Top 10 Soulful American Love Classics

You will notice the incredible amount of difficulty I had in making this list because I excluded Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince, Aaliyah and Ray Charles among others (I may come back and turn this into a top 25 list, then top 50, then top 75, then top 100. There is just wwaaayyy too much good Soul Music out there. I wish Jazz-Rap fusion, my favorite genre, had this many talented musicians working on it over the years.)

10. Bobby Womack- If You Think You're Lonely Now

Most of the time, background sounds and singing add little to a song. But the background singing and the single notes of the guitar (the guitar in this song is rarely played in chords) are PERFECT to back-up Womack's expressive voice.

Pain and resilience are evident in Womack's raspy voice. Womack's narrator holds on to notes like we know he is going to hold on to the memory of this woman.

By the end of this song, we are more convinced of the loneliness the narrator will face when he leaves his woman than the loneliness this woman will feel.

9.Quincy Jones- The Secret Garden

Okay, the title may be lame and cliched, but the song itself is not. Quincy Jones's best work features two voices (and multiple singers, featuring Al B. Sure, James Ingram, El' Debarge & Barry White) which work well in tandem, one a deep bass and the other a treble.

It seemlessly switches between the two voices, using the bass for declarative statements and demands, while the higher voice considers the feelings and point-of-view of the woman. (You can see this as the ying and yang or the masculine and feminine voices of the narrator himself.)

The piano play, for the most part, is just one chord played three times then another chord played once, but it absolutely fits the song and contrasts well with what are some pretty complicated bars of singing.

This would be a great song for any couple about to have their first time.

8. Third World- Now That We Found Love

Unfortunately, this song has a bad intro that is too reggae for this sincere love song that seems to suddenly switch direction when the intro is over. The reggae drumbeats continue even when the singing starts and are most prominent during the chorus. If it had not been for the intro, the drumbeats and the instrumentals in general, this song likely would have cracked the top 5.

You can forgive that this song uses thought-stopping techniques to a degree that would make even modern pop stars and politicians blush.

If there is so many problems with this song, you may be thinking, why is it number 9 on this list?

The chorus is so sweet and harmonious, we can forgive that the constant repetition is a thought-stopping technique.

Love is not enough is a statement we have all experienced in our lives. Once we have "found love" the road tends to get difficult not easy. This time is the time to both proceed with caution AND abandon our fears.

This song is one which implores us to throw up our hands, abandon our fears and just DANCE the night away.

It is great for those moments in our relationships which reach a turning point.

7. Barry White- Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe.

Short of Michael Jackson, Elvis and Johnny Cash, Barry White probably has the most recognizable voice in American Music History.

This spot could have easily been any number of Barry White songs, including "Just the Way You Are" and "My First, My Last, My Everything."

I decided to include this song because it gives you something you do not usually get with Barry songs, some (relatively) high notes that he hits with ease.

The song also has a great build up to its chorus, and switches from singing to Barry talking with great ease.

The tempo matches that upbeat feeling you get when your relationship reaches that "puppy" love era and has not reached that "real" love era.

This is the era "You Can't Get Enough" of that special lady you met just 7 or 8, or 5 or 6, or even 1 month ago. You can't keep your hands off this girl, you call her pet names, your friends call you whipped but you don't care, you have various inappropriate PDAs and, most of all, you are not afraid to throw on this song and emberass yourself and your lady-friend in front of your and her friends with your best Barry White impression.

6. Marvin Gaye- Let's Get It On

OK, this isn't one you would play in front of your friends. (You would?!?! You kinky one, you!)

This one is bedroom theatrics at its best, just make sure you're fresh and you're awake enough to bring your A game when you put this song on. Anything less would be a disappointment and a black eye to this great, raunchy song.

Let's keep this explanation short, because if you and your girl are reading this article right now, you probably checked out after the first sentence, hit the play button below and are getting it on right now.

5. Boyz II Men- I'll Make Love to You

Changing direction from that kinky girl you know to the girl you are trying to wife (one and the same?!?! You lucky dog, you!)

Seriously, do not play this song unless you plan to make a serious time and emotional commitment to a girl you hope to marry.

This song and the guys were featured on the episode "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" where Will (another native Philly guy) was supposed to get married (seriously, the series made it that far?)

Again, note the word wife has already been used once and the word married two times. WIFE, MARRIAGE, WIFE, MARRIAGE, WIFE, MARRIAGE. Great song, if it's a girl you think you may or may not call again in a week or two, go find something else to get you in the mood.

4.Mary J. Blige- "Real Love"

Upbeat, fun and powerful. This narrator is the strong, independent woman who is not going to be afraid to throw out the bozo even if she has reached the wrong side of 30 and is running out of options.

