10 Songs That Exhibit Spirit | Playlist

The premise is simple for ‘10 Songs That Exhibit Spirit.’ The 10 selected songs from the playlist must exhibit spirit in some regard.

The premise of this playlist is simple.  The 10 selected songs must exhibit spirit in some regard.  The song title does NOT have to have the word spirit in its title.  That means, other words related to spirit are completely acceptable, as well as the song itself embodying spirit.  Artists appearing on this list are Macklemore, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Imagine Dragons, Charlie Wilson, Depeche Mode, Big Sean, Kim Burrell, Pharrell Williams, Bastille, Panic! At the Disco, Common, and John Legend. Without further ado, here are 10 Songs That Exhibit Spirit. 

1. Macklemore, “Glorious”

Ft. Skylar Grey

Gemini • Bendo • 2017

Macklemore returned in in the utmost spirited, uplifting fashion with “Glorious.” “Glorious” served as a promo single from his self-titled solo project.  In regards to sound, it’s vintage Macklemore through and through. He’s assisted by Skylar Grey, who delivers the thoughtful, memorable, and winning chorus.

“I feel glorious, glorious
Got a chance to start again
I was born for this, born for this
It’s who I am, how could I forget.”

2. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, “Come and Be a Winner”

Soul of a Woman • Daptone • 2017

“Come and Be a Winner” is a relatively short joint from Soul of a Woman, the final studio album by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. It clocks in at under three minutes.  It embraces funkiness and ‘the art of groove.’ Even with a foundation built upon electricity, Sharon Jones never over-sings, packing just the right amount of punch and pushing at the appropriate moments.

“So, take some time, understand
Life's a race for each and every man
Sometimes people will treat you like a worn-out shoe
But they don't know that you can't lose
Come and be a winner.”

3. Imagine Dragons, “Believer”

Evolve • Interscope • 2017

The script for “Believer” plays true to the identity established by Imagine Dragons.  The drums are gargantuan, packing a mean punch. Frontman Dan Reynolds delivers overt vocals, with a bite.  He also employs a mean falsetto which is key here, particularly during the chorus. Rhythmically, the melody of the pre-chorus on “Believer” is quick-paced, with a dash of hip-hop sensibility. The chorus – the crème de la crème – is anthemic, with a strong urban influence.  Man, it’s tough NOT to be a believer.

“Pain! 
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
…Oh let the bullets fly, oh let them rain
My life, my love, my drive, it came from…
Pain!
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer.”

4. Charlie Wilson, “I’m Blessed”

Ft. T.I.

In It to Win It • RCA • 2017

Charlie Wilson opens In It to Win It thankfully on “I’m Blessed.”  He testifies about God’s goodness before delivering a stunning, spiritually-driven performance. This is well-rounded, inspirational adult contemporary R&B at its best.  While the appearance by T.I. is unnecessary, it gives Uncle Charlie a youthful compadre and proves that he can hang with anybody.

“Ask me how I'm doing, I'm blessed, yes
Living every moment, no regrets
Smile up on my face, I'm like oh yes
I'm blessed yes, I'm blessed yes.”

5. Depeche Mode, “Where’s the Revolution?”

Spirit • Columbia • 2017 

Despite delivering a fantastic album, veteran band Depeche Mode found themselves being under-appreciated in 2017. Spirit was a terrific album, particularly highlight “Where’s the Revolution?” While it’s not as positive as other entries on this playlist, it is spirited in the sense that it pushes a movement of resistance, in order to get thing back on track.

The source of anger on “Where’s the Revolution” is government and the game of politics.  While Dave Gahan criticizes those in power, he points the finger at the people:

“Where’s the revolution?
Come on, people
You’re letting me down.”

By the bridge, the revolution ensues, characterized by repetition:

“The train is coming…
So get on board
Get on board…
The engine’s humming.”

The production work is intense, amplified by its minor key, matching the disillusionment and disappointment of the current state.  So it’s not uplifting, it’s truthful, right?

