Billboard #1 R&B Songs Of 1993 Rankdown (COMPLETE)

[Soulsista]

But first, a couple of extras. This was SWV's breakthrough single on the Hot 100, peaking at #6. On the R&B chart, it peaked at #2.

I'm So Into You - SWV

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Next, the biggest hit by this female trio formed in Chicago. It peaked at #2 R&B and #4 on the Hot 100, and topped the R&B airplay chart. A Tribe Called Quest sampled it in their song "Award Tour", and British singer Javine covered it in 2004.

Don't Walk Away - Jade

[Private Dancer]

What's so funny to me is how Don't Walk Away was in the top five biggest airplay hits of '93. Meaning that it was in the top five of total impressions for the year. It should've gone to #1 on R&B, that song is an endless classic.

[bat1990]

"Don't Walk Away" would've been my #1 if it were included. (Sorry Janet :'( )

[annoymous1]

Janet ftw!

[Soulsista]

Here we go, the final 2...



2. Right Here (Human Nature) - SWV

Originally released as their debut single in 1992, "Right Here" did fairly well on the R&B chart with a #13 peak, but didn't get any higher than #92 on the Hot 100. But after back-to-back successes with "I'm So Into You" and "Weak", SWV decided to give "Right Here" another shot, but this time around using the remix, which samples Michael Jackson's "Human Nature". Combined with the song "Downtown", it too turned out to be a hit, becoming SWV's second straight R&B #1 and peaking in the Top 5 on the Hot 100. It also appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Free Willy (coincidentally enough alongside MJ's "Will You Be There").

Fun fact: the "S, Double, U, To the V!" line was performed by a young Pharrell Williams.


Stats
Chart Entry: July 24, 1993
Peak Date: August 28, 1993
Weeks At #1: 7
Weeks In Top 10: 15
Weeks On Chart: 34
Hot 100 Peak: #2

Points: 356
Average: 4.21
Standard Deviation: 2.619 (2nd lowest)

🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲 - 1
jenglisbe - 2
bat1990 - 2
chanman - 2
theyaintready - 2
Soulsista - 3
Kelly's 10th Fan - 3
singingrulebritannia - 3
Private Dancer - 3
rowellfarm490 - 3
312999 - 3
ccarter1023 - 3
#LisaRinna - 3
Gonza'90 - 3
ilikemilk - 3
mamooshka - 3
Mirago - 3
Ivy Leegue™ - 3
newpower - 3
samo🦕 - 3
CF15 - 4
BB🌕 - 4
divasummer - 4
aerodynamite - 5
.indulgecountry - 5
jtd Thee Stallion - 5

SHOOTER - 6
gonecountry - 6
B-Boy - 7
beyoncelover - 7
Jay D83 - 8
wyckyd - 10


annoymous1 - 14

---

And now, the #1, and the only song everyone had in their Top 10...



1. That's The Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson

"That's The Way Love Goes" stormed onto the R&B chart at #8, then jumped to #1 the following week. It did even better on the R&B airplay chart, where it debuted at #1 and stayed there for 10 weeks. It also quickly rose to the top of the Hot 100, getting there in its third week. What a way to kick off the janet. era!

Janet's first single on the Virgin label went on to become her biggest hit in the US and also hit #1 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It won a Grammy for Best R&B Song and an American Music Award For Favorite R&B/Soul Single. Samples "Papa Don't Take No Mess" by James Brown and "Impeach The President" by The Honey Drippers.

Congrats to bat1990 for scoring a perfect Top 2!


Stats
Chart Entry: May 1, 1993
Peak Date: May 8, 1993
Weeks At #1: 4
Weeks In Top 10: 14
Weeks On Chart: 27
Hot 100 Peak: #1 (8 weeks)

Points: 403
Average: 2.79
Standard Deviation: 2.459 (Lowest)

Soulsista - 1
Kelly's 10th Fan - 1
B-Boy - 1
aerodynamite - 1
rowellfarm490 - 1
ccarter1023 - 1
beyoncelover - 1
bat1990 - 1
mamooshka - 1
BB🌕 - 1
.indulgecountry - 1
Mirago - 1
Ivy Leegue™ - 1
newpower - 1
samo🦕 - 1
divasummer - 1

Private Dancer - 2
#LisaRinna - 2
Gonza'90 - 2
CF15 - 2
wyckyd - 3
SHOOTER - 3
gonecountry - 3
theyaintready - 3
annoymous1 - 4
jtd Thee Stallion - 4
jenglisbe - 5
singingrulebritannia - 5
🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲 - 5

ilikemilk - 7
312999 - 8
chanman - 9
Jay D83 - 9


And that concludes the Billboard #1 R&B Songs Of 1993 Rankdown! Thanks again to everyone who participated.

Next stop in this series: 1994!

And in the meantime, if you haven't done so yet, you're welcome to participate in the Michael Jackson "Thriller" Rankdown!

