James Carr

James Carr

2343 fans

James Edward Carr, born on June 13, 1942, in Coahoma, Mississippi, is an American singer. Raised in a Baptist preacher's family, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, at age three and began singing in church. Carr performed with gospel groups like the Harmony Echoes while working on an assembly line. His first recordings were made for Goldwax Records in 1964. He achieved his breakthrough in 1966 with "You've Got My Mind Messed Up", which reached number 7 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 63 on the pop chart, followed by the album You Got My Mind Messed Up. Carr's most notable success came in 1967 with his original recording of "The Dark End of the Street", written by Dan Penn and Chips Moman. The song peaked at number 10 on the R&B chart and number 77 on the pop chart. He continued to release successful singles, including "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man" and "A Man Needs a Woman". Carr's career was marked by struggles with bipolar disorder, which affected his ability to perform and tour. Despite these challenges, he returned to recording in the 1990s with albums like Take Me to the Limit (1991) and Soul Survivor (1994). His signature song "The Dark End of the Street" gained further recognition when it was featured in the film The Commitments. Carr died on January 7, 2001, in a Memphis nursing home at the age of 58.

Top tracks

07
The Dark End of the Street
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:33
Composers: Chips Moman - Dan Penn
01
Pouring Water on a Drowning Man
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:39
Composers: Drew Baker - Danny McCormick
03
A Man Needs a Woman
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:49
Composers: Quinton Claunch - Osbie Burnett McClinton
06
These Ain't Raindrops
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:35
Composers: Quinton Claunch
08
I'm Going for Myself
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:24
Composers: Eddie Campbell - Ernest Johnson
02
These Arms of Mine
James Carr
The Best Of
02:35
Composers: Otis Redding
07
Everybody Needs Somebody
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:42
Composers: Bob McDill
03
More Love
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:42
Composers: Wayne Carson
10
Forgetting You
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:54
Composers: Osbie Burnett McClinton
12
You've Got My Mind Messed Up
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:25
Composers: Osbie Burnett McClinton
05
A Woman Is a Man's Best Friend
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
03:33
Composers: Quinton Claunch - Rudolph Russell
01
A Man Needs a Woman
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:49
Composers: Quinton Claunch - Osbie Burnett McClinton
05
Freedom Train
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:19
Composers: Steve Bogard - Larry Rogers - Carl Wells
19
Sock It to Me - Baby!
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:14
Composers: Bob Crewe - Lawrence Brown
11
Lover's Competition
James Carr
The Best Of
02:14
Composers: Rudolph Russell
03
Coming Back to Me Baby
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
01:59
Composers: Quinton Claunch
18
Search Your Heart
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
03:04
Composers: George Jackson - Raymond Moore
13
I'm a Fool for You
James Carr
The Best Of
01:58
Composers: Earl Cage - Quinton Claunch - Dan Greer - George Jackson - Rudolph Russell
10
I Sowed Love and Reaped a Heartache
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:27
Composers: Dickey Lee - Allen Reynolds
20
Please Your Woman
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
03:43
Composers: William Cantrell
05
That's What I Want to Know
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
01:56
Composers: James Carr - Roosevelt Jamison
08
That's the Way Love Turned out for Me
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
03:18
Composers: Quinton Claunch - David Hall
16
You Hurt Me so Good
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:00
Composers: Osbie Burnett McClinton
11
She's Better Than You
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:22
Composers: Osbie Burnett McClinton
16
A Lucky Loser
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:06
Composers: Homer Banks - Allen Jones
02
Love Attack
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:54
Composers: Quinton Claunch
04
I Don't Want to Be Hurt Anymore
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:23
Composers: Dan Greer
20
My Adorable One
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
03:29
Composers: Irral Berger - Carla Thompson
15
