Bill Withers Albums Ranked

The son of a maid and a coal miner, William Harrison Withers, Jr. was born in Slab Fork, West Virginia on July 4, 1938, and was raised in nearby Beckley. He wrote his first song at the age of four, but his talent wouldn’t truly manifest for another three decades. Withers spent his late teens and most of his twenties in the U.S. Navy, where he served as an aircraft mechanic. Discharged after nine years of service, Withers relocated to San Jose, where he worked as a milkman, made aircraft parts, and eventually worked on planes. While at an Oakland club to see Lou Rawls, Withers overheard how much the star would be profiting from the gig, and was consequently motivated to buy a guitar and develop his singing and writing skills.
Withers won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for “Ain’t No Sunshine” at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards in 1972. The track had already sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in September 1971. During a hiatus from touring, Withers recorded his second album, Still Bill. The single, “Lean on Me” went to number one the week of July 8, 1972. It was Withers’s second gold single with confirmed sales in excess of three million. His follow-up, “Use Me” released in August 1972, became his third million-seller, with the R.I.A.A. gold disc award taking place on October 12, 1972.  His performance at Carnegie Hall on October 6, 1972, was recorded and released as the live album Bill Withers, Live at Carnegie Hall on November 30, 1972. Here are all of Bill Withers’ albums ranked.

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10. ‘Bout Love (1978)

“One would think with such a heavy focus on pop and,by Bill Withers standards somewhat less then poetic lyrics that this generally highly radio friendly R&B/funk album would’ve become among his most successful releases. Especially since the previous album made it into the pop top 40. While the R&B community were typically accepting,this album again showed that crossover wasn’t going to be his friend. Some of that might’ve had to do with the feeling being entirely mutual. Withers was at this point focused on his marriage and child,both of whom are pictured on the back sleeve of this particular album. It wasn’t that he’d lost any interest in making music. But he just was even less willing and able than many others to maneuver effectively within the commerce of the industry. This album is another one of those cases where creative justice was not served in terms of the artists intent. Still at least it’s something of quality people could still enjoy.”

9. The Best Of Bill Withers: Lean On Me (2000)

“I have to admit, I only knew about Bill Withers from his four big (REALLY BIG hits): Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me, and Just the Two of Us. Since this collection has all four, and basically gives you the whole 18-song collection for the price of those four songs, I bought it. And was I ever pleasantly surprised. The other tracks are just as strong as the mega-hits. For two days I listened to nothing else, just put this thing on repeat. It’s really shocking that someone so well known and respected, still sneaks by under the radar. He won’t sneak under my radar anymore. His brand of folky R&B is unique to him, and would feel slightly out of place in any decade. This uniqueness is perhaps his biggest charm.”

8. Menagerie (1977)

‘Has Bill Withers ever made an album that didn’t feel good? Probably not, but the search continues. Here he lays down some serious groove. I thought the previous ones were maybe a lil too acoustic, not to a fault, but this is kinda what I want from him. A little bit of funk and flair. And it opens with a classic. Put on Lovely Day all the way up any time the sun is shining on you.”

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7. +’Justments (`1974)

“This album, his third and final album for Sussex Records, is definitely another consistent and finely crafted set of songs with thoughtful lyrical content. The difference here is that few are as memorable and immediate as the best of the material on the first two albums. More of the musical arrangements flow and develop in more subtle, languid and atmospheric styles. The strings are more prominent on this album and provide a welcome cushion. Definitely an overlooked album in his catalog though.”

6. Ain’t No Sunshine: The Best Of Bill Withers (2008)

“It shows the spread of Bill Withers’ underrated ability that he could create two songs at completely the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, so for joyous happiness and well-being, try “Lovely Day” from some years later, but if you want to wallow in doom and gloom sadness, just park yourself here. Someone, somewhere I know has counted the countless desolate “I know’s” all the more ironic when of course we know the singer doesn’t know what or why this has happened to him. There’s a typically unfussy production, a loping guitar line, and maudlin strings all creating the atmosphere of head-in-hands, lights-off loneliness.”

5. Greatest Hits (1981)

‘This is definitely where I’d recommend anybody should start with Bill Withers.  That’s partly because the material is solid throughout, but also Withers is one of those odd figures that the majority of people like, but nobody really thinks about.  How many people out there like “Just the Two of Us”, “Ain’t No Sunshine”, Lean on Me”, and “Lovely Day” and don’t even know the name of the person that sang them, let alone realize that they’re all by the same man?  Even just counting the people I know, it’s a lot, and a greatest hits compilation is the only way you can get all four in one place.  There are highlights outside those too – “Grandma’s Hands” is better known as the sample from Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” these days than as a song in its own right, but it’s still a great track, and “Who Is He, What is He to You?” and “Use Me” are emotionally complex, yet subtle and smooth winners.”

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4. Live At Carnegie Hall (1973)

‘Possibly the best live recording of a soul show that I’ve ever heard.  The band breathes new life into all of Withers’ classic songs, straddling the line beautifully between funk and soul.  Even “Lean On Me”, a song I typically find kind of mushy, is a highlight.  Bill’s voice is phenomenal throughout, whether he’s getting down on “Harlem” or “Use Me”, or he’s pouring his emotions into the heartwrenching “Hope She’ll Be Happier”.  Not a weak spot here.  The only downside is that it almost renders moot the same songs off of his excellent first two studio albums.”

3. Lovely Days (1989)

“”Lovely Day” is super smooth, super slick late 70s lite FM pop. Sounds like I’m putting it down but not really, that song is like drinking champagne in a bathtub with a tophat on. The flip side is a little more funky, not bad but forgettable. “

2. Still Bill (1972)

“After a promising debut, Bill Withers’ second album is a homogeneous collection of soul songs with a very particular sound, focused on the bass, with hermetic bases and Bill’s sliding voice, transforming into a surprising success that he could never match but obtaining a recognition that is perpetuated over time. Highlight “Use Me”, “Lean on Me” and “Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?”.”

1. Just As I Am (1971)

“My initial reaction to this album was, damn this is funky and at the same time the instrumental and feel reminds me a little of Nick Drake.  There’s even a mild swagger to Withers’ warm vocals that reminds me of Low Rawls: almost like a crooner.  I don’t understand how all of that even works together to produce an awesome Soul album, but it does.  The guitar playing of Stephen Stills is the perfect icing on the cake.”