10 Songs Loosely Associated with Playback Controls features music courtesy of DaBaby, G-Eazy, Kehlani, Luke Combs and St. Vincent. 

The possibilities for lists seem endless… until you suffer from that disease known as writer’s block.  Writer’s block can definitely be a five-letter word (woof, woof).  That said, writer’s block can ultimately lead to something totally unexpected or left of center. That unexpected. Left-of-centeredness in this case is 10 SONGS LOOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH PLAYBACK CONTROLS.  I know what you’re thinking – WTF! Me too.. maybe even after this is already composed, ha-ha. I’ll admit, it’s something of a novel, random idea, toying with six playback controls: Play ▶️️, Stop ⏹, Pause ⏸, Rewind ⏪ ⏮, Fast Forward ⏩ ⏭, and Record ⏺.

Four of the six controls each have two songs that are loosely associated with them.  In some instances, liberties are taken – would you expect anything less with a playlist such as this? As for the other two playback controls, well, they just have one track to represent them. Enough justifying this novel list! 10 SONGS LOOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH PLAYBACK CONTROLS features music courtesy of DaBaby (“Can’t Stop”), G-Eazy (“Rewind”), Kehlani (“Can I”), Luke Combs (“Six Feet Apart”) and St. Vincent (“Digital Witness”). Without further ado, check out this unique, totally unorthodox playlist – click on the arrows ↔ and buttons below ↓.

Play ▶️

If you check out the definition of the world play ▶️ in Merriam-Webster Dictionary, there are a number of definitions.  At its simplest, in the context of this playback control-driven list, play means: (1) to perform music, (2) to sound in performance, (3) to emit sounds, and/or (4) to reproduce sounds.  Worth noting, one of the two songs featured in the ‘play’ section of PLAYBACK CONTROLS opts for a definition that Merriam-Webster asserts is ‘obsolete’ – sexual intercourse.

1. Summer Walker, “Playing Games”

Ft. Bryson Tiller

Over It • Interscope • 2019

Summer Walker proved herself to be quite the promising R&B artist, shining on her highly anticipated debut studio album, Over It.  Over It followed a 2018 mixtape (Last Day of Summer) and an EP, Clear.  Over It certainly doesn’t disappoint, particularly the PLAYFUL song at hand, “Playing Games.”

“Playing Games (Extended Version)” marks the first collaboration from Over It, featuring Bryson Tiller.  The nostalgic vibes that characterize the album in general continue, thanks to an interpolation of the 90s Destiny’s Child classic, “Say My Name”.  Summer Walker sounds truly awesome, bringing a smooth delivery where it sounds as if she’s never forced to break a sweat. Love continues to dominate the theme, and ideal match for R&B.

“So, won’t you say my name, say my name?
If you claim you want me, it ain’t no thang
You acting kind of shady
You ain’t been calling me baby, oh
Boy, you can go’n stop playing games
Playing games.”

Basically, Walker just wants the attention that she deserves – her man to treat her like a queen, and not with materialism. The chorus is a huge selling point, while Tiller provides a welcome contrast to Walker on the third and final verse.

“Me, I’m never actin’ shady
You will always be my baby
You’ll be my baby, yeah, yeah.”

Yeah, this has little to do with playback, but you should definitely PLAY this one. “Playing Games” previously appeared on 13 P Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason.

2. Kehlani, “Can I”

Ft. Tory Lanez

It Was Good Until It Wasn’t • Atlantic • 2020

Summer Walker at least managed to incorporate a form of the word play on “Playing Games.” The same can’t be said of Grammy-nominated R&B singer Kehlani.  Of course, Kehlani had no idea I was about to assemble this janky – I mean glorious playback control-driven playlist.  While “Can I,” featuring Tory Lanez, seems an illogical choice, this is the song that embodies the aforementioned obsolete definition of play.  Yep, “Can I” is all about sex.

“This shit’s so good, should be illegal / Need round two, I need a sequel / Hit the backboard like a free throw / You next level, you a cheat code.” Following the toxicity of “Toxic” on her sophomore album, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, keeps the momentum going. This is an incredibly sexy joint produced by Jake One, Pop Wansel, and Some Randoms. Kehlani delivers agile melodic lines on the verse, opting for more legato lines on the chorus.  As for Tory Lanez, he ends up being a superb collaborator, providing a pitch-perfect response to her steamy verses.  My favorite lines from his verse:

“You calling me up on a late night
I got you leaking like a brake pipe
Swimming in your sea, just like a diver
I’m in it, just creeping like a great white…”

As I stated, the PLAY is legit here.

