11 ABOUT Songs That Are Totally ‘Bout It | Playlist 🎧

11 ABOUT Songs That Are Totally ‘Bout It features songs by boygenius, Frank Ocean, GloRilla, Lizzo, and PARTYNEXTDOOR.

“Let’s give ‘em something to talk about,” Bonnie Raitt famously sang, continuing, “How about love?” How about it?! Stevie Wonder, like Raitt years later, was in full-on A-B-O-U-T mode.  He sang, “Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing / Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing, mama / ‘Cause I’ll be standing on the side / When you check it out.” Word! Okay, how about one more about moment that is NOT included in this about-centric playlist (shout out my shout outs)?! Moving to the 21^st century, Mary J. Blige implores him, “Come, come see about me / You know I’m in a good mood / I bought a coast for you / Match that so we can have two.” Word! These three songs are ‘bout it, in the most about way possible. When it comes to 11 ABOUT Songs That Are Totally ‘Bout It, the criterion is simple.  Each song must feature about or ‘bout in its song title. Easy peasy! 11 ABOUT Songs That Are Totally ‘Bout It features songs by boygenius, Frank Ocean, GloRilla, Lizzo, and PARTYNEXTDOOR.  So, without further ado, don’t talk about it, be about it… or something like that!

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~ Table of Contents ~ 

1. Lizzo, “About Damn Time”	2. Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero & Stephanie Beatriz, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”	3.PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake, “Something About You”	4. GloRilla, “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” (Ft. Sexyy Red)
5. Michael Jackson, “They Don’t Care About Us”	6. boygenius, “Cool About It”	7. Frank Ocean, “Thinkin Bout You”	8. Ellie Goulding, “Worry About Me” (Ft. blackbear)
9. P!nk, “What About Us”	10.Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”	11.Kirk Franklin, “Something About the Name Jesus”

 

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1. Lizzo, “About Damn Time”

Special » Nice Life / Atlantic » 2022

“It’s bad bitch o’clock, yeah, it’s thick-thirty / I’ve been through a lot, but I’m still flirty (Okay).” WOO! “About Damn Time” was easily a top-five track from 2022. Ultimately, the number one Billboard Hot hit won Lizzo the Grammy for Record Of The Year. “About Damn Time” benefits from magnificent production (Blake Slatkin and Ricky Reed) constructed with rhythm guitar, robust bassline, and a killer groove. The sound has a retro quality – think old-school R&B. This backdrop, Lizzo, who, from the beginning, is confident AF.  It is her attitude and high-flying vocals that make “About Damn Time” the hit that it is.  The chorus is incredibly catchy, led by that damn good titular lyric.  Also, what about that switch to rap in the second verse, which provides contrast? Furthermore, the bridge/outro is fun AF (“I’m coming out tonight” with its “oohs”). Ultimately, Lizzo ‘comes through’ on this  fun, groovy earworm that unsurprisingly received ample radio rotation and streams.

Appears in:

Awesome Songs: April 2022 50 Best Songs of 2022 13 Dayum Good Damn Songs (2023) 13 Songs Where U Know What TIME 🕕 It Is (2023) 13 Unapologetic Songs Where the Curses Fly (2025)

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2. Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero & Stephanie Beatriz, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” 

Encanto » Walt Disney » 2021 

“We don’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no / We don’t talk about Bruno.” Encanto became ubiquitous QUICKLY.  In 2022, the soundtrack ascended to the penthouse.  Do you know what else ascended alongside the soundtrack? That would be its best song, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” which spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” features six performers: Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, and Stephanie Beatriz. All play an important role in making this song a masterpiece. Give ample credit to the composer extraordinaire, Lin-Manuel Miranda.  So, why don’t we talk about Bruno exactly? Well, Bruno Madrigal is estranged from the Madrigal family because of his fortune-telling abilities, which often end badly for the family. Famously, Pepa – assisted by Félix – is angry because:  

“It was my wedding day (It was our wedding day) 

We were getting ready 

And there wasn’t a cloud in the sky (No clouds allowed in the sky) 

Bruno walks in with a mischievous grin (Thunder) 

You telling this story, or am I? (I’m sorry, mi vida, go on) 

Bruno says, ‘It looks like rain’ (Why did he tell us?) 

In doing so, he floods my brain (Abuela, get the umbrellas) 

Married in a hurricane (What a joyous day, but anyway).” 

My, my, my! Besides clever songwriting making “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” so entertaining, the music is awesome too.  The spirit of Colombia 🇨🇴 is written all over this one, and I’m so happy that the United States received a slice of it!  

