Music Metrics Vault

Billy Paul

Data updated on 2024-12-17 10:41:12 UTC
Billy Paul earned all his hits in the '70s as an R&B vocalist, although he'd been recording since the '50s, when he debuted on Jubilee. Born in Philadelphia in 1935, Paul was featured on radio broadcasts at the age of 11 and had an extensive jazz background. (He worked with Dinah Washington, Miles Davis, and Roberta Flack, as well as Charlie Parker, before forming a trio and recording for Jubilee.)

His original 1959 recording of "Ebony Woman" for New Dawn was later re-recorded for Neptune as the title of his 1970 LP. He signed the next year with Philadelphia International and scored his biggest hit in 1972 with "Me and Mrs. Jones," topping both the R&B and pop charts. Paul had one other Top Ten R&B single, "Thanks for Saving My Life," in 1974. He remained on Philadelphia International until the mid-'80s. Paul recorded one LP for Total Experience in 1985, Lately, and another for Ichiban before announcing his retirement in 1989 in London. He continued to do occasional club dates, however, both in America and overseas. He died in April 2016 at the age of 80. ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi

Total plays

839.7 million
Updated on 2024-12-17

Monthly listeners

1,247,244

Followers

298,625

Top Cities

  1. France
    26,298 listeners
  2. Brazil
    31,988 listeners
  3. Belgium
    15,829 listeners
  4. United Kingdom
    17,203 listeners
  5. Brazil
    14,854 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Me and Mrs. Jones
Me and Mrs. Jones
175,236,404 4:45 1972-01-01
Me & Mrs. Jones
Me & Mrs. Jones
175,236,404 4:48 1995-01-01
Me & Mrs Jones
Me & Mrs Jones
175,236,404 4:45 2013-01-01
Me And Mrs. Jones
Me And Mrs. Jones
175,236,404 4:47 2000-01-01
Your Song
Your Song
77,334,342 6:29 1972-01-01
Only the Strong Survive
Only the Strong Survive
9,669,100 5:36 1977-01-01
Let 'Em In
Let 'Em In
8,277,555 5:03 1976-01-01
Am I Black Enough for You?
Am I Black Enough for You?
4,858,714 5:16 1965-01-01
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - 12" Version
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - 12" Version
4,573,260 8:40 2018-11-02
Let the Dollar Circulate
Let the Dollar Circulate
2,573,048 4:59 1975-12-01
Thanks for Saving My Life
Thanks for Saving My Life
2,053,662 2:58 1973-10-12
Let's Make a Baby
Let's Make a Baby
1,689,702 7:11 1975-12-01
Me and Mrs Jones (with Billy Paul)
Me and Mrs Jones (with Billy Paul)
1,249,847 3:55 2014-11-03
How Good Is Your Game
How Good Is Your Game
1,201,190 4:08 1976-01-01
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded)
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded)
1,175,972 4:54 2013-06-06
Me And Mrs. Jones
Me And Mrs. Jones
1,175,972 4:54 2015-01-01
Me and Mrs. Jones - Rerecorded
Me and Mrs. Jones - Rerecorded
1,175,972 4:54 2009-09-01
Bring the Family Back
Bring the Family Back
1,116,482 5:02 1979-01-01
Brown Baby
Brown Baby
1,017,847 4:35 1972-10-25
It's Too Late
It's Too Late
988,502 4:33 1972-10-25
Without You
Without You
975,402 3:17 1976-01-01
July, July, July, July
July, July, July, July
718,873 5:29 1975-01-01
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
712,090 3:01 2011-01-01
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
617,308 2:36 1968-01-01
Mrs. Robinson
Mrs. Robinson
581,640 4:30 1970-07-01
War of the Gods
War of the Gods
562,431 10:06 1973-10-12
False Faces
False Faces
549,160 4:39 1979-01-01
Billy's Back Home
Billy's Back Home
484,006 4:32 1975-01-01
Let's Stay Together
Let's Stay Together
476,953 6:26 1972-10-25
When Love Is New
When Love Is New
454,696 5:31 1973-01-01
Me and Mrs. Jones - Single Version
Me and Mrs. Jones - Single Version
454,327 3:42 1972-10-25
I'm Gonna Make It This Time
I'm Gonna Make It This Time
414,667 4:23 1972-10-25
East
East
401,283 6:27 1971-06-15
People Power
People Power
377,346 4:17 1975-12-01
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live in London
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live in London
363,436 9:02 1972-10-25
I Think I'll Stay Home Today
I Think I'll Stay Home Today
331,033 6:18 1976-01-01
I'm Just a Prisoner
I'm Just a Prisoner
306,141 8:04 1972-10-25
Let 'Em In
Let 'Em In
305,631 4:60 1999-04-06
I Want Cha' Baby
I Want Cha' Baby
301,779 6:17 1975-12-01
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life
291,918 4:15 1971-06-15
Me & Mrs. Jones
Me & Mrs. Jones
285,586 4:58 2010-11-01
Me And Mrs. Jones
Me And Mrs. Jones
285,586 4:56 2009-04-02
Me and Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
Me and Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
285,586 4:58 2008-08-01
I Trust You
I Trust You
269,569 4:14 1976-01-01
