Two things: I love lists and I love 90s R&B music. And seeing that I’ve got this here handy blog, I figured why not do my own personal Top 90 R&B songs of that decade that people are beginning to get nostalgic about?
Making this list was far more complicated than I anticipated. The main reason: where to draw the line between hip hop and R&B? This was a tricky proposition, but I ultimately arrived at this decision – if the song being considered could also potentially be on a Top 90 Hip Hop Songs, it would not be included here. This means no Heavy D and the Boyz, Salt n Pepa, Naughty by Nature, or “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark or “Tennessee” by Arrested Development. Don’t be surprised if that hip hop list does surface on the blog in the future.
The other major decision I made – the songs had to have been singles. In other words, they were on the radio. I didn’t want to do a deep cuts list of tracks that you loyal readers have never heard of. So if you’re going to be a stickler – feel free to think of this as Top 90 R&B singles of the decade.
In the same way that 1980s were a golden age for pop (MJ, Prince, Madonna, etc…), I look at the 1990s as a golden age for rhythm and blues music with acts such as Boyz II Men, Bell Biv Devoe, Aaliyah, Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, TLC , Tony! Toni! Tone!, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, and many others dominating the charts. At the same time, producers of the genre like Teddy Riley, Timbaland, Dallas Austin, Jam and Lewis, and Babyface came to the forefront with fantastic work.
So let’s get to it, shall we? This will be a nine-part series posted daily. So put on your 90s overalls or cuff your jeans and enjoy these 1990s flashbacks!
90. “What About Your Friends” by TLC (1992)
The third single from TLC’s debut album marks their first appearance (but not last) on this list with production from Dallas Austin.
89. “Wanna Get With U” by Guy (1990)
Super producer Teddy Riley formed this group in the late 1980s and they were instrumental in developing the “New Jack Swing” sound that dominated the era. This is one of my favorites by them.
88. “I’m Dreamin” by Christopher Williams (1991)
Featured on the soundtrack to New Jack City, this new jack single gave Williams a #1 hit.
87. “Good Enough” by Bobby Brown (1992)
Brown’s second album produced this L.A.&Babyface made slow jam.
86. “If I Had No Loot” by Tony! Toni! Tone! (1993)
New Jack pioneers Tony! Toni! Tone! made the summer of 1993 a memorable one with this banger.
85. “If You Love Me” by Brownstone (1995)
The girl group had their biggest hit in 1995 with this memorable groove.
84. “Sensitivity” by Ralph Tresvant (1990)
Possibly the least talked about member of New Edition, Tresvant nevertheless hit #1 on the charts with this one in 1990.
83. “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell (1993)
Tevin Campbell, originally a Prince discovery, hit #1 with this Babyface produced track.
82. “Nobody” by Keith Sweat (1996)
Sweat had a whole lot of hits in the 1980s and 1990s and this is one of best and biggest that spent three weeks at #1.
81. “BBD (I Thought It Was Me)” by Bell Biv Devoe (1990)
The spinoff from New Edition makes its first appearance here with their third single from their debut album.
And that’s all for now! I’ll have part two covering numbers 80-71 coming tomorrow!
Updates:
Numbers 80-71 can be found here:
https://toddmthatcher.com/2014/07/04/top-90-rb-songs-of-the-1990s-nos-80-71/
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