Amerie is probably your favs fav.

 

Now Amerie has always been a favorite of mine. I remember watching 106 and Park in 2005 trying to imitate her dance moves in the 1 Thing video. Now, before I stan 1 Thing and go into why it's one of the greatest songs of all time, lets start from the beginning: All I Have.

Why Don't We Fall in Love

Amerie opened up her debut album with the breezy summer track, "Why Don't We Fall in Love". It feels like summer, it sounds like summer, it just takes you there. And many people seem to agree, deeming that it's not summer until you play this song. The video was super cute too, just Amerie walking down the street in her flowy summer fit. Speaking of fits, Amerie HAS THEM. The wardrobe in her music videos has always been exceptionally good. She must be a fashion girl.

Can't Let Go

I don't know what it is about this track, but every time I listen to it, I want to cry. Sonically, it's perfect. It always manages to take me to that place, every time. It sounds like one of those songs you'd play when you wanna take a night drive to clear your head. 

I Just Died

The production from Rich Harrison on this track is incredible. I always wonder how producers and artists are able to make such interesting records. Like how did you come up with that?? I feel like this track puts you in a trance, mostly due to Amerie's angelic vocals over the bass filled production.

I can write a dissertation on the All I Have album, and may do that one day-because it's just *that* perfect. 

*Honorable Mentions: Need You Tonight, Show Me, All I Have, Nothing Like Loving You

The Touch Album AKA another banger.

First and foremost, we have to discuss the standout single from the album. The iconic song that still gets played like it just came out, 1 Thing. 

1 Thing

The production on this song was LOUD. It grabbed your attention. The D.C. singer (not from D.C., but attended college there) collaborated with her Jimmy Jam or Babyface, Rich Harrison to create a go-go inspired single. The song was catchy, fun, and an ode to her college town. The bridge to this song always makes me stop and really listen. The layering, the vocal inflection, I fell in love with it all.

The video was iconic as well. Can we get into the fashion for a sec? The gray fur? The cream and gray boots?? And this was only the first 15 seconds of the video. In another scene she's wearing a gorgeous pink sandal that I STILL want the deets on. I've always wanted to recreate the cheetah print look, but just haven't gotten the chance. It's so 2000s, but still seems like it would fit into today's fashion. I also loved her mini skirt look, and the get up she wore while dancing in front of the band. This song will forever remain one of my all time favorites.

Rolling Down My Face

Only Amerie can make a song about crying catchy. The song is literally about tears rolling down her face, yet I always find myself bumping my head and doing a little two step. I love the adlibs in this one, especially the "no matter what" @1:55. 

*Honorable Mentions: Falling, Talkin' About, All I Need, Come With Me

Because I Love It

I have to be honest, I just started listening to Because I Love It a few months ago. Many of you may not be familiar with this album because it was only available at select retailers in the US, and Columbia Records scrapped the promotion for it due to Amerie's departure from the label. This set the album up for failure in the US, but it managed to be a moderate success in the UK and Japan. I think this album is definitely worth a listen, especially if you're an Amerie fan. The record does a good job at introducing a new sound for Amerie, as well as keeping a few tracks that are reminiscent of her signature sound. 

Crazy Crazy Wonderful

The best way I can describe this track is summery, flowy, and fun. The chorus is adorable and it's such a feel good record. It's a song I would play riding around in the summer with the windows down. 

Paint Me Over

Beware of this song because it WILL put you in your feelings. It's such a beautiful record that sounds like Amerie's signature sound, so much so that I think it was a leftover from the the Touch album. This song feels dark, and you can definitely hear the pain in Amerie's vocals.

*Honorable Mentions: Forecast (Intro), Hate 2 Love U, Somebody Up There

In Love & War

When I think of this album I was always think of More Than Love, but there were so many other bangers on this record. After really taking a deep dive and listening to it, I don't understand how the album received mixed reviews from critics. But in the words of Solo, "if you don't like it, it's probably cause you don't get it".

More Than Love

The furs. The furs. The damn furs! Sis, let me borrow one. Fuck PETA baby.

Not only were the furs gorgeous, so were the boots she rocked in the video. Although I think the plot twist in the music video was cute, I really watch for the song and the fashions. I loved the sample used, the catchy verse, and the corny fake argument between her and the featured artist, (who I am purposely omitting from this article) because I love to act it out. Who doesn't love a skit on a song? 

Why R U 

Amerie loves a rich, loud, percussion filled, bassy track. I'm not mad at it because it work's for her. It's her pocket. Although this isn't produced by her usual producer, Rich Harrison, you can still feel the essence of her previous records in this track. I also love the message of the song. In the single Amerie is questioning why she is so attached (or obsessed) with the person she's in a relationship with. I think the song is a great reminder to always keep a healthy attachment with the different relationships you possess. Plus the fashions in this video were fire too. 

Red Eye

This song is the definition of a trance. It literally lifts you into the world Amerie is singing about. It's a lesser known record, but fire nonetheless. I think it does a great job at illustrating the range of Amerie's sound.  I especially love the line, "I don't gotta be your only girl I just wanna take you around the world" because that's a mood sometime. 

*Honorable Mentions: The Flowers, You're A Star (Interlude), Different People

In closing, Amerie is an incredible artists who's probably inspired some of your favs. She moves to the beat of her own drum and releases music on her time. Her go-go inspired track 1 Thing set off a go-go inspired theme in records around the industry (I am not talking about CIL, don't drag me). 

I also love that she has a YouTube channel dedicated to book reviews! I mean she does have an english degree from Georgetown, so it makes perfect sense. I've always admired people who are able to follow all of their passions in life. Writing several novels after having a music career? Only Amerie.