As many of you may know by now, our beloved TV9 will not be able to do his show on April 26 due to job (and lack of sleep) constraints. I was originally asked to take the reins for the request show that night but it proved to be impossible because I have no way to access his musical library from my location. I discussed trying to come up with another special like the recent top 50 soundtrack song countdown and got approval so here it is.

I thought it would be fun to do a top 50 R&B/Urban songs of the 80's countdown. There were a lot of great tunes in that category in the 80's so here's your chance to vote for your favorites...from the Brothers Johnson to Ready for the World to Milli Vanilli. This does not include rap and hip-hop songs. Although rap and hip-hop contains R&B elements, it's a category unto itself in the end.

Not exactly sure what to call R&B and what not to from that era? Here's a bee-yoo-tiful description I found on allmusic.com to help out:

"Also known as urban contemporary, Urban was the term given to the R&B/soul music of the 1980s and '90s. Like quiet storm and Philly soul, both strong influences, urban was very smooth and polished, but while its romantic ballads fit well into quiet storm radio formats, urban also had room for uptempo, funky dance tracks, which usually boasted the same high-tech, radio-ready production and controlled yet soulful vocals. That's why, in spite of its name, urban didn't usually have the earthy grit associated with the term "soul music," preferring to tone down the raw emotion in favor of a slick refinement. Up until the late '80s, most urban music was highly pop-oriented, often in melody but nearly always in terms of production. A number of artists — like Janet Jackson, Billy Ocean, and Whitney Houston — crossed over from the R&B charts to the pop charts, although there were others like Freddie Jackson, Luther Vandross, Stephanie Mills, and Levert whose R&B popularity never translated quite the same way. The urban landscape began to shift with the advent of hip-hop; producer and Guy member Teddy Riley crafted a fusion of the two, inserted occasional rap breaks, and dubbed it new jack swing. New jack made a superstar of Bobby Brown and proved greatly beneficial to his ex-New Edition mates as well. In addition to Riley, songwriting/production duos whose work straddled pop and R&B — like Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson), Denzil Foster & Thomas McElroy (En Vogue), and Antonio "L.A." Reid & Babyface — dominated urban music at the turn of the decade, with Babyface going on to a hugely successful singing career in his own right."

So there you go. Get to voting, folks, and I'll add 'em up and count 'em down at midnight Eastern on April 26 in TV9's usual slot. :)

I will start making my list..... :)

OOOOHHH!  Making a list.  Can we include early 90's songs, too?

Darn!  One of my favs came out in 90, I think.  Oh well, plenty more to choose from ;D

"Two Occasions" by The Deele.

Casanova-Levert
The Rain-Oran Jones
The Glamorous Life-Sheila E
Looking for a New Love -Jody Whatley
Oh Sheila -Ready for the World
Love You Down-Ready for the World
The Oak Tree- Morris Day
The Bird-Morris Day and the Time
No Parking (on the dance floor)-Midnight Star
Freak-a-zoid -Midnight Star
I Didn't Mean to Turn You On-Alexander O Neal
Dropped the Bomb on Me-Gap band
I Want My Girl Jesse Johnson
Half Crazy Johnny Gill
Chemistry Johnny Gill
Fantastic Voyage-Lakeside
Nasty -Janet Jackson
The Pleasure Principle-Janet Jackson
When I Think of You-Janet Jackson
Control-Janet Jackson
Miss You Much-Janet Jackson
Escapade-Janet Jackson
Rythm Nation-Janet jackson
Mercedes Boy-Pebbles
Tell it To My Heart -Taylor Dayne
I'll Be Your Shelter-Taylor Dayne
Forever Your Girl-Paula Abdul
Cold Hearted-Paula Abdul
Straight UP-Paula Abdul
I Feel For YOu Chaka Khan
Word Up -Cameo
Smooth Operator-Sade
I Would Die 4 You-Prince
Little Red corvette-Prince
1999-Prince
Let's Go Crazy-Prince
When Doves Cry-Prince
Raspberry Beret Prince
Sexual Healing -Marvin Gaye
Hello-Lionel Richie
Carribean queen -billy ocean
loverboy-billy ocean
Lean On Me-Club Nouveau
Nightshift-Commodores
Sign Your Name-Terence Trent D'Arby
I can Dream About you -Dan Hartman
Wanna Be Startin Somethin Michael Jackson
Beat It-Michael Jackson
The Way You Make Me Feel-Michael Jackson
Dancing in the sheets-Shalamar

:)

Excellent list, Shaz. Keep it coming, folks. More more more!

