Released: July 18, 1995
Genre: R&B
Label: Rowdy ∙ Arista
Producer: Dallas Austin ∙ Tim & Bob ∙ Arnold Hennings ∙ Daryl Simmons ∙ Soulshock & Karlin ∙ Colin Wolfe
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Debut albums are always special, because it is the introduction to the artist or band and what we should expect for upcoming projects. Monica Denise Arnold was discovered by music producer Dallas Austin (who’s worked with the likes of TLC & Boyz II Men,) after performing Whitney Houston’s Greatest Love of All and the rest was history. Monica signed to Dallas’ Rowdy Records label and began work on her debut album, titled Miss Thang.
Released July 18, 1995, Miss Thang is a beautiful affair with elements of soul, blues, pop, hip hop & R&B. While I personally think this album was WAY too mature for a teenager like Monica to sing at the time (based on the lyrical content,) Monica’s voice was so amazing for her to be so young. I grew up loving Monica’s known songs, but when I started to appreciate the beauty of listening to albums from start to finish, I revisited Miss Thang. It is an awesome and I mean awesome tale of a young woman navigating love, relationships and heartbreak. Dallas Austin is a genius because of his work with the other artists he’s known for working with, but with Monica? He knew just what to say and do to give us such a masterpiece.
Miss Thang debuted and peaked at 36 on the Billboard 200 and number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts respectively, with first week sales of 31, 500 copies sold. The album has since gone on to be certified 3x platinum by the RIAA,
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Monica’s Miss Thang.
Miss Thang
Written by Dallas Austin
But it’s alright for me to think it’s all about me!
Monica, Miss Thang, 1995
The album opens with the title track, and gives us the introduction to how Monica got the title of Miss. THANG! Monica has stated that the album title came from her attitude towards producers bringing songs to play for her in the studio, and her quickness to discuss disdain for them. Dallas would say “Miss Thang don’t like it,” and I can tell based on how Monica is as a person. She’s very outspoken, opinionated and has never been afraid to express herself and speak her mind, especially at a young age. I think that’s a perfect way to describe the greatness of Monica Denise.
Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)
Written by Dallas Austin ∙ Monica Arnold ∙ Derrick Simmons ∙ Willie James Baker ∙ James Todd Smith ∙ Quincy Jones III ∙ Abrim Tilmon ∙ Hank Shocklee ∙ Eric Sadler ∙ Carlton Ridenhour ∙ James Brown ∙ George Clinton
Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) is a song that’s pretty self explanatory: the singer is telling her lover to not take her behavior the wrong way when she wants to be to herself. It is definitely a classic summer banger to play for your lover when you’re not feeling your best.R
Released as her debut single, Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) was a commercial success for Monica, peaking at number 1 and number 2 on the R&B & pop charts respectively.
***Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) contains elements of:
- Back Seat (of My Jeep) by LL Cool J
- You’re Gettin’ a Little Too Smart by The Detroit Emeralds
- Bring the Noise by Public Enemy
***Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) was sampled for:
- Cost Me a Lot by J. Cole (interpolation)
- One of Them Days by Queen Naija featuring Monica
- DND (It’s Not Personal) by Rapsody featuring Bee-b
Like This and Like That (featuring Mr. Malik)
Written by Dallas Austin ∙ Colin Wolfe ∙ Gabriel Jackson
Released as the second single, Like This and Like That has the singer giving someone she is dealing the ultimatum of showing her that he wants to be with her or she has to move along. Featuring Mr. Malik, the song gave Monica another hit on the pop & R&B charts peaking at 7 and 1 respectively.
***Like This and Like That contains a sample of:
- Spoonin’ Rap by Spoonie Gee
Get Down
Written by Tim Kelley ∙ Bob Robinson
Get Down is a very “Miss Thang” type of record. From a lyrical perspective, the singer is saying it is her show and if you wanna be around her…you gotta understand that. Or go! It’s so simple and I feel like that was definitely Monica (probably still is lol,) vibe period. I love this gem a lot!
With You
Written by Tim Kelley ∙ Bob Robinson
With You is one of my favorite songs from the album. Lyrically, the song speaks about quality time with someone you really care about. A slow jam that is so underrated and deserves so much more!
***With you contains a sample of:
- Perfect Love Affair by Visions
Skate
Written by Dallas Austin ∙ Colin Wolfe ∙ Albert Hudson ∙ Jonathan Meadows ∙ Dave Roberson ∙ Glenda Hudson ∙ Gregory Greene ∙ Terry Morgan ∙ Theodore Dudley
Skate is a BOP for the skate floors y’all! I love everything about this record. I have to skate to it myself one day because it is an energetic and vibrant song all around.
