Carl Carlton

Carl Carlton

3981 fans

Born in Detroit, Michigan on May 21, 1952, singer and songwriter Carl Carlton would get his start as a recording artist while still a teenager under the name Little Carl Carlton, hoping to capitalize on the popularity of Little Stevie Wonder. He enjoyed some local success, but relocated to Houston after signing with the label Back Beat in 1968. He had his first hits on the R&B charts soon after with “Don’t Walk Away” and “Drop By My Place” in 1969 and 1970. He dropped “Little” from his stage name, and scored his breakthrough after his 1974 track “Everlasting Love” had a radio-friendly disco beat added to it. The song became a smash, hitting number 6 on the pop chart and number 11 on the R&B chart. The album of the same name would spawn another R&B top 20 hit, “Smokin’ Room”. A legal dispute over royalty payments kept him from releasing new material for a few years, but his 1980 self-titled album included the funky “She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)”, a number 2 R&B and number 22 pop hit, as well as the best-selling single of his career. Three more R&B albums came out over the next fifteen years, but he transformed himself into a gospel artist for 2010’s God Is Good. Carl Carlton suffered from complications of a stroke in 2019. On December 13, 2025, he died at the age of 73.

Top tracks

19
She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
05:47
Writer: Leon Haywood / Composers: Leon Haywood
10
She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked) (Single Version)
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
03:55
Composers: Leon Haywood
14
Everlasting Love
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
02:33
Writer: Mac Gayden - Buzz Cason / Composers: Mac Gayden - Buzz Cason
01
She's a Bad Mama Jama (Re-Recorded)
Carl Carlton
She's a Bad Mama Jama
05:49
Composers: Leon Haywood
06
I’ve Got That Boogie Fever
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
06:14
Composers: Leon Haywood
01
Toast to Freedom (Long Version)
Levon Helm
Toast to Freedom
06:15
Writer: Carl Carlton - Irwin Allen / Composers: Lawrence T. Campbell - Carl Carlton - Irwin Allen
09
This Feeling’s Rated X-tra (12" Version)
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
05:05
Composers: Leon Haywood
02
Let Me Love You 'Til Morning Comes
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
03:53
Composers: Leon Haywood
18
This Feeling’s Rated X-tra
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
04:10
Writer: Leon Haywood / Composers: Leon Haywood
01
Sexy Lady
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
05:24
Composers: Michael McGloiry
01
Little Rainbow
Carl Carlton
Little Rainbow
03:50
Writer: Chris Thompson - Andy Fairweather Low / Composers: Carl Carlton - Chris Thompson - Andy Fairweather Low
02
Toast to Freedom (Radio Edit)
Levon Helm
Toast to Freedom
04:24
Composers: Lawrence T. Campbell - Carl Carlton - Irwin Allen
02
She's a Bad Mama Jama (Re-Recorded) [Instrumental Version]
Carl Carlton
She's a Bad Mama Jama
05:49
Composers: Leon Haywood
06
I Can Feel It
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
02:27
Writer: Jo Armstead / Composers: Jo Armstead
07
I Think It’s Gonna Be Alright
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
03:29
Composers: Michael McGioiry
07
She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)
Carl Carlton
Dance Funk (Non-Stop Mixes)
05:10
Composers: Leon Haywood
08
Fighting In The Name Of Love
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
03:26
Composers: Leon Haywood
15
Smokin' Room
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
03:33
Writer: D. Belfield / Composers: D. Belfield
03
Don’t You Wanna Make Love
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
04:02
Composers: Leon Haywood
01
Love Thang
Carl Carlton
Love Thang
03:51
Composers: Curtis Boone and Michael J. Powell

