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‘So Amazing’: These Are Our Favorite Luther Vandross Songs

With a new documentary chronicling the music legend’s life, we’re revisiting some of his unforgettable classics.

Photo: Getty Images Patrick Ford/Redferns

With the Sundance Film Festival premiere of the new documentary, “Luther: Never Too Much,” the world is once again discussing the influence and impact of the singer. He kept his personal life private, but his emotions were always on display in his music. As the film revisits his life and career, we’re taking a look back at his classic hits and exploring some of our favorites.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

“Never Too Much”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNj9bXKGOiI

It doesn’t matter what kind of event it is, wedding, birthday, family reunion, cookout, homegoing. When those first few beats of “Never Too Much” drops, the dance floor is instantly packed with people loudly proclaiming, “This is my jam!”

“Here and Now”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u_u4nlYmNs

You have never in your life been to a Black wedding where classic wasn’t played. It is the quintessential Black love song.

“Superstar”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG9MqIFzoUk

With all due respect to Karen Carpenter, the minute Luther started singing, this became his song.

“Give Me the Reason”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtIhcbR7COw

Only the legend could take this cold breakup track and make it a jam you can’t help dancing to. “Give me the reason to want you back” is empowering, but it also has a groove you can’t resist.

“So Amazing”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq840BYK9Bk

What’s beautiful about Luther’s many love songs is their simplicity. The way they describe love is joyful and pure. “So amazing to be loved. I’d follow you to the moon and the stars above” is all you really need.

“I Can Make It Better”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiqfsXm7VnU

Luther was such a brilliant vocalist, his prowess as songwriter/producer isn’t always appreciated as much as it should be. On “I Can Make It Better” he takes the familiar “leave your man” concept and crafts it into a compelling story. It’s a running theme in all his music.

“Don’t Want to Be a Fool”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmEHKF99v2I

There’s a sadness in Vandross’ love songs that lay his heart bare. Yes, he’s singing to all of us, but he’s also sharing his own pain and loneliness through his art.

“Power of Love/Love Power”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlLsbL2LJKw

With so many songs about love, any other artist’s catalog would feel repetitive. However, everytime Luther sang about love, he examined a different aspect of the emotion. And it works brilliantly every single time.

“Stop to Love”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHGyipqYFr8

There’s a classic R&B groove that’s found in all Vandross’ tracks that you can’t teach. It’s the kind of musical intuition that some artists just inherently have.

“Dance With My Father”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmDxJrggie8

One of the singer’s final hits is a devastating exploration of loss, closure and father/child relationships. If you don’t cry listening to this, you’re a robot.

“How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye” (with Dionne Warwick)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t90AIc5dZv0

You already know that putting Luther and Ms. Dionne together led to pure perfection.

“Any Love”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aFaU1G3J5s

The blend of sadness and hopefulness might make this Vandross’ most personal song. Though he knows he’ll find love soon, you still feel the loneliness of his wait. It’s simultaneously beautiful and heartbreaking.

“Going in Circles”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAZ92x9FJp4

Luther made plenty of covers, we could do a whole separate list of them. He has the very rare ability to make every single one feel like a brand new song, while also honoring the original. Aspiring vocalists should study “Going in Circles” to learn how to build a song to a proper climax.

“If This World Were Mine” (with Cheryl Lynn)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkFIkubuYns

Sometimes you hear a duet that’s so brilliantly sung and harmonized, you get lost in the music. That’s how we feel when we listen to Vandross and Lynn deliver this vocal masterclass.

“A House Is Not a Home”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WPJcEluBT0

Luther was such a master vocalist, he could bend and twist a melody into a musical sculpture like the artist he was. This is never more evident than when he performed this unforgettable break up song live.

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