The Queens Collective Top 20 Ballads of 1996 Part 2

The Queens Collective Top 20 Ballads From 20 Years Ago!!! Part 2, Numbers 20 through 11.

 

1996 was a big year for Divas and ballads. The Queens Collective has narrowed them down to a Top 20 list of essentials. Here we have the last half of the list, numbers 20 through 11. Prepare yourself for pure power.

 

20. Madonna - You Must Love Me - Madonna shocks the world again, playing the part of Eva Peron in the movie version of the musical "Evita". The vulnerable lead single "You Must Love Me" shows a new found confidence in Madonna's voice. This tender tune slips in last on the list, but it won't be the last we hear from her.

19. Gloria Estefan - Reach - One of the official songs for the Summer Olympics, Gloria goes for gold with this inspiring song about inner strength. The song can be found on her equally inspiring album "Destiny" released the same summer.

 

18. Toni Braxton - Let It Flow - There were no shortages of Toni or the "Waiting To Exhale" soundtrack in 1996. Her laid back approach on this moving on song makes a hard situation sound so easy. The song is also featured on her album "Secrets".

17. Aretha Franklin - It Hurts Like Hell - Aretha reminds us all of why she is the Queen of Soul in this tear jerking ballad. The appropriately titled song is another fiery account of scorned love off the "Waiting To Exhale" soundtrack.

16. Mariah Carey - Underneath The Stars - The amazing Miss Mariah in a live version of the song, from her "Daydream" tour, originally off her album of the same name. She definitely paints a pretty picture of a moon lit night with that voice of hers.

15. Whitney Houston - Why Does It Hurt So Bad - Yet another stellar track from the "Waiting To Exhale" soundtrack, this is Whitney's second single released from the album, following last years "Exhale (Shoop Shoop). Oh yeah, this is only one of three soul drenched classic Whitney ballads to be featured on this list, no big deal.

14. Celine Dion - Because You Loved Me - This song was inescapable in 1996! For good reason of course, it's uplifting, powerful, inspirational, beautiful.....it's Celine! Found either on her "Falling Into You" album, or the "Up Close & Personal" soundtrack.

13. Tina Turner - Missing You - Tina turns it out on her 1996 album "Wildest Dreams". One of it's many excellent singles, "Missing You" reminds us why we all love Tina so much, her voice still the demanding force it always has been.

 

12. Cher - The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore - Cher is one of few who could make such a statement sound so wonderful. She takes this often times covered classic and claims it her own, something she has always done well, and makes an entire album out of that theme with "It's A Man's World".

11. Des'ree - Kissing You - This was the love theme to the blockbuster "Romeo & Juliet", and it melted hearts as well as the movie. Des'ree's heavy vibrato and the lush orchestration capture the intensity of young love perfectly.

Check back soon for Part 1 to see who the reigning Queen of the power ballad was in 1996!