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“11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in November 2019” features songs by Camila Cabello, Coldplay, Lewis Capaldi, Miguel & Omar Apollo.

Ah, we continue to be ‘tickled’ monthly on The Musical Hype.  In October, I selected 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in October 2019, including standouts from Fantasia (“Fighting”), Harry Styles (“Lights Up”), Quadeca & Moxes (“Schoenberg”), Summer Walker (“Playing Games (Extended Version)”), and SuperM (“Jopping”). Now, post-November 2019, we do the same with “11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in November 2019.” All of the songs on 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in November 2019 were released as singles or as an album track in November 2019, or whereabouts (there are a few late-October cuts). Musicians that made our ears perk up in the month of November include Camila Cabello (“Living Proof”), Coldplay (“Arabesque”), Lewis Capaldi (“Before You Go”),  Miguel (“Funeral”), and Omar Apollo (“Hit Me Up”) among others. Without further ado, here are 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in November 2019.

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1. Coldplay, “Arabesque”

Everyday Life • Warner • 2019 

“Arabesque” is arguably ‘the crown jewel’ from Everyday Life, the eighth studio album by Grammy winning British alternative collective, Coldplay.  Safe to say, the five-and-a-half-minute “Arabesque” is one bad ass, awesome gem from Chris Martin and company.  The production is quite unique; one of the biggest selling points of the record.  Following an intro encompassing a soundscape of the city and traffic, “Arabesque” settles into this super groovy, alt-rock joint, characterized by rhythmic acoustic guitar, electric guitars, and horns.  Notably, between the second and third verses, there’s a fantastic alto saxophone solo (Omorinmade Anikulapo-Kuti). A Fela Kuti song is sampled, featuring Femi Kuti (“Music is the weapon, music is the weapon of the future”). 

Chris Martin is as potent as ever, even if he fails to ascend into his glorious falsetto. On the second verse, Stromae handles the bulk of the vocal duties.  That said, he still contributes, along with Will Champion.  Stromae sings in French, further support the band’s pursuance of unity and peace. Martin takes the reins once more on the brief third verse, which features the lyrics, “And we share the same blood / Yeah, we share the same blood.”  For further emphasis, at the end of this gem, Martin intensifies the message – “Same fucking blood.”

2. Taylor Swift, “Lover (Remix)”

Ft. Shawn Mendes

Lover (Remix) [Single] • Republic • 2019

“Lover” ranked among the best songs from Lover, the seventh studio album by multi-Grammy winner Taylor Swift. Why was “Lover” so awesome? Well, one of the reasons is because the retro cues used within the song differentiate it from the pop Swift has served up since 1989 (2014). “Lover” got a rank-up thanks to the “Lover (Remix)” featuring pop superstar, Shawn Mendes.  Mendes handles the bulk of the second verse, providing a welcome contrast to Swift.  Swift joins along with the hunky, beautifully voiced singer for a few lines, but for the most part, it’s all Shawn.  They join forces on the subsequent chorus, which gives you chills with its harmonized vocals.

On the bridge, Swift draws first blood, while Mendes follows up with another excellent contrast to the original.  He sings:

“Look in my eyes, they will tell you the truth
The girl in my story has always been you
I’d go down with the Titanic, it’s true, for you…”

The final parts of the bridge find a mix of solo parts as well as collaborative ones.  Of course, the most epic part of the remix is the final chorus, which is nothing short of B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T.  Remixes can be swell, or they can be hell. “Lover (Remix)” is a surefire winner; definitely an awesome song that tickled my fancy in November 2019.  Taylor Swift and Shawn Mendes make a nice match together on one of the very best songs from Lover, period.  Mendes’ gorgeous vocals only further amplifies things.

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3. Miguel, “Funeral”

Funeral [Single] • RCA • 2019

“Send my regards to the mother and father / ‘Cause somebody’s daughter I just fucking slayed…” Grammy-winning urban contemporary artist Miguel manages to transform a funeral into a sexed-up happening on his brief, risqué single, “Funeral”. Throughout his career, Miguel has kept things quite sexual, from the likes of “Arch & Point” (Kaleidoscope Dream) to almost the entirety of his 2015 LP, WILDHEART.  “Funeral” kicks off the with aforementioned chorus, which continues, “Blood on the carpet, it came from my heart / Once I start, I can’t stop it, and now we all pray.”

