11 Anatomical Songs – To Some Degree º | Playlist

11 Anatomical Songs – To Some Degree º features Ariana Grande, Busta Rhymes, Sabrina Carpenter, The Weeknd & Years & Years.  

W

anna brush up on anatomy without a legit, technical anatomy lesson? How about a playlist that’s only loosely related to science? That’s right, 11 Anatomical Songs – To Some Degreeº references the body and some organs but doesn’t go into scientific detail in the least! Honestly, who am I kidding! If you were depending on this compendium to help you past an anatomy exam, you’d totally flunk. Still, at least you’d get some bops out of it!

11 Anatomical Songs – To Some Degreeº features music from a variety of artist.  We’ve got Ariana Grande talking about her hair! How about Busta Rhymes, assisted by Kendrick Lamar and a Jackson 5 sample focused on his shoulder?  As for Sabrina Carpenter, it’s all about skin.  As for The Weeknd, it’s the eyes.  And, let’s not leave out Years & Years, who’s admiring those muscles !  Besides Ari, Busta, Sabrina, Abel, and Olly, there are other fab musicians exploring the body through song – anatomy baby! So, check this anatomically incorrect sugar honey iced tea out, will ya!

---

1. Years & Years, “Muscle”

Night Call • Polydor • 2022

“All the lights are focused on you / I can hear applause as your body talks.” Ooh-la-la! Please continue, Years & Years aka Olly Alexander! “Rumor has it you’re on the loose / What do you adore? / Shall we both explore this fantasy?” On “Muscle”, sex is clearly on Alexander’s mind: “Don’t leave me now, stay at the party / I don’t wanna leave without your body.” “Muscle” appears on the deluxe editions of Night Call, the third studio album by the British synthpop act. Notably, Alexander wrote “Muscle” with Stephen Wrabel and Joel Little.

On the chorus, Alexander plays around with the notion of muscles.  Obviously, there’s a male objectification piece, in addition to strength, and perhaps, a different muscle.

“Say you’re gonna pick me up

Never gonna put me down

Are you getting me into trouble?

Look at all that, that muscle

Oh, I wanna take a bite

And I wanna take it now

‘Cause I wanna get into trouble

Look at all that, that, all that muscle.”

Clearly, Olly is enticed by this muscled-up hunk – who wouldn’t be? When providing commentary about the song, Alexander notes gay gym culture and George Michael’s expression of sexual desire as inspiration.  He also mentions wanting “to reference house music but have my fun gay spin on it.” Y&Y successfully achieves the intended effect. As always, Olly Alexander sings superbly, and gets a big-time lift from the sleek production work of Joel Little.  The only thing that would make “Muscle” better would be a killer music video, filled with buff, muscled dudes, of course !

Appears in :
Years & Years, “Muscle”: LGBTQ Bopz No. 7 (2022)

---

2. Elton John & Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart – PNAU Remix”

The Lockdown Sessions • Mercury • 2021

“Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” kicks The Lockdown Sessions – the 32^nd studio album by iconic musician, Elton John – off with a bang!  PNAU – Nicholas Littlemore, Sam Littlemore, and Peter Mayes – create a transformative remix, period. Dua Lipa joins John on a delightful mashup sampling his classic, “Sacrifice” and the interpolation of another, “Rocket Man”.

From the onset, “Cold Heart” grooves hard. The production is brilliant – colorful, picturesque, and incredibly slick. John is the first voice heard, adorning the warm, groovy backdrop with lyrics from “Sacrifice.”  Following verse and pre-chorus, a sublime-sounding Lipa enters singing “Rocket Man” creating a super cool effect.  I like the way that Lipa’s vocals are layered as “Cold Heart” progresses

Appears in :
Awesome Songs: August 2021
Best Songs of 2021: Top 20
One Hella Cold List of Songs

---

3. Busta Rhymes, “Look Over Your Shoulder” (Ft. Kendrick Lamar)

Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God • The Conglomerate Entertainment, Inc. / EMPIRE • 2020 

“Just look over your shoulder, honey” is one of the most beloved and famous lines that a young Michael Jackson sung on “I’ll Be There”. It serves as the foundation for the badass “Look Over Your Shoulder,” a standout from the Busta Rhymes comeback album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God. FYI, E.L.E.2 marks the first album from Rhymes in 11 years.

“Look Over Your Shoulder” brings in a brilliant, featured guest, Kendrick Lamar. If E.L.E.2 was truly beginning to feel too long, “Look Over Your Shoulder” brings back some of the oomph.  Kendrick Lamar, who has been out of the spotlight for a couple of years now himself, brings the heat and sets the tone – well – after MJ of course! Basically, it’s straight-up bars of sheer excellence.  After the sampled Jackson chorus, Busta Rhymes gets into the act, bringing his own fire.  A prime example of Busta Bust at his best?

“I was sleep, now the god’s up, hmm

Upholding the fundamentals, while most of you boast a rental

Focus on what’s most essential, spit bars to provoke your mental

Do I have your entendimiento?

While I clap these raps like thunders

Look over your shoulder, boy, and wonder (Woo).”

“Woo” indeed!

