A Brief History of Carroll THOMPSON’S Music

Carroll Thompson — affectionately known as The Queen of Lovers Rock — first rose to fame in the early 1980s with her groundbreaking debut album Hopelessly in Love, recently voted “The Greatest Lovers Rock Album of All Time” by Mojo magazine readers. The record’s timeless hits — I’m So Sorry, Simply in Love, Happy Song and Hopelessly in Love — helped define an era of British reggae, blending soul, romance, and authenticity.

Over the years, Carroll’s music has evolved across genres including jazz, soul, reggae, ska, and rocksteady, showcasing her warm, emotive voice and deeply honest songwriting. Her 2022 performance of September with composer Guy Barker for BBC4’s Jazz Voice highlighted her ability to fuse reggae and jazz with effortless sophistication.

Her artistry has taken her across the world and into collaborations with icons such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Sade, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, and Lee “Scratch” Perry, as well as contributions to film and TV soundtracks — including the Oscar-winning The Crying Game.

From Lovers Rock pioneer to boundary-crossing composer, Carroll Thompson continues to inspire generations with her timeless sound and unmistakable voice.