Though “Funeral” is only a modest two-minutes-and-fifteen seconds in duration, it’s still enough time for Miguel to be freaky. He focuses on her private parts and what he’s ‘doing’ with his own…  On the first verse, the sex is real, as he asserts, “And that pussy ain’t a rental,” later asking his victim lover, “Do you feel me in your mental? / I’m fucking drilling in your dental.”  He continues to ride the funeral wave on the second verse, referencing the coroner, and stating, “She was dead on arrival.”

Beyond super sexed-up lyrics, the production is notable. There are dark synths, heavily distorted vocals, and expectedly, bass-heavy drum programming, sure to cause the trunk to rattle.  Safe to say, Miguel is true to himself on “Funeral.” “Funeral” previously appeared on the playlist, 11 Songs Where the Focus is on the Funeral.

4. Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”

Don’t Start Now [Single] • Warner • 2019

Dua Lipa is pretty awesome.  The Grammy-winning English pop artist delivered a certified bop on her self-titled debut album.  She returned at the tail-end of October (hence why she makes this edition of awesome songs) with an electrifying, energetic single, “Don’t Start Now”, set to appear on her highly anticipated sophomore album.   

 “Don’t Start Now” has all the makings of a pop bop, period – the epitome of a totally awesome song! The groove is infectious, instantly a catalyst for foot tapping, head nodding, and busting a move on the dance floor.  Further cementing the bop status are other elements of the production – robust bass line, keyboards, and synths (including strings).  Stylistically, “Don’t Start Now” can be characterized to some extent as a neo-disco single – a pop single incorporating dance and R&B cues.

All those positives don’t even capture additional greatness characterizing “Don’t Start Now.” First and foremost, Dua Lipa continues to impress with her husky, expressive lead vocals.  She has a distinct instrument that is ready made for pop superstar status.  Beyond that, the songwriting is catchy and quite engaging.  The focal point is matters of the heart, something she absolutely excels at.  The form of the song is straightforward – verse, pre-chorus, chorus, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, pre-chorus, and verse – with the chorus being the centerpiece:

“Don’t show up, don’t come out
Don’t start caring about me now
Walk away, you know how
Don’t start caring about me now.”

Honestly, there’s nothing more to say.  “Don’t Start Now” is an awesome pop song that should totally tickle anyone’s fancy.

5. Lewis Capaldi, “Before You Go”

Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent • Universal Music • 2019 

The extended edition of Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, the debut album by gifted Scottish singer/songwriter Lewis Capaldi, adds three additional songs.  The crown jewel (beyond “Someone You Loved”) is “Before You Go.”  “Before You Go” is definitely an awesome song that tickled my fancy from November 2019. Capaldi references a difficult subject on this particular record: suicide.  

The lyrics on “Before You Go” are poetic and reflective throughout.  Of course, the chorus is the crème de la crème:

“So, before you go
Was there something I could’ve said,
To make your heart beat better?
If only I’d have known you had a storm to weather
So, before you go
Was there something I could’ve said,
To make it all stop hurting?
It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless
So, before you go.”

Capaldi wishes he could’ve prevented the devastating event, a feeling that many people feel when someone they know and loved commits suicide.

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6. ROLE MODEL, “Thank You for Coming”

Oh, how perfect (EP) • Interscope • 2019

“Thank you all for coming / I’d be nothing without you / Don’t tell yourself you’re sorry / ‘Cause it’s hardly ever true.”  Have truer words ever been spoken? Those thoughtful lyrics hail from singer/songwriter Tucker Pillsbury, best known by the name ROLE MODEL.  Prior to the aforementioned lyrics, Pillsbury reflects on the past – adversities that have greatly affect him. Unsurprisingly, it’s people who serve as the adversaries.

“I made friends
With some kids who used to hate me
‘Cause they’re the ones who made me
Exactly who I am.”

Wow.  The second verse offers even more.

“One last dance with the girl who’s way too good for me
‘Cause somehow it felt good to me
You notice who I am.”

