R&B songs often express feelings and address topics close to people’s hearts; for instance, this track by Nina Simone speaks about misunderstood feelings.
R&B star Aaliyah is an exciting newcomer with a stunning voice that ranges from low to high pitches, creating an arresting audio experience. She sings about longing to have someone she loves near always and this classic love song will no doubt get your toes tapping.
Boyz II Men – “End of the Road”
Boyz II Men, formed out of Philadelphia in 1991, are undoubtedly one of the premier R&B acts from the 1990s, with their debut album Cooleyhighharmony producing one of their most celebrated singles with “End of the Road.”
This ballad tells the tale of a man who realizes his relationship with a girl has ended but refuses to let go, thus beseeching her back into his life. This track is both tender and melancholic – its lyrics paint an unflattering picture of someone who simply can’t rest without his cheating girlfriend; surely that is not worthy of being immortalized through song?
The song was first released as a single from the soundtrack for Eddie Murphy/Robin Givens film Boomerang on June 30, 1992, as well as being included on Cooleyhighharmony reissues released both years. Babyface and L.A. Reid who co-founded LaFace Records co-wrote it.
Boyz II Men cemented their legacy as one of the great groups ever with this incredible song’s worldwide popularity and 13 weeks as the number-one single on Billboard Hot 100 chart.
TLC – “Waterfalls”
TLC’s hit “Waterfalls” may captivate listeners with its catchy hook, yet upon closer examination its deeper message becomes evident: the song addresses the perils associated with pursuing intangible goals such as drug dealing. In particular, its first verse depicts an inner city youth seeking his “waterfalls” through selling drugs; but his mother warns against it due to the high risks involved. Meanwhile, its second verse addresses unprotected sexual encounters and AIDS as major topics at that time; Left Eye was famously known to wear condoms concealed within clothing or even incorporate them into her glasses to promote safe sexual encounters; something TLC was vocally supportive of.
At the time, this record was an unusual step in R&B music; radio stations took some time to recognize its relevance; even Clive Davis from their label wasn’t fond of hearing their message through this track! But the third single from CrazySexyCool eventually shot to number one on charts worldwide and won four MTV Video Music Awards that year, including Best Video of the Year!
TLC performed “We Are Family” before an indoor waterfall while images from natural and urban scenery intercut throughout. This video became one of their best and it became an iconic moment in black acts at that time. Bette Midler later covered this song on her 2014 album It’s The Girls!, producing a slower-tempo version. Thomas and Watkins later recorded a version with Japanese pop star Namie Amuro to commemorate 20 years since TLC released it as well as celebrating TLC’s 20th anniversary with her.
Marvin Gaye – “What’s Going On”
Marvin Gaye found himself struggling during the spring of 1970. Tammi Terrell had passed away, brother Frankie had returned from Vietnam filled with horror stories, and Motown would not allow him to address social issues through music. Yet one song came along that gave him a way out – one which allowed him to express both sorrow and frustration through song.
“What’s Going On” became one of the most influential and emotive pieces of soul and rhythm and blues music ever released, combining a darkly atmospheric jazz sound with emotive lyrics about military conflict overseas and socioeconomic woes at home. The single is widely credited with changing national dialogue while opening up creative opportunities for other Black artists such as Isaac Hayes and Sly and the Family Stone.
Like other call-to-action songs of his era, Gaye doesn’t demand or shout anything in this song; rather, he discusses problems but refrains from exacerbating them further – instead, he pleads.
This timeless classic remains relevant in today’s society with the recent protests against police brutality against African Americans, making this song one of the 500 Greatest Songs Ever by Rolling Stone. Check out its complete lyrics and meaning breakdown on Genius for further understanding.
Curtis Mayfield – “Superfly”
Superfly was an intense urban crime drama from 1972 that demanded an equally gripping soundtrack. Enter Curtis Mayfield, known for his talent as a singer-producer with The Impressions. Mayfield sought something beyond “blaxploitation” sound – creating a record that not only perfectly complemented the movie, but also stood on its own as an impressive soul concept album.
Mayfield composed his album during filming and would visit production sets to play demos for cast and crew. This resulted in an outstanding collection of soul and funk music that covered an expansive spectrum of styles and emotions; from singles that highlighted inner city struggles to mood-evoking instrumentals for more sensitive scenes, Mayfield’s Superfly soundtrack remains an extraordinary work of art.
Mayfield was deeply inspired by his experiences living in Cabrini-Green housing projects as a young adult in Chicago, writing songs like the heavy funk piece Freddie’s Dead (played upon Fat Freddie’s death in the film) and haunting instrumental “Junkie Chase”. Together with its roiling guitars, punishing horns, and steady drum beats, Superfly remains one of the most influential blaxploitation albums ever produced.
Nina Simone – “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”
Nina Simone became known for using music as a platform to voice social criticism after leaving Broadway’s Apollo Theater for Paris and began using her songs as vehicles for political commentary. Her 1964 renditions of Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” and George Gershwin’s “I Loves You Porgy” became staples among black political activists at that time. Footage of her singing “Mississippi Goddam” at Selma to Montgomery marches can be seen both in King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis as well as 2015 Liz Garbus documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?
Simone’s combination of jazz, blues, and classical music appealed to an expansive variety of musical tastes. Although Simone could appear intense or distant on stage, she also showed her playful side reciting amusing anecdotes about herself to her audience and collecting requests.
Simone may have been misunderstood by some, but she was loved and respected by countless artists like Miriam Makeba and Patti LaBelle as well as authors such as Sonia Sanchez and James Baldwin. Furthermore, her daughter Lisa adopted Simone’s stage name to become a professional singer herself.
Simone’s versions of “Mississippi Goddam” and the other songs on this album had a profound effect on rock musicians in the 1980s, particularly The Animals from Los Angeles who covered it and made it a hit on US pop charts before covering it again for their album Thrifty Singers in 1990.
Alicia Keys – “If I Ain’t Got You”
Alicia Keys has enjoyed an extraordinary musical career, selling over 90 million albums worldwide and winning 15 Grammy Awards. Additionally, she’s widely respected for her philanthropy and activism work, serving as Global Ambassador of HIV/AIDS-fighting organization Keep a Child Alive as well as recreating 2004 hit “If I Ain’t Got You” with an orchestra of women of color for Netflix’s new Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story prequel series.
This show depicts Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio), as she falls for handsome young King George (Corey Mylchreest), while also leading a significant social shift that will impact future generations. Keys’ new music video for “Numbers Game” — featuring him playing piano before an orchestra conducted by South Africa’s first Black female conductor Ofentse Pitse — is both romantic and inspiring.
Keys and her orchestra collaborated with show composer Kris Bowers to produce an adaption of “One Love,” that captures Regency-era glamour while staying true to its timeless yearning. What emerged was a stunning performance that will leave audiences feeling every emotion associated with Keys’s character’s fierce devotion for her beloved one – enjoy below! Alicia Keys is currently touring her ‘Keys to Summer Tour”, set to expand across North America next month.