Because the multi-Grammy award winning songwriter/producer is basically responsible for R&B's golden age (and the conceptions of at least a third the millennial population).
33. "Slow Jam" - Usher ft. Monica
Warner Sunset/Atlantic
Because for some of us, this jam was discovered on the Space Jam soundtrack and it was one of the first love songs we ever found ourselves listening to on repeat.
32. "Seven Whole Days" – Toni Braxton
LaFace Records
Because, from this point on no man could go seven whole days without calling his woman and expect not to hear about.
Fun Fact: All the Braxton sisters can be seen singing backup in this video (yes even a young Tamar).
31. "Song For Mama" – Boyz II Men
Motown Records
Because Babyface gave us the perfect song to sing to our mamas on Mother's Day.
30. "Rock Steady" - The Whispers
Solar/Capitol Records
Because I guarantee you this was your grandma's jam back in the day.
29. "It Hurts Like Hell" – Aretha Franklin
Arista
Because when Aretha sings about heartbreak, you will listen, you will cry, and you will be thankful for the blessing.
28. "Why Does It Hurt So Bad" – Whitney Houston
Arista
Because Babyface wrote the entire "Waiting to Exhale" album and every damn song was perfect so it was hard not to just put them all on this list! Greatest soundtrack of all time.
27. "Best Thing I Never Had" - Beyoncé
Columbia Records
Because even Queen Bey knew who to go to when she wanted an R&B hit.
26. "Water Runs Dry" - Boyz II Men
Motown Records
Because leaving this song off the list would be "the biggest mistake of our lives."
25. "Soon As I Get Home" – Babyface
Epic Records
Because Babyface reminded women everywhere what they deserved when he dropped this timeless record. There's also an entire Forest Whitaker movie dedicated to this song.
24. "Take A Bow" - Madonna
Warner Bros.
Because not even Madonna made it out of the 90s without knocking at Babyface's door. It became one of his first Pop No. 1 hits.
23. "Queen Of The Night" - Whitney Houston
Arista
Because this song had the stuff that you want and the thangs that you need and more than enough to come to your knees. Plus this beat was lit!
22. "Every Little Step" – Bobby Brown
Geffen Records / Via thecorereader.com
Because it's impossible not to dance to this jam.
21. "When Can I See You" – Babyface
Epic
Because at this point it became evident that very few people could put heartbreak into words like Babyface.
20. "You Mean The World To Me" - Toni Braxton
LaFace Records
Because lets face it, every time Babyface and Toni got together in the studio magic was made and Grammys were won.
19. "Don’t Be Cruel" - Bobby Brown
MCA Records
Because this was one of the many songs that made Bobby the "King of R&B." It also won the Grammy for Best R&B song.
18. "For The Cool In You" - Babyface
Epic Records
Because this Grammy-nominated single is the coolest song Babyface ever made.
17. "Another Sad Love Song" – Toni Braxton
LaFace Records
Because this was anything but just another sad love song. It also nabbed Braxton her first of many, many Billboard Hot 100 top ten hits.
16. "Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)" - Whitney Houston
Arista
Because no one made it out of the 90s without saying "shoop" at least 20 times and it's not even a real word.
15. "My, My, My" – Johnny Gill
Motown Records
Because everyone's uncle still sings this song when their auntie steps out dressed to the nines.
14. "Every Time I Close My Eyes" - Babyface
Sony
Because what other song has three of the 90s top artists (Mariah Carey, Kenny G, and Babyface) on it!? Who else could have even gotten Mariah to sing background in her prime?! I'll wait.
13. "I’ll Make Love To You" - Boyz II Men
Motown Records / Via Jenny Shafei
Because in addition to being No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks this song also won five awards (including two Grammys and American Music Awards). It's also one of the most feminist-friendly sex songs by a male group in the 90s.
12. "You're Making Me High" - Toni Braxton
LaFace Records
Because aside from being one of the best videos of the 90s (who can forget Toni, Tisha Campbell, Vivica A. Fox, and Erica Alexander grading men with playing cards as they pop up in the elevator?!) this was also Braxton's first No.1 single on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B charts.
11. "Superwoman" - Karyn White
Warner Bros.
Because this was the only song in 1989 to be No.1 on the R&B Billboard charts for three straight weeks.
10. "Red Light Special" - TLC
LaFace Records
Because this Grammy-nominated single is one of the best (and sexiest) songs from the super-group's best album.
9. "Sittin’ Up In My Room" - Brandy
Arista / Via thecorereader.com
Because this is one of the best teenage crush songs of all time.
8. "Whip Appeal" - Babyface
Epic Records
Because 25 years later, this is still arguably the best song Babyface ever put out as a solo artist.
7. "Two Occasions" - The Deele
Solar
Because before cuffing season was a thing, Babyface (who back then was in a group called The Deele w/ his later business partner LA Reid) reminded us that when the love is real it doesn't matter what the season is, they'll still love you. Classic Babyface.
6. "Not Gon’ Cry" – Mary J. Blige
Arista
Because "THROUGH SICKNESS AND HEALTH TILL DEATH DO US PART THOSE WERE THE WORDS THAT WE SAID FROM OUR HEARTS SO NOWWWW WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE LEAVING MEEEE I DON'T GET THAT PARTTTTT!" – this is the greatest breakup song of all time and you know it.
5. "Roni" - Bobby Brown
MCA Records
Because this song is responsible for the birth of a good amount of millennials.
4. "Breathe Again" – Toni Braxton
LaFace Records
Because this song got Toni Braxton her first Grammy, "please understandddddddd."
3. "Can We Talk" – Tevin Campbell
Warner Bros.
Because you can't listen to this without singing "AND I!" with Tevin at least once. It's also one of Babyface's most popular songs on Spotify.
2. "End of the Road" - Boyz II Men
Motown Records
Because this song has made grown men cry for decades. It was also one of the Top 10 songs of the entire 1990s.
1. "I’m Your Baby Tonight" - Whitney Houston
Arista
Because, Whitney "The Voice" Houston. Nuff said.
