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Ten Tracks That Define 90s R&B
R&B Guru 2008-07-30 08:42:58 Total Posts: 2527	Hey guys, So I was thinking about this last night and thought it would be an interesting challenge. When you think of 90s R&B, what songs do you think really represent/define the era? I tried to make a list of the 10 tracks that I feel do a good job of it, but I'd love to hear your guys takes on it since we're all from different areas. Note: A lot of these tracks aren't the best by the artists, but they're the ones that I associate as being the mega hits and the songs that I felt like EVERYONE was behind. My list: BBD - Poison Boyz II Men - I'll Make Love To You Brian McKnight - Back At One K-Ci & JoJo - All My Life Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby R Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly SWV - Weak TLC - Waterfalls Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You What do you guys think? Any tracks you think should be taken off, and what should they be replaced with? Hey guys, So I was thinking about this last night and thought it would be an interesting challenge. When you think of 90s R&B, what songs do you think really represent/define the era? I tried to make a list of the 10 tracks that I feel do a good job of it, but I'd love to hear your guys takes on it since we're all from different areas. Note: A lot of these tracks aren't the best by the artists, but they're the ones that I associate as being the mega hits and the songs that I felt like EVERYONE was behind. My list: BBD - Poison Boyz II Men - I'll Make Love To You Brian McKnight - Back At One K-Ci & JoJo - All My Life Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby R Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly SWV - Weak TLC - Waterfalls Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You What do you guys think? Any tracks you think should be taken off, and what should they be replaced with?
Sonofsoul 2008-07-30 08:57:16 Total Posts: 212	In all fairness, I can't make a list as it would just turn out to be a list of my favorites. Again, i do not have an ecclectic taste, so I can't make a list. I would say that list is pretty good, but we'd be fools to try to narrow it down to any number of tracks. In all fairness, I can't make a list as it would just turn out to be a list of my favorites. Again, i do not have an ecclectic taste, so I can't make a list. I would say that list is pretty good, but we'd be fools to try to narrow it down to any number of tracks.
R&B Guru 2008-07-30 09:13:40 Total Posts: 2527	Yea, that was the big challenge :). Trying to keep out my bias when it comes to the list. I always just envision a cd that basically says "This is 90s R&B" Yea, that was the big challenge :). Trying to keep out my bias when it comes to the list. I always just envision a cd that basically says "This is 90s R&B"
Sonofsoul 2008-07-30 09:25:07 Total Posts: 212	Just put 10 songs on there that Babyface wrote haha! Also, how can Nobody Knows possibly not make that list?!?!?!?!?!?! Just put 10 songs on there that Babyface wrote haha! Also, how can Nobody Knows possibly not make that list?!?!?!?!?!?!
R&B Guru 2008-07-30 10:22:26 Total Posts: 2527	:), too true. He'd at least make up about 75% of 90s hits lol. And I was thinking about Tony Rich's Nobody Knows but couldn't think of what to sacrifice in place for it. Plus, since so many people think it's Babyface, I figured it's difficult to make it a defining jam. (Not to mention I was afraid I only wanted it because of personal bias :)) :), too true. He'd at least make up about 75% of 90s hits lol. And I was thinking about Tony Rich's Nobody Knows but couldn't think of what to sacrifice in place for it. Plus, since so many people think it's Babyface, I figured it's difficult to make it a defining jam. (Not to mention I was afraid I only wanted it because of personal bias :))
Sonofsoul 2008-07-30 10:42:27 Total Posts: 212	Well it's still defining R&B...just not Tony Rich as he doesnt get the credit due him. I would say you can dump either Waterfalls (good song, but defining?? I don't know...) or I Believe I Can Fly...b/c I hate R. Kelly haha Well it's still defining R&B...just not Tony Rich as he doesnt get the credit due him. I would say you can dump either Waterfalls (good song, but defining?? I don't know...) or I Believe I Can Fly...b/c I hate R. Kelly haha
bunky1787 2008-07-30 11:36:51 Total Posts: 440	i think the best way to pick the ten perfect songs for the 90's is to dive it up but the different "mini-eras". For example: 90-93, 94-96, 97-99, and then pick one song from anyone of those eras to be the defining song of the 90's. Here's mine: 90-93: Poison-Bel Biv Devoe Here and Now-Luther Vandross Knockin' the Boots-Htown 94-96: Nobody-Keith Sweat I'll Make Love to You-Boyz to Men One in a Million-Aaliyah 97-99: Don't Wanna Be A Player-Joe Angel of Mine-Monica They Don't Know-Jon B. Defining song: One Sweet Day-B2M and Mariah Carey i think the best way to pick the ten perfect songs for the 90's is to dive it up but the different "mini-eras". For example: 90-93, 94-96, 97-99, and then pick one song from anyone of those eras to be the defining song of the 90's. Here's mine: 90-93: Poison-Bel Biv Devoe Here and Now-Luther Vandross Knockin' the Boots-Htown 94-96: Nobody-Keith Sweat I'll Make Love to You-Boyz to Men One in a Million-Aaliyah 97-99: Don't Wanna Be A Player-Joe Angel of Mine-Monica They Don't Know-Jon B. Defining song: One Sweet Day-B2M and Mariah Carey
