Kool & the Gang discography

Kool & the Gang discography
Studio albums	26
Live albums	4
Compilation albums	19
Singles	68

This article presents the discography of American band Kool & the Gang.

Albums

Studio albums

Year	Album	Peak chart positions										Certifications (sales threshold)	Record label
		US [1]	US R&B [2]	US Jazz [3]	AUS [4]	CAN [5]	GER [6]	NLD [7]	NZ [8]	UK Pop [9]	UK R&B [10]
1969	Kool and the Gang	—	43	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		De-Lite
1972	Music Is the Message	—	25	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	Good Times	142	34	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1973	Wild and Peaceful	33	6	—	—	53	—	—	—	—	—	US: Gold [11]
1974	Light of Worlds	63	16	—	—	93	—	—	—	—	—	US: Gold [11]
1975	Spirit of the Boogie	48	5	18	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1976	Love & Understanding	68	9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	Open Sesame	110	9	32	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1977	The Force	142	33	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1978	Everybody's Dancin'	—	71	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1979	Ladies' Night	13	1	—	—	56	—	43	—	—	—	US: Platinum [11]
1980	Celebrate!	10	2	—	72	7	—	13	20	—	—	US: Platinum [11] CAN: Gold [12]
1981	Something Special	12	1	—	—	—	—	28	13	10	—	US: Platinum [11] UK: Gold [13]
1982	As One	29	5	—	—	—	25	—	41	49	—	US: Gold [11]
1983	In the Heart	29	5	—	—	—	19	17	32	18	—	US: Gold [11] UK: Silver [13]
1984	Emergency	13	3	—	45	24	26	13	41	47	—	US: 2× Platinum [11] CAN: Platinum [12] UK: Silver [13]
1986	Forever	25	9	—	71	75	14	—	49	—	—	US: Gold [11] CAN: Gold [12]	Mercury
1989	Sweat	—	52	—	103 [14]	—	28	—	—	—	—
1992	Unite	—	—	—	—	—	94	—	—	—	—		JRS
1996	State of Affairs	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Curb
2001	Gangland	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Eagle Music
2004	The Hits: Reloaded	—	—	—	—	—	26	—	—	56	21		Virgin/EMI
2007	Still Kool	—	31	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	FRA: Platinum [15]	New Door
2013	Kool for the Holidays	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		ATO
2021	Perfect Union	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Omnivore
2023	People Just Wanna Have Fun	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

Year	Album	Peak chart positions		Record label
		US Pop [1]	US R&B [2]
1971	Live at the Sex Machine	122	6	De-Lite
1971	Live at PJ's	171	24
1998	Greatest Hits Live	—	—	Rhino
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Year	Album	Peak chart positions						Certifications (sales threshold)	Record label
		US Pop [1]	US R&B [2]	US Jazz [3]	GER [6]	NLD [7]	UK [9]
1971	The Best of Kool and the Gang	157	32	—	—	—	—		De-Lite
1974	Kool Jazz	187	26	14	—	—	—
1975	Kool & the Gang Greatest Hits!	81	21	—	—	—	—
1977	Hollywood Swinging/Summer Madness	—	—	—	—	—	—
1978	Kool & the Gang Spin Their Top Hits		—	—	—	—	—
1983	Twice as Kool: The Hits of Kool & the Gang	—	—	—	—	—	4	UK: Gold [13]
1984	The Very Best of Kool & the Gang: Let's Go Dancing	—	—	—	—	21	—		Disques Vogue
1988	Everything's Kool & the Gang: Greatest Hits & More	109	58	—	17	73	—		Mercury
	The Singles Collection	—	—	—	—	—	28	UK: Gold [13]	De-Lite
1990	The Very Best of Kool & the Gang	—	—	—	—	22	—		Arcade
	Kool Love	—	—	—	—	—	50		Telstar
1993	The Best of Kool & the Gang: 1969–1976	—	—	—	—	—	—		Mercury
1994	Celebration: The Best of Kool & the Gang: 1979–1987	—	—	—	—	—	—	UK: Gold [13]
	Anthology	—	—	—	—	—	—	FRA: 2× Gold [15]
1999	The Very Best of Kool & the Gang	—	—	—	—	—	—
	12" Collection & More	—	—	—	—	—	—
2000	The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kool & the Gang	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002	Kool Funk Essentials	—	—	—	—	—	—		Charly
2005	Gold	—	—	—	—	—	—		Mercury
2011	Icons	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

