Table of Contents
Rhythm & Blues is a term initially used to describe the fast blues played by African Americans. The R&B music genre has been around since the 1940s, heavily modified. From the 1980s, the first performers recorded music that can be described as a modern form of R&B.
Vanguard of Contemporary R&B was Michael Jackson, Prince, and Luther Vandross, who used pop, funk, and soul influences.
In the 1990s became hip-hop and rap became more and more popular and there was an increasing mixing of genres. Well-known musicians like R. Kelly, Brandy, and Aaliyah or even Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men and TLC dominated the Billboard charts in America in the 90s.
From 2000 onwards, R&B is also generally referred to as “black music” or “urban music” because R&B and hip-hop have increasingly merged. Well-known representatives from 2000 are u. a. Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Usher, Bruno Mars, and Rihanna.
All the R&B groups and solo artists already mentioned are, of course, included with their most popular songs in our playlist of the 200 best R&B songs of all time. Many other R&B songs created before the 1980s are also on our list.
From classic Rhythm & Blues to Contemporary R&B, our tracklist includes the essential songs from the music genre.
(At the end of the article, we have created a Spotify playlist for you with all the songs listed here.)
Playlist of the 200 best R&B songs of all time:
Each song is linked to the corresponding music video via the title.
№: | Listen: | Artist: | Year: | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Yeah! | Usher | 2004 | |
2. | Sexual Healing | Marvin Gaye | 1982 | |
3. | Can’t Feel My Face | The Weeknd | 2015 | |
4. | Pony | Ginuwine | 1996 | |
5. | I Believe I Can Fly | R. Kelly | 1996 | |
6. | My Girl | Temptations | 1965 | |
7. | I’ll Make Love To You | Boyz II Men | 1994 | |
8. | Billie Jean | Michael Jackson | 1982 | |
9. | Milkshake | Kelis | 2003 | |
10. | ABC | Jackson 5 | 1970 | |
11. | [Sittin’ On] The Dock Of The Bay | Otis Redding | 1968 | |
12. | Family Affair | Mary J. Blige | 2001 | |
13. | Fantasy | Mariah Carey | 1995 | |
14. | Candy | Cameo | 1986 | |
15. | When Doves Cry | Prince | 1984 | |
16. | Oops (Oh My) | Tweet | 2002 | |
17. | What’s Going On | Marvin Gaye | 1971 | |
18. | Midnight Train to Georgia | Gladys Knight & the Pips | 1973 | |
19. | Superstition | Stevie Wonder | 1972 | |
20. | I Do Love You | Billy Stewart | 1965 | |
21. | A Change Is Gonna Come | Sam Cooke | 1964 | |
22. | No Diggity | Blackstreet | 1996 | |
23. | Boombastic | Shaggy | 1995 | |
24. | Respect | Aretha Franklin | 1967 | |
25. | Poison | Bell Biv Devoe | 1990 | |
26. | When a Man Loves a Woman | Percy Sledge | 1987 | |
27. | Untitled (How Does It Feel) | D’Angelo | 2000 | |
28. | Survivor | Destiny’s Child | 2001 | |
29. | At Last | Etta James | 1960 | |
30. | Billionaire (feat. Bruno Mars) | Travie McCoy | 2010 | |
31. | You Make Me Feel Brand New | The Stylistics | 1973 | |
32. | Climax | Usher | 2012 | |
33. | Smack That | Akon | 2006 | |
34. | Waterfalls | TLC | 1994 | |
35. | Un-Break My Heart | Toni Braxton | 1996 | |
36. | What’s My Name? | Rihanna | 2010 | |
37. | Waterfalls | TLC | 1994 | |
38. | I Heard It Through The Grapevine | Marvin Gaye | 1983 | |
39. | Gangsta’s Paradise | Coolio ft. L.V | 1995 | |
40. | What’s Luv | Fat Joe ft. Ashanti | 2001 | |
41. | Say My Name | Destiny’s Child | 1999 | |
42. | You Might Need Somebody | Shola Ama | 1997 | |
43. | Let’s Stay Together | Al Green | 1972 | |
44. | Whatta Man | Salt ‘N’ Pepa | 1993 | |
45. | Hey Ya! | Outkast | 2003 | |
46. | Creep | TLC | 1994 | |
47. | This Is How We Do It | Montell Jordan | 1995 | |
48. | I Will Always Love You | Whitney Houston | 1992 | |
