Jody Watley Releases- Chart History, Collaborations and Awards
Jody Watley is a GRAMMY®-winning, multi-platinum singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and style icon. Known for iconic Top 10 hits like “Looking For A New Love,” “Don’t You Want Me,” “Friends” ft. Eric B. & Rakim, and the gold single “Real Love” (with one of the most nominated videos in MTV history), Watley has built a diverse discography spanning R&B, Pop, Dance, Hip Hop, Electronic, Jazz, and Adult Contemporary from the 80s to today from mainstream to independent critically acclaimed. Her latest release, Let’s Dance Vol. 1, hit #1 on iTunes Top Dance Albums in July 2025.
An award-winning songwriter (BMI Medal of Honor, Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame), Watley is also celebrated as a fashion and cultural trailblazer with features in GAP, l.a. Eyeworks, Harper’s Bazaar, VOGUE, Rolling Stone, and more. Widely regarded as a pioneer and one of the early black female artists blueprint for fusing music and cutting edge style mixed with high fashion, she remains one of the architects of 21st-century Pop/R&B/Dance.
ALBUMS::
2025 – LET’S DANCE Vol. 1 (Hit Them Beats)
2006 – The Makeover
2003 – Midnight Lounge
2000 – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Jody Watley
1999 – The Saturday Night Experience ft. Jody Watley Vol. 1 – Japanese Release
1998 – Flower
1998 – Jody Watley Greatest Hits
1995 – Affection
1994 – Remixes of Love
1993 – Intimacy
1991 – Affairs Of The Heart
1990 -You Wanna Dance With Me Remixes –
1989 – Larger Than Life
1987 – Jody Watley
EP’s:
2024 – EVERLASTING – The Remixes
2021 – Renderings
2020 – Whenever Alex Di Ciò Remixes
2020 – Winter Nights
2017 – Dancer
2017 – Sanctuary
2014 – PARADISE
2014 – Nightlife Remixed
2009 – Candlelight
2008 – A Beautiful Life – The Remixes
2007 – Borderline – The Remixes
2007 – I Want Your Love -The Remixes
2005 – Looking For A New Love -The Remixes
SINGLES
2026 – The Dawn – Alex Di Ciò Mix
2024 – EVERLASTING, Dam-Funk Remix
2024 -EVERLASTING Alex Di Ciò Mix
2022– Christmas Time Is Here
2022– Good Good Reason with Brian Power
2020 – The Healing
2019 – The Passion ft SRL
2018 – Like A Holiday
2018 – Waiting In Vain
2017 – Dancer
2017 – The Mood ft SRL
2014 – Nightlife
2009 – Candlelight
2008 – A Beautiful Life
2007 – I Want Your Love
2005 – Looking For A New Love (Dance Remixes)
2003 – Photographs
2003 – Whenever
2000 – I Love to Love featuring Roy Ayers
2000 – Saturday Night Experience
2000 – Another Chapter (Japanese Release Import Only)
1998 – If I’m Not in Love
1998 – Off The Hook
1998 – Off The Hook D-Dot Remix)
1998 – Off The Hook (Masters At Work Remix)
1995 – Affection
1993 – When a Man Loves a Woman
1993 – Your Love Keeps Working On Me
1992 – It All Begins With You
1992 – I’m The One You Need
1991 – I Want You
1990 – Precious Love
1989 – Everything
1989 -Friends with Eric B & Rakim
1989 – Real Love
1988 – Most of All
1988 – Some Kind of Lover
1987 – Don’t You Want Me
1987 – Still a Thrill
1987 – Looking For A. New Love
CHART HISTORY
2024
2024 -“EVERLASTING” – Single
Collaboration with the UK’s Brian Power.
UK Soul Chart #4
2020 Winter Nights EP
Featuring Winter Nights Prelude (Written by Charles Lombard), Weigh On Me, Skin Deep (Writers: Jody Watley and Rodney Lee) (Alex Di Cio Extended Remix), Candlelight (Writers Jody Watley and Aris Koukouselis) (Alex Di Cio’ Extended Remix), Winter Nights Reprise (Written by Charles Lombard)
Number 2 – UK Soul Chart
#3 Jody Watley and SRL “The Passion” – UK Soul Chart Week Ending August 16, 2018
May 2018
#10 “Waiting In Vain” – Smooth Jazz Network Top 100 Week Ending May 12, 2018
#25 Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart Week Ending April 26, 2018
2018
#2 U.K. Soul Single Jody Watley ft. SRL. – The Mood
#1 One. Jamm FM Netherlands
2014 – PARADISE EP
Nightlife – 2014
Billboard Dance Portal: “NIGHTLIFE” from ‘PARADISE” is Jody Watley’s 19th Top 20 hit on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs reaching #18. Jody Watley ‘s string of 7 Billboard DANCE #1 records began with 1987′s “Looking for a New Love” -1987 self titled debut album spawned 5 Top 10 Billboard Dance hits and 3 #1′s! Since then, Jody Watley earned 11 more Billboard Dance Top 10 records and 4 more Dance Club Song #1′s. Most recent Billboard Dance Club Songs #1 record was 2007′s “I Want Your Love.”
