Western R&B Popularity Ranking [2025]

Girls Need LoveSummer Walker36rank/position

Summer Walker – Girls Need Love (Official Music Video)

A gem of an R&B piece that captures a woman’s candid feelings, resonating in the twilight.

Released in 2018 by American artist Summer Walker, this track has become a signature work that lays bare the real emotions and desires of modern women.

Blending classic ’90s R&B with contemporary neo-soul, its sound is exquisitely fused, while her whispery, gentle vocals layer over it to evoke an intimate, bittersweet summer night.

Featured on her debut mixtape “Last Day of Summer,” the song later gained attention with a remix featuring Drake.

Tenderly voicing the complexities of love and a woman’s inner world, this track is one that quietly stays with you on nights when you want to cherish your alone time or face yourself.

Good GoodUSHER, Summer Walker, 21 Savage37rank/position

USHER, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – Good Good (Official Music Video)

Usher, the R&B singer who was hugely active in the 2000s.

He’s an R&B singer with a large fanbase in Japan as well.

His collaboration with two artists who are currently thriving in the R&B scene—Summer Walker and 21 Savage—is the track “Good Good.” The track is notable for evoking late-2000s R&B, and while it features many contemporary sounds, it’s crafted with a tone that retains the remnants of the revival boom.

Let’s DanceDavid Bowie38rank/position

David Bowie – Let’s Dance (Official Video)

David Bowie, the world-renowned British artist who constantly kept an eye on the times and changed his musical style like a chameleon.

The work that made his name echo around the globe was released in March 1983 at the height of the disco boom, with funk maestro Nile Rodgers brought on as producer, resulting in an irresistibly groovy dance tune.

Yet beneath the surface lies depth as well—through the image of “wearing red shoes and dancing the blues,” it hints at people who conceal sorrow and feign joy.

The fact that he enlisted the then-unknown Stevie Ray Vaughan also speaks volumes about Bowie’s extraordinary eye for talent.

It’s a perfect track for a night when you want to dance till dawn at a party.

Let The Music PlayShannon39rank/position

Shannon – Let The Music Play (Official Music Video)

A track whose distinctive synth sound jumps out at you the moment you press play.

It’s irresistibly danceable, and it captures the excitement of electronic music while conveying the sense that synth sound design is limitless.

The vocals feel mature yet approachable, making it an addictive listen.

Real LoveMary J Blige40rank/position

Mary J blige – Real Love

Recently, the legendary female R&B singer Mary J.

Blige has been attracting attention once again on the front lines.

She’s an artist you simply can’t overlook when talking about 1990s R&B.

She has created numerous classics, but the track I especially recommend for summer is “Real Love.” It’s not exactly a hot, high-energy number, but it’s incredibly groovy and easy to get into, making it perfect as background music for summer drives or parties.

Move on UpCurtis Mayfield41rank/position

Move on Up (Extended Version)

Curtis Mayfield, who made a significant impact on Black music not only as a singer-songwriter but also as a composer.

During the time he was active, the genre of neo soul was mainstream, but he was known for a distinctive musical style that mixed elements of funk into neo soul.

His track “Move on Up” encapsulates his appeal and is said to have influenced Bob Marley, the god of reggae.

We Are FamilySISTER SLEDGE42rank/position

Sister Sledge – We Are Family (Official Music Video)

A classic that emerged in 1979, during the golden age of disco music.

Known as Sister Sledge’s signature work, this powerful track was created by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards.

Its lyrics celebrating family bonds and unity blend perfectly with a catchy melody.

Included on the album “We Are Family,” it became a major hit, reaching No.

2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It has also been strongly embraced by the LGBTQ community and is well known as a song frequently played at gay pride parades.

It’s a surefire choice to instantly lift the mood at gatherings such as weddings and house parties.