I Miss the 90s

So yesterday, I was hanging with my bff, catching up on American Horror Story.  Afterwards, we got caught watching a VH-1 countdown.  It was just like we were back in college; such wonderful memories.   The countdown in question was the top 40 R&B Songs of the 1990s, and it was hilarious because for just about every song, my bff and I would say, “Girl, that’s my JAYUM!”  We would sing along, reminisce about where we were and what we were doing when said jayum came out.  The 1990s was great for music and so much goodness came out of that decade. 

For a comprehensive list of songs, go here.  But below are some of our jayums from back in the day when life was simpler and the music was good.

#39:  “Hold On” by En Vogue

You could not tell me I was not the 5^th member of En Vogue.  Fuck what you heard; that’s me standing next to Terry.  Look hard; I promise that I’m there.

#30:  “Pony” by Ginuwine

Ginuwine was always too skinny for me, but “Pony” was the shit!  It’s a great song to pole to, and attach whatever connotations to that word as you see fit.  I admit nothing.

#28:  “Love Like This” by Faith Evans 

Back when Puffy couldn’t produce a song without jackin’ a sample.  He used the hook from Chic’s “Chic Cheer” and produced a monster hit that was great for roller skating and then some.  Love this song still.

#27:  “Freak Me” by Silk

Now my bff loved the hell outta this song.  It was a regular on the Slow Jams tapes we used to make.  I mean, when you come out with, “Let me lick you up and down ‘til you say STOP…”  the minimum you can expect is a baby.  Seriously?  What woman (or man) you know gonna tell you to stop licking?  Child, please.

#24:  “I’m Every Woman” by Whitney Houston

A phenomenal remake of Chaka Khan’s anthem.  What made the video and song even more powerful was that Whitney was pregnant with Bobbi Kristina at the time.  There will never be another Whitney.

Now I’m sad.

#23:  “Come & Talk to Me” by Jodeci

OMG!  We would blast this song loud and proud in Geoquan (my bff had a white Geo Storm) and sing along.  My bff can sing.  I can’t carry a tune even if it was in a basket.

#19: “You Make Me Wanna” by Usher

This is the song that put Usher on the map.  It’s such a great song, and I know it inspired a shortie.  Probably need to find it, clean it up, and publish it.

#16:  “Not Gon’ Cry” by Mary J. Blige

If you’ve ever been hurt by a significant other, then this song spoke to you.  Mary sang the hell outta this song and I felt every word, every note (I also wanted that black outfit she had on).  That it was Bernadine’s theme from Waiting to Exhale was incidental.

#14 “Bump N Grind” by R. Kelly

Really?  Do I even need to explain this song?  For me, this was 12 Play’s best cut.  My bff loved “Seems Like You’re Ready,” and I can’t argue against that one either.  Now I got to go dig that bad boy out.

#11 “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” by En Vogue

‘Nuff said.  Also, that’s me backin’ it up between Maxine and Cindy.

#9  “Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah

I can’t think about any of Aaliyah’s songs without getting sad.  She was taken from us far too soon, just when she was on the cusp of superstardom.  I do remember when my bff and I were determined to learn every word of the chorus.  The video is awesome.  RIP Aaliyah.

#7 “This is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan

You can put this song on right now and the dance floor gets packed.  It also works as a hype song for doing chores.  Need to sweep the floor?  “This is How We Do It!”  Gotta make dinner?  “This is How We Do It!”  Want to bake a cake?  “This is How We Do It!”  Works every time.

  

#4: “That’s The Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson

I love this damn song.  This was the first cut off janet and it packed a punch.  I played janet so much that the cd has cracks and dips and scratches.  Plus she looks great in the vid.  Janet, whenever you want to drop another album, your loyal fan base is waiting. 

#1: “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe

My bff and I had a bet as to which cut was going to be #1.  She won.  But I have no problems with it because “Poison” was (and still is) a monster hit.  “Never trust a big butt and a smile.”  And there you have it.

  

Ain’t gonna lie.  I miss the 90s.