No, this girl is going to get what she wants and deserves even if it is going to take some time.

3.Xscape- Who Can I Run To

This one is a gem that took me a little bit of searching to find.

Xscape rang a bell but I did not know the band or the song before I found it on this list of the Top 100 Soul  and R & B Songs of All Time.

I fell in love with the intro from the first note, and patiently anticipated the vocals when a big "AHHHHH" sigh came and almost made me stop the song right then and there.

Thank god I didn't, and listened to the rest of the song, which is only enhanced by the "AHHHHHs" if only because this single mistake shows how perfect the rest of the song is.

The singing is quiet subdued, and this song is the opposite side of the coin of Mary J. Blige's "Real Love."

This narrator is a girl who is not afraid to admit she needs a man in her life, a shoulder to rest her head on and someone to run to, and, trust me, she will find it.

2. Al Green- Let's Stay Together

One of the few (or only) soul songs with trumpets as the intro, but they are quiet appropriate in summoning this love song.

Al Green is at his best when he is hitting a crescendo on a single word, as he does many times over on this song.

The narrator seems like the laidback, nice guy who is a little shy that a girl may not go crazy over at first, but ever time she sees him, she falls just a little and a little and a little deeper.

And as this short song goes on, so too does the listener go deeper and deeper and deeper into loving it.

1. Roberta Flack- Killing Me Softly With His Song

You have probably heard the Fugees' version of this song, and known there was another version out there, but may not have had the chance to listen to Roberta Flack's version of "Killing Me Softly With His Song" (which, in itself, is a cover of a pretty unknown song.)

After listening to this for the first time, I could not decide which version (The Fugees' or Roberta Flack's) I liked best.

I decided on Roberta's because, not only is her voice so sweet, her voice more easily fits the "Killing Me Softly" category than Lauryn Hill's. This makes her voice match the words better than Lauryn's, and also gives our spines and our hearts a jump when she reaches the "oohhhh oohhhh ohhh ohh ohhh whoa ohhhh la la la la la" part toward the end of the song.

Man, whoever was the inspiration for these lyrics and this song must be extremely flattered.

OK, This is just RIDICILOUS Must Listen to "Four Chord Song"

GO TO THIS LINK. GO. JUST DO IT! DO IIIIITTTTT!!!!!!! YOU WON'T! DO IT!

(Could not get the video to fit on here because for some reason blogger decides to behave when I am editing a post then does not when I actually post it. I hope to add this video directly to my blog soon but this is really a must-listen to song for anyone interested in music, human psychology, music theory or popular entertainment.)

Rapper-Poets versus Poet-Rappers

Rapper-Poets

Nas- The effort Nas puts into editing his work and perfecting it to a poetic sensibility is evident in the great deal of time that some time exists between his albums. Though turning out albums on a yearly basis helps one's bottom line, Nas is and was at his best when he takes time to develop his work. This is because to Nas every word, every syllable and every letter is crucial in fitting into his overall theme. His poetic sensibilities are best on display in tracks such as my all-time favorite song "One Mic," and "If I Ruled the World."



Tupac- Tupac's talent as an actor and dancer are more discussed than his great ability with poetry. Tupac's poetry was usually short, simple, sweet and to the point. This style is also evident in his movies and his rap albums. You can check out his poetic sensibilities in tracks such as "Brenda's Got a Baby" and "Thug Mansion," as well as the movies "Juice" and "Poetic Justice," (which he co-starred in with Janet Jackson, only to find out Jackson wanted NOTHING to do with him off-screen.)



Poet-Rappers

Biggie- Biggie is probably the least poetic of the four, but Biggie was also able to mix in hypnotic hooks with stunning imagery. His greatest and most popular hit "Juicy" was also by far his most poetic work. "I made the change from a common thief, to up close and personal with Robin Leach. And I am far from cheap, smoke toke with my peeps all day, spread love it's the Brooklyn way," and "money green couch, leather sofas, got two rides, a limousine with a chauffer. Phone bill about 4 gs flat, no need to worry my accountant handles that. "



Jay Z- Sean Carter is able to go in the studio and spit out a song in one go. That he maintains a poetic narrative arc and imagery in such a pressured situation is impressive. In these times, Jay Z is able to take other people's work and efforts and expand upon them in a new creative direction. For anyone who thinks this a problem, consider such reputable artists such as Shakespeare took other people's work, such as Plutarch's which he used to help describe Cleopotra entrance in "Julius Ceaser." What a great tribute to these rappers from one of the best ever!