[Jay D83]

Omg these damn diva songs are NOT better than everything else!!!

Jeez!

[CF15]

Dec 7, 2022 12:00:48 GMT -5 Private Dancer said:

Am I the only one who finds "Can We Talk" overrated and annoying? I put it at #7 because it was certainly better than the other ones, but I prefer "I'm Ready" to "Can We Talk".

I used to feel that way, particularly during the 1993 year-end Hot 100 rankdown, where I remember having it very low. It has since grown on me. I don't love it, and wouldn't actively go back to it, or anything, but I can kind of see its appeal.

Obviously no surprise there with the winner, but still a well-deserved one. Glad to see the right SWV song as the highest, too. It and "Hip Hop Hooray" were pretty much interchangeable as my #3. The MJ sample plays a huge role, of course. Shame I didn't have my top 3 as the top 3 as a result, lol, but it's okay. "Weak" is alright, but never really did much for me.

Happy to see my #1 go as high as it did, too. A very respectable 3rd place. Still one of my favourite hip-hop songs of all time, and I don't see that changing any time soon. I find myself revisiting it a lot. I'm glad to see no one ranked it in their bottom 3, not even the biggest rap haters on the site.

Thank you for hosting this, Soulsista! I enjoyed this very much!

[wyckyd]

Not surprised at all Janet took the #1 (or the lowest SD), but TTWLG is a great song so I’ll take it. I kinda regret not putting “Can We Talk” at #1 over “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” tho, I’ve been going back to that one a lot lately.

Cheers Soulsista for another great rankdown!

[bat1990]

Imagine if "Dreamlover" would've been a #1 R&B single. This would've been a nailbiter.

[Gonza'90]

This is a fantastic Top 3. Thanks for hosting Soulsista.
Looking forward for 1994.

[jenglisbe]

Dec 7, 2022 12:48:48 GMT -5 bat1990 said:

"Don't Walk Away" would've been my #1 if it were included. (Sorry Janet :'( )

Same!

Dec 7, 2022 14:30:34 GMT -5 bat1990 said:

Imagine if "Dreamlover" would've been a #1 R&B single. This would've been a nailbiter.

What if "I'm Every Women" or "I Have Nothing" had been a #1 here too? Divas top 3 for sure I fear.

I am guilty of placing the divas at #1 in some of these, but it really is getting old knowing they are going to win every time.

[#LisaRinna]

Y'all got some nerve tanking "Weak"!!!

[Soulsista]

Perfect Rankings:

bat1990 - 5
rowellfarm490 / #LisaRinna / divasummer / jenglisbe - 4
Soulsista / ccarter1023 / newpower / B-Boy / BB🌕 / .indulgecountry / theyaintready - 3
312999 / chanman / samo🦕 / jtd Thee Stallion / Mirago / mamooshka - 2
Private Dancer / Gonza'90 / singingrulebritannia / 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲 / Kelly's 10th Fan / aerodynamite / beyoncelover / Ivy Leegue™ - 1
wyckyd / SHOOTER / ilikemilk / annoymous1 / Jay D83 / CF15 / gonecountry - 0


I'll leave you with two final extras. First, one of the final charted singles by this group from Philadelphia. It peaked at #15 on the R&B chart.

Laid Back Girl - Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

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Next, the final Hot 100 entry by this legendary band. It also peaked at #20 R&B and was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo Or Group.

Sunday Morning - Earth, Wind & Fire

[#LisaRinna]

Thank you Soulsista for hosting!

[.indulgecountry]

Yas! Go Janet! That's my favorite thing she's ever done period. Glad it slayed the competition.

[jenglisbe]

Lmao was some of this one of you all?

[Ivy Leegue™]

Dec 6, 2022 17:03:09 GMT -5 #LisaRinna said:

Dec 6, 2022 16:54:07 GMT -5 Private Dancer said:

Lmaooo I miss Queen's court. This was a moment.

Every man wants a woman...

Even worse is my 1st cousin's name is Shequanda and her nickname growing up? Candy. Late to the rest of this rankdown but I am so dead at this video. First time seeing it and Every man wants a woman. Anyway, great game. Predictable results of course, but still at this video.

[#LisaRinna]

Dec 17, 2022 21:00:47 GMT -5 Ivy Leegue™ said:

Dec 6, 2022 17:03:09 GMT -5 #LisaRinna said:

Every man wants a woman...

Even worse is my 1st cousin's name is Shequanda and her nickname growing up? Candy. Late to the rest of this rankdown but I am so dead at this video. First time seeing it and Every man wants a woman. Anyway, great game. Predictable results of course, but still at this video.

Khia and TS Madison together were ICONIC. You need to watch the other videos

[beyoncelover]

Ah I haven't had time to follow rankdowns lately but finally got some time so catching up now!

