For every “Anaconda” or “M.I.L.F.$” that infects the world with raunchy filth, there are transcendent  songs with a meaningful, worthwhile messages.  These 10 featured songs all have a deeper message – something bigger than just a song. Perhaps world-changing is an overstatement, the issues referenced here are often relatable to the human experience socially, spiritually, and otherwise.

1.

Declan McKenna, “Paracetamol”

[Liar EP, 2016]

“There’s a girl, fifteen, with her head in a noose / because she’s damned to live, well she’s damned to choose / and the animals walked in twos by twos / showing love like they do, like they do”  

Why You Should Be Spinning:  McKenna speaks about the fair treatment of everybody, regardless if they are different.  “Paracetamol” specifically targets the LGBT community.

2.

David Bowie, “Lazarus”

[Blackstar, 2016]

“Look up here, I’m in heaven / I’ve got scars that can’t be seen / I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen / everybody knows me now”

Why You Should Be Spinning:  Who knows what David Bowie’s thinking was for this song before his death.  Now, it’s hard not to believe that Bowie was speaking about being at the end of his life.

3.

Prince ft. Eryn Allen Kane, “Baltimore”

[HitNRun Phase Two, 2015]

“Are we gonna see another bloody day? / We’re tired of the cryin’ and people dyin’ / let’s take all the guns away” 

Why You Should Be Spinning:  While “Baltimore” won’t go down as one of Prince’s best (he has too many juggernauts), the socially conscious record terrifically captures the racial and policing issues that plague American society today, not just Baltimore itself.

4.

Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Freedom”

[Lemonade, 2016]

“I break my chains all by myself / won’t let my freedom rot in hell / hey! I’mma keep running / cause a winner don’t quit on themselves!”

Why You Should Be Spinning: “Freedom” is a different look for Beyoncé as she tackles social issues, specifically black social issues.  For years, Beyoncé was known primarily for her dance-pop, hip-hop infused R&B music (and of course her stunning looks).  Lemonade eliminates pigeonholing her; Beyoncé uses numerous songs as a call-to-action.

5.

Alessia Cara, “Here”

[Know-It-All, 2015]

“An antisocial pessimist, but usually I don’t mess with this…but honestly I’d rather be/ somewhere with my people / we can kick it and just listen to / some music with a message…”

Why You Should Be Spinning: Although “Here” arrived in 2015, it’s honestly about feeling socially awkward is and will be pitch-perfect for years to come.  While many of us socially awkward folks could care less about the perceptions of others (once you’ve matured and accepted it), hearing a celebrity speak about it provides reassurance of sorts.

6.

Andy Black, “We Don’t’ Have to Dance”

[The Shadow Side, 2016]

“We don’t have to talk / we don’t have to dance / we don’t have to smile / we don’t have to make friends / it’s so nice to meet you / let’s never meet again / we don’t have to talk / we don’t have to dance / we don’t have to dance”

Why You Should Be Spinning: Ah, the perfect segue from Andy Black tackles social anxiety like a pro on “We Don’t Have to Dance.” Don’t let the fun fool you – social anxiety is experienced in some form or fashion by everybody at some point in their lives.

7.

Kanye West ft. The-Dream, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin & Chance The Rapper, “Ultralight Beam”

[The Life of Pablo, 2016]

“We on an ultralight beat / we on an ultralight beam / this is a God dream / this is a God dream / this is everything / this is everything // deliver us serenity / deliver us peace / deliver us loving / we know we need it / you know we need it…”

Why You Should Be Spinning:  Kanye West definitely has his idiosyncrasies and issues.  It’s surprising to most he’s a Christian – really surprising. Regardless, the opener for West’s The Life of Pablo is a chilling, gospel-rap song that easily ranks among the best of his career.  West and company clearly “look toward the hills, from whence cometh my help.” You should be warned – when they look toward the hills, it’s not completely clean…of profanity that is.

8.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Leon Bridges, “Kevin”

[This Unruly Mess I’ve Made, 2016]

“And now my little brother is in the sky / from a pill that a doctor prescribed / that a drug dealing billion-dollar industry supplied / and the cops never go and profile at night…”

Why You Should Be Spinning:  Critics were divided about Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ This Unruly Mess I’ve Made.  Furthermore, folks simply didn’t buy it.  It happens. Regardless, “Kevin” is a moving song everyone should hear, tackling addiction to prescription pills and its fatal consequences.  Kevin was a friend of Macklemore who overdosed.

9.

The 1975, “If I Believe You”

[I Like it When you Sleep, For you are so Beautiful yet so Unaware of It, 2016]

“And if I believe you / will that make it stop? / If I told you I need you / Is that what you want? / And I’m broken and bleeding / and begging for help / and I’m asking you Jesus, show yourself”

Why You Should Be Spinning:  It’s a well-known fact that The 1975 frontman Matt Healy is a secular humanist.  Healy was profiled in the article, 15 Musicians Who Oppose Religion, featured on Starpulse.com, and written by me.  Anyways, “If I Believe You” has a gospel sensibility about it, while Healy seems to questions is belief or non-belief in the Most High. Numerous folks are skeptical about the existence of God, religion, and etc.

10.

Radiohead, “Tinker Tailor Sailor Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief”

[A Moon Shaped Pool, 2016]

“The ones you light your fires to keep away / is crawling out upon, expelling.”

Why You Should Be Spinning:  Thom Yorke tackles environmental issues throughout A Moon Shaped Pool.  Here, Yorke is concerned about the animals and the forests.