Billy Ocean – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Billy Ocean – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts
Billy Ocean at the State Theatre. Image source: Billy Ocean, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Billy Ocean Biography

“I’ve read all the stories, and I’m delighted that my music has meant so much to so many people over the years. I hope that the music from the new album, ‘One World’, creates the same memories and excitement for you all. God bless you. Love you.” — Billy Ocean

Billy Ocean, known for his 1984 song Caribbean Queen, was born on January 21st, 1950 in Trinidad. Caribbean Queen dethroned Stevie Wonder‘s “I Just Called To Say I Love You” for the #1 spot in November. Love Really Hurts Without You was the first song he wrote and he considers it his ‘big breakthrough. Billy has won 11 awards during his nearly five decades in music, including 7 ASCAP Pop Music Awards for ‘Most Performed Songs’ and 2 Billboard Music Awards for ‘Top 100 Artist’ and ‘Top Adult Contemporary Artist.’ He was nominated for 22 Billboard Music Awards between 1985 and 1987, and two Grammys. (1985 and 1987). He’s the best selling black recording star in British history, selling over 30 million records during his career. A number of his albums have hit Gold and Platinum status.

Billy said in an interview by Laura Barnett that one of his low points was being falsely accused of being a drug dealer. ” I was falsely arrested and accused of being a drug dealer. It wasn’t a lot of fun having photographers turning up at my house.” In the same interview he would go on to say that “When I was a little boy, I remember a teacher said to me, “Charles [he was born Leslie Sebastian Charles], you will sing for your supper.” How right she was: it was almost like a prophecy.”

His acting credits include ‘The Jewel of the Nile’ (1985), Striptease (1986) and Filth (2013).

Billy started recording professionally in 1971, releasing “Nashville Rain” and “Sun in the Morning” for Spark Records. By 1974 he released two additional tracks “On the Run” and “Let’s Put Our Emotions in Motion.”

His first major hit came in 1976 when he released the self-titled album Billy Ocean which placed at No. 22 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart. He released 11 studio albums between 1976 and 2020.

Caribbean Queen is one of Billy’s most enduring hits. It has over 40,000,000 views on YouTube. Co-written and produced by Keith Diamond, it topped out at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart and the Billboard Black Singles Chart. The song won Billy an Grammy in 1985 for best male R&B vocal. It charted for 26 weeks and was #1 for two. Patrick Guga wrote, “This is without question one of the greatest songs ever produced. Period.” Another fan would write, “He’s phenomenal, he’s back projecting, recalling and actually putting real emotion into this. It’s beyond the usual artificial facials artists pull off. Even if the audio was possibly lip synced for video – there must have been a real song being sung here.”

In 2002 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree by the University of Westminster. Queen Elizabeth granted him into the ‘Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ in 2019. He was made a member of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

Billy continues to tour live as of August 2021. As of 2022 he lives in Berkshire, England and has tours scheduled despite being 72 years old.

Billy Ocean Discography

One WorldSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Here You AreSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Because I Love YouSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Time to Move OnSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Tear Down These WallsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Love ZoneSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
SuddenlySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Inner FeelingsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
City LimitSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Billy OceanSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Billy Ocean’s Real Name?

Billy Ocean was born on January 21, 1970. He celebrated his 70th birthday in 2020. Real name Leslie Sebastian Charles, Billy was born in Fyzabad, Trinidad and Tobago, to parents Hainsley Charles, a Grenadian musician and his wife Violet.

What Was Billy Ocean Biggest Hit?

Billy Ocean’s biggest hit was “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going.” The song was released in 1985 and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Why Did Billy Ocean Stop Singing?

Billy Ocean has revealed that he quit his music career for almost two decades because of his mother’s death from cancer in 1989.

Who Is The Girl Dancing For Caribbean Queen Billy Ocean Video 1984?

The girl dancing in the “Caribbean Queen (Billy Ocean)” video is actress Lisa Bonet. Bonet was cast in the role after being scouted by the video’s director, Brian Grant. Bonet had no prior experience with professional dancing, but nonetheless delivered a memorable performance in the video. The song went on to become a massive hit for Billy Ocean, reaching the top of the charts in several countries. Bonet’s dancing in the video is often cited as one of the reasons for its success.

Most Searched For Billy Ocean Songs

Caribbean Queen(No More Love on the run)SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Love Really Hurts Without YouSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
There’ll Be Sad Songs(To Make You Cry)SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
SuddenlySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Red Light Spells DangerSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My CarSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
When the Going Gets Tough, The tough Get GoingSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
LoverBoySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Love Is ForeverSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Love ZoneSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon