Monica VS Brandy for the culture!
Listen…. I am way too hype for this verzuz celebration this afternoon. What has shaped up to be a trying, sad year I am so glad to have something fun to focus on. I am going to have our croissant sandwiches, chips, and pasta salad (for me) on deck ready to watch this greatness unfold. Monica’s music always makes me feel like the 90s. She has that classic R&B thing going for her. Brandy has classic R&B, but she has also ventured into different more edgy, pop sounds later in her career. Don’t come for me, this is my opinion. If I think about what albums were most slept on I’d say Brandy’s Two Eleven and Monica’s The Makings of Me. Both have songs that could have done well if anyone knew about them. I know I can be long winded so let me get to it. I am sharing my top 12 songs from each Queen. Again let me repeat that MY TOP 12 songs, not including features because I just don’t think that would be fair because Brandy has way bigger features than Monica.
My Top 12 for Monica (not chronological because I just cannot):
So Gone: Chile I felt like she was singing for me. I definitely have been so gone when I should’ve literally been so gone…out the door. I love that this song was upbeat but she sang so nonchalant over the beat. I could feel her personality through this whole song.
With You: This song wasn’t a single, but it’s my favorite on Miss Thang. ”So play me a melody, no matter what you find. Something to ease my mind.” Ayyye. If you don’t know that song, go get ya life!
Before you walk out my life: Listen Ms. Thang was hitting. This song is when you have hurt your significant other and you are trying to make it right. Deep down though you know things have changed and you need to let it go, because things can’t be repaired. She sang this beautifully at such a young age.
Love All Over Me: When this song starts that beat drops and let’s us know Monica is not about to play with us. This is one of me and the hubs favorites. I mean YESSS. I can see this being played at weddings because the lyrics……
[Bridge]
Before your love, baby, I was muddy
So deep with pain 'til you took it from me
You showered me with a new beginning, now I'm clean
Took me by surprise when you ran up on me
I came to life, baby, in that moment
You put your hands on my heart
And baby, now it beatsit speaks for itself. This was a time when lyrics had you feeling it deep in your bones.
For you I will: This song always felt like a Whitney song. You know one that is just beautiful and arcs up. This song gave me that vibe. At every step she is pledging everything she is willing to give or put on the line for love. Too deep.
You should’ve known better: First off I remember listening to this song at first thinking it was about knowing better when it comes to being in a relationship. However no ma’am this song is about telling her bae that he should have known better when it comes to her letting him go. Chile listening to this as a grown woman BOY BYE lol. I’m not doing 5 to 10 with you and you aren’t even my husband. Please go find your ride or die because she doesn’t live here.
Everything to me: Another song that HITS at the start. Monica sings with so much passion. Even though she isn’t a Jennifer Hudson or Jasmine Sullivan she gives us just what we need. I feel like she has done a good job collaborating with writers that know her strengths. Another song about being extremely devoted to your partner. That bridge, come on! I believe everything she is saying!
Me & You: This is one of Monica’s newer singles. Although commitment did better commercially and it was good, this one is my jam! “When I’m with you the whole world stops, When I’m with you I forget about Everything (everything) that’s wrong.” The beat is more up to date, but she is giving us classic Monica with the fire lyrics. Let’s not even talk about the bridge. Ayyye!!
Why Her: Whew Chile. Sometimes nothing you do is enough, because they are just not for you. This song is when you don’t actually realize that though. You are still trying to understand why they left. When ultimately you need to let them leave because clearly their heart chose up.
Superman: You can tell that when Monica is in love. She is IN LOVE. The way she connects to the lyrics has you feeling some type of way. I mean who does not want to wake up to Superman? The beats on this song for real gives me 2000 vibes, I think this is a song before it’s time. Definitely one of my faves. Clearly I love all these songs.
Knock Knock: That beat helped reinforce that you betta not come knocking on Monica’s door when she was done with you. This was one where we got to hear Monica give us a little rap/talk on the beat. We have been getting more of this from Bey in some of her songs. It was written and produced by Missy Elliot and we get all the vibes.
Don’t Take it personal: Because I can’t make a list without the song that introduced her to the world. When I hear this song I picture all of the sassiness she gave us. We all definitely knew she was going to be a star.
