I've expressed my admiration for the talents of Chris Brown, and quite honestly for the past 15 years there hasn't been a more consistent artist other than Chris. Of course his life has been full of personal ups and downs, his music though has almost always been consistent. Throughout his journey, I take a look at my favorite 50 Chris Brown songs.
50. Ayo feat. Tyga
Album: Fan of a Fan
Year: 2015
Just like any other song Tyga has you know it's a hit within the first few seconds. From the sample on you knew this was another one. Chris jumps all over this record and shows his versatility as an artist and drops bars.
49. This Christmas
Album: This Christmas Soundtrack
Year: 2007
Donny Hathaway's version will forever be the GOAT, but as far as covers go, this one is as legit as it gets. Brown did all that he could do to make that song his, and this is one of the most played songs during holiday season ever since.
48. Biggest Fan
Album: Fortune
Year: 2012
A sleeper from Brown, but this song stuck out to me when he's sings "Lionel Richie, all night long, gettin' these bitches, they playing my song." I know it's simple, but at 19 that was the shit to me. All legends have songs that are special to certain people and just them, well this song is it for me.
Album: X
Year: 2014
My alarm clock for about 6 months, this song and I have a love/hate relationship. You can tell this song was made around the same time "Fine China" was made, because of the uptempo and pop feel to it. Chris's lyrics use mathematically metaphors, a song you should add to your playlist.
46. Touch Me (feat. Sevyn)
Album: Fortune
Year: 2012
My feelings about this song are really similar to the first line of the song, "I don't know if it's your scent or your kiss, but I love it." I don't know if it's the beat, the lyrics or the singing, all I know is I love it. It's an interesting progression listening to Chris Brown's songs, especially the sex ones.
45. With You
Album: Exclusive
Year: 2007
Let the 9th grade nostalgia begin all over again. This song takes me right back to Mrs. Gamble's English I class, where I use to day dream about my multiple crushes. It's as if the bridge was playing through my head whenever I saw them in the breezeway. Smh good times.
44. Liquor
Album: Royalty
Year: 2015
A quite simple song. We've all been there before. The alcohol does it to the best of us. There's nothing like the filter an alcoholic beverage puts on a woman at the bar. If you've heard, you know. If you haven't, listen.
43. Don't Think They Know feat. Aaliyah
Album: X
Year: 2013
While it's Chris Brown's song, from the beat and the lyrics on it feels just like an Aaliyah song. "And as much as I mess up, you give me your best love," feels like it could be an excerpt from "One in a Million." The verse from Aaliyah is enough to send you through 90's R&B overdose.
42. Make Love
Album: Royalty
Year: 2015
Chris is really strong vocally when the songs are the simplest. The same formula used to make "Liquor" had to be used to make "Make Love." The lyrics to this song are simple, and even though the song is about sex, the lyrics aren't overly sexual like in other works.
41. Undecided
Album: Indigo
Year: 2019
This as the lead single from Indigo is quite the surprise with records like Heat and No Guidance, nonetheless it's one of those catchy, poppy chorus' that can get stuck in your head and have you singing "doo, doo doo...." all day. At 30, Brown's maturity is starting to penetrate his music and conversations about marriage and settling down are now themes.
This as the lead single from Indigo is quite the surprise with records like Heat and No Guidance, nonetheless it's one of those catchy, poppy chorus' that can get stuck in your head and have you singing "doo, doo doo...." all day. At 30, Brown's maturity is starting to penetrate his music and conversations about marriage and settling down are now themes.
40. Sweet Love
Album: Fortune
Year: 2012
When taking the title of a classic you have to be careful to either body your cover of it, or make something completely different from the original. Brown does an excellent job of not reminding you of Anita Baker at all on this song. This song feels like the prototypical CB song. The beat slaps, the lyrics are about making love to his woman and it's definitely see him killing in a dance routine.
39. Wrist
Album: Royalty
Year: 2015
Brown missed out this song didn't come out in the Tik Tok Era. High schoolers were killing this song with dance moves, and with that beat and Migos'-like cadence, Wrist was a big win for Chris Brown.
