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“10 Songs That Acknowledge the Power of Waves” features music courtesy of Beck, Dean Lewis, John Mayer, Miguel, and Normani.
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Cutting straight to the chase, It’s amazing how many songs reference waves. Honestly, the waves seem to rear their head in numerous genres, whether it’s alternative, country, pop, R&B, or rap among others. On this wave-centric playlist, we highlight 10 Songs That Acknowledge the Power of Waves.
Believe me, there are many more than 10 songs that could’ve been included. Musicians that acknowledge the power of waves in their respective songs include Beck (“Wave”), Dean Lewis (“Waves”), John Mayer (“Emoji of a Wave”), Miguel (“Waves”), and Normani (“Waves”).
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1. Dean Lewis, “Waves”
A Place We Knew • Universal Music Australia • 2019
Essentially, Lewis reflects on a most relatable topic, applied generally or more specifically – the ups and down of this thing called life. On the pre-chorus, he asserts, “It comes and goes in waves / It always does, always does / We watch as our young hearts fade / Into the flood, into the flood.” He expounds even more on the chorus, singing, “And the freedom of falling / The feeling I thought was set in stone / It slips through my fingers…”
2. Normani, “Waves”
Ft. 6LACK
Waves [Single] • Keep Cool / RCA • 2018
On the chorus, Normani shows off her falsetto, contrasting the fuller, more aggressive vocals on the pre-chorus. Additionally, some slick vocal harmonization comes in to play, not to mention the playfulness of the melody: “You come in waves, waves, waves / Every hour, every day, day, day / You come in waves, yeah.” Featured guest 6LACK arrives on the third verse, blending pop-rap and sung vocals. While his performance isn’t energetic or thrilling, it’s in line with what we’ve characteristically heard from him throughout his career, including his own 2018 album, East Atlanta Love Letter.
“I come with ups and downs, yeah, I know
If you tryna ride, ride slow
Deep breath for the tide
Hold tight for the stride, I can see it in your eyes…”
Notably, Normani delivers powerful ad-libs on the final chorus. Yeah, the girl can just flat out ‘sang.’
3. Justin Timberlake, “Wave”
Man of the Woods • RCA • 2018
First, let’s examine the pros of the third song gracing this playlist. Well, the biggest pro is that “Wave” features sleek production – that counts for something. Also, depending on your opinion of gimmickry, “Wave” certainly has its share, not to mention being quirky too. While that gives listeners something to admire, “Waves” is clearly an acquired taste. Over-repetitiveness, simplistic, non-transcendent lyrics, and length are among the cons. Still, “Come on, don’t be passive / Some ‘us time’ would be magic / This is fantastic, and we could get some practice / And miles on our passes for love.”
4. Keith Urban, “My Wave”
Ft. Shy Carter
Graffiti U • Capitol Nashville • 2018
Expectedly, the sound of “My Wave” is NOT straightforward, incorporating the sounds of the island. What comes to mind when you think of the islands musically? Chill music, specifically reggae. That’s what Keith Urban goes for here – tropically-tinged country music that borrows from pop and reggae. It’s fitting mind you, with waves being associated with water, water being associated with the beach (ocean), and again, the beach (island) associated with reggae, and such. Still, “My Wave” is certainly not your father’s country music. Given Urban’s versatility, he successfully pulls it off.
5. John Mayer, “Emoji 😀 of a Wave”
The Search for Everything • Columbia • 2017
“Emoji of a Wave”naturally catches the eye, thanks to featuring the word emoji if nothing else. The song itself has that cool, beautiful singer/songwriter vibe that John Mayer has become known for. Matters of his heart drive the concept, with the lyrics being both poetic and potent.
“I rose in you like morning light
And sheltered you asleep at night
It breaks my heart
It takes all the love I have to say
I know we’re gonna be okay
It breaks my heart
It breaks my heart.”
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6. Blake Shelton, “The Wave”
Texoma Shore • Warner Bros. • 2017
“The Wave” is a thoughtful, well-penned, mid-tempo cut that shows off the sheer radiance of Shelton’s voice. The songwriting truly takes “The Wave” to the next level, as aforementioned, as well as further confirmed on the memorable chorus.
“I was a boat trapped in a bottle
Dying for water, you were the ocean
I was a compass that couldn’t find heaven
I didn’t know how bad I was broken
I was a castaway with no land
I drew a broken heart in the sand
And you were the wave, the wave, the wave
That washed it all
That washed it all away.”
While it is perfect for a traditional country fan, there’s appeal behind the core fan base thanks to stellar execution.
7. Kanye West, “Waves”
Ft. Chris Brown
The Life of Pablo • Def Jam • 2016
Besides his own melodic rhymes, West is assisted by a much more melodic, and equally polarizing musician, Chris Brown. Regardless of your opinion of Brown, he sounds terrific on the chorus, bridge, and outro sections. Also, worth noting, there are some uncredited appearances courtesy of Chance the Rapper and most colorfully, distinctive humming courtesy of left-field rapper Kid Cudi.
“Waves don’t die
Let me crash here for the moment
I don’t need to own it
No lie
Waves don’t die, baby
Let me crash here for a moment
Baby, I don’t, I don’t need to own you.”
8. Miguel, “Waves”
WILDHEART • RCA • 2015
Other than the sex, there’s more to take away from “Waves.” First and foremost, Miguel remains an incredibly nuanced, soulful vocalist. Here, some distortion adds even more to his passionate, overt pipes. Furthermore, he’s amplified by backing vocals, not to mention paying ode to the soul of old, at least to a certain extent. The bridge is among the crème de la crème moments of “Waves.”
“Yeah, get wild baby, so hot, god damn, I need a towel baby
If I could wipe you down right now baby
If I could ride that wave right now, say…”
9. Beck, “Wave”
Morning Phase • Capitol • 2014
Besides the truly chilling vocal performance by Beck, the strings further accentuate the emotional intensity characterizing this particular cut. Following the first verse (excerpted above), The second verse continues in enigmatic, yet captivating fashion: “If I surrender / and don’t fight this wave / I won’t go under / I’ll only get carried away.” The intensity is loftiest on the closing repetition of lyrics “Isolation,” in which the lush strings portray a fortedynamic level.
10. Earl Sweatshirt, “20 Wave Caps”
Ft. Domo Genesis
Doris • Columbia • 2013
Within the context of Doris, “20 Wave Caps” doesn’t quite match the brilliance of “Burgundy,” the stellar joint that precedes it. Nonetheless, there’s still plenty to praise about this brief standout. Domo Genesis takes the first verse, serving up plenty of lyrical fire, wave caps mentioned or not:
“I know that niggas is finding my progression so uncommon
The pressure I’m still applying until I hear the angels crying
Sad day in Hell for those who doubted, hope your head explode
Cry about it, but don’t deny that Doms got the realest flows.”
Earl Sweatshirt isn’t outdone, evidenced by his lyrical excerpt that appears at the top of this write-up. Furthermore, his unorthodox approach is part of his charm, distinguishing him for other rappers in the game. Yeah, he seems to be on a wave of his own.
[Photo Credits: Capitol, Columbia, Def Jam, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Universal Music Australia, Warner Bros.]
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