Tag: Bell Biv DeVoe

Top 90 R&B Songs of the 1990s: Nos. 10-1

This evening we arrive at the crème de la crème of 90s R&B musical greatness and the final edition of my Top 90 R&B Songs of that decade. I’ve had a tremendous amount of fun going over all these terrific songs and now we’ve arrived at the Top Ten!

To read over numbers 90-11, click on the Music tab of the blog and you’ll find them all there.

Here we go!

10. “Creep” by TLC (1994)

The lead single from TLC’s CrazySexyCool album is a Dallas Austin produced classic.

9. “All My Life” by K-Ci&JoJo (1998)

The duo who originated from the influential group Jodeci made this slow jam which stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 35 weeks.

8. “Remember the Time” by Michael Jackson (1992)

The omnipresent Teddy Riley, who’s produced many tracks on the list, made his best MJ contribution with this one.

7. “Hold On” by En Vogue (1990)

The girl group produced many fabulous singles, but their first is still their best.

6. “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men (1992)

The ballad of the decade spent an at the time record of 13 weeks at #1.

5. “Real Love” by Mary J. Blige (1992)

Queen Mary had her best track among many with this second single from her landmark What’s the 411? album.

4. “Pony” by Ginuwine

Ginuwine’s debut single is a masterwork from producer Timbaland. The track is still highly relevant today and most recently was featured in the hit Magic Mike.

3. “Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah

Timbaland strikes again and creates another classic with the late singer, which was featured on the Doctor Dolittle soundtrack.

2. “No Diggity” by Blackstreet (1996)

Teddy Riley once again as his group created this timeless classic featuring rap verses from hip hop genius Dr. Dre and Queen Pen.

1. “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe (1990)

Yes, it was #1 on VH1’s own list of 90s R&B grooves. They got it right. The spinoff group from New Edition created one of the catchiest and undeniable grooves in a track… ever. It still manages to turn the dance floor into a party.

And with that – my list, friends! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I had writing it. At the least, I hope I gave you some songs for your iTunes collection. Signing off in the immortal words of BBD: “Never trust a big butt and a smile.” Until next time!

Top 90 R&B Songs of the 1990s: Nos. 80-71

We have arrived at Day 2 of my list of personal Top 90 R&B Songs of the 1990s and this means numbers 80-71 coming your way. In case you missed Part 1, you can find it right here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2014/07/03/top-90-rb-songs-of-the-1990s-nos-90-81/

Let’s go right to it:

80. “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” by PM Dawn (1991)

The soul duo had their largest hit with this jam.

79. “I’m Going Down” by Mary J. Blige (1994)

Ms. Blige had a soulful hit with this cover of the Rose Royce 1970s song.

78. “Water Runs Dry” by Boyz II Men (1995)

The Boyz make their first appearance on the list with Babyface produced slow track.

77. “100% Pure Love” by Crystal Waters (1994)

Crystal Waters techno/R&B blend hit #1 on the dance chart.

76. “Keep On Walkin” by CeCe Peniston (1992)

CeCe has a number of hits and her signature song is considered “Finally”, but this one has always been my persona favorite.

75. “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston (1993)

Ms. Whitney makes her first list appearance with this David Foster produced ballad from The Bodyguard.

74. “Candy Rain” by Soul for Real (1994)

The boy band hit #1 on the R&B singles chart with this track produced by Poke&Tone and Heavy D.

73. “Tell Me” by Groove Theory (1995)

This male/female duo had their biggest hit with this jam.

72. “One In a Million” by Aaliyah (1996)

The late great singer makes her debut on here with the title track from her critically acclaimed second album which featured the beginning of her groundbreaking collaborations with Timbaland.

71. “The Best Things In Life are Free” by Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson

Featured on the soundtrack to the Damon Wayans comedy Mo’ Money, the Jam&Lewis produced track also features a rap cameo from Bell Biv Devoe.

And that’s all for today, my friends! Back again tomorrow with numbers 70-61!

 

Top 90 R&B Songs of the 1990s: Nos. 90-81

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/