Top 10 Erykah Badu Songs

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Our Top 10 Erykah Badu Songs list focuses on the talented r&b/neo soul singer. It’s hard to believe there was a time when she wasn’t in the music business, and now it’s hard to imagine music without her. She has an eccentric style that has influenced different artists over the years. Erykah Badu rose to fame in the late 90s with the release of her album Baduizm. This album was why critics called her the “queen of neo-soul.” Her career started when she opened for D’Angelo and has taken off ever since. Baduizm spawned four hit singles: “On & On”, “Appletree,” “Next Lifetime,” and “Otherside of the Game.”

Erica Abi Wright was born on February 26, 1971. She discovered her talent at an early age. She was freestyling on a local radio station when she was 14. She changed the spelling of her first name and last name because it’s her favorite jazz skat sound. Her voice has been compared to Billie Holiday. Erykah Badu is known for her eccentric style. She can be seen wearing colorful headwraps. Her debut album, Baduizm, came out in February 1997. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 charts and number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the singles “On & On,” “Appletree,” “Next Lifetime,” and “Otherside of the Game.” The album sold over two million copies. Mama’s Gun came out in November 2000. It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200 charts and number three on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the singles “Bag Lady,” “Didn’t Cha Know?” and “Cleva.” It sold over one million copies.

Worldwide Underground came out in September 2003. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 charts and number two on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the singles “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop),” “Danger” and “Back in the Day (Puff).” The album went gold. New Amerycah Part One (4th World War) dropped in February 2008. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the songs “Honey” and “Soldier.” New Amerycah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) dropped in March 2010. The album reached number four on the Billboard 200 charts and number two on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the songs “Window Seat,” “Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)” and “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long.” She went on to sell mixtapes and compilation albums.

Erykah Badu is a unique artist who plays by her own rules. She doesn’t record the type of music other artists create. She has her own style of music. She combines old school with new school music. She is one of the leading artists of neo-soul music. She helped put Neo Soul on the map. Our Top 10 Erykah Badu Songs list allows us to go down memory lane with this unique artist.

# 10 – Other Side of the Game

The 10th song on our Top 10 Erykah Badu Songs list is “Other Side of the Game” from her Baduizm album. The single came out in September 1997. The song is about a woman dating a man who is a hustler. He doesn’t have the ideal job and makes money illegally. He does provide for her financially. She was torn between her loyalty and love for him and her need to walk away from that life. His occupation causes her pain and worry. She wonders what would happen when his activities catch up to them. She is grateful for the life it has provided for her, but she doesn’t understand his choices. She doesn’t want her child to grow up knowing what he does. His lifestyle is putting a strain on their relationship.

“Other Side of the Game” is an intense song about life in the urban area. It’s not unusual for women to date hustlers in an urban area. Erykah Badu put a spotlight on this type of relationship. She presented a difficult situation. The woman wanted to walk away, but he provided a good life for her. This allows people to learn about a relationship in an urban area. You know what she’s talking about if you are familiar with it. If you don’t know about it, it will give you an idea of how hard it can be. The story is interesting, primarily if you haven’t heard it often.

It makes you question what you would do in a similar situation. Would you stay with someone with a questionable lifestyle if it provides for you financially? The music is the right touch of R&B and jazz music. We applaud the singer for using real music to tell the story. There are a lot of artists who use computerized music, but Erykah Badu is the real deal. You can get lost listening to the soothing music of this song. It’s an excellent song to listen to when you want to relax. Erykah Badu’s vocals may remind you of the legendary singer Billie Holiday. Her tone is similar to the legend. It’s easy to tell that she studied her music.

# 9 – Honey

The ninth song on our Top 10 Erykah Badu Songs list is “Honey” from her New Amerycah Part One (4th World War) album. The single was released in December 2007. It’s about a man who loves her despite how crazy she is. He is the perfect partner because he loves her for who she is. She loves him, and he brings out the best in her. They have gone through their ups and downs, but their love has remained strong.

“Honey” is a romantic song about unconditional love. It’s a tribute to the man in her life who loves her no matter what. The loving song is relatable to couples who have gone through their ups and downs but remain together. The track is different from her political and social songs. It gives Erykah Badu a chance to show her vulnerable side. It was nice to see her show her softer side. She sounds happy singing about her “honey.”

The lyrics are sweet and romantic. They are loving without sounding too sappy. As she talks about her relationship, the lyrics won’t make you want to roll your eyes. The production is a change for the artist. She chose to create an R&B, hip-hop, and jazz sound. The mix worked perfectly and didn’t sound dated. Her voice blends well with the music. Her vocals are sweet, like “honey.” You can hear her smiling while she expresses her love for her man.

