Beauty by Dru Hill

The 90s was the best era for love songs. Not up for debate.

Transcript

Beauty by Dru Hill

The 90s were quite a time in music. I don’t want to become one of those old heads always talking about how their music was the best but…. This was THE era for R&B. Not up for debate. Vocalists were front and center. Ballads were abundant and singing about love was cool. Actually, sanging in general was cool. It was expected.

Rhythm and Blues singers were in high demand. We had solo acts like Monica, Brandy, D’Angelo, Ginuwine, of course Usher dropped My Way on us in 97 and of course the voice, Whitney Houston unleashed The Bodyguard soundtrack in 92. 

Like I said, what a time. You had to be there.

Even gangsta rap conglomerates like Death Row and No Limit records kept a crooner on the label. 

R&B dominated 90s music, particularly with groups. The approach has since fizzled out, but back then the formula was for singers, dancers, and musicians to join forces. Girl groups and boy bands were everywhere. Think TLC, SWV, Xscape, Total, Brownstone, 702, Jade, and don’t forget the funky divas of EnVogue. 

Then for the fellas there was the most popular harmonizing quartet turned trio, ever, going strong In Boyz II Men. Their counterparts were the combat booted, baggy clothed, often shirtless bad boy members of Jodeci. Bell Biv Devoe had emerged from their larger group, New Edition. Teddy Riley was in TWO completely separate groups—from the ashes of Guy rose Blackstreet. Tony, Toni Tone! was helping us celebrate our anniversaries. Then came groups like 112, Jagged Edge, Immature, Silk, Shai, H-Town, Hi-Five, Subway, Soul For Real, and a personal fave that I still listen to—Mista. All had moments in the spotlight. Some just stayed there longer than others.

We loved us some groups!

Another male quartet that left an unforgettable imprint on the 90s was Dru Hill. Original members Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz, and Woody capitalized on our band allegiance by releasing their first two albums just two years apart. Led by platinum-blond haired, big-voiced Sisqo, who sometimes opened songs just by holding a full bodied YEAHHHHHHHH …  both albums produced hits. But the second one, Enter the Dru gave us a uniquely tender love song.

As much as I’ve raved about 90s R&B, I must admit depth of content was not its strong suit. Lyrics were often quite sensational, sometimes nonsensical, using words that didn’t really fit the verse or its sentiment simply because it rhymed with another word. It’s quite fascinating stuff. When you go back today and listen with your adult brain, many of those songs will have you like what? R&B lyrics toed the line of corny and sometimes crossed over. But sometimes corny can be cute. Cheesy, when properly executed, is sweet.

Beauty is coy and unassuming. There is a lovely piano melody that carries its sound—making it feel gentler and more innocent than it would without. This is a rare instance where my favorite lines are a song’s chorus.

Imagine not being told you’re beautiful or that someone loves you—but being equated with love. Deemed beauty personified. Imagine being told you ARE beauty. You ARE love. That’s a whole other vibe. And exactly what Dru Hill expresses with the chorus of Beauty:

Walks by me every day
Her and love are the same
The woman has stolen my heart
And beauty is her name

90s R&B offered guys words when they didn’t know what to say or how to say it. When thugs and d-boys wanted to set a romantic mood their gangsta wouldn’t allow them to cultivate, they put on songs like this. We swooned and smiled, receiving the message. We told ourselves it was how they felt. Or at least how we’d like someone to feel.

I adore the sentiment of Beauty because of its virtue. Because of how these lines convey being smitten with a person in the most mesmerizing manner. Because it looks deeper, and finds a new way to say, I love you already.