The Queens Collective Top 20 Ballads of 1996 Part 1

The Queens Collective Top 20 Ballads From 20 Years Ago!!! Part 1, Numbers 10 through 1.

 

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 Top 10, continue on to see which Diva takes the top spot. Prepare yourself for pure power.

10. Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Brandy & Tamia - Missing You - 90's newcomers Brandy and Tamia are joined by the iconic Gladys and Chaka for one of the years most impressive ballads. These four Divas pack a lot of power into an already powerful song, the lead single from the "Set It Off" soundtrack.

9. Chantay Savage - I Will Survive - Chantay takes this sizzling Disco anthem, and turns it into a smoldering power ballad. Her soul drenched version brings a whole new dimension to the song, which was the title track and lead single off her second album.

8. Madonna - Love Don't Live Here Anymore - Madonna repackages her 80's gem with a shiny new production for the 90's. This many times covered classic is one of the Queen of Pop's most boastful ballads, she pours a lot of emotion into this song, and hits some pretty impressive notes along the way. This new version was made available on her "Something To Remember" ballad compilation.

7. Whitney Houston - I Believe In You And Me - The lead single from "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack, and Whitney's second offering to the Countdown, is full of inspiration and power. Her huge voice soars in front of a Gospel choir "I was lost, and now I'm free, because I believe in you and me".

 

6. Mary J. Blige - Not Gon' Cry - Another song of inner strength from the not yet exhausted "Waiting To Exhale" soundtrack, Mary turns it out demanding respect not only from her ex-lover, but herself. This staying strong song was one of her biggest singles of the 90's.

5. Toni Braxton - Un-Break My Heart - Toni's gut wrenching tale of lost love was undoubtedly the most popular ballad of 1996. There was no getting away from it, but why would you want to! Her sultry deep voice perfectly captures the songs sorrow, only to release it to the wild on it's soaring final chorus. It can be found on her triumphant "Secrets" album.

 

4.The Fugees - Killing Me Softly - Lauryn Hill scores with this killer cover. This Roberta Flack classic got a complete hip hop makeover for the 90's, making it one of few songs from it's time that both thugs and soccer moms could be seen bobbing their head to. Fugees album "The Score" features this ballad, standing alone with some of the eras most influential hip hop.

3. Celine Dion - All By Myself - This song has been covered so many times it's hard to keep count. Luckily there is no need to anymore, once you've heard Celine's version all others pale in comparison. Commercially, it wasn't noted as one of her biggest hits, although she hits one of the biggest notes of her career near the songs end. This is only one of many stand out moments from it's album of origin, "Falling Into You".

2. Mariah Carey - Forever - Mariah's last single from her flawless "Daydream" album is a lush retro inspired power ballad that climbs to incredible heights only Mariah's voice could reach. Note after note, she powerfully creates a world where love is young and full of hope, a common theme found on her appropriately titled album.

1. Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans - Count On Me - Taking the Number One spot on The Queens Collective Countdown, and making her third appearance, Whitney Houston, joined by Gopsel guru CeCe Winans, gift us with a gorgeous testimony of friendship. Two Powerhouse Divas singing their hearts out to each other about their sisterly bond. The competitive nature of this sisterly bond is amazingly apparent during the songs final verse and chorus, as these two fired up Queens are fighting for the floor, only in praise of each other of course! It's not only one of the best ballads to come from Whitney, it's also one of the best from the 90's altogether, and of course.....the "Waiting To Exhale" soundtrack!

Was your favorite Diva power ballad of 1996 not on the list? Leave a comment below and let me know!