Best RNB Songs Of All Time

  Unlike other genres of music, RNB – otherwise known as rhythm and blues – has the ability to get you in any mood, whether it’s a little Boyz II Men for a spot of loving or a track of Usher’s to get you hyped up and ready to rock the club. Traditionally a mixture of jazz, gospel and blues, RNB has now grown to incorporate modern soul, funk, pop and hip-hop, but still gets people dancing like it’s 1969. Looking back at the world’s love affair with RNB, we take you on a tour (in no particular order) of the top ten RNB tunes ever recorded, from the golden-oldies of the Motown era right up to the crunk-tinged jams of today. Make sure your iPod’s charged up and ready to download.

"I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye

  Released in 1968, “I Heard It Through The Grapvine” is arguably one of the best RNB songs ever recorded. Instantly recognisable and catchy to the core, it’ll have people hitting the dance floor for decades to come. While the version sung by Gladys Knight is pleasing to the untrained ear, it doesn’t even compare to Marvin’s version, which is bursting with passion and soul. The most successful song of the ‘60s, with thousands of record sales, it took the US singer two months to complete but the result was well worth the wait. With horror-style strings, voodoo-inspired drums and percussion layered over the ominous whirring of a Wurlitzer electric piano and guitar, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” boasts a unique sound that makes for a unique record that is unrivalled to this very day.

"Yeah!" by Usher

  Eclipsed only by the brilliance of the accompanying video – think lasers, a white suit jacket and dance moves to shame Michael Jackson – “Yeah!” catapulted Usher into the realm of superstardom. Released in 2004, the track topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for a whole 12 weeks, snagging a host of prestigious awards in the process. Played in clubs across the world and requested millions of times at DJ booths by drunk girls aching to hear Usher’s smooth vocals, the song features producer Lil John, rapper Ludacris and is fast ‘n’ undeniably furious. Using low-end synthesizer hooks, distinct ‘crunk’ beats and sexually suggestive lyrics such as “coversation got heavy, she had me feelin’ like she’s ready to blow,” it’ll be remembered long after Usher is dead and buried. While he’s the type of guy that girls love and us men hate, most of us have listened to “Yeah!” at full volume when nobody’s home.

"End Of The Road" by Boyz II Men

  The most successful RNB boy band of all time, it’s hard to choose the best track Boyz II Men have ever released. Nevertheless, “End Of The Road” is the winner, with plenty of radio airplay still assigned to it today and every love compilation to hit the shelves listing it somewhere on the CD. Having hit the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart when it was released in 1992 to accompany an Eddie Murphy flick, this smooth tune has become a favourite at weddings and first dates alike. With slushy lyrics – “Although we’ve come to the end of the road, still I can’t let you go” - and a soft, synchronized harmony, it’s the perfect warm-up soundtrack for under-the-cover action.

"My Prerogative" by Bobby Brown

  While Bobby Brown was more famous in his day for an addiction to crack and beating Whitney Houston black and blue, his disastrous singing career did have one highlight. “My Prerogative” rocketed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts when it was released in 1988, earning Brown his first and only hit record. Who knew the thug was so creative? With lyrics reflective of Bobby’s bad-boy image – “They say I’m nasty, I really don’t care, that’s my prerogative” – and a ferocious beat that would make even Stephen Hawking want to get up and shake his booty, the track has become an iconic anthem for angry people everywhere. It’s so good, in fact, Britney Spears decided to cover it in 2004, layering it with her usual breathy vocals and a Middle Eastern tinge. Sadly for Bobby, he’s still riding off the back of its success, with reports that he performed it at karaoke while on vacation recently.

"Fallin’" by Alicia Keys

  The 2001 debut single of piano prodigy Alicia Keys, “Fallin’” hit the number one spot in the US almost immediately after it was released. Known as her signature song – she’s been trying to escape it ever since – “Fallin’” was written and produced by Keys herself but uses instrumentation similar to James Brown’s 1966 hit “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World”. But cheating a little clearly didn’t do the girl’s career any harm, with her still riding high on the charts. With lyrics that reference the volatile relationship between the singer and her man – “I keep on fallin in and out of love with you” – and the kind of melody you can’t get out of your head, it’s one for the heartbroken. Winning a number of Grammy Awards, such as Song Of The Year, Best Female RNB Vocal Performance and Best RNB Song, “Fallin’” was the defining moment in Keys' career. Fortunately for us, the songstress is still churning out the hits, though none have been quite as successful as this.

