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...
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
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.
12. "I like Devils Pie because its socially conscious" In response to Reply # 10
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.
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 🔥🤘🔥🤘
11. "Thanks for checking the list out..." In response to Reply # 9
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.
14. "Good list. Love to see Spanish Joint up so high" In response to Reply # 0
Don't love seeing Heaven Must Be Like This so low. Another Lofe may crack my top 10
<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up... __________________________
Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect. Game: Like Gladys Knight. Jay: Aretha Franklin. Game: Word, I like her too. Jay: Nigga...
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