The Rapper-Poet Poet-Rapper

Eminem-Eminem is able to freestyle as a poet-rapper and perfect and edit his work as rapper-poet, the only rapper in history to fit both roles to the T, Eminem is only third behind Nas and Tupac in poetic sense, and only behind Tupac as the greatest rapper ever. His narrative arc was best displayed on the song "Stan," along with other hits and even non-hits such as "When Bad Meets Evil," "Brain Damage," (if you have not heard this one, go immediately and check it out) and "Love the Way You Lie."



Which of these rappers best exemplifies the diamond in the rough?

The Americans We Are Still Discovering: James Taylor

James Taylor spent a year at Milton Academy only to leave it for another school. His advisor recognized his gift for music, and would sneak him up to the attic during study hall so Taylor had more time to improve upon his craft.

Fresh and Def Jazz-Rap Combos from the Early 90's

Pharcyde- Pharcyde's creative height was achieved early on in their careers on their first demo, including the hit song "Passin' Me By." The 1994 Red Hot Organization's compilation "Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool" (the benefit album for AIDS awareness that won "Album of the Year' by Time Magazine) was bolstered by Pharcyde's inclusion onto it with "The Rubbers Song."



Digable Planets- Probably the most unique and stylistic of the Jazz-Rap era, Digable Planets was "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)." Digable Planets was also featured in "Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool" with "Flyin' High in the Brooklyn Sky," a song that featured fellow artists Lester Bowie and Wah Wah Watson.



De La Soul- De La Soul's 1989 release '3 Feet High and Rising" and 1991 release "De La Soul is Dead" (a reference to the changing of the tides of Hip-Hop from a socially conscious movement to its growing characterization by its sub header Rap as a "Gangsta" movement, a transformation that was cemented by the works of Tupac and Biggie in the mid-90s, although "Gangsta Rap'" remains a socially conscious movement, even if you have to dig a little deeper to get there) were at the same time the most critically acclaimed and commercially acclaimed hits of the Jazz-Rap fusion.

De La Soul's playfulness was on display in such tracks as their biggest hit, "Me, Myself and I", while their socially conscious undertone hit you over the head with shock and value in tracks like "Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa." The De La Soul tradition is carried on by artists such as Common, Rakim and KRS One to this day to the same critical acclaim, though not the same commercial success.



A Tribe Called Quest- In probably the greatest as well as least recounted tour in all of musical history, De La Soul joined with A Tribe Called Quest and Digable Planets in 1994, ending with a bang at Lollaplooza. If you ask the Tribe "Can I kick it?" the answer is most certainly going to be "Yes you can!"

This group defines the Jazz-Rap era more than any other. Wikipedia.org says the group's debut album "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" was "marked by...light-hearted content (safe sex, vegetarianism, youthful experiences)." (Are you now on instinctive travels marked by the rhythm of your own heart beat? Ask yourself, what is the diamond in the rough?)The Source gave this album, which took six years to become a commercial hit, its third-ever five-mic rating.



Miles Davis- The influence of Hip Hop in the late 20th century is exemplified in Miles Davis's 1992 "Doo-Bop." Jazz was the musical expression of the African-American community up until this point, and "Doo-Bop" signified the passing of this torch onto Hip Hop. Davis's recognition of the importance of this new genre reveals his musical genius, and that he was only 6 tracks deep into "Doo-Bop" before his passing on September 28th, 1991 is a tragedy.



Nas- Much like Nirvana's "Teem Spirit" was for grunge, Nas's "Illmatic" was both the height and death for Jazz-Rap fusion. "Illmatic" remains the ultimate expression of how a young, black male (Nas was 20 at the time, and many of the songs and production were done when he was much younger) can turn the difficult experiences of growing up in the ghettoes of New York on their head. (make sure to read Goodman's response if you choose to follow this link, and keep in mind this article is from 1965.) "N.Y. State of Mind," similarly, is the ultimate musical expression for the world's definition of a cosmopolitan and modern city. Nas was able to cut his lyrics and style down to the effectiveness, efficiency and authority of a young Hemingway.



What if the diamond in the rough could give you success like these people? Would you then be willing to shape it?

The Americans We Are Still Discovering: Jason Yeager

Anyone who had the pleasure of hearing Jason play piano at Milton Academy (he was and has been featured on NPR many times since) will be delightfully surprised that it was even possible for this talented musician to build on his skills. Personally, I had the pleasure of seeing Jason's talent develop from my sophomore year of high school all the way until my final year with him at Tufts in 2009. I have not heard him since, but trust this dedicated professional has built his skillls in new and exciting ways. Be sure to check out this talented musician as he breathes life into a classical American musical genre and takes it in a new direction. http://www.jasonyeager.com/live/