# 8 – Appletree

The eighth song on our Top 10 Erykah Badu Songs list is “Appletree” from the Baduizm album. The single was released in March 1998. The single is about a woman who realizes the importance of being true to yourself. She’s trying to decide which way to go because she made a wrong turn somewhere. She is on a journey of self-reflection. She wants to take ownership of her choices. She doesn’t want to conform to what’s considered normal. If other people don’t want to follow her path, they do not reap the benefits of her “apple tree.”

“Appletree” is a reflective song about recognizing your own worth. It’s about accepting yourself and embracing who you are. This song is in Erykah Badu’s wheelhouse. She is at home writing songs that make you think. This song will give you a chance to reflect on yourself. If you have trouble figuring out who you are, this song will give you a chance to reflect on your inner self. Don’t let the creative title fool you.

The song is deep and meaningful. It will teach you not to worry about pleasing others. It encourages listeners to put themselves first. It will make you think about who you want to hang around. If the people around you don’t want to support you, they can go somewhere else. This is a lesson we can all learn. The music is upbeat and catchy. The song has a jazz beat mixed with R&B music. Erykah Badu takes her hand at singing and scatting at the same time. She is channeling her inner Billie Holiday on this song. We applaud her creativity and her vocal abilities in this song.

# 7 – Window Seat

Coming in at number seven is “Window Seat” from the New Amerycah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) album. The single was released in February 2010. The song is about wanting love and independence. The song opens with her talking about falling in love. She wants someone to miss her and to want her to come back. It transitions into her talking about feeling overwhelmed with life’s demands. She wants to escape from her life. She feels suffocated and wants to escape. She wants a ticket out of town. She wants the “window seat” on a plane. She doesn’t want anyone to sit next to her. She wants privacy and time to reflect. She wants to be able to breathe and recharge herself.

“Window Seat” is a metaphoric song about escapism. She wants time alone so she can reflect on her life. She wants the freedom to love herself. We all want to have peace of mind and the freedom to love ourselves without anyone trying to take that away from us. Sometimes it’s better to be alone so you can have time to think than it is to be around other people who distract you. If you ever want escapism from your mundane life, this song is what you need. Erykah Badu is telling your story. She is a genius when it comes to thought provoking songs. She writes songs that take you to a different place. This track will have you in your feelings. It’s the type of song you listen to with a drink in your hand. The music has a cool R&B and jazz beat to it. The smooth music will give you time to think about your life and where it’s headed. Her vocals are hypnotizing.

# 6 – Didn’t Cha Know?

“Didn’t Cha Know?” is from the Mama’s Gun album. The single was released in November 2000. The track is about the trials and tribulations of life. The decisions we make lead us to where we are. She is frustrated with trying to make the right choices but not always succeeding at it. She wants to follow her heart and her own path. She has made mistakes in the past but wants to find her way back to where she needs to be. She talks about the different experiences we face in life. There are many things she still doesn’t know. She’s changed her mind about things throughout her journey. She accepts her mistakes and takes responsibility for them.

“Didn’t Cha Know?” is an introspective song about self-awareness. Erykah Badu wants listeners to know that it’s okay to make mistakes and feel lost. The important thing is that we move forward and learn from our mistakes. She wants listeners to realize that people take wrong turns in life, but it’s important to get on the right path. The song embraces taking responsibility for your actions. We’ve all made bad choices at some point in our lives so we shouldn’t beat ourselves up about it. This song tells you it’s okay to make a mistake in your life. You just have to own up to your actions. Erykah Badu gives excellent advice about what to do when you make mistakes in life. It’s like getting advice from a good friend. The smooth ballad will have a calming effect on you. You will be hooked when you hear the first vocalization. She has a way of reeling you into the song either through the music or her vocals. The song is engaging because you feel like you are part of the story.

# 5 – Next Lifetime

The next song on our Top 10 Erykah Badu Songs list is “Next Lifetime” from the Baduizm album. The song was released in June 1997. The song is about a woman who is torn between two loves. It opens with a man confessing his feelings for her. She realizes she wants him. The problem is she’s already in a relationship. It goes into detail about when she met her new love. Even though she has feelings for him, she is in a relationship and can’t do anything about it. She hopes things will be different in another life. She accepts that she can’t be with him now, but she hopes to be with him in another lifetime.

“Next Lifetime” is a song about unrequited love. She tells a story about someone who is torn between two lovers. The song is about a love triangle. It has the makings of a soap opera. Love triangles are exciting to hear about because you never know who will be picked. Erykah Badu told an interesting story that listeners will want to follow until she is done. We applaud her for not acting on her feelings. She could have taken the easy way out and been with them both, but she chose to honor her commitment. We may not be able to relate to the story, but we’re hooked on it. If you can relate to the story, she is describing your situation. Her vocals are smooth as silk. She sounds sincere as she’s telling her story. She sounds like a woman torn. She sings in time with the infectious beat.