R&B Guru 2008-07-30 12:25:08 Total Posts: 2527	Hah yea Soul, Waterfalls got on their because I was trying to keep an even divide between girls/guys and solo/groups. Do you think Weak or Waterfalls was a bigger girls track? Bunky, that's a good strategy and one I'd considered doing (but made the list during a meeting so couldn't check on resources). I think your early 90s is perfect. I went with Poison as well since I feel like it is the best track to reflect the New Jack movement. Knockin the Boots is another good one. I think choosing between that and a Jodeci joint are a good fit. The mid 90s, I'll Make Love to You we both agree on. I'm gonna break ground with Aaliyah though. I just feel that she was overhyped and think Toni or Mariah are more representative. Both those girls sold MILLIONS of albums and had so many tracks that I see dwarfing Aaliyah. Keith Sweat however is another good choice that I agree with full heartedly. The 97-99 era: Angel of Mine is a great choice. I was considering The Boy Is Mine as well since it comprises both of the "teen" girl stars of the 90s. Hrmm, the other two I have more trouble with. I just don't know how big Don't Wanna Be A Player was, though it does mark the changing tones of the music as it was more uptempo. And was Jon B ever very big? I got into him late so I could have simply overlooked that one. One Sweet Day... perfect :). Nice list! I'd love to hear more comments on it (from you and others), as well as more lists from anyone else who wants to try one. Hah yea Soul, Waterfalls got on their because I was trying to keep an even divide between girls/guys and solo/groups. Do you think Weak or Waterfalls was a bigger girls track? Bunky, that's a good strategy and one I'd considered doing (but made the list during a meeting so couldn't check on resources). I think your early 90s is perfect. I went with Poison as well since I feel like it is the best track to reflect the New Jack movement. Knockin the Boots is another good one. I think choosing between that and a Jodeci joint are a good fit. The mid 90s, I'll Make Love to You we both agree on. I'm gonna break ground with Aaliyah though. I just feel that she was overhyped and think Toni or Mariah are more representative. Both those girls sold MILLIONS of albums and had so many tracks that I see dwarfing Aaliyah. Keith Sweat however is another good choice that I agree with full heartedly. The 97-99 era: Angel of Mine is a great choice. I was considering The Boy Is Mine as well since it comprises both of the "teen" girl stars of the 90s. Hrmm, the other two I have more trouble with. I just don't know how big Don't Wanna Be A Player was, though it does mark the changing tones of the music as it was more uptempo. And was Jon B ever very big? I got into him late so I could have simply overlooked that one. One Sweet Day... perfect :). Nice list! I'd love to hear more comments on it (from you and others), as well as more lists from anyone else who wants to try one.
Sonofsoul 2008-07-30 13:10:36 Total Posts: 212	Yeah I agree w/ Guru on the Jon B. and Joe comments. I don't see them as particularly "defining". Again with that word...it's tricky. Does it simply mean the best, or are you going for what defines certain sub-categories of R&B..like Guru was saying with female artist groups The problem is, there are certainly more than 10 "sub-categories", so then you can get into which of the sub-categories are most important...etc...it's terribly convuluted. As for your overall defining song, you could not have picked a better one. IMO- Mariah Carey and BIIM are HANDS DOWN the representatives of 90s R&B (Note: That's to the outside world who just likes music and don't necessarily know ins and outs of industry: those two, statistically, were the most successful so it's the closest thing to an objective rating we can give). The only other one that would come close would be Babyface...but his vocals have always left a little to be desired if you ask me...but I digress :) One Sweet Day = one of the most successful songs in any genre and/or generation with two of the most successful artists in any genre and/or generation = most defining song of 90s R&B. GREAT choice Bunky.. HEY! Why don't my HTML tricks don't work on this board Guru :( Yeah I agree w/ Guru on the Jon B. and Joe comments. I don't see them as particularly "defining". Again with that word...it's tricky. Does it simply mean the best, or are you going for what defines certain sub-categories of R&B..like Guru was saying with female artist groups The problem is, there are certainly more than 10 "sub-categories", so then you can get into which of the sub-categories are most important...etc...it's terribly convuluted. As for your overall defining song, you could not have picked a better one. IMO- Mariah Carey and BIIM are HANDS DOWN the representatives of 90s R&B (Note: That's to the outside world who just likes music and don't necessarily know ins and outs of industry: those two, statistically, were the most successful so it's the closest thing to an objective rating we can give). The only other one that would come close would be Babyface...but his vocals have always left a little to be desired if you ask me...but I digress :) One Sweet Day = one of the most successful songs in any genre and/or generation with two of the most successful artists in any genre and/or generation = most defining song of 90s R&B. GREAT choice Bunky.. HEY! Why don't my HTML tricks don't work on this board Guru :(
Sonofsoul 2008-07-30 13:11:14 Total Posts: 212	Oh...BTW Guru, Weak is a much much stronger song IMO. Oh...BTW Guru, Weak is a much much stronger song IMO.
