Raveendran began his career as a playback singer through the song "Parvanarajanithan" from a Malayalam film, Velliyazhcha. Later he associated with many composers and meanwhile served as a dubbing artist for films. He dubbed for actor Shankar in Aranjaanam directed by P. Venu. Primarily wished to become a playback singer, his destiny was changed by K. J. Yesudas, who realised his ability to create tunes which eventually led to his first movie Choola in 1979.^[1]

Raveendran's film music composing career starts from the J. Sasikumar directed 1979 movie Choola, from which the song "Taarake mizhiyithalil kanneerumayi", rendered by his music college friend K. J. Yesudas, became a hit. In a career spanning 26 years, until his death in 2005, he composed music for about 148 movies (including unreleased movies) and about 30 studio albums.

• Hemavin Kadhalargal (1985)
• Kanmaniye Pesu (1985)
• Rasigan Oru Rasigai (1986)
• Lakshmi Vandhachu (1986)
• Dharma Devathai (1986)
• Thaaye Nee Thunai (1987)
• Malare Kurinji Malare (1993)

The following films had tunes reused from previous Raveendran soundtracks:

• His Highness Abdullah (1990) from Oru May Maasa Pulariyil (1987) (1 song "Iru Hridayangalil" tune used in "Pramadavanam" which has high notes compared to former, and both composed in Jog)
• Oru Rasigan Oru Rasigai from Chiriyo Chiri ("Ezhisai Geethame" was a Tamil version of "Ezhu Swarangalum")
• Oru Rasigan Oru Rasigai from Thenum Vayabhum ("Paadi Azhaithen" was a Tamil version of "Thenum Vayambhum Raavil")

• Soundtracks composed by Raveendran from 1979 to 1984
• Soundtracks composed by Raveendran from 1985 to 1990
• Soundtracks composed by Raveendran from 1991 to 1994
• Soundtracks composed by Raveendran from 1995 to 2000
• Soundtracks composed by Raveendran from 2001 to 2006
• Raveendran at IMDb