49. | I’ll Be There | Jackson 5 | 1970 | |
50. | Love Like This | Faith Evans | 1998 | |
51. | Adorn | Miguel | 2012 | |
52. | Ignition | R. Kelly | 2003 | |
53. | Just To Be Close To You | The Commodores | 1976 | |
54. | You Make Me Wanna… | Usher | 1997 | |
55. | Lonely | Akon | 2004 | |
56. | La La Means I Love You | Delfonics | 1968 | |
57. | Where My Girls At | 702 | 1999 | |
58. | Power Of Love/Love Power | Luther Vandross | 1991 | |
59. | I’ll Be Missing You | Puff Daddy and Faith Evans | 1997 | |
60. | Let’s Get It On | Marvin Gaye | 1973 | |
61. | Like You’ll Never See Me Again | Alicia Keys | 2007 | |
62. | Get It On Tonite | Montell Jordan | 2000 | |
63. | Bills, Bills, Bills | Destiny’s Child | 1999 | |
64. | I Swear | All 4 One | 1994 | |
65. | Best Things In Life Are Free | Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross | — | 1992 |
66. | Always | Atlantic Starr | 1987 | |
67. | Vision Of Love | Mariah Carey | 1990 | |
68. | Freak Like Me | Adina Howard | 1995 | |
69. | Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) | Lumidee | 2003 | |
70. | Stay in My Corner | Dells | 1965 | |
71. | And Our Feelings | Babyface | 1993 | |
72. | Remember The Time | Michael Jackson | 1991 | |
73. | I Do | Jamelia | 2000 | |
74. | Living For The City | Stevie Wonder | 1973 | |
75. | World of Fantasy | The Five Stairsteps | 1970 | |
76. | I Got You (I Feel Good) | James Brown | 1964 | |
77. | I’ll Always Love My Mama | Intruders | 1973 | |
78. | Together Again | Janet Jackson | 1997 | |
79. | Bump N’ Grind | R Kelly | 1993 | |
80. | How Deep Is Your Love | Dru Hill | 1998 | |
81. | Shotgun | Jr. Walker & the All Stars | 1992 | |
82. | Fiesta (Remix) | R. Kelly & Jay-Z | 2000 | |
83. | Soul Man | Sam & Dave | 1967 | |
84. | Deja Vu | Beyonce feat. Jay-Z | 2006 | |
85. | Foolish | Ashanti | 2002 | |
86. | Little Red Corvette | Prince | 1982 | |
87. | Umbrella | Rihanna | 2007 | |
88. | Purple Rain | Prince | 1984 | |
89. | All My Life | K-Ci & JoJo | 1997 | |
90. | That’s The Way Love Goes | Janet Jackson | 1993 | |
91. | Twisted | Keith Sweat | 1996 | |
92. | Love U 4 Life | Jodeci | 1995 | |
93. | I’ve Been Loving You too Long | Otis Redding | 1965 | |
94. | Just My Imagination | Temptations | 1971 | |
95. | The Boy Is Mine | Brandy & Monica | 1998 | |
96. | I’ll Be There For You | Mary J. Blige feat. Method Man | — | 2003 |
97. | My Boo | Ghost Town DJs | 1995 | |
98. | Home Alone | R. Kelly feat. Keith Murray | 1998 | |
99. | Real Love | Mary J. Blige | 1992 | |
100. | Reasons | Earth Wind & Fire | 1975 | |
101. | My Guy | Mary Wells | 1964 | |
102. | We Belong Together | Mariah Carey | 2005 | |
103. | Love is the Message | MFSB | 1973 | |
104. | Locked Up | Akon, feat. Styles P. | 2004 | |
105. | Only You | 112 | 1996 | |
106. | Fallin | Alicia Keys | 2001 | |
107. | Shackles (Praise You) | Mary Mary | 2000 | |
108. | Stop To Love | Luther Vandross | 1986 | |
109. | Gold Digger | Kanye West & Jamie Foxx | 2005 | |
110. | Sign Of The Times | Prince | 1987 | |
111. | Do Right Woman Do Right Man | Aretha Franklin | 1967 | |
112. | It’s A Man’s Man’s World | James Brown | 1966 | |
113. | For the Love of Money | O’Jays | 1973 | |
114. | Endless Love | Love By Diana Ross and Lionel Richie | 1981 | |
115. | (What A) Wonderful World | Sam Cooke | 1960 | |
116. | I Only Have Eyes for You | Flamingos | 1973 | |
117. | End Of The Road | Boyz II Men | 1991 | |
118. | If You Think You’re Lonely Now | Bobby Womack | 1981 | |
119. | Just A Friend | Biz Markie | 1989 | |
120. | For Your Precious Love | Jerry Butler & the Impressions | 1965 | |
121. | Never Too Much | Luther Vandross | 1981 | |
122. | Distant Lover | Marvin Gaye | 1973 | |
123. | Aint Too Proud To Beg | Temptations | 1966 | |
124. | Love Shoulda Brought You Home | Toni Braxton | 1992 | |
