Today’s SOTD is Lisa Fischer’s “How Can I Ease The Pain”—a classic ‘90s R&B slow-burn that still hits the spot all these years later. Co-written by Fischer and produced by Narada Michael Walden, this stunning ballad topped the US R&B charts for two weeks and crossed over into the pop world, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. That’s no small feat, especially for a debut single from her only solo album, So Intense.

Here in the UK, the song made modest club chart appearances, peaking at #51 on the UK Dance Chart (Music Week) and #57 on the UK Club Chart (Record Mirror), but proper mainstream chart success there proved elusive. Still, the track remains Fischer’s signature tune, winning her a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1992 and a place in R&B history. The fact that it went from soul playlists to the Hot 100 says a lot about the power of Fischer’s voice and the song’s timeless appeal.

Video below: