Tag: Monica

Top Ten Summer Hits of 1998: A Look Back

Each summer on the blog, I recount the top 10 summer hits from 30, 20, and 10 years ago. Last week was 1988 and the sounds of three decades ago. If you missed it, you can find it here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2018/06/21/top-ten-summer-hits-of-1988-a-look-back/

Today we move to 1998 and the tunes burning up our CD players (if we were lucky enough to have one in our car) 20 years ago. As with previous posts, I rank each track from 1 (summer bummer) to 10 (summer smash) and reveal the most important truth: is said song on my Apple Music?

Let’s get to it!

10. “All My Life” by K-Ci & JoJo

We start off quite well with this ballad from K-Ci and JoJo, who originally rose to fame with the R&B group Jodeci. It’s schmaltzy, yes, but in the best way and it gets the job done with the singers expert vocal performances.

My Ranking: 9 and a half

Is It On My Apple Music?: Yes

9. “Crush” by Jennifer Paige

I must confess to having no recollection of this track when I saw it was #9. Listening to it again, it’s a pleasant enough ditty from the one-hit wonder. That said, it’s also rather forgettable.

My Ranking: 6

It Is On My Apple Music?: No

8. “Make It Hot” by Nicole featuring Missy Elliot and Mocha

Timbaland was mostly busy around this time stirring up classics for Aaliyah and Missy Elliot. Yet he concocted this gem for Nicole with assists from Elliot and Mocha. It was her only major hit, but it’s a terrific example of its producer’s wizardry behind the boards.

My Rating: 9

Is It On My Apple Music?: Yes

7. “Come with Me” by Puff Daddy featuring Jimmy Page

Combine Puff’s love of sampling with the guitar riffs of Jimmy Page’s “Kashmir” and promoting the summer’s unfortunate Godzilla reboot? You get a hit… albeit one that is just as ultimately disappointing as the film in which it appeared on the soundtrack.

My Rating: 5

Is It On My Apple Music? No

6. “My All” by Mariah Carey

Ms. Carey has certainly had her share of powerful ballads. “My All” is an effective one, though I don’t rank it among her most memorable.

My Rating: 7

Is It On My Apple Music?: Yes (but mostly because I have her greatest hits and don’t listen to this one hardly at all)

5. “Adia” by Sarah MacLachlan

The Canadian singer is now mostly known for causing you tear up during commercials to help dogs, but she had a string of hits including this one. I’ve never been a big fan and this track does little for me, despite her lovely voice.

My Rating: 5 and a half

Is It On My Apple Music?: No

4. “My Way” by Usher

The title track from Usher’s multi-platinum album is a Jermaine Dupri produced banger that spent lots of time being played loudly in my 1987 Ford Thunderbird 20 years ago. Check out Tyrese in the video as well.

My Rating: 9

It Is On My Apple Music?: Yes

3. “Too Close” by Next

An incredibly catchy R&B song from a band that didn’t produce many more hits. This one, however, could still be a massive hit today.

My Rating: 9 and a half

Is It On My Apple Music?: Yes

2. “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain

Another Canadian crooner had her first major crossover hit with this ballad. It moved Twain out of just being known as a country act to one with serious pop appeal.

My Rating: 8

Is It On My Apple Music?: No

1. “The Boy is Mine” by Brandy & Monica

It’s no “The Girl is Mine” by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney, but this mid-tempo pop track paired two of the era’s most successful R&B singers to hugely successful results on the charts. Looking back now, I don’t love it (I could list stronger tracks by both Brandy and Monica) but it’s decent.

My Rating: 7 and a half

Is It On My Apple Music?: No

And there you have it! The sounds of 1998 in the summertime…

I’ll return soon with 2008.

Top Ten Summer Music Hits of 1995: A Look Back

Yesterday on the blog – I took you through an 80s nostalgia trip giving you Billboard’s Top 10 Summer Songs of 1985.

https://toddmthatcher.com/2015/07/07/top-ten-summer-music-hits-of-1985-a-look-back/

This evening, it’s time to turn that nostalgic dial to the 1990s as I recount the ten biggest summer hits from 20 years ago. As I did with the previous post, I’ll offer my rating of said summer hit on a scale of 1 (disaster) to 10 (epic summer jam) and answer the all important question: is it on my iTunes?

Let’s take a trip down mid 90s lane, shall we?

10. “Run-Around” by Blues Traveler

Truth be told, I’m not a huge Blues Traveler fan, but John Popper can sure rock the harmonica. I prefer “Hook” to this track – but their breakthrough hit is undeniably catchy.

