In 1970 Mayfield launched his solo career with his debut album, Curtis. The album reached the Billboard Pop Albums Chart Top 20 and was certified gold. It features "(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below, We're All Going To Go," a hit in the U.S., and "Move On Up," which charted in the U.K. In terms of cultural significance, the album's potent combination of socially conscious lyrics and soul/funk music helped blaze a trail for later albums such as Marvin Gaye's What's Going On and Stevie Wonder's Innervisions.