Classic R&B songs recommended for women

So Am ITy Dolla $ign ft. Damian Marley & Skrillex

Ty Dolla $ign – So Am I ft. Damian Marley & Skrillex [Official Audio]

A collaboration between American singer-songwriter and rapper Ty Dolla Sign, Jamaican reggae artist Damian Marley, and EDM producer Skrillex.

Released in 2017, it reached No.

6 on the New Zealand charts.

BodyDreezy ft. Jeremih

Dreezy – Body ft. Jeremih

A collaboration between Chicago rapper and singer-songwriter Dreezy and Jeremih.

It’s a sexy track about a chance meeting at a club that leads to an affair.

Released in 2016, it reached No.

8 on the U.S.

R&B chart.

Fine By MeChris Brown

Chris Brown – Fine By Me (Official Video)

This track by American singer Chris Brown features a glittering, 80s-inspired sound and a bouncy beat that’s pleasantly easy on the ears.

The protagonist understands it’s a fleeting, nighttime-only relationship, yet accepts it anyway—a clear-cut love that feels all the more bittersweet.

Released as a single from the acclaimed album “Royalty,” which dropped in November 2015, it’s a Nu-disco number that stands out within an otherwise R&B-centered record.

The cinematic touch—continuing the story from the ending of the “Zero” music video—also captured fans’ hearts.

It’s perfect for nights when you want to feel a little more grown-up, or for moments of solitary reflection.

This melody, painting the portrait of a bittersweet, adult romance, will gently sit beside your complicated feelings.

Take You DownSZA

SZA – Take You Down (Lyric Video)

It’s a track with a laid-back beat and a mysterious vibe—perfect for a summer night.

It’s included on Lana, the reissue of American R&B artist SZA’s acclaimed album SOS.

SZA is known for her emotionally rich lyrics, and this song feels like it portrays intimate, sensual moments with someone special.

Her whispery vocals over restrained production make it feel like you’re sharing a secret between two people.

Originally left off the album, it was released just before her performance at the Super Bowl in February 2025, surprising fans.

Why not give it a listen on a summer evening, when the breeze has cooled a bit and you’re ready to relax?

BodySummer Walker

Body

A perfect track for summer nights from Summer Walker, a leading figure in the modern R&B scene.

This song is included on her acclaimed October 2019 release, Over It.

While it seems to exude a purely sensual mood, the lyrics actually carry a message of self-love—cherishing your body and embracing its allure in full.

The fact that a music video was created about a year and a half later in response to passionate fan demand shows just how deeply loved this track is.

Listen at summer dusk, as the air turns a bit cooler, and you’ll feel both mind and body gently unwind.

Put it on for a night when you want to treat yourself with care.

FireAlessia Cara

Alessia Cara – Fire (Lyric Video)

A story of inner passion and self-growth from Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara.

Featured on her album “Love & Hyperbole,” released in February 2025, this track is a heartfelt R&B number written and composed by Cara herself.

Since her 2015 debut, she has earned worldwide acclaim—including a Grammy Award for Best New Artist—and her musicality is on full display here.

Blending powerful yet delicate vocals with a catchy melodic line, the song symbolically conveys courage and hope in the face of adversity.

Cara’s worldview, which vividly portrays the struggles and growth of young people, will resonate with anyone walking toward their dreams and goals.

Clean Up WomanBetty Wright

Clean Up Woman – Betty Wright (1971)

Betty Wright is an American R&B singer known for her powerful vocals and soulful expressiveness.

Released in November 1971, this gem of a love song tells a poignant story of a sad ending brought on by a lack of affection in a relationship.

Its lyrics, which portray a woman losing her lover to another woman, emphasize the importance of everyday communication and expressing gratitude.

Featured on the album “I Love the Way You Love,” the track weaves funky rhythms with a memorable guitar riff, while her voice—just 17 at the time—strikes straight to the heart.

It reached No.

2 on Billboard’s R&B chart and No.

6 on the Hot 100, and was certified Gold.

A song that resonates with anyone struggling with love.