The "R" in "R&B" Stands for Romance Pt. 2

by Angelica Williams

Image courtesy of Nadine E on Unsplash

Here is part two to my list of 100 of my all-time favorite R&B songs!

I have listed another 20 songs that I have grown to know and truly love over the years. There will be another three parts after this, and in each part, I will continue to add 20 songs until I reach 100.

Below is an excerpt of part one of this mini-series, and you can read the full article under "Blog" here on turnthepaige.us.

Enjoy!

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While I know that R&B can be so much more than the lovey-dovey, “my heart yearns for you” type of music; it is still (in my opinion) one of the best genres to express the emotions of love and heartbreak. That is why I am writing this article today. The lyrics, the melodies, the vocalizations, the smooth beats/rhythms that encompass your ears; all of it makes for a wonderful and pleasing combination for the soul. The R&B I’m referring to is the kind that picks you up and carries you into a whole other world filled with love, lust, longing, and leisure. The R&B that I know, and love is the music I grew up on. It’s the songs my mother and father blasted through our car speakers, the tunes I would watch my father mix up with his DJing equipment, and it’s all the iconic music videos that shaped my childhood. R&B is a huge part of who I am, and it has a lot to do with how I came to express myself as a writer.

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21. “Share My World” — Mary J. Blige (1997)

22. “What Kind of Man Would I Be”— Mint Condition (1996)

23. “Forever My Lady” — Jodeci (1991)

24. “If This World Where Mine” — Luther Vandross & Cheryl Lynn (1982)

25. “Misunderstood” — Lucky Daye (2019)

26. “In Love with Another Man” — Jazmine Sullivan (2008)

27. “Come Over” — Aaliyah & Tank (2000)

28. “Soon as I Get Home” — Faith Evans (1995)

29. “I Gotta Be” — Jagged Edge (1997)

30. “Anniversary” — Tony! Toni! Toné! (1993)

31. “Stay” — Jodeci (1991)

32. “Never Too Much” — Luther Vandross (1981)

33. “I Won’t” — H.E.R. (2017)

34. “All Night Long” — SWV (1995)

35. “Loved By You” — Mali Music & Jazmine Sullivan (2017)

36. “Still Mine” — Elhae & Wale (2019)

37. “Halfcrazy” — Musiq Soulchild (2002)

38. “Over” — Lucky Daye (2022)

39. “Sweet Thing” — Chaka Khan & Rufus (1975)

40. “Adore” — Prince (1987)

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I hope you have enjoyed reading over this list as much as I’ve enjoyed creating and sharing it with you all. Please feel free to share your own list of favorite R&B songs — whether they relate to love, heartbreak, politics, or none of the above — in the comment section.