There Goes My Used to Be
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:32
Composers: Roosevelt Jamison
09
Loveable Girl
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:23
Composers: Osbie Burnett McClinton
22
Life Turned Her That Way
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:57
Composers: Harlan Howard
01
Top
James Carr
Top
02:55
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
17
Dixie Belle
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:23
Composers: Jerry Foster - Wilburn Rice
06
I'm a Fool for You
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:00
Composers: Rudolph Russell - Dan Greer - George Jackson - Quinton Claunch - Earl Cage
18
A Woman Is a Man's Best Friend
James Carr
The Goldwax Story, Vol. 2
03:15
Composers: Quinton Claunch - Rudolph Russell
15
Forgetting You
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:57
Composers: Osbie Burnett McClinton
27
Let It Happen
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:42
Composers: Dan Penn - Lindon Oldham
16
To Love Somebody
James Carr
The Best Of
03:18
Composers: Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb
02
These Ain't Raindrops
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:36
Composers: Quinton Claunch
07
Life Turned Her That Way
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:38
Composers: Harlan Howard
13
Stronger Than Love
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:30
Composers: Clarence Shields
21
Love Is a Beautiful Thing
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:45
Composers: Felix Cavaliere - Edward Brigati
23
A Losing Game
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:01
Composers: James Carr - Denny Weaver
15
Your Love Made a U-Turn
James Carr
The Best Of
02:12
Composers: Osbie Burnett McClinton
24
What Can I Call My Own
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:47
Composers: Larry Rogers
04
You Didn't Know It but You Had Me
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:00
Composers: Dan Greer - George Jackson
04
Life Turned Her That Way
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:32
Composers: Harlan Howard
14
You Don't Want Me
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:10
Composers: Roosevelt Jamison
15
You Gotta Have Soul
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
01:49
Composers: Earl Cage - Mary Ingram - George Jackson
02
Stronger Than Love
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:31
Composers: Clarence Shields
10
You've Got My Mind Messed Up
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:23
Composers: Osbie Burnett McClinton
01
A Losing Game
James Carr
Goldwax Presents a Losing Game - Goldwax Rarities
02:17
Composers: James Carr - Denny Weaver
03
Hold On (To What We've Got) [Single Version]
James Carr
No Easy Way Down: Rare Soul Sides
03:00
Writer: Carson Whitsett - Tommy Tate / Composers: Carson Whitsett - Tommy Tate

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  • Discography
Albums
Studio 1
2025 James Carr
17-09-2025
Studio 1
01
Old Man
James Carr
Studio 1
02:25
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
02
Always Find a Way
James Carr
Studio 1
03:12
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
03
Faces
James Carr
Studio 1
03:14
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
04
Friends for All Time
James Carr
Studio 1
02:52
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
05
Hello Darlin
James Carr
Studio 1
02:47
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
06
Hello Darlin (Upbeat)
James Carr
Studio 1
02:31
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
07
Hello You
James Carr
Studio 1
03:27
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
NO FREE PROMO
â„— 2025 Northside Baby / GRANE Recordings
12-09-2025
NO FREE PROMO
01
Dope Man
James Carr
NO FREE PROMO
03:15
Writer: Dominique Greene - James Carr - Jujuan Thorn / Composers: Dominique Greene - James Carr - Jujuan Thorn
02
Get A Bag
James Carr
NO FREE PROMO
03:02
Writer: James Carr - Jujuan Thorn - Orraccious Tucker-Brown / Composers: James Carr - Jujuan Thorn - Orraccious Tucker-Brown
03
Spend It
James Carr
NO FREE PROMO
03:12
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
04
Top
James Carr
NO FREE PROMO
02:55
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
05
Freak Hoe
James Carr
NO FREE PROMO
01:20
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
06
Freaky
James Carr
NO FREE PROMO
02:30
Writer: Isiah Chaney - James Carr / Composers: Isiah Chaney - James Carr
07
Red Light
James Carr
NO FREE PROMO
03:00
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
The Best Of
(P) 2017 Ace Records - This product is protected by a registered watermark patent. All copying prohibited.
