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How To Spot An R&B Song

If someone sings about girls and money, that doesn't automatically make it an R&B song.

Clariza Adao

Dec 12, 2018

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

1284

Clariza Adao

Rythmes and blues, also known as R&B, is a favorite music genre amongst many people. It's common for people to confuse R&B and rap. Yes, they are similar, but there is definitely a difference. I think of R&B as slow rap. If that description isn't good enough, I hope this is a better description.

1. Conversing

I kid you not: a lot of R&B singers have conversations in their songs. I have been listening to R&B all my life—to this day, I do not understand why they do this. It's kinda funny when the singer decides to talk at you in their songs because it's honestly the most random thing one can hear when trying to appreciate the song's art. It sometimes ruins the song. R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" is a perfect example of conversations throughout the song. Honestly, a lot of R. Kelly songs have conversations in them.

2. Love

R&B songs are usually about love. Specifically, anything from the love spectrum really: from falling in love to breaking up with someone, and even having sex with someone. Music videos usually include a couple, typically a heterosexual couple, and highlight all aspects of their relationship. If it sounds like someone confessing their love to their lover, chances are you are listening to an R&B song.

3. Caught in your feelings

Songs are automatically better when there is a lesson behind it. All songs have lessons, but lessons in R&B are unique. R&B offers lessons other than *ahem* how to do the horizontal tango. Love lessons are common in R&B. Love is complicated but beautiful. If you ever need to some love advice and want to listen to a good tune, listen to an R&B song. R&B is mellow and slow, and it's inevitable for you to be in your feels.

4. Shout outs

Depending on the artists, they to shout out people in their song. Not all R&B songs have this element, but it is worth pointing out. Shoutouts usually happen in the beginning of the song. If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's usually the part that has people saying "What? Why does he keep saying 1738?" Shouts out include but are not limited to the following: their mom, their significant other, and their record company.

5. H Y P E

R&B is not always mellow. I know I told y'all that R&B is slow and mellow. However, there are exceptions. There are a few R&B songs that can hype people up. It's great when music can put you in a good mood. When everyone is in a good mood, everyone has a good time!

Great! You know what an R&B song is (I hope). If you still don't know what it is, just search it up on YouTube.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

How To Spot An R&B Song

If someone sings about girls and money, that doesn't automatically make it an R&B song.

1. Conversing

2. Love

3. Caught in your feelings

4. Shout outs

5. H Y P E

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

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2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

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5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

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Candles

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