All is fair in love: 25 romantic R&B classics

Usher has been the talk all across social media thanks to his Las Vegas residency. One of the most epic parts of the show is when he serenades a special fan in the audience with his 2010 single “There Goes My Baby.” On the track, Usher details how much he admires his partner and how he can’t wait to be affectionate with her. As he sings on the hook, “There goes my baby / Oooh, girl, look at you / You don’t know how good it feels to call you my girl.” 

Sometimes there are collaborations between two singers and their voices are simply magnetic in the most symmetrical way. That’s how fans feel when they hear the vocals of Eric Benet and Tamia on their hit song “Spend My Life With You.” On the track, the two singers trade verses as they detail how they never thought they would find an everlasting love, and now that they’ve found it, they want it to last until infinity. Hear their passion as they sing, “Can I just see you every morning when I open my eyes / Can I just feel your heart beating beside me every night / Can we just feel this way together 'til the end of all time.”  

In 1999, Case released his sophomore album Personal Conversation to rave reviews. On the album’s second single “Happily Ever After,” Case eloquently proposes to his partner. He details how he wants to be the man and protector, and hopes to live happily ever after with his future wife. In the music video, Case’s love interest was played by Beyoncé.

In 2017, Daniel Caesar released his debut studio album Freudian. When he teamed up with H.E.R. on the final single “Best Part,” it became an instant hit, especially for couples. Their thoughts on love can be heard on the hook singing, “I just wanna see how beautiful you are / You know that I see it / I know you’re a star / Where you go I follow, no matter how far / If life is a movie, then you’re the best part.” 

When people think of songs that are typically played at wedding receptions, K-Ci and JoJo’s 1998 single “All My Life” is a popular pick. On the track, the two sing about how much they prayed to find that special someone, and now they’ve found them, they hope that the feelings are mutual. 

In 1998, Tyrese released his self-titled debut album featuring the hit single “Lately.” On the track, Tyrese wants to make sure that he tells his partner how much he loves and appreciates them. As he sings on the hook, “Lately, have I told you I love you / Lately / Have I told you, you still mean the world to me.” 

In the ‘90s, R&B groups were huge, and SWV was one of the most successful out of all of them. On their debut album It’s About Time, the single “Weak” became one of their biggest records to date. On the track, they sing about how love can make their emotions and bodies feel in awe, “I get so weak in the knees / I can hardly speak / I lose all control and something takes over me / In a daze, your love’s so amazing.” 

In 1991, Jodeci released its debut album Forever My Lady. The eponymous single was written and produced by group member Devante Swing, along with Al B. Sure! On the track, the group sings about finding out their partner is having a baby and it helps solidify that he sees spending forever with her. 

Stevie Wonder is often praised for being one of the best songwriters of all time. His 1982 single “Ribbon in the Sky” helps showcase his songwriting talent and vocal ability in the form of a ballad. On the track, Wonder details how long he waited to find that special person and he believes their love is written in the stars. 

On Tamia’s hit single “So Into You,” she reflects on being attracted to someone and how she’s never met someone like them. As she says on the pre-hook, “I think you’re truly something special / Just what my dreams are really made of / Let’s stay together you and me boy / There’s no one like you around.” 

Keith Sweat worked with producer and songwriter Teddy Riley on his single “Make It Last Forever.” Sweat trades verses with Jacci McGhee as they sing about people who need to state and affirm their love to their partners. As Sweat sings on the first verse, “Let me hear you tell me you love me / Let me hear you say you’ll never leave me / Ooh, girl, that would make me feel so right.” 

Although fans only got to hear one song with Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo together, “Nothing Even Matters” proves that they should’ve gifted the world with more collaborations. On the track, the two trade verses about how other things in the world don’t matter to them, as long as they’re spending life with the person they love. 

In 1998, Dru Hill released its sophomore album Enter The Dru. The track “Beauty” has longtime been a fan favorite as it tells the story of meeting someone by chance and letting shyness get in the way. However, the protagonist knows that if he meets this person again, he won’t let the chance pass him again and will express his feelings. As group member Sisqo sings, “‘Cause my eyes have seen the glory / In the coming of your smile / So I swear if you ever come around again / Please stay for a while.” 

