Top 30 Neo-soul, jazzy, RnB heartbreak songs for girls to warble along with in the shower
I’m going to be honest with you.. I’m not entirely sure that the following songs are even Neo-soul, jazzy or RnB, nevermind being the Top 30 Neo-soul, jazzy and RnB songs.. What I can vouch for, is that at some point in the last 10 years, the following songs have been warbled in the shower by yours truly and her assorted friends and acquaintances while facing angst of the heart. Another confession: my only real heartbreak of the past 5 years was discovering that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart were actually together. Oh Twilight universe, why must you and I be on opposite sides of the reality spectrum??
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30 | I have nothing | Whitney Houston | The Bodyguard: OST |
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Whitney has sung some true ballads in her day, but nothing really competes with the sentiment of this. Plus, we gotta throw the poor girl a bone (grilled, not fried), have you seen those recent pictures??
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29 | Why do fools fall in love? | Frankie Lymon | single |
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The title pretty much says it all. Why Edward Cullen? Why???
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28 | I used to love him | Lauryn Hill/Mary J Blige | The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill |
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One of two Lauryn Hill efforts on the list, that girl knows heartbreak..
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27 | Take a bow | Rihanna | Good Girl Gone Bad |
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26 | If I ever feel better | Phoenix | United |
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Surprise appearance by French electropop hipster group extraordinaire Phoenix, but listen to the lyrics and you’ll see why
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25 | Moscas en la Casa | Shakira | Donde estan los ladrones |
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As someone who barely speaks English, never mind Spanish, I do find it an enjoyment to sing along with this simply-constructed but beautifully-rendered song about love and dead flies
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24 | Both sides now | Joni Mitchell | Both sides now |
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So there are two versions of this song knocking about, I happen to prefer the one where Joni sounds like Al Jolson, mainly cos it was featured on Love Actually, but also cos I like to think of Joni Mitchell dressed up as Al Jolson
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23 | Cry Baby Cry | The Angels | My Boyfriend's Back |
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22 | How long do I have to wait for you? | Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings | Naturally |
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The Dap Kings have some serious skills, as evidenced on Back to Black. Here they are in their natural habitat, making wonders with the deserves-to-be-super-famous Sharon Jones
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21 | That thing you do | The Wonders | That Thing you Do!: OST |
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20 | Out of reach | Gabrielle | Bridget Jones' Diary: OST |
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19 | Wake up alone | Amy Winehouse | Back to Black |
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The sophomore effort from the ever-destined-to-be-kept-back Amy Winehouse was full of righteous heartbreak and sighage. Wake Up Alone is another deceptively simple song that cuts to the chase both lyrically and harmonically
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18 | Look in my eyes | The Chantels | single |
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17 | Ready for love | India Arie | Acoustic Soul |
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16 | Don't leave me | Blackstreet | Another Level |
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15 | Everybody knows | John Legend | Evolver |
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Possibly the most adult song on this list. John Legend preaches psychology to the girl what done him wrong and teaches us that unfettered happiness in relationships is a privilege, not a right
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14 | Better in Time | Leona Lewis | Spirit |
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13 | Ex-Factor | Lauryn Hill | The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill |
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12 | Paparazzi | Lady Gaga | The Fame |
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Not the first choice I imagine for most, but I choose to believe that Paparazzi is about stalking someone you love when they refuse to love you back. And who hasn’t done that??
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11 | Don't let go (Love) | En Vogue | EV3 |
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10 | Never Ever | All Saints | All Saints |
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Oh Shaznay, Mel, Nicole and Natalie.. How I remember this song, and the rave reports you got when Judge Jules dropped it in its original format at Ministry of Sound. Tune!!!!
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9 | Chasing Pavements | Adele | 19 |
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8 | Against all odds | Phil Collins | Against all Odds OST |
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7 | I'm going down | Mary J. Blige | My Life |
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Having made an appearance on song choice #28, Mary J showcases her own lead vocals in a song that both in title and lyric “I don’t know what to do, if I ever lose you” smacks of someone screaming back “masturbation sweetheart!”
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6 | Baby don't you break my heart slow | Vonda Shepard | Vonda Shepard |
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5 | Don’t Speak | No Doubt | The Tragic Kingdom |
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4 | Lately | Stevie Wonder | Hotter than July |
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Aah Stevie. What a superhero. Kinda like Daredevil, your disability has left you with heightened senses. Except in your case, instead of being a crimefighting badass, you’re able to sing sweet love songs about adultery. When that key change hits, you feel like you’re being hit in the face with the musical equivalent of ‘the moneyshot’. Word. | ||
3 | Total eclipse of the heart | Bonnie Tyler | Faster Than the Speed of Night |
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Frank the Tank of Old School loved this for its vehement emotion. I love it too, especially for its literal music video. Oh Bonnie, you cougar you…
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2 | Emotion | Destiny's Child | Survivor |
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Beyonce, Michelle and Kelly three-part harmonise over a simple guitar riff. Again, it seems that the best heartbreak songs are those with simplicity and honesty at their core.
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1 | Love is a losing game | Amy Winehouse | Back to Black |
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And yes. Winehouse is number one. This song is for every single person out there who has realized that despite giving over love, for the other person it was just a game. Oh dang! | ||
So there we have it! I’m curious what you think of this list. Who was on it that deserves to be sent to Temptation Island, and who was left off it that deserves some marriage counseling? Also, check out the select hot chicks we have in our pic selection.. These girls make heartbreak look good.