 

Appears in:

15 Compelling Songs About WE (2022)  15 Epic Songs That Appear on Movie Soundtracks (2024)

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3. PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake, “Something About You”

$ome $exy $ongs 4U » OVO Sound » 2025

“Fuck your coworker, she a hatin’-ass ho / Met you for lunch just to let that bitch know / You got somebody that love you back home.” It is a bold and interesting way to start “Something About You” 👀. It doesn’t take long for those fucks, hos, and bitches to arrive. Drake sets the tone of the song, a collaboration with fellow Canadian musician PARTYNEXTDOOR.  Drizzy is true to himself throughout, serving up a compelling rhythmic cadence and flow. “Same bitches hatin’ gon’ be at the show,” he asserts, “‘Specially when I got like eight in a row.” Hmm, is he still talking about his bitches or could he be dissing a certain rapper whom he took a substantial L to? After asking her to vent to him, Drake asserts, “… we should get intimate, baby / I’m tryna do somethin’ explicit.” Shocker 😏. Backtracking, how about some deets? “Something About You” is the third track from PND and Drake’s collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4U, released in 2025. Drake, PND, and BEAM wrote this intriguing sex song.  Seven producers (!) produced it: Kiyoshi, Livewire, London Cyr, nyan, Reemz, and Vawn.

From the beginning, “Something About You” features an enigmatic sound. It is a vibe from the start. Not only is the rapping and singing true to Drake and later PARTYNEXTDOOR, but the sound palette is true to both, too. After his verse, Drake delivers the chorus, emphasizing the song’s title (“Some-somethin’ about you / Somethin’ about”).  An interlude follows, gassing up PARTYNEXTDOOR.  He is the head honcho in the second verse.  Fittingly, the music gets a ‘change of pace’ while still maintaining its enigmatic vibe. PND sings and raps on his sexually charged verse. “I bulletproofed that Escalade (Yeah, yeah, yeah) / I might waterproof the seats for some pussy play (Hah),” he asserts, continuing, “Don’t care where that pussy play, shit / NFL, NHL, NBA / I ain’t ‘bout to make you sign no NDA.” Damn! It gets rawer: “Sit on the dick, yeah / Sit on the dick, hit this lick, get rich quick, yeah / Slob me down, I know you want revenge.” The latter lyric is sexual but also references more.  At the end of his verse, PND also references the title of the collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4U: “All of these songs are for you / Sexy songs for you.” “Something About You” closes with PND’s profession of love.  A duet with few interactions between Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR, it is dazzling nonetheless as both artists talk their sugar, honey, and iced tea.

Appears in:

PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake, Something About You: Dazzling Duets No. 6 (2025)

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4. GloRilla, “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” (Ft. Sexyy Red)

GLORIOUS » CMG / Interscope » 2024

“Bitch, I’m from Memphis 📍, what you know about me? / Big G-L-O in the G-L-E (ugh, ugh).” Woo! It is still almost unfathomable that GloRilla, one of the boldest, most unapologetic rappers, won a gospel music award at the 2025 BET Awards (“RAIN DOWN ON ME”). From the beginning of “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME”, the fifth track from her 2024 debut album, GLORIOUS, GloRilla confident as fuck, given zero fucks.  Over a malicious backdrop produced by Ace Charisma and Lil Ronnie, she talks her shit. “I’m that bitch, ho, get like me / You know it’s YWR, big CMG.” After performing the intro and first verse, Glo drops the pre-chorus, chorus, and later, the third verse. In the pre-chorus, she informs us she’s wearing booty shorts and her “nigga ain’t at a home” (it’s giving “TGIF”). The chorus is catchy, despite being n-n-naughty as fuck: “It’s giving hair, face, ass, titties.”

Sexyy Red, another rapper who gives no fucks, performs the second verse. Like GloRilla, she spells out her name. She also threatens the haters: “You play with me, I put a pothole in your teeth.” Is that how they roll in St. Louis? After bragging about her ride, she concludes her verse, spitting, “I-I like ratchet bitches twerkin’ to the beat /… If you hear this song playin’, shake that ass for Glo and me.” Glo keeps it risqué in the third and final verse, where she outlandishly asserts, “Coochie drive ‘em crazy, CDC / He a dog for the pussy, and you know I got the treat.” Ooh-wee! Although “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” is brief (two-and-a-half minutes long) and, dare I say, ratchet, it’s a surefire banger. Big Glo! Get it, Sexyy!

 

Appears in:

GloRilla, WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 58 (2025)

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5. Michael Jackson, “They Don’t Care About Us”

HIStory – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK 1 » MJJ Productions Inc. » 1995

“Skinhead, deadhead, everybody gone bad / Situation, aggravation, everybody, allegation / … All I wanna say is that THEY don’t really care about us.” The 1995 Michael Jackson album, HIStory – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK 1, is by far the most controversial of his career.  Arguably, the most controversial song is “They Don’t Care About Us”. “They Don’t Care About Us” is a politically and socially charged record.  Jackson had already recorded socially conscious music in the past, but this song caught flak, namely for one reference, which has been considered anti-Semitic.