Stop ⏹

Do we even need Merriam-Webster to define the word stop ⏹? Probably not, but in just about any context, including playback controls, the word means to cease.  Honestly, there’s no need to expound anymore.  This should be one of those ‘No shit, Sherlock’ 🚫💩🕵️‍♂️instances.

3. Travis Scott, “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD”

ASTROWORLD • Epic • 2018

“Stop tryna be God Almighty / Fuck the money, never leave your people behind, yeah / It’s never love, no matter what you try.” “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD” definitely ranks among the crème de la crème of ASTROWORLD.  Grammy-nominated rapper Travis Scott is totally team anti-god-status/anti god-complex, which have been prevalent in the hip-hop community.  At one time, god-status was ‘trending’ in hip-hop music.  It hasn’t disappeared, but rappers have also moved to other things.  The key word – STOP!!!

Kid Cudi and legendary Earth, Wind & Fire singer Philip Bailey appear on the pre-chorus and chorus (“Hmm, hmm / Stop tryna be God”).  Arguably the best uncredited guest feature (lots on ASTROWORLD) comes courtesy of hip-hop’s ‘it boy,’ James Blake. He sounds fantastic as he sings the inquiring bridge.  “Is it the complex of the saint / That’s keepin’ you so, so still?”  Also, there’s a Stevie Wonder feature (harmonica primarily).  “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD” appeared on both God is in the Midst of These 11 Secular Songs and 15 Songs That Reference Things Associated with Religion.

4. DaBaby, “Can’t Stop”

Blame it on Baby • Interscope • 2020 

“Bitch, it ain’t no stoppin’ no n***a like me,” DaBaby boasts on “Can’t Stop,” the totally humble opener from his third studio album, Blame it on Baby.  If you’ve been following the rapper, you understand that such lyrics are characteristic of his persona and style.  I mean, “SUGE” is a prime example.  But, we’re not here to talk about “SUGE” – we’re here to hear why DaBaby can’t be stopped!

As usual, DaBaby’s flow is electrifying, even if he utters nothing the least bit profound.  On another bitchin’ line, excerpted from the cocky and confident first verse, Kirk informs us, “Bitch, you know I turn piss into lemonade.”  It’s outlandish and over the top mind you, but again, characteristic of the rapper.  Foreign Teck, JW Lucas, and Lostheproducer ‘stitch up’ the unstoppable opening track.  By the way, if you’re dying for more STOP or unstoppable songs, you should check out 13 Songs That’ll Make You Stop What You’re Doing.

Pause ⏸

Ah, pause ⏸ – (1) a temporary stop (2) temporary inaction especially as caused by uncertainty and perhaps most pertinent to playback controls, (3) a function of an electronic device that pauses a recording.  While the play ▶️ and stop ⏹ sections feature two songs, pause features just one, and that one actually fits with the first two definitions.

5. Luke Combs, “Six Feet Apart”

“Six Feet Apart” • Sony Music Entertainment • 2020

“I miss my mom, I miss my dad / I miss the road, I miss my band / Giving hugs and shaking hands…” Social distancing, post COVID-19, is likely to be a word many of us would like to forget.  Country superstar Luke Combs explores social distancing on “Six Feet Apart”. I know what you’re thinking – how does a song that legitimately fit on Songs That Capture & Embody the Pandemic, Vol. 2 as well as 10 Intriguing Measurement, Quantification Songs earn a spot on 10 Songs Loosely Associated with Playback Controls ⏯? Well, it’s a fair question.  I would argue that “Six Feet Apart” fits the pause ⏸ section of this list because during the coronavirus pandemic, everyone has literally had to pause their lives, yet we know it’s temporary.  Combs speaks to the temporary pause essentially.

As the except from the chorus, the centerpiece of “Six Feet Apart,” shows, Luke Combs is perturbed, much like the world is, about the effects that the coronavirus pandemic has had on everything. He continues:

“…It’s a mystery, I suppose
Just how long this thing goes
But there’ll be crowds and there’ll be shows
And there’ll be light after the dark
Some day when we aren’t six feet apart.”

