Honestly, if you grew up in the '90s, you didn't just listen to Xscape; you lived through their harmonies. We all know the heavy hitters like "Understanding" or "Just Kickin' It," but there’s a specific kind of magic buried on their third studio album, Traces of My Lipstick. I'm talking about One Of Those Love Songs.
It isn't the flashy lead single. It didn't get the big-budget music video with the wind machines and the dramatic 1998 lip gloss. But for the real R&B heads, this track is basically the blueprint for what a late-night slow jam should sound like.
The Secret Sauce of Traces of My Lipstick
By 1998, Xscape was in a weird spot. Tensions were bubbling under the surface. Kandi Burruss, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, and sisters LaTocha and Tamika Scott were delivering some of their best vocal work while the group was practically fraying at the seams. You can hear that intensity in the music.
One Of Those Love Songs sits at track five on the album. It’s tucked right between "Do You Know" and "The Arms of the One Who Loves You." While Jermaine Dupri is the name most people associate with the So So Def sound, this particular gem was actually steered by Warryn Campbell.
Campbell, who later became a gospel and R&B powerhouse (working with everyone from Mary Mary to Kanye West), brought a different texture to the group. He co-wrote and produced the track alongside Seth Swirsky. The result? A song that felt more mature than their debut "Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha" days. It wasn't just teen love anymore. It felt like "grown folks" music.
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Why the Vocals Matter
Let's get into the actual sound.
The song starts with that signature '90s keyboard—warm, slightly fuzzy, and immediately nostalgic. But the real star is the vocal arrangement. Xscape was always unique because they didn't just have one lead singer and three "background" girls. They were a powerhouse quartet where everyone could go.
On One Of Those Love Songs, the lead duties are shared in a way that feels like a conversation. You've got LaTocha’s gritty, soulful runs acting as the anchor, while Tiny’s higher, thinner "sweet" register cuts through the production. It’s that contrast that made them better than almost any other girl group of the era. They weren't trying to sound like one voice; they were four distinct voices creating a wall of sound.
"I just want to hear one of those love songs... the kind that makes you want to fall in love again."
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The lyrics are meta. They’re literally singing about the power of R&B. It’s a song about how music facilitates intimacy. In an era where "streaming" meant sitting by the radio with a blank cassette tape, this track was the one you hoped the DJ wouldn't talk over.
The Chart Stats vs. Cult Status
If you look at the Billboard charts, this song doesn't have the "Number 1" badge. "The Arms of the One Who Loves You" and "My Little Secret" were the commercial giants of that album cycle, with "My Little Secret" hitting number nine on the Hot 100.
One Of Those Love Songs didn't need the chart validation.
It became a "quiet storm" staple. It’s the song that fans bring up during Verzuz battles (like the legendary one against SWV back in 2021) or when they’re arguing in the comments about who the "real" queens of the '90s were.
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Quick Facts: Traces of My Lipstick (1998)
- Release Date: May 12, 1998
- Label: So So Def / Columbia
- Certification: Platinum (RIAA)
- Producer Highlight: Warryn Campbell (One Of Those Love Songs)
- Chart Peak: The album reached #28 on the Billboard 200
The "Real" Reason it Holds Up
There’s a vulnerability here that's missing from a lot of modern, highly processed R&B. You can hear the breaths. You can hear the slight imperfections in the grit of LaTocha’s voice. It feels human.
Most people don't realize that during the recording of this album, the group was basically over. Kandi was already looking toward songwriting—a move that eventually gave us "No Scrubs" and "Bills, Bills, Bills." The Scott sisters were eyeing solo paths. That "last hurrah" energy is baked into the recording. When they sing about wanting a love song to save the night, it feels like they’re trying to save the group, too.
How to Appreciate the Song Today
If you’re revisiting this track or hearing it for the first time, don't just play it on your phone speakers.
- Find the original album version. Remastered versions on streaming are okay, but there's a specific compression on the '90s CDs that makes the bass hit harder.
- Focus on the bridge. The bridge in One Of Those Love Songs is a masterclass in harmony stacking. Listen to how they build the layers until it feels like the room is shaking.
- Watch the Verzuz. If you want to see the "big sister" energy they still bring to these tracks, find the 2021 Verzuz footage. Seeing them perform these hits decades later adds a whole new layer of respect for their longevity.
Xscape proved that you don't need to be the lead single to be the heart of an album. Sometimes, the "filler" track is actually the soul of the entire project.
Actionable Insights for R&B Fans
To truly dive into the legacy of this era and the song, start by exploring the Warryn Campbell production discography from the late '90s; you'll hear the same soulful DNA in his work with Dru Hill. Also, compare the vocal arrangements of One Of Those Love Songs with their earlier gospel-heavy cover of "Is My Living in Vain" to see how their technique evolved from church-style singing to polished R&B. Finally, if you're a vinyl collector, hunt for the original 1998 pressing of Traces of My Lipstick—it’s widely considered the best-sounding version of this specific track due to the analog mixing of that period.