Jsr4l's ranking/reviewing of all #1 Top 40 Rhythmic hits

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#30. Adina Howard  - Freak Like Me
June 10, 1995

This was the singer's first, and only big hit on the Hot 100. Despite this being her only hit, it has spawned several covers, including one from the U.K. girl group, "Sugababes", which had their version hit #1 in their own country.

It's a pleasant song for when I'm in the mood for it, but there are problems I have with it. First, it sounds pretty silly for a sex jam, but I guess that's what gives it it's charm I suppose. It also has a high burn-rate for me, which means that it doesn't sound like something I would repeatedly want to listen to. 

As it is, it's a good, pleasant distraction, but nothing more.

7/10

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#31. Monica  - Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)
June 17, 1995 - July 29, 1995

This is the debut single from R&B upcomer, Monica. Much like Aaliyah, she also decided to go the hip-hop soul route with her first single, and despite their ages, they both sound grown and mature as their first singles show. 

The song's theme deals with a troubling relationship, most specifically on certain days. Monica talks about her mood swings, plus not feeling right at the moment, and how she doesn't want to take it on her lover, that she indeed loves very much. I think it's a very adult situation that is surprising coming from somebody this young, so I definitely have to give her props for that. Her vocals are also really strong and effective, which goes great over the hardened Hip-hop production.

This was a promising start for this R&B superstar, and still sounds great to this day.

8/10

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#32. TLC  - Waterfalls
August 05, 1995 - August 12, 1995

Very few songs of the 90's decade can achieve as much iconicness as the legendary "Waterfalls". This is the kind of song that will most definitely be remembered for many years from now as a classic, not just in R&B, but for the 90's decade as a whole.  

The most intriguing part about the song is it's subject matter. It uses the term "waterfalls" as a metaphor for potentially, risky and dangerous activities.  It depicts these specific scenarios of a male who becomes sucked into Drug dealing, and promiscuity, and die as a result of chasing those "waterfalls". It's quite daring when you consider that the music industry was currently dominated by partying and sex. Aside from it's timeless moral message, it's simply just a well-crafted pop song. Musically, everything is top-notch. Form the vocals, to the production, and also that memorable rap verse from Left Eye.

It was big for when It came out, and is still getting play after 20 years of it's release.

10/10

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#33. MoKenStef - He's Mine
August 19, 1995 - September 09, 1995

This is the debut single released by the R&B trio, "MokenStef". I can't remember the last time I've heard this on the radio, but I won't let that effect on how I feel about this song.

The song possibly details jealousy between someone in the other man, claiming that the man is theirs. The jealousy is hinted during the first verse, but the 2nd one details the man coming into the group's arms, due to wanting to find a stronger love, other than sex. Though regardless, the group is demeaning this man's lover throughout the entire song. I'm not a huge fan of it's lyrical content, and that also applies to it's music. The sound is average and not noteworthy imo. It's also pretty repetitive with the "He's Mine" phrasing that I'm not necessarily crazy over.

Overall, it sounds to be like just another generic r&b track.

5/10

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#34. Micheal Jackson  - You Are Not Alone
September 16, 1995 - September 23, 1995

This was the big comeback single from the king of pop. It also became noteworthy on being the first song ever in Hot 100 history to debut at #1, which seemed like a big deal at the time, considering that nothing before that has been done before.

It's a love song, that sounds calm and relaxed. Though the song is questionably generic, I do really like the smooth production that MJ sings over. I also think Micheal's tender vocals sound really good with this sound.

It does get kind of mushy during the final chorus, though it still remains a solid track. 

7/10

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#35. Mariah Carey - Fantasy
September 30, 1995 - December 09, 1995 

This classic Mariah track is arguably her most influential single ever. Most specifically, the remix with rapper ODB.

The song was set to be a pace of change for Mariah's singles. Now she would be releasing singles with a stronger Hip-hop influence, and have featured guest rappers that would become common in some of her later singles. The song's production samples the Tom Tom Club track, "Genius of Love", which sounds brilliant alongside Mariah's sweet, strong vocals. Musically, it's pretty much flawless, with almost no burn-rate to it, given how masterfully produced the verses, and chorus are from it's production. The remix to this song, that features Wu-Tang Clan member ODB, turns this song from being more than just a classic, and into an actual game-changer. After the remix was released, it proved how successful a sample-driven track, alongside with featured guest rappers would do in the mainstream world.

