Music Metrics Vault

Charles Bradley

Data updated on 2025-03-30 10:06:24 UTC
Charles was truly a transcendent singer who led a remarkable life, overcoming unimaginable adversity to achieve great success and international acclaim very late in his life. What was really special about him and made him different from everybody else in the world was how he understood his pain as a cry for universal love and humanity. He felt that if he loved enough–-if we all loved each other enough—we could take away the world ’s pain and sadness. That is why he jumped off the stage and literally tried to hug everybody he could. It's why he took such great care of a mother that had abandoned him. It's why he sang and danced like a lunatic. It's why he screamed like an eagle.

Although Bradley didn't release his first album until 2011, his relationship with Daptone Records started a decade earlier, when he knocked on the door of Daptone co-founder Gabriel Roth's apartment. After seeing Bradley perform Black Velvet, his James Brown cover act, Roth and Neal Sugarman brought Bradley into the studio to cut "Take It As It Come" which would turn into his first single on Daptone.

In 2003, Roth introduced Bradley to Tom Brenneck (longtime producer, co-writer and friend) who then went on to work with Bradley on all of his upcoming releases throughout their decade-long partnership.

On September 23rd, 2017, Charles Edward Bradley passed away from cancer, surrounded by his family, friends and bandmates. His final album, Black Velvet, is a celebration of his life.

Total plays

543.8 million
Updated on 2025-03-30

Country

United States

Monthly listeners

2,137,241

Followers

535,507

Top Cities

  1. United Kingdom
    34,218 listeners
  2. France
    23,651 listeners
  3. Australia
    26,472 listeners
  4. Brazil
    27,683 listeners
  5. Australia
    24,974 listeners

