11 Absolutely NOT Songs | Playlist 🎧

11 Absolutely NOT Songs features music courtesy of Demi Lovato, Eminem, Halsey, Mary J. Blige & Sam Smith.

What we ARE going to do is partake of a musical compendium that’s characterized by NOT. Clarification, please! Cutting straight to the chase, all 11 songs that grace 🎧 11 Absolutely NOT Songs features the word not in the song title.  So, we ARE going to enjoy a list of NOTS! 

🎧 11 Absolutely NOT Songs features music courtesy of 🎙 Demi Lovato, 🎙 Eminem, 🎙 Halsey, 🎙 Mary J. Blige, and 🎙 Sam Smith among others.  We’ve got alternative, pop, rap, and R&B covered among those five musicians.  We also throw in some dance too for good measure. So, without further ado and overanalyzing the background behind his list, let’s jump right into 🎧 11 Absolutely NOT Songs!

1. The Kid LAROI, “NOT SOBER” (Ft. Polo G & Stunna Gambino)

💿 F*CK LOVE 3: OVER YOU • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2021

“Okay, hold up, baby, roll one / Can we light it? Can we smoke one? Can we pour up? / Mix the Hennessy with the cola / I feel better when I’m not sober.” Yikes! 🎵 “Not Sober” graces 💿 F*CK LOVE, the double-platinum, debut mixtape by 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper/singer, 🎙 The Kid LAROI (Charlton Howard).  The Aussie-bred musician enlists fellow rappers 🎙 Polo G and 🎙 Stunna Gambino for the assist. Polo G drops the second verse while Stunna Gambino delivers the third.  Is Charlton promoting substance use? Well, he does assert, “I feel better when I’m not sober.”  The big takeaway, however, is that he seeks to atone for heartbreak and numb the pain.

“And fuck my ex-bitch, she did me dirty, I got no trust,” The Kid LAROI spits melodically. He continues, “I was only young, but I learned that these hoes ain’t shit.” Woo! Also, adding to the emotions is a reference to his mentor, 🎙 Juice WRLD: “And R.I.P. my brother never got to say bye-bye.” Numbing the pain isn’t the answer, but emotionally, you see what The Kid, and his featured guests, are getting at.

2. Demi Lovato, “Sorry Not Sorry”

💿 Tell Me You Love Me • 🏷 Island / Hollywood • 📅 2017

“Payback is a bad bitch.” Clearly, 🎙 Demi Lovato drops a sarcastic oops regarding her unapologetic feelings on the feisty, soulful 🎵  “Sorry Not Sorry”. “Sorry Not Sorry” opens her 2017 album, 💿 Tell Me You Love Me, with a serious bang. It was one of the best songs of 2017, hands down.

This slick, R&B-infused-pop joint was penned by a team comprised of Lovato, 🎼✍ Sean Douglas, 🎼✍ Trevor Brown, 🎼✍ Warren Felder and 🎼✍ William Zaire Simmons. Warren “Oak” Felder produces the record, which features pitch-shifted vocals, gang vocals, hard anchoring drums, soulful, gospel-tinged piano, and synths. Lovato shows off her chops throughout, soaring to the highest of heights.’ Her best moments come on the chorus, where she’s supported by backing vocals.

“Baby, I’m sorry (I’m not sorry)
Baby, I’m sorry (I’m not sorry)
Bein’ so bad got me feelin’ so good
Showin’ you up like I knew that I would”

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Oops, Sorry, and Other Mistake Songs
• Day 17: Demi Lovato, Sorry Not Sorry | 30-Day Song Challenge
• Sorry Not Sorry: 3BOPS 26 (2021)

3. Eminem, “Not Alike” (Ft. Royce Da 5’9)

💿 Kamikaze • 🏷 Aftermath • 📅 2018

“Brain dead, eye drops / Pain meds, cyclops / Daybed, iPod / May-back, Maybach…” Woo! On 🎵 “Not Alike” featuring 🎙 Royce Da 5’9”, 🏆 Academy and Grammy-award winner 🎙 Eminem disses modern hip-hop.   The pre-chorus, excerpted above, is a prime example of Eminem dissing SoundCloud-fueled mumble rappers who thrive off of ad-libs.

In addition to the pre-chorus, the chorus is also savage:

“That’s how much we have in common (Yah!)

That’s how much we have in common (Woah!)

Up on this mic when we’re on it (Yah!).”

Besides mocking a number of dumbed-down artists on the choruses, he schools other rappers with his fast-paced, unapologetic flow and rhymes.  Of course, that’s only after Royce Da 5’9” brings ample heat in the first verse, following Em’s pre-chorus and chorus.  Besides top-notch bars, “Not Alike” gives us awesome production work.  This includes a trap-oriented beat as well as a compelling beat switch during Eminem’s verse (🎛 Tay Keith, 🎛 CuBeatz, and 🎛 Ronny J).  The second verse is among the most epic of 💿 Kamikaze. Also, worth noting, Eminem had another great NOT song released in 2010 with 🎵 “Not Afraid”, a no. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.

