Our Top 10 Kelis Songs list takes a look at an eclectic singer, songwriter, musician, author and cook. She is known for her unique style of singing. She didn’t take the same root as other r&b acts. She sings alternative r&b music. She may not be the first person you think of when you think of r&b singers, but she made an impact on the business. One of her most popular songs is “Milkshake.” She has a lot of singles that weren’t released in America. Some of her hits include “Caught Out There,” “Good Stuff,” “Get Along with You,” “Bossy,” “Milkshake,” “Millionaire,” “4th of July (Fireworks),” “Trick Me,” “In Public,” as well as other singles.
Kelis Rogers was born on August 21, 1979. She learned to play instruments while she was still in high school. After she finished high school, she got a job as a backup singer on Gravediggaz’ single “Fairy Talez.” She would go on to meet Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams. They would get signed to Virgin Records and the rest was history. Kaleidoscope was released in 1999. The album peaked at number 23 on the r&b charts and number 144 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the singles “Caught Out There,” “Good Stuff” and “Get Along with You.” The album sold over 249,000 copies. Wanderland came out in 2001. It peaked at number 13 on the UK r&b albums charts. It features the singles, “Young, Fresh n’ New,” “Daddy,” “Scared Money” and “Shooting Stars.
Tasty was released in 2003. It peaked at number seven on the r&b charts and 27 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Milkshake,” “Trick me,” “Millionaire,” “In Public.” The album went to sell over 530,000 records. Kelis Was Here came out in 2006. This was the first album she recorded without The Neptunes. She worked with Rapahel Saadiq, Max Martin, Scott Storch, Nas, Sean Garrett and will.i.am. The album peaked at number six on the six r&b charts and number 10 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Bossy,” “Blindfold Me” and “Lil Star.” The album sold over 150,000 copies.
Flesh Tone came out in 2010. The album peaked at number 48 in the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Acapella,” “4th of July (Fireworks),” “Scream” and “Brave.” Food came out in 2014. The album peaked at number 73 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Jerk Ribs,” “Rumble,” and “Friday Fish Fry.”
Kelis may not be your typical r&b artist, but she is original. She has her own flare. She wanted to record the music she wanted to make and not what was expected of her. It may have cost her mainstream fame, but she didn’t sell have to sell her soul out to make the music she wanted to make. Our Top 10 Kelis Songs list will feature her best songs.
# 10 – Get Along with You
The first song on our Top 10 Kelis Songs list is “Get Along With You” from her album Kaleidoscope album. The song has a pop sound. The meaningful song is about her relationship with her man. She tried her best to make it work, but he didn’t seem to want the same thing. She wanted to get along with him, but he didn’t agree with her. She couldn’t be with a man like that anymore. She expressed how much she loved him and not his possessions. She wondered why he didn’t want the relationship to last. This song will hit close to home to anyone who has had his or her heart broken for one reason or another.
Kelis doesn’t play by the rules, but she knows what to do to make you think. The Neptunes wrote this song from a woman’s point of view even though they are men. You don’t have to be a woman to appreciate the lyrics. Men could also go through this type of heartache. Once you hear the music, you will recognize The Neptunes sound. The beat is fantastic. The song is meant to be a ballad, but it has tempo. The beat will have you moving as you listen to the lyrics. Kelis’ vocals were perfect for the track. The quality of her voice is stellar. She sounds similar to r&b singer Blu Cantrell. She harmonizes with herself in the lead and background vocals. Her voice is stacked and she sounds like multiple people. Kelis and The Neptunes would go on to create different songs together. They were a match made in Heaven.
# 9 – In Public ft. Nas
The next song on our Top 10 Kelis Songs list is “In Publc” ft. Nas from the Tasty album. The song has an r&b sound. The seductive song is about her having sex in public with her man. She is turned on by her man and can’t wait to have sex with him. She’s willing to be with him “in public.” It turns her on to be in different places. This song is about letting go of your inhibitions and being free to be sexual with your lover. If you aren’t the type of person who would be with your lover in public, you could fantasize about being out with your lover. This song is excellent for people who can’t wait to have a great time with their lovers.
