Gwen Guthrie

Gwen Guthrie

2923 fans

A big soul mama who crossed over into the 1980s dance scene, Gwen Guthrie was a proud advocate of gay rights and talented songwriter. Raised in Newark, New Jersey, Guthrie studied classical music and piano as a child before singing with vocal groups The Ebonettes and the Matchmakers and getting her big break as a backing singer for Aretha Franklin. She worked as a session musician, sang radio commercial jingles and penned songs for Roberta Flack and Sister Sledge, as well as writing Ben E. King's US Top Five hit Supernatural. Striking up a partnership with reggae producers Sly And Robbie in the late 1970s, Guthrie became a part of New York's early house scene and earned the nickname "The Queen of the Paradise Garage" for her performances at the legendary loft nightclub. A string of post-disco anthems followed on albums Portrait (1983), Just For You (1985) and Good To Go Lover (1986) before she scored her biggest mainstream hit in 1986 with single Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent, which reached Number 5 in the UK charts. She went on to influence the likes of M People, Foxy Brown and Utah Saints with her dance floor soul, before her death in 1999 from uterine cancer at the age of 48.

Top tracks

08
Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent
Gwen Guthrie
Gold - '80s Soul
03:33
Composers: Gwen Guthrie
05
Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
05:58
Writer: Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Gwen Guthrie
07
(They Long To Be) Close To You
Gwen Guthrie
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
05:33
Writer: Hal David - Burt Bacharach / Composers: Hal David - Burt Bacharach
02
Seventh Heaven
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:21
Writer: Tamy Lester Smith / Composers: Tamy Lester Smith
04
You Touched My Life
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
05:08
Writer: Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Gwen Guthrie
01
Peanut Butter
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
05:00
Writer: Sly Dunbar / Composers: Sly Dunbar
06
It Should Have Been You
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
04:21
Composers: David M. Thompson
09
It Should Have Been You (Larry Levan Mix / Bonus Track)
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
07:05
Composers: Darryl Thompson
12
(They Long To Be) Close To You (Single Version / Bonus Track)
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
03:44
Writer: Hal David - Burt Bacharach / Composers: Hal David - Burt Bacharach
02
Outside In The Rain
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
05:18
Writer: David Townsend - David L. "Pick" Conley - Bernard Jackson - J. Thompson / Composers: David Townsend - David L. "Pick" Conley - Bernard Jackson - J. Thompson
11
Padlock (Larry Levan Mix / Bonus Track)
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
06:58
Writer: Tamy Lester Smith / Composers: Tamy Lester Smith
09
Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent (Extended Club Mix / Bonus Track)
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
07:16
Writer: Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Gwen Guthrie
07
Padlock
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:51
Writer: Tamy Lester Smith / Composers: Tamy Lester Smith
11
Save Your Love For Me (Bonus Track)
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
05:00
Writer: Sly Dunbar - Sugar Minott - Robbie Shakespeare / Composers: Sly Dunbar - Sugar Minott - Robbie Shakespeare
02
Getting Hot
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
05:36
Composers: Sly Dunbar - Robbie Shakespeare
05
For You (With A Melody Too)
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
04:56
Composers: Steven Stanley
04
Sweet Bitter Love
Gwen Guthrie
Hot Times
04:32
Writer: Brian Jackson - Gwen Guthrie
10
Hopscotch (Larry Levan Instrumental Mix / Bonus Track)
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
07:25
Writer: George Howard - Charles Bell - Victor Bailey / Composers: George Howard - Charles Bell - Victor Bailey
06
Younger Than Me
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:37
Writer: Addison La Verne - Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Addison La Verne - Gwen Guthrie
05