Influential and classic, this is pretty much the perfect pop song.

10/10

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#36. Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men  - One Sweet Day
December 16, 1995 - February 10, 1996

This monstrous hit for the both of these artists not only hit #1 on the Hot 100, but stayed in that position for a staggering 16 weeks, a record that is still unmatched to this day. 

The track details a death of a loved one, and how the narrator will find hope after their passing, knowing that they will eventually meet again with their loved one. Thus the meaning of the "one sweet day" phrase. This is a very touching subject matter for a song, and is made even better with Mariah's &  Boyz II Men's heartfelt vocals. The production is also spot-on as well, matching the sympathetic tone of the track.

After hearing this song a couple more times, I've grown to have a lot more appreciation towards the track. An excellent tribute song.

8/10

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#37. The Tony Rich Project  - Nobody Knows
February 17, 1996

This is the debut single by The Tony Rich Project. It was a ballad that received lots of AC airplay, while also topping the Rhythmic chart.

The song is about how lonely he is without his lover, believing that his sadness is known by no one other than himself. In the later half of the song, he then states that he will find his long lost lover, pleading the lover to come back, hinting that there was some sort of break-up between the two. Musically, It's not terrible by any means, but is rather uninteresting. The singer is rather good at conveying his sorrowfulness, but that's about it when comes to the song's main strengths.

Perfectly listenable, but is not something I would voluntarily listen to again.

6/10

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#38. Brandy  - Sittin' Up In My Room
March 02, 1996 - March 16, 1996

This single was from the "Waiting To Exhale" soundtrack, which pretty much featured every huge female r&b act you can think of. Needless to say, Brandy did her thing with this effortless jam.

The song is about Brandy obsessing over a crush, and how much joy it brings her. What I really like about this track is the fantastic production. It's smooth, funky, and Brandy's vocals fit right in with it.

It has this low-key sort of sound to it, as opposed to something more traditional in song-structure, but I think Brandy and Babyface pulled it off very well.

8/10

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#39. Mariah Carey  - Always Be My Baby
March 23, 1996 - April 20, 1996

I'm certain that this is her most well known song to date. Even people who aren't pop fans recognize this tune. It's turned into the kind of classic that will no doubt have immense staying power for years to come.

This track details a lover wanting to distance from the song's narrator. However, the narrator always insists that their love will never fall apart, and that the lover will eventually come back into the narrator's arms once again. It's probably the well-crafted pop song ever conceived. After one listen of this track, you know you'll be humming for weeks on end. Combine this with one of the best voices in mainstream radio, and you've got yourself a pop classic.

Just perfect all around.

10/10

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#40. Fugees  - Killing Me Softly
April 27, 1996 - June 22, 1996

The Fugees were a Hip-hop group that was very unique in sound, in comparison to it's peers at the time, often blending hip-hop soul, and reggae into their music. Their first big hit, was a a cover of Roberta Flack's, "Killing Me Softly With His Song", not only keeping the essence of that song intact, but greatly enhancing it as well. 

I'm gonna be completely honest, I don't think I've ever heard a song that struck a cord with me as much as this one, once you've delved into the meaning of the track. It's about somebody who is impressed by this young musician, and decides to go see them at one of their performances. Sorrow for the narrator, begins to risen as the musician sings about the troubles relating to the narrator's life, and feels embarrassed about themselves, thus being killed with his song. The meaning to this track is not only the most innovative topic I've heard from a Pop song, but also makes you wonder if you were in that position. The pain would simply overwhelm. An area in which I think this song greatly improves on the original, is the added Hip-hop soul production, which sounds like it hasn't aged a bit.

With it's powerful meaning, and sublime production, this may be my favorite #1 thus far.

10/10

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#41. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Tha Crossroads
June 29, 1996 - July 27, 1996

Hip-hop group "Bone Thugs-N-Hormony", had one of the biggest hits of 96'. It was a song in dedication to their lost ones, including N.W.A. member Eazy-E, who signed the group to his label for the release of their first EP.

