Even though the fifth anniversary of her death just recently passed, the memory of Aaliyah, one of the most gifted musical artists of the last decade, remains fresh in the collective consciousness of millions of Aaliyah fans worldwide.
Simply put, the ultra-talented and physically attractive performer captured the imagination of an entire nation with her meteoric rise to musical greatness – which was undeniably, far too short lived.
However, Aaliyah’s impact on the recording industry – not to mention the numerous hit songs she recorded – have remained almost as powerful as they were five years ago before her untimely death.
Notable for recording several hit records, including eleven number one R&B; hits, six number one pop hit, and nine top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, Aaliyah sold over 25 million records worldwide during her career and starred in two motion pictures before her untimely death in a plane crash in 2001 at the age of 22.
Here are my top 10 songs by Aaliyah.
1. More than a woman (2001)
What a perfect title for my number one song by Aaliyah, who was certainly more than a woman. This cool, upbeat hit went on to reach number 7 on Billboard’s Hot R&B; singles chart and number 25 on the Hot 100. This single also reached number one in the UK charts making her the first deceased artist to reach the number one spot in the UK.
2. Try again (2000)
Try Again was the second single from the Romeo Must Die soundtrack. The single became the first song in history to ever reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 based solely on the strength of its radio airplay, without any single sales factored. “Try Again” was nominated for a Grammy for Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance and two Soul Train awards for Best R&B;/Soul Single and R&B;/Soul or Rap Music Video. “Try Again” also won two MTV awards for Best Female Video and Best Video For A Film.
3. Back and forth (1994)
This popular dance song took the country by storm while Aaliyah was only 15-years-old and went on to reach No. 1 on the U.S. R&B; charts. Although stardom was firmly within her grasp even at this tender age, Aaliyah had only scratched the surface of her potential at this point.
4. If your girl only knew (1996)
This upbeat song from her 1996 album, One in a Million, was another undeniable smash hit for the young vocalist that went on to reach No. 1on the U.S. R&B; charts a decade ago where it stayed for two weeks.
5. Rock the boat (2001)
In the summer of 2001, Aaliyah filmed the video for her self-titled album’s intended second single, “More than a Woman”. The video was to be released but “Rock The Boat” began receiving such huge amounts of radio-play, that she was immediately sent to the Bahamas to shoot the video which was put in the 106 and Park hall of fame, making the countdown over 65 times.
6. One in a million (1996)
One in a Million, Aaliyah’s sophomore album, was chiefly written and produced by then unknowns, Missy Elliott and Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley and released on August 27, 1996. The album was a landmark in Aaliyah’s career, garnering her mass critical acclaim and introducing Aaliyah’s more mature side. The single by the same name went on to to reach No. 1 on the U.S. R&B; charts where it stayed for six weeks.
7. Age ain’t nothin’ but a number (1994)
Aaliyah signed with her uncle Barry Hankerson’s Blackground Records label in 1993 at the age of 14 years old and released her debut album, titled Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number, in 1994 at the age of 15. R. Kelly acted as Aaliyah’s mentor and he was a leading songwriter and producer on her debut album. Aaliyah’s song by the same name went on to reach No. 25 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 and R&B; charts.
8. We need a resolution (2001)
“We Need a Resolution,” the first single from Aaliyah’s highly-anticipated third studio album, was released in April 24th of 2001. This song shwcased the maturity the immensely talented singer had gained throughout the years.
9. Are you that somebody (1998)
Aaliyah had a huge hit in 1998 with Are You that Somebody. The song, which was No.1 in the U.S. for eight weeks was the main single from the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack. Its video was the third most-played on MTV that year, and the song’s success helped make Aaliyah a household name. The single was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart.
10. At your best
This ballad by Aaliyah was originally a big hit by The Isley Brothers in 1976 and is a soothing song that is the perfect song to play at the end of a stressful day. I can just see it now. A glass of wine, a warm bath and some soothing Aaliyah – oh yeah, that’s a winning recipe for relieving stress.