Love Buddies
Love Buddies
246,618 3:39 1971-06-15
Black Wonders of the World
Black Wonders of the World
240,277 7:56 1975-01-01
Everybody's Breakin' Up
Everybody's Breakin' Up
238,290 5:03 1977-01-01
Don't Give Up On Us
Don't Give Up On Us
230,675 3:39 1977-01-01
The Whole Town's Talking
The Whole Town's Talking
229,972 4:47 1973-10-12
Ebony Woman
Ebony Woman
208,949 3:52 1970-07-01
Let's Fall In Love All Over Again
Let's Fall In Love All Over Again
205,365 3:50 1970-07-01
Sooner Or Later
Sooner Or Later
201,869 5:36 1977-01-01
It's Critical
It's Critical
200,055 3:51 1979-01-01
Thank You (For This Blessing)
Thank You (For This Blessing)
194,111 2:58 1979-01-01
I See the Light
I See the Light
192,634 6:13 1973-10-12
When Will I See You Again / Love Train - Live Medley
When Will I See You Again / Love Train - Live Medley
171,448 8:02 2014-03-28
We All Got A Mission
We All Got A Mission
166,081 3:21 1976-01-01
I Gotta Put This Life Down
I Gotta Put This Life Down
161,344 4:46 1979-01-01
Takin' It To The Streets
Takin' It To The Streets
154,158 4:51 1977-01-01
Be Truthful to Me
Be Truthful to Me
153,524 3:09 1975-01-01
Amanhã (feat. Billy Paul)
Amanhã (feat. Billy Paul)
149,279 5:25 1988-01-01
Windy
Windy
134,257 2:50 1970-07-01
The Times Of Our Lives
The Times Of Our Lives
129,305 5:02 1977-01-01
I Was Married
I Was Married
128,161 7:19 1973-10-12
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live in England - December 1973
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live in England - December 1973
124,897 8:49 1973-12-01
What A Way To Love
What A Way To Love
123,075 4:21 1979-01-01
Me & Mrs Jones - Live
Me & Mrs Jones - Live
115,797 5:56 2018-12-20
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live
115,797 5:59 2014-03-28
Me and Mrs Jones (Live)
Me and Mrs Jones (Live)
115,797 5:56 2020-08-16
Malorie
Malorie
112,990 3:47 1975-12-01
Magic Carpet Ride
Magic Carpet Ride
106,880 5:19 1971-06-15
My Head's On Straight
My Head's On Straight
102,978 3:12 1975-01-01
Bluesette
Bluesette
96,026 3:08 1968-01-01
There's A Small Hotel
There's A Small Hotel
95,417 4:28 1971-06-15
Let the Dollar Circulate
Let the Dollar Circulate
92,903 5:02 2012-08-07
One Man's Junk
One Man's Junk
92,252 3:16 1977-01-01
Am I Black Enough For You? - Single Version
Am I Black Enough For You? - Single Version
89,533 3:19 1972-10-25
Compared to What
Compared to What
88,557 5:20 1971-06-15
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental Version]
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental Version]
88,449 4:54 2013-06-06
Sexual Therapy
Sexual Therapy
81,933 4:34 1985-01-01
On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
80,793 4:37 1968-01-01
Let's Make A baby - Single Version
Let's Make A baby - Single Version
77,054 3:47 2021-07-16
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
76,002 5:08 2022-10-21
Gee Baby I'm Sorry / Take Good Care of Yourself / The Runner - Live Medley
Gee Baby I'm Sorry / Take Good Care of Yourself / The Runner - Live Medley
74,362 4:54 2014-03-28
Lately
Lately
71,293 4:04 1985-01-01
Where I Belong
Where I Belong
67,453 4:07 1977-01-01
Your Song - Live in England - December 1973
Your Song - Live in England - December 1973
67,367 8:41 1973-12-01
America (We Need the Light)
America (We Need the Light)
63,377 5:21 1975-12-01
Peace Holy Peace
Peace Holy Peace
62,934 6:54 1973-10-12
Me and Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Remastered]
Me and Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Remastered]
58,362 5:46 2012-11-08
So Glad To See You Again
So Glad To See You Again
54,888 4:44 1979-01-01
New Day, New World Comin'
New Day, New World Comin'
54,605 4:33 1973-01-01
Word Sure Gets Around
Word Sure Gets Around
53,037 4:22 1976-01-01
Purple Rain
Purple Rain
50,675 7:19 2002-10-08
Everything Must Change
Everything Must Change
50,450 5:19 1975-01-01
I Only Have Eyes for You
I Only Have Eyes for You
49,857 4:22 1985-01-01
Only the Strong Survive - Single Version
Only the Strong Survive - Single Version
44,559 3:30 2021-07-16
Love Won't Come Easy
Love Won't Come Easy
44,155 4:09 1976-01-01
Thanks for Saving My Life - Live in England - December 1973
Thanks for Saving My Life - Live in England - December 1973
43,655 4:17 1973-12-01
Fire in Her Love
Fire in Her Love
42,092 4:25 1985-01-01
Everyday People
Everyday People
40,749 3:54 1970-07-01
Proud Mary
Proud Mary
40,299 2:22 1970-07-01
Always And Forever (feat. Billy Paul)
Always And Forever (feat. Billy Paul)
38,788 4:59 2011-10-10
Billy Boy
Billy Boy
38,444 2:43 1968-01-01
Only the Strong Survive - J*Ski Re-Edit
Only the Strong Survive - J*Ski Re-Edit
37,448 8:20 2021-07-09
Game Of Life
