| Artist: | James Brown |
| Studio: | 59 |
| Live: | 15 |
| Soundtrack: | 2 |
| Compilation: | 49 |
| Video: | 7 |
| Singles: | 144 |
| Music Videos: | 10 |
This is a discography chronicling the musical career of James Brown. Brown joined Bobby Byrd's vocal group The Flames in 1953, first as a drummer, and then as leading front man. Later becoming The Famous Flames, they signed with Federal Records in 1956 and recorded their first hit single, "Please, Please, Please", which sold over a million copies.
After the hit release of "Try Me", following nine relative failures, the group scored a series of hit albums and recordings in the early 1960s. Brown's solo aspirations started around 1962. By the time of "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag", he used the Flames less and less as he became a full-fledged solo artist who was now involved in the development of a new R&B subgenre, funk. Eventually the Famous Flames left him in 1968 as did his James Brown band by 1970 and Brown hired The J.B.'s who helped contribute to his continuing success in the 1970s. After their disbanding, Brown struggled for a number of years with recordings before the release of 1985's "Living in America", and having success with the albums Gravity (1986) and I'm Real (1988).
Brown charted at least 96 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and at least 110 entries on the R&B chart. Seventeen of Brown's singles, including five credited as "James Brown and the Famous Flames", hit number-one on the R&B chart. He recorded several more hits pseudonymously, notably "(Do the) Mashed Potatoes" and "Doing It to Death". In addition to his own hits, Brown wrote and produced charting records by many other performers, including Bobby Byrd, Hank Ballard, Tammy Montgomery, Lyn Collins, Marva Whitney, and The J.B.'s. In contrast to his chart success, few of Brown's hit recordings were certified by the RIAA, partly due to the reluctance of his record labels to pay the required fees.[1] He had just two certified gold singles - "Get on the Good Foot" (1972) and "The Payback" (1974) - and one gold album, 1973's The Payback.[2] However, two 1991 compilations of his work earned RIAA certification: Star Time (gold) and 20 All-Time Greatest Hits! (platinum).
| Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [3] | US R&B [4] | CAN [5] | SWI [6] | UK [7] | ||||||||||
| Please Please Please (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Try Me! (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Think! (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Amazing James Brown (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| James Brown and His Famous Flames Tour the U.S.A. (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Prisoner of Love |
| 73 | 15 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Showtime |
| 61 | 12 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Grits & Soul |
| 124 | 9 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Out of Sight |
| 65 | 7 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| James Brown Plays James Brown Today & Yesterday |
| 42 | 3 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Mighty Instrumentals |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| James Brown Plays New Breed (The Boo-Ga-Loo) |
| 101 | 27 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| James Brown Sings Christmas Songs |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Handful of Soul |
| 135 | 24 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| James Brown Sings Raw Soul |
| 88 | 14 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| James Brown Plays the Real Thing |
| 164 | 27 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Cold Sweat (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| 35 | 5 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| I Can't Stand Myself When You Touch Me |
| 17 | 4 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| I Got the Feelin' |
| 135 | 23 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| James Brown Plays Nothing But Soul |
| 150 | 28 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Thinking About Little Willie John and a Few Nice Things |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| A Soulful Christmas |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud |
| 53 | 6 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Gettin' Down to It |
| 99 | 26 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Popcorn |
| 148 | 31 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| It's a Mother |
| 26 | 3 | 49 | — | — | ||||||||
| Ain't It Funky |
| 43 | 5 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Soul on Top |
| 125 | 12 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| It's a New Day – Let a Man Come In |