My Top 12 for Brandy (not chronological because again I just cannot):
Have you Ever: Listen!!! This song is when you are just so IN LOVE and you are trying to make them understand the magnitude of your love and you want so badly for them to feel the same. By now y’all know I am a fan of bridges and this song does not disappoint
[Bridge]
What do I gotta do to get you in my arms baby
What do I gotta say to get to your heart
To make you understand how I need you next to me
Gotta get you in my world
Cause baby I can't sleepI mean we hear you and feel you Brandy!
Almost Doesn’t Count: Everybody definitely knows that almost doesn’t count. Brandy is letting him know I see you are not as invested as I am and that she is going to find someone that is willing to let go and fall in love with her. Nobody has time for that emotional rollercoaster so again for those in the back, “Almost Doesn’t Count.”
Angel in Disguise: Clearly I’m partial to Brandy’s Never say Never album what can I say it HITS for me. The backgrounds she did on this song, just yes! I think the fact that this song is upbeat goes over most people’s head that it is a sad song. The lyrics of this song is saying how she still love’s bae but he fell for someone else that was an Angel in disguise. In fact she is heart broken.
So sick: I had to include at least 2 songs from two eleven. This was not a single but chile listen I have been here. Where you make yourself sick. You know this man isn’t doing right yet you continue to take him back and it has you so sick because you continue to compromise yourself and can’t let go. If this is you, let go!
Sittin up in my room: Aaye when I hear this song it transports me back to the 90s. I feel like I want to do that one dance that Raven Symone used to do. This song makes me want to dance even though she is sittin up in her room thinking about her future bae.
Full Moon: I felt like this was a start to a new sound for Brandy and I was feeling it. I love the boldness that exudes from this song. The beat was hard, but the lyrics are what do it for me. She basically shoots her shot to this fine man that she sees in the club. Get into the chorus:
[Chorus]
I ain't even gonna front
I ain't even gonna lie
Since you walked up in the club
I've been giving you the eye (Giving you the eye)
We can dance if you want (Dance if you want)
Get it crackin' if you like (Crackin' if you like)
Must be a full moon (A full moon)(source: https://genius.com/Brandy-full-moon-lyrics)
Well shoot your shot then!
Brokenhearted: Oooh this is one of faves! Most of us have been through a break up and this song just speaks for how you feel. You know that your life isn’t over, but it doesn’t stop you from feeling that way. The delivery of this song, wow come on Bran!! I just feel it in my bones.
Put that on everything: Another hit from Never say Never. The lyrics of this song reminds me of For you I will by Monica. Both songs basically let your man know that you will do everything in your power to keep them together. That you will do everything for your love to last the test of time.
He Is: I hate to admit this, but I found out about this song within the past 5 years. I do not know what I was doing in 2002. I guess I did not do a thorough review of Full moon. Listen I’ll just take that L because that is a strong album. This song though. Wow, definitely gives Gospel vibes and one of the key writers was Warryn Campbell who typically writes gospel. It is so beautiful, I felt robbed when I found it. Commercially it didn’t do well and I’m sure it’s because they didn’t market it appropriately. Hence the reason why I never heard the song before. Definitely worth listening to!
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Is)
Do you know what you have: This beat!!! I love the way it comes on and in complement with the lyrics. Listen I get real swaggy when I hear this song, because do you know what you got here? No words were minced here. She is letting her worth be known and I am here for it all.
Baby: Picture me doing all the 90s dances in my kitchen because that is exactly what happens when this song comes on. Trust me I get my life. This is another bold song where Brandy convincingly lets her intentions be known. Ayye!
I wanna be down: Again I couldn’t create a list without the song that introduced us to Brandy. She was beautiful and had such a unique voice. I absolutely love this song. This video is branded in my mind and anybody that knows me, I was down for her signature braid styles. I didn’t want to do features, but the remix on this one is WILD.
Clearly I’m the winner! I can’t wait to see what songs they choose to revisit with the world. If they do features, whew it will be wild. Make sure you check them out on instagram verzuz. https://instagram.com/verzuztv?igshid=14pmf8bp2tyxj at 5PM PST/8PM EST!
In the comments tell me what songs you would have chosen?
