Celebrate Billy Ocean’s 72nd Birthday With His Top Hits!

Singer Billy Ocean turned 72 on Friday, January 21, 2022!

Billy Ocean was actually born Leslie Sebastian Charles in Trinidad and Tobago in 1950! Ocean is known for his blues, soul, and reggae sound. He's widely regarded as the most popular British R&B artist of the 1980s.

His 1985 hit song "When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" debuted at number one in the United Kingdom and number two in the United States. Later that same year, Ocean won the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his hit song "Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)," which continues to be a fan-favorite song to this day.

In 1987, he was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male Artist. His songs "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" and "There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)" both hit the number one spot in the U.S.

In 2002, the University of Westminister in London presented Ocean with an honorary doctorate of music. In 2010, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards. The following year, he became a Companion of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, which was presented to him by Sir Paul McCartney.

Fans are celebrating Ocean's special day by taking a look back at some of his top hit songs! Although Ocean has put out many, many hits over the years, here are just three of his top songs that helped put the R&B singer on the map!

“I watched Billy Ocean live about 5 years ago,” one fan wrote. “He hasn’t lost a beat, he is just as good as the day he recorded this video.”

“The 80s was such a great time, l would go back there in a heartbeat, no questions asked,” another fan commented.

“This is one of my favorite go-to songs to help push me into a day I'm not too excited about,” another fan wrote. “Thank you 80s!!!!”

“He doesn’t get enough credit,” one fan wrote. “He’s an absolute legend.”

Another fan shared, “They don't come any better than this classic performance by the superb Billy Ocean and his fabulous band - and Kathleen Michael and Danny make it a joy to watch - they're obviously having such fun!”

“Billy has such a great voice,” another fan shared. “Super song, and a totally fun video!”

“This is probably my most favorite Billy Ocean song,” one fan wrote. “It's such a feel good song and also good to sing and dance to.”

“This song represents what is so great about music from the '80's: Good, clean lyrics that make you smile and want to dance,” another wrote. “The song gets stuck in your head and is never tired.”

“How have I never heard this song, I mean how! It’s epic!” another wrote. “It should be re-released, sure it would go to Number 1 in an instant!”

“I don’t know why Billy Ocean when I’m having a bad day your voice uplifts me so much!!!” another fan wrote.

“The words of this song is outstanding,” another shared. “The movement when people hear this song, It's something special.”

“The 1980s will be remembered as some of the coolest songs in history, and this one, stands among the best,” another shared.

“Still a great tune decades later,” one fan wrote. “This will never age.”

“Lovin' this song,” another shared. “Has that funky style and bass sound and that sax hits me in the nostalgia area. It's also very dance worthy obviously, very upbeat and happy. Just like I'd expect music to be!”

“I love this guy,” another shared. “Billy Ocean just rocks.”

“This man deserves a honorific Grammy award,” another wrote. “Period.”

“When music was still pure Art,” another fan shared. “Such a beautiful masterpiece.”

“Didn't know this song was from Billy Ocean,” another fan wrote. “Caribbean Dream has been a constant in my playlists over the past few months. Love it. It's awesome discovering old music like this.”

Here's to hoping fans will use Ocean's birthday as an excuse to enjoy and dance along to even more hits from the 80s!