Turning another year older is always bittersweet. On one hand, you’re one step closer to death (just kidding!). But on the other hand, you get to celebrate another year of life on this amazing planet.
And what better way to do that than by blasting some dope R&B birthday songs?
So, fill your heart with joy and let the good times roll with our list of the 15 best R&B birthday songs. These 15 tracks are some of the best in the genre, and they’re sure to get any party started.
1. Birthday by Destiny’s Child
It's your birthday
You don't have to do nothing
The time has come, and it's finally here
Have a candlelit dinner
Or just settle down, my dear
Whatever you like, boy
Its all up to you
Destiny’s Child is a legendary girl group, made up of incredible talents including the ever-admirable Queen B Beyonce herself.
And “Birthday” is an excellent show of their sheer power as performers. Featuring strong vocals, sweet vocal harmonies, and a great bassline, this track is sure to please any birthday boy.
Though not a family-themed song like “Happy Birthday” or “Birthday Cake,”, this track is guaranteed to get the party started on anyone’s big day.
2. Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder
You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration
The world needs no introduction to Stevie Wonder, a blind R&B legend who despite his disability, continues to create some of the most memorable tunes of our time.
Released in 1973, “Happy Birthday” is a fairly standard Stevie Wonder song, that is to say, it’s incredibly catchy, soulful, and surprisingly heart-wrenching as its sadder side slowly unveils.
But what makes this tune truly special is its place in history, as it was used extensively in the Civil Rights Movement to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. And since it has become a birthday staple, particularly for African Americans.
3. It’s Your Birthday by Luke
Go Sheila, it’s your birthday
Go Freddie, it’s your birthday
Go Annette, it’s your birthday
Go Derrick, it’s your birthday
“It’s Your Birthday” by Luke is one of those songs that is just a straight-up bop. It is impossible to listen to this track without feeling at least a little bit of joy.
It doesn’t make any false pretenses about being a song with a deeper meaning. Instead, it’s just a compilation of Luke, with his ever-energetic delivery, singing about how it’s essentially everyone’s birthday.
An incredibly fun tune, one that continues to live on as a fun party jam years later.
4. In Da Club by 50 Cent
Go, shawty, it's your birthday
We gon' party like it's your birthday
And we gon' sip Bacardí like it's your birthday
And you know we don't give a fu*k, it's not your birthday
50 Cent’s club jam “In Da Club,” is an ever-present entry when talking about songs that mention birthdays, even though it’s a little self-contradictory.
While there are mentions of birthdays, 50 Cent makes it clear that they’re celebrating ‘like’ it’s a birthday, even though it’s no one’s birthday.
However, that doesn’t stop it from being an absolute jam and a birthday mainstay.
5. Say Aah by Trey Songz
Go girl, it's your birthday
Open wide, I know you're thirsty
Say aah, hey
Say aah
And we don't buy no drinks at the bar
We pop champagne 'cause we got that dough
Trey Songz celebrates the art of drinking at parties with “Say Aah,” a tribute to people who love to party and throw caution to the wind.
The song goes with the flow, as it continues being a song about enjoying the excess and lavishness that comes with celebrating one’s birthday. It’s a fascinating view into the party life of the upper class.
6. Birthday by K. Michelle
It's your birthday baby, whatcha wanna do?
Got some bihes, got some pretty bihes coming through
Know I said I never do it but I guess I lied
Roll a L, roll a L, f*k it, let's get hgh
K. Michelle’s Birthday is a great birthday song for those who are looking for something a little different than the typical “Happy Birthday” song.
Driven by a simple piano melody, the song has a haunting quality to it that is offset by K. Michelle’s sultry voice. The lyrics are also quite sensual, making this an ideal choice for couples looking to spice up their birthday celebrations.
7. Birthday by Katy Perry
Boy, when you're with me, I'll give you a taste
Make it like your birthday every day
I know you like it sweet, so you can have your cake
Give you something good to celebrate
Katy Perry never fails to be an endless source of fun and positivity in the music world, and this is on full display in “Birthday.”
Like many of Katy Perry’s songs from the era, “Birthday,” acts as a giant double entendre, as well as a plain fun, poppy tune.
It’s hard to find fault with Katy Perry’s rendition of a birthday song, and only absolute killjoys would find issues with this one.
8. Birthday by Anne-Marie
It's my birthday
I'ma do what I like
I'ma eat what I like
I'ma kiss who I like
It's my birthday
A relatively newer song, “Birthday” by Anne-Marie is a birthday song about moving on from an ex-lover. How does Anne-Marie achieve this?
The answer is by having herself an absolute killer birthday party, throwing every single thing she can imagine into it.
It doesn’t matter if she can pay rent or not, it’s about having a good time to put the past where it belongs. And it makes for a fun song.
9. Birthday Girl by Lizzo
Lizzo absolutely owns her performance on “Birthday Girl,” a song all about having a great time with your friends while putting those who don’t believe in your aside.
Lizzo and her friends don’t need anyone but themselves to have a good time and support each other, and that’s something to celebrate.
Regardless of your birthday status, this is a song everyone can get behind and enjoy.
10. Ratchet Happy Birthday by Drake
Love him or hate him, Drake is omnipresent in music, and “Ratchet Happy Birthday,” is one of his most memorable tracks.
Unlike many songs on this list, “Ratchet Happy Birthday,” is a song that revels in itself, being simultaneously heartfelt and petty.
The overall message of the song is still surprisingly sweet, but there’s a surprising amount of venom underneath a lot of the lines, and it makes it interesting.
11. It’s Your Birthday by R. Kelly
While R. Kelly himself isn’t necessarily the best individual, there’s no denying the man’s talent.
“It’s Your Birthday,” by R. Kelly remains one of the most fun and sweet birthday songs on this list. It’s sweet, sincere and perfectly set up for a fantastic birthday celebration.
It’s also one of the more genuinely happy-sounding birthday songs here, and for that, it gets a solid commendation.
12. My Dawg’s Birthday by Trick Daddy
“My Dawg’s Birthday,” is a heartfelt and sincere song from Trick Daddy, but in the sense that it’s all about Trick’s friend’s birthday.
He’s dedicated to saying incredibly nice things about his dawg but in true gangsta fashion. It really is a surprisingly fun song, one that is fairly sweet underneath the hard and tough exterior.
13. Step In The Name Of Love by R. Kelly
“Step In The Name Of Love” is an irresistibly catchy and smooth tune, one that’s about how it’s someone’s birthday out there somewhere.
It’s all about living your best life because no matter what day it is, you get to spend it like it’s somebody’s birthday. Smooth vocal chops make the song work, and it’s a grand experience.
14. Birthday by Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott puts on a fun and bouncy performance on “Birthday,” a tune about how being with someone you love can help put all your stress behind you.
It’s not necessarily about it being someone’s birthday, but rather how Pixie Lott’s special someone can help her feel like every day is her birthday.
15. Happy Birthday by DJ BoBo
DJ BoBo comes through with a true rendition of a song that’s all about wishing someone a happy birthday.
Of all the songs so far, this one is the most straightforward of them all. It was written as a happy birthday wish from Dj BoBo to his brother, hence why it’s just straight-up called “Happy Birthday.” A legendary tune in its own right
Wrapping Up
These 15 R&B Birthday songs are sure to get the party started and keep it going strong.
Whether you’re looking for a heartfelt message or something to get everyone on the dance floor, there’s a song on this list for you.
So bust out your best moves, put on your birthday crown, and celebrate like it’s your birthday. Because it is, and you only turn this age once. Happy Birthday!
