Written by: Mark Morrison
Released: 1996
US Charts: #2
UK Charts: #1 (2 weeks)
Other Charts: N/A
I have a tendency to underestimate the quality of songs from the 90s. Maybe it’s just because my love for 60s and 70s music is too strong, which then blinds me from music from other eras. Whatever it is, it’s also comforting to find some wonderful high quality tracks from the 90s. Rnb as we know it today originated in the 80s but its golden period is considered to be the early to mid 90s. “Return of the Mack” is one of the definitive examples of classic Rnb. It’s better than most of today’s Rnb and is what Rnb is really about. Today’s artists seem to have forgotten this.
It was only until recently that I actually discovered the name of the song. I was under the impression that the singer was singing “Return To Me” in the chorus because it definitely sounds like that to me. But once I found out what he was really saying, I had to investigate the meaning of “Return of the Mack.” So after a bit of research, it turns out that the song was one of the first songs he released after a 3 month stint in prison. That explains the “Return” part, now I’m still looking for the meaning of “Mack” part. If someone knows the answer please let me know.
The song’s catchy and memorable chorus is what led this song to be the great success it was in the 90s. Unfortunately for Morrison, it was his only big hit (at least in the US), so he’s almost a one-hit wonder for many. This is irrelevant when it comes to bringing back memories of the 90s. As a person who grew up in the 90s, hearing this song at a party always brings a smile to my face and gets me on the dancefloor.
I’m sure you would agree after hearing this song that the 90s were truly the days of classic Rnb, which today’s Rnb cannot compare to. It’s vital that today’s artists look back at this period and learn from it. What do you think?
Please comment on this post below.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I was also curious about the “Mack” part and looked it up in the urban dictionary, and the explanation that made the most sense to me was;
“A mack can be a person who is smooth, slick, the Best of the Best, a Pimp, a Ladies Man, the guy who runs everything a.k.a. the Boss. A mack is a person who is always flirting and hitting on girls. Almost always successful at it too. ”
And I completely agree with you about how RnB is nowadays nowhere near as good as it was in the 90s! I remember being a little girl and rockin’ out to Aaliyah, TLC and Destiny’s Child, haha.
Oh, and another thing. I wanted to compliment you on your blog! I’m trying to educate myself about music throughout the years and your blog has helped me find classic songs that I never heard of. And the little descriptions are making it so much fun to just stroll around your blog for hours. You definitely have an honest love for music, and I like to see that!
No worries. I love finding those hidden gems and being blown away by them. And I want others to feel the same way too.
Thanks for your nice comments
He speaking about his gf who didn’t wait and stay loyal to him while he was away. She basically cheated on him. He says return of the mack….he back to the ‘game’ the single life…