4. Mary J. Blige, “Not Today” (Ft. Eve)

💿 Love & Life • 🏷 Geffen • 📅 2003

“Uh, this is another one of those heartbreak hotel joints / For the ladies!” 🎛 Dr. Dre definitely stitched up a rad track for 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Mary J. Blige on 🎵 “Not Today.” “Not Today” appears on the R&B diva’s 2003 album, 💿 Love & Life, one of her less heralded efforts.  Notably, Love & Life finds Mary reuniting with Diddy, with plenty of respectable moments.  Enough about Love & Life  – let’s focus on “Not Today!”

“Why won’t you, grow up and be a man someday.” Oh, sugar honey iced tea!  Blige continues, “I can’t believe that you’re still playing silly games.” As always, she provides fantastic vocals. She paints the groovy, colorful canvas beautifully – no cap.  She’s emotional, passionate, and incredibly soulful. Upping the ante is a couple of things.  The background vocals are awesome on the chorus and bridge, further adding to those emotions and love pains she sings about in the verses.  And then, of course, there’s 🎙 Eve, who gives her an edgy, 🔥 rap verse that ends up being censored.  The centerpiece should come as no surprise – the epic chorus!

“Promises, you told me every day

That you made, you never ever cared

Not with me, I really want to believe
Well not today, not today.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Thrilling Songs About Today

5. Sam Smith, “I’m Not the Only One”

💿 In The Lonely Hour • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2014 

“You and me, we made a vow / For better or for worse…” Uh-oh – where are you going with this 🎙 Sam Smith? “I can’t believe you let me down / But the proof’s in the way it hurts.” Ah, on 🎵 “I’m Not the Only One,” we’ve got a case of cheating.  The 🏆 Academy and Grammy-award-winning singer superbly expresses their anger and pain on this standout from his 2015 tour de force, 💿 In The Lonely Hour.

The chorus superbly sums up Smith’s feelings regarding infidelity:

“You say I’m crazy

‘Cause you don’t think I know what you’ve done

But when you call me baby

I know I’m not the only one.”

The solid, personal songwriting doesn’t stop there.  Sam keeps it personal during the second verse, singing, “You’ve been so unavailable / Your heart is unobtainable / Even though Lord knows you kept mine.”  Besides the theme and lyrics, the production and the soulful aesthetic are big selling points.  There’s a marvelous gospel vibe, which reaches full fruition following the bridge.

6. Halsey, “I am not a woman, I’m a god”

💿 If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2021 

“I am not a woman, I’m a god / I am not a martyr, I’m a problem / I’m not a legend, I’m a fraud / So keep your heart ‘cause I already got one.” Woo! 🎵 “I am not a woman, I’m a god” marks one of the best-produced songs from 💿 If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power.  If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power is the 🏆 Grammy-nominated, 2021 album by 🎙 Halsey (Ashley Frangipane). “I am not a woman, I’m a god” has a strong case for the song to beat from the LP.

Like much of IICHLIWP, “I am not a woman, I’m a god” possesses a dark tilt. 🎛 Atticus Ross and 🎛 Trent Reznor excel at dark, so, the backdrop, coupled with strong vocals and lyrics from Halsey make this a match made in ‘heaven.’ Thematically, the record focuses on the heart. Halsey makes numerous references to being hurt – struggling with love.  This, of course, is a theme she’s explored throughout her career. At the same time, she contradicts herself, particularly the chorus, but it’s intentional, making things cooler.

7. Marshmello & Demi Lovato, “OK Not to Be OK”

🎵 “OK Not to Be OK” • 🏷 Joytime Collective • 📅 2020

DJ 🎙 Marshmello collaborates with 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop singer 🎙 Demi Lovato on 🎵 “OK Not to Be OK”. The brief number features a fantastic opening with an enigmatic, almost somber synth. The sound isn’t dark, but sort of reflective in tone. Beyond the opening and first verse, the production is bright by Marshmello, with strong results. Of course, it is those fine, compelling vocals by Lovato that sell “OK Not to Be OK.” Those vocals are perfectly suited given the theme of this song.

“When you’re high on emotion
And you’re losing your focus
And you feel too exhausted to pray
Don’t get lost in the moment
Or give up when you’re closest
All you need is somebody to say

It’s okay not to be okay…”

As always, Lovato sounds expressive and quite nuanced. There’s excellent use of vocal layering, whether its backing vocals, soulful ad-libs, or etc. Furthermore, there are some tasteful electro-pop vocals effects during the pre-chorus that don’t take away from Lovato.  Both the pre-chorus and chorus are epic, latching the first time you hear them.  Also, on Marshmello’s end, I must compliment the use of the rhythmic guitar during the chorus/drop. Ultimately, there’s lots to like about “OK Not to Be OK,” including the messaging.  We try to achieve perfection, and we often fall short and beat ourselves up.  Basically, we don’t have to be perfect, we’re allowed to make mistakes, and mistakes teach us lessons.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 O Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason
• OK: 5ive Songs No. 72 (2021)

8. Nas, “Not for Radio”

💿 NASIR • 🏷 Mass Appeal / Def Jam • 📅 2018

“And who y’all comparin’ me to is nonsense / Show gratitude in the presence of dominance.” 🎵 “Not for Radio” kicks off 💿 NASIR with a bang proclaiming, “Escobar season begins.”  Beyond 🎙 Nas’ proclamatory line, 🎙 Puff Daddy ad-libs on the intro and throughout the course of the song. In the end, he even has a dramatic outro that focuses on black issues. Also featured on “Not for Radio” is 🎙 070 Shake singing the chorus (“I think they scared of us, yeah”).