38. I Wanna Be
Album: Exclusive
Year: 2007
9th grade this was my shit. I definitely had a major crush that year, and this was the song that screamed my feelings and emotions. Some songs bring great nostalgia, this one brings back those 14 year old feelings and remembering that 14 year old smile.
37. High End feat. Future and Young Thug
Album: Heartbreak On a Full Moon
Year: 2017
Brown's ability to rap is something that shines throughout his career. Ok maybe not the best rapper, but he does the best job of rapping melodically to make you think he's singing too i.e. Young Thug. This song was one of the highlights from the tremendously long Heartbreak On a Full Moon.
36. Grass Ain't Greener
Album: Heartbreak on a Full Moon
Year: 2016
I just made up in my mind Chris Brown has the best beats in the R&B game today, maybe even all time. Once he figured out his formula, Brown continues to body songs that have beats where he can sing but absolutely dance his ass off to. While the content of this song leaves a lot to desire lyrically; the simplicity of it makes it work.
35. Red
Album: Indigo
Year: 2019
On first listen, Red was one of the skippable songs from Indigo. One day it popped up on shuffle and I've been hooked since. Keeping the trend, the beat is very dance-able, and while poppish, the 808 beating keeps the R&B feel.
34. Don't Judge Me
Album: Fortune
Year: 2012
This song may be surprisingly low, but mainly this song got overplayed for me. It's a great song, and it shows the range that Brown has. Nowadays Brown is almost too sure of his sound to where it feels repeated at times. Hearing this again shows that everything does not have to be booty shaking and 808 breaking for Brown to make a hit. Shout out to Sevyn Streeter, she was a gem on this album.
33. Wall to Wall
Album: Exclusive
Year: 2007
This is the first song that reminds me of 106&Park. The bridge maybe my favorite of all Chris Brown's bridges. Sean Garrett's appearance at the end just sent me to Massive Attack by Nick Minaj in 2009. Good times man.
32. Girl of My Dreams
Album: Indigo
Year: 2019
This is my favorite song from Indigo. I understand it's not the best, which is why it's placed here. But, man this is such a lovely song. The bass line of an R&B song is undefeated to any other part when applied correctly. Girl of My Dreams is the perfect example of this. The 808 bangs appropriately and the lyrics are effortlessly smooth. The song feels like early 2000s Mario.
31. Blow It In the Wind
Album: Royalty
Year: 2015
If Tupac could sing he would've made this song. This is Chris Brown's "California Love" without the commercial success. You can definitely tell this was when Brown was out living his blood days in California. It's sung really well, but the lyrics about the lean and smoking make you reminisce about that chapter in his career.
30. Loyal
Album: X
Year: 2014
A very western vibe, I thought it was very fitting to have Tyga on a version of this one. This song fits the formula for a Brown hit: an awesome beat, crazy good runs and something to dance to. I think I hear Sevyn Streeter in the background too.
29. Back to Sleep
Album: Royalty
Year: 2015
The lead single from the album Royalty, Back to Sleep was a great "I'm back" after his last album X. It's a direct song, no confusion in the lyrics, and the beat is just as good as any in his catalog. The beeps in the beat remind me of Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye. Good ear, Tori.
28. Look At Me Now feat. Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne
Album: F.A.M.E.
Year: 2011
"Ion see how you can hate from outside the club, you can't eem get in!" The song started out as a short leak and I can remember listening saying I need more! Little did I know Busta Rhymes was going to reinvent his career, and honestly put one of the more memorable verses in rap history. Wayne gives us one of the few last glimpses of the GOAT with a great verse.
27. Fine China
Album: X
Year: 2013
The feel is so different from this song than his entire category. This could be played by a funk group that plays at a local baptist church near you. The bass line roaring through the song has an Isley Brothers feel to it. Brown is tough vocally on this one too. Smh. This was originally 31 but it just jumped 5 spots.