Tortured, tortured soul.  That said, what ROLE MODEL sings about is incredibly relatable.  Among his best moments is the bridge, where he flips the script on “Sticks and stones may break my bones,” ending it with, “But words just make me stronger.” In addition to the great songwriting, relatable and thoughtful messaging, and superb, emotional vocals by Pillsbury, the production is pretty sweet as well.  Initially simple, led by guitar, it grows more expansive as “Thank You for Coming” progresses.  The totally awesome “Thank You for Coming” previously appeared on the playlist, 11 Thankful Songs to Show Gratitude For.

7. Greyson Chance, “Boots”

Boots [Single] • Arista • 2019

“Ooh, I feel like I’m running…” Fresh off his comeback LP, Portraits, Greyson Chance blessed us with “Boots”, a single where he shows us what a legitimate cowboy looks like as opposed to faux ones constructing faux ‘Western imagery.’ From the jump, it’s pretty clear that Chance has a gem on his hands.  At under three minutes in duration, the record is brief but incredibly effective.  Bram Inscore, a co-writer alongside Chance and Sean Kennedy, construct a fine backdrop (canvas if you will) for Chance to paint upon.

Following his ‘running’ intro, Chance wastes no times cowboying it up like the Oklahoma-bred boy he is, dissing the fake cowboys of California.  “I’ve been western before all of these punks,” he sings, continuing, “These punks in California who think they can punch.” Later, he trades ‘punks’ for ‘stars,’ singing, “These stars in California who think that they are hard.”  That, of course, goes beyond the cowboy lifestyle. Of course, he couldn’t have a killer boot song without referencing Nancy Sinatra, right? Right! “Boots with the big heels, hot like I’m Nancy” is the perfect way to commence the second verse.  Also, concluding the verse with the confident line “‘Cause I’ve been making people mad since the start / And making too much money to be wasted in this bar,” is pretty sick as well.  Don’t think Chance is totally ‘old fashioned’ – he gets a weed reference in towards the end (“I’m smoking way too loud; I’m feeling good high now”).

8. Camila Cabello, “Living Proof”

Romance • Epic • 2019

Camila Cabello has been busy throughout 2019, releasing numerous singles. “Living Proof”  arrived with the official announcement of her sophomore album, Romance (December 6, 2019). “Living Proof” appears as the second track on Romance. Focusing on the production first (Mattman & Robin), this is a sleek, urban pop joint.  It features some dynamic synths and pummeling, rhythmic drums.  As we’ve come to expect from a Camila Cabello track, the backdrop is certainly an asset, fueling the fire.  Shifting to the songwriting (including co-writing by Ali Tamposi and Justin Tranter), the topic of choice should come as no surprise – love, romance, and of course, sex.

The best moment is undoubtedly the chorus, where Cabello delivers some of the most impressive falsetto of her career:

“Where did you come from baby?
And were you sent to save me?
Ooh, there’s a God in every move
Ooh, and you’re the living proof
The way you hands can’t shake me
Soft to the touch like, baby
Ooh, there’s God in every move
Ooh, and you’re the living proof.”

Cabello excels at being sultry and sexy, and “Living Proof” is no different.  She also manages to throw in some blasphemy, further accentuating the suggestive, sensual nature of this single.  On the first verse, she sings, “I wanna study every inch of you / ‘Til you trust me to make the angels come through.” Wow.  On the second verse, she’s a bit more devilish, as she sings, “Show your demons, and I might show you mine.” Of course, on the pre-chorus, sex and religion co-exist seamlessly: “Like a choir singing, ‘Hallelujah,’ / When my body’s crashin’ right into you.”

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9. Harry Styles, “Watermelon Sugar”

Fine Line • Columbia • 2019

“Tastes like strawberries on a summer evenin’ / And it sounds just like a song.”  Apparently, the British pop singer Harry Styles enjoys fruit, as “Watermelon Sugar” marks his second fruit-oriented song (“Kiwi” being the first). It also marks the second single (“Lights Up” arriving first) from Styles’ highly anticipated sophomore album, Fine Line (December 13, 2019).