The song's dedication to the lost ones of the member's lives, has quite an intresting metophor behind it. "Tha Crossroads" that are mentioned throughout the song are supposed to symbolize either Heaven or Hell. The group then wishes to see you in your placing so you won't have to go through the journey alone. I think this song is a very unique take on a dedication to a passed loved one, mostly because of it's smooth r&b-influenced sound, paired with the melodic tongue twisting verses, while still keeping that sincerness. It's a trick I think the group very well succedded.

It's timeless meaning, paired with the unique rapping, gives this song a memorable spot in 90's popular music. 

9/10

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#42. Keith Sweat  - Twisted
August 03, 1996 - November 02, 1996

This was the massive comeback single from Keith Sweat, one of the first R&B singers to utilize the New Jack Swing style of music. From somebody who helped bring out a new style in r&b music, It's weird how generic his comeback single would sound like.

The song initially begins about the narrator being done wrong by his lover. Throughout the song however, they both confess that they need each other, and are in need of each other's lovin'. Though the song is generic as can be for 90's R&B track, I do like the mid-tempo groove to it. It's production and vocals are nicley done as well.   

Nothing mind-blowing, but It's a good chill-out track.

7/10

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#43. Blackstreet  - No Diggity f/ Dr. Dre & Queen Pen
November 09, 1996 - November 30, 1996

R&B group "Blackstreet", teamed up with rappers Dr. Dre and Queen Pen, and delivered one of the definitive party anthems of the 90's. 

A song about partying and sex, is greatly amplified by Dr. Dre's incredible bass-thumping production. I'd say all the verses, including the guest rap ones are memorable in their own right, and are very well executed.

This was one of 90's tracks I remember the most as a kid. It never gets old.

9/10

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#44. Toni Braxton  - Un-Break My Heart
December 07, 1996 & December 21, 1996 - Febray 08, 1997

This was a grammy-winning single from the r&b superstar, and became to be one of the biggest Billboard hits of all time, easily becoming her biggest hit across the board.

The context of this track about wanting to make-up with the lover who broke her heart, as it's giving the narrator of the song such emotinonal pain that she can't shake from her mind. What really sells this song, is Toni's incredibly strong vocals, which are easily the best part about this song. The Power-ballad production, while predictable, is well arranged, and fits with this song's agonizing tone.  

Not my favorite Toni track, but it is well deserved of it's success.

8/10

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#45. Keith Sweat  - Nobody f/ Athena Cage
December 14, 1996

The next big single from Keith Sweat is more in vein with the typical slow jam sound than it's mid-tempo predecessor. The results are more forgettable this time around however.

It's a song about how much better he is at making love than the other fellow, thus he deems that no one can compare his lovin' to his. It's a painfully unintersting topic for a song, and the blandness of the song doesn't make it any better. The female vocalist fares is a bit better on the song, but I still find the song overall to be unremarkable. 

Too repetive and unconvincing for my liking.

4/10

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#46. En Vogue - Don't Let Go (Love)
February 15, 1997

This was a big comeback single from the 90's girl-group, and they certainly deserved it.

The song is about wanting to be in a relationship. Through the ups and downs, the group doesn't care as long as their together with their lover. I cannot stress how much I love this song. It's powerful vocals, epic production, and insane catchiness make for an utterly satisfying listen,and one I'll be often repeating for. 

One of my favorite "all-time" songs for sure.

10/10

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#47. Spice Girls - Wannabe
February 22, 1997 - March 22, 1997

This was the breakout debut single from the Spice Girls, which managed to become one of the biggest hits of the 90's in all major International charts, and was utterly inescapable. Quite possibly the most recognizable   Bubblegum Pop track of the 90's.

The song is supposebly a symbol of female empowerment, and discuss the value of friendship between their lover and their friends,  thus the "..Get with my friends" chourus. This song is bubblegum in it's purest form, which could be a bad thing given it's downright catchiness. This song can get quite annoying after a while, though the Spice Girls do make a great fit for this bubblegum production, and ooze personality that few girl-groups can convey.  

