listen, partner, i ain't no cheap thrill - cause ms. badu always comin' for real and you know the deal

My Erykah Badu girlcrush has been out of control this past week. I love her conversational and thoroughly honest lyrics, her uniquely beautiful voice and her chill, hip-hop groove. I'm going to share with you my top five Erykah Badu songs as of right now.
In fact, I think this month, the fifth month, I'll have a running series on my top five songs by various artists. So if there are any artists where you've always wondered what my top five favourites of their songs are (awkwardest sentence....ever), I definitely welcome suggestions.
Anyway, if the following pictures and songs can't convince you that Erykah Badu is one of the coolest women alive, I've got three more words for you:
Seven, Puma and Mars.
Yeah, those are her children.

My Top Five Erykah Badu songs:
1. "Honey" from New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)
This chill, 70's-style groove has definitely been my song du jour. I adore the lyrics, oozing with the promise of relaxed romance that keeps one guessing...my favourite kind!

2. "Tyrone" from Live
I love any song that starts out with "I'm gettin' tired of yo' shit/You don't never buy me nothin'" This live-only gem has got awesomely badass lyrics and, if you watch the video, Ms. Badu accompanies them with delightful facial expressions. Unfortunately, the only Youtube video I can find cuts out the curse words, has mismatched audio and a fuzzy picture quality. Shame.
And if neo-soul ain't your thing, check out My Morning Jacket covering "Tyrone" with Erykah Badu, live.

3. "Booty" from Mama's Gun
Supertight drums are only the icing on the cake on this fantastic number. This is another one that's alll about the sublime lyrics. Basically Erykah Badu counts off all the ways your boyfriend prefers her, before reassuring you that she's not gonna steal your man - she doesn't want him, "cause of what he doin' to you".
I think many of my friends would agree I need to take this song pretty close to heart.


4. "Love of My Life (Ode to Hip-Hop)" from the Brown Sugar soundtrack
From the soundtrack of one of the only romantic comedies I've enjoyed, this is a chill, soulful number - okay, I need to stop saying that. I guess they all are! But, like Common's (who is featured on this) hip-hop classic "I Used to Love H.E.R.", this one imagines hip-hop as a person - in this case, a lover whose "words were very nice."

5. "Appletree" from Baduizm
With inspirational lyrics affirming that self-confidence is one of the most important traits, this track shows off Erykah Badu's killer vocal skills and jazz influence.
"I pick my friends like I pick my fruit/My ganny told me that when I was only a youth/I don't walk around tryin' to be what I'm not/I don't waste my time tryin' to get what you got/I work at pleasing me cuz I can't please you/And that's why I do what I do/My soul flies free like a willow tree"

ERYKAH BADU

Who else would you like to see a Top Five list about?