Combs looks toward the hope that the new normal will eventually return to the ‘normal’ that we are used to.  Backtracking, on the first verse, he reflects on spring, and how this wonderful time has been diminished because of COVID-19.  ‘Springing forward,’ on the second verse, he thinks about plans once things open back up – “First thing that I’m gonna do / Slide on in some corner booth / And take the whole damn family out / Buy my buddies all a round / Pay some extra on the tab.” is thinking isn’t far-fetched from anyone who longs for everything that’s been taken by COVID-19.

With so much focus on the lyrics (Combs, Brent Cobb, and Rob Snyder), it should be noted that Combs sounds commanding and expressive as he sings these lyrics from the heart. Furthermore, the sound is country through and through – true to Combs’ roots and not some ill-suited pop experiment.  Along with Chip Matthews, they assemble a fitting backdrop that’s heavy on guitar.  The end result is the perfect pandemic song that speaks to the uncomfortable times, despite being at home, and looks towards the recovery beyond the PAUSE.

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Rewind ⏪ ⏮

When it comes to rewind ⏪ ⏮ , at its most literal, per Merriam-Webster, the word simply means to wind again or to reverse the winding of.  Of course, in the context of our playback controls, like the aforementioned pause, rewind is “a function of an electronic device that reverses a recording to a previous portion.” On one of the two tracks from the ‘rewind’ portion of this list, we’ll rewind in an adverse way you might say.

6. G-Eazy, “Rewind”

Ft. Anthony Russo

“Rewind” • RCA • 2018

“Good vibes only / Can’t be held back for nothing, no ties on me / I’m tryna be as big as Pac, all eyes on me.” G-Eazy is confident AF on his 2018 single, “Rewind”, featuring pop singer Anthony Russo, who toured with the rapper. Of course, it should be obvious why “Rewind” earns a spot on this list – another 🚫💩🕵️‍♂️ moment if you ask me!

“Rewind” is set in a minor-key, featuring sleek production work by HITMAKA and @Soundz.  The selection of synths and the ultra-rhythmic drum programming are huge selling points.  Perhaps a bigger selling point are the silky smooth, swagger-laden vocals by Anthony Russo. Additionally, Russo provides excellent ad-libs behind his core vocals, as well as accentuating G-Eazy’s rhymes. The hook is incredibly catchy, plus, he rocks the f-bomb.

“I can't take you blowin’ up my line
Fuckin’ up my vibe every night
Look at this back and forth shit
We might have to rewind
We might have to rewind.”

In regard to G-Eazy, his flow sounds familiar. As always, it’s effective, even though he doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table.  His bars encompass vibes, cockiness and confidence alike, sex, and fittingly, tying in ‘rewinding.’

7. Depeche Mode, “Going Backwards”

Spirit • Columbia • 2017

“But we have nothing inside / We feel nothing inside.” “Going Backwards” is an epic opening salvo, exemplifying Spirit, the 2017 album by Depeche Mode. “Going Backwards” captures the spineless nature of government and society in general, accompanied by dark electronic production work.  Lyrically, front man Dave Gahan consistently references the power of technology, prominence of killings, and a lack of conscience.  To REWIND, just to remind you, means to wind again or to reverse the winding of. Obviously, with “Going Backwards,” Depeche Mode assert we are regressing as opposed to progressing.

The chorus section(s) keep it 100 to say the least:

“We are not there yet
We have not evolved
We have no respect
We have lost all control
We’re going backwards
Ignoring realities
Going backwards
Are you counting all the casualties?”

“Going Backwards” appeared on the late 2017 playlist, Songs Supporting Equality, Justice & Resistance, Vol. 2.

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Fast Forward ⏩ ⏭

Fast forward ⏩ ⏭ – the opposite of rewind! Merriam-Webster gives us two fine definitions! First, “a function of an electronic device that advances a recording at a higher than normal speed.” True dat. And secondly – lastly for us – “a state or an instance of rapid advancement.” I know that I’ve wanted to fast forward many times, though sadly, it doesn’t always work that way. That, of course, is “Neither Here nor There”, #Lost in the Trees, sigh.

8. Jhené Aiko, “None of Your Concern”

Ft. Big Sean

Chilombo • Def Jam • 2020

The song at hand, “None of Your Concern,” is a prime example of a versatile song.  How so? Well, it’s previously graced 11 Songs Filled with Overwhelming Worries and 11 Totally Relatable Songs About Exes, and now, it somehow fits onto a quirky playback controls list! How does it fit exactly? Well, let’s just say that Jhené Aiko makes it clear her ex should not be concerned about her in the least.  She’s moving FORWARD.  Okay, maybe FAST FORWARD is a stretch, but close enough!