24-06-2016
The Best Of
01
The Dark End of the Street
James Carr
The Best Of
02:32
Composers: Chips Moman - Dan Penn
02
These Arms of Mine
James Carr
The Best Of
02:35
Composers: Otis Redding
03
Love Attack
James Carr
The Best Of
02:53
Composers: Quinton Claunch
04
Life Turned Her That Way
James Carr
The Best Of
02:31
Composers: Harlan Howard
05
Freedom Train
James Carr
The Best Of
02:17
Composers: Steve Bogard - Larry Rogers - Carl Wells
06
A Losing Game
James Carr
The Best Of
02:02
Composers: James Carr - Denny Weaver
07
Pouring Water on a Drowning Man
James Carr
The Best Of
02:39
Composers: Drew Baker - Danny McCormick
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
The Complete Goldwax Singles
(P) 2011 Ace Records - This product is protected by a registered watermark patent. All copying prohibited.
01-01-2001
The Complete Goldwax Singles
01
The Dark End of the Street
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:33
Composers: Chips Moman - Dan Penn
02
These Ain't Raindrops
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:36
Composers: Quinton Claunch
03
A Man Needs a Woman
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:49
Composers: Quinton Claunch - Osbie Burnett McClinton
04
Life Turned Her That Way
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:32
Composers: Harlan Howard
05
Freedom Train
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:19
Composers: Steve Bogard - Larry Rogers - Carl Wells
06
Pouring Water on a Drowning Man
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:43
Composers: Drew Baker - Danny McCormick
07
Everybody Needs Somebody
James Carr
The Complete Goldwax Singles
02:42
Composers: Bob McDill
Access the complete album info (28 songs)
The View from the End of the World: Live Interviews of Life in Prison with James Carr
(P) 1975 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Originally released on Folkways Records.
01-01-1975
The View from the End of the World: Live Interviews of Life in Prison with James Carr
01
Introduction to Cell Life in San Quentin
James Carr
The View from the End of the World: Live Interviews of Life in Prison with James Carr
10:25
Composers: Unspecified
02
The Takeover of D-wing at Soledad
James Carr
The View from the End of the World: Live Interviews of Life in Prison with James Carr
10:30
Composers: Unspecified
03
Life in the Prison System
James Carr
The View from the End of the World: Live Interviews of Life in Prison with James Carr
12:31
Composers: Unspecified
A Man Needs a Woman
(P) 2013 Ace Records - This product is protected by a registered watermark patent. All copying prohibited.
01-01-1968
A Man Needs a Woman
01
A Man Needs a Woman
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:49
Composers: Quinton Claunch - Osbie Burnett McClinton
02
Stronger Than Love
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:31
Composers: Clarence Shields
03
More Love
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:42
Composers: Wayne Carson
04
You Didn't Know It but You Had Me
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:00
Composers: Dan Greer - George Jackson
05
A Woman Is a Man's Best Friend
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
03:33
Composers: Quinton Claunch - Rudolph Russell
06
I'm a Fool for You
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:00
Composers: Rudolph Russell - Dan Greer - George Jackson - Quinton Claunch - Earl Cage
07
Life Turned Her That Way
James Carr
A Man Needs a Woman
02:38
Composers: Harlan Howard
Access the complete album info (24 songs)
You Got My Mind Messed Up
(P) 2013 Ace Records - This product is protected by a registered watermark patent. All copying prohibited.
