Ranking the Best Songs on Amerie’s All I Have

Man, it’s been a MONTH. In the best of ways.

These past 30 days we’ve been celebrating a half-dozen LPs that made their debuts in July, shaking the world of music in the process. Today marks another special occassion.

One of the coolest things about connecting with music fans online is discovering a shared love of specific artists and albums. Twenty years ago today, when Amerie dropped her debut, my friends and I LOVED it, considering it one of the most underrated albums of the era. That sentiment didn’t seem to be shared in a mainstream sense, as her album kinda came and went by year’s end.

But once I connected with other R&B fans via social media years later, I learned that my friends and I weren’t outliers – Amerie’s All I Have is widely beloved in the R&B community. Despite its low profile, there’s lots of love still show for it today.

We’re showing even more love in this post, with my guy Vocalz Getupradio, courtesy of the Soul In Stereo Cypher on Facebook, stopping by to help break down this unappreciated gem.

Before we dive in, share some of your memories of this release.

Vocalz: I remember getting this album so clearly.  As “Why Don’t We Fall in Love” exploded on the airwaves, it just felt like summer.  The anticipation for the album was building because we had to wait so long because the single dropped in April of that year, and the album didn’t come until the end of July of the same year.  Soon as I hit play the debut single rocked me in, and from there it seems every subsequent song built on that momentum.  This album still has great replay value.

Edd: I remember album release day very well. I stopped by Best Buy to cop the album at the discounted release price – the cheat code for getting your faves at a reasonable cost. And this album was just $5.99, which seemed like a STEAL. You can barely get a combo for that price today, let alone a 5-star album. Anyway, I was living in Louisville, Ky., at the time and I was on the way to pick up this girl from work at our satellite office in Indiana. Keep in mind that this was long before the days of Google Maps on our phones, so your boy got VERY VERY LOST trying to find this elusive office. It was just me and your girl Amerie driving through the backroads of Indiana, trying to make sense of life. I completely fell in love with the album on that drive – there wasn’t a weak track to be found and I probably listened to the whole thing three times before I arrived at the office. And oh yeah, that girl from work I was picking up? Four years later she’d be my wife.

Aight, let’s talk about your picks for best song.

Vocalz: “Why Don’t We Fall in Love”

This song exploded on the scene in April 2002 and literally took over during the lead up to the summer.  This is one of those infectious jams that as soon as it comes on you know right away what it is.  The way the track loop lulls you in until the chorus crescendos in and vibes you out. The vocals are so sincere to me.  One thing with Amerie is, she will sing her heart out on a track, when she is in the grove.  This song is not just the best song on this album but the best in her discography.

Edd: “Why Don’t We Fall in Love”

Yep, “Why Don’t We Fall in Love” is the crown jewel of this album. I first heard it on the radio in the spring of 2002 and was immediately captivated. The production, true to its nature, just felt like summer love – so upbeat and breezy and heartfelt. And true to Vocalz point, while Amerie doesn’t have Fantasia-level power vocals, she has an emotional delivery that connects with listeners. It’s not too often that I’m totally won over by a song on the first listen, but this one did it.

Which track has the best production?

Vocalz: “Why Don’t We Fall in Love”

The production on this is so bright and fun.  It’s one of those turn the volume up immediately style productions.  The mix on this highlighted every little nuance in the track behind the vocals. Rich outdid himself on this.

Edd: “Why Don’t We Fall in Love”

Soul In Stereo Day Ones know I’m a sucker for a unexpected horn and if this song’s production wasn’t elegant enough, when that sax came in THE GAME WAS OVER. As I’ve said countless times, a song’s production should match the story being told by the lyrics and the artist’s delivery. The production is breezy, inviting and best of all, hopeful. Amerie had a good point, why don’t we, why CAN’T we fall in love when something sounds this good? Rich Harrison, you deserve all the things, playa.

What’s the most underrated song here?

Vocalz: “I Just Died”

The drum track leading into this song has you anticipating something good, and they didn’t disappoint. Rich and Amerie had a great chemistry.  This song is so memorable off the album.  Definitely could have been a single.

Edd: “All I Have”

One note before Vocalz lunges for my throat for ranking his most underrated track near the bottom of my list: While my top 3 are set in stone, the rest of the tracks could be basically in any order – they’re all equally impressive. Trust, I have just as much love for “I Just Died” as he does. That said, I think the title track is extremely underrated – the production boasts the same blissful beauty as “Why Don’t We Fall in Love” but the tone is much more sorrowful. It’s essentially the breakup version of  “Why Don’t We Fall in Love” and a great way to bookend the album’s celebrated intro.

And what’s the most overrated?

Vocalz: “Talkin’ to Me”

While I really like this song, it didn’t have the energy of a 2^nd single.  This is a great album cut, but picking it as the follow up to such a monster felt like they left some chips on the table. It did well, but this should have been maybe a 3^rd single if they were adamant on releasing it as one.

Edd: ??????

I never, ever do this on one of these posts and really hate setting the precedent but I don’t think there is a song that qualifies as underrated. The two singles are rightfully celebrated (sorry Vocalz, “Talkin to Me” HITS) and, as I said in the underrated section, every other track is equally impressive. I just can’t think of a song that is hyped more than it deserves. Wack answer, I know, but I can’t justify throwing anything under the bus.

Which song should have been a single?

Vocalz: “I Just Died”

This should have been the 2^nd single. The album dropping July of 2022, this would have been a great end of the summer, welcome to fall relationship song.  Hard enough for the guys, but sensitive enough for the ladies. I think was a missed opportunity.

Edd: “All I Have”

I already gave my answer for this one – “All I Have” is the perfect contrast to the wide-eyed optimism of “Why Don’t We Fall In Love.” And though it’s understated, there’s enough power in Amerie’s performance to keep it from being solely regulated to quiet storm playlists. It’s a little weird that we never got a third single from the album – a blindfolded parakeet could pick a winner from this tracklist. This project had more gas left in its tank.

Is this Amerie’s best album?

Vocalz: For me this is Amerie’s best album actually by a mile.  While she may have had her biggest single/song on her sophomore album, this one always felt the most cohesive and the most authentic.  Everything after seemed to be chasing the feeling of All I Have.  This album is a press play and go.  It is always interesting to see an album organically become a cult classic.  All I Have has so many loyal listeners who love this album. And I am one.

Honestly, Amerie is not going to Whitney, or Patti LaBelle you with 10 toes down singing, but you can hear that she is all in on every song and it translates to the listener. The production is top notch.  Rich Harrison did a great job of helping make a fun, bright album.

Edd: Early Amerie’s catalog was pretty strong. Her often-forgotten third album, Because I Love It, is fantastic and the sophomore set wasn’t too shabby either. But the boy Vocalz is right – none of those albums match the consistency or promise Amerie shows here. As much as I love this album, listening to it makes me so frustrated – she absolutely should have been one of the biggest stars of her era. Sure, she had fleeting success and it’s considered a cult classic today but All I Have is proof she deserved so much more.

Who got it right, Vocalz or Edd? Share your thoughts below.