10 Songs Associated with the Periodic Table of Elements | Playlist 🎧

1. Tinashe, “Salt”

Writers: Clarence Coffee, Jr., Kenneth Coby, Kieran Lasker, Sarah Hudson & Tinashe Kachingwe « Producer: Soundz

Joyride • RCA • 2018

Elements: Sodium (11 Na); Chlorine (17 Cl) – NaCl

“Salt” is a surefire contender for the crowning achievement of Joyride, the ‘proper’ sophomore album by Tinashe. Yep, this sodium-fueled ballad is a terrific breakup record. Tinashe shows off her full complement of vocal abilities, singing in her lower register and gradually ascending into that awesome, commanding upper register.  Soundz does a masterful job crafting a truly dark, emotional, minor-key backdrop for her to paint over as she urges, “So when you go and break my heart in two / Don’t throw salt on the wound.”

2. EDEN, “Gold”

Writer: Jonathon Ng « Producer: EDEN

vertigo • Astralwerks • 2018

Element: Gold (79 Au)

“No more, call it what you want / Call it what you want but I call it growing up and I’m done.” Alternative-electro musician EDEN (Johnathon Ng) delivers honest, passionate vocals on “gold”, a highlight from his 2018 album, vertigo. Initially a guitar-driven, singer-songwriter love song, eventually, electronic production cues transform “gold” into something even grander – better yet, more golden. Gold, of course is the 79^thelement on the period table.

3. Logic, “Indica Badu”

Ft. Wiz Khalifa

Writers: Arjun Ivatury, Cameron Jabril Thomaz, Kevin Randolph, Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II « Producers: 6ix, DJ Khalil & Kevin Randolph

Bobby Tarantino II • Def Jam • 2018

Elements: Carbon (6 C); Hydrogen (1 H); Oxygen (8 O)

“Indica Badu” serves as one of the highlights from the 2018 Logic mixtape, Bobby Tarantino II. “Indica Blue”benefits from its smooth, soulful sound, not to mention a respectable feature from Wiz Khalifa. What is Indica exactly?  It is a cannabis strain. According to Leafly, the plant is known for “distinctive fat leaves and short flowering cycles.” Even more interesting is the anatomy of cannabis, which is composed of at least 483 chemical compounds including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), CBN (cannabinol), and CBC (cannabichromene), according to Lift News.

4. Vance Joy, “Like Gold”

Writers: Dan Wilson & Vance Joy « Producer: Phil Ek

Nation of Two • Atlantic • 2018

Element: Gold (79 Au)

Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy delivers a thoughtful record on “Like Gold”, a highlight from his 2018 sophomore album, Nation of Two. “Like Gold” finds Joy reminiscing on a past relationship.

“If I wait ‘til it feels right
I’ll be waiting my whole life
Closing my eyes, remember how we were like.”

Throughout the course of the record, his lyrics pack a punch.  The best moment of “Like Gold” is the chorus, which is catchy and well-written.

“Gold, when you see me
Hi, if you need me
Babe, that’s the way it was
That’s the history
Blue, how we used to roar
Like an open fire
That’s the way it was
But that’s history.”

5. Evanescence, “Lithium”

Writers: Amy Lee & Evanescence

Synthesis • BMG Rights Management • 2017

Element: Lithium (3 Li)

Addressing the elephant in the room, the Evanescence gem “Lithium” did arrive prior to the above-given 2017 date.  The version that appears on the 2017 album Synthesis differs from the original that hails from 2006’s The Open Door.  How so? Synthesis is an album comprised of a of reworked songs, incorporating more symphonic elements into originals.  Even with its orchestral touches, “Lithium” retains the chilling, dramatic, and haunting nature of the original.  Amy Lee and company masterfully cover the third element on the period table, sigh.