Hopscotch
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
05:13
Writer: George Howard - Charles Bell - Victor Bailey / Composers: George Howard - Charles Bell - Victor Bailey
09
Peanut Butter (Larry Levan Mix / Bonus Track)
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
06:06
Writer: Sly Dunbar / Composers: Sly Dunbar
08
Thrill Me
Gwen Guthrie
Just For You
03:41
Composers: Philip Field - Linda Vitali
08
Oh What A Life
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:46
Writer: Patrick Grant - Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Patrick Grant - Gwen Guthrie
03
You're The One
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:41
Writer: S. Stanley / Composers: S. Stanley
14
What A Life (Joey Negro Remix)
Gwen Guthrie
Produced With Love
05:36
Writer: Alex Francfort - Daniel Vangarde / Composers: Alex Francfort - Daniel Vangarde
03
Outside In The Rain (Remix)
Gwen Guthrie
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
07:12
Writer: David Townsend - David L. "Pick" Conley - Bernard Jackson - J. Thompson / Composers: David Townsend - David L. "Pick" Conley - Bernard Jackson - J. Thompson
02
Bye Bye Lover
Gwen Guthrie
Lifeline
05:03
Writer: Griffin
07
Can’t Love You Tonight
Gwen Guthrie
80s R&B
04:17
Writer: Guthrie / Composers: Guthrie

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  • Discography
Albums
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
This Compilation â„— 1999 The Island Def Jam Music Group
01-01-1999
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
01
Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent
Gwen Guthrie
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
05:58
Writer: Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Gwen Guthrie
02
Padlock (Larry Levan Mix)
Gwen Guthrie
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
06:58
Writer: Tamy Lester Smith / Composers: Tamy Lester Smith
03
Outside In The Rain (Remix)
Gwen Guthrie
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
07:12
Writer: David Townsend - David L. "Pick" Conley - Bernard Jackson - J. Thompson / Composers: David Townsend - David L. "Pick" Conley - Bernard Jackson - J. Thompson
04
Peanut Butter
Gwen Guthrie
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
05:00
Writer: Sly Dunbar / Composers: Sly Dunbar
05
It Should Have Been You (Larry Levan Mix)
Gwen Guthrie
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
06:59
Writer: Darryl Thompson / Composers: Darryl Thompson
06
Oh What A Life
Gwen Guthrie
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
04:46
Writer: Patrick Grant - Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Patrick Grant - Gwen Guthrie
07
(They Long To Be) Close To You
Gwen Guthrie
The Ultimate Collection: Gwen Guthrie
05:33
Writer: Hal David - Burt Bacharach / Composers: Hal David - Burt Bacharach
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Hot Times
â„— 1990 Reprise Records, a label of Warner Records Inc., manufactured and marketed by Rhino Entertainment
15-10-1990
Hot Times
01
Is There a Spark?
Gwen Guthrie
Hot Times
04:11
Writer: Bill Hagans - Gwen Guthrie
02
Miss My Love
Gwen Guthrie
Hot Times
05:20
Writer: Larry Conley
03
Say It Isn't So
Gwen Guthrie
Hot Times
05:45
Writer: Brian Jackson - Gwen Guthrie
04
Sweet Bitter Love
Gwen Guthrie
Hot Times
04:32
Writer: Brian Jackson - Gwen Guthrie
05
I'll Give My Best to You
Gwen Guthrie
Hot Times
04:03
Writer: Gwen Guthrie
06
Feel Good
Gwen Guthrie
Hot Times
04:05
Writer: Gwen Guthrie
07
Hot Time in Harlem
Gwen Guthrie
Hot Times
04:44
Writer: Brian Jackson - Gwen Guthrie
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Lifeline
â„— 1988 Warner Records Inc., manufactured and marketed by Rhino Entertainment
01-01-1988
Lifeline
01
Destiny
Gwen Guthrie
Lifeline
05:52
Writer: Gwen Guthrie
02
Bye Bye Lover
Gwen Guthrie
Lifeline
05:03
Writer: Griffin
03
Rockin' Chair
Gwen Guthrie
Lifeline
05:44
Writer: Dunbar - Guthrie
04
What Would I Do Without You
Gwen Guthrie
Lifeline
04:53
Writer: Guthrie
05
Can't Love You Tonight
Gwen Guthrie
Lifeline
04:17
Writer: Guthrie
06
Send Me Somebody (Why Don't Cha)
Gwen Guthrie
Lifeline
06:03
Writer: Guthrie
07
Once More with Feeling
Gwen Guthrie
Lifeline
06:07
Writer: Guthrie
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Good To Go Lover
