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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

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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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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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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

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It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

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Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

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Remember that everything works out at the end

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