6. Lil Uzi Vert “Neon Guts”

Ft. Pharrell Williams

Writers: P. Williams & S. Woods « Producer: Pharrell Williams

Luv is Rage 2 • Atlantic • 2017

Element: Neon (10 Ne)

Lil Uzi Vert has a distinct sound as a rapper. Distinction in a crowded field is always a pro. His proper debut album, Luv is Rage 2 (2017), keeps the guests appearances at a minimum.  There are only two collaborations, both of which give the album a lift.  The collaboration at hand, “Neon Guts” featuring Pharrell Williams, is left field, but fits both parties involved.  This is an instance for Lil Uzi Vert on a polarizing album where the eccentricity bodes well.

7. Major Lazer, “Cold Water”

Ft. Justin Bieber & MØ

Writers: Benjamin Levin, Benny Blanco, Diplo, Ed Sheeran, Henry Allen, Jamie Scott, Jr., Blender, Justin Bieber, Karen Marie Ørsted, King Henry, Philip Meckseper & Thomas Pentz « 

Producers: Benny Blanco, Diplo, Jr Blender & King Henry

Cold Water – Single • Mad Decent • 2016

Elements: Hydrogen (1 H); Oxygen (8 O)

On “Cold Water”, Major Lazer mixes an urban-pop sound with a reggae-tinged, dance beat. The verse sounds less dance-oriented, embracing more of an urban contemporary sound and vibe.  The guitars coupled with lighter synths suit featured guest Justin Bieber, who sings the verses and chorus.  His tone is rich, showcasing deeper, mature pipes.  The chorus clearly differentiates itself from the verse, thanks to a more aggressive synths.  Swedish pop star MØ provides backing support to Bieber on the chorus.  Her biggest moment comes on the powerful bridge.  Ultimately, this “H₂O” joint is a bop.

8. Dirty Heads, “Oxygen”

Dirty Heads • Five Seven Music • 2016

Element: Oxygen (8 O)

Dirty Heads bring us the eighth element on the periodic table,“Oxygen.” On “Oxygen,” Duddy B handles the verses while Dirty J delivers the majority of the chorus.  The chorus is the centerpiece, in which the life-saving oxygen is provided.

Dirty J sings:

“Please don’t go, I will stay
When everyone is leaving and you’re feeling strange
See them all, hear them say
Trying to breathe, but you’re feeling strange
Oh whoa, feel like you’re living, but you might be better off dead
If you're going under, then I’ll be your oxygen.”

9. Miranda Lambert, “Platinum”

Writers: Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby & Nicolle Galyon

Platinum • RCA Nashville • 2014

Element: Platinum (78 Pt)

“My disposition permeates / The room when I walk in the place / I’m sorry /By calculation I’m way too much / Pretentiously I bitch a buck / But I just bought you!” Miranda Lambert definitely ‘catches the ear’ on “Platinum,” the title track from her 2014 album.  Vocally, Lambert’s tone is incredibly playful – ‘tongue in cheek’ if you will.  The most memorable lyrics occur on the chorus. Lambert playfully sings:

“What doesn’t kill you
Only makes you blonder
My heels and my hotel
They just got taller
Somethin’ ‘bout platinum irrefutably
Looks as good on records
As it does to me.”

Platinum is the 78^th element on the periodic table.

10. David Guetta, “Titanium”

Ft. Sia

Writers: David Guetta, Giorgio H. Tuinfort, Nick van de Wall & Sia Furler

Nothing but the Beat • Parlophone • 2011

Element: Titanium (22 Ti)

“You shoot me down, but I won’t fall / I am titanium.” Fittingly, we close out the playlist with the 22^ndelement on the periodic table, “Titanium.” While the record is often attributed to Sia who sings the vocals, it actually appears on the 2011 David Guetta album, Nothing But the Beat.  A big, uplifting record, “Titanium” is simply irresistible.

Before asserting she’s “titanium,” Sia encourages ‘the enemy’ to bring it:

“I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
“You shoot me down, but I won’t fall
I am titanium.”