6. Big Sean, “Bounce Back”

I Decided. • Def Jam • 2017

“Bounce Back” (I Decided.) is characterized by tight production work – slick drums and dark synths, set in a minor key. As always, Big Sean delivers agile rhymes. His flow continues to be a selling point, delivering compelling wordplay, particularly with “bounce.” The second verse trumps the first, showing a more confident, punchier MC.

The hook is the major selling point:

“Last night took an L, but tonight I bounce back
Wake up every morning, by the night, I count stacks
Knew that ass was real when I hit, it bounce back
...Boy I been broke as hell, cashed a check and bounced back
D town LAX, every week I bounce back
If you a real one, then you know how to bounce back.”

7. Kim Burrell & Pharrell Williams, “I See a Victory”

Hidden Figures: The Album • Columbia • 2016

“I See a Victory” is a winning track from the first listen. It is an intriguing mix of contemporary gospel and urban contemporary. Call it the rare gospel record including 808s. Pharrell Williams’ production is unique and intriguing as always. Kim Burrell delivers a lovely, nuanced vocal performance, perfectly suited for this cut with her commanding vocal presence. Furthermore, she receives sound support from the choir. The bridge is handled by the choir, allowing her to perform her signature, golden, jazzy runs.

“They'll call it a mystery
But we're gonna call it victory
We'll be writing history
It's gon' be victory
They'll be signs on top of signs
Just so you know the history
It's saying victory is with me.”

8. Bastille, “Glory”

Wild World • Virgin • 2016 

“Pain, just synapses firing in our brains / When you cut me, cut me deep.” Dan Smith and Bastille sound glorious – better yet celestial – on “Glory,” a gem from their sophomore album, Wild World. “Glory” makes vague spiritual references, but centers most on the realization that perceived truths were lies.

“Stories told to me and stories told to you
Did you ever feel like they were ringing true?”

Ultimately, with “all their words for glory,” Smith determines that the storytellers lack substance – he no longer believes them. Listeners should believe in “Glory” nonetheless.

9. Panic! At the Disco, “Victorious”

Death of a Bachelor • Fueled by Ramen • 2015

“Tonight, we are victorious / Champagne pouring over us / All my friends were glorious / Tonight we are victorious.” “Victorious” was a single from Death of a Bachelor, the Grammy-nominated, fifth studio album by Panic! At the Disco.  A fierce opener, “Victorious” sets the tone. Brendon Urie serves up a heavy dosage of left-of-center lyrics, robust vocals, and epic production work.  “Victorious” is both quirky to the nth degree and of course, incredibly spirited.

“Oh, we gotta turn up the crazy
Livin’ like a washed-up celebrity
Shooting fireworks like it’s the Fourth of July
Until we feel alright
Until we feel alright.”

10. Common & John Legend, “Glory”

Selma • Def Jam • 2014 

“One day, when the glory comes / it will be ours.” Common and John Legend have a special song on their hands with the spirited, Academy-award-winning song (Selma), “Glory.”

Common nails it with his potent, prudent rhymes.  His wordplay is savvy as he raps:

“Freedom is like religion to us
Justice is juxta-positioning us
Justice for all just ain’t specific enough
One son died, his spirit is revisiting us…
Selma is now for every man, woman, and child 
Even Jesus got his crown in front of a crowd.”

The poetic nature of the lyrics, as well as the sincerity, is tremendous. John Legend vocally slaughters, ‘spoiling us’ with his masterful falsetto.  Legend not only pierces us with his grit, but also hypnotize us with his subtleties and nuance.  The bridge that is where the musician’s bread is buttered:

“Now the war is not over, victory isn’t won 
And we’ll fight on to the finish, then when it’s all done
We’ll cry glory, oh glory.”

10 Songs That Exhibit Spirit [: Bendo, Daptone, Interscope, RCA, Columbia, Def Jam, Virgin, Fueled by Ramen]