Year: 2013
The feel is so different from this song than his entire category. This could be played by a funk group that plays at a local baptist church near you. The bass line roaring through the song has an Isley Brothers feel to it. Brown is tough vocally on this one too. Smh. This was originally 31 but it just jumped 5 spots.
26. New Flame feat. Usher and Rick Ross
Album: X
Year: 2014
This is truly a gem as a song. The instrumental is distinct, it's the first sounds you hear as the song starts, and Brown and Usher body this song vocally. This song is almost the start of a strong little comeback for Usher as he dropped a better than decent a year or two later. Ross's verse is forgettable, but it doesn't take away from the song.
Year: 2014
This is truly a gem as a song. The instrumental is distinct, it's the first sounds you hear as the song starts, and Brown and Usher body this song vocally. This song is almost the start of a strong little comeback for Usher as he dropped a better than decent a year or two later. Ross's verse is forgettable, but it doesn't take away from the song.
25. Run It! feat. Juelz Santana
Album: Chris Brown
Year: 2005
One of the few songs from the first album to make it on the list, Run It! is crazy for somebody's first hit ever. It's crazy period, but shout to Brown's team for choosing this to be the first song he released. Juelz Santana is so 2005 and it's perfect for the time, but hindsight has me wishing this song was CB's alone. If you hear this song and don't wanna krump and do dances from the video stop reading this list.
24. Pills & Automobiles
Album: Heartbreak on a Full Moon
Year: 2017
The beat to this song is just absolutely stupid, that partnered with "Wet, wet, wet, wet, wet, wet" in the background is slap crazy. It's only outside of the top 10 because Chris is outshone by his counterparts in this one.
23. No Bullshit
Album: F.A.M.E
Year: 2011
The second verse of this song, could possibly be Chris's most memorable. The run he hits on the word know is legendary. There's no hiding what his intentions are on this song. A little more "direct" than typically you've seen from Brown on an album, mainly because this song was meant for mixtape. The song's response was so overwhelming, Brown had no choice but to deliver it as a single.
The second verse of this song, could possibly be Chris's most memorable. The run he hits on the word know is legendary. There's no hiding what his intentions are on this song. A little more "direct" than typically you've seen from Brown on an album, mainly because this song was meant for mixtape. The song's response was so overwhelming, Brown had no choice but to deliver it as a single.
22. Say Goodbye
Album: Chris Brown
Year: 2005
If this ain't early 2000s, boy I don't know what to tell you. The instrumental feels like a Day 26, Danity Kane, P. Diddy production. The lyrics are perfect for 15 year old Brown, which his team did an excellent job of keeping his lyrics age appropriate.
21. Turn Up The Music
Album: Fortune
Year: 2012
Definitely pop. Definitely a smash. It's not an everyday listen, but man oh man is it absolutely crazy. The bridge is stupid good. It's pop, but it's completely original. His dance moves are elite and adds in a bonus in the entertainment department. This guy's a complete gem.
20. Drunk Texting
Album: X
Year: 2014
If you know, you know. At this point we've accepted Jhene Aiko as the "female Future." Not because we can't understand her, but because she is gone say some toxic shit. And I love her for it. Drunk Texting explains the 19-30 year old struggle of being in love with someone, but not being committed to them. So "if you're laying with someone else right now, I hope it's the worst sex ever. The worst sex ever."
19. Kiss Kiss (feat. T-Pain)
Album: Exclusive
Year: 2007
"I'm a country boy from Tappahannock, VA is where I reside so shorty understand it." Maybe this is where the rap career from Brown started, teaming with "Rapper turnt sanga" T-Pain. Pain and Chris Brown teamed together to make "Freeze" and the "Best Love Song" later on in their careers, but Kiss Kiss is the height of their work.
18. Autumn Leaves feat. Kendrick Lamar
Album: X
Year: 2014
A darker feel from Brown and the perfect assist from Kendrick Lamar, Autumn Leaves use the theme of seasons changing to talk about a period of change. It's a deep song, and I ain't gon' front I still don't truly know the true meaning of this song, but it's beautiful.