“None of Your Concern” appears on her third studio album, Chilombo, released in 2020.  Of the album, Aiko told Carl Lamarre of Billboard, “In a sense, I am a like a volcano and this album is an eruption.” Fair enough.  While the album, as a whole, ends up being too long Aiko does a nice job of expressing feelings in the aftermath of a breakup, healing, and ultimately, working towards moving forward.  “None of Your Concern,” which features her ex-boyfriend, Big Sean, marks one of the key moments from Chilombo.

Worth noting, the second song on Chilombo, “Triggered (freestyle),” which precedes “None of Your Concern,” has been speculated to have been directed towards Big Sean.  Regardless, keeping our eye on the prize, there’s no doubt whatsoever that Aiko and Sean address their now defunct relationship and moving beyond on “None of Your Concern.” Obviously, from Aiko’s perspective, “It’s none of your [his] concern anymore,” considering they’re no longer an item.  As for Sean, he cites his problems, the electrifying sex they once had, and states, “I only want the best for you, movin’ forward.”

9. Kiana Ledé, “Second Chances.”

Ft. 6LACK

Walls • Republic • 2020

“I’m too fuckin’ real to wear my heart up on my sleeve / Fuck that back and forth shit, if I leave then I’m a leave / I’ma have you begging, have you pleading on your knees.” Well, day-um! 2020 saw singer and actress Kiana Ledé release her full-length, debut album, KIKI.  While KIKI didn’t exactly light up the charts, the album did debut in the top 30 of the Billboard 200.  More importantly, KIKI has its fair share of notable moments, including “Forfeit.” (featuring Lucky Daye) and the numeric song at hand, “Second Chances” (featuring 6LACK).  Like Jhené Aiko, Kiana Ledé is moving FORWARD – no second chances whatsoever!!!

As the opening lines of the first verse indicate, you really don’t want to mess with Kiana Ledé.  “Can’t you tell a bitch is fed up with your nonsense,” she goes onto say on the brutally honest first verse.  She’s still feisty on the second verse, where she’d rather troll him than respond to his texts, and informs, “You missed out on a blessing, I mad you the king of my world.”  On the chorus, she just makes it crystal clear she done with it – “No more second chances, chances / Always tryna take advantage, ‘vantage / … So, I’d rather walk away.”  As you might expect, 6LACK provides the male response, owning up to his shortcomings.   Still, he knows it’s all for naught.   But, the pain from both perspectives is our listening pleasure, along with solid production work courtesy of Boston, Cam Griffin, Derrick Milano, Mike Woods, and Roark Bailey.

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Record ⏺

Okay, OKAY! One finally playback control! That would be record ⏺, which has various definitions.  When you hit record, you are capturing and documenting what is happening.  In this day and age, the power of recording can’t be emphasized enough. The sole song which fulfills the RECORD portion of this list definitely notes the impact of social media and such.

10. St. Vincent, “Digital Witness”

St. Vincent • Republic • 2014

On her 2014 self-titled album, St. Vincent awes with her incredible songwriting abilities. Despite the abundance of gems gracing St. Vincent, none stand out more than the brilliant “Digital Witness”.  Not only is “Digital Witness” the crowning achievement of the album, it ranked among the best songs of 2014 regardless of genre.

One of many reasons why “Digital Witness” shines is thanks to its soulful, groove-laden production work.  No, Annie Clark is no hip-hop artist, but I think the Grammy winner would agree that this is most certainly a ‘vibe.’  What’s most impressive about “Digital Witness” is its subject matter.  Clark criticizes social media/networking, and how it’s affected traditional social relationships. “People turn the TV on, it looks like a window.”  Basically, she seems to suggest that real-life interaction has been supplanted by any number apps – social networking has become a new normal.

“Digital witnesses / what’s the point of even sleeping,” St. Vincent sings on the chorus. “If I can’t show it if you can’t see me / What’s the point of doing anything?” Does she overreact? Honestly, I don’t think so because apps and social media are incredibly powerful.  Furthermore, the power of RECORDING and the digital RECORD (see how I worked that in) can have adverse effects when used wrong. What I’m saying is, with so many mobile devices, and the ability to record audio, video, and take pictures via social media, it truly exemplifies the meaning of the word record, in just about any way you analyze honestly.

10 Songs Loosely Associated with Playback Controls  ⏯ [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Def Jam, Epic, Interscope, RCA, Republic, Sony Music Entertainment]

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