Jerry Butler is an American soul singer, songwriter, and politician born on December 8, 1939 in Sunflower, Mississippi. He started his career as a member of the R&B vocal group The Impressions, where he sang lead vocals on their hit songs “For Your Precious Love” and “I’m a Telling You.” In the late 1960s, Butler embarked on a successful solo career, producing a string of hits such as “Never Give You Up”, “Only the Strong Survive”, and “Hey, Western Union Man.”
Butler’s smooth and sophisticated vocal style made him a standout in the soul music scene of the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his ability to blend R&B, pop, and jazz influences to create a sound that was both polished and emotional. In addition to his successful music career, Butler also served as a politician, representing the South Side of Chicago in the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Illinois State Senate.
Throughout his career, Butler has received numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame. He continues to tour and record music to this day, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary R&B and soul artists.
1. Make It Easy On Yourself
“Make It Easy On Yourself” is a soulful ballad by Jerry Butler that was released in 1962. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man who is heartbroken after a breakup and urges his former lover to make it easy on him by not coming back. The track features a slow, melancholic melody and Butler’s smooth and emotive vocals. “Make It Easy On Yourself” was a commercial and critical success and helped establish Butler as a prominent figure in the soul and R&B genres. The song remains a classic and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
2. He Will Break Your Heart
“He Will Break Your Heart” is a soulful ballad by Jerry Butler, released in 1960. The song features Butler’s smooth and emotive vocals, accompanied by lush orchestration and a memorable melody. The lyrics warn of a man who may seem charming and sincere, but is ultimately only interested in breaking the heart of the woman he is with. Despite its melancholy theme, the song has a timeless quality that has made it a classic of the soul genre. “He Will Break Your Heart” showcases Butler’s vocal talent and ability to convey raw emotion through his music.
3. Need to Belong
“Need to Belong” is a soulful track by Jerry Butler that was released in 1963. The song’s lyrics speak to the universal human desire to belong and be loved, with Butler crooning lines like “Every man has got to have a place to live, and I know, I know, I know that I have got mine.” The track features a slow, melodic rhythm and Butler’s smooth, emotive vocals. “Need to Belong” was a hit single and helped cement Butler’s place as a prominent figure in the soul and R&B genres. The song remains a classic and a testament to Butler’s emotive and soulful style.
4. Giving Up On Love
“Giving Up on Love” is a soulful ballad by Jerry Butler, released in 1977. The song features Butler’s smooth and powerful vocals, accompanied by a lush arrangement of strings and horns. The lyrics express the pain of a failed relationship and the difficulty of moving on from love. Despite its melancholic theme, the song is infused with a sense of hope and resilience, as Butler sings of finding strength in moving on. “Giving Up on Love” showcases Butler’s ability to convey complex emotions through his music, and remains a beloved classic of the soul genre.
5. Find Another Girl
“Find Another Girl” is a soulful track by Jerry Butler that was released in 1961. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man who has lost his lover to another man and urges her to “find another guy” so he can move on. The track features a slow, melancholic melody and Butler’s smooth and emotive vocals. “Find Another Girl” was a commercial and critical success and helped establish Butler as a prominent figure in the soul and R&B genres. The song remains a classic and a testament to Butler’s ability to convey powerful emotions through his music.
6. I’m a Telling You
“I’m a Telling You” is a soulful R&B track by Jerry Butler, released in 1963. The song features Butler’s rich, velvety vocals, accompanied by a grooving, upbeat rhythm section and a catchy brass section. The lyrics are an upbeat, playful warning to a romantic rival, asserting Butler’s dominance and the futility of his opponent’s attempts to win over his love interest. The song is a prime example of Butler’s ability to blend smooth balladry with uptempo R&B grooves, and remains a beloved classic of the genre.
7. Moon River
“Moon River” is a classic song originally performed by Jerry Butler that was released in 1961. The song’s lyrics evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia for a simpler time, with Butler crooning lines like “Two drifters off to see the world, there’s such a lot of world to see.” The track features a gentle, romantic melody and Butler’s smooth and emotive vocals. “Moon River” was a commercial and critical success and has become a timeless classic. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years and remains a beloved part of popular music history.
8. Whatever You Want
“Whatever You Want” is a soulful track by Jerry Butler that was released in 1974. The song’s lyrics speak to the universal desire to please one’s lover, with Butler crooning lines like “Whatever you want, baby, you got it, I’ll do it for you.” The track features a funky, upbeat rhythm and Butler’s smooth, emotive vocals. “Whatever You Want” was a commercial and critical success and helped establish Butler as a prominent figure in the soul and R&B genres of the 1970s. The song remains a classic and a testament to Butler’s ability to fuse soulful vocals with funky rhythms.
9. I Stand Accused
“I Stand Accused” is a soulful ballad by Jerry Butler that was released in 1964. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man who is falsely accused of a crime and faces the possibility of being separated from his loved ones. The track features a slow, emotional melody and Butler’s smooth and powerful vocals. “I Stand Accused” was a commercial and critical success and helped establish Butler as a prominent figure in the soul and R&B genres. The song remains a classic and a testament to Butler’s ability to convey powerful emotions through his music.
10. For Your Precious Love
“For Your Precious Love” is a soulful ballad by Jerry Butler and The Impressions that was released in 1958. The song’s lyrics speak to the intense emotions that come with falling in love, with Butler and The Impressions crooning lines like “My heart sings, in fact it cries” and “I’ll be yours until the stars fall from the sky.” The track features a slow, emotional melody and Butler’s smooth and powerful vocals. “For Your Precious Love” was a commercial and critical success and helped establish Butler and The Impressions as prominent figures in the soul and R&B genres. The song remains a classic and a testament to the enduring power of soulful love ballads.
Edward Tomlin is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