17. Gimme That
Album: Chris Brown
Year: 2005
The beat tells on itself if guessing what year this came out. Nonetheless it fit's the CB formula. You can't sit still when it comes on, the lyrics are simple and recite-able, and he kills the music video dancing.
16. She Ain't You
Album: F.A.M.E
Year: 2011
If you sample Michael Jackson you gotta come with it. Chris did just that. Taking SWV's "Right Here" approach, Brown uses a hip-hopped Human Nature and bodies it. Someone oughta judge CB's videos because he kills the dancing in this one too. Sevyn Streeter always came through for Brown with female vocals. This wasn't her best, but her background is very strong here.
15. Indigo
Album: Indigo
Year: 2019
Brown does an excellent job of picking the best songs to be first on an album. From the first vocal I knew this album was better than the rest. Ok major reach, but he does capture his audience upon the first hearing. Indigo's cool because it's another album and he kinda sets the mood for what the album will be like. It's confident, I like it.
14. Tempo
Album: Heartbreak on a Full Moon
Year: 2017
This song is hard. The beat is one of his best, the chorus is catchy, it's a perfect kickback song. It's not so fast to where it's a workout, nor is it over sexual. It's a perfect vibe song and a great one.
This song is hard. The beat is one of his best, the chorus is catchy, it's a perfect kickback song. It's not so fast to where it's a workout, nor is it over sexual. It's a perfect vibe song and a great one.
13. Party Hard/Cadillac
Album: Fortune
Year: 2012
Completely different from 90% of his catalog, this is definitely Pop Chris Brown. It's cool though. It gives off an early 2001 Usher feel. It's a catchy song, it's fun. Definitely the song playing in a chick flick when the couple kisses for the first time in the middle of a party.
Completely different from 90% of his catalog, this is definitely Pop Chris Brown. It's cool though. It gives off an early 2001 Usher feel. It's a catchy song, it's fun. Definitely the song playing in a chick flick when the couple kisses for the first time in the middle of a party.
12. Emerald/Burgundy
Album: Indigo
Year: 2019
If you remove Juvenile and Juicy-J this song is top 5 no doubt. Brown is phenomenal vocally on both Emerald and Burgundy and the beats behind him are right in stride. Emerald is so tough, but when you back door Burgundy it's another level. Burgundy by it's self would stand as a top 10 song for me.
11. Poppin
Album: Chris Brown
Year: 2005
I love Poppin'. The beat is ridiculous, Brown's flow is tough. The chorus is crazy. The dancing is crazy. I hate to nitpick, but if I need a reason why it's out of the top 10, his voice isn't nearly as good as it is now. It's my list damn it.
I love Poppin'. The beat is ridiculous, Brown's flow is tough. The chorus is crazy. The dancing is crazy. I hate to nitpick, but if I need a reason why it's out of the top 10, his voice isn't nearly as good as it is now. It's my list damn it.
10. Lady in a Glass Dress Interlude
Album: X
Year: 2014
This song is amazing. Initially I had it at 11, and it jumped Poppin' on second listen. This would be number 1 if it was 4 minutes long. I was blown away by it the first time I heard it, and whenever it's spontaneously replayed, it does it again.
9. Do Better feat. Brandy
Album: X
Year: 2014
2014, I was 21. First time getting drunk, first time I was really outchea. This album was the world to me. It was on when I was driving to school and work. It was on while I studied. It was on when I was vibing. To me X is his best work, and Do Better is amazing. Brandy is ridiculous. For one the tracklist doesn't mention that she's featured on the song. So when she comes on it's like WOAH WTF! BRANDY!? Her verse, her sound was so much more mature then I remembered her. And as impressive as she is, Brown wasn't outdone.