 

Appears in :
13 Utterly Compelling Shoulder Songs

---

4. StarBoi3, “Dick” (Ft. Doja Cat)

“Dick” • 2021

StarBoi3 doesn’t even try to hide his obsession with ‘the love below’ – it ‘pokes’ right out .  When the name of your single is “Dick”, it’s clear what the theme of the record is.  StarBoi3 informs us just how awesome the pleasure he’s experiencing, courtesy of his girl: “She done made some plans with my dick, ayy / She goin’ HAM on my dick, ayy / Sittin’ on, stand on my dick, ayy /She goin’ HAM on my…” The outlandishness doesn’t stop there, folks.  “She not with Jim tonight / She in the gym tonight,” StarBoi3 asserts, continuing, “Work out in that pussy / I’m gettin’ ripped tonight / R.I.P. that pussy / I’m goin’ in tonight.” Furthermore, in the first verse, there’s screaming, sucking, and a reference to a Vanilla Ice classic…

As for featured guest, Doja Cat, she’s ‘something else’ too: “He got me horny and ripped, uh / Like I just walked out the gym / And them bitches is gutted ‘cause I took they Jim /Give him a job and he gave me a rim.” That rim is no basketball rim, that’s for damn sure. The end of her verse is ‘nuts’:

“And why he in your tummy, bye bye to my ribs

Turn him to a dummy ‘cause I got him stiff

And watch, you think it’s funny ‘til y’all get the dick

And turn into a zombie and swallow your clit.”

Beside the raunchy theme and lyrics, there’s also a suggestive, animated music video that makes it clear that sex is on the minds of StarBoi3 and Doja Cat. Mercy!

Appears in :
StarBoi3, “Dick”: After Dark No. 23

---

5. Trey Songz, “Hands On”

 Back Home • Atlantic • 2020

 Trey Songz is excellent when it comes to singing about S-E-X.  Honestly, would the R&B singer ever turn down a song that’s sensual? Methinks the answer is a resounding HELL NO.  On his underrated 2020 studio album,  Back Home, Trey makes sure that we remember he is a master when it comes to the bedroom, taking a ‘hands on’ approach.

The cards are revealed on the brief interlude,  “Hands On.” Predictably, Trey, quite the sex symbol, asserts, “You know I’m a hands-on learner, can I learn you?” Honestly, call it one of those “No shit, Sherlock” moments. The learning is all ‘S- Meets E-, and then they X,’ conveyed solidly with a lush backdrop and smooth vocals jam-packed with game.  

Appears in :
You’ve Got to Hand it To These 13 Hand Songs

---

6. Ariana Grande, “My hair”

Positions • Republic • 2020

Grammy-winner Ariana Grande gets funky on “My hair.” “My hair” appears on her 2020 studio album, Positions, which was expanded in a deluxe edition in 2021.  In the context of the album, “Hair” adds to the ‘R&B tilt,’ you might say.

Short and sweet at just over two-and-a-half minutes, that’s ample time for Ari to drop a surefire bop.  “Hair” hearkens back to the past, contrasting everything else on the LP.  You won’t be able to get the chorus unstuck out of your head.

“To run your hands through my hair

Baby, ‘cause that’s why it’s there

Come run your hands through my hair

Ooh, baby, so don’t you be scared

So, come run your hands through my hair.”

Not only is “Hair” fun but it’s also S-E-X-Y!

 

---

7. The Weeknd, “Starry Eyes”

Dawn FM • Republic • 2022 

“I only met you in my dreams before / When I was young and alone in the world.” Interesting, The Weeknd, interesting. Please, continue. “You were there when I need someone / To call my girl / And now, you’re my reality.” Sounds like L-O-V-E to me.  Certainly, on “Starry Eyes,” The Weeknd makes a paradigm shift.  Throughout his fifth studio album, Dawn FM, he shows different perspectives regarding love.  Early on, he runs away from it. As the album progresses, he embraces it.

“Starry Eyes” is a perfect example where The Weeknd embraces that universal four-letter word.  This shift begins with the preceding song, “Is There Someone Else?” but it is “Starry Eyes” where he’s all-in. The Grammy-winning superstar wants to assure her he’ll do right by her – “Let me be there for your heart / Let me love you.”  He adds, “You weren’t touched by a man in so long / ‘Cause the last time, it was way too strong.” He wants to be here everything – “Make it my responsibility / I’ll be there every step of the way.”  Wow! There are, however, some lyrics that stand out amongst the rest at the end.  One Genius annotator hypothesizes these could be addressed to critical fans:

“Back then, I was starry-eyed

And now I’m so cynical

Baby, break me

Kick me to the curb.”

Intriguing for sure!

---

8. Sabrina Carpenter, “Skin”

“Skin” • Island • 2021

“Maybe we could’ve been friends / If I met you in another life…” Ah, matters of the heart are always perfect fuel for a pop song.  With single “Skin”, Sabrina Carpenter set the bar high.  Consider our playlists enhanced, albeit by the pain suffered from that thing known as the plight of love (there’s happiness too, though).  The < three-minute was produced by Ryan McMahon.

