Thread by @naima

#MusicSermon time.
⛪️

So usually, our weekly study is based on specific eras, or types of artists, and I almost went that way this week. But it wasn't right...

Instead, today's #MusicSermon is topical (and I can't take credit for the original thread idea).

You know, pride is killing modern love, and arguable modern music. Plenty of songs about leaving or taking someone else's, few @ staying.

But the word says love is not boastful. It also says to be without fear and make your petitions known....

So today, church, we're gonna talk about Beggin' Ass R&B Songs

This is appropriate as many of you travel home from your respective homecomings, bc ya'll probably saw your old work & got to reminiscing...

Anyway

R&B has a long & strong history of various types of begging, simping, pleading, negotiating, etc in songs. The Temps laid it down clearly...

Now there are subcategories of Beggin' R&B, and we're gonna walk through them one by one.
First, there's the Holla Begging...

Holla Begging is that "They just did last call and I need to close this deal" R&B. Old playas specialize in this. Who was telling Teddy no?

Marvin had a couple of these joints (because, duh, he's Marvin).
Also, Marvin is too cool to even be bothered with the mic, and I love it.

Marvin was even like "F*ck after the dance. I know you feeling what I'm feeling, what we doin?". Laying down, in sweat pants, effortless...

Like I said, I know a few of you had these convos this weekend at homecoming...

Eugene Wild wasn't even coy with it.

Holla Beggin' was also "Ay, ay girl. Lemme talk to you." (Which admittedly borders on Street Harassment R&B)

Even young Tevin was in the mall trying to get his Holla Beg on

And we can't get into a Begging thread without the KING of Begging R&B and his Holla Beg anthem, Keith Sweat

Then there's the Creepin' Beg. I know I'm not yours, this is wrong. But listen, just chill for a minute. We act like this song ain't @ this.

And Luther took a Brenda Russell Creepin' Beg classic and made it his own, with runs and the whole nine, chile. Just stay, shit.

And I don't know for *sure* that the Blue Notes were talking about being pressed to see their side again, but it sure sounds like it.

Then we have the Old Work Beg. (Ya'll def ran into this @ homecoming). Damn it's been a long time. You look great....

Don't you remember how it used to be? Nah, no, we both gotta go back to our families tomorrow, but just tonight, come on...

This ninja said There. Is. No. Need. To. Watch. The. Bridges. That. We're. Burning.
SONNNN

Next there's the Heartbroken Come Back Beg. This is self explanatory. This category has me in my feelings even when I'm in a relationship.

These songs don't tell us who did what, we just know there's a hole in the heart. Pain. Longing. Just fix it, Jesus. Bring 'em back.

Marvin said "You should think about me... say a prayer for me."
That's just...
(Marvin also really wasn't for the lipsync move)

Lisa Stansfield ain't even know where here man WAS!!! She just knew she had to find him and bring him home!! She was Carmen Sandiego w/ it!

Then there's the I Fucked Up Come Back Beg. Girl my bad. I ain't mean it. I won't do it anymore (again).

K-Ci, JoJo, Dalvin and Devante knew they effed up so bad, they sojourned into the dessert when she'd only been gone AN HOUR.

Another one from the Blue Notes and Teddy in this category. Now you know this old school when they talk @ how much they been drinkin'...

And yes, we already had a whole entire convo about Teddy's wig last week.

Next, the You Should Be With Me And You Don't Even Know It silent Beg. And this entry is gonna surprise you, but LISTEN to the lyrics.

The absolute all time anthem for this category comes from Aunt Patti. And I pulled an old vid so you could check her 'fit. Amen.

I've been trying to slip Vanessa Williams in for a while, cause folks need to be reminded, but she was trying to get out the friend zone.

There's also You Need to Be With Me & Lemme Tell You Bout It

Jeffrey Osborne put his pleading game down with no hesitancy and no shame. "And you-woo-woo-woo..."

Ni**as like Shai are why you need to be careful to not let your girl leave hurt. Because she going to cry to these dudes, and they plottin'.

Dude calling the next day to make up, and she's at cabin in the mountains with Shai.
Or she's at dinner with Joe...

Ok, we're rounding for home. There was also Stop Playing R&B. Girl going hot and cold, acting like she don't know what's up?

Bobby wasn't gonna try to negotiate but for so long though...

Stokley was also tired of this young lady and her games.

Aaron Hall had to beg ol' girl to relax after he told her he was gonna lock the door in the first "Don't Be Afraid" (This is my sh*t though)

Rick came home high, drunk, making noise, knocking shit over. His lady was not having it, and he was not having her not having it.

And finally, the beggingist of begging: The I Just Can't Go On Without You Beg. I'ma die. Life just over. Baby PLEASE.

Shirley Murdock was cozied up during "As We Lay", then her man left and she was looking like the Mr. Crab meme

Even Whitney was about that us or nothing love. And we know she was bout that in real life too.

And this feels overdramatic AF now, but when this song came out? Listen.
Shoutout to one of the greatest soundtracks of all time.

But wasn't nobody, NOT NOBODY, going through it like brother Lenny. Ya'll youngun's don't know @ actual tv programming going off at night.

And then there was Ok, I Might Not Die, But Still Don't Leave Me. This is probably my favorite Boys II Men song.

And winding it down with this category, my favorite En Vogue song. (Beggin' songs are great for heart felt sing-alongs, man)

I'm gonna close this thread out, appropriately, with the King of Begging once again, cuz this song could fit multiple categories we covered.

Next time you need to get your baby back, or let that person know ya'll need to be together, humble yourself, and remember these words...

And now if all hearts and minds are FULL
*Extends hand*
And now, unto music that is able to keep you from falling, be soul, harmonies...

...and vibes. Now, henceforth, and forever more.
And all the people said...

Playlist is coming, and yes, I'm passing the offering plate (no pressure, but bc some do ask)

I promise the playlist is coming. I'm sequencing!

BAM: Begging Ass R&B Songs (@spotify). Apple Music soon come.

open.spotify.com/user/ncochrane…

BAM: Begging Ass R&B Songs (@applemusic)

itunes.apple.com/us/playlist/be…