Playlists

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  • Discography
Albums
Miles Of Time
℗ 2025 Timezone
23-01-2026
Miles Of Time
01
Just Like You
Carl Carlton
Miles Of Time
03:46
Writer: Kevin Moore - John Lewis Parker / Composers: Kevin Moore - John Lewis Parker
02
Love Potion No. 9
Carl Carlton
Miles Of Time
03:05
Writer: Jerry Leiber - Mike Stoller / Composers: Jerry Leiber - Mike Stoller
03
Alive
Carl Carlton
Miles Of Time
03:46
Writer: Carl Carlton - Keith Reid - Chris Thompson / Composers: Carl Carlton
04
Small Town Talk
Carl Carlton
Miles Of Time
03:00
Writer: Bobby Charles / Composers: Bobby Charles
05
Crazy Love
Carl Carlton
Miles Of Time
03:52
Writer: Van Morrison - Glenford Lee Prospere / Composers: Van Morrison - Glenford Lee Prospere
06
Sidewalk Conversation
Carl Carlton
Miles Of Time
02:59
Writer: Max Buskohl - Barry Dean - Roland Spremberg / Composers: Max Buskohl - Barry Dean - Roland Spremberg
07
This Time Tomorrow
Carl Carlton
Miles Of Time
04:07
Writer: Raymond Douglas Davies / Composers: Raymond Douglas Davies
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Glory Of Love
℗ 2023 Timezone
01-09-2023
Glory Of Love
01
Long Monday
Melanie Wiegmann
Glory Of Love
03:24
Writer: John Prine (Tommyjack Music) / Composers: John Prine (Tommyjack Music)
02
Black Muddy River
Melanie Wiegmann
Glory Of Love
04:27
Writer: Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter / Composers: Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter
03
Glory Of True Love
Melanie Wiegmann
Glory Of Love
04:11
Writer: John Prine (Tommyjack Music) - Roger Cook / Composers: John Prine (Tommyjack Music) - Roger Cook
04
If I Needed You
Melanie Wiegmann
Glory Of Love
04:04
Writer: Towns Van Zandt / Composers: Towns Van Zandt
05
Sunday Morning
Melanie Wiegmann
Glory Of Love
04:05
Writer: Lou Reed and John Cale / Composers: Lou Reed and John Cale
06
Dance Me To The End Of Love
Melanie Wiegmann
Glory Of Love
06:05
Writer: Leonard Cohen / Composers: Leonard Cohen
07
Dreamer
Melanie Wiegmann
Glory Of Love
04:18
Writer: Carl Carlton - Jill Stevenson / Composers: Carl Carlton - Jill Stevenson
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Hardest Grooving Club Traxx, Vol. 3
(P) 2022 NF Boyz Records
31-05-2022
Hardest Grooving Club Traxx, Vol. 3
01
Black Street
Soul Organization
Hardest Grooving Club Traxx, Vol. 3
03:16
Writer: Carlo Di Bari / Composers: Carlo Di Bari
02
Balearica Marina
Federico Pellegrini
Hardest Grooving Club Traxx, Vol. 3
03:03
Writer: Vincenzo Vangi / Composers: Vincenzo Vangi
03
Don't Leave Me
Phuture Sound
Hardest Grooving Club Traxx, Vol. 3
03:18
Writer: Carlo Di Bari / Composers: Carlo Di Bari
04
Good Omen
Nomen
Hardest Grooving Club Traxx, Vol. 3
03:19
Writer: Carlo Di Bari / Composers: Carlo Di Bari
05
Archibald
Rolf Boss
Hardest Grooving Club Traxx, Vol. 3
02:51
Writer: Piero Angelo Scibetta / Composers: Piero Angelo Scibetta
06
Far from the Heart
Underground Massive
Hardest Grooving Club Traxx, Vol. 3
03:17
Writer: Carlo Di Bari / Composers: Carlo Di Bari
07
Poison of Heart
Raspberry Area
Hardest Grooving Club Traxx, Vol. 3
03:52
Writer: Francesco Demegni / Composers: Francesco Demegni
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Chicago Beat and Tempo (Compilation)
Limelight
25-09-2020
Chicago Beat and Tempo (Compilation)
01
London Street (Sax in Circle Mix)
Candem Groove
Chicago Beat and Tempo (Compilation)
05:49
02
Buno (Original Mix)
Candid Files
Chicago Beat and Tempo (Compilation)
02:54
03
Never on Sunday (Photomatic Mix)
Capricorn 77
Chicago Beat and Tempo (Compilation)
03:16
04
Seal It with a Kiss (Blue Light Mix)
Capricorn 77
Chicago Beat and Tempo (Compilation)
03:12
05
My Space (Original Mix)
Captivator
Chicago Beat and Tempo (Compilation)
04:13
06
Malaga Airport (Night Beats Mix)
Carl Carlton
Chicago Beat and Tempo (Compilation)
03:21
07
Charity Ball (Tribatronic Mix)
Carl de Baar
Chicago Beat and Tempo (Compilation)
05:46
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Chicago Beat and Tempo
(P) 2020 Limelight
25-09-2020
Chicago Beat and Tempo
01
London Street
Candem Groove
Chicago Beat and Tempo