â„— 1986 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1986
Good To Go Lover
01
(They Long To Be) Close To You
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
05:33
Writer: Hal David - Burt Bacharach / Composers: Hal David - Burt Bacharach
02
Outside In The Rain
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
05:18
Writer: David Townsend - David L. "Pick" Conley - Bernard Jackson - J. Thompson / Composers: David Townsend - David L. "Pick" Conley - Bernard Jackson - J. Thompson
03
Good To Go Lover
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
06:04
Writer: Gwen Guthrie - William Winser Hagans / Composers: Gwen Guthrie - William Winser Hagans
04
You Touched My Life
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
05:08
Writer: Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Gwen Guthrie
05
Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
05:58
Writer: Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Gwen Guthrie
06
I Still Want You
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
04:42
Writer: David L. "Pick" Conley - David Townsend - Bernard Jackson / Composers: David L. "Pick" Conley - David Townsend - Bernard Jackson
07
Stop Holding Back
Gwen Guthrie
Good To Go Lover
06:01
Writer: David L. "Pick" Conley - David Townsend - Bernard Jackson / Composers: David L. "Pick" Conley - David Townsend - Bernard Jackson
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Just For You
â„— 1985 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1985
Just For You
01
Put Love In Control
Gwen Guthrie
Just For You
04:35
Composers: Raymond Jones
02
Love In Moderation
Gwen Guthrie
Just For You
04:54
Composers: Jerry Barnes - Katreese Barnes
03
Just For You
Gwen Guthrie
Just For You
04:15
Composers: Jerry Barnes - Katreese Barnes
04
I Gotta Have You
Gwen Guthrie
Just For You
04:15
Composers: Andy Goldmark
05
I Can't Feel It No More
Gwen Guthrie
Just For You
04:06
Composers: David Conley - Charles Allen - Brian Smith - Joshua Thompson
06
Oh Donny No
Gwen Guthrie
Just For You
04:11
Composers: Gwen Guthrie
07
Joy Riders
Gwen Guthrie
Just For You
04:36
Composers: Brian Morgan - Shelley Scruggs - Gwen Guthrie
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Portrait
â„— 1983 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1983
Portrait
01
Peanut Butter
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
05:00
Writer: Sly Dunbar / Composers: Sly Dunbar
02
Seventh Heaven
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:21
Writer: Tamy Lester Smith / Composers: Tamy Lester Smith
03
You're The One
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:41
Writer: S. Stanley / Composers: S. Stanley
04
Family Affair
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:40
Writer: Sylvester Stewart / Composers: Sylvester Stewart
05
Hopscotch
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
05:13
Writer: George Howard - Charles Bell - Victor Bailey / Composers: George Howard - Charles Bell - Victor Bailey
06
Younger Than Me
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:37
Writer: Addison La Verne - Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Addison La Verne - Gwen Guthrie
07
Padlock
Gwen Guthrie
Portrait
04:51
Writer: Tamy Lester Smith / Composers: Tamy Lester Smith
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Gwen Guthrie
â„— 1982 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1982
Gwen Guthrie
01
Peek-A-Boo
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
04:23
Composers: Gwen Guthrie
02
Getting Hot
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
05:36
Composers: Sly Dunbar - Robbie Shakespeare
03
Your Turn To Burn
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
02:55
Composers: Sly Dunbar - Robbie Shakespeare
04
Dance Fever
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
06:25
Composers: Robbie Shakespeare - Gwen Guthrie
05
For You (With A Melody Too)
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
04:56
Composers: Steven Stanley
06
It Should Have Been You
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
04:21
Composers: David M. Thompson
07
Is This Love?
Gwen Guthrie
Gwen Guthrie
05:23
Composers: Bob Marley
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Singles
In Love
â„— 2026 UMG Recordings, Inc.