Nightlife (J. Watley Jody Watley Music BMI, Julien Aletti, Raphael Aletti; Aletti Brothers Music BMI). Original Produced by Jody Watley and Rodney Lee
#5 Urban, Music Week UK
#6 Commercial Pop, Music Week UK
#18 Hot Dance/Club Play, Billboard
2009
Candlelight (J. Watley, A. Koukouselis) Jody Watley Music BMI, A. Koukouselis AEIP
# 24 Hot Dance Club Play Billboard
2008
A Beautiful Life (J. Watley, R. Lee) Jody Watley Music BMI, Dream Planet Music BMI Produced by Jody Watley & Rodney Lee
# 5 Hot Dance Club Play Billboard
2007
“Rihanna wasn’t even born when Jody Watley was having hits with Shalamar..”
I Want Your Love (N. Rodgers, B. Edwards) Bernard S Other Music Warner Tamerlane Sony ATV Songs BMI
# 1 Hot Dance Club Play
#1 Commercial Pop, Music Week UK
Borderline (R. Lucas) Careers Music Pub. BMI
# 2 Hot Dance Club Play
2005
Looking For a New Love “Remixes”
# 1 Hot Dance Club Play
*the first single to go Number One in two separate decades*
2003
Midnight Lounge/Whenever (J.Watley, R. Lee) Jody Watley Music BMI, Dream Planet Music BMI Produced by Jody Watley & Rodney Lee
# 19 Hot Dance Club Play
1998
If I’m Not in Love
# 2 Hot Dance Club Play
Off The Hook (M. Pendleton, C. Lucas, Floyd)
# 1 Hot Dance Club Play
# 23 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles
# 73 Hot 100
1995
Affection (J. Watley, D. Edmonson) Jody Watley Music BMI Produced by Jody Watley & Derrick Edmonson
# 28 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles
1994
When a Man Loves a Woman (J. Watley, L. Campbell) Jody Watley Music BMI, L. Campbell ASCAP
# 8 Hot Dance Club Play Singles
# 11 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
1993
Your Love Keeps Working On Me (J. Barnes, J. Diggs,, R. WHite) BMI
# 2 Hot Dance Club Play
# 26 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
1992
It All Begins With You (G. Lyter, D. Rich)
# 80 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
I’m The One You Need (J. Watley, D. Morales, A. Shantzis) Jody Watley Music BMI, Morales, Shantzis ASCAP
# 3 Hot Dance Club Play
# 19 Hot 100
# 23 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
1991
I Want You (J. Watley, A. Cymone) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
# 5 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 17 Hot Dance Club Play
# 61 Hot 100
1990
Precious Love (J. Watley, A. Cymone) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
# 51 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 87 Hot 100
1989
Real Love (J. Watley, A. Cymone) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
# 2 Hot 100
# 1 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 1 Hot Dance Club Play
Friends featuring Eric B and Rakim (J. Watley, A. Cymone, Rakim, Eric B) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
# 9 Hot 100
# 3 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 7 Hot Dance Club Play Singles
Everything (G. Cole, J. Newton-Howard)
# 4 Hot 100
# 3 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 11 Adult Contemporary
1988
Most of All
(Gardner Cole-Patrick Leonard)
#60 Hot 100
#11 R&B
# 8 Hot Dance Club Play
Some Kind of Lover (J. Watley, A. Cymone) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
# 10 Hot 100
# 1 Hot Dance Club Play
# 3 Hot R&B /Hip Hop Most of All (G. Cole, P. Leonard)
# 8 Hot Dance Club Play
# 11 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 60 Hot 100
1987
Don’t You Want Me (J. Watley, F. Golde, D. Bryant) Jody Watley Music BMI, Franne Gee Music
# 6 Hot 100
# 1 Hot Dance Club Play
# 3 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
Still a Thrill (J. Watley, A. Cymone) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
# 8 Hot Dance Club Play
# 3 Hot R&B Hip/Hop
# 56 Hot 100
Looking For a New Love (J. Watley, A. Cymone) Jody Watley Music BMI, Ultrawave ASCAP
# 2 Hot 100
# 1 Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles
# 1 Hot Dance Club Play
1984
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas
#1
All Rights Reserved. Jody Watley / Avid Music Inc. 2012
All Chart Data: Billboard Magazine / AllMusic Guide / Wikipedia / Music Week UK
Remix collaborators 1987 – 2020 include: David Morales, Francois K, PM Dawn, Drizabone, Masters at Work, Love to Infinity, RocaSound, Chus & Ceballos, Craig Christensen, Chris Joss, Heinrich Z, Levon Vincent, Lost Daze, Julius Papp, Aris Kokou, Stargroove, Josh Peace, DJ Yellow, Jodie Harsh, Dave Doyle, Soulpersona, Soulcast, Masi & Mello, Morgan Paige,Cristian P, Danny Krivit, DJ Spinna, King Britt, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Brian Power, Alex Di Cio’, Redtop.
