Gotta Find Love
533,649 4:47 2020-09-04
Dancefloor
Dancefloor
527,418 4:14 1984-09-12
High Tide Low Tide
High Tide Low Tide
512,807 4:38 2013-04-22
Daylight
Daylight
509,795 5:09 2020-09-04
Love Really Hurts Without You
Love Really Hurts Without You
504,957 3:26 2016-04-15
Lovely Day (feat. YolanDa Brown & Ruti)
Lovely Day (feat. YolanDa Brown & Ruti)
481,672 3:44 2021-01-26
Here You Are
Here You Are
477,446 4:36 2013-04-22
These Foolish Things
These Foolish Things
477,329 4:37 2013-04-22
What You Doing to Me
What You Doing to Me
455,486 4:52 1980-07-01
Stay the Night - 12" Version
Stay the Night - 12" Version
442,965 6:27 1980-07-01
One World
One World
431,863 4:11 2020-09-04
Without You
Without You
408,312 5:01 1986-01-01
Nothing Will Stand in Our Way
Nothing Will Stand in Our Way
392,767 4:04 2020-09-04
Love Train
Love Train
382,484 3:31 2013-04-22
(Let's Put Our) Emotions in Motion
(Let's Put Our) Emotions in Motion
376,586 3:11 1976-01-05
Lucky Man
Lucky Man
364,262 4:23 1984-09-12
It Was a Very Good Year
It Was a Very Good Year
358,987 5:18 2013-04-22
Dance With Me
Dance With Me
347,731 4:28 1982-01-01
Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car - Extended Version
Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car - Extended Version
337,496 8:55 2014-03-07
Judge Not
Judge Not
303,096 3:31 2013-04-22
Whose Little Girl Are You
Whose Little Girl Are You
282,964 2:59 1976-01-05
Because of You
Because of You
282,551 4:51 1988-03-07
All Over the World
All Over the World
279,746 4:56 2020-09-04
Whatever Turns You On
Whatever Turns You On
271,358 6:16 1981-01-01
Time and the River
Time and the River
264,946 3:52 2013-04-22
Are You Ready - 7" Version
Are You Ready - 7" Version
243,592 3:49 1980-07-01
American Hearts
American Hearts
242,929 3:59 1980-07-01
There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)
There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)
226,739 4:15 1986-01-01
Mystery
Mystery
222,870 4:57 2020-09-04
Stay the Night
Stay the Night
212,400 3:34 1980-07-01
Gun for Hire
Gun for Hire
211,987 4:56 1988-03-07
Caribbean Queen (No More Love On the Run)
Caribbean Queen (No More Love On the Run)
206,012 3:41 2014-04-28
Another Day Won't Matter
Another Day Won't Matter
204,195 4:17 1981-01-01
Love Zone - Extended Version
Love Zone - Extended Version
189,360 6:17 1986-01-01
Showdown
Showdown
181,136 4:58 1986-01-01
Mystery Lady - Extended Version
Mystery Lady - Extended Version
177,086 6:49 1984-09-12
Pressure
Pressure
167,603 4:43 1993-06-07
Get Outta My Dreams / Suddenly / When the Going Gets Tough)
Get Outta My Dreams / Suddenly / When the Going Gets Tough)
159,003 11:17 2016-04-15
Stand and Deliver
Stand and Deliver
153,130 4:59 1988-03-07
Tell Him to Move Over
Tell Him to Move Over
152,921 4:04 1976-01-05
Can We Go 'Round Again?
Can We Go 'Round Again?
151,854 5:05 1993-06-07
Lucky Man - Extended Version
Lucky Man - Extended Version
151,119 6:08 1984-09-12
Sweet Memories
Sweet Memories
150,412 4:22 1976-01-05
Who's Gonna Rock You
Who's Gonna Rock You
144,343 3:32 1980-07-01
One Kiss Away
One Kiss Away
143,088 2:56 1976-01-05
Promise Me
Promise Me
134,677 4:34 1986-01-01
Soul Rock
Soul Rock
128,201 2:41 1976-01-05
Maybe Tonight
Maybe Tonight
120,625 4:23 1980-07-01
Let's Do It All Again
Let's Do It All Again
120,073 3:42 1976-01-05
Nights (Feel Like Gettin' Down) - 7" Version
Nights (Feel Like Gettin' Down) - 7" Version
117,304 3:50 1981-01-01
Soon As You're Ready
Soon As You're Ready
116,884 4:37 1988-03-07
I Can't Stop
I Can't Stop
116,695 3:47 1982-01-01
Betcha Don't Know
Betcha Don't Know
111,067 4:56 2020-09-04
City Limit
City Limit
104,136 3:26 1980-07-01
Eye of a Storm
Eye of a Storm
99,467 2:40 1976-01-05
Hungry for Love
Hungry for Love
84,853 2:56 1976-01-05
Pleasure
Pleasure
83,487 4:53 1988-03-07
Taking Chances
Taking Chances
83,404 4:15 1980-07-01
License to Chill
License to Chill
83,066 4:50 2013-04-22
Mr Business Man
Mr Business Man
80,984 2:52 1976-01-05
Don't Say Stop
Don't Say Stop
80,272 4:38 1981-01-01
Feel the Love
Feel the Love
77,510 4:40 2020-09-04
Bitter Sweet - Extended Version
Bitter Sweet - Extended Version
73,323 6:34 1986-01-01
When I Saw You
When I Saw You
65,432 4:53 2020-09-04
Rock-A-Bye Baby
Rock-A-Bye Baby
63,617 4:38 1982-01-01
Whatever Turns You On
Whatever Turns You On
62,097 4:24 1980-07-01
Love Train - Dance Mix
Love Train - Dance Mix
61,912 3:55 2014-12-14
Three Little Birds
Three Little Birds
61,779 3:12 2003-01-01
Missing You Everyday
Missing You Everyday
57,607 4:58 2020-09-04
Baby Can I Hold You?