| 121 | 19 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Hey America |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Sho Is Funky Down Here |
| 137 | 26 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Hot Pants |
| 22 | 4 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| There It Is |
| 60 | 10 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Get on the Good Foot |
| 68 | 8 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Black Caesar |
| 31 | 2 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Slaughter's Big Rip-Off |
| 92 | 15 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Payback |
| 34 | 1 | 92 | — | — | ||||||||
| Hell |
| 35 | 2 | 78 | — | — | ||||||||
| Reality |
| 56 | 11 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Sex Machine Today |
| 103 | 24 | 60 | — | — | ||||||||
| Everybody's Doin' the Hustle & Dead on the Double Bump |
| 193 | 31 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Hot |
| 198 | 35 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Get Up Offa That Thing |
| 147 | 24 | 12 | — | — | ||||||||
| Bodyheat |
| 126 | 20 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Mutha's Nature |
| — | 38 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Jam 1980's |
| 121 | 32 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Take a Look at Those Cakes |
| — | 55 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Original Disco Man |
| 152 | 37 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| People |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Soul Syndrome |
| — | 63 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Nonstop! |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Bring It On! |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Gravity |
| 156 | 38 | — | — | 85 | ||||||||
| I'm Real |
| 96 | 15 | — | 19 | 27 | ||||||||
| Love Over-Due |
| — | 51 | — | 35 | — | ||||||||
| Universal James |
| — | 78 | — | 34 | — | ||||||||
| I'm Back |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Merry Christmas Album |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Next Step |
| — | 72 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
| Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [9] | US R&B [10] | NED [11] | SWI | UK | ||||||||||
| Papa's Got a Brand New Bag |
| 26 | 2 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| I Got You (I Feel Good) |
| 36 | 3 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| It's a Man's Man's Man's World |
| 90 | 8 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Soul Classics |
| 83 | 13 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Soul Classics, Volume II |
| — | 31 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Solid Gold, 30 Golden Hits |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Fabulous James Brown |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Can Your Heart Stand It? |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Best of James Brown |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Federal Years, Part I |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Federal Years, Part II |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Roots of a Revolution, 1956–1965 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Ain't That a Groove, 1966–1969 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Doing It to Death, 1970–1973 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Dead on the Heavy Funk, 1974–1976 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The CD of JB: (Sex Machine and Other Soul Classics) |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The LP of JB |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| In the Jungle Groove |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The CD of JB II, Cold Sweat and Other Soul Classics |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Best of James Brown |
| — | — | — | — | 17 | ||||||||
| Motherlode |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Great James Brown, Soul Brother Number One |
| — | — | 33 | — | — | ||||||||
| Dance Machine |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Messin' with the Blues |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Star Time |
| — | 89 | — | — | — |
| |||||||
| 20 All-Time Greatest Hits! |
| 133 | 99 | — | — | — |
| |||||||
| Sex Machine, The Very Best of James Brown |
| — | — | — | — | 19 |
| |||||||
