Artist
Syl Johnson
Syl Johnson is a blues artist formed in 1965. 36 releases are catalogued on Riffiter.
- 36
- Releases
- 1967–2026
- Active years
- 1965
- Formed
Discography
17
Most popular
Back In the Game
1994 · 14 tracks
Dresses Too Short
1968
Talkin' About Chicago
1999
Dresses Too Short / Is It Because I'm Black
-
Mountain of Soul Episode 7
2023
Back for a Taste of Your Love
2016
Uptown Shakedown
2016
The Complete Twinight Singles
2015
Is It Because I'm Black
2013
Total Explosion
2013
Syl Johnson with Melody Whittle (feat. Syleena Johnson)
2013
Bridge to a Legacy (feat. Jonny Lang & Syleena Johnson)
2012
Bridge to a Legacy
2012
Diamond in the Rough
2010
Complete Mythology
2010
Two Johnsons Are Better Than One
2002
Foxy Brown
1988
Singles & EPs
19
Can't Nobody Stop Me Now b/w Let Me Love You
Single · 2026
Liberated Lady b/w Crazy People
Single · 2025
Last Night Was The Night b/w Got My Eyes On You
Single · 2025
I Got Your Beef
Single · 2024
Foxy Brown b/w Tripping On Your Love
Single · 2021
Different Strokes b/w Is It Because I'm Black
Single · 2021
Tripping On Your Love
Single · 2021
I'm the Roots to the Blues
Single · 2014
Soulful Heat
Single · 2011
Is It Because I'm Black (Extended Single)
Single · 2010
Different Strokes
Single · 2005
Brings Out The Blues In Me b/w How You Need To Be Loved
Single · 1989
Suicide Blues b/w Steppin'
Single · 1983
Ms. Fine Brown Frame
Single · 1982
Dream Of A Lifetime b/w All The Way Up To The Top
Single · 1981
Is It Because I'm Black b/w Sock It To Me ('80 Version)
Single · 1980
Goodie Goodie Good Times
Single · 1974
Is It Because I'm Black b/w Let Them Hang High
Single · 1970
Different Strokes b/w Sorry Bout Dat
Single · 1967
Collaborators
1
Upcoming shows
Community
More about Syl Johnson
About
Syl Johnson (b. July 1, 1936) is an American blues and soul singer and music producer. Born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf in the 1950s, before recording with Jimmy Reed for Vee-Jay in 1959. He made his solo debut that same year with Federal, a subsidiary of King Records of Cincinnati, backed by Freddie King on guitar. He then began recording for Twinight Records of Chicago in the mid 1960s. Beginning with his first hit, Come On Sock It to Me in 1967, Johnson dominated the label as both a hitmaker and producer. His song Different Strokes, also from 1967, featured recently on the Ultimate Breaks and Beats breakbeat compilation. Like other black songwriters of the period, several of his records at this time explored themes of African-American identity and social problems in songs including Is It Because I'm Black, which reached Number 11 in the R&B charts in 1969. In 1971, Willie Mitchell brought Johnson to Hi Records, for whom he recorded three albums and a number of singles.
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Produced in Memphis with the Hi house band, these yielded music of power and enduring value, including the hits We Did It, Back for a Taste of Your Love and Take Me to the River, his biggest success, reaching Number 7 on the R&B charts in 1975. However, at Hi Johnson was always to some extent in Al Green's shadow commercially, if not artistically. After the Hi years ended, Johnson produced two LPs for his own Shama label, the latter of which (Ms. Fine Brown Frame, 1982) was picked up for distribution by Boardwalk Records and produced Johnson's last hit record, the title cut. Around the mid-eighies, Johnson started a fast-food fish restaurant business, and became semi-retired from performing, only making occasional appearances at blues club gigs. In 1992, Johnson found out that his classic song "Different Strokes" have been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Stimulated by this fact, he decided to make a come back in the music business. In 1994, he released the album Back in the Game on Delmark Records. The album featured the the Hi rhythm section and his youngest daughter Syleena Johnson. Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and basisst Mack Thompson are his brothers.
Syl Johnson in brief
- How many Syl Johnson releases are on Riffiter?
- 36 releases are catalogued, spanning 1967 to 2026.
- When was Syl Johnson formed?
- Syl Johnson formed in 1965.
- What genre is Syl Johnson?
- Syl Johnson is catalogued under Blues.
- What is the most recent Syl Johnson release on Riffiter?
- Can't Nobody Stop Me Now b/w Let Me Love You, released in 2026.