Game Of Life
35,631 3:53 1979-01-01
When It's Your Time to Go
When It's Your Time to Go
35,426 4:59 1975-01-01
Jesus Boy (You Only Look Like A Man)
Jesus Boy (You Only Look Like A Man)
34,359 4:17 1971-06-15
The Windmills Of Your Mind
The Windmills Of Your Mind
34,277 7:57 1970-07-01
(If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?
(If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can't I Touch You?
31,611 2:41 1971-06-15
Enlightenment
Enlightenment
31,455 4:52 1975-01-01
How Good Is Your Game - Single Version
How Good Is Your Game - Single Version
31,271 3:34 2021-07-16
War of the Gods (Part 1) - Single Version
War of the Gods (Part 1) - Single Version
30,977 5:37 1973-10-12
Feeling Good
Feeling Good
28,692 8:40 1968-01-01
Treasure Of My Life
Treasure Of My Life
28,227 4:39 1979-01-01
I've Got so Much to Live For
I've Got so Much to Live For
28,006 4:50 1975-01-01
Hot Date
Hot Date
26,883 4:17 1985-01-01
I Wish It Were Yesterday
I Wish It Were Yesterday
25,195 3:49 1971-06-15
Let Me In
Let Me In
24,410 3:51 1985-01-01
I Search No More
I Search No More
24,109 3:42 1985-01-01
That's Life
That's Life
22,975 4:01 1968-01-01
Psychedelic Sally
Psychedelic Sally
22,443 2:59 1970-07-01
Missing You
Missing You
22,291 2:52 1968-01-01
Your Song
Your Song
21,286 7:31 2002-10-08
Get Down to Lovin'
Get Down to Lovin'
21,203 4:30 1985-01-01
Me and You
Me and You
20,877 4:23 1985-01-01
Love Train
Love Train
20,314 5:03 2009-02-17
Let's Get It On
Let's Get It On
19,439 5:56 2002-10-08
On a Clear Day
On a Clear Day
19,350 4:28 1985-01-01
Traces
Traces
17,866 3:60 1970-07-01
Bring the Family Back - Single Version
Bring the Family Back - Single Version
17,270 3:30 2021-07-16
Only the Strong Survive
Only the Strong Survive
17,051 6:14 2002-10-08
Just In Time
Just In Time
16,820 4:01 1968-01-01
July, July
July, July
16,695 5:29 2002-10-08
Me and Mrs Jones
Me and Mrs Jones
16,635 4:54 2011-07-15
Intro
Intro
15,837 2:13 2002-10-08
The Whole Town's Talking - Single Version
The Whole Town's Talking - Single Version
14,903 2:48 1973-10-12
Somewhere
Somewhere
14,585 3:37 1968-01-01
Me and Mrs Jones
Me and Mrs Jones
14,553 9:03 2002-10-08
Let Em In
Let Em In
14,408 3:48 2002-10-08
I Was Married - Single Version
I Was Married - Single Version
14,040 3:59 1973-10-12
It's Too Late
It's Too Late
14,013 5:49 2002-10-08
Without You
Without You
13,396 5:15 2002-10-08
Brown Baby - Live in England - December 1973
Brown Baby - Live in England - December 1973
11,632 7:09 1973-12-01
It's Critical - 12" Version
It's Critical - 12" Version
11,576 6:29 2021-06-18
Brown Baby
Brown Baby
11,480 4:06 2002-10-08
Good Thing Goin On
Good Thing Goin On
11,082 4:35 1995-10-31
Perfume - Remasterizado
Perfume - Remasterizado
10,441 4:22 1999-01-01
Let 'Em In - DJ Reverend P Edit
Let 'Em In - DJ Reverend P Edit
10,388 7:57 2021-08-13
War Of The Gods Introduction - Live in England - December 1973
War Of The Gods Introduction - Live in England - December 1973
10,325 2:01 1973-12-01
It's Critical
It's Critical
10,311 3:24 2002-10-08
Clean up the Ghetto
Clean up the Ghetto
10,133 3:47 2002-10-08
Let The Dollar Circulate - Scratch N'Sniff's Extended Re-Rub
Let The Dollar Circulate - Scratch N'Sniff's Extended Re-Rub
10,133 6:39 2021-07-09
False Faces
False Faces
9,372 4:33 2002-10-08
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Slowed + Reverb]
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Slowed + Reverb]
8,313 5:44 2023-05-31
End
End
7,838 2:43 2002-10-08
I Wish It Would Rain
I Wish It Would Rain
7,518 4:26 2019-06-11
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA - June 1973
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA - June 1973
5,822 8:34 2012-01-30
False Faces
False Faces
5,574 6:47 2012-01-09
The Whole Town's Talking - A Tom Moulton Mix
The Whole Town's Talking - A Tom Moulton Mix
4,527 8:39 2021-05-14
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up]
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up]
4,444 4:14 2023-05-31
Me And Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
Me And Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
3,123 4:51 2023-05-31
East - Live at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA - June 1973
East - Live at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA - June 1973
2,745 10:21 2012-01-30
Your Song - Short Version
Your Song - Short Version
2,212 3:42 2021-11-05
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live
2,112 5:53 2021-11-29
Me And Mrs Jones
Me And Mrs Jones
2,112 5:53 2009-02-17
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental]
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental]
1,894 4:51 2023-05-31