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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
The World (Is Going Up in Flames)
The World (Is Going Up in Flames)
79,607,299 3:22 2009-11-29
Changes
Changes
75,488,816 5:43 2016-04-01
Heart of Gold
Heart of Gold
43,084,788 3:03 2011-01-25
Victim of Love
Victim of Love
27,351,181 3:31 2013-04-02
No Time for Dreaming
No Time for Dreaming
24,098,683 2:53 2011-01-25
Stay Away
Stay Away
21,033,487 3:12 2011-01-25
How Long
How Long
17,806,919 3:55 2011-01-25
Heartaches and Pain
Heartaches and Pain
17,470,367 2:56 2011-01-25
Strictly Reserved for You
Strictly Reserved for You
15,500,656 3:43 2013-02-10
I Feel a Change
I Feel a Change
13,738,643 4:26 2018-11-09
Where Do We Go From Here
Where Do We Go From Here
13,697,355 3:11 2013-04-02
Good to Be Back Home
Good to Be Back Home
13,231,334 3:01 2016-04-01
Dusty Blue
Dusty Blue
12,750,927 3:22 2013-04-02
Why Is It So Hard
Why Is It So Hard
11,970,818 4:10 2011-01-25
Ain't It a Sin
Ain't It a Sin
11,690,944 3:49 2016-03-02
Things We Do for Love
Things We Do for Love
10,547,786 3:28 2016-04-01
Nobody But You
Nobody But You
10,396,714 3:58 2016-04-01
Grant Green
Grant Green
10,180,267 3:23 2017-07-14
Change for the World
Change for the World
7,086,472 3:33 2016-02-03
You Put the Flame on It
You Put the Flame on It
5,854,242 3:49 2013-04-02
Lovin' You, Baby
Lovin' You, Baby
5,075,552 5:28 2011-01-25
Love Bug Blues
Love Bug Blues
4,599,522 3:00 2013-04-02
Can't Fight the Feeling
Can't Fight the Feeling
4,589,841 2:48 2018-11-09
Let Love Stand a Chance
Let Love Stand a Chance
4,157,428 3:59 2013-04-02
Golden Rule
Golden Rule
3,853,305 3:29 2011-01-25
I Believe in Your Love
I Believe in Your Love
3,336,288 3:55 2011-01-25
I'll Slip Away
I'll Slip Away
3,166,282 3:33 2012-01-01
Slip Away
Slip Away
3,166,282 3:33 2018-11-09
You Think I Don't Know (But I Know)
You Think I Don't Know (But I Know)
2,996,627 3:27 2016-04-01
Ain't Gonna Give It Up
Ain't Gonna Give It Up
2,869,370 3:53 2016-04-01
The Telephone Song
The Telephone Song
2,851,298 3:48 2011-01-25
Since Our Last Goodbye
Since Our Last Goodbye
2,817,808 4:17 2011-01-25
Trouble in the Land
Trouble in the Land
2,394,961 1:02 2011-01-25
Eyes on the Prize - Instrumental
Eyes on the Prize - Instrumental
2,314,766 2:20 2011-08-02
Slow Love
Slow Love
2,285,810 3:38 2016-04-01
In You (I Found a Love)
In You (I Found a Love)
2,270,068 3:22 2011-01-25
The World (Is Going Up in Flames) - Instrumental
The World (Is Going Up in Flames) - Instrumental
1,986,179 3:23 2011-08-02
Crazy for Your Love
Crazy for Your Love
1,923,226 4:19 2016-04-01
Black Velvet
Black Velvet
1,906,161 3:29 2018-11-09
Luv Jones
Luv Jones
1,871,776 3:51 2015-09-15
No Time For Dreaming - Instrumental
No Time For Dreaming - Instrumental
1,814,512 2:55 2011-08-02
Cumberland Blues
Cumberland Blues
1,764,527 3:16 2016-05-20
Revelations - Instrumental
Revelations - Instrumental
1,731,997 3:32 2017-05-26
The World (Is Going up in Flames) - Live from Sxsw 2016
The World (Is Going up in Flames) - Live from Sxsw 2016
1,710,818 3:12 2016-05-27
Lucifer
Lucifer
1,694,803 3:32 2019-05-31
God Bless America
God Bless America
1,644,379 1:31 2016-04-01
Don't Play Around
Don't Play Around
1,527,642 2:51 2012-12-11
Confusion
Confusion
1,497,108 3:45 2013-04-02
Hurricane
Hurricane
1,462,151 3:33 2013-04-02
Through the Storm
Through the Storm
1,450,810 4:41 2013-04-02
Crying in the Chapel
Crying in the Chapel
1,426,799 3:55 2013-04-02
You Put a Flame on It - Live from Sxsw 2016
You Put a Flame on It - Live from Sxsw 2016
1,279,300 4:01 2016-05-27
Whatcha Doing (To Me)
Whatcha Doing (To Me)
1,094,637 3:53 2018-07-20
Victim of Love - Electric Version
Victim of Love - Electric Version
1,089,895 4:40 2018-11-09
Fly Little Girl
Fly Little Girl
1,060,739 3:20 2018-11-09
(I Hope You Find) The Good Life
(I Hope You Find) The Good Life
1,025,801 5:11 2018-11-09
You Think I Don't Know (But I Know) - Instrumental
You Think I Don't Know (But I Know) - Instrumental
884,998 3:30 2017-05-26
Changes - Live from Sxsw 2016
Changes - Live from Sxsw 2016
805,221 8:06 2016-05-27
Lonely as You Are
Lonely as You Are
780,321 4:10 2019-04-26
Every Day Is Christmas
Every Day Is Christmas
754,147 4:44 2019-06-28
Intro - Live from Sxsw 2016
Intro - Live from Sxsw 2016
735,211 2:01 2016-05-27
Now That I'm Gone (Look How You're Crying)
Now That I'm Gone (Look How You're Crying)
698,707 3:29 2019-02-01
Things We Do for Love - Instrumental
Things We Do for Love - Instrumental
611,941 3:28 2017-05-26
This Love Ain't Big Enough
This Love Ain't Big Enough
586,679 2:51 2019-02-01
Lovin' You, Baby - Live from Sxsw 2016
Lovin' You, Baby - Live from Sxsw 2016
575,181 4:55 2016-05-27
The World (Is Going Up in Flames) - Stripped-Down Mix
The World (Is Going Up in Flames) - Stripped-Down Mix
530,107 4:33 2019-02-21
You Think I Don't Know (But I Know) - Live from Sxsw 2016
You Think I Don't Know (But I Know) - Live from Sxsw 2016
523,097 3:41 2016-05-27
Can't Stop Thinking About You
Can't Stop Thinking About You
510,690 2:53 2019-02-01
Nobody but You - Live from Sxsw 2016
Nobody but You - Live from Sxsw 2016
499,522 4:08 2016-05-27
Ain't It a Sin - Live from Sxsw 2016
Ain't It a Sin - Live from Sxsw 2016
498,031 3:54 2016-05-27
Nobody But You - Instrumental
Nobody But You - Instrumental
481,754 3:57 2017-05-26
Ain't Gonna Give It Up - Instrumental
Ain't Gonna Give It Up - Instrumental
464,054 3:52 2017-05-26
The Telephone Song - Instrumental
The Telephone Song - Instrumental
440,044 3:32 2011-08-02
Can't Fight the Feeling - Instrumental
Can't Fight the Feeling - Instrumental
398,919 2:48 2019-11-22
Good to Be Back Home - Instrumental
Good to Be Back Home - Instrumental
383,910 3:05 2017-05-26
Lovin' You, Baby - Instrumental
Lovin' You, Baby - Instrumental
380,378 5:40 2011-08-02
I Believe in Your Love - Instrumental
I Believe in Your Love - Instrumental
380,192 3:49 2011-08-02
Changes (Story) - Live from Sxsw 2016
Changes (Story) - Live from Sxsw 2016
374,528 0:38 2016-05-27
Loving You Baby - Stripped-Down Mix
Loving You Baby - Stripped-Down Mix
364,715 5:41 2019-02-21
Luv Jones - Instrumental
Luv Jones - Instrumental
357,624 3:51 2019-11-22
Changes - Instrumental
Changes - Instrumental
326,801 5:58 2017-05-26
Slow Love - Instrumental
Slow Love - Instrumental
319,798 4:16 2017-05-26
In You (I Found a Love) - Instrumental
In You (I Found a Love) - Instrumental
314,324 3:43 2011-08-02
Otis
Otis
313,160 2:59 2017-11-10
Crazy for Your Love - Instrumental
Crazy for Your Love - Instrumental
283,743 4:20 2017-05-26
Twilight Eyes
Twilight Eyes
237,434 2:22 2019-02-01
Change, Change, Change
Change, Change, Change
210,090 2:42 2019-06-28
I Feel a Change - Instrumental
I Feel a Change - Instrumental
197,205 4:26 2019-11-22
Mary's Baby
Mary's Baby
192,009 4:33 2019-06-28
Stay Away - Instrumental
Stay Away - Instrumental
185,894 3:11 2019-11-22
Slip Away - Instrumental
Slip Away - Instrumental
185,695 3:32 2019-11-22
A Message From Charles...
A Message From Charles...
183,846 1:24 2019-02-21
Heart of Gold - Instrumental
Heart of Gold - Instrumental
181,549 3:03 2019-11-22
Let Love Stand a Chance - Live at the Apollo
Let Love Stand a Chance - Live at the Apollo
171,959 7:04 2021-10-01
(I Hope You Find) The Good Life - Instrumental
(I Hope You Find) The Good Life - Instrumental
137,768 7:28 2019-11-22
Strictly Reserved For You - Stripped-Down Mix
Strictly Reserved For You - Stripped-Down Mix
135,496 3:57 2019-02-21
The World (Is Going Up In Flames) - Live at the Apollo
The World (Is Going Up In Flames) - Live at the Apollo
132,960 3:20 2021-10-01
Fly Little Girl - Instrumental
Fly Little Girl - Instrumental
129,699 3:20 2019-11-22
Heartaches & Pain - Live at the Apollo
Heartaches & Pain - Live at the Apollo
115,819 3:25 2021-10-01
Lovin' You, Baby - Live at the Apollo
Lovin' You, Baby - Live at the Apollo
108,656 5:17 2021-10-01
How Long - Stripped-Down Mix
How Long - Stripped-Down Mix
98,425 3:04 2019-02-21
Ain't It a Sin - Live at the Apollo
Ain't It a Sin - Live at the Apollo
86,725 3:10 2021-10-01
Slip Away - Live at the Apollo
Slip Away - Live at the Apollo
86,041 3:47 2021-10-01
How Long - Live at the Apollo
How Long - Live at the Apollo
84,227 4:07 2021-10-01
Take It As It Come
Take It As It Come
37,699 2:52 2002-10-15
Take It As It Come, Pt. 2
Take It As It Come, Pt. 2
28,678 3:31 2019-02-01
Don't Play Around - Acapella
Don't Play Around - Acapella
4,144 2:47 2012-12-11
Fisrt Sight
Fisrt Sight
4,083 4:05 2018-05-31