While not perfect, you can't deny it's iconicness in mainstream media.

7/10

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#48. Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack
March 29, 1997 - April 19, 1997, May 17, 1997 & May 31, 1997 - June 21, 1997

This is quite a unique track for the number 1 position, but more for it's production than lyrics.

To me, this sounds like a remix to an average R&B single, and was then lifted as a party jam with bass-bumping production. Producers Cutfather & Joe, took the same sample that was used in Mariah's "Fantasy", and created this Dance-Pop/Hip-Hop fusion track. These crossed barriers of genres, have led it to became a massive hit in crossover airplay within Pop, and Urban radio. As far as lyrics go, I'm pretty sure being wronged by somebody should not be this danceable, but whatever   I don't really mind the vocals either. They're different, but not glaringly annoying to listen to.

This is a such a strange song now that have fully reviewed it. That's probably why I like it so much.

8/10

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#49. Blackstreet - Don't Leave Me
April 26, 1997 - May 10, 1997 & May 24, 1997

The group's second big hit, would regress into more balladry territory, instead of the party anthem that was "No Diggity" of last year. Personally, I don't think it's pulled of all that well. 

The song's meaning is very straight-foward. It's about the narrator begging his lover to stay with him, tonight, and eventually forever. I don't like the way this song sounds at all. It samples DeBrage's "A Dream", but sounds so watered down here, that they might as well have not even bothered with a sample. The ballad is incredibly bland, and unmemorable. If T-Pain ever did a ballad, this is what it would pretty much sound like, given it's high-pitched vocals.

Overall, It's pretty bad.

4/10

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#50. Puff Daddy f/ Faith Evans & 112 - I'll Be Missing You
June 28, 1997 - July 26, 1997

In the wake of Biggie's death, Bad Boy's Puff Daddy dedicated his death with a re-worked sampling The Police's "Every Breath You Take", which recruited Faith Even, and the group 112, for the chorus and bridge. This resulted in one of the biggest hits ever, for both the the 90's and of all-time.

After all these years of overplayed airplay, I think I would side in liking it. Diddy really isn't much of a rapper on here, but he gets the point across in remincing the days of him and big together, which makes sense given the song's ballad-like structure. The rest of the singers on the track do sound like one would expect from a tribute, and all get the job done rather well.  

Musically, I would say that this song is very average, and I'm quite sick of it at this time point. Though it does get points for it's meaning.

6/10

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#51. Will Smith - Men In Black
August 02, 1997 - September 20, 1997

This was the title song off the Blockbuster movie, "Men In Black". It put Will Smith back on the charts where he would then score a streak of hit singles up until the next millennium.

The song is better than I anticipated it to be, but I still find it to be rather forgettable. The sample is nice, and so are Coko's vocals on the chorus, but those are really the only things I like about it. Will sounds tolerable on this, but not particular great. The lyrics are tied within the movie, which is kind of what you expect with a movie/sountrack tie-in.

It's alright, but it doesn't have much use for me.

5/10

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#52. Mariah Carey - Honey
September 27, 1997 - October 11, 1997

For the lead single to Mariah's next album, she and her label wanted to capitalize on her Urban cross-over success with her previous album. The result was a hot R&B jam that ultimately under-performed on Pop, but became a huge success within the Urban and Rhythm audience. 

As far as the meaning is concerned, I'm pretty sure It would be interpreted as either a love or sex track. (It's very unsubtle  ) I love the sound of this song. The hard-hitting bassline, along with Mariah's soaring vocals make for a satisfying combination. 

Another excellent single in her discography.

9/10

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#53. Usher - U Make Me Wanna...
October 18, 1997 - January 03, 1998, January 17, 1998

Usher's breakout single to the masses would prove to turn him into one of our most successful musicians of our time, having humongous success in both the 90's and noughties.

The song details leaving for somebody for someone the narrator is falling for. The narrator still loves the girl he is with, but the bond that was set up between him and his current lover was set up by his best friend, making things harder for his lover. In the end, the narrator decides to leave his lover, and accept the fact that he broke the lover's heart and move on. Personally, I don't agree with the narrator's motives, but the song does detail why it's becoming so hard for Usher to face his dilemma, and he does come across as being quite honest about it. Musically, It's great. The catchy cords, mixed with the groovable hip-hop beat ensures this track as a club banger. 