The form of “Skin” is straightforward – tried and true. The record commences moodily and somewhat mysteriously (with the excerpted lyrics), catching the listener’s attention.  Carpenter delivers respectable vocals throughout that are well-suited to this track.  She shows incredible poise on the first verse, singing in her lower register, somewhat in an undertone.  On the pre-chorus, she ascends, and the listener begins to get a better picture of where she’s going. Expectedly, she’s more assertive, dynamic, and powerful on the chorus.

“You can try

To get under my, under my, under my skin

While hе’s on mine

Yeah, all on my, all on my, all on my skin

I wish you knew that even you

Can’t get under my skin if I don’t let you in.”

Woo! This memorable section expands in scope even more in the second round.  Interestingly, rather than being the biggest on the final go-round, Carpenter does the unexpected – pull back.  Ultimately, “Skin” is quite relatable and well-rounded.

Appears in :
‘S’ Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

---

9. ZAYN, “Fingers”

Icarus Falls • RCA• 2018

It’s no secret that Icarus Falls, the sophomore album by ZAYN, was a surefire flop commercially.  Critically, Icarus Falls was flawed but managed to have its fair share of moments.  One area where ZAYN was consistent was his voice – he has a marvelous instrument on his hands.  One the interesting moments from Icarus Falls is the ‘anatomical’ track, “Fingers”.

“I know it’s taking all your strength to keep restrained / ‘Cause you got different things replacin’ / Old feelings that you’ve felt…” Oh, the plight of love! “Fingers” keeping things short. Stylistically, the record is in ZAYN’s niche – the sweet spot between pop and R&B. He delivers respectable vocals, sounding smooth, easy-going, and flaunting that beautiful tone.  He sounds great on the first verse, dropping an f-bomb from the jump: “Fucked and I want ya / Looked and I loved ya / Stuck, now I need ya .Hopin’ I’d see ya…” The opening lyric is reprised on the chorus, where the listener once more gets the picture that ZAYN is ‘fucked up’:

“I’ve been fucked and I want ya, I can’t even text ya

‘Cause my fingers ain’t working, but my heart is

If you wanna, let me know where you are, B

I can come and love ya (I can come and love).”

Basically, he’s so drunk he can’t properly text or convey his feelings for her.  It’s not ‘brand-new’, but interesting.

---

10. Eminem, “Ass Like That”

Encore •   Shady / Aftermath •   2004

“The way you shake it, I can’t believe it / I ain’t never seen a ass like that / the way you move it, you make my pee-pee go / D-doing, doing, doing.” Woo!  When Grammy-winning rapper Eminem discusses the “D-doing, doing-doing” regarding his, um, ‘junk,’ on “Ass Like That,” we clearly know the effect that those assets are having.

“Ass Like That” appears on Marshall’s 2004 album, Encore. Of course, the song isn’t innocent as Eminem, via Triumph, the Comic Insult Dog, is a pervert, and the police are there to arrest him .

“Think someone’s at the door, but I don’t think I’ma answer

Police sayin ‘freeze’…

What do you mean, freeze

Please, I’m a human being, I have needs

I’m not done, not ‘til I’m finished peeing

I am not resisting arrest, I am agreeing

Mr. Officer, I’m already on my knees

I can’t get on the ground any further, it’s impossible for me.”

OH, BROTHER! There’s more of course, with R. Kelly shade, sketchy Asian lyrics, objectifying Jessica Simpson, Mary-Kate and Ashley, and Hilary Duff… “Ass Like That” is a mess, period.  Still, the production ( Dr. Dre and Mike Elizondo) is superb and as crude as the song is, it’s entertaining.

 

Appears in :
15 Juicy, Voluptuous Booty Anthems
Swear Along with These 15 Swear Songs!

---

11. Prince, “Head”

Dirty Mind • Warner • 1980

“I’ll give you head till you’re burning up / Head till you get enough / Head till your love is red / Head love you till you’re dead.” Oh boy… In the 00s, the late, great Prince was much tamer musically, particularly regarding sex, compared to the 80s (into the 90s) heyday where he was quite the provocateur.  While references to fellatio are much more rampant in contemporary music, particularly hip-hop and R&B, back in 1980 it was really pushing it.  Imagine how Dante Alighieri would’ve viewed the groovy, lustful “Head.”  In Dante’s eyes, would damnation to the second circle of hell be sufficient?

Funky and incredibly infectious, Prince’s dirty mind is fully realized on “Head,” one of my personal favorites if I’m being honest. Within the narrative, he meets a good, innocent girl, who is a virgin:

“You said ‘but I’m just a virgin and I’m

On my way to be wed

But you’re such a hunk

So full of spunk.’”

Of course, Prince corrupts her:

“I didn’t want you to be misled

But I’ve got to have you baby

I got to have you in my bed.”

Appears in :
In Remembrance: 13 Provocative Songs from Prince

---

 

 

---

11 Anatomical Songs – To Some Degree º [: Aftermath, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, The Conglomerate Entertainment, Inc., EMPIRE, Island, Mercury, The Musical Hype, Polydor, RCA, Republic, Shady, StarBoi3, Tazz Vaughn via Pexels, Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels, Warner]

---