The Ten Best Songs by En Vogue

When I was a young, I only wanted to be one thing when I grew up: the fifth member of En Vogue.

Before Destiny's Child, before TLC, and following in the legacy of the divine Supremes, the premier R&B girl group of the 1990s was En Vogue. The "Funky Divas of Soul" released their debut album, Born to Sing, in 1990. The original group lineup included Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, Terry Ellis and Dawn Robinson. The girls released their second album in 1992. That album, Funky Divas, catapulted the group to superstardom. Subsequent albums followed, but with member changes (Robinson left, Jones left and later returned, and Rhona Bennett is the current fourth member), and the changing tide of the music world, the group never had the same chart-topping success.

En Vogue will always have a special place in heart and will forever be the best group ever (In my humble opinion).

Here are my picks for the group's 10 best songs.

10. Part of Me - (Born to Sing): This was the first track that featured all four of the ladies. It proved that not only could each hold her own as lead singer, but also that lyrically, they could sing about more than the traditional love ballad.

Best Lyrics: "Whenever I lay my head to sleep, There's a strong thought that keeps haunting my mind, Careless whispers of a nation, That somehow was caught trapped in the dark, And nowhere to go, I know my thoughts are telling' me, Gotta be a part of me"

9. Free Your Mind - (Funky Divas): Reminiscent of the rock-infused girl-power anthems of LaBelle, the guitar heavy "Free Your Mind" is a great departure from the classic En Vogue sound. But the women handle their own in the rock world. Music with a message at it's best.

Best Lyrics: ""Free your mind and the rest will follow, Be color blind, don't be so shallow

8. Whatta Man - (Salt 'n' Pepa's Very Necessary): What happens when the hottest R&B girl group collaborates with the hottest female MCs in the game? PURE MAGIC. When En Vogue and Salt 'n' Pepa teamed up for this amazing tribute to all the "good men" of the world an instant classic was born.

Best Lyrics: "So here's to the future cuz we got through the past, I finally found somebody who can make me laugh. (ha ha ha) You so crazy...I think I wanna have yo baby. Whatta Man, Whatta man, Whatta man, Whatta mighty good man!

7. Yesterday - (Funky Divas): A remake of the Beatle's classic, En Vogue delivers a flawless performance. The strength of the song comes from the melodic background arrangements that are a testament to the true talent of the women.

Best Lyrics: "Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play, Now I need a place to hide away"

6. Sad But True - (Masterpiece Theatre): Perhaps one of their most innovative singles, the song has a classical piano intro that is unlike anything the group ever recorded. The song is a lamentation of loves end and is the perfect combination of classical influence and soul stirring harmonies. Most people dismissed Masterpiece Theatre, but this track alone is worth the purchase.

Best Lyrics: "A world of make believe, it's a place I've lived , joyous all the time , never knew my world could cave in , fall in right before my eyes I was blind , I would only see the signs I wanted to see"

5. Hold On - (Born to Sing): This was the group's first single and their official introduction to the world. The acapella intro borrows from the Jackson 5's "Who's Lovin' You." The hard hitting beat of the rest of the song established the group as a force to be reckoned with. When I first heard the track, I was an instant fan.

Best Lyrics: "Trust and honesty too, Must be the golden rule, You'll feel the strength of passion in your soul, Burn so deeply within, Ooh, the magic that you share, So sacrifice and show how much you care"

4. Too Gone, Too Gone - (EV3): Simply put, the vocals on this track are perfect. Written by Diane Warren, it's a classic love-lost, mid-tempo ballad. But En Vogue delivers it with class and soul.

Best Lyrics: "Did you really think I'd take you back, Let you back in my life, Oh baby just like that someone new is loving me, Loving you is what used to be, Baby you're too late to win my heart again"

3. Don't Let Go (Love) - ("Set It Off Soundtrack/EV3): This was the last track that En Vogue released featuring the lead vocals of former member Dawn Robinson. One of their biggest commercial hits, the song features Robinson's sultry lead vocals, and a hard hitting bridge by Herron-Braggs. As always the background vocals are perfectly sung.

Best Lyrics: "I often fantasize the stars above are watching you, They know my heart and speak to yours, Like only lovers do, If I could wear your clothes, I'd pretend I was you and lose control"

2. My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) - (Funky Divas): The breakdown is one of the most memorable in music history. The harmony is impeccable and the beat melodic. It is one of the most catchy tunes ever. When it comes on, you can't resist singing along.

Best Lyrics: "Maybe next time, You'll give your woman a little respect, Then you won't be hearing her say that-No, you're never gonna get it"

1. Don't Go - (Born to Sing): In my opinion, this is the best R&B song of the 1990s. Terry shows her vocal prowess on the song that is fraught with pure, raw emotion. The song is sensual and sexy without being explicit. Today's artists could take a lesson from the funky divas on this one. Definitely the highlight of the album, "Don't Go" is an R&B classic.

Best Lyrics: "You send chills down my spine, I surrendered all my love, You captured all my life, In just one night of ecstasy, You brought me to my knees, Your first bite was just to strong, You left a scar on me, Don't go "