Music Metrics Vault

Billy Paul

Data updated on 2025-04-24 08:19:54 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

Genres

: philly soul soul motown

Total plays

877.4 million
Updated on 2025-04-24

Monthly listeners

1,353,143

Followers

315,035

Top Cities

  1. France
    Paris
    16,591 listeners
  2. Brazil
    São Paulo
    30,850 listeners
  3. Belgium
    Brussels
    18,352 listeners
  4. Netherlands
    Amsterdam
    16,821 listeners
  5. United Kingdom
    London
    15,518 listeners

Related artists

Lou Rawls
Lou Rawls
Aaron Neville
Aaron Neville
George McCrae
George McCrae

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Me and Mrs. Jones
Me and Mrs. Jones
183,602,598 4:45 1972-01-01
Me & Mrs. Jones
Me & Mrs. Jones
183,602,598 4:48 1995-01-01
Me & Mrs Jones
Me & Mrs Jones
183,602,598 4:45 2013-01-01
Me And Mrs. Jones
Me And Mrs. Jones
183,602,598 4:47 2000-01-01
Your Song
Your Song
79,390,297 6:29 1972-01-01
Only the Strong Survive
Only the Strong Survive
10,028,228 5:36 1977-01-01
Let 'Em In
Let 'Em In
8,475,670 5:03 1976-01-01
Am I Black Enough for You?
Am I Black Enough for You?
4,996,879 5:16 1965-01-01
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - 12" Version
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - 12" Version
4,773,517 8:41 1973-01-01
Let the Dollar Circulate
Let the Dollar Circulate
2,650,552 4:59 1975-12-01
Thanks for Saving My Life
Thanks for Saving My Life
2,141,216 2:58 1973-10-12
Let's Make a Baby
Let's Make a Baby
1,746,748 7:11 1975-12-01
Me and Mrs Jones (with Billy Paul)
Me and Mrs Jones (with Billy Paul)
1,290,802 3:55 2014-11-03
How Good Is Your Game
How Good Is Your Game
1,227,273 4:08 1976-01-01
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded)
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded)
1,190,986 4:54 2013-06-06
Me And Mrs. Jones
Me And Mrs. Jones
1,190,986 4:54 2015-01-01
Me and Mrs. Jones - Rerecorded
Me and Mrs. Jones - Rerecorded
1,190,986 4:54 2009-09-01
Bring the Family Back
Bring the Family Back
1,151,792 5:02 1979-01-01
It's Too Late
It's Too Late
1,064,798 4:33 1972-10-25
Brown Baby
Brown Baby
1,057,457 4:35 1972-10-25
Without You
Without You
1,015,433 3:17 1976-01-01
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
795,776 3:01 2011-01-01
July, July, July, July
July, July, July, July
741,698 5:29 1975-01-01
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
626,050 2:36 1968-01-01
Mrs. Robinson
Mrs. Robinson
599,635 4:30 1970-07-01
War of the Gods
War of the Gods
589,614 10:06 1973-10-12
False Faces
False Faces
565,145 4:39 1979-01-01
Let's Stay Together
Let's Stay Together
499,346 6:26 1972-10-25
Me and Mrs. Jones - Single Version
Me and Mrs. Jones - Single Version
496,763 3:42 1972-10-25
Billy's Back Home
Billy's Back Home
493,562 4:32 1975-01-01
When Love Is New
When Love Is New
466,497 5:31 1973-01-01
I'm Gonna Make It This Time
I'm Gonna Make It This Time
429,341 4:23 1972-10-25
East
East
408,622 6:27 1971-06-15
People Power
People Power
391,266 4:17 1975-12-01
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live in London
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live in London
376,082 9:02 1972-10-25
I Think I'll Stay Home Today
I Think I'll Stay Home Today
340,382 6:18 1976-01-01
I Want Cha' Baby
I Want Cha' Baby
318,812 6:17 1975-12-01
I'm Just a Prisoner
I'm Just a Prisoner
316,741 8:04 1972-10-25
Let 'Em In
Let 'Em In
312,892 4:60 1999-04-06
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life
300,956 4:15 1971-06-15
Me & Mrs. Jones
Me & Mrs. Jones
288,485 4:58 2010-11-01
Me And Mrs. Jones
Me And Mrs. Jones
288,485 4:56 2009-04-02
Me and Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
Me and Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
288,485 4:58 2008-08-01
I Trust You
I Trust You
283,187 4:14 1976-01-01
Love Buddies
Love Buddies
256,303 3:39 1971-06-15
Black Wonders of the World
Black Wonders of the World
245,199 7:56 1975-01-01
Everybody's Breakin' Up
Everybody's Breakin' Up
243,580 5:03 1977-01-01
Don't Give Up On Us
Don't Give Up On Us
238,374 3:39 1977-01-01
The Whole Town's Talking
The Whole Town's Talking
238,136 4:47 1973-10-12
Ebony Woman
Ebony Woman
215,872 3:52 1970-07-01
Let's Fall In Love All Over Again
Let's Fall In Love All Over Again
