Tag: TLC

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. 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. 60-51

It’s day four of my personal Top 90 R&B Songs of the 1990s and that means numbers 60-51 coming your way. If you missed my three previous installments, you can peruse them here:

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

https://toddmthatcher.com/2014/07/04/top-90-rb-songs-of-the-1990s-nos-80-71/

https://toddmthatcher.com/2014/07/05/top-rb-songs-of-the-1990s-nos-70-61/

Onto the next ones!

60. “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” by En Vogue (1992)

The first single from En Vogue’s second album hit #1 on the charts and is probably the last song a guy would want to hear a girl sing to them at the club.

59. “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” by Mint Condition (1991)

This group only put out a couple of hits, but this groove managed to stay on the chart for 34 weeks.

58. “All Around the World” by Lisa Stansfield (1990)

Stansfield’s biggest worldwide hit peaked at #3 in the United States.

57. “You Are Not Alone” by Michael Jackson (1995)

What happens when you pair MJ with R. Kelly’s production? You get this beautiful second single from his History album which gave the singer yet another #1.

56. “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday” by Boyz II Men (1991)

The boy group is on the list once again with this cover of a 1975 ballad.

55. “Baby Baby Baby” by TLC (1992)

The group’s second single from their debut album is yet another production from the hit making L.A.&Babyface duo.

54. “My Love is the Shhh!” by Somethin’ for the People (1997)

If you don’t know this one, you need more 90s R&B knowledge! This California based group had their largest hit with this track tailor made for the clubs.

53. “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly (1996)

Don’t pretend like you don’t crank this if you’re alone in the car. Kelly’s monster hit from the Space Jam soundtrack is the prolific artist’s largest hit of his career.

52. “Can’t You See” by Total featuring The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)

The Puff Daddy backed female group hit it big with this track from the New Jersey Drive soundtrack featuring a killer opening verse from the Notorious B.I.G.

51. “If I Ever Fall in Love” by Shai (1992)

This fantastic a cappella groove spent eight weeks at #2 on the charts, being held from the top spot by Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”.

And that’s today’s edition, folks! Numbers 50-41 will be arriving tomorrow!

Top 90 R&B Songs of the 1990s: Nos. 70-61

It’s day three of my personal Top 90 R&B singles from the 1990s and today we’ll cover numbers 70-61. In case you missed the first two installments, you can find them here:

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

https://toddmthatcher.com/2014/07/04/top-90-rb-songs-of-the-1990s-nos-80-71/

Let’s get to it, shall we?

70. “Someone to Love” by Jon B. and Babyface (1995)

This duet was featured on the Bad Boys soundtrack and marked the biggest hit for Mr. B.

69. “Make It Hot” by Nicole (1998)

Written by Missy Elliot and produced by Timbaland, this marks one of the mega-producer’s most memorable beats.

68. “Another Sad Love Song” by Toni Braxton (1993)

The first official single from her debut album, this L.A.&Babyface produced ballad hit the top ten in the summer of ’93.

67. “Touch Me, Tease Me” by Case featuring Foxy Brown (1996)

A highlight from the The Nutty Professor soundtrack, this groove also introduced us to Ms. Foxy Brown.

66. “All 4 Love” by Color Me Badd (1991)

It may not be their biggest hit (wait until later on this list), but it’s a personal favorite of mine.

65. “Red Light Special” by TLC (1995)

Once again, Babyface is behind this one that marked the second single from TLC’s landmark album CrazySexyCool.

64. “Hit Me Off” by New Edition (1996)

The mega-group from the 1980s reunited in 1996 and it produced this terrific first single from their comeback album.

63. “Freak Me” by Silk (1993)

It’s got some of the most gloriously raunchy lyrics of any song to hit #1 and it marked a career highlight for this group.

62. “Waterfalls” by TLC (1995)

The summer jam of 1995, this TLC joint was most recently memorably featured in We’re the Millers.

61. “In the Closet” by Michael Jackson (1992)

The first appearance by Mr. Jackson is a Teddy Riley produced banger with a great video featuring Naomi Campbell.

And that’s today’s edition, folks! I’ll be back tomorrow with numbers 60-51.

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/