R&B has always been about stories of love: the good and bad. What better way to convey this narrative to listeners than with the addition of a monologue. Whether at the beginning, in the middle or end, a spoken word portion makes listeners relate to the song forcing them to sing along. Here are 17 classic speeches in R&B songs, see how many you know by heart.
1. “Hello may I speak to Barbara? Barbara this is Shirley…” – Shirley Brown’s “Woman to Woman”
2. “….but I know you not gonna sing that song!” – Betty Wright’s “Tonight is the Night”
3. “And then I went home and watched television until television went off..” – Lenny Williams’s “Cause I Love You”
4. “Girl I’m here for you. All those times at night when you just hurt me…” – Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road”
5. “..Cause you know I look a lot different outside of my work clothes” – Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name“
6. “Don’t talk, just listen…” – Jodeci’s “Stay”
7. “…Damn. I’m gon call you back. I’m gon call you back” – Usher’s “Confessions, Pt. II”
8. “Wow, it’s really good to see you again baby. And I must admit…” Rick James & Teena Marie’s “Fire & Desire”
9. Him: “Baby I don’t lover her” Her: “You don’t love me!” – Sunshine Anderson’s “Heard It All Before”
10. “That sure puts me in an awkward situation…” – Eyrkah Badu’s “Next Lifetime”
11. “I know he used to do nice stuff for you….” – Janet Jackson’s “What Have You Done for Me Lately”
12. “Well me…I believe I was created..for a special purpose.” – Beyoncé’s “Ego”
13. ” ..do you know somebody named…you know his name.” – Brandy & Monica’s “The Boy is Mine”
14. “Listen dear. I realize you’ve been hurt, deeply. Because I’ve been there.” – Aretha Franklin’s “A Rose is Still a Rose”
15. “The music’s all fast in the club, she gotta drink water cause she’s thirsty…” – Kanye West’s “Slow Jamz”
16. “But now I go for walks…to the movies maybe to the park…” – The Chi-Lites’s “Have You Seen Her”
17. “If you need me…call me. No matter where you are, no matter how far.” – The Supremes’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
How many did you recite? Share in the comments below!