17-04-2026
In Love
01
In Love
Rafael
In Love
03:44
Writer: Sly Dunbar / Composers: Sly Dunbar
Ain't Nothin' goin' on but the Rent (Remastered 2006)
2026 Mercury Records
26-01-2026
Ain't Nothin' goin' on but the Rent (Remastered 2006)
01
Ain't Nothin' goin' on but the Rent (Remastered 2006)
Gwen Guthrie
Ain't Nothin' goin' on but the Rent (Remastered 2006)
03:13
Writer: Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Gwen Guthrie
Featured in
Soul Songs 80s Finest
2026 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
14-04-2026
Soul Songs 80s Finest
01
We’re in This Love Together
Al Jarreau
Soul Songs 80s Finest
03:46
Writer: Keith Stegall - Roger Murrah / Composers: Keith Stegall - Roger Murrah
02
Ain’t Nobody
Chaka Khan
Soul Songs 80s Finest
04:05
Writer: David Wolinski / Composers: David Wolinski
03
Take It to the Bossman
Narada Michael Walden
Soul Songs 80s Finest
04:23
Writer: Narada Michael Walden - Randy Jackson - Vicki Randle / Composers: Narada Michael Walden - Randy Jackson - Vicki Randle
04
One in a Million You
Larry Graham
Soul Songs 80s Finest
04:12
Writer: Sam Dees / Composers: Sam Dees
05
Give Me the Night (Edit)
George Benson
Soul Songs 80s Finest
03:39
Writer: Rod Temperton / Composers: Rod Temperton
06
What Kinda Boy You Lookin' for (Girl)
Hot Chocolate
Soul Songs 80s Finest
03:48
Writer: Errol Brown / Composers: Errol Brown
07
The Way You Love Me
Karyn White
Soul Songs 80s Finest
04:54
Writer: Babyface - Daryl Simmons - L. A. Reid / Composers: Babyface - Daryl Simmons - L. A. Reid
Access the complete album info (59 songs)
Wanted Dread and Alive
â„— 2002 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
01-01-1981
Wanted Dread and Alive
01
Coming in Hot (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Wanted Dread and Alive
03:39
Composers: Peter Tosh
02
Nothing but Love (with Gwen Guthrie) (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Wanted Dread and Alive
03:47
Composers: Ella Mitchell - Fred Harris
03
Reggae Mylitis (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Wanted Dread and Alive
06:35
Composers: Peter Tosh
04
Rok with Me (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Wanted Dread and Alive
03:44
Composers: Jean Watt
05
Oh Bumbo Klaat (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Wanted Dread and Alive
04:45
Composers: Peter Tosh
06
Wanted Dread and Alive (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Wanted Dread and Alive
04:28
Composers: Peter Tosh
07
Rastafari Is (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Wanted Dread and Alive
06:34
Composers: Peter Tosh
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Sounds... And Stuff Like That!
â„— 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1978
Sounds... And Stuff Like That!
01
Stuff Like That
Quincy Jones
Sounds... And Stuff Like That!
06:18
Writer: Quincy Jones - Eric Gale - Steve Gadd - Ralph MacDonald - Richard Tee - Valerie Simpson - Nickolas Ashford / Composers: Quincy Jones - Eric Gale - Steve Gadd - Ralph MacDonald - Richard Tee - Valerie Simpson - Nickolas Ashford
02
I'm Gonna Miss You In The Morning
Quincy Jones
Sounds... And Stuff Like That!
03:31
Writer: Quincy Jones - Tom Bahler - William Salter - Ralph MacDonald / Composers: Quincy Jones - Tom Bahler - William Salter - Ralph MacDonald
03
Love I Never Had It So Good
Quincy Jones
Sounds... And Stuff Like That!
05:14
Writer: Quincy Jones - Tom Bahler - Richard Tee - Patti Austin / Composers: Quincy Jones - Tom Bahler - Richard Tee - Patti Austin
04
Tell Me A Bedtime Story
Quincy Jones
Sounds... And Stuff Like That!
06:45
Writer: Herbie Hancock / Composers: Herbie Hancock
05
Love Me By Name
Quincy Jones
Sounds... And Stuff Like That!
04:08
Writer: Ellen Weston - Lesley Gore / Composers: Ellen Weston - Lesley Gore
06
Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)
Quincy Jones
Sounds... And Stuff Like That!