14. Gangsta Lean - DRS: This was my #13 and overall I am not too surprised with this being last. I never heard this before but this was an unexpected nice and touching song. I was expecting more of a hip-hop/rap jam here. Also woww at this getting 9 last place rankings. :o

13. Knockin' Da Boots - H-Town: Aww a bit sad seeing my #10 showing up already but at the same time it's not a big loss. I do like the smooth sound and think this is a smooth sensual jam. I'm not surprised it ranked so low but wished it was a bit higher. And wow 8 #13 ranks is interesting.

12. Whoomp! (There It Is) - Tag Team: Oh wow I thought I ranked this higher than #9. I love this song and think this song is quite a fun jam! Maybe I love more songs than I realized on this list. This song is so fun and that chorus is so catchy and infectious. Another one I wished was ranked a bit higher. Interesting how this has two #1s but then the next highest rankings were the two #5s.

11. Lately - Jodeci: Lmao dang now my #8 shows up - wow my #10, 9 and 8 all showing up in a row like this. :haha: Love this song and think this is timeless and gorgeous from Jodeci. I love the Stevie original and love this Jodeci version too. Surprised seeing this having the 2nd highest SD. I don't get that.

10. Freak Me - Silk: Okay at least another one of my Bottom 4 showed up, this time with my #11. I do really like this and think this is a smooth and sensual jam. I especially always loved the latter end of the chorus of this song. This having the 4th highest SD isn't too surprising. Now I need my #12 and #14 to show up, please.

9. Downtown - SWV: Okay yay finally my #14 shows up. I know with it being a female act, it was bound to do well and not land towards the bottom which is totally fair and fine. I do like this but this was just the song that least grabbed my attention. It's good but I just happened to prefer others.

8. Check Yo Self - Ice Cube feat. Das EFX: Oooh niceee, my #12 shows up here. But hmm oh, I'm kinda surprised I had ranked this so low. This is a great rap jam from Ice Cube and he certainly does his thing on this. Love his rapping on this and love the beat on this too. Hmm I guess I am not too surprised with this having the 3rd highest SD.

Yayy already halfway through! I think I got my #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 all remaining in that Top 7. Omg wow I didn't expect to crush it so well like that but yayy. Gonna catch up on the rest shortly!

[beyoncelover]

7. Just Kickin' It - Xscape: Well I'm happy my Top 7 made it to the Top 7 here. Now my #5 gets revealed. I would have preferred something else but fine with this showing up. This is such a fun, classic jam and yeah I do really love this from Xscape. This was such a classic for me!

6. Hip Hop Hooray - Naughty By Nature: Ugh dangg, noooo.... not my #2 missing out from making the Top 5. :'( Really sad and disappointed about this. This is really such a classic and timeless jam! Such an infectious song with the chorus, rap verses and just everything. A song that really makes me happy! At least there was only one last place ranking but still this song deserved better.

Seeing the Top 5 makes me think Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg will come in 5th with Tevin coming in 4th to ensure an all female Top 3, but we'll see.

5. Can We Talk - Tevin Campbell: Oh I am not too surprised that this missed the Top 3 but I am surprised this ranked lower than Dr. Dre's song and also got the highest SD. Oooh okay, I ranked this at #6. I really love this song and think it's such a great smooth R&B jam. Tevin sounds great here and the chorus is super catchy. This is the song I remember most from him. Wow there sure does seem like a lot of lower ranks for this, which is probably why this got the highest SD.

4. Weak - SWV: Oh wow I am surprised there isn't an all female Top 3 in this round. Sad to see this miss out on the Top 3 as I ranked this at #3. This is such a timeless beautiful classic from SWV. This is a beautiful and moving song and they sound really beautiful on this.

3. Nuthin' But a "G" Thang - Dr. Dre (feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg): Oooh I ranked this at #4. Dang I am always one spot away from a perfect ranking. I do really love this song and this is such a classic rap jam! I'm happy and pleasantly surprised seeing this making it to the Top 3 but it deserves to.

LOL wow I think it's down to my #1 vs. #7. I can't believe how well I did with this Top 7 and now my highest and lowest of the Top 7 remains. Please win my #1.

2. Right Here (Human Nature) - SWV: Okay I do love this song, even with a #7 ranking. At this point, I'm just super competitive and didn't want to see this win so I am cool with this not winning. But yeah this is still a great, classic R&B jam and I do love this. Not surprised this has the 2nd lowest SD. Yikes at a #14 for this. That's shocking.

1. That's The Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson: Well if I was only to get one perfect ranking, I'm glad that it was for my #1 with this song. Yes also so glad this song pulled off the win - with a very impressive 16 #1s! Woww, that's insane. :omg: Also the lowest SD and the only song with all of its rankings in the Top 10. Amazing. Anyway, this is such a classic, timeless and smooth jam from Janet. One of my all-time favorites from her! <3

Thank you for running another fun fantastic R&B Rankdown game, Soulsista! :clap: I can't wait for the next one!