When people think of romantic songs, sometimes they come in a form of singers pouring their hearts out. That was the case when Jesse Powell released his 1999 single “You.” On the track, Powell sings about how he is so enamored with his partner and wants to spend forever with them. 

In 1986, Anita Baker released her sophomore album Rapture which featured the hit single “Caught Up in the Rapture.” On the track, Baker details how sometimes people can feel an instant love connection. As she sings on the first verse, “When we met, I always knew / I would feel the magic for you / On my mind constantly / In my arms is where you should be.” 

On Ruff Endz’ 2001 single “Someone To Love You,” the duo details how some people long to be loved by someone that cares about them. When a person doesn’t experience that, they often question their worth, but everyone is deserving of that type of love. Their love thoughts are heard throughout the track singing, “Baby you been waiting for the man from all the fairy tales / Or maybe just the man from all your dreams / Try to think reality, let’s talk possibilities / Cause girl you know you’ve waited so long for someone to love you.” 

Musiq Soulchild’s 2002 single “Dontchange” tells the story of couples who get older, and then wonder if their partner still loves them and is attractive to them. The singer wants to reassure his partner that his love is everlasting, no matter what changes they go through. As he sings on the hook, “See I’ll love you when your hair turns gray, girl / I’ll still want you if you gain a little weight, yeah / The way I feel for you will always be the same / Just as long as your love don’t change.” 

Janet Jackson shows a more sensual and intimate side on her 1993 single "That's the Way Love Goes." The smooth production from her frequent collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis makes for a perfect pairing alongside Janet's soft vocals. On the track, Janet describes how much she wants to please her partner, as she sings, "Don't mind if I light candles, I like to watch us play and / Baby, I've got on what you like / Come closer, baby, closer / Reach out and feel my body / I'm gonna give you all my love." 

Boyz II Men’s 1994 single “I’ll Make Love To You” is a smooth ballad about, well, lōvemaking of course. Written and produced by Babyface, the group’s smooth harmonies shine bright on the track about a night rendezvous. As they sing on the hook, “I’ll make love to you / Like you want me to / And I’ll hold you tight / Baby all through the night.” 

Words of affirmation are a key element to keeping any romance game up. Soulful group Heatwave know this all too well on “Always and Forever.” Just listen to their sweet tones singing, “Everyday love me your own special way / Melt all my heart away with a smile / Take time to tell me you really care / And we’ll share tomorrow together / And I’ll always love you forever.” 

Jazz legend Etta James finds her forever love on her 1961 single “At Last.” On the track, she gives feelings of how she’s waited so patiently for love and now she’s feeling pure bliss. She opens the song with, “At last / My love has come along / My lonely days are over / And life is like a song.” 

Sometimes people long to find a life partner, but then think that it may never happen to them. Brian McKnight’s 1999 single “Back At One” shows listeners that love can show up anytime, they just have to allow it into their lives. As he sings on the hook, “One, you’re like a dream come true / Two, just want to be with you / Three, girl, it’s plain to see / That you’re the only one for me.” 

Throughout Joe’s discography, he’s been a master storyteller when it comes to matters of the heart. On his 1999 single “I Wanna Know,” Joe details how he wants to know what his potential partner likes, so he can make sure he’s the right man to treat her right. He reflects that on the hook singing, “I wanna know what turns you on / So I can be all that and more / I wanna know what makes you cry / So I can be the one who always makes you smile.” 

Al Green wants to show his partner exactly how they make him feel on his 1972 hit single “Let’s Stay Together.” On the track, he emphasizes of why people break up to make up, and how he wants to spend forever with his partner. As he sings on the hook, “Oh baby, let’s, let’s stay together / Loving you whether, whether / Times are good or bad, happy or sad.” 

Love can be bring people to a happy and beautiful space, that’s the mindset Luther Vandross is in as he covers Dionne Warwick’s song “So Amazing.” On the track, Vandross highlights how he’s feeling good ever since love came into his life. As Vandross sings, “Got to tell you how you thrill me / I’m happy as I can be / You have come and it’s changed my whole world.”