Finally catching up with these reveals.
I confess I knew fewer than half of the songs in this list, so it was good to discover some cool songs in the process. Many were just not my cup of tea, though. I can see that in the end I wasn't THAT far off from the average in the end. Here are the songs where I diverged the most, plus theta 10:
34. Call Me (27): I didn't know this was a cover. Oops. I had this initially in my 30s, becausehe was doing TOO MUCH with his vocal theatrics for me to fully enjoy it. But in the end I preferred his overdone vocals to stuff that I found just boring...
29. I Can't Wait Another Minute (19): I might've heard this in the past as it was a Hot 100 top 10, but I had completely forgotten about it -just like that Surface's song that I could never comprehend how it went to #1
unlike The First Time, this was a great rediscovery, though. I really liked the melody and vocals, and even the production wasn't as cheesy as others in this list.
28. I Wanna Sex You Up (14): I liked this tune enough back in the day, even if it didn't make my personal chart. I think it still sounds cool. Sexy. smooth, interesting, and I dig the vocals --miles better than I Adore's where the Spanglish verse is tough. That Oooh oooh OOOH ooh ooh is super catchy :)
27. Exclusivity (9): This was actually my favorite discovery. I totally dig this type of dance R&B. Definitely prefer it to the slower stuff in this RD. The melody was pretty good IMO, plus that rap bridge with the background high vocal sounded cool to me, too. And the vocals were good too. A keeper.
26. Don't Wanna Change The World (12): Another cool discovery to me. Although now that I listen to it after some days, I do think I over-rank it a bit. I'd rank it ~5 spots lower now.
25. I'll Take You There (38): This was just an unnecessary cover, that didn't live up to the original. I even like General Public's version more. I did like their other tune tho --my #18.
21. Kissing You (15): This was another great discovery. Even though it's a slow song, this sounded much more timeless and classic to me than other ballads in this RD. Plus, I liked the melody his smooth vocals. Super sexy tune!
19. Written All Over Your Face (33): Another first listen. I actually like how the song starts, both in terms of melody and production, but then it's almost the same melody in the verses... and some of the ad-libs sounded a bit too messy to me. So the song ended up dragging too much. Having he same kinda melody for 6 minutes was overkill.
18. Forever My Lady (26): I remember hearing this in AT40. I like the vocals, and the production doesn't sound that bad now either. However, I don't like the melody that much (especially the pre-chorus). It also kinda drags a bit too much. I'll say I like my #25 (Wrap my body tight) much more than this one
16. Whatever You Want (22): This first-listen got stuck in my head after I submitted my list. I'd rank it a bit higher now. Pretty good melody and instrumental. Good to see it this high.
14. I'm Dreamin' (23): Another first-listen thatI l've iked a bit more after submitting my list. Pretty catchy and cool production.
13. It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday (5): I LOVED this song in 1991, and I still do. They do an amazing job vocally. I've always appreciated this type of harmonies and vocal intensity in classic songs. They did an amazing job here IMO, and I don't miss having an instrumentation at all.
12. Power Of Love/Love Power (6): I believe this is my favorite Luther single. He sounds amazing, and I love this beat and the melody of both songs. Why isn't this in the top 10, though?! How is Will Smith higher than Luther? Huh?
11. You Don't Have To Worry (10): Another great discovery. I only knew En Vogue from My Lovin' on. They sound as amazing as always here. Although the production has elements that are a bit dated, I think it still sounds cool enough.
10. Summertime (32): I do remember hearing this song in 1991. I kinda dug it. But now it sounds so... basic. The rap is super bleh. I prefer Parents... Surprised this is top 10 (!).
9. Let The Beat Hit 'Em (17): I didn't know Lisa Lisa had continued recording in the 90s. Great to know this! That intro was used by Technotronic in their Megamix, so it was already a good start lol Overall, I did like the melody and her vocals. I get what C+C were going for in the production, but it got a bit too messy and random in the middle of the song. I also missed another verse instead of the random sounds, or of the chorus repeated 3 times in the end.
8. I Like The Way (13): This is a familiar song that I've always had a soft spot for. The chorus melody is specially strong, and the production doesn’t sound dated now. Good to see it top 10.
7. Gonna Make You Sweat (1): One of my favorite dance songs of the 90s. I loved it from first listen. It's the only song in this RD that reached the top of my personal chart, making my yearend top 15. Their sound was unique and refreshing, with some hints of rock in that guitar riff, and the electronic dance songs. Happy to see it top 10, but I thought this deserved top 5.
6. I Love Your Smile (11): I liked this in 1991. I found the melody cute and catchy, while the bridge gave enough of change and strength. With time I like it a bit less as I find it a bit more “childish” than before, but it’s still a bop.
5. Running Back To You (8): Another one that I liked enough in 1991. Now it reminds a bit too much of a few other songs though (eg that “baby” reminds of Paula Abdul), and the production sounds a bit more dated than other dance songs in this RD. Still a solid entry, and a deserving top 10.
4. Romantic (4): I really liked this in 1991. The production is cool and I think still sounds cool enough. Plus she sounds great.
3. How Can I Ease The Pain (7): I don’t remember hearing this in 1991, but years later as an extra in Casey’s countdown or another similar show. I love her vocals. It may be my favorite in this rankdown. I just prefer the melody and production of my top 6 a bit more.
2. All The Man That I Need (3): I wasn’t into this WH era in 1991. Peruvian radio wasn’t into it either, and didn’t play the singles much. I liked this much more than IYBT though. I was not a fan of her over singing in IYBT, whereas her vocals here fit the right balance of power and pleasantry. With time, I’ve grown to like it more and even further appreciate the vocals and melody.
1. Emotions (2): This was the first MC song that reached my personal top 3. Loved the C+C production and instrumental, as well as the melody. But I wasn’t a huge fan Mariah’s vocals. Of course she had amazing pipes but I thought she went to screamy land for too many moments of the song. I prefer the original C+C song in this RD with Martha’s strong but not overdone vocals.
Thanks for another great rankdown, @soulsita!!!