Overall, A good introductory to what's to come from the big name artist.

8/10

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#54. Somethin' For The People f/ Trina & Tamara - My Love Is The Shhh!
January 10, 1998

The R&B trio would score a big hit in early 98 with this tune. Unfortunately, this would be the group's only hit on the Hot 100, and be the only single of theirs to become a big hit on the Hip-hop/R&B chart. 

It's a sex track about proving to someone how good your loving is. The group and featured acts do a good job at conveying the song's theme, despite the song itself sounding quite generic. I do like the groove to this, so the track being unoriginal isn't really an issue to me. 

I don't hear this song on the radio very often, or ever at all for that matter, but it's a nice gem from that year.

7/10

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#55. K-Ci & JoJo - All My Life
January 24, 1998 - March 07, 1998

The R&B Duo, K-Ci & JoJo, were previous Jodeci members that scored their biggest in 98 with a love ballad known as "All My Life". 

A lot of people like this song, and I can see why. It's about wanting to find a lover to be with for the rest of your life. I think what makes it good are the passionate vocals that K-Ci & JoJo deliver, and the moody instrumental that definitely brings this song's theme home.

It's a very adult song that I think was very well executed.

8/10

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#56. Usher - Nice & Slow
March 14, 1998 - March 28, 1998

The follow up to his mega break-out smash was an R&B ballad, titled "Nice & Slow". While not as big as "YMMW", it still managed to earn Usher another #1 on the Hot 100.

Honestly, I don't really like it that much. Usher's a good vocalist, but I'm not really feeling the sound of this. The theme is fine, though I do find the "Freak you right" bridge to be a bit awkward.

I feel like I need to be in a certain mood to appretitate this song, because right now, it isn't really doing much for me.

5/10

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#57. Brian McKnight - Anytime
April 04, 1998 - April 25, 1998

Brain Mcknight was an R&B singer who charted multiple times throughout the 90's, and gained a #1 Rhythmic hit in 98', with a slow ballad titled, "Anytime."

This is by far the dullest ballad I've come across yet. Lyrically, It's very typical. Something went wrong in a relationship, wanting somebody to come back in your life, we've heard it all before. My biggest gripe with this track is that it is so tuneless and bland. The hook isn't good at all, and I can't really relate to the singing because it feels so generic.

So yeah, I did not like this one.

4/10

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#58. Next - Too Close
May 02, 1998 - June 13, 1998

This 90's jam, released in the late 90's, became the #1 song of the 98' Hot 100, and still gets tons of airplay to this day. What's intresting about this song, is that the riff to this track is actually sampled from a (Just In Time!) Christmas Golden Age Rap song. How random  

I can't bring myself to hate this song. The beats and chrous are just so nostalgic to me. On the other hand, you have the lyrics, which essentialy tell you that this is a blantenly raunchy song. It's so stupid and gross that I can't imagine someone actually thinking that this would be suited for the mainstream. The sound is quite vapid too. I said before that I liked the music on this track, but it's essentially just a Puff Daddy knock-off of slapping a sample onto a sugar-coated hip-hop groove.

This song obvously wasn't meant to be taken seriously, and the longevity it's endured throughout the years prove that it's just a fun, inoffesive party track.

6/10

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#59. Brandy & Monica - The Boy Is Mine
June 20, 1998 - August 15, 1998

The duet between Brandy and Monica, storched the charts in the summer of 98' and became one of the biggest billboard hits of all time.

The song is about the jealousy between two narrators, and who the boy there referring to belongs to. The song is Brandy and Monica, trading lines about how much they're into this man than than one another. It's very vague detail-wise, but the vocals convey much warmth and character, withought coming across as unsympathetic. The music to this is also really good. The funk-feel of the production and easy-goingness of the vocals, make it much easier to listen to than an actual rivalry bickering on about the other person. 

It's a delightful and fun listen. 

8/10