“In Public” is for the grown and sexy. This song is the type of track where you have to get the kids out of the room so you could hear it. It may put you in the mood to be with your lover. This song sounds like something you would use to entice your lover in the bedroom or wherever the mood hits you. The track isn’t for the easily offended. You will hear some very sexually explicit lyrics. It’s a pleasant surprise to hear a husband and wife record a song about being into each other. It’s a married couple trying to keep the spark alive in their relationship.
There aren’t too many married couples who sing songs like this one. Kelis and Nas were together when they recorded this track. We’re pretty sure this song put them in a sexy mood. The music is inviting and will hold your attention.The Neptunes didn’t produce this album so she worked with different people for this track. Rockwilder’s production is incredible. His style is almost similar to The Neptunes sound. The music is drum and synth heavy and will have you grooving. Kelis’ vocals are like taking a warm bath. She will make you feel relaxed while listening to her seductive voice. Nas does an excellent job on his rhymes. He rhymes are explicit, but he is singing about the woman he loves. They worked well together and should have recorded more music together.
# 8 – Trick Me
The breakup song is from her Tasty album. The song has an r&b beat. The anthemic song is about a woman who refuses to get tricked by her man. She told him that he fooled her once, but she refused to be played by him again. She admitted that she fell for him and everything he told her. She woke up and realized that he wasn’t going to break her heart anymore. This is the track that people should listen to when they are tired of being played by the people who are supposed to care about them. Most of us have been down this road before when it concerns dealing with people who take advantage of us. This song will give you the strength to move on with your life. Sometimes people get caught up in a bad relationship and refuse to see that they won’t be played anymore. Kelis lets you know that it’s okay to walk away from a relationship that doesn’t work.
Kelis doesn’t sound bitter on the track. She is fed up and wants to end it. She has strength that most of us wish we could have when it concerns ending a relationship. This track has a retro sound. It has an exciting guitar riff throughout the track. Dallas Austin produced this song and he likes to infuse r&b and rock music together. He created a different sound for her without having her lose her special touch. You can dance to this track because the beat is phenomenal.
The vibe is hot and you can definitely hear it in the clubs. As soon as the DJs put this song on, the floor will be filled with people. Everyone will get up and dance to this track. Kelis’ vocals will hold your attention. You might be so drawn to the music that you may not realize you are listening to Kelis. Her vocals don’t disappoint. She sounds incredible. She took a risk and rapped in the song. She’s not known for her rhyming skills, but she did a good job here.
# 7 – 4th of July (Fireworks)
The sultry song is from the Flesh Tone album. It has an electro, house and dance beat. The longing song is about a woman who is hot for a man. She wants him to be in her life. The title of the song is incidental. She wants him in her life. She is attracted to a guy and she wants him. She is convinced that nothing she says or does will be as good as loving her man. She doesn’t sound angry on this track. She recorded a few bitter tracks so it was refreshing to hear her sing a song about being in love. We have all heard love songs throughout our lives. Love songs have been a factor in music since the beginning, but she managed to make this song sound fresh and unique.
Kelis stepped out of her comfort zone with this song. She did r&b in the past. This was her chance to do an electro dance song. David Guetta produced a futuristic track that slams into you and makes you want to move around. It has an incredible bassline that makes you want to party until dawn. The piano pulls the beat together. This isn’t the type of track that you would hear everyday. He created something original. The music matches the theme of the song. The only problem with the song is that it’s hard to hear Kelis over the loud music. She sings in a lower pitch for the verses and her voice sounds beautiful. It’s hard to understand what she’s saying in the verses. We don’t have to worry because she comes alive in the chorus. She belts so she can be heard over the infectious beat.