***Skate contains a sample of:
- Cutie Pie by One Way
Angel
Written by Arnold Hennings
Angel is yet another masterpiece from this album that I’ve love and appreciate from Monica. From a lyrical perspective, the song speaks to the singer expressing to a lover to be patient and not rush her into something she’s not ready for. That she will be his angel and continues to express how important he is to her. Now granted the messenger should have not been a teenaged Monica, but the song is an underrated song from the singer’s catalog.
Woman in Me (Interlude)
Written by Tim Kelley ∙ Bob Robinson
[Verse 1]
Love brings intensity
How I know, it’s plan to see
Boy, there’s a woman in me
Intensity brings misery
How I know, it’s plan to see
Boy, there’s a woman in me[Chorus]
You’re wondering how I know
(There’s a woman in me)
That’s how I know
(There’s a woman in me)
You’re wondering how I know
(There’s a woman in me)
That’s how I know
(There’s a woman in me)
You’re wondering how I know
(There’s a woman in me)
That’s how I know
(There’s a woman in me)
Tell Me If You Still Care
Written by James Harris III ∙ Terry Lewis
Tell Me If You Still Care is a cover of The S.O.S. Band’s classic slow jam record, and Monica does it justice. More than justice to be honest! The production gives the song the 90s touch, and from a millennial’s perspective as well.
***Tell Me If You Still Care was originally recorded by The S.O.S. Band.
Let’s Straighten It Out (featuring Usher)
Written by Dallas Austin ∙ Benny Latimore
Let’s Straighten It Out is another cover from Monica where she had NO business singing at such a young age, and I want people to stop playing in her face when it comes to her vocals. She was singing CLASSIC 70s and 80s records like THAT? A BLUES CLASSIC LIKE THAT? Man, please. Featuring the legendary Usher, this remarkable cover showcases beautifully of a couple trying to work through their issues within each other.
***Let’s Straighten It Out was originally recorded by Latitmore.
Before You Walk Out of My Life
Written by Kenneth Karlin ∙ Andrea Martin ∙ Carsten Schack
Released as the second single alongside Like This and Like That, Before You Walk Out of My Life has become one of Monica’s signature records. The R&B ballad captures the essence of Monica’s legacy: beautifully written songs about a lover leaving and you’re pleading for another chance to make things right, and for an even more beautiful voice. The single made Monica the youngest recording artists to have two consecutive number one hits on the R&B charts at the age of 14. Legendary HONEY!
Now I’m Gone
Tim Kelley ∙ Bob Robinson
Now I’m Gone is an album cut y’all need to appreciate more of! From a lyrical perspective, the singer is out of sight and out of mind ton a man who clearly did not appreciate the girl she was to him. Despite realizing things will never being the same, Monica remains optimistic that she’ll meet someone who is deserving of her love. We love the girlies who keep hope alive!
Why I Love You So Much
Written by Daryl Simmons
Why I Love You So Much is another record from the album that is an important song to discuss in Monica’s catalog. From a lyrical perspective, the song speaks about a partner who compliments the singer so perfectly, that she expresses her love and admiration for him. Again, this was a song that someone older should have been singing, but Monica takes it home with her stellar and remarkable vocals of course.
Why I Love You So Much truly one of her most beloved songs that everyone can sing word for word if they heart it. Released as the final single from the album as a double single with Ain’t Nobody, Why I Love You So Much became Monica’s third consecutive top ten hit on the pop and R&B charts, peaking at 9 and 3 respectively. The single has since been certified Gold by the RIAA.
Never Can Say Goodbye
Written by Arnold Jennings
Never Can Say Goodbye is lyrically about the singer expressing her feelings about not wanting to part with the boy she loves.
Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) (Remix)
Written by Dallas Austin ∙ Monica Arnold ∙ Derrick Simmons ∙ Willie James Baker ∙ David Townsend ∙ David Conley ∙ Derrick Culler
Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) (Remix) is a remixed version of the original song which is heavily built around a sample of a Jermaine Jackson classic!
***Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) (Remix) contains a sample of:
- Don’t Take It Personal by Jermaine Jackson
Forever Always
Written by Arnold Hennings
The album closes with Forever Always, which is a song about the singer reassuring her lover that he is the only one she cares about and loves. Another gem from Monica.
Miss Thang is an album that was possibly suitable for another artist that was older, but I think the album title suiting Monica as a person set the tone for her illustrious career. Looking back over the 30 years that this album has been out, it’s one of the most amazing debut albums I’ve ever heard from a R&B artist period. Monica has always been one of my favorites, and this album will always be special to me because of that reasoning alone. Don’t play with Monica Denise Arnold on ANY DAY! -MW
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