10 Songs That Embrace Being Famous | Playlist

1. Mason Ramsey, ‘Famous’

Famous – Single • Atlantic / Big Loud • 2018

Often times, the ascent to fame is slow and excruciating.  After becoming a viral sensation following a yodeling performance at his local Wal-Mart, 11-year old Mason Ramsey, signed a record deal with Atlantic (Big Loud)! He’d go on to release his major-label debut country single, “Famous”. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty cool to be on TV.” That’s how Mason Ramsey kicks off the first verse, speaking about his newfound fame.  The come-up is a popular topic, but Ramsey, being the pre-teen that he is, has his mind on something else.  “But, girl, ever since I met you / I got a whole new perspective.” Love’s brewing, apparently, well, at least according to the songwriters (Canaan Smith and Tyler Hubbard among them).  The cards are revealed on the good-ole, countrified chorus.

“If I’m gonna be famous for somethin’
I wanna be famous for lovin’ you
If I’m gonna be known around the world
I wanna because of you girl
Nothin’ wrong with the center of attention
Long as I’m with you, I don’t mind the pictures
If I’m gonna be famous for somethin’
Girl, I wanna be famous for lovin’ you
Famous for lovin’ you.”

2. Kanye West, “Famous”

The Life of Pablo • Def Jam • 2016

“I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that bitch famous…” Kanye West definitely raised plenty of eyebrows with “Famous,”one of the highlights, albeit controversial, from his 2016 album, The Life of Pablo.  Beyond being infamous because of the distasteful lyric referencing sex with Taylor Swift (they have quite the history), “Famous” also featured a controversial music video with the likeness of nude celebrities sleeping in bed – Yikes! Notably, Rihanna provides superb vocals, while West’s aggressiveness over a hard backdrop is appreciated, controversy aside.

3. AJR, “I’m Not Famous”

The Click • BMG Rights Management • 2017

“You’ve never heard of me / Or the weird shit I do or say.” AJR takes the anti-fame route with their infectious, brilliant hit, “I’m Not Famous.” Accompanied by an incredibly fun and energetic video that matches the bombastic, exuberant production and vocals, this record is awesome to the core.  Avoiding haters and being able to do whatever you want definitely amplifies the appeal of non-fame.

“Where my haters, where my haters?
I don’t got ‘em, I’m not famous, no
It don’t matter what my names is
I don’t got one, I’m not famous, no
And I don’t hate it, no.”

4. Charli XCX, “Famous”

Sucker • Atlantic • 2015

“Get your boyfriend’s car / Come and pick me up, oh / Let’s take it for a ride / What trouble can we find?” Charli XCX has had her share of successful moments in the United States.  Most of those moments have been single-driven as opposed to album-driven. Sucker, released in 2015, received rave reviews, but certainly didn’t light the charts on fire or end up being viewed as a truly transcendent project.  Nonetheless, “Famous” was one of many fine songs hailing from the project. She packs mad attitude and a mean vocal punch to say the least.

“One night, and we’re gonna come and crash the party
Weren’t invited but we’re feeling so outrageous
Just like we’re famous
Got one night, and we’re gonna come and get it started
Now we’re falling down the stairs
We act so shameless
Come on, let’s lose control!”

5. French Montana, “Famous”

Jungle Rules • Epic • 2017

French Montana has made himself one of the more ubiquitous rappers in the game.  The dude has features everywhere.  That said, on his own solo albums, French has had his share of ‘identity’ issues, not locking into one distinct lane.  He has that same issue on “Famous,” which marks a dramatic shift from rapping to singing… Perhaps the record is Montana’s Drake moment. That said, Drake does it better… The premise of the song? He doesn’t want his girl to become famous – it’ll change her and likely, she won’t be with him anymore.

“Even though the world was meant for you
I hope you don’t get famous
‘Cause everyone will love you but won’t love you like I do.”

6. Nathan Sykes, “Famous”

Unfinished Business • Def Jam • 2016

Nathan Sykes, formerly of boy band The Wanted, released a terrific debut solo album in 2016 with Unfinished Business.  Unfortunately, the brilliant singer didn’t get his just due.  Among the highlights of Unfinished Business was single “Famous”, which parallels the past, accompanied by bluesy guitar, and set in a lilting 6/8 meter.  Think of it as an updated Sam Cooke song. The premise is simple: the authenticity of love. Sykes suggests the girl that he’s into but isn’t into him will be into him when he becomes famous, which isn’t genuine.

“But will you call me when I’m famous
When I’m famous
Would you call my name?”

7. 21 Savage, “Famous”

Issa Album • Epic • 2017

“Rags to riches, n***a came from the bottom / Hood rats, now a n***a f*ckin’ on models.” Explicit, but 21 Savage speaks about his come-up. “Famous”sets the tone for Issa Album.  21 Savage delivers hard-nosed rhymes in his signature low-energy approach.  The results are respectable, though calling them triumphant would be an overstatement.  The production definitely provides 21 a lift.

“I’m a street nigga, yeah I’m famous
I’m a rapper, nigga, and I’m gangbangin’
Everybody kill a nigga, what you claimin’
Everybody get it with your nigga flamin’…”

8. Lady Antebellum, “Famous”

Heartbreak • Capitol Nashville • 2017

“Damn, she’s famous / Everybody knows what her name is.” What a statement Lady Antebellum – what a statement! Lady A quietly released Heart Break in 2017.  That said, the trio has cooled since hitting the high-water mark with the likes of Need You Now (2010) and Own the Night (2011). But focusing on the fame at hand, “Famous” – which arrives at the end of Heart Break – finds Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley singing about the downside and the plight of fame.

A perfect example of this plight occurs on the second verse:

“Cause another scene, sell a magazine
Catch another flash
Losing who you are, going too far
To ever get back.”

9. Superorganism, “Everybody Wants to Be Famous”

Superorganism • Domino • 2018

“Feeling like a boss, and / Staring at the stars, it / Doesn’t matter the cost, cause / Everybody wants to be famous.” Superorganism has no shortage of members – eight to be exact. That’s not typical of most collectives, but it’s safe to say Superorganism isn’t your typical collective.  “Everybody Wants to Be Famous” appears as the second song on the band’s self-titled 2018 debut album.  A rather chill and mellow indie-pop number, “Everybody Wants to be Famous” still has plenty of underlying rhythm, synths, and ‘musical energy.’

“I think that you and I
Could set the world alight
Cause we’re all stars tonight
Just need to figure out why.”

10. Ty Dolla $ign, “Famous”

Beach House 3 • Atlantic • 2017

Like Superorganism, Ty Dolla $ign proclaims, “Everybody wants to be famous.” “Famous” kicks off Beach House 3 surprisingly, finding Ty Dolla $ign accompanied by chill, soulful guitar, performed by John Mayer.  The vibe is nice, reminiscent to “Horses in a Stable” from his debut, Free TC. Famous recurs throughout the Beach House 3 script, with a number of short interludes (“Famous Lies,” “Famous Excuses,” “Famous Friends,” “Famous Amy,” and “Famous Last Words”).

“They ain’t worried ‘bout who they steppin’ on, no
Just as long as they race the top
They don’t wanna die nameless, no
They just wanna be famous.”