Baby Can I Hold You?
56,782 4:06 2003-01-01
You're Running Outa Fools
You're Running Outa Fools
56,052 2:24 1976-01-05
Cream on the Top
Cream on the Top
55,314 2:16 1976-01-05
Can't Stand the Pain
Can't Stand the Pain
51,422 4:55 2020-09-04
Calypso Funkin'
Calypso Funkin'
49,940 6:27 1982-01-01
My Love
My Love
48,260 4:23 1980-07-01
Another Day Won't Matter - 7" Version
Another Day Won't Matter - 7" Version
47,795 3:29 1981-01-01
I Sleep Much Better (In Someone Else's Bed)
I Sleep Much Better (In Someone Else's Bed)
44,011 5:16 2013-04-22
Stand Up Stand Up
Stand Up Stand Up
43,242 3:54 1993-06-07
American Hearts - 12" Version
American Hearts - 12" Version
43,185 8:14 1980-07-01
Upside Down
Upside Down
33,661 4:04 1993-06-07
Pick Up The Pieces (Put It Back)
Pick Up The Pieces (Put It Back)
33,068 4:34 1993-06-07
Was It You
Was It You
32,610 5:59 1982-01-01
Mind Games
Mind Games
29,324 5:33 1982-01-01
The World Wants To Dance
The World Wants To Dance
28,994 3:59 1993-06-07
I'll Be There For You
I'll Be There For You
28,514 4:28 1993-06-07
Everyday Sunshine
Everyday Sunshine
28,416 5:12 1993-06-07
Inner Feelings
Inner Feelings
28,087 5:46 1982-01-01
Tryin' To Get Through To You
Tryin' To Get Through To You
28,052 3:46 1982-01-01
Time To Move On
Time To Move On
26,912 4:46 1993-06-07
Everything's Changed
Everything's Changed
26,750 4:14 1980-07-01
No Matter What
No Matter What
25,268 4:46 1982-01-01
Let's Get Back Together
Let's Get Back Together
22,460 4:43 2003-01-01
Smile
Smile
22,085 3:52 1982-01-01
City Limit
City Limit
21,879 4:37 1982-01-01
On Your Knees
On Your Knees
20,687 4:55 1993-06-07
Our Love Will Survive
Our Love Will Survive
19,404 4:20 2003-01-01
Love Train - Disco Mix
Love Train - Disco Mix
17,799 3:02 2014-12-14
Somebody
Somebody
17,206 3:52 1982-01-01
Calypso Funkin'
Calypso Funkin'
16,024 4:09 1982-01-01
Inner Feelings
Inner Feelings
14,857 4:09 1982-01-01
We Gotta Find Love - Acoustic
We Gotta Find Love - Acoustic
14,145 4:46 2020-09-03
Was It You - Edit
Was It You - Edit
13,940 3:56 1982-01-01
Can You Feel It
Can You Feel It
6,339 3:18 2021-12-14
Love Really Hurts Without You - Acoustic Cover
Love Really Hurts Without You - Acoustic Cover
3,687 4:14 2019-03-29
Get outta my dream, get in to my car
Get outta my dream, get in to my car
1,624 4:26 2012-04-13
Can You Feel It
Can You Feel It
< 1000 3:18 2014-04-28

New releases

Love Really Hurts Without You: The Greatest Hits of Billy Ocean
Love Really Hurts Without You: The Greatest Hits of Billy Ocean
2021-07-02
[Sony Music CG]
Lovely Day (feat. YolanDa Brown & Ruti)
Lovely Day (feat. YolanDa Brown & Ruti)
2021-01-26
[Magic Star]
One World
One World
2020-09-04
[Sony Music CG]
We Gotta Find Love (Acoustic)
We Gotta Find Love (Acoustic)
2020-09-03
[Sony Music CG]
Love Train (Remixes)
Love Train (Remixes)
2014-12-14
[Aqua Music Limited]
Here You Are: The Best of Billy Ocean
Here You Are: The Best of Billy Ocean
2013-04-22
[Sony Music CG]
The Very Best of Billy Ocean
The Very Best of Billy Ocean
2010-04-26
[Sony Music UK]
Let's Get Back Together - The Love Songs Of Billy Ocean
Let's Get Back Together - The Love Songs Of Billy Ocean
2003-01-01
[Jive]
Time to Move On
Time to Move On
1993-06-07
[Jive]
Tear Down These Walls
Tear Down These Walls
1988-03-07
[Sony Music CG]
Love Zone (Expanded Edition)
Love Zone (Expanded Edition)
1986-01-01
[Sony Music UK]
Suddenly (Expanded Edition)
Suddenly (Expanded Edition)
1984-09-12
[Sony Music UK]
Inner Feelings (Expanded Edition)
Inner Feelings (Expanded Edition)
1982-01-01
[Sony Music UK]
Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) [Expanded Edition]
Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) [Expanded Edition]
1981-01-01
[Sony Music UK]
City Limit (Expanded Edition)
City Limit (Expanded Edition)
1980-07-01
[Sony Music UK]
Billy Ocean (Expanded Edition)
Billy Ocean (Expanded Edition)
1976-01-05
[Sony Music UK]