05:49
Composers: C. Di Bari
02
Buno
Candid Files
Chicago Beat and Tempo
02:54
Composers: R. Campese
03
Never on Sunday
Capricorn 77
Chicago Beat and Tempo
03:16
Composers: C. Di Bari
04
Seal It with a Kiss
Capricorn 77
Chicago Beat and Tempo
03:12
Composers: L. G. - G. Maffi
05
My Space
Captivator
Chicago Beat and Tempo
04:13
Composers: R. Campese - Luca Grinzato - Sergio Ratti
06
Malaga Airport
Carl Carlton
Chicago Beat and Tempo
03:21
Composers: F. Demegni
07
Charity Ball
Carl de Baar
Chicago Beat and Tempo
05:46
Composers: C. Di Bari
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)
2017 Staages Music
17-03-2017
Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)
01
Woodstock (Live)
Carl Carlton
Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)
10:56
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
02
The Weight (Live)
Carl Carlton
Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)
05:41
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
03
Cissy Strut (Live)
Carl Carlton
Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)
02:31
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
04
Don't Do It (Live)
Carl Carlton
Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)
04:48
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
05
Atlantic City (Live)
Carl Carlton
Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)
05:59
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
06
Little Red Rooster (Live)
Carl Carlton
Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)
09:18
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
07
Further up on the Road (Live)
Carl Carlton
Woodstock & Wonderland (Live)
04:29
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
Essential 70s Music
Lionfish Music Group, Inc.
17-03-2015
Essential 70s Music
01
Tell Me Something Good
Chaka Khan
Essential 70s Music
02:39
Composers: Stevland Morris (A - K - A: Stevie Wonder)
02
Bad Mama Jama
Carl Carlton
Essential 70s Music
05:49
Composers: Leon Haywood
03
Me And Mrs. Jones
Billy Paul
Essential 70s Music
04:53
Composers: K. Gamble - L. Huff - C. Gilbert
04
Son Of My Father
Chicory Tip
Essential 70s Music
02:54
Composers: P. Bellotte - M. Holm - G. G. Moroder
05
Feel The Need In Me
The Detroit Emeralds
Essential 70s Music
03:14
Composers: A. Tilmon - P. Patrick - J. Davis Jr
06
I Believe In Music
Gallery
Essential 70s Music
03:01
Composers: M. Davis
07
Everybody Plays The Fool
Main Ingredient
Essential 70s Music
03:35
Composers: J.R. Bailey - R. Clark - K. Williams
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
Lights out in Wonderland
2014 Staages
01-01-2014
Lights out in Wonderland
01
Moonlight in New York
Carl Carlton
Lights out in Wonderland
04:41
Writer: Carl Carlton - Austin Leahey / Composers: Austin Leahy - Carl Carlton
02
Little Men in the Radio
Carl Carlton
Lights out in Wonderland
04:43
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
03
Strawberry Letter #23
Carl Carlton
Lights out in Wonderland
04:36
Writer: Shuggie Otis / Composers: Shuggie Otis
04
Strangers
Carl Carlton
Lights out in Wonderland
03:42
Writer: Dave Davies / Composers: Dave Davies
05
Invincible
Carl Carlton
Lights out in Wonderland
05:04
Writer: Max Buskohl - Gary Go - Roland Sprengberg / Composers: Max Buskohl - Gary Go - Roland Sprengberg
06
Cool My Heart
Carl Carlton
Lights out in Wonderland
04:21
Writer: Patrick Pilsl / Composers: Yoyo Roehm
07
Sailin' Shoes
Carl Carlton
Lights out in Wonderland
04:11
Writer: Lowell George - Martin Frederick / Composers: Lowell George - Martin Frederick
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
℗ 2009 Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-2009
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
01
Look At Mary Wonder (How I Got Over)
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
02:05
Writer: J. Armstead - A. Terry / Composers: J. Armstead - A. Terry
02
46 Drums - 1 Guitar
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
02:26
Writer: D. Malone - B. Lamp / Composers: D. Malone - B. Lamp
03
Competition Ain't Nothin' (Single Version)
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