Various collaborations include Jody Watley with :
(2019) Brian Power (Good Good Reason)
(2018) French Horn Rebellion (“Just Werrrk“)
(2018) ft SRL (The Passion)
(2017) Peter Harper, A Million Miles from the Harper’s Break The Cycle Contemporary Folk Album;
(2016) ft SRL (The Mood)
(2015) Dam-Funk “Virtual Progression” from “Invite the Light” Teddy Pendergrass “Can’t We Try” from Teddy Pendergrass Duets “Love & Soul”;
(2013-2014) French Horn Rebellion (Dancing Out, Cold Enough),
(2013) Loving The Silent Tears Musical Event “A Real Fool” Produced by Emmy winner Doug Katsuros,
(2013) Mark de Clive Lowe (Tonight’s The Night),
(2012) -Rahsaan Patterson (Ghost),
(2006) – 4Hero (Bed of Roses from Play With The Changes and The Makeover)
(2004) King Britt (The Essence)
(2003) with Roy Ayers and Masters At Work (I Love To Love)
(2003) Cyber X feat. Jody Watley (Waves of Love),
(2000) – Ron Trent (Saturday Night Experience Remix),
(1999) Destiny’s Child (Sweet 16 written by Watley on ‘The Writing’s On The Wall’ album)
(1990) Red, Hot and Blue Tribute to Cole Porter “After You, Who”
(1989)– Stevie Wonder Characters MTV Special, Stevie Ray Vaughn on guitar
(1989) Eric B & Rakim (Friends)
(1987) George Michael (Learn To Say No)
(1984) Musical Youth duet (I’m 16 -Sixteen uncredited)
(1984) George Duke (Baby Love)
(1984) Band Aid (Do They Know It’s Christmas)
Shalamar (77-83): 1. Uptown Festival, 2. Shalamar Disco Gardens 3. Big Fun 4. Three For Love 5. Go For It 6. Friends 7. The Look.
Watley’s music appears on various compilations most recently taste making boutique label Hed Kandi’s The Mix 2009 and two Greatest Hits Compilations.
As a songwriter, Watley has co-written nearly 100 songs in her BMI catalog, including many of her multi-format hit singles such as “Looking For a New Love”, “Don’t You Want Me”, “Some Kind of Lover”, “Friends”, “Real Love” and more.
As a member of Shalamar her writing credits include “Work It Out” (Three For Love album) “Full of Fire” (Three for Love album), “Help Me (Friends album), “Playing to Win” (Friends album), Talk To Me” (Go For It album).
The group Destiny’s Child covered the Watley penned “Sweet 16” on their multi-platinum “Writing’s On The Wall” album in 1999.
Duets and Features:
1983 – Musical Youth “16”
1983 – Band Aid “Do They Know It’s Christmas”
1987 – George Michael “Learn To Say No” from debut solo album “Jody Watley” Produced by Bernard Edwards (CHIC, Power Station)
1988 – Stevie Wonder MTV Special “Superstitious”, “Some Kind of Lover”
1989 – Eric B. and Rakim “Friends” the first R&B/Pop Hip Hip/Rap collaboration to feature custom 16 bar verse feature and to cross over multiple charts. Produced by Andre Cymone Executive Producer Jody Watley
2003 – Roy Ayers “I Love to Love” from “Midnight Lounge” Produced by Masters at Work
2006 – 4Hero “Bed of Roses” from “Play With The Changes” and “The Makeover” Produced by 4Hero
2011- with Dam-Funk “Virtuous Progression” from “Invite The Light”
2017- with Peter Harper – “Million Miles” from “Break The Cycle”
2012 – with French Horn Rebellion “Cold Enough”
2013 – with French Horn “Dancing Out”
2019 – with Brian Power “Good Good Reason”
Awards and Recognition:
2022: Women Songwriters Hall Of Fame
2022: Honorary Doctorate in Business & Entrepreneurship, Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award In Community Service
2021: 100 Successful Women in Business by Global Trade Chamber
2019- Vanguard Award: LGBT Music & Film Festival, “Women of Excellence”
2018 – Listed as one of the Top 60 Female Artists of All Time ranking at 53 by Billboard Magazine as their Hot 100 Chart Turned 60 and one of The Top 25 Dance Artist of All Time Billboard.
2017- Black Music Honors “Crossover Music Icon” – Television Broadcast Special
2017 – California Senate Resolution Honorable Ricardo Lara for LGBTQ Advocacy and Music Contributions
2009 – California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition Black Music Month For Contributions to Music – Mike Davis 48th Assembly June 16
2009 – California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition Black Music Month For Contributions to Music – Maxine Waters Member of Congress June 16
2007 – Lifetime Achievement Billboard Dance 2007 after 13th #1 Dance Single.
2016 ranked as one of Billboard Magazines Greatest Dance club Artists of All Time at #21
1991 – BMI Songwriter Award Medal Of Honor
1994 -BET Contributor Award Freedom and Democracy in South Africa, Mandela Freedom Fund Telethon Contributor March 22
1988 – Grammy Award Best New Artist