My Rating: 7

Is It On My iTunes? No

9. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Nicki French

This dance remake version of Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 mega hit was a track I pretty much forgot about. It’s perfectly serviceable but it certainly doesn’t match the far superior original.

My Rating: 6

Is It On My iTunes? No

8. “I Can Love You Like That” by All-4-One

The R&B foursome is best known for “I Swear”, but this ballad hit it big as well. In hindsight, it doesn’t approach the quality of the aforementioned hit but it’s decent.

My Rating: 6 and a half

Is It On My iTunes? No

7. “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” by Bryan Adams

He was in the top ten in 1985 with “Heaven” and Canadian singer Adams appears again with this ballad from the Don Juan DeMarco soundtrack. It wasn’t quite the smash hit that his Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves inspired “Everything I Do” was four summer earlier, but it’s a very solid ballad.

My Rating: 7 and a half

Is It On My iTunes? No

6. “Boombastic” by Shaggy

This reggae infused jam gave Shaggy his first international hit and it’s a memorable one.

My Rating: 9

Is It On My iTunes? Yes (finally!)

5. “Water Runs Dry” by Boyz II Men

The group had already had massive hits off their II album such as “I’ll Make Love to You” and “On Bended Knee”. This is another infectious power ballad from the singers that ruled that genre in the mid 90s.

My Rating: 9

Is It On My iTunes? Yes

4. “Kiss from a Rose” by Seal

From the Batman Forever soundtrack (the summer’s biggest hit) came Seal’s powerful signature tune.

My Rating: 9 and a half

Is It On My iTunes? No (but it should be)

3. “One More Chance” by The Notorious B.I.G.

With a vocal assist from his wife Faith Evans on the chorus, this is a classic mashup of hip hop and R&B that stands as one of Biggie’s triumphs.

My Rating: 9 and a half

Is It On My iTunes? Yes

2. “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)” by Monica

The young singer’s first single is still her bestselling solo track and it’s a Dallas Austin produced dandy.

My Rating: 9 and a half

Is It On My iTunes? No (but it will be)

1. “Waterfalls” by TLC

Considered the group’s signature tune, “Waterfalls” ruled the summer airwaves 20 years with its harmonies climaxing with the late Left Eye’s rap verse. I would honestly rank a couple of other TLC songs higher than this for personal preference, but it’s not difficult to see why this became so huge.

My Rating: 9

Is It On My iTunes? Yes

And there you have it, folks! The summer songs of 20 years ago. I’ll have my post up recounting the season’s hits of 2005 up tomorrow. Until then…

Top 90 R&B Songs of the 1990s: Nos. 40-31

We’re at day six of my personal Top 90 R&B Songs of the 1990s. For those who wish to read my previous entries, just click on the Music category of this here blog and they’ll magically show up. Today brings us to numbers 40-31 and let’s go to it:

40. “Killing Me Softly” by The Fugees (1996)

This hip hop trio was tremendously influential in their too brief time together. This Roberta Flack cover is their one smash hit that can safely be classified as R&B with Lauryn Hill’s beautiful vocals.

39. “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men (1990)

The hit single that started it all for this trio. They may be best known for their slow jams, but this deserves its spot on the list.

38. “I Get Lonely” by Janet Jackson (1998)

Ms. Jackson’s single on her acclaimed Velvet Rope album also featured a remix with Blackstreet.

37. “My Love Is Your Love” by Whitney Houston (1999)

“I Will Always Love You” may be her signature tune from the decade (it made #50 on here), but this Wylcef Jean produced track is my personal Whitney favorite of hers from the 90s.

36. “Any Time, Any Place” by Janet Jackson (1994)

Janet’s sultry and unforgettable single from her 1993 janet album earns her yet another entry.

35. “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey (1990)

The great ballad that started it all for Mariah and was her first #1 single of many more to come.

34. “No, No, No Part 2” by Destiny’s Child (1997)

Most of their biggest singles came the following decade, but Beyoncé and company got off to their storied career with this gem from Wyclef Jean yet again.

33. “Scream” by Michael and Janet Jackson (1995)

The brother and sister finally got together for “Scream” and a fantastic song and video were the result.

32. “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boyz II Men (1994)

Coming off a successful first album, the Boyz became a phenomenon with this first single from their second album… an unforgettable concoction from producer Babyface.

31. “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days” by Monica (1995)

This Dallas Austin production gave Monica her first of many hits. For Monica, her debut single is still her best.

And that’s tonight’s edition! We’ll get into the top third of the list tomorrow with numbers 30-21.