I'll add some to Shaz's most excellent list:

* Please note the names of songs and groups are to the best of my recollection.  ;D

Terence Trent D'Arby - "Wishing Well"
Whitney Houston - "So Emotional"
Whitney Houston - "How Will I Know"
Whitney Houston - "All At Once"
New Edition - "Cool It Now"
New Edition - "A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes)"
Pebbles - "Girlfriend"
Vanity 6 - "Nasty Girl"
Apollonia 6 - "Sex Shooter"
Tina Turner - "What's Love Got To Do With It"
Tina Turner - "You Better Be Good To me"
Tina Turner - "Private Dancer"
Tina Turner - "Typical Male"
Suzanne Vega - "Tom's Diner"
Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson - "Tonight I Celebrate My Love"
Pointer Sisters - "Jump (For My Love)"
Pointer Sisters - "I'm So Excited"
Pointer Sisters - "Baby Come And Get It"
Pointer Sisters - "Automatic"
Musical Youth - "Pass The Dutchie"
Mel & Kim - "Showing Out"
Mary Jane Girls - "In My House"
KC & The Sunshine Band - "Baby Give It Up"
Grace Jones - "I'm Not Perfect"
El DeBarge - "Who's Johnny"
Eddie Murphy - "Party All The Time"
Eddie Grant - "Electric Avenue"
Diana Ross - "Muscles"
Diana Ross - "Missing You"
Aretha Franklin & George Michael - "I Knew You Were Waiting"
The Jets - "Crush On You"
The Jets - "Rockit 2 U"
Shannon - "Let The Music Play"
Shannon - "Give Me Tonight"
Shannon - "Do You Wanna Get Away"
Shannon - "Let the Music Play"
Nu Shooz - "Point Of No Return"
Nu Shooz - "I Can't Wait"
Nancy Martinez - "Move Out"
Nancy Martinez - "For Tonight"
Lisa Lisa - "I Wonder If I Take You Home"
Lisa Lisa - "Head To Toe"
Lisa Lisa - "Can You Feel The Beat"
Egyptian Lover - "The Lover"
Jermaine Stewart - "You Don't Have To Take Your Clothes Off"
Rockwell - "Somebody's Watching Me"
Ray Parker Jr. - "The Other Woman"
Ray Parker Jr. - "GhostBusters"
Bobby Brown - "Ronnie"
Bobby Brown - "Every Little Step"
Milli Vanilli - "Girl You Know It's True"
Milli Vanilli - "Baby, Don't Forget My Number"
Milli Vanilli - "Blame It On The Rain"

That's it for now.  :) 8)

Although I'm slow to say it, another excellent list. Get those votes in, folks. The show is coming up soon. :)

Hey y'all, someone needs to help break our tie here! Come on, let's see what will be number one!

:) :)

The Glamorous Life-Sheila E
Looking for a New Love -Jody Whatley
Oh Sheila -Ready for the World
Love You Down-Ready for the World
The Bird-Morris Day and the Time
No Parking (on the dance floor)-Midnight Star
Freak-a-zoid -Midnight Star
Dropped the Bomb on Me-Gap band
Fantastic Voyage-Lakeside
Nasty -Janet Jackson
The Pleasure Principle-Janet Jackson
When I Think of You-Janet Jackson
Control-Janet Jackson
Miss You Much-Janet Jackson
Rythm Nation-Janet jackson
Tell it To My Heart -Taylor Dayne
Forever Your Girl-Paula Abdul
Cold Hearted-Paula Abdul
Straight UP-Paula Abdul
I Feel For YOu Chaka Khan
Word Up -Cameo
Smooth Operator-Sade
I Would Die 4 You-Prince
Little Red corvette-Prince
1999-Prince
Let's Go Crazy-Prince
When Doves Cry-Prince
Raspberry Beret Prince
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World - Prince
Sexual Healing -Marvin Gaye
Hello-Lionel Richie
Lean On Me-Club Nouveau
Nightshift-Commodores
Sign Your Name-Terence Trent D'Arby
I can Dream About you -Dan Hartman
Wanna Be Startin Somethin Michael Jackson
Beat It-Michael Jackson
Billy Jean - Michael Jackson
The Way You Make Me Feel-Michael Jackson
Dancing in the sheets-Shalamar
Chaka Khan - Aint Nobody
Shannon - Let the Music Play
Babyface & The Deele - Two Occasions
Tina Turner - Whats Love Got to Do With It?
Eddie Grant - Electric Avenue
Nu Shooz - Point Of No Return
Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - I Wonder If I Take You Home
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - Head To Toe
Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
Rumours - Timex Social Club
Always - Atlantic Starr
Secret Lovers - Atlantic Starr
Wild, Wild, West - Escape Club
Tender Love - Force MD's
My Perogative - Bobby Brown
It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls
Red, Red, Wine - UB40 (does this count)?
Get Down On It - Kool & the Gang
Celebrate - Kool & the Gang
Ladies Night - Kool & the Gang
Oh Sheila - Ready For The World
Smooth Operator - Sade
Your Love is King - Sade