“Beat me, hate me, you can never break me

Will me, thrill me, you can never kill me

Jew me, sue me, everybody do me

Kick me, kike me, don’t you black or white me.”

Notably, lyrics that play up Jewish stereotypes or are perceived as insensitive to the struggles Jewish people have faced have been slammed for years.  On “They Don’t Care About Us,” the ‘intent’ isn’t bad, but the resulting lyric is problematic.  The solution? Censorship, of course! Notably, the drum programming is accented loudly on the reference to Jews to mask it.  Everyone who’s analyzed the song knows it’s there, of course. Even beyond the anti-Semitic lyric, it’s not like this enjoyable pop record is lighthearted listening.  Jackson provides the soundtrack to those who have been oppressed, particularly the black man.  It’s a protest anthem.  Still, even if Jackson overshot it with the Jewish reference, he made his point loud and clear.

Appears in:

Michael Jackson, They Don’t Care About Us: Controversial Tunes 😈 🎶 No. 13 THEY: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 5 (2022)

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6. boygenius, “Cool About It”

the album » boygenius / Interscope » 2023

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter collective boygenius (Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, and Phoebe Bridgers) had an ultra-successful year in 2023. The album had no shortage of superbly written songs, including “Cool About It.” Boygenius wrote and produced it with each member performing a verse. Baker sings the first verse and chorus. She sings about meeting her partner or, perhaps, an ex (?): “Ask you easy questions about work and school.” In the first chorus, she sings:

“I’m trying to be cool about it

Feelin’ like an absolute fool about it

Wishin’ you were kind enough to be cruel about it

Tellin’ myself I can always do without it

Knowing that it probably isn’t true.”

Dacus and Bridgers maintain the same energy about their respective lovers… or exes. Dacus sings the second verse, while all three sing most of the second chorus, which is varied from the first. “I came prepared for absolution, if you’d only ask,” she sings, continuing, “So I take some offense when you say, ‘No regrets’ / I remember it’s impossible to pass your test.” Bridgers takes the third verse, while all sing the final chorus. “I have to act like I can’t read your mind,” Bridgers asserts, after asserting she’d taken some of their partner’s medicine, continuing, “I ask you how you’re doing, and I let you lie.” In the final chorus, boygenius assert, “I’ll pretend bein’ with you doesn’t feel like drowning.” Yikes.  While the situation seems un-ideal, rather, un-cool, the song, “Cool About It,” is hella cool! 

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7. Frank Ocean, “Thinkin Bout You”

Channel Orange » Def Jam » 2012

Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter Frank Ocean took a risk coming out as bisexual during the run of his 2012 debut LP, Channel Orange.  The black community remains a work in progress in regard to LGBTQ+ friendliness.  Ocean experienced ample success with Channel Orange, which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America and was nominated for the Grammy for album of the year.  One of the reasons for its success was the platinum single,  “Thinkin Bout You”, which straddles a line. Without knowledge of Ocean’s sexuality, the naïve listener won’t necessarily pick up any LGBTQ+ references.  Explicitly, there’s just one, and it’s relatively subtle: “My eyes don’t shed tears, but boy, they pour when… I’m thinkin’ ‘bout you…Do you think about me still?” “Thinkin Bout You” is about being in love for the first time, and for Frank Ocean, that experience occurred with a guy. “Yes, of course I remember, how could I forget how you feel? / You know, you were my first time, a new feel.” Although Ocean faded out of the spotlight after his 2018 platinum sophomore album, Blonde, “Thinkin Bout You” endures as a great R&B song and an unforgettable contribution to the LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 catalog.

Appears in:

A Compendium Comprised of 100 Notable LGBTQ+ Songs (2020)

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8. Ellie Goulding, “Worry About Me” (Ft. blackbear)

Brightest Blue » Polydor »  2020 

“You can worry ‘bout this / You can worry ‘bout that / You can worry ‘bout she…” Grammy-nominated pop artist Ellie Goulding sounds terrific on “Worry About Me”, a gem from her 2020 album, Brightest Blue. Goulding’s voice sounds as unique as ever.  She’s particularly potent on this R&B-infused pop joint, set in a minor key, filled with attitude, expression, and ample personality.  The production by Ilya is incredibly sleek, particularly the keyboard/synths and the hip-hop beat. Besides the star, featured guest blackbear brings a welcome contrast, with his distinct melodic/pop-rap vocals. “She said, ‘Why you gotta hit me on some I don’t know shit? / I am not your property; who led you to that notion?” he asserts in the second verse, continuing, “Action speakin’ louder than whatever you been smokin’ / You don’t gotta try and fix somebody that ain’t broken.”  The songwriting is memorable and well-rounded.  The song is enjoyable and relatable. “I thought I needed you to feel safe,” Goulding sings on the first verse, “But now that I’ve been through it, I’m stuck in a good place.” The chorus, excerpted earlier in all its repetitive simplicity, is terrific.  All in all, worrisome or not, “Worry About Me” is another bop for Ellie Goulding.