| Greatest Hits of the Fourth Decade |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Living in America |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Roots of a Revolution 1956–1963 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Roots of a Revolution 1956–1963 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| James Brown's Funky Christmas |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Foundations of Funk, A Brand New Bag, 1964–1969 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Funk Power 1970, A Brand New Thang |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Make It Funky, The Big Payback, 1971–1975 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| JB40 - 40th Anniversary Collection |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Dead on the Heavy Funk, 1975–1983 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of James Brown |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Classic James Brown, Universal Masters Collection |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of James Brown, Vol. 2: The 70's |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Godfather, The Very Best of James Brown |
| — | — | — | 61 | 30 |
| |||||||
| Classic James Brown, Volume II, Universal Masters Collection |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 20th Century Masters, The Christmas Collection |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 50th Anniversary Collection |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Singles, Volume I: The Federal Years, 1956–1960 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| A Family Affair (with daughters Yamma and Venisha) |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Number 1's |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Soul Brother No. 1 |
| 170 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Singles, Volume V: 1967–1969 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Singles, Volume VI: 1969–1970 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Singles, Volume VII: 1970–1972 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Singles, Volume VIII: 1972–1973 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Icon |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Singles, Volume IX: 1973–1975 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Complete James Brown Christmas |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Singles, Volume X: 1975–1979 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| The Singles, Volume XI: 1979–1981 |
| — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Get On Up, The James Brown Story |
| 61 | 9 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
| Album details | Peak chart positions | Notes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [13] | US R&B [14] | GER [15] | NED | |||||||||||
| Live at the Apollo (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| 2 | — | — | — | Re-sequenced and re-released with bonus tracks in 2004 | ||||||||
| Pure Dynamite!, Live at the Royal (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| 10 | — | — | — | Includes 2 studio tracks with overdubbed audience | ||||||||
| The James Brown Show |
| — | — | — | — | Partly live | ||||||||
| Live at the Garden (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| 41 | 6 | — | — | Includes one studio track with overdubbed audience; re-sequenced and re-released with bonus tracks in 2009 | ||||||||
| Live at the Apollo, Volume II (James Brown and The Famous Flames) |
| 32 | 2 | 32 | 19 | Double LP; re-sequenced and re-released with unreleased and extended performances in 2001 | ||||||||
| Sex Machine |
| 29 | 4 | — | — | Double LP; 1st record contains studio tracks overdubbed with audience; 2nd record contains live concert with one studio track overdubbed with audience | ||||||||
| Super Bad |
| 61 | 4 | — | — | Features studio tracks with overdubbed audience. | ||||||||
| Revolution of the Mind, Live at the Apollo, Volume III |
| 39 | 7 | — | — | Double LP | ||||||||
| Hot on the One |
| — | — | — | — | Double LP | ||||||||
| Live in New York |
| — | — | — | — | Double LP; includes two studio instrumentals by the Bay Ridge Band | ||||||||
| Live at Chastain Park |
| — | — | — | — | Recorded 1985 | ||||||||
| Soul Session Live |
| — | — | — | 46 | Includes one studio duet with Aretha Franklin | ||||||||
| Love, Power, Peace, Live at the Olympia, Paris 1971 |
| — | — | — | — | Previously unreleased triple LP | ||||||||
| Live at the Apollo 1995 |
| — | — | — | — | Includes one studio track | ||||||||
| Say It Live and Loud, Live in Dallas 08.26.68 |
| — | — | — | — | Previously unreleased | ||||||||
| Live at the Apollo, Volume IV: September 13–14, 1972 |
| — | 45 | — | — | Double LP; features two performances by Brown. The JB's, Bobby Byrd, and Lyn Collins are spotlighted on this record. | ||||||||
| Live at Home with His Bad Self |
| — | — | — | — | Live on October 1, 1969 at the Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia. | ||||||||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
(Note) Listed below are the charting singles James Brown released on the King Records subsidiary Federal and King record labels, and Smash Records . Most of the songs also feature The Famous Flames on backing vocals through 1965. Brown had recorded singles for Bethlehem and Ember Records alternatively.
| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [16] | US R&B [17] | BEL [18] | CAN [19] | GER [20] | ITA [21] | NED [22] | UK | |||||||
| Federal releases: | ||||||||||||||
| 1956 | "Please, Please, Please" b/w "Why Do You Do Me" (from Try Me | ) | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Please Please Please | |||
| "I Don't Know" b/w "I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "No, No, No, No" b/w "Hold My Baby's Hand" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Chonnie-On-Chon" b/w "I Won't Plead No More" (from Try Me | ) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| 1957 | "Just Won't Do Right" b/w "Let's Make It" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "Gonna Try" b/w "Can't Be the Same" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Try Me! | |||||
| "Messing with the Blues" b/w "Love or a Game" (from Please, Please, Please) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "You're Mine, You're Mine" b/w "I Walked Alone" (from Please, Please, Please) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "That Dood It" b/w "Baby Cries Over the Ocean" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Please, Please, Please | |||||
| 1958 | "Begging, Begging" b/w "That's When I Lost My Heart" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "Try Me" b/w "Tell Me What I Did Wrong" | 48 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| 1959 | "I Want You So Bad" b/w "There Must Be a Reason" | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Try Me | ||||
| "I've Got to Change" b/w "It Hurts to Tell You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "It Was You" b/w "Got to Cry" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Good Good Lovin'" b/w "Don't Let It Happen to Me" (from Try Me | ) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Think! | ||||
| 1960 | "I'll Go Crazy" b/w "I Know It's True" | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "Think" / | 33 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "You've Got the Power" | 86 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "This Old Heart" b/w "Wonder When You're Coming Home" | 79 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| King releases: | ||||||||||||||
| "The Bells" b/w "And I Do Just What I Want" | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Amazing James Brown | |||||
| 1961 | "Hold It" b/w "The Scratch" (from James Brown Presents His Band | /Mighty Instrumentals) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | James Brown Presents His Band/James Brown Plays James Brown Today & Yesterday | |||
| "Bewildered" b/w "If You Want Me" | 40 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Think | |||||
| "I Don't Mind" b/w "Love Don't Love Nobody" | 47 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Amazing James Brown | |||||
| "Suds" b/w "Sticky" (from Tour the U.S.A.) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | James Brown Presents His Band/Mighty Instrumentals | |||||
| "Baby You're Right" b/w "I'll Never, Never Let You Go" | 49 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Think | |||||
| "Just You and Me, Darling" b/w "I Love You, Yes I Do" | — | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Amazing James Brown | |||||
| "Lost Someone" b/w "Cross Firing" (from Tour the U.S.A.) | 48 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| 1962 | "Night Train" b/w "Why Does Everything Happen to Me" (a.k.a. "Strange Things Happen", from Try Me | ) | 35 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ` | non-album track/later included on I Got You (I Feel Good) | ||
| "Shout and Shimmy" b/w "Come Over Here" | 61 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Good, Good, Twistin' with James Brown | |||||
| "Mashed Potatoes U.S.A." b/w "You Don't Have to Go" (from The Amazing James Brown) | 82 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | James Brown and His Famous Flames Tour the U.S.A. | |||||
| "Three Hearts in a Tangle" b/w "I've Got Money" | 93 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| 1963 | "Like a Baby" / | — | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "Every Beat of My Heart" | 99 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Prisoner of Love" b/w "Choo Choo" | 18 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Prisoner of Love | |||||
| "These Foolish Things" b/w "(Can You) Feel It Part 1" (from Prisoner Of Love) | 55 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | non-album track (later re-recorded for Hell) | |||||
| "Signed Sealed and Delivered" b/w "Waiting in Vain" | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Prisoner of Love | |||||