05:25
Writer: Stevie Wonder / Composers: Stevie Wonder
07
Takin It To The Streets
Quincy Jones
Sounds... And Stuff Like That!
04:24
Writer: Michael McDonald / Composers: Michael McDonald
Peter Tosh 1978-1987
â„— 2012 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
25-05-2012
Peter Tosh 1978-1987
01
(You Gotta Walk) Don't Look Back (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh 1978-1987
05:20
Writer: Ronald White - Smokey Robinson
02
Pick Myself Up (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh 1978-1987
04:02
Writer: Peter Tosh / Composers: Peter Tosh
03
I'm the Toughest (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh 1978-1987
03:57
Composers: Peter Tosh
04
Soon Come (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh 1978-1987
03:59
Composers: Peter Tosh
05
Moses - The Prophet (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh 1978-1987
03:39
Composers: Peter Tosh
06
Bush Doctor (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh 1978-1987
04:07
Writer: Peter Tosh / Composers: Peter Tosh
07
Stand Firm (2002 Remaster)
Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh 1978-1987
06:12
Composers: Peter Tosh
Access the complete album info (75 songs)
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.2
â„— 2011 Z Records
06-06-2011
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.2
01
Summer Grooves
MIRAGE
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.2
05:35
Writer: Morris Michael / Composers: Morris Michael
02
Still in Love (Joey Negro Love Symphony Mix)
AC Soul Symphony
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.2
07:46
Writer: M. Nash - K. Copeland - AC Soul Symphony / Composers: M. Nash - K. Copeland - AC Soul Symphony
03
Days Gone By
The Sunburst Band
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.2
05:08
Writer: Dave Lee / Composers: Dave Lee
04
Fly Away (Joey Negro Club Mix)
The Sunburst Band
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.2
08:06
Writer: Dave Lee - Michele Chiavarini / Composers: Dave Lee - Michele Chiavarini
05
Another World (Andre Lodemann Mix)
Akabu
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.2
05:23
Writer: Dave Lee - Michele Chiavarini - Akabu / Composers: Dave Lee - Michele Chiavarini - Akabu
06
Summer Groove (The Revenge Edit)
The Joneses
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.2
05:19
Writer: The Joneses / Composers: The Joneses
07
We Can Live Forever
The Sunburst Band
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.2
06:01
Writer: Dave Lee / Composers: Dave Lee
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
90s R&B Hits
2025 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
30-04-2025
90s R&B Hits
01
Take the Key
All Saints
90s R&B Hits
04:12
Writer: Kirk Robinson - Nat Robinson - Terry Lewis / Composers: Kirk Robinson - Nat Robinson - Terry Lewis
02
Cupid
112
90s R&B Hits
04:12
Writer: Arnold Hennings - C. Sills - Daron Jones - Marvin Scandrick - Michael Keith - Quinnes Parker / Composers: Arnold Hennings - C. Sills - Daron Jones - Marvin Scandrick - Michael Keith - Quinnes Parker
03
The Boy Is Mine (feat. Monica) (Radio Edit)
Brandy
90s R&B Hits
04:54
Writer: Brandy Norwood - Fred Jerkins III - Japhe Tejeda - LaShawn Daniels - Rodney Jerkins / Composers: Brandy Norwood - Fred Jerkins III - Japhe Tejeda - LaShawn Daniels - Rodney Jerkins
04
Romantic
Karyn White
90s R&B Hits
04:07
Writer: Jimmy Jam - Karyn White - Terry Lewis / Composers: Jimmy Jam - Karyn White - Terry Lewis
05
Give Me the Night
Randy Crawford
90s R&B Hits
05:07
Writer: Phil Collins - Rodney Temperton / Composers: Phil Collins - Rodney Temperton
06
Bedroom Eyes
The Isley Brothers
90s R&B Hits
05:37
Writer: Angela Winbush - Leon Ware - Ronald Isley / Composers: Angela Winbush - Leon Ware - Ronald Isley
07
Who Are You
Eternal
90s R&B Hits
03:17
Writer: Ronnie Wilson / Composers: Ronnie Wilson
Access the complete album info (60 songs)