Bill Withers was, is, and will always be one of soul music's most prolific artists, penning and performing major hits such as "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lovely Day." While he was only active in the industry for a decade or so, his songs were still covered, sampled, and reinterpreted by artists in the following decades.
While it's a sad day for the entire music industry as he passed away due to heart complications on March 30, his legacy still persists. Here are some of the songs originally written by Bill Withers, covered by other artists, and managed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
1. Lean on Me
The first single from Bill's sophomore album, "Still Bill", is his first and only chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100. Also, it's timelessness made it one of only nine songs to top the Hot 100 with versions from two different artists. "Lean on Me" also topped the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart as well as the Cash Box Top 100.
In 1989, R&B band Club Nouveau covered "Lean on Me" and topped the singles chart for two weeks. It also peaked at the Billboard's Dance Club Songs. It would earn Bill Withers' a Grammy award in 1987 for the "Best R&B" song, since "Lean on Me" was originally his composition.
2. Lovely Day
This R&B/soul hit is a feel-good anthem, from the title to the lyrics and the rhythm, of course! It first appeared in his 1978 album "Menagerie". Fun fact: Withers' "Lovely Day" has an 18-second sustain near the end of it.
In 1992, The S.O.U.L. System covered the track with rap verses, the title is "It's Gonna Be a Lovely Day." The 1992 reimagining was a part of "The Bodyguard" movie soundtrack. It is also the only non-Whitney Houston single to break the Mainstream Top 40. It peaked number 34 on the Hot 100 and number 44 on the R&B chart. The 1992 "Lovely Day" version also reached the top spot in the Hot Dance Club Play chart by the end of the year, until January 1993.
3. Just the Two of Us
The 1980 R&B song is another testament to Bill Wither's songwriting capabilities. He originally recorded it with himself on the vocals and jazz-funk and soul-jazz sax legend Grover Washington Jr. Appearing in the saxophonist's 1980 album "Winelight" it peaked at the second spot on the Hot 100.
Fellow Grammy winner Will Smith samples the song and transforms the romantic love between couples into a heartwarming father and son dedication to each other. His son Trey Smith was in the music video. It would peak at number 6 on the singles chart and would stay there for 24 weeks. The "Men in Black" star also wrote a picture book with the same narrative as the song and exemplifies the values of dignity, integrity, and color.
4. Ain't No Sunshine
Appearing in his 1971 album "Just As I Am", Bill Withers' breakthrough hit "Ain't no Sunshine" reached the sixth spot on the Billboard singles chart and would be recognized as the 23rd best song for 1971.
In the same year, the 13-year-old would-be King of Pop himself recorded a version of "Ain't no Sunshine." However, its return to the charts would be courtesy of "I Know What You Did Last Summer," Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello's first collaboration together. While it was a cover or a sample of Ain't No Sunshine, it did credit Withers' as among the writers of the song. Both singers recreate the iconic repetitive "I know, I know" riff in both of their verses.
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