11 Bitter, Brutal, Cruel Songs | Playlist

11 Bitter, Brutal, Cruel Songs features Cannibal Corpse, H.E.R, Olivia Rodrigo, Summer Walker & The Drums.

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h, prepare for a list chocked-full of synonyms ! That’s right, the foundation of this compendium started brutally with the word, brutal.  Back in 2021, I had previously compiled a miniature playlist using that harsh word ( Brutal: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 56 (2021)). After revisiting such brutality, I conferred with one of my favorite go-to references: Merriam-Webster Thesaurus!  Can you guess what I did? Well, if not, lemme just fill you in! I perused synonyms for the word brutal and compiled this list using notable songs featuring those synonyms.  The result, hence, is 11 Bitter, Brutal, Cruel Songs.

Perhaps it seems like it would be a boring concept exploring words musically but 11 Bitter, Brutal, Cruel Songs doesn’t disappoint (at least I don’t think so)! The musicians establishing these negative connotations in most cases are Cannibal Corpse, H.E.R, Olivia Rodrigo, Summer Walker, and The Drums among others.  So, gets your eyes and ears ready for this vocabulary-driven, totally B-R-U-T-A-L affair! “God, it’s brutal out here”!

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1. Olivia Rodrigo, “Brutal”

SOUR • Geffen • 2021

“Where’s my fucking teenage dream? / If someone tells me one more time / ‘Enjoy your youth,’ I’m gonna cry.” Woo! Olivia Rodrigo kicks off her debut album, SOUR with a surefire bang.  Apparently gone are the days that teen musicians must abstain from swearing and embrace bubblegum tactics.  Gen-Z is a different beast, hence why Rodrigo ensures she comes off brutally on “Brutal.”  

“‘Cause I love people I don’t like

And I hate every song I write

And I’m not cool, and I’m not smart

And I can’t even parallel park.” 

“Brutal” is terrific opener which does a masterful job of setting the tone for SOUR.  Here, we get ‘brutal’ honesty from Rodrigo.  I love the attitude and spunk that she brings to the track. The sound perfectly encapsulates Gen-Z and sets the tone for SOUR.  The chorus is epic, highlighted by the line, “God, it’s brutal out here.”

“All I did was try my best

This the kinda thanks I get?

Unrelentlessly upset

They say these are the golden years

But I wish I could disappear

Ego crush is so severe

God, it’s brutal out here.”

Also appears on :
Brutal: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 56 (2021)

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2. Cannibal Corpse, “Inhumane Harvest”

Violence Unimagined • Metal Blade • 2021

“Twisted criminal underground / Subjugation of the victims for complete control.” Say what! “Reaping vital body parts / Surgical precision taking all that will be sold.” Holy sugar honey iced tea, Cannibal Corpse! Historically, the band has lived on the edge. This veteran metal collective is unapologetic to the n^th degree. The band’s 1992 album, Tomb of the Mutilated, has no shortage of eyebrow-raising songs, including the controversial “I Cum Blood”.  Nearly 30 years after that disturbing joint, in 2021, the band released “Inhumane Harvest”, which appears as the third track on Violence Unimagined.

If we associate the word inhumane with brutal, well, this heavy, jagged, ‘in your face’ joint certainly fits the billing.  Brutality exemplified! The vocals are assertive, energetic, and rough.  As for the guitars, they’re punchy, ripe, and messy.  There are some killer riffs.  Of course, thematically, the song is about harvesting human organs!

“Callous acts of the nefarious

Leaving no tracks, no evidence

They vanish never to be seen again

Banished from existence.”

Well, that’s morbid! Even worse, in the “removal of the organs,” “Everything must go / Before the victim dies.” Now that, folks, is brutality! “Inhumane harvest / Surgical precision taking all that will be sold.” Only Cannibal Corpse could come up with this one! 

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3. Summer Walker & Cardi B, “Bitter (Narration by Cardi B)”

Still Over It • LVRN/Interscope • 2021

“Bitter, yeah, mad at me, mad at my nigga / Mad at the fact he ain’t with you / Mad at the fact that it’s me.” Da-yum! Summer Walker kicks off her sophomore album, Still Over It – which debuted at no. 1 – with a surefire bang.  “Bitter” sets the tone of the album as Walker is brutally honest about the criticism she’s received, gossip, and rumors.  Also, she gets an assist on the outro from Grammy-winning rapper, Cardi B.  More on her, later!

Summer Walker is sick and tired of these hoes all up in her business! Of course, it probably doesn’t help that Walker and her ex-boyfriend, London On Da Track, have an interesting history. Walker addresses the relationship issues, explicitly:

“Wonderin’ if you even knew this bitch for real

London, did you screw this bitch for real?

They be on that groupie shit for real

And I know she thought she struck once she let a nigga fuck

Man, that bitch is lookin’ stuck (Stuck as fuck)

And I bet you when you came that she thought she came up.”

Wow… speechless! Walker remains bitter AF in the second verse.  An example of the bitterness: “You ain’t shit, bitch / Claim you independent, but you ain’t did shit / Live in Section 8 and still can’t pay rent.” Woo! With Summer Walker on fire, what about Cardi B? Cardi offers up advice to a bitter Summer: “Make them bitches feel hurt, hit them bitches where it hurt / And put that shit in your music and make money off it in your music / Fuck these hoes.” What more is there to say?

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4. Joji, “Bitter Fuck”

In Tongues (Deluxe) • 88rising Music / EMPIRE • 2018

“Now I’m a bitter fuck / They call me a bitter fuck / Because of you.”  WOW – quite a way to put it! On “Bitter Fuck”, a highlight from In Tongues (EP) (2017) and In Tongues (Deluxe)  (2018), Joji describes himself as just that.  He references his issues and blames his ex- for making him a “bitter fuck,” particularly on the first verse and the chorus.

The bluntness continues in the second verse.  Two key words serve as the foundation of the verse: bitch and fuck. Regarding bitch, Joji describes her as being lame, yet goes on to say she “just came all over me.” In regard to fuck, it’s double entendre, with the primary meaning being, ‘don’t mess with me,’ hence showcasing the bitterness.

Also appears on :
11 Uniquely-Titled, Interesting Songs from 2018
Bitter, Sour, Lemon: 5ive Songs No. 2 (2020)

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5. Lana Del Rey, “Cruel World”

Ultraviolence • Interscope •  2014

Lana Del Rey isn’t known for being the most ‘optimistic’ musician, at least where her music is concerned.  “Cruel World,” the opener from her 2014 album Ultraviolence, confirms the aforementioned.  The record is dark, dramatic, and mysterious from the get-go, set in a minor key.

Listening to “Cruel World” feels totally uncomfortable. Lana Del Rey depicts the end of a bad relationship.  According to Del Rey, “Shared my body and my mind with you / That’s all over now.” The best moment of the lengthy number (north of six-and-a-half minutes!) is the chorus:

“Put my little red party dress on

Everybody knows that I’m the best, I’m crazy

Get a little bit of Bourbon in ya

Get a little bit suburban and go crazy

Because you’re young, you’re wild, you’re free

You’re dancing circles around me

You’re fucking crazy

Oh, you’re crazy for me.”

Also appears on :
13 Songs That Focus on the World

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6. The Drums, “Brutalism”

Brutalism • Anti • 2019

“Baby, by now you must know that this love is brutal / Beyond physical, supernatural, and fully irrational.” Woo! Brutalism marks the fifth album by indie-pop collective, The Drums. The Drums is fronted by Jonny Pierce. Notably, on Brutalism, Pierce opens up about his queerness, via an article by Michael Cuby for Them.: “If I’m not talking about being gay, I feel like I’m not really being an artist.  I am an artist and I’m going to make art that reflects who I am.” Fair enough – be you Jonny! Of focus here is the “Brutalism”!

As the opening lines from the sole verse of the song suggest, “Brutalism” is all about a brutal love. Clearly, Jonny Pierce ‘feels some type of way.’  There’s evidence of this throughout the song.  On the pre-chorus, he asserts:

“When I’m alone at night and the TV is on

I grab your T-shirt and put it over my face

I put my hand on my chest, so it feels like you’re here

And I’d fly 10,000 miles just to kiss you again.”

Wow – the man is deep in his feelings! Of course, the chorus expresses the brutality, characterizing “Our love is heavy and hard / Desire might be the thing that tears us apart.” That’s BRUTAL for sure, yet his ‘brutalism’ is sweet music to our ears.  Speaking of the music, it’s energetic, rhythmic, and sounds sweet to the ears.

Also appears on :
Brutal: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 56 (2021)

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7. Fantasia, “Bittersweet”

Back to Me • 19 Recordings Limited / J •  2010

“‘Cause when I think about you (it’s bittersweet, it’s bittersweet) / Guess I’ll always love you (it’s bittersweet, it’s bittersweet).” Ah, there’s nothing like an emotional, mature R&B song, particularly when it involves matters of the heart. “Bittersweet” ( Back to Me, 2010) must be incredibly special to Fantasia. Why? Well, the American Idol victor won her sole Grammy for it.

Did the 12x nominated singer deserve to win Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 53^rd Annual Grammy Awards? It’s a resounding HELL YES! “Bittersweet” ranks among the best songs of her catalog, NO CAP. ‘Tasia sings the hell out it! Her distinct voice shines as she expresses equal parts bitterness and sweetness, hence, bittersweet-ness! As the excerpted lyrics from the chorus suggest, the relationship has ended.  She left him, yet she’s not over him/it. Hence, “That shit is bittersweet.” Notably, “Bittersweet” dented the Billboard Hot 100 at no. 74, and peaked at no. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart.