“Watermelon Sugar” is filled with selling points.  First and foremost, Harry Styles sounds superb in the vocal department.  His tone has always been noteworthy, and nothing is changed on this particular record. The huskiness and assertiveness of his vocal performance is awesome.  Moving on to the sound, vibe, and production of the record, Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson definitely give him a top-notch backdrop to work with.  There are elements of rock and pop, as well as a dash of retro and vintage.  In addition to the vocals, some of the ear candy that the listener is spoiled with includes acoustic and electric guitars, piano, keyboard, and most distinctly, horns.

With great vocals and excellent production, that leaves only one more box to check off – songwriting.  “Watermelon Sugar” isn’t a deep, transcendently penned song in the least, but it is enjoyable and entertaining.  That begins with the verses, which are love-centric, summery, and, for lack of a better word, fruity – literally! It continues on the pre-chorus and is capped off by the repetitive but vibe-filled chorus, which highlights the titular lyric: “Watermelon sugar high.”

10. Omar Apollo, Dominic Fike & Kenny Beats, “Hit Me Up”

Hit Me Up [Single] • Omar Apollo / AWAL • 2019

“Hit Me Up” incorporates the talents of three, need-to-know musicians.  First, there’s ‘alternative’ artist Omar Apollo, who’s released some intriguing projects with Stereo (2018) and Friends (2019).  Then, there’s rapper/singer Dominic Fike, who released Don’t Forget About Me, Demos in 2018.  That leaves co-producer Kenny Beats, the eldest member of the with production credits with the likes of DaBaby, Ed Sheeran, and Vince Staples.  Add all of that excellence together and “Hit Me Up” is nothing short of epic.

Kenny Beats serves up some awesome production, with Omar Apollo co-producing.  It’s simple, characterized by a robust bass line and punchy drums.  Following the intro, Apollo sounds absolutely amazing as he blesses listeners with the chorus.  Initially solo, beautiful backing vocals accentuate his lead on the second half:

“Uh, said I’ve got some time I’m abusin’
Change my mind if you ever switch it up
And I won’t waste my time if you pursue me
I’ll let you know if you ever hit me up.”

Beyond the chorus, Apollo drops the first verse. The verse references issues regarding love. If blanks need to be further filled in, Dominic Fike does so on the second verse.  He is more explicit regarding love, including the lyric, “Baby, let’s double down, I bet you would fuck with me now.” Of course, prior to that, he states, “Waitin’ for you baby, but you stood me up / Reckon what you gave me wasn’t good enough…”

11. Neon Trees, “Used to Like”

Used to Like [Single] • Thrill Forever, LLC • 2019

“You once told me I was all you had / I guess I know life and it doesn’t work like that.” After a five-year hiatus, alternative collective Neon Trees, fronted by Tyler Glenn returns with new music! “Used to Like” follows Glenn’s underappreciated solo project, Excommunication, which found him discussing his break with the LDS church due to their views on sexuality.

Moving on, “Used to Like” was co-written by Mike Green, Niko Hartikainen, and Tyler Glenn.  Co-produced by Green and Nico Stadi, “Used to Like” is a nice blend of rock and 80s pop/rock, which often incorporated synths.  This is an energetic record that is incredibly rhythmic – quite driving from the onset and throughout the course of the song.  While Glenn shows excellent vocal control during the verses, he doesn’t hold back when the chorus arrives in all its glory.  Here, Glenn flaunts his compelling and powerful pipes, while delivering the centerpiece of this comeback joint:

“Oh honey, now you’re sayin’ I’m acting crazy
And I don’t see what you see
Get back to what you used to like about me
Back to what you used to like about me
Highs so highs, drinks for free
Let’s go to extremes
Get back to what you used to like about me
Back to what you used to like about me
Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

Thematically, Neon Trees embrace a popular topic: love and matters of the heart.  It’s definitely successful.  Following a five-year hiatus, Neon Trees don’t seem to have any problems dusting off the cobwebs. Tyler Glenn sounds as locked-in as ever.  That’s the definition of fancy-tickling awesomeness… something like that.

“11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in November 2019” [Photo Credits: Arista, AWAL, Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Epic, Interscope, The Musical Hype, Omar Apollo, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Republic, Thrill Forever, LLC, Universal Music, Warner]

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