The first time I heard “Hypnotize” on the radio, I knew it was gonna be huge. Biggie’s impeccable flow had seemingly improved in the two-plus years since he’d released his debut Ready To Die. Puff Daddy and his Hitmen sampled Herb Alpert’s 1979 disco hit “Rise” in a way that had equal appeal to the… Read More “Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)
Simplicity and wordplay are the keys to this song being as good as it is. “Hopeless” is a neo-soul journey-person summit, of sorts. The song was written by Van Hunt, a musician who, despite possessing googobs of talent. was maybe a little too far left for the mainstream. It was performed by Dionne Farris, who… Read More “Hopeless” by Dionne Farris (1997)
Jon Secada is one of those dudes who was huge for a minute, but mention his name to anyone under 35 and you will get universal blank stares. “Heaven Is You” comes from his third English-language album, 1997’s Secada. Jon shored up his R&B bona-fides by working with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, who’d spent… Read More “Heaven Is You” by Jon Secada (1997)
“Got ‘til It’s Gone” has to be one of the least safe lead singles to be released as the first single from a highly anticipated pop project. Janet Jackson was coming off the twin triumphs of 1993’s janet and a 1995 greatest hits collection when she began to prepare what became The Velvet Rope. For… Read More “Got ‘Til It’s Gone” by Janet Jackson feat. Q-Tip & Joni Mitchell (1997)
…In which your favorite blue-haired snot throwing punks grow up? “Good Riddance” finds Billie Joe Armstrong picking up an acoustic guitar, enlisting a string section, and creating a song that would be used to commemorate graduation ceremonies, proms, weddings and the endings of beloved sitcoms for generations to come. In a typical case of “Every… Read More “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” by Green Day (1997)
BIIM certainly knew their way around a mopey ballad. “Doin’ Just Fine” is probably their best (depending on how overplayed I feel “End of the Road” is on any given day). I was going through my first real breakup when this song was released, so it holds a very special “sad song” space in my heart. However, there… Read More “Doin’ Just Fine” by Boyz II Men (1997)
“Candy Girl” stands alongside the early Jackson 5 hits as a song made by kids that’s still enjoyable to listen to as an adult. I’ll fully admit that it could be my nostalgia talking. I was 6 when “Candy Girl” was released and have mentioned before how the New Edition fellas served as style guides for… Read More ”Candy Girl” by New Edition (1983)
Time for a little re-assessment. Bumping two songs from the last batch of four star songs up a notch. Also dropping back for two final “B” songs. “Butterfly”, on its face, is a prototypical big ‘90s Mariah ballad. That’s where the comparisons to “Hero” (which is awful), “One Sweet Day” (which is pretty bad), or her cover of “I’ll Be… Read More “Butterfly” (Mariah Carey, 1997)/ “Bye Baby” (NaS, 2012)
“Brick” gave many people (including me) the wrong first impression of Ben Folds Five. Having only been peripherally aware of the trio before they got their major label money, I was not aware of the humor that was such a big part of their lyrical sensibility (even on sadder songs like “Boxing”). “Brick” was so… Read More “Brick” by Ben Folds Five (1997)
There is so much awesome contained in the 4.5 minutes of “Are You That Somebody?” *Aaliyah’s voice: Whispery, seductive, girlish, playful. As much as I think her catalog is overrated (or at least her albums taken as complete pieces are IMO), her singing style has turned out to be ridiculously influential. Kelela and Syd, for example,… Read More “Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah (1998)
Five Star Jamz 