junebug18 2008-07-30 14:20:48 Total Posts: 540	Wow, that's a very hard thing to do. I'm goin' try and do it like how Bunky did it.. And i'm gonna try to do it without picking favorites.... 90-93 Boyz II Men - End Of The Road Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You Bell Biv Devoe - Poison 94-96 Boyz II Men/Mariah - One Sweet Day R. Kelly - Bump N Grind (single was released in 94, the album in 93) Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart 97-99 K-CI & JoJo - All My Life Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing) (..if you wanna consider it r&b), if not then "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy/Monica. Deborah Cox - Nobody Supposed To Be Here Defining R&B Song of the 90's: The Secret Garden - Quincy Jones (Ft. Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge and Barry White) (single was released in 1990, album was in '89) Wow, that's a very hard thing to do. I'm goin' try and do it like how Bunky did it.. And i'm gonna try to do it without picking favorites.... 90-93 Boyz II Men - End Of The Road Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You Bell Biv Devoe - Poison 94-96 Boyz II Men/Mariah - One Sweet Day R. Kelly - Bump N Grind (single was released in 94, the album in 93) Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart 97-99 K-CI & JoJo - All My Life Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing) (..if you wanna consider it r&b), if not then "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy/Monica. Deborah Cox - Nobody Supposed To Be Here Defining R&B Song of the 90's: The Secret Garden - Quincy Jones (Ft. Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge and Barry White) (single was released in 1990, album was in '89)
Buttaflyy 2008-07-30 15:27:59 Total Posts: 15	This is a hard one dude! I'll try anyway...Just off the top of my head 1. SWV - Weak 2. Guy - Let's Chill 3. R. Kelly - Bump & Grind 4. BBD - Poison 5.Jodeci - Forever My Lady 6. TLC - Baby-Baby-Baby 7. MJB - Sweet Thing (even though it's a Rufus & Chaka Remake) 8. B2M - End of the Road 9. Mariah Carey - Vision of Love 10. Tony! Toni! Tone! - It Never Rains in Southern California This is a hard one dude! I'll try anyway...Just off the top of my head 1. SWV - Weak 2. Guy - Let's Chill 3. R. Kelly - Bump & Grind 4. BBD - Poison 5.Jodeci - Forever My Lady 6. TLC - Baby-Baby-Baby 7. MJB - Sweet Thing (even though it's a Rufus & Chaka Remake) 8. B2M - End of the Road 9. Mariah Carey - Vision of Love 10. Tony! Toni! Tone! - It Never Rains in Southern California
ilikeit 2008-07-30 15:48:10 Total Posts: 1156	Buttaflyy your is the bomb each one of them songs tells the tale of every party I went to they was playing them songs. LOL that's too funny. You must have been a DJ. Buttaflyy your is the bomb each one of them songs tells the tale of every party I went to they was playing them songs. LOL that's too funny. You must have been a DJ.
bunky1787 2008-07-30 16:55:33 Total Posts: 440	Haha, thanks for the imput guys :) I did kinda add my own peference in there(joe's songs just do it for me i guess). I'm diggin' JUNEBUG'S list though :) Haha, thanks for the imput guys :) I did kinda add my own peference in there(joe's songs just do it for me i guess). I'm diggin' JUNEBUG'S list though :)
R&B Guru 2008-07-30 18:25:38 Total Posts: 2527	Agreed, well done Junebug. You really took my list and solidified it. I hadn't thought about DooWop but that's a good track. And Secret Garden's got enough R&B stars on it to cover the era :). Really, great lists all around. And bunky, no worries lol, even with the personal preference, the list still stands its own well. Besides, in the end, a lot of what defines the era is what songs define it in our own eyes. I'm waiting for the lists Soul and Ilikeit :). I don't care if you've got a small set of tastes Soul, just throw one together of what 90s R&B is for you :). Agreed, well done Junebug. You really took my list and solidified it. I hadn't thought about DooWop but that's a good track. And Secret Garden's got enough R&B stars on it to cover the era :). Really, great lists all around. And bunky, no worries lol, even with the personal preference, the list still stands its own well. Besides, in the end, a lot of what defines the era is what songs define it in our own eyes. I'm waiting for the lists Soul and Ilikeit :). I don't care if you've got a small set of tastes Soul, just throw one together of what 90s R&B is for you :).

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