Of course, it is the 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper that is the main attraction. Nas is socially and politically charged up.  Among his most ‘eyebrow-raising’ moments include assertions such as “Abe Lincoln did not free the enslaved,” “Edgar Hoover was black,” and “Fox News was started by a black dude, also true” (not true, actually, but he’s making a bigger point with the fake news).  The production (🎛 Kanye West, 🎛 Mike Dean, 🎛 Benny Blanco, and 🎛 Cashmere Cat) on this highlight is superb – dramatic strings, vocal pad, hard drums, sigh.  “Not for Radio” marks a memorable moment on a rather unmemorable Nas album.

9. The 1975, “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You)”

💿 A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2018

“And all I do is sit and think about you / If I knew what you’d do / Collapse my veins, wearing beautiful shoes / It’s not living if it’s not with you.”  🎵 “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You)” appears on 💿 A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, the 2018 album by 🎙 The 1975. “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You)” sounds like it could’ve been at home in the 1980s.  Obviously, The 1975 thrive with that sound, and “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You)” is no exception.  There are glistening keyboards, brilliant guitars, and a highly effective drum groove.  Beyond the production, frontman 🎙 Matthew Healy sounds compelling, referencing addiction to drugs.

Character ‘Danny’ is a drug addict. Furthermore, Healey has had his issues with drugs as well: “He’s [Danny] gotta search the street when he’s on vacation / The worst thing is that I’m in the same situation.” In the first full-length chorus of “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You),” Healy adds:

“All I do is sit and drink without you

If I choose then I lose

Distract my brain from the terrible news

It’s not living if it’s not with you.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Songs Where It’s a Matter of ‘If’

10. Vivian Green, “I’m Not Broken”

💿 Vivid • 🏷 Make Noise • 📅 2015

“(You didn’t break my heart) / You just bent it (You just bent it) / And there’s no damage (there’s no damage) / It’s Like it never happened (never happened) / I’m not broken, broken, broken, broken.” Thank goodness you are still standing, 🎙 Vivian Green! Green is one of the most under-appreciated and underrated R&B artists of them all.  Regardless, she’s an incredible talent – her tone is absolutely gorgeous.  She’s absolutely sensational on 🎵 “I’m Not Broken,” a gem from her 2015 album, 💿 Vivid.

“When you walk away

You know exactly what it was

Your vision’s no longer cloudy

(You’re off the love drug)…”

Previously, as the excerpted lyrics suggest, Green has been caught up in love, or, perceived love. She’s finally come to her senses and determined her ex was lame AF.  Even though she was hurt, you might say there was no collateral damage – he just bent her heart and she’s able to rebound.  You go girl! From the start, “I’m Not Broken” feels totally right.  The songwriting by Green and 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Kwamé Holland is on-point.  The production (Howard) gives Green a background that’s both contemporary but also firmly planted in neo-soul and adult contemporary R&B.  If you’ve never heard this record, you’re totally missing out.

11. Panic! At the Disco, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”

💿 A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out • 🏷 Fueled by Ramen • 📅 2005

“‘What a beautiful wedding! / What a beautiful wedding!’ says a bridesmaid to a waiter / ‘And yes, but what a shame, what a shame / The poor groom’s bride is a whore.’” Say what? Sigh, when your debut album is entitled, 💿 A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, you know that there has to be a ‘random,’ ridiculous element to the music.  That is definitely the case for 🎙 Panic! At the Disco. The colorful, theatrical single 🎵 “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” served as a breakthrough moment for 🎙 Brendon Urie and company back in 2005.  Musically, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” features brilliant production work, notably mixing Baroque pop elements (those pizzicato strings) with pop-punk.

As the aforementioned lyrics confirm, the lyrics throughout “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” are wedding-centric, with folks in the wedding criticizing the bride and the groom’s reaction (“The poor groom’s bride is a whore”). Of course, we all know that the most memorable lyrics come from the groom’s mouth, during the chorus:

“I chime in with a

‘Haven’t you people ever heard of closing a goddamn door?!’

No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things

With a sense of poise and rationality.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 12 Thrilling, But Utterly Sinful Songs
• Eye 👁 This List of Must-Hear “I” Songs

11 Absolutely NOT Songs [📷: Aftermath, Brent Faulkner, Capitol, Columbia, Def Jam, Fueled By Ramen, Geffen, Hollywood, Interscope, Island, Joytime Collective, Mass Appeal, The Musical Hype, Make Noise]