The 30 Best Patti LaBelle Songs, from the Bluebelles to New Attitude

What is Patti LaBelle's most famous song?

"Lady Marmalade", recorded with her group LaBelle in 1974, is Patti LaBelle's most famous song and a number one on the Billboard Hot 100. As a solo artist, her biggest hit was "On My Own", a 1986 number one duet with Michael McDonald, and "New Attitude", "If Only You Knew" and "You Are My Friend" are her signature songs.

Patti LaBelle's biggest hits

1. "Lady Marmalade", 1974: LaBelle's sultry, funky number one.
2. "On My Own", 1986: a number one breakup duet with Michael McDonald.
3. "New Attitude", 1985: an upbeat anthem from the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack.
4. "If Only You Knew", 1983: a soaring ballad and her first solo number one on the R&B chart.
5. "You Are My Friend", 1978: the gospel-tinged ballad that became her signature live song.
6. "Stir It Up", 1985: another Beverly Hills Cop song, a top five R&B hit.
7. "Love, Need and Want You", 1984: a smooth ballad later sampled in Nelly's "Dilemma".
8. "Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)", 1991: a number two R&B hit.
9. "Oh, People", 1986: a hopeful single from Winner in You.
10. "Over the Rainbow": her show-stopping take on the classic, sung at concerts for decades.

Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles

11. "I Sold My Heart to the Junkman", 1962: the group's first hit, number 15 on the Hot 100.
12. "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)", 1963: a sweet wedding song and a top 40 hit.
13. "You'll Never Walk Alone", 1964: a powerful version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein song.
14. "Danny Boy", 1964: a dramatic soul reading of the Irish ballad.

LaBelle songs

15. "What Can I Do for You?", 1975: a funky follow-up to "Lady Marmalade".
16. "Messin' with My Mind", 1975: a rocking LaBelle single.
17. "Isn't It a Shame", 1976: a heartbreaking ballad from the group's last years.
18. "It's Gonna Take a Miracle", 1972: their recording with Laura Nyro.

Patti LaBelle solo songs of the 70s and 80s

19. "Joy to Have Your Love", 1977: her first solo single.
20. "It's Alright with Me", 1979: the title track of her third solo album.
21. "The Best Is Yet to Come", 1982: a jazzy duet with Grover Washington Jr.
22. "Love Has Finally Come at Last", 1984: a number three R&B duet with Bobby Womack.
23. "Kiss Away the Pain", 1986: a ballad from Winner in You.
24. "If You Asked Me To", 1989: a ballad from the James Bond film Licence to Kill, later a hit for Celine Dion.

Patti LaBelle songs of the 90s and later

25. "When You've Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven)", 1992: a top five R&B hit.
26. "Feels Like Another One", 1991: a funky number three R&B hit from Burnin'.
27. "The Right Kinda Lover", 1994: a top ten R&B single from Gems.
28. "When You Talk About Love", 1997: a lively single from Flame.
29. "New Day", 2004: an inspirational single from Timeless Journey.
30. "Superwoman", 1991: a trio with Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick.

Who is Patti LaBelle?

Patti LaBelle was born Patricia Holte on May 24, 1944, in Philadelphia, and she grew up singing in her church choir. In the early 60s she formed the Bluebelles with Cindy Birdsong, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, and the group had its first hits on the girl-group circuit. Birdsong later left to join the Supremes, and in 1971 the remaining trio reinvented themselves as LaBelle. After LaBelle split in 1977, Patti launched a solo career that made her one of the defining voices of 80s and 90s R&B, and she won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the album Burnin'.

The Godmother of Soul

Patti LaBelle is often called the Godmother of Soul, and her live shows are legendary. She is famous for her huge range, her long, soaring final notes and her habit of kicking off her shoes on stage when a song takes hold of her. Generations of R&B and gospel singers grew up studying her performances, and she remains one of the most celebrated guests at tribute concerts, award shows and charity events, where a single Patti LaBelle note can bring a whole arena to its feet.

The story behind Lady Marmalade

"Lady Marmalade" was written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan and produced by Allen Toussaint in New Orleans, where the song's story is set. LaBelle's raw, funky performance, and their silver, space-age stage costumes, made them stars, and in 1974 they became the first Black vocal group to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. The song reached number one in 1975, and its famous French chorus has been sung around the world ever since; in 2001 Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa and Pink took a new version to number one for the film Moulin Rouge!

The story behind On My Own

"On My Own" was written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager and recorded as a duet between Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald, who sang their parts in different cities and did not meet until after the song was a hit. In 1986 it spent three weeks at number one on the Hot 100, and it helped make Winner in You her first number one album.

Patti LaBelle songs for a wedding, church or a celebration of life

"You Are My Friend" is a moving choice for a wedding or an anniversary, and "If Only You Knew" is a classic first dance. "Down the Aisle (The Wedding Song)" is a sweet vintage pick for the ceremony. For church and gospel services, her versions of "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Over the Rainbow" are beloved, and both are often played at celebrations of life. For more, see our celebration of life songs and gospel songs.

Patti LaBelle songs for a party or a workout

For a party, "Lady Marmalade", "New Attitude" and "Stir It Up" get everyone moving. For a workout, "New Attitude" is the classic pick for starting fresh. For more, see our 70s disco songs and Motown songs.

Patti LaBelle at Christmas

Patti LaBelle's Christmas albums, This Christmas (1990) and Miss Patti's Christmas (2007), are holiday favorites, and her live versions of Christmas standards are a highlight of the season. For more, see our R&B Christmas songs.

More than a singer

Patti LaBelle is also a beloved cook and author. Her cookbooks and her line of food products, especially her sweet potato pie, became a sensation in 2015 when a fan's video review went viral and the pies sold out across the country. She has also acted on television, including a recurring role on A Different World.

A song as powerful as Patti's

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