Valerie Simpson: The Soulful Voice of Songwriting and Performance

Valerie Simpson is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist whose indelible mark on music was forged both behind the scenes and in the spotlight. Hailing from the Bronx, New York, she achieved legendary status as one half of the songwriting and production powerhouse Ashford & Simpson, crafting era-defining hits for others before launching a successful solo career.

Early career

Born in 1946, Valerie Simpson's musical journey began in the church, where she honed her skills as a pianist. Her professional break came in the mid-1960s when she joined the staff at Scepter Records, working as a session musician and demo singer. It was there she met fellow songwriter Nickolas Ashford, forming a creative and personal partnership that would reshape the sound of soul music.

Breakthrough

The duo's breakthrough as songwriters for other artists was monumental and swift. After moving to Motown's Jobete publishing arm, Ashford & Simpson penned a string of timeless classics for the label's biggest stars. Their songs became central to the Motown catalog, driving sales and defining an era with their sophisticated, gospel-tinged soul and poignant lyrics.

Key tracks

Ain't No Mountain High Enough — Originally a hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967, Diana Ross's 1970 reimagining became a #1 pop smash, epitomizing the duo's anthemic songwriting.

You're All I Need To Get By — Another masterpiece for Gaye and Terrell, this 1968 soul standard reached #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and became a wedding song staple.

I'm Every Woman — First recorded by Simpson on the 1978 Ashford & Simpson album *Is It Still Good to Ya*, it became a global phenomenon for Chaka Khan and later Whitney Houston.

Solid — As performers, their 1984 single "Solid" became a platinum-selling triumph, reaching #1 on the R&B chart and #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Somebody Told a Lie — A standout from their 1977 album *So So Satisfied*, this track showcases Simpson's powerful lead vocals and their seamless studio craft.

In the 1970s, Ashford & Simpson transitioned to recording artists in their own right, releasing a series of acclaimed albums on labels like Warner Bros., Capitol, and later Hopsack and Silk. Their work, often featuring Simpson's commanding lead vocals, yielded consistent R&B chart success and a dedicated following. Following Nickolas Ashford's passing in 2011, Simpson has continued to perform their classic repertoire, celebrating a legacy that spans decades. Her influence is heard in the work of artists like Alicia Keys, who blends soul, piano, and songwriting with a similar holistic approach. The sophisticated soul of Angie Stone carries the torch for the rich, gospel-infused sound Ashford & Simpson perfected. The timeless quality of their compositions finds a parallel in the work of Raphael Saadiq, a modern architect of classic soul music.

RADIO ROTATION

The enduring music of Valerie Simpson, both as a solo artist and as part of Ashford & Simpson, maintains a constant presence on radio. Their catalog is a fixture on classic soul and R&B FM stations, adult contemporary formats, and dedicated online radio streams that celebrate music's rich history.

You can explore the timeless songbook of Valerie Simpson on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover the anthems she wrote for legends and the powerful records she made herself, all playing across our curated network of music stations.