| "I've Got to Change" b/w "The Bells" (from The Amazing James Brown) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Try Me | |||||
| 1964 | "Oh Baby Don't You Weep"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | non-album track/Pure Dynamite! Live at the Royal | ||||
| "Please, Please, Please" (overdubbed) b/w "In the Wee Wee Hours (Of the Nite)" (from Tour the U.S.A.) | 95 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Pure Dynamite | Live at the Royal | ||||
| "Again" b/w "How Long Darling" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Prisoner of Love | |||||
| "So Long" b/w "Dancin' Little Thing" (from The Amazing James Brown) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Tell Me What You're Gonna Do" b/w "I Don't Care" (from Tour the U.S.A.) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Amazing James Brown | |||||
| "Think" b/w "Try Me" (from Prisoner of Love) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | James Brown Live at the Apollo | |||||
| "Have Mercy Baby" b/w "Just Won't Do Right" | 92 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Good Good Twistin' with James Brown | |||||
| Smash releases: | ||||||||||||||
| 1964 | "Caldonia" b/w "Evil" | 95 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Showtime | ||||
| "The Things That I Used to Do" b/w "Out of the Blue" | 99 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Out of Sight" b/w "Maybe the Last Time" | 24 | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | — | Out Of Sight | |||||
| 1965 | "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" b/w "Devil's Hideaway" James Brown at the Organ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Grits & Soul | ||||
| "Try Me" b/w "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" Instrumental versions: James Brown at the Organ | 63 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | James Brown Plays James Brown - Today & Yesterday | |||||
| 1966 | "New Breed" (Part I) b/w Part II | — | — | — | 99 | — | — | — | — | James Brown Plays New Breed | ||||
| "James Brown's Boo-Ga-Loo" b/w "Lost in a Mood of Changes" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Let's Go Get Stoned" b/w "Our Day Will Come" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Handful Of Soul | |||||
| 1967 | "Jimmy Mack" b/w "What Do You Like" James Brown at the Organ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | James Brown Plays the Real Thing | ||||
| King releases: | ||||||||||||||
| 1965 | "This Old Heart" b/w "It Was You" (from Try Me | ) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Think | |||
| "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 8 | 1 | — | 6 | — | — | 16 | 25 | non-album track/re-recorded for Soul on Top | |||||
| "I Got You (I Feel Good)" b/w "I Can't Help It (I Just Do-Do-Do)" | 3 | 1 | — | 35 | — | — | — | 29 | non-album track/I Got You (I Feel Good) (original version on Out of Sight) | |||||
| "Lost Someone" (Live) / | 94 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | James Brown Live at the Apollo | |||||
| "I'll Go Crazy" (Live) | 73 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| 1966 | "Ain't That a Groove"—Parts 1 & 2 | 42 | 6 | — | 46 | — | — | — | 51 | It's a Man's Man's Man's World | ||||
| "Come Over Here" b/w "Tell Me What You're Gonna Do" (from Good Good Twistin' with James Brown) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The Amazing James Brown | |||||
| "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" b/w "Is It Yes or Is It No?" | 8 | 1 | 14 | 25 | — | 33 | — | 13 | non-album track/re-recorded for Soul on Top | |||||
| "How Long Darling" b/w "This Old Heart" (from Think | ) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Prisoner of Love | ||||
| "Money Won't Change You"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 53 | 16 | — | 52 | — | — | — | — | James Brown Sings Raw Soul | |||||
| "Don't Be a Drop-Out" b/w "Tell Me That You Love Me" | 50 | 4 | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "The Christmas Song"—Version 1 b/w Version 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | James Brown Sings Christmas Songs | |||||
| "Sweet Little Baby Boy"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Let's Make This Christmas Mean Something This Year"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| 1967 | "Bring It Up" b/w "Nobody Knows" | 29 | 7 | — | — | — | 47 | — | — | James Brown Sings Raw Soul | ||||
| "Kansas City" b/w "Stone Fox" (from James Brown Sings Raw Soul) | 55 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Live at the Apollo, Volume II | |||||
| "Think" (with Vicki Anderson) B-side by Vicki Anderson: "Nobody Cares" | 100 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Let Yourself Go" b/w "Good Rockin' Tonight" (from Cold Sweat) | 46 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | James Brown Sings Raw Soul | |||||