214,445 3:50 1970-07-01
Sooner Or Later
Sooner Or Later
208,861 5:36 1977-01-01
Thank You (For This Blessing)
Thank You (For This Blessing)
204,581 2:58 1979-01-01
It's Critical
It's Critical
202,383 3:51 1979-01-01
I See the Light
I See the Light
196,719 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
180,772 8:02 2014-03-28
We All Got A Mission
We All Got A Mission
171,388 3:21 1976-01-01
I Gotta Put This Life Down
I Gotta Put This Life Down
164,666 4:46 1979-01-01
Be Truthful to Me
Be Truthful to Me
157,862 3:09 1975-01-01
Amanhã (feat. Billy Paul)
Amanhã (feat. Billy Paul)
157,243 5:25 1988-01-01
Takin' It To The Streets
Takin' It To The Streets
156,622 4:51 1977-01-01
I Was Married
I Was Married
135,498 7:19 1973-10-12
Windy
Windy
135,121 2:50 1970-07-01
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live in England - December 1973
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live in England - December 1973
132,531 8:49 1973-12-01
The Times Of Our Lives
The Times Of Our Lives
131,315 5:02 1977-01-01
What A Way To Love
What A Way To Love
126,189 4:21 1979-01-01
Me & Mrs Jones - Live
Me & Mrs Jones - Live
118,721 5:56 2018-12-20
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live
Me and Mrs. Jones - Live
118,721 5:59 2014-03-28
Me and Mrs Jones (Live)
Me and Mrs Jones (Live)
118,721 5:56 2020-08-16
Malorie
Malorie
115,673 3:47 1975-12-01
Magic Carpet Ride
Magic Carpet Ride
108,937 5:19 1971-06-15
My Head's On Straight
My Head's On Straight
107,732 3:12 1975-01-01
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - Danny Krivit Mix
Let's Clean Up the Ghetto - Danny Krivit Mix
100,114 9:49 2021-08-13
Bluesette
Bluesette
98,289 3:08 1968-01-01
Let the Dollar Circulate
Let the Dollar Circulate
97,800 5:02 2012-08-07
One Man's Junk
One Man's Junk
96,501 3:16 1977-01-01
There's A Small Hotel
There's A Small Hotel
96,357 4:28 1971-06-15
Am I Black Enough For You? - Single Version
Am I Black Enough For You? - Single Version
95,480 3:19 1972-10-25
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental Version]
Me and Mrs Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental Version]
90,773 4:54 2013-06-06
Compared to What
Compared to What
90,180 5:20 1971-06-15
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
Me and Mrs. Jones (1895 Jazz Remix)
85,049 5:08 2022-10-21
Sexual Therapy
Sexual Therapy
82,871 4:34 1985-01-01
On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
82,575 4:37 1968-01-01
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
79,475 4:54 2014-03-28
Let's Make A baby - Single Version
Let's Make A baby - Single Version
78,359 3:47 2021-07-16
Lately
Lately
72,067 4:04 1985-01-01
Your Song - Live in England - December 1973
Your Song - Live in England - December 1973
71,567 8:41 1973-12-01
Where I Belong
Where I Belong
69,832 4:07 1977-01-01
America (We Need the Light)
America (We Need the Light)
67,084 5:21 1975-12-01
Peace Holy Peace
Peace Holy Peace
65,716 6:54 1973-10-12
New Day, New World Comin'
New Day, New World Comin'
59,265 4:33 1973-01-01
Me and Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Remastered]
Me and Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Remastered]
58,937 5:46 2012-11-08
So Glad To See You Again
So Glad To See You Again
56,049 4:44 1979-01-01
Word Sure Gets Around
Word Sure Gets Around
54,950 4:22 1976-01-01
Everything Must Change
Everything Must Change
52,070 5:19 1975-01-01
Only the Strong Survive - Single Version
Only the Strong Survive - Single Version
51,824 3:30 2021-07-16
Purple Rain
Purple Rain
51,396 7:19 2002-10-08
I Only Have Eyes for You
I Only Have Eyes for You
50,536 4:22 1985-01-01
Love Won't Come Easy
Love Won't Come Easy
45,793 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
44,573 4:17 1973-12-01
Fire in Her Love
Fire in Her Love
42,696 4:25 1985-01-01
Everyday People
Everyday People
41,581 3:54 1970-07-01
Only the Strong Survive - J*Ski Re-Edit
Only the Strong Survive - J*Ski Re-Edit
41,311 8:20 2021-07-09
Proud Mary
Proud Mary
40,822 2:22 1970-07-01
Billy Boy
Billy Boy
40,542 2:43 1968-01-01
Always And Forever (feat. Billy Paul)
Always And Forever (feat. Billy Paul)
39,317 4:59 2011-10-10
Game Of Life
Game Of Life
36,332 3:53 1979-01-01
When It's Your Time to Go
When It's Your Time to Go
36,311 4:59 1975-01-01
