Ranking All The Songs from The Photograph Soundtrack
Starring Issa Rae as the daughter of a renowned photographer who falls in love with the reporter (Lakeith Stanfield) researching her mother’s life, The Photograph drew rave reviews on its release in 2020, with critics praising the palpable chemistry between the two leads and the gorgeous cinematography. The soundtrack, which features a collection of old-school soul and contemporary R&B, is as impressive as the film. Here’s how we rank all the songs from The Photograph soundtrack.
21. Hold On – The Internet
At over 6 minutes long, Hold On might not be your classic 3-minute pop song, but there’s no denying that hypnotic bass. Catch it on The Internet’s 2018 album, Hive Mind.
20. Stay Flo – Solange
Beyonce’s little sister comes up trumps on this sizzler from the 2019 album, When I Get Home.
19. Tempted – Erykah Badu & James Poyser
Erykah Badu’s powerfully soulful performance puts an all-new spin on this classic song from British rock band, Squeeze.
18. Comfortable – H.E.R.
The Photograph soundtrack may revolve around classic R&B songs from the likes of Al Green and Anita Baker, but it’s no slave to the past, as this deeply sensual nugget of contemporary R&B from H.E.R demonstrates.
17. Superwoman – Karyn White
Superwoman gave singer Karyn White her second R&B No. 1 back in 1989. Check out the 1991 all-star cover from Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, and Gladys Knight, for a slightly different spin on the hit.
16. This Changes Everything – Robert Glasper featuring Denzel Curry, James Poyser, Buddy, Terrace Martin
This Changes Everything is exactly what you’d expect from an A-list lineup of Robert Glasper, Denzel Curry, James Poyser, Buddy, and Terrace Martin.
15. Minnie the Moocher – Cab Calloway and his Orchestra
Since storming the charts in 1931, Minnie the Moocher has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, preserved by the Library of Congress in the National Recording Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance, sold over a million copies, and worked its way onto more film soundtracks and TV shows than anyone has time to count.
14. Of A New Cool – Christian Scott
Five-time Grammy Award-nominated jazz sensation Christian Scott injects some old-school cool into The Photograph soundtrack with this dazzling gem from his 2015 album, Stretch Music.
13. If Only You Knew – Patti LaBelle
After 20 years of ups and downs, If Only You Knew represented a turning point in Patti LaBelle’s solo career, spending four weeks at number one in the US R&B charts and becoming her first major crossover success when it landed inside the Top 60 on the Billboard Hot 100.
12. If This World Were Mine – Cheryl Lynn & Luther Vandross
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell were the first duo to record If This World Were Mine, but Cheryl Lynn and Luther Vandross scored the biggest hit with it when they took it to number 4 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles Chart in 1982.
11. Fade Away – Lucky Daye
There are plenty of reasons why Lucky Daye’s debut album Painted was awarded four Grammy nominations, and Fade Away is one of them.
10. Chicago Boy – Ari Lennox
Ari Lennox’s 2019 debut album, Shea Butter Baby, was a commercial and critical triumph, charting at number 7 on the US R&B charts and drawing rave reviews left, right, and center. Its opening track, Chicago Boy, is particularly dazzling.
9. Caught Up In The Rapture – Anita Baker
Anita Baker turns the sensuality up to the max on this soulful hit from her 1986 breakout album, Rapture.
8. Twin – Christian Scott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktU_X7CDaBM
Another contribution from Christian Scott next, this time with the superb Twin from the album, Stretch Music.
7. I’m Glad You’re Mine – Al Green
Al Green made several contributions to The Photograph soundtrack, including this insatiably catchy track from his glorious 1972 album, I’m Glad You’re Mine.
6. Come Home – Anderson. Paak (featuring André 3000)
This red-hot collaboration between Anderson. Paak and André 3000 was recorded for Paak’s fourth studio album, Ventura. Released in April 2019, it picked up the Grammy for Best R&B Performance.
5. For the Good Times – Al Green
Kris Kristofferson’s hauntingly lovely For the Good Times has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, with Al Green’s soulful cover being the one to make it to The Photograph soundtrack.
4. Betty – Jamila Woods
Funk artist Betty Davis’s 2019 album Legacy! Legacy! was a critical sensation, with multiple publications ranking it as one of the best albums of the year. If you want to find out what the fuss is about for yourself, turn your ear in the direction of this tasty morsel from The Photograph soundtrack.
3. Umi Says – Mos Def
This hit from Mos Def’s 1999 debut album Black on Both Sides didn’t make the US charts, but it fared better on the other side of the pond, climbing to number 60 on the UK Singles Chart.
2. Ain’t Nobody – Rufus & Chaka Khan
It’s been almost 40 years since Ain’t Nobody first hit No. 1 on the R&B charts, but it’s still as popular as ever.. which may explain why Rolling Stone has named it one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
1. You Give Good Love – Whitney Houston
Described by Billboard as one of the classiest make-out songs of all time, this effortlessly sexy lead single from Whitney Houston’s eponymous 1985 debut announced the presence of a new superstar.