"I’ll Be Missing You" by P Diddy & Faith Hill

  Before his ego inflated, before he dated Jennifer Lopez and before he began changing his name more times than Prince, Sean "Don’t call me Puff Daddy" Combs spent his time recording decent songs. “I’ll Be Missing You,” released in 1997 with a little help from Faith Hill, is one of those songs. In fact, it’s Diddy’s best to date, having enjoyed number one chart success across the world. Recorded in memory of Diddy’s late pal Notorious B.I.G. – who was shot dead the same year – “I’ll Be Missing You” samples the melody of “Every Breath You Take” by The Police and is a bittersweet rap ballad that brings a tear to even the driest eye. While the video that went with it was a little cheap and nasty – check it out on VH1, it’s always playing - the song is absolutely priceless and remains one of the best modern RNB tracks ever recorded.

"Ain’t Nobody" by Chaka Khan

  Back in 1983 when disco and big hair ruled the world – a scary thought, we know - it was decided by record execs that “Ain’t Nobody” should be given to Chaka Khan instead of Michael Jackson. And what a good decision that was! After releasing it with her band Rufus, Chaka Khan’s version of “Ain’t Nobody” reached the top of the US RNB chart and set dance floors alight in gay clubs across the world. Now an anthem for the era – and, incidentally, the only song Chaka Khan is really remembered for – “Ain’t Nobody” is a true RNB classic that reminds us of the afros of yesteryear.

"All My Life" by K-Ci & JoJo

  K-Ci and JoJo’s second number-one single (the first was their collaboration with Tupac on “How Do U Want It”), “All My Life” is one of those tunes you recognise from the violin intro. A slushy track that you won’t be teased for liking, the dynamic duo give it the kind of credibility only afforded by true RNB boy bands. Had record execs given it to the Backstreet Boys, however, it might have been a different story. With lyrics such as “I will never find another lover sweeter than you”, it’s the type of track you can dedicate to a girl without fearing that she’ll think you’ve gone all soft.

"My Girl" by The Temptations

  The soundtrack to Macaulay Culkin’s 1991 movie of the same name, “My Girl” by The Temptations is what great RNB is all about. Released in 1964, “My Girl” was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White and helped The Temptations top the Billboard charts for the first time. With David Ruffin on lead vocals, the song was rated number 88 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time, and quite rightly so.

"Under The Boardwalk" by The Drifters

  Recorded by The Drifters in 1964, “Under The Boardwalk” brings together the piano, the violin and – get this – the triangle (!), to deliver an all-time RNB great. Performing lead vocals is Johnny Moore – after the Drifers’ usual lead singer, Rudy Lewis, died of a heroin overdose the day before recording began – while the lyrics tell the story of a lover’s young dream in the seaside town of Myrtle Beach. While many have covered the song (and failed) since its initial release, a surprisingly good version was recorded by Hollywood A-lister Bruce Willis in 1987.

About the author:

  Nick studied at Sussex University and graduated with a degree in English Literature and Media Studies. When he’s not writing – which isn’t often – he enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies, downloading music, eating out and travelling as much as he possibly can; Marbella, Miami, London and Phuket are his favourite places in the world.

  Nick has worked on a number of newspapers, magazines and websites – including Caché, Colures and AskMen.com - and specialises in popular culture, luxury and travel. He particularly enjoys writing about all that is beautiful in the world, including luxury hotels, trendy restaurants andthe latest gadgetry for the home. If it’s hip and gorgeous, Nick will have something to say about it.

  He is currently working on his first children’s book, which hasgenerated interest from a number of London-based publishers, and runs his own online magazine at www.gunpowder-magazine.com.