Top 10 Solange Songs
Solange Knowles is a true renaissance woman. The R&B singer has successfully stepped out of her younger sister's huge shadow to become a fashion trendsetter, activist, businesswoman and all-around cool chick.
Musically, Solange is a gifted singer who crafted an excellent soul album in 2008, with 'Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams.' Then she went on a four-year hiatus to mainly focus on herself and raise her son, Daniel Julez Smith, Jr.
In 2012, the songstress returned to the music scene with her independent release, 'True.' The collection, produced with her longtime collaborator Dev Hynes, has a nostalgic '80s dance-pop feel to it with tangible songs about love, loss and everything in between.
In celebration of her 27th birthday today (June 24), we feature some of her noteworthy tunes in her expansive career. So without further ado, here are TheDrop.fm's Top 10 Solange Songs.
- 10
'Feelin' You'
Feat. N.O.R.E.Solange was only 17 years old when she released her debut album, 'Solo Star,' in 2003. The set's first single, 'Feelin' You,' is a fun song that mixes dancehall, R&B and hip-hop sounds. On the track, Solange sings about liking the neighborhood Romeo despite her girlfriends' pleas to stay away from him.
- 9
'Momma Loves Baby'
In 2010, Solange made a rare appearance on the popular children's program, 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' Dressed in a yellow-and-black spotted dress and sporting short-cropped hair, the R&B mom sang a funky ditty that is obviously a lullaby to her young toddler (at the time) Daniel. Even back then, she was being fashionable and motherly at the same damn time.
- 8
'Sandcastle Disco'
Coming in at No. 8 is Solange's Motown-inspired song 'Sandcastle Disco' from her soulful album, 'Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams.' On it, she yearns for her lover to not break her fragile heart. "Baby, I know you do that to all the girls, you know that I'm fragile," she sings. "Baby, don't blow me away."
- 7
'Don't Let Me Down'
Solange plays the insecure lover on the slow burner 'Don't Let Me Down,' one of the many stellar tunes on her independent EP, 'True.' The song bounces heavenly with its melodic synths and gurgling guitars, which gives it a '80s pop feel. Meanwhile, her vocals shine on the track. "Spill out all of your love for me / Tell them all I'm your lover, babe (in my mind) / Spill out all of your love for me / Tell them all I'm your lover, baby," she croons.
- 6
'6 O'Clock Blues'
Written by famed Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier and produced by Mark Ronson, '6 O'Clock Blues' is far from a downer -- it's a sunshine-y throwback love song. On it, Solange sings of a love that's bigger than the world itself. "As long as we got each other / There's nothing in the world that can steal my joy / Yeah, as long as we got each other, we can overcome the badness of the world," she sings.
- 5
'Looks Good With Trouble'
Feat. Kendrick LamarMidway in our countdown is the remix to 'Looks Good With Trouble' featuring in-demand rapper Kendrick Lamar. The shimmery track features Solange yearning for her long-distance lover to hold her. K.Dot adds his storytelling verse, which finds him wishing for his lover to be with him on the road in London. "Stuck on a tall-ass bus / Like 14 bunks and I can’t even sleep / And I hate getting drunk so I don’t got a cup / But I’ve got James Mason on repeat / I’m trying stay on that good thing, you know? / Whatever song heaven would sing, you know?" he raps.
- 4
'I Decided'
Produced by Pharrell Williams, Solange channels Martha Reeves on this bouncy song about finding her true love. "How's it feel to win it / When ain't no mountains that you can't move / Your mind is like a prism / For god's light to shine throw (ooh)," she sings. The song's accompanied video is just as fun with Solange time-traveling though the '60s, '70s, '80s and the future.
- 3
'F--- the Industry'
In 2008, after being dropped from Geffen Records, Solange needed to get some things off her chest and released this "open letter" to the music industry. Over Kanye West's piano-driven 'Everything I Am,' Solange gives the middle finger to critics, labels and haters who want her to conform to a particular box to sell records. "People talking s--- with no pot to piss in / But everything that I'm not / Is everything I can / I can do everything," she sings. "'Ye ripped it on this track, made it into a jam / I just borrowed it to tell you who I am." You go girl!
- 2
'T.O.N.Y.'
Co-written and produced by CeeLo Green, 'T.O.N.Y.' stands for "The Other Night, Oh Y?" As the song title suggests, Solange sings about catching feelings for a guy after having a great one-night stand with him. The black-and-white video, directed by Va$htie, features cameos from Green and rapper Kid Cudi, who played the 'T.O.N.Y.' character. This a great song from the carefree R&B songbird.
- 1
'Losing You'
Coming in at No. 1 is Solange's fantastic dance-pop tune 'Losing You.' Her breakthrough track boasts an array of sounds including electronic rhythms, African percussion and a plodding house beat. Despite its danceable groove, it's actually a heartbreak song. Solange's vocals are brooding as she sings of a failed relationship that has run its course. "Tell me the truth boy am I losing you for good / We use to kiss all night, but now there's just no use / I don't know why I fight it, clearly, we are through," she sings.