| "I Loves You Porgy" b/w "Yours and Mine" (from James Brown Sings Raw Soul) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Cold Sweat | |||||
| "Mona Lisa" "It Won't Be Me" (from I Got the Feelin) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Cold Sweat"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Get It Together"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 40 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | I Can't Stand Myself When You Touch Me | |||||
| "The Soul of J.B." b/w "Funky Soul #1" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)" / | 28 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "There Was a Time" | 36 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| 1968 | "You've Got to Change Your Mind" (with Bobby Byrd) B-side by Bobby Byrd: "I'll Lose My Mind" | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "I Got the Feelin'" b/w "If I Ruled the World" | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | I Got the Feelin | |||||
| "Licking Stick – Licking Stick"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 14 | 2 | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud | |||||
| "America Is My Home"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 52 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | non-album tracks | |||||
| "I Guess I'll Have to Cry, Cry, Cry" b/w "Just Plain Funk" (from I Got the Feelin) | 55 | 15 | — | 52 | — | — | — | — | Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud | |||||
| "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 10 | 1 | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Goodbye My Love" b/w "Shades of Brown" | 31 | 9 | — | 39 | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Tit for Tat (Ain't No Taking Back)" b/w "Believers Shall Enjoy (Non-Believers Shall Suffer)" | 86 | — | — | 58 | — | — | — | — | A Soulful Christmas | |||||
| 1969 | "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" b/w "I'll Lose My Mind" (from Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud) | 15 | 1 | — | 45 | — | — | — | — | non-album trackreleased as an instrumental on Ain't It Funky | ||||
| "Soul Pride"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | — | 33 | — | 100 | — | — | — | — | The Popcorn | |||||
| "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door, I'll Get It Myself)"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 20 | 3 | — | 51 | — | — | — | — | non-album tracks | |||||
| "The Popcorn" b/w "The Chicken" | 30 | 11 | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | The Popcorn | |||||
| "Mother Popcorn (You've Got to Have a Mother for Me)"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 11 | 1 | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | It's a Mother | |||||
| "Lowdown Popcorn" b/w "Top of the Stack" (from It's A Mother) | 41 | 16 | — | 49 | — | — | — | — | Sex Machine | |||||
| "World"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 37 | 8 | — | 52 | — | — | — | — | It's a New Day – Let a Man Come In | |||||
| "Let a Man Come In and Do the Popcorn"—Part 1 b/w "Sometime" (from Super Bad) | 21 | 2 | — | 69 | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Let a Man Come In and Do the Popcorn"—Part 2 b/w "Gittin' a Little Hipper"—Part 2 (non-album track; instrumental version of "Get It Together") | 40 | 6 | — | 55 | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Ain't It Funky Now"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 24 | 3 | — | 64 | — | — | — | — | Ain't It Funky | |||||
| 1970 | "It's a New Day"—Parts 1 & 2 b/w "Georgia on My Mind" | 32 | 3 | — | 51 | 34 | 31 | 76 | — | It's a New Day – Let a Man Come In | ||||
| "Funky Drummer"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 51 | 20 | — | 41 | — | — | — | — | non-album tracks | |||||
| "Brother Rapp"—Parts 1 & 2 b/w "Bewildered" (new version; non-album track) | 32 | 2 | — | 62 | — | — | 79 | — | Slaughter's Big Rip-Off | |||||
| "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 15 | 2 | 4 | — | 29 | — | 7 | 32 | non-album track | |||||
| "Super Bad"—Parts 1 & 2 b/w Part 3 | 13 | 1 | — | — | 48 | 56 | — | — | Super Bad | |||||
| "Santa Claus Is Definitely Here to Stay" b/w Instrumental Sing-Along version of A-side | - | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hey America | |||||
| "Get Up, Get into It, Get Involved"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 34 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | non-album tracks | |||||
| 1971 | "Spinning Wheel"—Part 1 (live) b/w Part 2 (live) | 90 | 79 | 89 | 50 | 78 | 10 | 53 | — | Sex Machine | ||||
| "Soul Power"—Part 1 b/w Parts 2 & 3 | 29 | 3 | 92 | 67 | 47 | — | — | 78 | non-album tracks | |||||