:P

Evelyn "Champagne" King - Love Come Down
Shalamar - Make That Move
Loose Ends - Hanging On A String (Contemplating)
Imagination - Just An Illusion
New Edition - Candy Girl
Change - A Lover's Holiday
Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots
Yarbrough & Peoples - Don't Stop The Music
Yarbrough & Peoples - I Wouldn't Lie To You
Jeff Lorber feat. Karyn White- The Facts of Love (Passion Mix)
Donna Allen - Serious
Quincy Jones - Just Once
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody
Starpoint - Object of My Desire
Sheila E. - A Love Bizarre
Expose - Let Me Be The One
Gwen Guthrie - Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent
S.O.S. Band - Just Be Good To Me
S.O.S. Band - Borrowed Love
Mtume - Juicy Fruit
Cherelle & Alexander O'Neal - Saturday Love
Cherelle - I Didn't Mean To Turn You On
Alexander O'Neal - Fake
Morris Day - Fishnet
Mary Jane Girls - In My House
Dazz Band - Let It Whip
Dazz Band - Joystick
Kirby Coleman - Hey Ton'i
Oran "Juice" Jones - The Rain
Karyn White - The Way You Love Me
Keith Sweat - I Want Her
Jonathan Butler - Lies
The System - Don't Disturb This Groove
Pointer Sisters - Automatic
Chico DeBarge - Talk To Me
Bobby Brown - Don't Be Cruel
Christopher Williams - Talk To Myself
Johnny Kemp - Just Got Paid
Club Nouveau - Why You Treat Me So Bad?
Dennis Edwards - Don't Look Any Further
Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night)
Kool & The Gang - Misled
D Train - You're The One For Me
Steve Arrington - Dancing In The Key of Life
Colonel Abrams - I'm Not Gonna Let
Gap Band - Outstanding
Midnight Star - Headlines
The Deele - Body Talk
Force MDs - Tender Love
Sade - Smooth Operator


I think that's 50...

I have to add two:  "Tell Me If You Still Care" & "Just Be Good To Me" - SOS Band  (the story of my life right now)  ::)

This is a tough one - I don't consider much, if any, of the 80s music R&B.  
There's a few (80s) artists I think truly represent R&B in my mind: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Luther Vandross, Lavert, Taylor Dayne, Sade, Marvin Gaye, & Ray Parker Jr, would be included.

I enjoyed reading your lists though!

Thank you to everyone that's voted so far! I'll be ending the voting after my show Friday so you've got until about 3am Friday night/Saturday morning to cast your ballot. Thanks! :)

Man, I would love for the Loose Ends track to make it on the list.  It is sooooo definitive of 80's R&B.

"...you nevertoldme you were waiting, contemplating..."

And Jonathan Butler's "Lies" is a hidden gem!  :D

Here are my votes, as I just knew you were waiting for them  ;D:

The Bird-Morris Day and the Time
Beat It-Michael Jackson
New Edition - If It Isn't Love
El DeBarge - "Who's Johnny"
Prince - Purple Rain
Dan Hartman - I Can Dream About You
George Benson - Turn Your Love Around
Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing
Commodores - Nightshift
Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me
Suzanne Vega - Luka
Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me

Well, not much of a list, but I'd hate to embarrass myself and choose a bunch of stuff that doesn't fit, and these would be my faves.

OK, after doing an initial tally, I'm going to go ahead and shut down the voting as of now. There's MORE than enough material to make a top 50 from. Thanks to EVERYONE that took the time to vote! I'll count 'em down for you tomorrow night starting at midnight eastern time. :)