Appears in:

11 Songs Filled with Overwhelming Worries (2020)

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9. P!nk, “What About Us”

Beautiful Trauma » RCA » 2017

“What about us? / What about all the times you said you had the answers? / What about us / What about all the broken happy ever afters?” After a five-year hiatus, Grammy-winning pop superstar P!nk returned strong in 2017 with her platinum-certified album, Beautiful Trauma. P!nk sounds top-notch on “What About Us”, the album’s crowning achievement – the crème de la crème. P!nk co-wrote “What About Us” with Johnny McDaid and producer Steve Mac.  “What About Us” performed well on the pop charts, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Ultimately, the single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.  Deservingly, it earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance. With a colorful, well-rounded musical backdrop behind her, P!nk eats! Vocally, she packs a punch but also exhibits great control. “We are searchlights, we can see in the dark,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “We are rockets, pointed up at the stars.” Tuneful from the get-go, the chorus (excerpted above) is the section to beat. It continues, in all its glory, as follows:

“What about us

What about all the plans that ended in disaster?

What about love? What about trust?

What about us?”

“What About Us” remains a surefire bop beyond the 2010s into the 2020s.

Appears in:

14 Songs Posed as Questions (2017) A Playlist Comprised of 13 WHAT Songs (2020)

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10. Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”

Title » Epic » 2015

“I’m bringing booty back / Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that,” Meghan Trainor sings on her Billboard Hot 100 number one hit, “All About That Bass.” Oh, snap 🫰! So, no skinny bitches allowed 🤔? The Grammy winner continues singing in the second verse, “No, I’m just playing, I know you think you’re fat / But I’m here to tell you / Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top.” The diamond-certified, retro-pop song is uplifting, touting body positivity. It says, ‘Women, embrace your body image!’ Trainor penned this infectious song alongside producer Kevin Kadish.  He fabulously plays multiple instruments and constructs a fitting backdrop for Trainor to paint her distinct vocals. There are plenty of memorable lines, including “‘Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase / And all the right junk in all the right places.” The section to beat, of course, is the chorus where she asserts, “I’m all about that bass, ‘bout that bass, no treble.” This will forever be the Meghan Trainor song to beat – it’s a classic!

Appears in:

13 Songs That Turn Da BASS Up (2024) 15 Songs Filled with ALL (2024)

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11. Kirk Franklin, “Something About the Name Jesus”

The Nu Nation Project » GospoCentric » 1998

The Nu Nation Project is one of my favorite, if not my favorite Kirk Franklin albums. Sure, it arrived back in 1998 but it’s an album that doesn’t sound like it’s approaching three decades old.  One of the best songs from this stacked affair is “Something About the Name Jesus.” The late, great Bishop Rance Allen sings lead on this epic affair, showing off truly anointed pipes.  What stands out about Allen’s performance is both his upper register as well as the grit he sings with.  He nails a high Ab with ease when the key modulates from C major to Db major, one of the signature moments of the record.  Furthermore, he’s able to blend and oscillate between falsetto and grittier, cutting-edge vocals seamlessly – musically impressive while also being spiritually fulfilling and refreshing. Beyond Allen’s vocals, the songwriting is ‘pitch perfect’ as well.  The gist of the song is how awesome Jesus is, even the mere mention of his name.

“Something about the name Jesus

Something about the name Jesus

It is the sweetest name I know

Oh, how I love the name Jesus

Oh, how I love the name Jesus

It is the sweetest name I know.”

Indeed!

Appears in:

11 Songs That Provide That Spiritual Refresh (2020) 15 Compelling Name Songs (2021) 11 Songs That are Truly SOMETHING (2024)

 

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11 ABOUT Songs That Are Totally ‘Bout It (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, boygenius, CMG, Def Jam, Epic, Fifty-One/Forty-Nine Records, LCC, GospoCentric, Interscope, MJJ Productions Inc., Nice Life, OVO Sound, Polydor, The Valory Music Co., Walt Disney; Danny Audiovisual from Pexels; AcatXIo, Stephan from Pixabay]

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