When putting together this list, a few rules had to be made, or else the list would have been impossible to create due to all the great R&B and Soul love songs recorded over the past 50+ years. First, a cutoff point of 20 years ago was established to keep the list relevant. Also, these songs celebrate love, not sex. (There's a seperate list of sexy songs on this site.) Third, there's no drama-filled songs, no negativity, no 'bad love' songs. And with said, here's your R&B Guide's picks for some of the best love songs of the past 20 years.
1. "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige
Cover © Geffen Records.
This chart-topping song, which was released in November 2005, is on Mary's The Breakthough album. Among the things that make it so great are the strong sentiments of faith and loyalty expressed, as well as the unbelievably strong vocals.
2. "One Love," Midwest City
Image © Motown/Universal.
On "One Love," Midwest City, a four-man vocal group from Oklahoma talks love, marriage and loyalty: Through the storm, through the rain, through the sun, we remain one love," they sing.
3. "Love, Need and Want You," Patti Labelle
Cover © Legacy Recordings.
The title pretty much says it all. You can stream the song by clicking on the link below.
4. "Love is Stronger Than Pride," Sade
If you've ever found yourself unable to stop loving someone even after their actions have given you good reason to stop, you can relate to this song. This song is for everyone who has at least once in their life thought with their heart instead of their mind. Love really is stronger than pride sometimes.
5. "Valentine," Lloyd
Cover © Universal Records.
"Valentine" is the fourth single off Lloyd's second album, Street Love, which came out March 13, 2007 on Sho-Nuff/Universal Records. This smooth, mellow and sultry song is an example of the true sound of young love.
6. "Love T.K.O.," Teddy Pendergrass
Wait a minute - did I say in the intro that none of these songs contained drama? Well, I stand corrected. "Love TKO" is about how sometimes love beats you down when you try to battle it. Other singers, including Regina Belle and Hall & Oates, have also recorded versions of this song, but the Pendergrass version is head and shoulders above the rest.
7. "Sweet Love," Anita Baker
What more can be said about this song that hasn't been saide for almost 20 years now? It's a classic - and classy - example of some ot the best music R&B has to offer.
8. "I'm Gonna Be," Donell Jones
This song is not only about love, but about devotion, as well. Or as Donell sings it: "Every night I'm treatin' you right 'cause our chemistry is a mystery/To everyone lookin from outside, cause they want what we have/When I look right in your eyes, I see your soul and I'm the mate, baby/If you down you got me for life, 'cause I really love you girl."