| "I Cried" b/w "World"(from It's A New Day - Let A Man Come In)—Part 2 | 50 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Note: All singles from (1956) "Please, Please, Please" through to (1968) "I Guess I'll Have to Cry, Cry, Cry" credited as James Brown and The Famous Flames | ||||||||||||||
| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [23] | US R&B [24] | BEL | CAN [25] | GER [26] | ITA | NED | UK | |||||||
| Polydor releases: | ||||||||||||||
| 1971 | "Escape-ism"—Part 1 b/w Parts 2 & 3 | 35 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hot Pants | ||||
| "Hot Pants"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 15 | 1 | 17 | 58 | 21 | — | 15 | 52 | ||||||
| "Make It Funky"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 22 | 1 | — | 79 | — | — | — | — | non-album tracks | |||||
| "My Part/Make It Funky"—Part 3 b/w Part 4 | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Get On The Good Foot | |||||
| "I'm a Greedy Man"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 35 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | There It Is | |||||
| "Hey America" b/w Instrumental Sing-Along version of A-side | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | 47 | Hey America | |||||
| 1972 | "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing" b/w Part 2 | 27 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | There It Is | ||||
| "King Heroin" b/w "Theme from King Heroin" (from Food for Thought) | 40 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "There It Is"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 43 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | ||||||
| "Honky Tonk"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 44 | 7 | — | — | — | 49 | — | — | non-album tracks | |||||
| "Get on the Good Foot"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 18 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Get on the Good Foot | ||||
| "I Got a Bag of My Own" b/w "Public Enemy #1"—Part 1 (from There It Is) | 44 | 3 | — | — | — | 37 | — | — | ||||||
| "What My Baby Needs Now Is a Little More Lovin'" b/w "This Guy-This Girl's In Love" (both tracks with Lyn Collins) | 56 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | non-album tracks | |||||
| 1973 | "I Got Ants in My Pants"—Part 1 b/w Part 15 And 16 | 27 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 56 | non-album tracks | ||||
| "Down and Out in New York City" b/2 "Mama's Dead" | 50 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Black Caesar Soundtrack | |||||
| "Think" (new version) b/w "Something" | 77 | 15 | — | — | 49 | — | — | 56 | non-album tracks | |||||
| "Think" (alternate version) b/w "Something" | 80 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Sexy, Sexy, Sexy" b/w "Slaughter Theme" | 50 | 6 | — | — | — | 29 | — | — | Slaughter's Big Rip-Off | |||||
| "Stoned to the Bone"—Part 1 b/w "Stoned to the Bone (Some More)" | 58 | 4 | — | 100 | — | — | 97 | — | The Payback | |||||
| 1974 | "The Payback"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 26 | 1 | 54 | 69 | 93 | 12 | 35 | — |
| ||||
| "Woman"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | 8 | — | Hot | |||||
| "My Thang" b/w "Public Enemy #1"—Part 1 (from There It Is) | 29 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hell | |||||
| "Papa Don't Take No Mess"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 31 | 1 | — | — | — | 50 | — | — | ||||||
| "Funky President (People It's Bad)" / | 44 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 59 | Reality | |||||
| "Coldblooded" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hell | ||||||
| 1975 | "Reality" b/w "I Need Your Love So Bad" (from Messing with the Blues) | 80 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Reality | ||||
| "Sex Machine"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sex Machine Today | |||||
| "Hustle!!! (Dead on It)" b/w "Dead on It"—Part 2 (from Sex Machine Today) | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Everybody's Doin' the Hustle & Dead on the Double Bump | |||||
| "Superbad, Superslick"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Hot (I Need to Be Loved, Loved, Loved)" b/w "Superbad, Superslick"—Part 1 | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hot | |||||
| 1976 | "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons" b/w "Goodnight My Love" | — | 70 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "Get Up Offa That Thing" b/w "Release the Pressure" | 45 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | Get Up Offa That Thing | |||||
| "I Refuse to Lose" b/w "Home Again" | — | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Bodyheat"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | 88 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | Bodyheat | |||||
