He eventually established himself under the name Carl Carlton and began building a career in soul and R&B.
His early success included the 1971 song “I Can Feel It,” which helped introduce him to a wider audience. But his biggest breakthrough was still ahead.
The Song That Made Him a Household Name
In 1974, Carlton released his version of “Everlasting Love,” originally recorded by Robert Knight.
The song became a major success, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Carlton’s biggest pop-chart hit. His energetic interpretation gave the song a new identity and helped turn it into one of the enduring recordings associated with the era.
Decades later, the recording remained popular on classic-soul playlists and with new generations discovering Carlton’s music.
“She’s a Bad Mama Jama”
If “Everlasting Love” introduced Carlton to millions of pop listeners, “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” cemented his reputation as a funk and R&B star.
