Thread: which R Penned Song made him a strong songwriter

he hit with them and in some ways it has been downplayed though it was during his very proflic and productive time period when he was hitting left and right.

this a interesting time period in the music creative world of R.Kelly where it can be argued that between 93-95 He wrote some of his most Iconic songs which took him from being a star on the rise to being a SuperStar. 4 songs come to Mind, Bump and Grind, i believe I can fly, keep it on the downlow and Yo are not alone.

which one of these songs took him the furthest and still holds up in a whole different era with even causual or non R.Kelly fans and why?

i'd have to go with i believe i can fly or you are not alone!!!!

You are not alone is my choice, it was the first outside his comfort zone and he wrote it for a legend and a recognized songwriter of note. I believe I can fly would be my first choice if it came first, that song was very popular all over the world (still is), is listed as one of the 500 greatest songs of all time and has been covered many times by great artists

I think I'll go with 'Down Low' because the lyrics are like a story and they make you picture what's going on.. I think that was the beginning of his story telling...

Im going to have to go with I BELIEVE I CAN FLY for many reasons.....there are people who have never heard downlow or bump n grind in some circles but ALL KNOW IBICF

That song has turned from a movie soundtrack to a movement.....schools, graduations, parties, and churches all sing that song.....went far deeper than down low for folks outside the R&B circuit

Originally Posted by itzperch

Im going to have to go with I BELIEVE I CAN FLY for many reasons.....there are people who have never heard downlow or bump n grind in some circles but ALL KNOW IBICF

That song has turned from a movie soundtrack to a movement.....schools, graduations, parties, and churches all sing that song.....went far deeper than down low for folks outside the R&B circuit

You nailed it. Let me add another example where IBICF reins supreme: learning material for so many English learners over here in South Korea. In general, many songs from English-speaking countries are used to teach English, but you got some ultimate favorites. The song got everything required to be a good learning text for English education in middle & high schools and beyond: simple yet meaningful/inspiring lyrics (with no cursing words), relatively easy vocabulary, universal theme, and last but not least, simply great music!!! (you just can't enjoy learning the language if the music really sucks, period.)
Earlier this week I stumbled across a piece of printed paper when I was walking around one of classrooms in the school where I work. It was learning material for English class. I was not surprised one bit cuz, like I said, it's been over a decade since the song was used for educational purpose like that. I was happy to learn that the tradition is still goin strong And it'll never seem to stop!

When I saw the poll on the front page of the forum entrance, I clicked on IBICF, almost automatically. I coulda gone with YANA, but when it comes down to establishing R.Kelly as an individual songwriter, nothing tops IBICF. It seems that we got more people who just know the song than those who know both the song and the songwriter. I think YANA is a lot more well-known (one of MJ's single cuts and popular ones! Nobody can beat that kind of reach) but not as many as you think know it's written by R.Kelly.

P.S. Gotta add that, um, I'm grateful for the impact the song has on his life and career. Sometimes, some musicians are best known for songs that deep down, they don't really like, but he is best known for this song which moves him first of all, making it both personal and universal at the same time. It's truly a blessing.

I have to go with the popular opinion here, I believe i can fly is a song everyone can identify with at a certain level.

I will have to say, I Believe I Can Fly. Is when R Kelly became known as a songwriter

If we are talking in terms of the impact of the song worldwide or what song took him the furthest then it's clear that "I Believe I Can Fly" wins hands down.

However, I voted for "Down Low" because I think that, in terms of pure songwriting skills, this song made him stronger as a songwriter. It meant the beginning of his storytelling and the meaningful lyrics. "I Believe I Can Fly" is quite a simple piece IMO.

I believe I can fly made him a strong song writer, trapped in the closet made him a good story teller.