# 4 – Tyrone

“Tyrone” is from the Live album. The single was released in October 1997. “Tyrone” is about standing up for yourself. She’s singing about a man who calls her late at night asking to come over. She tells him to call “Tyrone.” She refuses to be at his beck and call. She’s not going to be available for him whenever he wants her to be. He needs to find another way to fulfill his needs. He needs to take responsibility for himself and his life instead of relying on her. She refuses to let him take advantage of her anymore. He is not going to reach out to her when he needs something. He has to call “Tyrone” to get the things he needs.

“Tyrone” is the ultimate female anthem. It’s about female empowerment. It’s about standing up for yourself against people who try to take advantage of you. The song had a profound effect on people’s lives. This song became a hit in pop culture especially with women. Women can be heard telling people to “call Tyrone” whenever a man wants something from her that she doesn’t want to provide. The song conveys the message that women are tired of people taking advantage of them and are ready to make a change. It’s a powerful message that resonates today. It’s amazing how Erykah Badu was able to come up with this song on the spot. She was in concert and made it the song it is today. You can hear the bitterness in her voice as she lets her man know she won’t be taken for granted anymore. She is singing the words we wish we could say to the people in our lives.

# 3 – Bag Lady

Coming in at number three on our list is “Bag Lady” from the Mama’s Gun album. The song came out in August 2000. The song is about a woman carrying emotional baggage from her past relationship. She’s carrying the baggage around with her. In order for her to be free and happy, she has to let go of the baggage and move on with her life. The bags are a burden to her. She has been carrying them too long. The bags are interfering with her ability to live her life to the fullest. She needs to let go of the things that are holding her down. Emotional baggage can impact relationships the longer we carry it. This baggage has the potential of scaring off other people.

“Bag Lady” is a deep song about letting go of the problems in your life. If we don’t let go of them, they can stop other people from wanting to be in our lives. “Bag Lady” is symbolic of emotional baggage. The song teaches you not to hold on to the problems you are facing. It is better to let things go so you can move on with your life. Emotional baggage can weigh you down and stop you from living. Erykah Badu did an excellent job painting a picture of how emotional baggage can hinder your life. Most of us have emotional baggage and need to get rid of it. Erykah Badu teaches us how to get rid of baggage. The lyrics are profound and will hit home especially if you have emotional baggage. She came up with a creative way to describe this feeling. The song may have a strange title, but it’s a way of life. It’s a mantra to help you stay true to yourself and let go of the things you don’t need.

# 2 – Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop) ft. Common

In second place on our list is “Love of My Life (an Ode to Hip Hop)” and appears on the Brown Sugar Soundtrack and Worldwide Underground albums. The single came out in August 2002. The song is about her first love. Her first love in this song is hip-hop music. She has a deep connection with music and wants to celebrate her love for it. It’s also the love of a childhood sweetheart. She describes how she met her first love and the impact it had on her life. When things ended she felt alone. She thought about how he used to give her advice and support when she needed it. She moved on with her life and found the love of her life. The love of her life is hip-hop music.

“Love of My Life (Ode to Hip-Hop)” is a celebratory song about the loves of her life. Her loves are her childhood sweetheart and hip-hop music. The song is from the movie Brown Sugar, but you don’t have to watch the movie to understand the message of the song. It’s a stand-alone track. If you love hip-hop music, you can relate to the song. If you’re not into hip-hop music, you can use it to celebrate your love of different types of music. It’s a song about healing and how music can play a role in it. Music is there to comfort you and be your best friend or lover. Music is there to lift you up. Music is powerful and helps you get through tough times. Common is along for the ride and helps make this song complete. They work well together and should do more songs together.

# 1 – On & On

The number one song on our Top 10 Erykah Badu Songs list is “On & On.” The hit single appears on the Baduizm album. The song was released in December 1996. “On & On” is about embracing individuality and following your own path regardless of how people feel. Life can be difficult, but you must keep pushing and remain positive. The song touches on social issues such as poverty, racism, and equality. She stresses that true wealth comes from knowledge rather than money.

“On & On” is an anthem about spirituality and embracing individuality. Erykah Badu wants fans to move forward when dealing with adversity. Life can be hard, but you have to push forward. With everything happening in the world, this song is still relevant today. You can hear this song when you want to motivate yourself to overcome your obstacles. This is the song that helped make Erykah Badu a household name. She’s right at home with this type of song. This subject is what helped make her famous. This is a song we didn’t know we needed. It is a feel-good song that will give you hope that things will improve. The lyrics will make you feel like you are having a spiritual awakening. The song has a breezy R&B and neo-soul sound. This is alternative R&B at its finest. This song was a great way to introduce us to Erykah Badu.