5 Timeless Mary J. Blige Love Songs That Give Us Instant Butterflies
Our love for these songs has no limit.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 20: Mary J. Blige performs onstage at the BET Experience STAPLES Center Concert Sponsored By NISSAN at Staples Center on June 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ser Baffo/Getty Images for BET)
Today, Mary J. Blige aka “the Queen Of Hip Hop Soul” turns 50 years old. There’s so much to love about this beautiful and talented diva – from her timeless beauty and iconic style to all the epic times she rocked the stage. As we reflect on all the ways we love and appreciate Ms. Blige, we can’t let this momentous occasion pass us by without celebrating her extensive catalog of love songs that have stood the test of time.
While Mary is known for her heartbreak anthems like “Not Gon Cry” and “No More Drama,” we simply can’t deny that this R&B powerhouse reigns supreme when it comes to love anthems. It’s likely that one of her chart-topping hits is the soundtrack to your first kiss, or might even take you down memory lane as you think about falling in love for the first time. Either way, we’ll never stop loving Mary for giving us staple love songs that will forever live on our playlists.
Scroll through the gallery for our handpicked selection of Mary J. Blige’s best love songs that we’ll never stop listening to.
01
Mary J, Blige – “Real Love”
This song pick should come as no surprise. The track that put the “Queen Of Hip Hop Soul” on the map is also a song that perfectly captures what every woman wants – the genuine love and care of a partner who rides for her. Epic!
02
Mary J. Blige – “Everything”
Mary J. Blige’s hit “Everything” perfectly captures what it’s like being in love. The song describes the blissful feeling of being cared for by a special someone. This will forever be a mainstay in our playlists.
03
Mary J. Blige – “All That I Can Say”
This is the testimony of a well-loved woman. Composed by Lauryn Hill, this song makes you want to sail away to its funky beat and get lost in the magic of finding the one.
04
Mary J. Blige – “You Bring Me Joy”
This uptempo dance beat is all about basking in the happiness of being in a harmonious relationship. It goes perfectly with those new-relationship butterflies.
05
Mary J. Blige – “Be Happy”
“Be Happy” is a lesson in the most important kind of love: self-love! In this amen-worthy track, MJB declares that loving yourself enough to walk away from who and what no longer serves you is the first step to true happiness.
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.
