Essential Quincy Jones-Produced Songs to Add to Your Playlist
With the passing of the legendary music producer, here are some of the most beloved songs he created.
by Noah A. McGee · The RootTo say the least, the passing of Quincy Jones has shocked the Black community. During his prime, Jones helped write, compose, and arrange some of the greatest pop hits in modern history for some legendary artists including Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, and many more.
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Black Women Using Rogaine to Regrow Their Edges Share Amazing Before, After Pics on Tiktok
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You Won’t Believe What Classic Black Film Heavily Influenced JD Vance’s Worldview...
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As a way to honor his legacy, we felt it was important to create a playlist of some of the most essential Quincy Jones songs that represent the incredible mark he left on a generation of music fans.
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We’ll try to keep it to one song per artist since Jones produced entire albums for some of the singers on this list.
Michael Jackson - “Thriller”
Michael Jackson - Thriller (Official 4K Video)
It’s hard to choose just one Michael Jackson hit for this list, considering Jones produced many of them, including “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Dirty Diana,” and “Bad.” But with Halloween just passing, this felt like a perfect choice.
USA for Africa - “We Are the World”
U.S.A. For Africa - We Are the World
Yes, that’s right. Quincy Jones produced the song that helped bring the world together in 1985 to help raise money for the famine going on in Ethiopia at the time.
George Benson - “Give Me the Night”
Give Me the Night
Released on the album of the same name, “Give Me the Night” was one of the first albums Jones released on his new label Qwest Records. While Benson sounds great on this record, the production on this song is immaculate.
Ray Charles - “One Mint Julep”
Ray Charles One Mint Julep
It speaks to Jones’ longevity that he produced a song for the Weekend as recently as 2022 and a song for Ray Charles back in 1961. Few people in any industry have had the privilege of being able to create art for that long.
The Brothers Johnson - “Strawberry Letter 23"
Strawberry Letter 23
The cover of Shuggie Otis’ 1971 is likely just as popular as the original due in part to Jones’ updated production. He doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary but it just shows that Jones wasn’t afraid to take inspiration from the past and improve on it.
Donna Summer - “Love Is in Control”
Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger) (7" Version) (2014 Remaster)
Quincy Jones had the pleasure of producing Donna Summer’s self-titled tenth studio album. This particular song not only showcases Summer’s incredible voice but also embodies everything the 80s was about. Just listen and you’ll understand.
Aretha Franklin - “Angel”
Angel
Jones does an incredible job of combining Franklin’s voice with the production, which makes it difficult at times to decipher her voice from another instrument. It’s the sign of a true musical genius.
Donny Hathaway - “Little Ghetto Boy”
Donny Hathaway - Little Ghetto Boy
This 1972 soul song is amazing not only because it sounds great, but because it speaks to those who grew up underprivileged and fought to do better in life.
Richard - “Money Is”
Money Is (feat. Little Richard)
Another example of Jones’ versatility. He could produce songs for R&B and soul artists with a hand tied behind his back, but his ability to create a record for someone as unique as Little Richard truly exemplifies how special Quincy was.
Quincy Jones - “Soul Bossa Nova”
Soul Bossa Nova
It’s best we end this list with a record that has no vocals. Few producers can create a song that needs no words but yet can say so much. That’s what this upbeat song does.