Pandemic Playlist: Top 5 Babyface tracks that'll take you right back to the old, carefree days
Hello again, my dear friends. While we're all concentrating on staying safe and healthy in the comfort of our homes during this coronavirus lockdown period, we hope you've been finding ways to keep yourself entertained too. Most people have been turning to streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify. But there's another popular music live stream that has been drawing a lot of attention in recent weeks, earning millions of viewers every time it goes online.
We're talking about the Verzuz Instagram Live Battles, which pits legendary hip-hop producers against each other, while their fans watch and comment. It was first started as a showdown between legendary producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, and ended up being so popular that we soon saw match-ups between Mannie Fresh and Scott Storch, Hit-Boy and Boi-1Da, & Ne-Yo and Johntá Austin, among others. But it was Monday night's battle between the legendary '90s producers Babyface and Teddy Riley that practically broke Instagram.
Over 4 million combined viewers tuned in to watch the producers battle it out with their top tunes, which ended up going in Babyface's favor after Teddy Riley started encountering technical difficulties - the crowd was completely on Babyface's side after that. So in honor of the 11-time Grammy award winner, Babyface aka Kenneth Edmonds, we thought we'd list some of his greatest songs in our daily Pandemix for your listening pleasure.
Pandemic Playlist - Babyface Edition
'Every Time I Close My Eyes' - Babyface
Let's start things off with this romantic classic from Babyface himself, which hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It features a lush saxophone solo from the great Kenny G, and the music diva Mariah Carey even contributed backing vocals to this hit. The song has over 42 million hits on YouTube alone, a testament to Babyface's smooth vocals and enduring legacy in the music industry.
'My My My' - Johnny Gill
This seductive No.1 from Johnny Gill is probably his signature tune, and features another hypnotic saxophone contribution from Kenny G. The hitmaking duo LA Reid and Babyface helped produce this soaring R&B number, and it's become a must-have on the playlists for plenty of doe-eyed couples the world over. That growled "Say that you'll be mine tonight" section by Johnny Gill really amps up the intensity of this evergreen classic.
'Thnks Fr Th Mmrs' - Fall Out Boy
Plenty of people were floored on Monday night when they realized that Babyface had helped produce this smash hit from power-pop rockers Fall Out Boy, because it's so unlike his usual smooth R&B sound. But it just shows how versatile Babyface can be as a hit producer - the song features some potent riffage and Patrick Stump's belting clear voice, making it a super energizing and fun track to bop along to. The hilarious monkeys in the music video are an added bonus for your viewing pleasure.
'Take A Bow' - Madonna
That's right, Babyface had a hand in this scorching No. 1 track from the godmother of all divas, Madonna herself. The track, which talks about unrequited love, was rumored to be about the famous actor Warren Beaty, who used to be a notorious womanizer back in the day. It eventually topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts for seven weeks straight, and was also Babyface's first experience dealing with a live orchestra, since Madonna really wanted to have a string section included on the song.
'Change The World' - Eric Clapton
Most people were taken aback on Monday night's IG Battle when Babyface pulled an Eric Clapton tune out of his producer kitty. But it's true, he helped produce this definitive Clapton cover in 1996 - the song was performed for the soundtrack for the film 'Phenomenon', and went on to win 3 Grammy awards the following year. This string-bending golden oldie is just another item in Babyface's already glittering resume, and a timely reminder of his genre-hopping Midas touch as a producer.
Pandemic Playlist is a daily list of songs that will keep you entertained instead of feeling drained while you're isolated at home. Look out for a fresh selection of great tunes from MEAWW to refresh your mood every day!