If the 2000s were best known for anything, it's for the dominance of a handful of women on the R&B

charts. Destiny's Child (and later Beyonce), Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys were the decade's biggest artists, and consistently put out some of the decade's best music. They're all represented on our list of the best singles of the 2000s, as are other incredibly talented male singers like Maxwell, Anthony Hamilton and D'Angelo. So without further ado, here's About.com's picks for the best R&B/Soul singles from 2000-2009. 1. "Fallin'," Alicia Keys (2001) This track, which was the lead single on Alicia's 2001 debut album, Songs in A Minor, is the rare song that makes such a huge impression that you can remember where and when you heard it for the first time. The song made it apparent from the very start that Alicia was a special artist making very special music. Ads Walls as stylish as youasianpaints.com/ColourConsultancyCountl ess colour options Call us to get the selection right India Hotels Onlinewww.holidayiq.com/Hotels_Online20,00 0+ Hotels, Resorts & Cottages. Compare Prices And Book Online Now! Godrej Appliancesgodrej.indiatimes.comUpto 14% Off on Appliances. Check Out Deals Of The Week. Shop Now! 2. "Do You Feel Me?," Anthony Hamilton (2007) "Do You Feel Me," which was recorded for the soundtrack to the Denzel Washington flickAmerican Gangster, is a great, meaty oldschool track that sticks to your ribs like good Soul food.
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3. "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige (2005) This song is on Mary's The Breakthough album, which was released in November 2005. It was a hit in the first half of 2006 and became the most successful release in the history of Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending 15 weeks at the top. Among the things that make "Be Without You" so great are the strong sentiments of faith and loyalty expressed, as well as the unbelievably strong vocals.
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4. "Rehab," Amy Winehouse (2006) "Rehab," as you probably know by know, is a song about Amy's resistance to her (now ex-) managers trying to get her to attend an alcohol rehabilitation program. "They tried to make me go to rehab, I said 'No, no, no,' " she defiantly sings over a shimmying horns-and-percussionlaced Motown-inspired beat. Eventually she did make it to rehab, but fortunately, she recorded this track before then.

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5. "Pretty Wings," Maxwell (2009) "Pretty Wings," which was released in April 2009, is "about the last relationship I had,"

Maxwell said about the song in a recent interview. "How you meet the person of your dreams but at the wrong time ... the song is a testament to what I wanted to say and say, to her."
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6. "Honey," Erykah Badu (2008) Not only is this one of the funkiest, catchiest tunes of 2008, it's also got one of the most creative videos in R&B music history behind it. With this one song, Erykah breathed new life into a music world that had been stagnant for months. 7. "U Remind Me," Usher (2001) This ia a rare song, in which a man isn't chasing a woman, he's actually explaining to a female why he won't why he can't - hook up with her. It's a great concept and is one of the song's the best exemplifies Usher's stylish charm. It's simple and to the point without going overboard. 8. "Survivor," Destiny's Child (2001) Female-empowerment jams get no better than this. It's like Aretha Franklin's "Respect," but for the hip-hop generation. "You thought that I'd be weak without ya, But I'm stronger/You thought that I'd be broke without ya, But I'm richer/You thought that I'd be sad without ya, I laugh harder/You

thought I wouldn't grow without ya, Now I'm wiser." You tell 'em, girls! Ads Downloadable MusicMusic.Inbox.comFree Music By Popular Artists! With Free Music Toolbar. Bose VideoWave II Systemboseindia.com/VideoWaveIIThe only LED television with Bose home theatre built inside! 9. "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," D'Angelo (2000) This song just absolutely screams 'It's sexy time.' Even just listening to this track might make you pregnant. 10. "Do You?," Ne-Yo (2007) I mean, who hasn't wondered at least once if their ex still thinks about them sometimes? Ne-Yo's knack for great songwriting came through again on this song, which is the second single from his Because of You album. If you get a chance, check out the remix with Mary J. Blige. Not quite as great, but still very good. Previous 1 2 Next

Conor Oberst has an instantly recognizable voice. It quivers like Eddie Vedder's, but without that deep, throaty confidence; for some, it's too fragile, too "emo," and too weak. But paired with the simple melody and honest lyrics of "First Day Of My Life," that voice works perfectly. Confusion, of Pigeons and Planes Listen: Bright Eyes, "First Day Of My Life" 7. Beyonce, "Crazy In Love" (2003)

There aren't too many love songs that can shift a dance party into overdrive. "Crazy in Love," powered by a dangerously buoyant Chi-Lites sample, is capable of doing just that, and when you can get an entire dance floor moving to a song about how much you love your (eventual) husband, you know you've struck gold. A.H. Listen: Beyonce, "Crazy In Love" 6. No Doubt, "Underneath It All" (2001)

In the '90s, No Doubt's love-themed songs were usually about heartbreak, or betrayal, or faking feelings, or waiting, or unrequited devotion, or general malaise regarding the almighty emotion. But on their final album to date, Gwen Stefani offered a significantly less angsty track that actually had something positive to say about love. The slow reggae sound and ska riffs provide a perfect backdrop for Stefani's uncharacteristically gentle crooning, and her lyrics are tender with (still) just a hint of the bittersweet: "You've used up all your coupons/ And all you've got left is me/ And somehow I'm full of forgiveness/ I guess it's meant to be." M.H. Listen: No Doubt, "Underneath It All" 5. Alicia Keys, "Fallin'" (2002)

"Fallin'" is one of the most honest love songs out there. It's a kind of relationship gospel, if you'll permit me. Keys recognizes that love isn't love all the time sometimes you can't stand being around the person, but other times you simply can't stand being away. "Fallin'" is a song that you surrender to. There's no point in putting up a fight. It's sad, yes, but it's also ecstatic. It's worth the fall. C.M.

Listen: Alicia Keys, "Fallin'" 4. Erykah Badu, "In Love With You" (2000)

When you listen to Erykah Badu's duet with Stephen Marley, you can't help but feel like you're eavesdropping on the tender whisperings of an infatuated couple. The song is effortlessly sensual; by the end, you're left with goosebumps. C.M. Listen: Erykah Badu, "In Love With You" 3. The Postal Service, "Such Great Heights" (2003)

With its irresistible keyboard blips and ambient synth lines, "Such Great Heights" will probably stick to your ribs before frontman Ben Gibbard even begins to sing. But the lyrics are great too, especially if you're still secretly waiting for a kiss that feels "perfectly aligned." C.M. Listen: The Postal Service, "Such Great Heights" 2. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, "Home" (2009)

Despite its omnipresence, "Home" still makes you smile. It's big and jaunty and sweet, and before you know it, you feel at home too. And if the song doesn't make you smile? Well then, keep your bad mojo to yourself, because I'm too busy letting love in. C.M. Listen: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, "Home" 1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Maps" (2003)

You might mistake Karen O's sweet ode to Liars frontman Angus Andrew for a brokenhearted ex's lament. It isn't. Titled with a thematically appropriate acronym of "My Angus Please Stay," it serves as the bittersweet flipside to every "life on the road" epic of the rock-n'-roll era. "Wait, they don't love you like I love you" forget the cheering crowds and snuggle up with me. Before this track, Yeah Yeah Yeahs were pegged as sloppy, stompy, post-punk noiseniks. "Maps" revealed them as the decade's most unexpected romantics. Jeff Klingman Listen: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Maps"

mary mary god in me yolanda adams open my heart marvin sapp never would have made it Word of God Speak - MercyMe 2. My Savior, My God Aaron Shust