As this is being written, 2008's almost over, so it's time to take a look back at some of the best songs of the year. Some were from well-known industry veterans who're household names, like Beyonce (If I Were A Boy" and "Single Ladies") Usher ("Love in This Club Part II") and Erykah Badu ("Honey"). But others came from unknowns and newcomers who snuck up on us, like Noel Gourdin's spiritual track "The River," Duffy's retro "Mercy," Young Steff's bouncy "Professional" and Karina Pasian's "Sixteen At War." For full details look below for the two-page list of your Guide's picks for the 20 Best R&B Songs of 2008.
11. Bust Your Windows, Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan's voice is solid throughout Fearless, her 12-song debut album. That said, the cream of the crop is definitely the first four songs, especially the deliciously wicked "Bust Your Windows."
12. Green Light, John Legend feat. Andre 3000
Awhile back, John Legend declared that he was heading in a new, more mainstream direction with his third studio album, Revolver, and "Green Light," the first single from the album is indicative of where Legend's going - back to the days of his hip-hop and pop-influenced debut album, Get Lifted, and bypassing the more sophisticated, lounge singer-type songs of his second album, Once Again.
13. Losin' It, R. City
This sweet piece of audio candy is more of a pop/hip-hop/R&B hybrid than a traditional R&B song. But the song's just so irresistibly catchy, such a delicious morsel of music, labels don't really matter.
14. Never Never Land, Lyfe Jennings
Image © Columbia Records.
"Never Never Land" is on Lyfe's third album, Lyfe Change. It deals with the subject of those over-the-hill "playas" who still chase tail and refuse to grow up and settle down like adults.
15. Love In This Club Part II, Usher, Beyonce & Lil Wayne
Album cover © Jive Records.
I've gotta say it: I like this version much better than the original. Maybe it's the more uptempo beat, maybe it's the all-new, more meaningful lyrics. Maybe it's the regal presence of Beyonce. Whatever it is, this song's pretty damn tight, IMHO.
16. Without You in My Life, Labelle
"Without You In My Life," is the kind of music that Labelle and Patti LaBelle fans have come to expect from the girls. The song's a strong example of the best of what they have to offer: strong, powerful vocals; traditional R&B instrumentation; and best of all, none of that pseudo-dance music stuff that their other 2008 single, "Rollout," had.
17. Professional, Young Steff
Image © Atlantic Records.
Young Steff's a singer with a great, melodic voice that definitely deserves to be heard. Steff, who's real name is Stephen Goldsboro, is straight outta Vineland, New Jersey. His debut album isn't due out Sept. 16, 2008, but for now you can check out his first single, "Professional," by clicking on the "stream the song" link.
18. Sixteen At War," Karina
"Sixteen At War," (aka "16 @ War") a female empowerment song about some of the things that teenage girls living in urban areas have to deal with. "Ain't no daddys where I'm from, just mad mothers," she sings about the 'hood.
19. Miss Independent, Ne-Yo
"Miss Independent," an ode to women who've achieved career success on their own, is maybe the most instantly catchy song on Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman album; it's smart, sexy and stylish. "Ooh, there's somethin' about a young woman that can do for herself, I look at her and it makes me proud - there's somethin' about her," Ne-Yo coos on the song. "There's somethin' oh so sexy about a young woman who don't even need my help."
20. Mercy, Duffy
© Mercury Records.
Duffy's style isn't just old-school, it's old-fashioned - but in a good way, mostly. Her debut single, "Mercy," is a tale of lust, but is still fairly tame, lyrically. On the song, Duffy deals with her intense longing for a guy, but finds enough inner strength to resist offering up her body: "I love you, but I gotta stay true, my morals got me on my knees, I'm begging please stop playing games," she sings.