Year	Title	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
		US [16]	US R&B [17]	US Dan [18]	AUS [4] [14]	CAN [5]	GER [6]	IRE [19]	NLD [7]	NZ [8]	UK [9]
1969	"Kool and the Gang"	59	19	—	—	81	—	—	—	—	—		Kool and the Gang
	"The Gang's Back Again" (A-side)	85	39	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Kool's Back Again" (B-side)	—	37	—	—	68	—	—	—	—	—
	"Let the Music Take Your Mind"	78	19	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1970
	"Kool It (Here Comes the Fuzz)"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Live at the Sex Machine
	"Funky Man"	87	16	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1971	"Who's Gonna Take the Weight (Part One)"	—	28	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"I Want to Take You Higher"	—	35	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"N.T. Part I"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Live at PJ's
1972	"Love the Life You Live, Part I"	—	31	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Music Is the Message
	"Music Is the Message (Part 1)"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Funky Granny"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Good Times"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Good Times
1973	"Country Junky"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Funky Stuff"	29	5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	57 [A]		Wild and Peaceful
	"Jungle Boogie"	4	2	—	—	29	45	—	—	—	53 [A]	RIAA: Platinum [11]
1974	"Hollywood Swinging"	6	1	—	—	15	—	—	—	—	—	RIAA: Gold [11]
	"Higher Plane"	37	1	—	—	73	—	—	—	—	—		Light of Worlds
	"Rhyme Tyme People"	63	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1975	"Spirit of the Boogie" (A-side)	35	1	—	71	—	—	—	—	—	58 [A]		Spirit of the Boogie
	"Summer Madness" (B-side)		36	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		RIAA: Gold [11]
	"Caribbean Festival"	55	6	—	—	—	55	—	—	—	—
1976	"Love and Understanding (Come Together)"	77	8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Love & Understanding
	"Universal Sound"	—	71	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Open Sesame – Part 1"	55	6	13	—	70	—	—	—	—	—		Open Sesame
1977	"Super Band"	—	17	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	52 [A]
1978	"Slick Superchick"	—	19	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		The Force
	"A Place in Space"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"I Like Music"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Everybody's Dancin'
	"Everybody's Dancin'"	—	65	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1979	"Ladies' Night"	8	1	5	—	4	18	—	12	—	9	RIAA: Gold [11]	Ladies' Night
	"Too Hot"	5	3	—	—	18	—	—	—	—	23	RIAA: Gold [11]
1980	"Hangin' Out"	103	36	—	—	—	53	—	80	—	52
	"Celebration"	1	1	1	33	1	17	18	2	1	7	RIAA: 3× Platinum [11] BPI: Gold [20] MC: Platinum [21]	Celebrate!
1981	"Take It to the Top"	—	11	1	—	63	26	—	—	—	15
	"Jones vs. Jones"	39	33	—	—	—	—	17	—	—	17
	"Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)"	17	1	16	—	—	39	27	—	41	29		Something Special
	"Steppin' Out"	89	12		—	—	20	—	—	12	12
	"Get Down on It"	10	4	—	74	11	43	11	10	3	3	RIAA: Platinum [11] BPI: Platinum [22]
1982	"No Show"	—	34	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Big Fun"	21	6	—	—	—	40	16	30	40	14		As One
	"Let's Go Dancin' (Ooh La, La, La)"	30	7	—	—	—	49	8	14	34	6
	"Hi De Hi, Hi De Ho"	—	40	—	—	—	17	23	—	29	29
1983	"Street Kids"	—	78	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Straight Ahead"	—	49	—	—	—	—	—	11	—	15		In the Heart
	"Joanna"	2	1	—	45	15	18	4	35	7	2	RIAA: Gold [11] BPI: Silver [23]
1984	"Tonight"	13	7	—	—	—	—	—	48	—
	"(When You Say You Love Somebody) In the Heart"	—	—	—	—	—	9	43	—	7	7
	"Fresh"	9	1	1	—	10	26	19	27	—	11	RIAA: Gold [11] BPI: Silver [24]	Emergency
	"Misled"	10	3	9	8	32	46	—	—	—	28
1985	"Cherish"	2	1	—		1	5	6	3	—	4	RIAA: Gold [11] BPI: Silver [25]
	"Emergency"	18	7	41	—	63	56	26	48	—	50
1986	"Victory"	10	2	35	89	36	11	17	44	22	30		Forever
1987	"Stone Love"	10	4	41	94	69	18	29	13	—	45
	"Holiday"	66	9	—	—	—	24	—	—	—	—
	"Special Way"	72	24	6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Peace Maker"	—	78	—	—	—	—	20	—	—	—
1988	"Rags to Riches"	—	38	—	—	—	26	93	—	—	—		Everything's Kool & the Gang (Greatest Hits & More)
	"Strong"	—	53	—	—	—	61	—	—	—	—
	"Celebration" (remix)	—	—	—	—	—	40	—	—	56	—
1989	"Raindrops"	—	27	—	—	—	42	—	—	—	—		Sweat
	"Never Give Up"	—	74	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1992	"Unite"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	52	—	—		Unite
1996	"In the Hood"	—	27	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	148		State of Affairs
	"Salute to the Ladies"	—	60	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003	"Ladies Night" (with Atomic Kitten)	—	—	—	39	—	33	14	16	—	—		Ladies Night / The Hits: Reloaded
2004	"Fresh" (with Liberty X)	—	—	—	—	—	—	3	—	—	—		Being Somebody / The Hits: Reloaded
	"Too Hot" (with Lisa Stansfield)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		The Hits: Reloaded
	"Get Down on It" (with Blue and Lil' Kim)	—	—	—	—	—	29	—	96	—	—		Best of Blue / The Hits: Reloaded
2005	"Hollywood Swinging" (with Jamiroquai)	—	—	5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		The Hits: Reloaded
	"No Show" (featuring Blackstreet)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006	"Steppin' into Love"	—	96	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Still Kool
2010	"Miss Lead" (featuring Towanna)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Single
2016	"Sexy (Where'd You Get Yours)"	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Perfect Union
2021	"Pursuit of Happiness" (rap version)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes

1. Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".

References

1. "Kool & the Gang (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
2. "Kool & the Gang (Top Soul Albums)". Billboard.
3. "US Album Charts > Kool & the Gang". Billboard . Retrieved March 21, 2012.
4. David Kent (1993). Australian Charts Book 1970—1992. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
5. "Kool & the Gang (Top Albums/CDs)". bac-lac.gc.ca. RPM. July 17, 2013.
6. "GER Charts > Kool & the Gang". Media Control Charts . Retrieved March 21, 2012.
7. "NLD Charts > Kool & the Gang". MegaCharts . Retrieved March 21, 2012.
8. "NZ Charts > Kool & the Gang". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand . Retrieved March 21, 2012.
9. "UK Charts > Kool & the Gang". Official Charts Company . Retrieved March 21, 2012.
10. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums chart". officialcharts.com. Official Charts. June 26, 2004.
11. "American certifications – Kool & The Gang". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 9, 2024.
12. "CAN Certifications > Kool & the Gang". Music Canada. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
13. "British certifications – Kool & the Gang". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 30, 2023.Type Kool & the Gang in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
14. "Week commencing 7 August 1989" . Retrieved February 11, 2022.
15. "Kool and the Gang". SNEP.
16. "Kool & the Gang: Hot 100". Billboard.
17. "Kool & the Gang: Dance Club Songs". Billboard.
18. "Kool & the Gang: Dance Club Songs". Billboard.
19. "IRE Charts Search >Kool & the Gang". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
20. "British certifications – Kool & the Gang – Celebration". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved January 17, 2023.
21. "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
22. "British certifications – Kool & the Gang – Get Down On It". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
23. "Kool & the Gang - Joanna". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
24. "Kool & the Gang - Fresh". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
25. "Kool & the Gang - Cherish". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved March 26, 2022.

External links

• Kool & the Gang discography at Discogs