02:31
Writer: William Webb - Louise Hiram / Composers: William Webb - Louise Hiram
04
Don't Walk Away
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
02:57
Writer: R. Washington / Composers: R. Washington
05
Drop By My Place
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
02:47
Writer: Jo Armstead / Composers: Jo Armstead
06
I Can Feel It
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
02:27
Writer: Jo Armstead / Composers: Jo Armstead
07
You've Got So Much
Carl Carlton
Everlasting: The Best Of Carl Carlton
02:51
Writer: D. Malone / Composers: D. Malone
Access the complete album info (22 songs)
Songs for the Lost and Brave
Ferryhouse
31-10-2008
Songs for the Lost and Brave
01
Spoke on the Wheel
Carl Carlton
Songs for the Lost and Brave
04:18
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
02
Keep on Swingin'
Carl Carlton
Songs for the Lost and Brave
04:40
Writer: Jerry Seay - V. Simon / Composers: Jerry Seay - V. Simon
03
King of Nothing
Carl Carlton
Songs for the Lost and Brave
05:27
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
04
For What It's Worth
Carl Carlton
Songs for the Lost and Brave
04:08
Writer: Stephen Stills / Composers: Stephen Stills
05
Foot on the Rock
Carl Carlton
Songs for the Lost and Brave
05:05
Writer: Gary Moses Moore / Composers: Gary Moses Moore
06
Mother Hardship
Carl Carlton
Songs for the Lost and Brave
05:46
Writer: Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
07
High in a Sweet Release
Carl Carlton
Songs for the Lost and Brave
03:55
Writer: Eric Burdon - Leona West - Carl Carlton / Composers: Carl Carlton
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
℗ 1981 UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1981
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
01
Sexy Lady
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
05:24
Composers: Michael McGloiry
02
Let Me Love You 'Til Morning Comes
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
03:53
Composers: Leon Haywood
03
Don’t You Wanna Make Love
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
04:02
Composers: Leon Haywood
04
This Feeling’s Rated X-tra
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
04:11
Composers: Leon Haywood
05
She's A Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
05:49
Composers: Leon Haywood
06
I’ve Got That Boogie Fever
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
06:14
Composers: Leon Haywood
07
I Think It’s Gonna Be Alright
Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton (Expanded Edition)
03:29
Composers: Michael McGioiry
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
EPs
Bring Down - EP
(P) 2020 Togo records
19-06-2020
Bring Down - EP
01
Kingshot Fog (In The Night Mix)
Carl Carlton
Bring Down - EP
02:58
Composers: Francesco Demegni
02
I'Ll Wait Here (Deep Cut Mix)
Carl Carlton
Bring Down - EP
03:07
Composers: Carlo Di Bari
03
Bring Down (Carl Mix)
Carl Carlton
Bring Down - EP
03:00
Composers: Leonardo Bortolotto
04
Release Soul (Soulful Mix)
Carl Carlton
Bring Down - EP
03:02
Composers: Carlo Di Bari
She's a Bad Mama Jama
RMP Global Ltd
20-09-2019
She's a Bad Mama Jama
01
She's a Bad Mama Jama (Javier Penna Radio Mix @118Bpm)
Carl Carlton
She's a Bad Mama Jama
04:44
Writer: Leon Haywood / Composers: Leon Haywood
02
She's a Bad Mama Jama (Javier Penna Radio Mix @120Bpm)
Carl Carlton
She's a Bad Mama Jama
04:40
Writer: Leon Haywood / Composers: Leon Haywood
03
She's a Bad Mama Jama (Javier Penna Remix @118Bmp)
Carl Carlton
She's a Bad Mama Jama
06:38
Writer: Leon Haywood / Composers: Leon Haywood
04
She's a Bad Mama Jama (Javier Penna Remix @120Bmp)
Carl Carlton
She's a Bad Mama Jama
06:32
Writer: Leon Haywood / Composers: Leon Haywood
Singles
Classic Shit (feat. Darryl J)
2026 GT Digital / Bank Knot Entertainment
27-03-2026
Classic Shit (feat. Darryl J)
01
Classic Shit
BANKKNOT P
Classic Shit (feat. Darryl J)
03:12
Writer: Matthew Page / Composers: BANKKNOT P
Classic Shit
2026 GT Digital / Bank Knot Entertainment
27-03-2026
Classic Shit
01
Classic Shit
BANKKNOT P
Classic Shit
03:12
Writer: Matthew Page / Composers: BANKKNOT P