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TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS

#309 IF ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT Luther Vandross
Songwriter Brenda Russell recorded the original version of "If Only For One Night". It was included on her self-titled album, issued in 1979. Roberta Flack recorded her cover in 1980. Luther Vandross' cover of the Russell composition was featured on his 'The Night I Fell In Love' album. He and Marcus Miller co- produced the track. It made the R&B chart in 1985. 
Vandross was born in The Bronx, New York in 1951. He started his musical career at a young age and finally broke through as a session vocalist, working with the likes of David Bowie, Bette Midler, Chic, Gary Glitter and Stephanie Mills. He arranged the background vocals on the Donna Summer/ Barbra Streisand US #1 duet "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)". By 1979, he was in demand and his projects included recordings with Chaka Khan, Sister Sledge, Melba Moore and Cher. Vandross contributed to the 'Fame' film soundtrack. Around this time, he was the lead singer of funk group Change, which scored a hit with "The Glow of Love". 
In 1981, he signed with Epic Records and finally released his solo debut. Along with writing all but 1 of its tracks, he produced the LP. Session work continued in the 1980s, on albums by Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Gregory Hines and Aretha Franklin.
 In 1992, Vandross scored his 7th R&B #1 with "The Best Things In Life Are Free", a duet with Janet Jackson. In 1993 "The Lady is a Tramp", his collaboration with Frank Sinatra, was included on the crooner's 'Duets' album. The following year saw him score another hit duet, this time covering "Endless Love" with Mariah Carey. 
He is regarded as 1 of the most influential R&B singers. He recorded his last vocals in 2003, when he completed "Dance With My Father", a song he co-wrote with Richard Marx. He suffered a severe stroke shortly after. The disc won the Song of the Year Grammy Award. Sadly, Vandross passed away in 2005.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
2 new songs are added each day (every 12 hours)  with an expanded edition coming soon!