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Forum nameGeneral Discussion
Topic subject"Every D'Angelo Song Ranked"
Topic URLhttp://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=13372444
13372444, "Every D'Angelo Song Ranked"
Posted by Af-1, Tue Mar-10-20 06:31 PM
Hi all - I posted this up on my site a few days ago and wanted to share it here as well. As the title suggests, it's every D'Angelo vocal track placed in order working up the best ever. Thoughts/opinions/etc most welcome...

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Well, here we are again...!

Four years ago, in a project that took a fair few months, I sat down as a die-hard fan of Prince and ranked my top 100 Prince songs placing them in order and even making a companion mix too. The list was fun, exhausting and definitely divisive but is still something I'm incredibly proud of.

So now 4 years later, I thought let's do it again... and rank every D'Angelo song that he's ever sang on.

As with the Prince list, there are a couple of rules to adhere to before we get started:

- Firstly, no bootlegs. It just seemed fair that every song should be completely accessible by all.
- No remixes. The list would be endless if we started to include remixes as new ones seem to emerge every week so we're sticking with original versions of tracks only, or in the case of GZA's 'Cold World', track that D'Angelo recorded vocals specifically for.
- For the purposes of this list, we're sticking to vocal performances only and not including tracks that D'Angelo may have written or produced or remixed or played instruments on for other artists.
- And finally, no live stuff. Again, the list would be endless if we included all the live recordings floating around so official studio releases only in this case.

Hold my hand friends and let's take the deep dive together...

http://www.blueingreenradio.com/2020/03/dangelo-every-song-ranked.html
13372448, untitled and several Black messiah tracks should be higher
Posted by c71, Tue Mar-10-20 06:41 PM

8. me and those dreaming eyes of mine
7. Be here
6. Back to the Future
5. Till it's done
4. Another life
3. Ain't that easy
2. Untitled
1. Lady
13372490, RE: untitled and several Black messiah tracks should be higher
Posted by cloak323, Tue Mar-10-20 09:03 PM
Lady #1.
13372813, Thank you for checking the list out...
Posted by Af-1, Wed Mar-11-20 07:11 PM
Strong love for Black Messiah tracks - that's cool. Can't really argue with 'Lady' at #1 either.
13372815, you're welcome - that's the fun of lists - letting folks know
Posted by c71, Wed Mar-11-20 07:50 PM
your particular "slant" on things

yep
13372713, Devil's Pie #50?!?! *Throws entire crate of whack bootlegs at you*
Posted by FLUIDJ, Wed Mar-11-20 12:33 PM
13372814, YIKES!
Posted by Af-1, Wed Mar-11-20 07:14 PM
haha.

(Appreciate you checking it out though.)
13372865, my top ten
Posted by mind_grapes, Thu Mar-12-20 08:24 AM
1. Send It On
2. Til Its Done
3. Untitled
4. The Charade
5. Devil's Pie
6. Brown Sugar
7. Aint That Easy
8. Feel Like Makin Love
9. Left and Right
10. Alright
13372890, "The Line" would make my top 10
Posted by kwez, Thu Mar-12-20 09:53 AM
13373345, Nice 10...
Posted by Af-1, Sat Mar-14-20 05:55 PM
I'm definitely learning that Black Messiah tracks have way more love than I gave credit for. Even tracks like 'Devil's Pie' and 'Be Here' are massively popular.
13373391, I like Devils Pie because its socially conscious
Posted by mind_grapes, Sun Mar-15-20 08:33 AM
but feels organic to D'Angelo--like it's not forced or trying to be intellectual in its critique of greed/capitalism. It's a change of pace from hearing rappers get pseudo-revolutionary and start flexing on how well-read they are (i.e., because they are afraid of coming off as corny or naive). And I think D expanded on that lane in BM with Till Its Done and The Charade. Even the recording of the preacher talking about how Jesus was black at the beginning was well done and integrated with the rest of the music so well.
13372913, Very admirable...
Posted by cbk, Thu Mar-12-20 10:55 AM
Putting lists out like this no doubt puts you in the crosshairs 😹

It also made me think—I thought The Root was pretty much THE absolute undisputed number one D’ song on everyone’s list. It’s the example song that D’stans give to convince people of D’Angelo’s genius, from the vox arrangements, pocket, ear for experimental shit, engineering, etc. basically his overall aesthetic. Was I wrong???

Anyways, thanks for putting this together.

ALSO—HEADS UP FOR MY D’ANGELO BEAT TAPE SEQUEL!!! I SAMPLED EVERY SONG ON THIS LIST 🔥🤘🔥🤘

13373346, Thanks for checking the list out...
Posted by Af-1, Sat Mar-14-20 06:13 PM
Yes, I've definitely learnt of the love for The Root as well as Devil's Pie and a few others. I knew Left & Right was a somewhat controversial pick too but was surprised how much some people just didn't like it.

And yes, definitely in the crosshairs with projects like these. This experience hasn't been anywhere near as brutal as the Prince list was, haha!

Looking forward to your D'Angelo beat tape - about to dive into volume 1 now.

Thanks again man!
13373402, RE: "Every D'Angelo Song Ranked"
Posted by DJR, Sun Mar-15-20 09:45 AM
The Charade, Shit Damn Motherfucker, and Lady would all certainly make my top 10 so I was glad to see those up so high.

Feel Like Makin’ Love is one that stood out as something I’d rate a lot higher. That’s probably in my top 10 too.
13374180, Yes that's definitely one that people felt should've been higher than it was.
Posted by Af-1, Thu Mar-19-20 11:49 AM
I do love it but I guess not as much as others.

Thanks for checking it out.
13373662, Good list. Love to see Spanish Joint up so high
Posted by spenzalii, Mon Mar-16-20 01:20 PM
Don't love seeing Heaven Must Be Like This so low. Another Lofe may crack my top 10
13374179, One of the coolest things is seeing which songs mean the most to peeps...
Posted by Af-1, Thu Mar-19-20 11:42 AM
Never really heard a lot of love for Heaven so it's cool to see you're a fan of that one.
13374438, some these i havent heard and im glad
Posted by Zin, Sat Mar-21-20 03:51 PM
some i wish where higher
Be Here would prolly b in my top 10 tho
13374879, 'Be Here' is certainly great and another one I'm finding that people really love.
Posted by Af-1, Tue Mar-24-20 06:46 PM