125. | Want to Want Me | Jason Derulo | 2015 | |
126. | My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” | En Vogue | 1992 | |
127. | I’m Every Woman | Whitney Houston | 1992 | |
128. | I Wanna Sex You Up | Color Me Badd | 1991 | |
129. | Humpin’ Around | Bobby Brown | 1992 | |
130. | Doo Wop | Lauryn Hill | 1998 | |
131. | Work [feat. Drake] | Rihanna | 2016 | |
132. | I Miss You | Aaron Hall | 1993 | |
133. | Beat It | Michael Jackson | 1983 | |
134. | Super Freak | Rick James | 1981 | |
135. | One Sweet Day | Mariah Carey | 1995 | |
136. | The Tracks Of My Tears | Smokey Robinson and The Miracles | 1965 | |
137. | As | Stevie Wonder | 1976 | |
138. | The Tracks Of My Tears | Miracles | 1965 | |
139. | Ain’t No Way | Aretha Franklin | 1968 | |
140. | Up On The Roof | Drifters | 1989 | |
141. | You Are The Sunshine Of My Life | Stevie Wonder | 1972 | |
142. | Rub You The Right Way | Johnny Gill | 1990 | |
143. | If You Don’t Know Me By Now | Harold Melvin And The Bluenotes | 1972 | |
144. | Five More Hours (Deorro x Chris Brown) | Deorro x Chris Brown | 2012 | |
145. | Don’t Leave Me This Way | Thelma Houston | 1976 | |
146. | Dynamite | Taio Cruz | 2009 | |
147. | Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now | McFadden & Whitehead | 1979 | |
148. | Not Gon’ Cry | Mary J. Blige | 1995 | |
149. | Hold On I’m Coming | Sam & Dave | 1966 | |
150. | Motownphilly | Boyz II Men | 1991 | |
151. | Always Together | Dell’s | 1968 | |
152. | Are You That Somebody? | Aaliyah | 1998 | |
153. | Girl You Need a Change of Mind | Eddie Kendricks | 1972 | |
154. | All Around The World | Lisa Stansfield | 1989 | |
155. | You’re Makin’ Me High | Toni Braxton | 1996 | |
156. | Say It Loud | James Brown | 1968 | |
157. | Come And Talk To Me | Jodeci | 1992 | |
158. | Sex Machine | James Brown | 1971 | |
159. | Feenin’ | Jodeci | 1993 | |
160. | Killing Me Softly With His Song | Roberta Flack | 1973 | |
161. | On & On | Erykah Badu | 1996 | |
162. | If I Ever Fall In Love | Shai | 1992 | |
163. | No Scrubs | TLC | 1999 | |
164. | Freak Me | Silk | 1993 | |
165. | Weak | SWV | 1992 | |
166. | Any Love | Luther Vandross | 1988 | |
167. | I Love Your Smile | Shanice | 1991 | |
168. | All My Life | K-Ci & JoJo | 1998 | |
169. | Too Close | Next | 1997 | |
170. | Time of Our Lives | Pitbull & Ne-Yo | 2014 | |
171. | Scream | Michael and Janet Jackson | — | 1995 |
172. | Westside | TQ | 1998 | |
173. | Still Water (Love) | Four Tops | 1964 | |
174. | Do Me Right | Guy | 1990 | |
175. | Bring It on Home to Me | Sam Cooke | 1963 | |
176. | Back At One | Brian McKnight | 1999 | |
177. | Always Be My Baby | Mariah Carey | 1995 | |
178. | Starboy | The Weeknd | 2016 | |
179. | What Becomes of the Broken Hearted | Jimmy Ruffin | 1983 | |
180. | Sitting in the Park | Billy Stewart | 1965 | |
181. | Three Times A Lady | Commodores | 1978 | |
182. | I’m So Into You | SWV | 1992 | |
183. | House is Not a Home | Luther Vandross | 1981 | |
184. | Honey | Mariah Carey | 1997 | |
185. | Feels Good | Tony! Toni! Toné! | 1990 | |
186. | Nice & Slow | Usher | 1997 | |
187. | Love And Happiness | Al Greene | — | 1972 |
188. | One in a Million | Aaliyah | 1996 | |
189. | Soul Finger | Bar-Kays | 1967 | |
190. | Ex-Factor | Lauryn Hill | 1998 | |
191. | Sittin’ Up In My Room | Brandy | 1995 | |
192. | Sideshow | Blue Magic | 1974 | |
193. | I Get Lonely | Janet Jackson | 1998 | |
194. | The Crossroads | Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | 1999 | |
195. | Higher Ground | Stevie Wonder | 1973 | |
196. | Don’t Walk Away | Jade | 1993 | |
197. | Forever Mine | The O’Jays | 1979 | |
198. | Ain’t Nobody | Chaka Khan | 1983 | |
199. | Inner City Blues | Marvin Gaye | 1971 | |
200. | Cold Sweat | James Brown | 1969 |
TLC Waterfalls is listed twice