2014, I was 21. First time getting drunk, first time I was really outchea. This album was the world to me. It was on when I was driving to school and work. It was on while I studied. It was on when I was vibing. To me X is his best work, and Do Better is amazing. Brandy is ridiculous. For one the tracklist doesn't mention that she's featured on the song. So when she comes on it's like WOAH WTF! BRANDY!? Her verse, her sound was so much more mature then I remembered her. And as impressive as she is, Brown wasn't outdone.
8. Beautiful People
Album: F.A.M.E
Year: 2011
When it comes down to the greatest artists ever, Chris Brown's name is gonna be in the hunt. The amount of range he has as an artist will be one of the arguing points. This is 100% Pop, and it was a 100% hit. Brown's ability to play on multiple playing surfaces in the music game is near the top.
7. Deuces (feat. Tyga & Kevin McCall)
Album: F.A.M.E
Year: 2011
Most important song in Brown's career easily. After bombing with Graffiti, he had to answer the bell. He did just that. Brown chunked up the Deuces to anybody who held anything against him and decided to take the reigns of his career back. Most guys even argue Brown post-Rihanna is way better. I agree.
Most important song in Brown's career easily. After bombing with Graffiti, he had to answer the bell. He did just that. Brown chunked up the Deuces to anybody who held anything against him and decided to take the reigns of his career back. Most guys even argue Brown post-Rihanna is way better. I agree.
6. Come Together (feat. H.E.R.)
Album: Indigo
Year: 2019
I'm guilty of being in love with H.E.R. She's an amazing talent and her voice is always what and where it needs to be. She's unbelievable on this song, and she doesn't outshine Brown. This is one of the better vocal songs he has.
5. Take You Down
Album: Exclusive
Year: 2007
The first hit after Brown turned 18 let all father's know that he wasn't safe to buy for your 8 year old daughters anymore. This song has an incredible guitar rift and while Brown vocally isn't at his best, this song is huge and top 5.
The first hit after Brown turned 18 let all father's know that he wasn't safe to buy for your 8 year old daughters anymore. This song has an incredible guitar rift and while Brown vocally isn't at his best, this song is huge and top 5.
4. Lost In Ya Love
Album: X
Year: 2014
X is a long album. Bout an hour and 17 minutes or so. By the time you get to the end, Body Shots hasn't irked my nerves and I'm ready to be finished with the album. At the very end you get the diamond in the rough of all CB's songs. This song is his most slept on song of all time. It's simple, easy going, and he goes crazy vocally.
X is a long album. Bout an hour and 17 minutes or so. By the time you get to the end, Body Shots hasn't irked my nerves and I'm ready to be finished with the album. At the very end you get the diamond in the rough of all CB's songs. This song is his most slept on song of all time. It's simple, easy going, and he goes crazy vocally.
3. Yo (Excuse Me Miss)
Album: Chris Brown
Year: 2005
Brown's second hit was when I was cemented as a fan. It was cool to see a 15 year old have a moment, but it's hard to have that second one. A lot of teenagers have great first hits, but seldom do they have the team behind them to do it again. I probably couldn't explain it very well at 11 years old, but you know when somebody's got it.
Brown's second hit was when I was cemented as a fan. It was cool to see a 15 year old have a moment, but it's hard to have that second one. A lot of teenagers have great first hits, but seldom do they have the team behind them to do it again. I probably couldn't explain it very well at 11 years old, but you know when somebody's got it.
2. Heat (feat. Gunna)
Album: Indigo
Year: 2019
I promise I'm not a prisoner of the moment. These 2 songs are the best things we've ever heard from Chris Brown. The sound is mature, he's 30 so there's no need to apologize about saying "he's tryna fuck." Gunna adds enough to make this song OP. The video caused commotion with his Kappa Shimmy, but he killed it though.
I promise I'm not a prisoner of the moment. These 2 songs are the best things we've ever heard from Chris Brown. The sound is mature, he's 30 so there's no need to apologize about saying "he's tryna fuck." Gunna adds enough to make this song OP. The video caused commotion with his Kappa Shimmy, but he killed it though.
1. No Guidance
Album: Indigo
Year: 2019
It's Chris Brown and
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