Charlene is an American singer from Hollywood, California, born in 1950. She is best known as a Motown R&B artist for “I’ve Never Been to Me,” a ballad that first appears as a 1976 single and later becomes a major hit when renewed interest lifts it to number 3 in the United States and number 1 in the United Kingdom in 1982. It also reaches number 1 in Australia in 1983, where it stays for six weeks.

Style and repertoire

Her work is associated with ballad, country, easy listening, Motown, pop, and traditional pop. “I’ve Never Been to Me” remains her most closely identified recording and the song most strongly linked with her name.

Other artists using the same name

The name Charlene is also used by a Dutch singer, Charlene Meulenberg, and by a Massachusetts indie rock group whose sound is described as drawing on shoegaze and related guitar-based styles. These are separate acts with the same name.