Sorry for the delay, everyone! I just got back to school yesterday and I haven't had much time to work on this; the first few days of a new quarter are always really hectic. I know you're anxious to get started, so I will do my best to launch it tonight or tomorrow.
The votes have been tallied (thank you to my 19 participants!) and I'm ready to reveal which '90s R&B teen queen reigns supreme. It was a tight battle—by the end, two songs clearly stood above the rest—but from the first ballot on to the last, our winner never let up its relentless grip on the top spot. Impressively, all three ladies are represented in the top three of our countdown, but one truly dominated the upper reaches of the list, while another saw most of her catalog left in the dust. (Just for your information, scores were rounded to two decimal places and all ties were broken by looking at which song had more higher ratings.) I know some of you have been itching to start, and I can't wait to hear what you all think, so let's get to it!
"Everytime tha Beat Drop" ft. Dem Franchize Boyz (2006) The Makings of Me
Hot 100 peak: #48
Overall score: 5.05 High score: 8 (3x)/Low score: 0 (2x)
At the height of urban music's mid-aughties dominance, as the crunk movement was making its final reverberations of influence felt on the Hot 100, Monica released this uninspired "snap" single that incorporates beats from Nelly's #1 hit "Grillz" and a guest spot from one-trick ponies Dem Franchize Boyz. Audiences were not here for the song, and neither were voters in this rate, who dropped "Beat" all the way to the bottom of the countdown, more than a point behind its closest competitor.
"Get It Off" (2003) After the Storm
Hot 100 peak: #75
Overall score: 6.42 High score: 9 (3x)/Low score: 0 (1x)
Released as a double A-side single with "Knock Knock," this Missy Elliott production is like the soundtrack to a jumping house party, with a hugely danceable chorus and plenty of chanted refrains. Intended to revitalize Monica's hip-hop appeal after a string of ballads (it even features her rapping!), the song was mostly ignored by audiences—though it did become a moderate club hit—and shunned by voters in this rate.
"Get It Off" is hot, but it makes sense that it's so low.
I really like "Get It Off," so I was surprised it was second to last. But it also took a couple of listens for me to fully appreciate the song, which may have happened with other voters who were not excited the first time around.
"Just Another Girl" (2001) Down to Earth soundtrack
Hot 100 peak: #64
Overall score: 6.61 High score: 9.5 (1x)/Low score: 3 (1x)
Serving as one of the singles for the soundtrack to the 2001 Chris Rock comedy Down to Earth, "Just Another Girl" is a sassy kiss-off to a bad boyfriend. Though it started strong, the song's later scores were almost all concentrated in the 5-7 range, pushing it toward the bottom of our list.
I really like "Get It Off," so I was surprised it was second to last. But it also took a couple of listens for me to fully appreciate the song, which may have happened with other voters who were not excited the first time around.
Do you know it sampled the same song as Jennifer Lopez's "Feelin' So Good" - Strafe's "Set It Off"?