New releases

Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up] - Single
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up] - Single
2023-05-31
[Cleopatra Records]
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
2022-10-21
[Music Access, Inc.]
The Best Of Billy Paul
The Best Of Billy Paul
2021-07-16
[Philadelphia International/Legacy]
Me & Mrs Jones (Billboard Hot 100 - No 01)
Me & Mrs Jones (Billboard Hot 100 - No 01)
2018-12-20
[Music Manager]
Me & Mrs Jones (UK Chart Top 20 - No. 12)
Me & Mrs Jones (UK Chart Top 20 - No. 12)
2018-12-20
[Music Manager]
Me and Mrs. Jones (Rerecorded)
Me and Mrs. Jones (Rerecorded)
2016-11-18
[Music Manager]
T.S.O.P. The Sound of Philadelphia (Live in Concert)
T.S.O.P. The Sound of Philadelphia (Live in Concert)
2014-03-28
[Music Manager]
Me and Mrs Jones (Single)
Me and Mrs Jones (Single)
2013-06-06
[Cleopatra Records]
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
2011-01-01
[Universal Music Division Label Panthéon]
Live In Paris
Live In Paris
2002-10-08
[Warner Strategic Marketing]
Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul
Me And Mrs. Jones: The Best Of Billy Paul
1999-04-06
[Epic/Associated/Legacy]
Lately
Lately
1985-01-01
[Cavalcade Records Ltd]
First Class
First Class
1979-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
Only The Strong Survive
Only The Strong Survive
1977-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
Let 'Em In
Let 'Em In
1976-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
When Love Is New
When Love Is New
1975-12-01
[Legacy Recordings]
Got My Head On Straight
Got My Head On Straight
1975-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
Live In Europe
Live In Europe
1973-12-01
[Legacy Recordings]
War of the Gods (Expanded Edition)
War of the Gods (Expanded Edition)
1973-10-12
[Epic/Legacy]
360 Degrees of Billy Paul (Expanded Edition)
360 Degrees of Billy Paul (Expanded Edition)
1972-10-25
[Epic/Legacy]
Going East
Going East
1971-06-15
[Legacy Recordings]
Ebony Woman
Ebony Woman
1970-07-01
[P.I.R.]
Feelin' Good at the Cadillac Club
Feelin' Good at the Cadillac Club
1968-01-01
[Epic/Legacy]