The Windmills Of Your Mind
The Windmills Of Your Mind
35,035 7:57 1970-07-01
Jesus Boy (You Only Look Like A Man)
Jesus Boy (You Only Look Like A Man)
34,929 4:17 1971-06-15
War of the Gods (Part 1) - Single Version
War of the Gods (Part 1) - Single Version
33,040 5:37 1973-10-12
Enlightenment
Enlightenment
32,386 4:52 1975-01-01
How Good Is Your Game - Single Version
How Good Is Your Game - Single Version
32,273 3:34 2021-07-16
(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?
32,118 2:41 1971-06-15
Feeling Good
Feeling Good
29,185 8:40 1968-01-01
Treasure Of My Life
Treasure Of My Life
28,723 4:39 1979-01-01
I've Got so Much to Live For
I've Got so Much to Live For
28,552 4:50 1975-01-01
Hot Date
Hot Date
27,255 4:17 1985-01-01
I Wish It Were Yesterday
I Wish It Were Yesterday
26,146 3:49 1971-06-15
Let Me In
Let Me In
24,747 3:51 1985-01-01
I Search No More
I Search No More
24,405 3:42 1985-01-01
Love Train
Love Train
24,258 5:03 2009-02-17
That's Life
That's Life
23,511 4:01 1968-01-01
Missing You
Missing You
23,106 2:52 1968-01-01
Psychedelic Sally
Psychedelic Sally
22,872 2:59 1970-07-01
Your Song
Your Song
21,744 7:31 2002-10-08
Get Down to Lovin'
Get Down to Lovin'
21,570 4:30 1985-01-01
Me and You
Me and You
21,195 4:23 1985-01-01
Let's Get It On
Let's Get It On
19,601 5:56 2002-10-08
On a Clear Day
On a Clear Day
19,587 4:28 1985-01-01
Traces
Traces
19,268 3:60 1970-07-01
Bring the Family Back - Single Version
Bring the Family Back - Single Version
18,244 3:30 2021-07-16
Just In Time
Just In Time
17,435 4:01 1968-01-01
Only the Strong Survive
Only the Strong Survive
17,215 6:14 2002-10-08
Me and Mrs Jones
Me and Mrs Jones
16,987 4:54 2011-07-15
July, July
July, July
16,854 5:29 2002-10-08
Intro
Intro
15,975 2:13 2002-10-08
The Whole Town's Talking - Single Version
The Whole Town's Talking - Single Version
15,702 2:48 1973-10-12
Somewhere
Somewhere
15,070 3:37 1968-01-01
I Was Married - Single Version
I Was Married - Single Version
14,895 3:59 1973-10-12
Me and Mrs Jones
Me and Mrs Jones
14,830 9:03 2002-10-08
Let Em In
Let Em In
14,531 3:48 2002-10-08
It's Too Late
It's Too Late
14,226 5:49 2002-10-08
Without You
Without You
13,585 5:15 2002-10-08
It's Critical - 12" Version
It's Critical - 12" Version
12,081 6:29 2021-06-18
Brown Baby - Live in England - December 1973
Brown Baby - Live in England - December 1973
11,944 7:09 1973-12-01
Let 'Em In - DJ Reverend P Edit
Let 'Em In - DJ Reverend P Edit
11,736 7:57 2021-08-13
Perfume - Remasterizado
Perfume - Remasterizado
11,676 4:22 1999-01-01
Brown Baby
Brown Baby
11,608 4:06 2002-10-08
Good Thing Goin On
Good Thing Goin On
11,454 4:35 1995-10-31
Let The Dollar Circulate - Scratch N'Sniff's Extended Re-Rub
Let The Dollar Circulate - Scratch N'Sniff's Extended Re-Rub
10,932 6:39 2021-07-09
War Of The Gods Introduction - Live in England - December 1973
War Of The Gods Introduction - Live in England - December 1973
10,591 2:01 1973-12-01
It's Critical
It's Critical
10,426 3:24 2002-10-08
Clean up the Ghetto
Clean up the Ghetto
10,212 3:47 2002-10-08
False Faces
False Faces
9,469 4:33 2002-10-08
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Slowed + Reverb]
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Slowed + Reverb]
8,514 5:44 2023-05-31
I Wish It Would Rain
I Wish It Would Rain
8,113 4:26 2019-06-11
End
End
7,905 2:43 2002-10-08
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
5,914 8:34 2012-01-30
The Whole Town's Talking - A Tom Moulton Mix
The Whole Town's Talking - A Tom Moulton Mix
4,948 8:39 2021-05-14
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up]
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up]
4,622 4:14 2023-05-31
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live
Me And Mrs. Jones - Live
3,301 5:53 2021-11-29
Me And Mrs Jones
Me And Mrs Jones
3,301 5:53 2009-02-17
Me And Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
Me And Mrs. Jones - Re-Recorded
3,294 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
2,810 10:21 2012-01-30
Your Song - Short Version
Your Song - Short Version
2,371 3:42 2021-11-05
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental]
Me And Mrs. Jones (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental]
2,043 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]