Also appears on :
Bitter, Sour, Lemon: 5ive Songs No. 2 (2020)

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8. Slipknot, “Birth of the Cruel”

We Are Not Your Kind •  Roadrunner •  2019

Grammy-winning Nü metal collective  Slipknot released their sixth studio album,  We Are Not Your Kind, in 2019, following a five-year hiatus. One of the best songs from the album was the third track, “Birth of the Cruel.” Within the context of We Are Not Your Kind, “Birth of the Cruel” remains dark and is firmly planted in a minor key.

Notably, there is tunefulness to be found early-on during the first verse, before pitch transforms to shouted, aggressive vocals. Fists ascend into the air on moments like, “I’m all fucked up and I make it look good / Adrenaline sight tonight.” The chorus features a menacing backdrop (jagged guitars) and biting lyrics.

“Sick, sickened, I’m sickening, I’m stricken by the fist

Blessed are the fires that have burned me

Listen to this, the lesson is, never underestimate the agony

Death of the fool, birth of the cruel.”

Also Appears On :
Born: 5ive Songs No. 5 (2020)
An Engaging, Unorthodox Soundtrack to Spring

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9. H.E.R., “Hard Place”

I Used to Know Her • RCA •  2019

“What if nothing ever will change? / Oh, I’m caught between your love and a hard place.” Indeed H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson), Indeed.  “Hard Place” appears as the 17^th track on I Used to Know Her, the second compilation album by the highly decorated, award-winning musician. On “Hard Place,” Wilson finds herself in a tough situation where that pesky thing, better known as love, has her “in a hard place,” to be honest.

Wilson, essentially, is letting her heart dictate. Perhaps, she should use her head and make an even tougher decision.  She clearly loves the guy she sings about, but he’s flawed to the nth degree.  “You know that you be dead wrong,” she sings, adding, “Tell me to relax when I’m reacting.” Later, she’s all-in: “And even when you cause tears / You’re the one who wiped them away / Maybe that’s the reason I stay, stay.” Seems like an imperfect, situation, but at least the listener benefits musically from Wilson’s love pains on this Grammy-nominated juggernaut from her discography.

Also appears on :
H.E.R.: 4GEMZ No. 2 (2021)

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10. Green Day, “Brutal Love”

¡Tré! • Reprise • 2012

In 2012, Grammy-winning punk rock collective Green Day went against the grain.  Sure, punk bands are natural nonconformists, but that’s not what I’m referencing with the phrase in this instance.  Billie Joe Armstrong and company released three albums in one year! It’s rare that musicians do such a thing these days, particularly when all three albums are studio albums as opposed to being recorded live.  “Brutal Love” which commences the band’s third LP of 2012, ¡Tré!.   

“Brutal Love” is an unexpected start to ¡Tré!. Rather than the expected, rollicking, up-tempo, ‘kick ass and take names’ approach, Green Day deliver a mid-tempo, rock ballad, in duple-compound meter! Question: Does “Brutal Love” end up sounding punk? Well, of course to some extent, but the record also embraces an old school rock feel that also encompasses country-rock.  Besides dipping into the sub-genres of rock, the record features a fine harmonic scheme, with some ear-catching quirks.  Worth noting, there’s even a key change towards the end.  As far as the sound, it’s cool that some horns are thrown into the mix – you don’t hear that in punk or punk revivalism often! Of course, the key components of “Brutal Love” are the vocals of Billie Joe and of course, the songwriting:

“Turn out the lights, close your eyes

Turn up the silence, the heartache of your life

Dance forever, under the lights, this brutal love…” 

Also appears on :
Brutal: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 56 (2021)

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11. The Jackson Southernaires, “Heavy Load”

Greatest Hits • Malaco • 1985

“Heavy Load” is a classic gospel song by legendary Jackson, Mississippi gospel collective, The Jackson Southernaires.  Like the aforementioned “He Keeps on Blessing Me”, “Heavy Load” also appears on their 1985 Greatest Hits album.  “Heavy Load” was written by Kevin Yancy and Marvin Yancy.  Worth noting, another legendary black gospel group, Mighty Clouds of Joy, also have a notable song entitled “Heavy Load”.  It should come as no surprise that these are two different songs!

“Heavy Load,” in the hands of The Jackson Southernaires, is an energetic, moderately fast record.  The group is devoted to praising God for his mercifulness – that ‘wonder working power.’ Even if the ‘pressure is on’ and you carry a ‘heavy load,’ they assert, “God’s gonna lighten your heavy load.” This is a rousing and uplifting record, meant to assuage and encourage in a bad season or a winter of discontent.  The Jackson Southernaires preaches a gospel of faith – putting your trust in Him without ceasing.

Also appears on :
11 Songs Where the Pressure is on
13 More Songs That Provide That Spiritual Refresh

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11 Bitter, Brutal, Cruel Songs [: 19 Recordings Limited, 88rising Music, Anti, Brent Faulkner, EMPIRE, Geffen, Interscope, J, LVRN, Malaco, Metal Blade, The Musical Hype, Pexels, RCA, Reprise, Roadrunner, Vinicius Alves]

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