New releases

The Daptone Super Soul Revue Live at the Apollo
The Daptone Super Soul Revue Live at the Apollo
2021-10-01
[Daptone Records]
Black Velvet (The Instrumentals)
Black Velvet (The Instrumentals)
2019-11-22
[Daptone Records]
Lucifer
Lucifer
2019-05-31
[Innit Recordings]
Lonely as You Are
Lonely as You Are
2019-04-26
[Innit Recordings]
Black Velvet (Stripped-Down Mixes)
Black Velvet (Stripped-Down Mixes)
2019-02-21
[Daptone Records]
Black Velvet
Black Velvet
2018-11-09
[Daptone Records]
Whatcha Doing (To Me) / Strike Three
Whatcha Doing (To Me) / Strike Three
2018-07-20
[Daptone Records]
Changes (The Instrumentals)
Changes (The Instrumentals)
2017-05-26
[Daptone Records]
Spotify Sessions (Live from Sxsw 2016)
Spotify Sessions (Live from Sxsw 2016)
2016-05-27
[V2 Records Benelux]
Spotify Sessions
Spotify Sessions
2016-05-27
[Daptone Records]
Changes
Changes
2016-04-01
[Daptone Records]
Ain't It a Sin
Ain't It a Sin
2016-03-02
[V2 Records Benelux]
Change for the World
Change for the World
2016-02-03
[V2 Records Benelux]
Victim of Love
Victim of Love
2013-04-02
[Daptone Records]
Strictly Reserved for You
Strictly Reserved for You
2013-02-10
[VME]
I'll Slip Away
I'll Slip Away
2012-01-01
[Light In The Attic]
No Time for Dreaming (The Instrumentals)
No Time for Dreaming (The Instrumentals)
2011-08-02
[Daptone Records]
No Time For Dreaming
No Time For Dreaming
2011-01-25
[Daptone Records]