| 1977 | "Kiss in 77" b/w "Woman" | — | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "Give Me Some Skin" b/w "People Wake Up and Live" Both sides with The J.B.'s | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Mutha's Nature | |||||
| "If You Don't Give a Doggone About It" b/w "People Who Criticize" Both sides with The J.B.'s | — | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "Take Me Higher and Groove Me" b/w "Summertime" (by Martha & James) | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | ||||||
| 1978 | "Eyesight" b/w "I Never, Never, Never Will Forget" | — | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Jam 1980's | ||||
| "The Spank" b/w "Love Me Tender" (Non-album track) | — | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| 1979 | "For Goodness Sakes, Look at Those Cakes"—Part 1 b/w Part 2 | — | 52 | — | — | 85 | — | — | — | Take a Look at Those Cakes | ||||
| "It's Too Funky in Here" b/w "Are We Really Dancing" (from People) | — | 15 | — | 59 | — | 57 | — | — | The Original Disco Man | |||||
| "Star Generation" b/w "Women Are Something Else" (from The Original Disco Man) | — | 63 | — | — | — | 34 | — | — | ||||||
| 1980 | "Regrets" b/w "Stone Cold Drag" | — | 63 | — | — | — | 86 | — | — | People | ||||
| "Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses)" b/w Part 2 | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | Soul Syndrome | |||||
| "Stay with Me" b/w "Smokin' and Drinkin'" | — | 80 | — | — | — | 75 | — | — | ||||||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [27] | US R&B [28] | BEL | CAN [29] | GER [30] | ITA | NED | UK | |||||||
| Other releases including Scotti Brothers Records: | ||||||||||||||
| 1983 | "Night Time Is the Right Time" / | — | 73 | — | — | — | 70 | — | — | Bring It On | ||||
| "Bring It On...Bring It On" | — | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | ||||||
| 1984 | "Unity"—Part 1 ("The Third Coming") b/w Part 2 ("Because It's Coming") Both sides with Afrika Bambaataa) | — | 87 | — | — | 57 | — | — | 49 | Unity | ||||
| 1985 | "Froggy Mix" (Medley) -- Part 1 b/w Part 2 | — | 23 | — | — | — | 35 | — | 50 | Froggy Mix | ||||
| "Living in America" B-side by Vince DiCola: "Farewell" | 4 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 5 | Gravity | |||||
| "Sex Machine '85" b/w "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (from 16 Greatest Hits) | — | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | 47 | Non-album track | |||||
| 1986 | "Gravity" b/w "Gravity" (Dub Mix, non-album track) | 93 | 26 | 12 | 79 | 44 | 32 | 31 | 65 | Gravity | ||||
| "Sex Machine '86" b/w "Woman" (from Hot) | — | 67 | 34 | — | 91 | — | — | 46 | Non-album track | |||||
| 1987 | "How Do You Stop" b/w "House of Rock" (Non-album track) | — | 10 | 27 | — | 28 | 74 | — | 90 | Gravity | ||||
| 1988 | "She's the One" b/w "Funky President (People It's Bad)" (from Reality) | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | Motherlode | ||||
| "The Payback Mix"—Part 1 b/w "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" | — | — | 38 | — | — | — | 31 | 12 | Non-album tracks | |||||
| "I'm Real" b/w "Tribute" | — | 2 | 12 | — | 88 | — | 22 | 31 | I'm Real | |||||
| "Static" b/w "Godfather Runnin' the Joint" | — | 5 | — | — | 58 | — | — | 83 | ||||||
| 1989 | "Gimme Your Love" (with Aretha Franklin) B-side by Aretha Franklin: "Think" (1989) | — | 48 | — | 37 | — | — | — | 79 | Through The Storm (Aretha Franklin album) | ||||
| 1991 | "(So Tired of Standing Still We Got to) Move On" b/w "You Are My Everything" | — | 48 | 91 | — | 66 | — | — | 52 | Love Over-Due | ||||
| "Sex Machine '91" / | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 69 | Non-album track | |||||
| 1992 | "I Got You (I Feel Good)" | — | — | 49 | — | — | — | — | 72 | 20 All-Time Greatest Hits | ||||
| 1993 | "Can't Get Any Harder" (Radio mix) b/w "Can't Get Any Harder" (C&C / Leaders Of The New School Mix) (Non-album track) | — | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | 58 | Universal James | ||||
| 1998 | "Funk on Ah Roll" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | I'm Back | ||||
| 2007 | "Sex Machine" (remix) | — | — | — | — | 83 | — | — | — | Dynamite X | ||||
| 2024 | "We Got To Change"[32] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
| Year | Song | Year-End Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" | 33 | |
| 1967 | "Cold Sweat" | 77 | |
| 1968 | "I Got the Feelin'" | 58 | |
| "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud" | 90 | ||
| 1969 | "Mother Popcorn" | 68 | |
| 1972 | "Get on the Good Foot" | 99 | |
| 1986 | "Living in America" | 65 |
| Year | Song | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Lela"[34] | Lela (Hakim) [35] | |
| 2005 | "They Don't Want Music (ft. James Brown)" | Monkey Business (The Black Eyed Peas) | |
| 2011 | "Super Bad" (Part 1 & Part 2) (live February 10, 1973) | The Best of Soul Train Live[36] |