In the wake of releasing her solid 5th studio album this week, Ciara continues her presence as one of the most underrated and underestimated R&B artists today. Song after song and album after album, Ciara has proved that although she may not have a voice like Mariah or Beyonce, she still is one of the most versatile and entertaining R&B singers around. So now let's take a look at her top 10 best singles; from the party jams to the sultry, sexy R&B slow jams she's graced us with over the years.
10.) "Oh" (featuring Ludacris)
(from the album Goodies)
It was here that Ciara continued to prove that she was the indeed the "Princess of Crunk", bringing a sweet, angelic vocal to a hard beat that gets everyone popping, locking, and dropping (you're welcome for that). Ludacris in his prime brought more swagger to this single that had Ciara bringing us all back to her hometown in Atlanta, making us all feel like we were just there for one of her block parties.
9.) "Ride" (featuring Ludacris)
(from the album Basic Instinct)
After a dissapointing and very confusing album that was Fantasy Ride, Ciara made her way back to why we loved her to begin with. This was a solid first single that didn't really take off on the radio, but the video itself was a classic Ciara performance, complete with a sweaty, wet T, a seductive bull ride, and one hell of an ab workout that I know alot of people tried to do to get in shape like CC. Luda didn't do too bad himself either here.
8.) "Got Me Good"
It's unfortunate that this single didn't make that big of a splash and in the end didn't end up on her newest album, but it still is a great upbeat song. The video's background was simple enough, but it still brought us Ciara's insane dance ability and athleticism. Her booty definitely was shaking from left and right...(you're welcome again)
7.) "1, 2 Step" (featuring Missy Elliott)
(from the album Goodies)
The first of Ciara's upbeat club hits, this song helped elevate her cred as a pop artist. She had an upbeat groove that everyone could sing along to with a beat that had everyone 2-stepping. And of course it didn't hurt to have the queen Missy Elliott by her side for this one either.
6.) "Get Up" (featuring Chamillionaire)
(from the album Step Up)
With darker hair and an improved vocal ability, Ciara got us ready for her second album by releasing a single from the first Step Up album, offering us a taste of what was to come. While it had a typical Jazze Pha production quality (and one of the last songs he and Ciara collaborated on) it still was a solid upbeat jam for the end of summer 2006, getting all of us up on our feet to the dancefloor.
5.) "Body Party"
(from the album Ciara)
While Ciara does well with upbeat dance songs, she really shines on the slow jams. One of her newest singles "Body Party" definitely does the job with showcasing both a sexy vocal and a sultry musical background. And it doesn't hurt that she brought Ghost Town DJ's "My Boo" into this day and age. (Want a really good throwback to the song she samples? Get the remix with Future & B.o.B!)
4.) "Goodies" (featuring Petey Pablo)
(from the album Goodies)
I can't dismiss Ciara's first ever single that introduced everyone to her crunk style. Lil' Jon and Petey Pablo were in their prime (what with Usher's "Yeah!" and Petey Pablo's "Freak-a-Leek" released around the same time) and Ciara fit right in with their sound. She brought us sexy, she brought us upbeat sass, and she brought us all to her cookie jar (once again, you're welcome for the cheesy puns).
3.) "Like A Boy"
(from the album The Evolution)
This song is often forgotten about, especially when it gets overshadowed by Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy", a similar lyric but definetly two different sounds we're dealing with here. Ciara did it first after all. She went hard in the video where she plays up the many stereotypes of what it takes to be a man and proved that women could do the same thing if given the opportunity, just a little bit better and sexier.
2.) "Love Sex Magic" (featuring Justin Timberlake)
(from the album Fantasy Ride)
One of the best and most successful singles of her career from her weakest album, Justin Timberlake helped elevate her (for a little bit at least) into mainstream pop. This song was very sexual and hip, and it brought funk back onto the radio. The two artists really played off each other well in the video. It definitely showed Ciara as a sexy video vixen with all of those sexy dance moves she rocked out with.
1.) "Promise"
(from the album The Evolution)
Easily her best single that's been released, this song is classic Ciara. Remember how I said she does well with upbeat dance songs, but she shines more in the slow jams? This is why! With production from R&B superstar produced Polow Da Don, Ciara brought out a more mature and sensual R&B sound to the radio. The song is reminiscent of something we might have heard back in the hey-day of 1980's R&B (a la Prince), but it felt just right and even better in 2006 when it was released. The video was the first of Ciara being seen as a bonafide entertainer, bringing sweet sensuality and beauty to a perfect song.
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