Last updated at 17/12/2024 09:20am
Mary J Blige, or as the world knows her, "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" or "Queen of R&B,” has an impressive list of accolades from Grammys to Oscar nominations to back up those titles. It seems there’s nothing Mary can’t do, from acting in Mudbound and The Umbrella Academy, to being credited with introducing R&B into mainstream pop music in the 90s.
She hasn’t slowed down one bit, and is off on a North American tour in 2025 to support a new album. Fans across the world are hoping she brings the tour abroad, and what better way to manifest it than reminding ourselves of the best Mary J Blige songs?
Mary J.Blige will be returning to the UK for a show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 3rd July 2025 and VIP tickets are on sale now. You can add a little luxury to your concert experience by skipping the queues and enjoying complimentary refreshments in a private box.
Buy Mary J Blige VIP tickets nowMary J Blige’s Best Songs in Order
No. 10: “Just Fine”
Even though “Just Fine” is number 10 on the list, doesn’t mean there’s anything negative to say about the song. The lead single from her 2007 album, Growing Pains, “Just Fine” was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the Grammys.
The song lyrically is about uplifting yourself and choosing to say “I’m just fine” even if you’re having a bad day. As many of Mary J Blige’s songs are about love woes, it makes a welcome change to have such a successful single with a positive message.
No. 9: “No More Drama”
“No More Drama” samples “Nadia’s Theme” from the American soap opera The Young and the Restless. Sampling has become a trademark of Mary’s songs, and it has even gone on to be used in other artist’s music, such as Azealia Banks’ “Yung Rapunxel.”
Mary J Blige won her first MTV Music Video Award for “No More Drama,” and it’s certainly a fan favourite, marking a turn in Mary’s musical evolution where she acknowledges the hardships she’s gone through and makes peace with them.
No. 8: “Good Morning Gorgeous”
A more recent offering from Mary J Blige, “Good Morning Gorgeous” was released in 2021 in preparation for her 2022 album of the same name. The song is all about self-confidence and self-love, set to a downtempo R&B instrumental with guitar melodies and layered vocals.
No. 7: “Be Without You”
“Be Without You” is one of Mary J Blige’s most successful singles, another early-2000s R&B classic. In 2017, Billboard even named “Be Without You” the most successful R&B/Hip-Hop Song of all time, along with the slew of Grammy nominations and subsequent wins it received.
Mary’s stunning vocals soar above tinkling pianos, capturing the euphoria and dramatics of a new relationship. It’s certainly one that everyone will sing along to on her tour. Just picture the crowd with everyone waving their phone torches in the air.
Buy Mary J Blige VIP ticketsNo. 6: “My Life”
From the album of the same name, “My Life” is some of the most soul-bearing R&B out there. Over a slow, melancholic beat, Mary sings about personal challenges and heartache, but there is a glimmer of hope in the song as she repeats that God will give her peace of mind.
The My Life album is considered Mary’s breakthrough, as she writes candidly about her struggles with depression, drugs and alcohol, a theme that would run through much of her music even when she shifts into more upbeat, dance tracks.
No. 5: “I’ll Be There For You/ You’re All I Need to Get By” (Method Man, featuring Mary J Blige)
This song is a duet with Method Man, a member of Wu-Tang Clan, and is often cited as the first hybrid of what's now known as "Thug-Love" duets. This is another song that contains interpolation, this time of “You’re All I Need to Get By” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
This iconic track won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1996 Grammys and has been included on various hip-hop love song lists. It’s smooth and soulful, with Mary singing the romantic chorus and bridge while Method Man gives it a rhythmic edge with his verses.
No. 4: “Real Love”
“Real Love” is from Mary J Blige’s debut album, What’s the 411? It's upbeat and danceable with a catchy, infectious hook that makes it a soul classic even decades later. While Mary didn’t have as much of a hand writing her first album as she did with her later work, it still captures that storytelling of struggles and disappointments with love.
The song still makes its way onto her setlists today, and you won't want to miss hearing the energy and passion in Mary’s voice when she sings “Real Love,” as she manages to convey both strength and vulnerability at the same time. The song still holds its impacts today as she's set to produce a Lifetime movie on "Real Love."
Buy Mary J Blige VIP tickets nowNo. 3: “Mary Jane (All Night Long)”
Mary delivers the song with her signature emotional depth and soulful style, capturing both the playfulness and sensuality of the lyrics. Her powerful voice, which ranges from sultry to soaring, adds a layer of authenticity and heart to the track.
The track's blend of sensuality, soul, and rhythmic groove captured the essence of 90s R&B, making it a staple on radio and in club scenes. The song is built around a sample of “All Night Long” by the Mary Jane Girls, meaning that Rick James is credited as a writer on the song.
No. 2: “I Can Love You”
From her third album, Share My World, “I Can Love You” is an iconic song featuring Lil’ Kim. The song even samples Lil’ Kim’s song “Queen B****,” mixing together Kim’s rapping with Mary's soulful voice to create this hip-hop-R&B fusion.
The music video was just as iconic, shot at a house in the woods and featuring Mary in scenes outside, as well as her, Kim, and others partying and having fun inside.
No. 1: “Family Affair”
Released as the lead single from her fifth studio album, No More Drama, the track marked a significant turning point in Mary's career, showcasing her evolution as an artist and solidifying her as a leading figure in contemporary R&B and hip-hop. "Family Affair" became one of Mary J Blige's most successful singles, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for several weeks.
The song is often seen as a milestone in Mary's career, as it represented her growth as an artist—moving away from the heavy emotional pain of some of her earlier work toward a more self-assured, fun, and confident persona. It’s often the encore at her live shows, showing just how much fans love this song.
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