# 6 – Acapella
The inspirational song is from the Flesh Tone album. It has a techno beat. The celebratory song is a tribute to her son. She expresses how much she loves her son. She talks about how her child’s existence made it possible for her to experience a different type of love. She found love through the sound of her son’s voice. She expresses selfless love towards her son. This song was different for her because it wasn’t about a relationship with a lover. The song is about the love of her child and how he inspires her to be a better person. It’s always touching to hear an artist paying tribute to their children. It’s not done that often so it will always be a good thing to hear an artist sing a song about their children.
Kelis took a risk by creating this song as a dance track. This is the type of song that you would expect to hear as a ballad. The music sounds like a Donna Summer inspired track. It sounds similar to “I Feel Love.” This song is perfect for the dance club. You don’t hear too many songs dedicated to artists’ children in the club. She wanted to make a meaningful song to her son and have it fit in the clubs. Kelis is the type of artist who doesn’t conform to what other pop acts should record. She wants to stand out among the rest so it makes complete sense that she chose to express her love for her song through a club song. The song is full of energy as well as emotion. You will be able to dance as well as be inspired by this track. The title is misleading, but it gives you something to talk about while you dance.
# 5 – Millionaire ft. Andre 3000
The next song on our Top 10 Kelis Songs list is “Millionaire ft. Andre 3000 from the Tasty album. The track has a synth, funk, electronica, swing and pop sound. The melancholy song is about a person who has all of the money in the world, but feels like their lives are empty. The person wants more out of life than just being able to buy material things. Kelis and Andre 3000 talk about what’s missing from their lives. They have all of the money they could ever want, but feel like their lives are empty. They want to achieve what is missing from their lives. This isn’t exactly a song everyone can relate to. In fact, you may find yourself rolling your eyes as their sing about being millionaires. It’s easy to forget that rich people could have problems too.
If you pay attention to the lyrics, they are deep. They talk about not having more in life. They feel poor despite having all of the money they could ever need. This song was easily overshadowed by the monster hit “Milkshake.” The songs are on the same album so “Millionaire” had big shoes to fill. This song doesn’t stray too far from Andre 3000’s work on his Speakerboxxx/Love Below album with Outkast. He sings and raps throughout the song. He allows listeners to keep up with his rhyming skills. He has a laid-back flow on this song to make it easy to sing along with him. He plays a big role in the song. We have a feeling his popularity with the audience has something to do with this decision. Kelis’ vocals are amazing. She has a smoky tone to her voice that blended well with the music. She is such a talented singer, but she’s underrated because she follows her own rules.
# 4 – Good Stuff ft. Terrar aka Pusha T
The reflective song is from the Kaleidoscope album. The song has a hip-hop and r&b sound. The commanding song is about a woman who wants a man to realize that she’s the one for him. She is the “good stuff.” She feels like he’s wasting his time on the other woman that he’s dating. She wants him to watch her. She would give herself to him if he would just give her a chance. She believes that she’s the best person he could choose. This song is a prelude to “Milkshake.” The themes are similar to each other. She feels she’s the one that the man wants. You have to have the confidence to be able to pull off a song like this one. Kelis is the right person for the job.
Kelis might have appeared egotistical on this track, but she sounds confident that the man she loves is better off with her. There aren’t too many people who are bold or forward enough to expect a man to be with her when he’s involved with someone else. She manages to express this without coming off like a jerk. The Neptunes production is out of this world. They did their best to create an excellent track for Kelis. The music fits perfectly with the theme. It’s upbeat and energetic.
We can picture her in a club trying to take a man from the woman he’s seeing. This song is drum and synth heavy. Her vocals are strong. You can forget that this song is on her debut album. She sounds like she’s been in the business for years. Terrar aka Pusha T’s rhyme was excellent. He didn’t take over the song. He spit his rhyme and allowed her to shine on the track. Some rappers tend to take over songs and make the singer’s guest stars on their own tracks. He didn’t do that to her on this song. She was given the room to showcase her sensual vocals.
