The 25 best R&B songs from movie soundtracks

Singer-songwriter-producer Babyface had a large impact on the soundtrack to the 1992 film Boomerang which starred Eddie Murphy. On the soundtrack’s first single, Babyface teamed up with labelmate Toni Braxton on “Give U My Heart.” The sweet melodies of Babyface and Toni blend perfectly as they sing about a couple confessing their love for each other. 

Arguably, one of the most popular soundtrack songs came in 1971 with Isaac Hayes' track “Theme from Shaft.” The soul and funk chords fit the vibe of the film Shaft perfectly, and the song went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. 

The Waiting to Exhale soundtrack garnered several singles, including Brandy’s hit song “Sittin’ Up in My Room.” Produced and written by Babyface, the track finds Brandy detailing a crush that she has on a potential love interest, and she’s hoping the feelings are reciprocal. The feelings are evident from the first verse.

The ‘90s was a prime time when remixes meant completely different productions than the original versions. “Anything” by R&B trio SWV was first released as a ballad on their debut album, It’s About Time. However, when the song was featured on the soundtrack for Above the Rim, it was remixed into a new jack swing dance track. 

In 2012, the romantic comedy Think Like a Man was released to theaters featuring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Gabrielle Union, Jerry Ferrara, and more. Several times in the film, the John Legend and Ludacris track “Tonight (Best You Ever Had) played. The song is self-explanatory as Legend sings to a love interest, hoping he can please her like she's never felt before. 

If Whitney Houston was in a movie, she made sure to always have songs on the soundtracks as well. Houston was one of the stars of the film Waiting To Exhale, alongside actresses Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon. Babyface was the producer behind the film’s soundtrack and called on Houston for the first single, “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).” Not only did the track top the Billboard Hot 100, but it also won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. 

Eddie Murphy starred in the 1998 family film Dr. Dolittle. The first single from the soundtrack was Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody.” Produced by her frequent collaborator Timbaland, Aaliyah reflects on keeping her relationship on the low. The song became a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Usher was just a teenager when he released his debut single, “Call Me a Mack.” It was the final single released from the 1993 Poetic Justice soundtrack. On the track, Usher details how he may be young, but he knows how to play the game when it comes to matters of the heart. 

Janet Jackson played Eddie Murphy's love interest in the 2000 film The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. Jackson worked with her frequent collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on the soundtrack’s first single, “Doesn’t Really Matter.” On the track, Jackson highlights her character’s story of falling in love with a person for who they are, not just for their physical features.

“Lady Marmalade” has had quite a few versions released over the years, with the first being recorded by Labelle. However, in 2001, Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink, and Lil’ Kim created a more updated rendition as a single for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Produced by Missy Elliott and Rockwilder, the song showcased the different vocal abilities of Aguilera, Pink, and Mya while Kim showed off her lyrical prowess. The single became a No. 1 hit across multiple song charts, including the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1997, the family drama film Soul Food was released in theaters, starring Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Mekhi Phifer, and many more. Babyface’s record label, LaFace, was the brains behind the soundtrack, and one of the hit singles came from Boyz II Men with “A Song for Mama.” The track is often played on Mother’s Day, as it’s a song that highlights people appreciating everything mothers do. 

Queen Latifah starred alongside Jada Pinkett, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise in the 1996 crime action film Set It Off. Adding to the soundtrack was the hit song “Don’t Let Go (Love)” by En Vogue. Produced by Organized Noize, the track finds the group singing about being more than friends with a potential love interest. 

In 2002, Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan starred in the hit film Brown Sugar. Raphael Saadiq produced the soundtrack’s hit single “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop), a collaboration performed by Erykah Badu and Common. The song depicts a common theme of the film on friends becoming lovers. 

Beyoncé played the role of Foxxy Cleopatra in the 2002 comedy film Austin Powers in Goldmember. Adding to the film’s soundtrack, Beyoncé teamed up with production duo The Neptunes on the first single, “Work It Out.” The track adds the film’s elements of funk and disco, which was quite a different sound that Beyoncé’s fans weren’t used to hearing from her at the time. 

In 1972, Ron O’Neal starred in the blaxploitation film Super Fly. Musician Curtis Mayfield was the producer and songwriter for the film’s soundtrack. On the album’s title track, Mayfield describes the elements of a person being “Superfly.” The song peaked in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1999, Taye Diggs starred alongside Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, and Terrence Howard in the critically acclaimed film The Best Man. The soundtrack’s final single, “The Best Man I Can Be,” was a collaboration among some of R&B’s elite: Case, Ginuwine, RL, and Tyrese. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song highlights how friends become like family who look out for each other. 

The 1995 film Waiting to Exhale had a soundtrack that spawned seven singles, including Mary J. Blige's “Not Gon’ Cry.” Written and produced by Babyface, the song tells the storyline of Angela Bassett’s character in the film, in which she deals with an unfaithful partner. It’s one of Blige’s many hits that showcase her perfection in singing about drama and heartbreak. 

In 1992, Whitney Houston made her film debut alongside co-star Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard. Houston created several singles for the film’s soundtrack, but the biggest song was her cover of Dolly Parton’s 1973 track “I Will Always Love You.” While Parton’s version was more country, Houston gave it a pop-ballad rendition, and the song became the best-selling single by a female artist in the US. The song helped earn Houston a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

In 1999, Taye Diggs starred alongside Richard T. Jones and Omar Epps in the comedy-drama film The Wood. The soundtrack garnered four singles including Joe’s smooth ballad “I Wanna Know.” On the track, Joe is so enamored with a love interest and he wants to make sure he does all the things right to keep them pleased and happy. 

In 1976, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Garrett Morris, and others starred in the comedic film Car Wash. Funk band Rose Royce worked on the film score and soundtrack, releasing the soundtrack’s title track. Since it was released in the ‘70s, “Car Wash” is filled with funk and disco elements and became the band’s most successful single to date. 

Diane Warren has always been in high demand to create ballads for pop and soul stars. It was no different when she worked with R&B powerhouse Monica on “For You I Will,” a song featured on the soundtrack of the 1996 film Space Jam starring Michael Jordan. On the track, Monica sings of always being there for a loved one in their time of need. 

In 2000, Aaliyah made her film debut, starring alongside Jet Li in the action film Romeo Must Die. It was only fitting that she contributed to the film’s soundtrack with her hit single “Try Again." Produced by Timbaland, the song is all about being consistent in your pursuit of a love interest. As she says in the song, "If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again."

In 1997, Larenz Tate and Nia Long starred in the romantic comedy Love Jones. One of the standout tracks on the soundtrack comes from the collaboration with the Refugee Camp All-Stars and Lauryn Hill with “The Sweetest Thing.” On the track, Hill highlights how a love interest makes her feel... well, sweet. 

R&B powerhouses Jennifer Hudson and Ne-Yo teamed up with rapper Rick Ross on their 2012 single “Think Like a Man.” It was the perfect track added to the soundtrack to the hit romantic comedy of the same name. On the track, Hudson and Ne-Yo highlight how relationships go through ups and downs. 

In 2000, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu starred in the hit film Charlie’s Angels. R&B group Destiny’s Child released the soundtrack’s first single appropriately titled “Independent Women, Part 1.” The song was a hit for the movie and became a female anthem for girls worldwide who believed in independence and liberation.