01-01-1967
You Got My Mind Messed Up
01
Pouring Water on a Drowning Man
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:39
Composers: Drew Baker - Danny McCormick
02
Love Attack
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:54
Composers: Quinton Claunch
03
Coming Back to Me Baby
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
01:59
Composers: Quinton Claunch
04
I Don't Want to Be Hurt Anymore
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:23
Composers: Dan Greer
05
That's What I Want to Know
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
01:56
Composers: James Carr - Roosevelt Jamison
06
These Ain't Raindrops
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:35
Composers: Quinton Claunch
07
The Dark End of the Street
James Carr
You Got My Mind Messed Up
02:33
Composers: Chips Moman - Dan Penn
Access the complete album info (24 songs)
EPs
Acoustic Sessions
2023 James Joseph Carr
12-12-2023
Acoustic Sessions
01
Long Time Gone
James Carr
Acoustic Sessions
03:44
Composers: James Joseph Carr
02
Freedom Bridge
James Carr
Acoustic Sessions
02:35
Composers: James Joseph Carr
03
Mayday
James Carr
Acoustic Sessions
01:57
Composers: James Joseph Carr
04
Angel of the Valley
James Carr
Acoustic Sessions
04:50
Composers: James Joseph Carr
05
Old Lantern's Brew
James Carr
Acoustic Sessions
03:29
Composers: James Joseph Carr
06
Flat Screen View of Damnation
James Carr
Acoustic Sessions
02:10
Composers: James Joseph Carr
Goddess Reborn
2022 James Carr
08-05-2022
Goddess Reborn
01
Like a Dream
James Carr
Goddess Reborn
03:41
Composers: James Joseph Carr
02
Goddess Reborn
James Carr
Goddess Reborn
03:10
Composers: James Joseph Carr
03
Been Walking
James Carr
Goddess Reborn
03:42
Composers: James Joseph Carr
04
Queen of the Fairies
James Carr
Goddess Reborn
03:02
Composers: James Joseph Carr
05
Tonight
James Carr
Goddess Reborn
03:06
Composers: James Joseph Carr
No Easy Way Down: Rare Soul Sides
2020 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
29-05-2020
No Easy Way Down: Rare Soul Sides
01
Thanks for Nothing
Na Allen
No Easy Way Down: Rare Soul Sides
02:27
Composers: Mark Brown - Na Allen
02
No Easy Way Down
Na Allen
No Easy Way Down: Rare Soul Sides
02:53
Writer: Carole King - Gerry Goffin / Composers: Carole King - Gerry Goffin
03
Hold On (To What We've Got) [Single Version]
James Carr
No Easy Way Down: Rare Soul Sides
03:00
Writer: Carson Whitsett - Tommy Tate / Composers: Carson Whitsett - Tommy Tate
04
I'll Put It to You
James Carr
No Easy Way Down: Rare Soul Sides
03:20
Writer: Cliff Thomas - Robert McRee / Composers: Cliff Thomas - Robert McRee
Holding on to the Moment
2020 James Carr
18-02-2020
Holding on to the Moment
01
There Goes Another Day
James Carr
Holding on to the Moment
04:28
Composers: James Joseph Carr
02
Dragonfly
James Carr
Holding on to the Moment
02:05
Composers: James Joseph Carr
03
If This Was My Life
James Carr
Holding on to the Moment
04:14
Composers: James Joseph Carr
04
Deeper
James Carr
Holding on to the Moment
05:51
Composers: James Joseph Carr
Goldwax Presents a Losing Game - Goldwax Rarities
(P) 2016 Ace Records - This product is protected by a registered watermark patent. All copying prohibited.
28-10-1996
Goldwax Presents a Losing Game - Goldwax Rarities
01
A Losing Game
James Carr
Goldwax Presents a Losing Game - Goldwax Rarities
02:17
Composers: James Carr - Denny Weaver
02
Love Attack (Version 2)
James Carr
Goldwax Presents a Losing Game - Goldwax Rarities
03:43
Composers: Quinton Claunch
03
Pouring Water on a Drowning Man (Version 2)
James Carr
Goldwax Presents a Losing Game - Goldwax Rarities
02:34
Composers: Drew Baker - Danny McCormick
04
What Can I Call My Own
James Carr
Goldwax Presents a Losing Game - Goldwax Rarities
02:45
Composers: Larry Rogers
Singles
It's A Party
â„— 2026 GRANE Recordings
27-03-2026
It's A Party
01
It's A Party
James Carr
It's A Party
02:29
Writer: Dominique Greene - James Carr - Jujuan Thorn / Composers: Dominique Greene - James Carr - Jujuan Thorn
Freak
â„— 2025 James Carr
15-08-2025
Freak
01
Freak
James Carr
Freak
02:27
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr
Top
â„— 2025 James Carr
04-07-2025
Top
01
Top
James Carr
Top
02:55
Writer: James Carr / Composers: James Carr