# 3 – Caught Out There
The cathartic song is from the Kaleidoscope album. The song has an r&b beat. The frustrating song is about a woman who is tired of her man cheating on her. She knows he broke her trust as well as her heart when he decided to cheat on her. If you read our Top 10 Neptunes Songs list article, then you know this song appeared on the list. This song had to make a reappearance because it’s the song that put Kelis on the map. This track tackles infidelity like no other song did in the past. Kelis is very expressive with her hate for her man after he cheated on her. She thought he would be the one, but he turned out to be a cheater. This is a brilliant song about cheating. She goes through the motions as she talks about how much she hates him for what he did to her. It’s understandable that she would hate him because he cheated on her.
Kelis gets the chance to let her anger out in this song. She screams when she gets to the chorus. She screams about how much she hates her man. Men are not the target audience for this track, but they could feel something from this song too. The Neptunes were basically an unknown production team when they worked with Kelis on this track. Once this song hit the radio that was bound to change. They produced a killer song for her to sing. The music is energetic and bouncy. There was nothing like it on the radio prior to this song being released. They brought out the best in Kelis. They allowed her to be herself on this song and that was a recipe for success. This song perfectly blends rock with r&b music. The chorus will stay in your head because she commands you to sing along with her as she talks about how much hates her man.
# 2 – Bossy ft. Too Short
The boastful song is from the Kelis Was Here album. The song has a hip-hop beat. The sassy song is about a woman letting everyone know who is in control. She thinks she’s a “boss.” The term is known in the urban community as someone who is on top of their game and in control. It doesn’t have anything to do with being an employer. Kelis talks about how people love to hate her because she’s a boss. She’s explains how she has a lot of “ice” and was the first to scream on a record. She feels empowered and she wants everyone to know it. She believes she’s smoking hot. The song is self-aggrandizing because she boasts about her power throughout the track.
Kelis expresses herself in a very confident and almost boastful way. She wants everyone to know that she’s the boss. This was one of her highest charting tracks after “Milkshake.” Kelis needed a track to gain attention after the smash hit “Milkshake” was released. “Bossy” was a good choice because she displays the same type of confidence that she has on the big hit. The beat is distinctive and stands out. It has an edgy sound that will have you bopping your head. You can expect to hear this type of track in jeeps driving down the street. Too Short’s rhyme supports her claims that she’s a boss.
He wants to be with her. He wants people to understand that she’s a boss. He doesn’t rhyme too fast so you can understand him. He doesn’t overstay his welcome. He does what he needs to do and then he disappears. He allows the boss to take over the song. Kelis’ warm and breathy vocals soar on this track. She doesn’t do any vocal tricks, but she didn’t need to do them for this song.
# 1 – Milkshake
The number one song on our Top 10 Kelis Songs list is “Milkshake” from the Tasty album. The song has an r&b and dance beat. The popular song is about a woman talking about what makes her feel special. She believes she has that something extra that gets attention. Milkshake is a metaphor for self-confidence. If you read our Top 10 Pharrell Williams Songs list and our Top 10 Neptunes Songs list, then you know this song is making another appearance. We couldn’t finish this Kelis songs list without including her signature song. This song would go on to follow her throughout her career. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the track is number one again. When the song was released it made women embrace their own milkshake. The song teaches women to be confident in themselves.
The Neptunes wanted to create an r&b song that would dominate the charts. They did what they set out to do. This song was a massive hit on the charts. It was on the radio all of the time. You will instantly recognize the beat as a The Neptunes track. If you have followed The Neptunes career, then you would know their sound anywhere. The beat is a club banger. You can also hear this song at cookouts.
We dare you to sit still listening to this song. You will never look at a milkshake the same way again after hearing this song. Kelis gave this novelty song her all. She sings it with the right amount of confidence and sassiness to pull off the lyrics. The song might not have worked if another artist recorded it. Kelis’ vocals are wonderful on this song. Her voice is like warm butter on toasted bread. This song is an earworm that you will want to hear repeatedly.
Top 10 Kelis Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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