Top 10 Favorite Song by Marques Houston

Marques Houston is an R&B singer that started in the music group Immature/Imx under the stage name "Batman". Houston also starred on the TV sitcom "Sister, Sister" as Roger and in the 2006 dance drama "You Got Served." As a solo artist Houston has put out three albums, MH, Naked, and Veteran. Marques Houston has been my favorite singer for about 14 of the 19 years of him being an entertainer. Of his three solo albums my top 10 favorite songs are:

10.) Miss Being Your Man

Sometimes it is nice to hear a man sound as if he is next to tears, when he realizes just how much he misses the girlfriend who left. "Miss Being Your Man" from the album Veterandescribes the day by day, week by week accounts of the emotions he goes through once his girlfriend has left him. By the end of the song I wish for his sake that she'd go back to him.

9.) Clubbin' Remix

This song is definitely a club song that is more upbeat than the original version. Produced by R. Kelly for MH, the 2003 solo debut album, the music in the remix is like the music from the original but flip flopped. Kelly sped it up and brought the drums to the front. The technique of flip flopping or reversing the beat is something that can be found in songs R. Kelly produces and remixes. Clubbin' Remix is somewhat harder than the original helping to give Marques Houston an edger sound. This should have been release soon after the original to keep the buzz going for the album.

8.) Kimberly

Marques Houston channels his Prince power for this particular track from his Veteran album. It seems that every artist has to do a Prince inspired song. This has all the sexual connotations one could expect. I think I like this song because it is not a normal MH song with a harmony and melody. This piece is one of those songs that puts a flat with a natural and it actually comes out sounding good. One has to have an understanding of music notes to understand how funky it sounds when a flat, natural, and/or sharp are played together.

7.) Circle

"Circle" is a song discussing an issue that many people go through; thinking about an ex and still having feelings for this particular person even with someone else in their life. You try to walk away and distance yourself from this person only finding yourself near them again. "Circle" is from the Veteran album and was released as a single. Although this is a slow song, the video features a dance called the Freak Nasty adding to the song's popularity, because many people wanted to learn this move.

6.) Actin' Up

It's not a secret that Marques Houston is big fan of Michael Jackson and "Actin' Up" is very reminiscent of Jackson's "She Drives Me Wild", and "Dangerous" from 1991's Dangerous in sound and theme. A particular female has him hooked even though she treats him bad. Songs like this are like women ego boosting, hence my appreciation of the song. It is always nice to think that a man is crazy about you, until that man becomes a stalker. That's just scary.

5.) Do You Mind

If you like freaky loves songs to sex- I mean, set the mood, this would help. Not surprisingly this is from his Naked album. The lyrics for the chorus are descriptive but, subtle. I like this song because Houston is able to convey his message in a romantic yet erotic way.

4.) Cheat

Moving away from love making, in "Cheat" Houston goes over a situation in which he describes a habitual cheater, who realizes his mistakes in cheating. To me this song is real, he sings: "Girl, I know I cheated on you before, I can't say I won't do it again." I love the way he sings in this song. It is a track that was never released and is a hidden secret from this artist. It is advised that one would take a listen to this one.

3.) All Because of You

It is funny because I always say that Naked is not my favorite album, but I have several favorites including "All Because Of You". I think this song is musically good. I like songs that do a lot in the background. They trigger the happy button in my brain. Whenever I hear this song which features Jerome "Romeo" Jones, Houston's pal from the group Immature/Imx, I can only smile.

2.) Good Luck

Just like "All Because Of You", "Good Luck", from MH, takes me to a happy place. Musically, this is a beautiful song. I love Houston's vocals and the song's theme. We all know that Houston has never been a "gangsta in the hood," but this song talks about a guy who apparently was in the "hood", and with the help of his girl, he has removed himself from that lifestyle. This song also sounds like Michael Jackson's, "Butterflies" (From MJJ's "Invincible" album). It is always nice to hear about a young man who has put away childish things and started looking at what is more important, even though it is coming from a song.

1.) How You Just Gonna

This song should have been released and is another hidden secret from Marques Houston. This is my most favorite song from Veteran. Everything about this song is perfect, the music, lyrics, beat, and singing. I was disappointed when this song was left on the album. This song is for the urban club scene. I can envision many girls dancing and many drinks being sold if this song had of been played.

Marques Houston has been working on an album that is to be titled, Mr. Houston. Most of the songs from his previous albums and some from his upcoming album can be found on his Myspace page and on You Tube. Also Houston has another movie about dancing in the works. Both projects are due out this summer.