11 Captivating & Compelling COULD Songs

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11 Captivating & Compelling COULD Songs features songs by Artemas, blackbear, Jaheim, JORDY, and The Spinners.

You know, I COULD have chosen a different keyword for 11 Captivating & Compelling COULD Songs, but I decided to give the auxiliary verb some musical love. There have been many songs that feature could in their title. Today, we limit the entries in this playlist surrounding the past-tense of can to 11 songs. But to quote the talented but controversial Kim Burrell, “I’ll be back”, meaning, there will be another C-O-U-L-D list in the future. But, for the time being, 11 Captivating & Compelling COULD Songs features songs by Artemas, blackbear, Jaheim, JORDY, and The Spinners. So, without further ado, let’s C-O-U-L-D it up on these 11 Captivating & Compelling COULD Songs!

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1. Artemas, “you and i could never be friends”	2. Juno Lev, “I had gay sex with god (it could’ve gone better)”	3. The Spinners, “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love”
4. Alesso & Tove Lo, “Heroes (we could be)”	5. JORDY, “COULDA NOT”	6. Halsey, “Walls Could Talk”
7. Troye Sivan, “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)”	8. blackbear, “if i could I would feel nothing”	9. Jaheim, “Could It Be”
10. Bloodhound Gang, “I Wish I Was Queer So I Could Get Chicks”	11. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You”

1. Artemas, “you and i could never be friends”

“you and i could never be friends” » Artemas » 2025

“I know that we only just met.”

Facts, Artemas. So, where, exactly, are you going with this? “But you and I ain’t gonna be friends.” Oh. Hmm, so what is happening between them? What we do know is the bedroom is involved… who’s shocked? Once again, Artemas engages us with another sexual bop, “you and i could never be friends”. Interestingly, this Artemas/Henry Morris/Kevin White-penned track (produced by Artemas and White) arrives weeks after his mixtape, LOVERCORE, was released. Artemas picks up where he left off, PERIOD.

“You and i could never be friends,”

begins with Artemas singing abruptly. Our boy is standing on business! Our utterly naughty English pop singer-songwriter gets right to the point. “You” features an adventurous, noisy backdrop. There are boisterous, sharp synths and distorted, stuttering drums. At times, there are holes within the accompaniment, allowing more nuanced musical touches, including some inviting guitar lines and striking keys and sound effects. The backdrop aside, the star of the show is Artemas, who is unapologetic as… wait for it… fuck. He admits he’s in a dark place in life, horny, and gives no fucks. “You keep looking at me crazy, it’s a face I recognize / And you’re talking to me sweet while you fuck me with your eyes.” Oh, the eye-fucking! He continues singing in the verse, “You’re lucky that you met me at this dark time of my life / ‘Cause I couldn’t give a fuck if I don’t make it through tonight.” So, is this a hookup or love at first sight? With some drinks and drugs in them and a trip to the bedroom, friendship is unimportant. Sex, on the other hand, is the modus operandi. Is it casual, or, can non-friends become lovers? Debatable. What’s not debatable is the fact that Artemas satisfies our thirst once more with another sexed-up bop in “you and i could never be friends”.

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2. Juno Lev, “I had gay sex with god (it could’ve gone better)”

when they find your body » Milkboy » 2021

“I spent all of last night in god’s bed / Mom, please don’t get upset / ‘Cause now I’ll be immortalized / I’ll be immortalized.”

Ooh-wee, Juno Lev (Jack Braun, who formerly performed as Jackfruit), I’m speechless 😶! Anytime spirituality is woven into music, it creates a compelling, thought-provoking listen. “I had gay sex with god (it could’ve gone better)” is a prime example of a song with spiritual elements that easily catches the ears. The open-minded and progressive souls will eat this up, while those who are the most god-fearing will cry foul. “I saw god in a Trader Joe’s / Buying organic blueberries / Prettiest man I’d ever seen.” Noted, Juno Lev. “I had gay sex with god (it could’ve gone better)” is the fourth track from their 2021 EP, when they find your body. Juno Lev produced this LGBTQ gem with the talented Zach Benson.

After god kissed Juno Lev, with dried apricots in one hand, they assert, “I think my teeth are gonna rot.” The other experiences with god (Lev uses ‘god’ lowercased throughout) are questionable too, including “Lips sliding open in a prayer” (a blowjob), and stating that sex with him was “As close to heaven as I’ll get”. Arguably the best line: “Second coming in a bathroom stall / But now god won’t return my calls, wrote him a love letter.” Holy shit! Beyond mixing queer sex and god, the music is heavenly on “I had gay sex with god (it could’ve gone better).” The electronic sound palette (keys and pads) shine. The drum programming and snaps that arrive during the second verse are sweet. The snare drumming is a superb touch. Of course, Lev is the star, singing expressively and gorgeously. They are authentic to the nth degree, even as the lyrics are playful… and blasphemous 🤭. Adding to the allure are tuneful melodies from the get-go. Oh, and how about one final lyrical shout-out? At the end, can I get an “Amen, ah men?” Perhaps the sex could’ve gone better on “I had gay sex with god (it could’ve gone better)”, but the song remains a surefire, queer-to-the-nth-degree bop! We Stan!

Appears in:

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3. The Spinners, “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love”

Spinners » Atlantic » 1973

“Each night I pray / There will never come a day / When you up and take your love away.”

It should go without saying that The Spinners are one of the greatest soul groups of all time. Beyond the constraints of soul, The Spinners had ample success on the pop charts: the Billboard Hot 100. One of the collective’s most beloved hits is “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love”, which graces their 1973 album, Spinners. “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” peaked at no. 4 on the pop charts, making it a surefire, crossover hit. Amazingly, it plays second fiddle to the top-three pop hit from the same album, “I’ll Be Around”. “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” was written by twin brothers Melvin Steals and Marvin Steals.

Everything about The Spinners’ “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” is glorious. The music is lush and warm – the perfect backdrop for a love-oriented soul joint (Thom Bell serves as producer). The Spinners, of course, are proponents of the Philly soul movement, so, unsurprisingly, they are backed by utterly sublime and refined production. Bobby Smith masterfully handles the lead for most of the song, with Philippé Wynne providing ad-libs at the end. Also, you can’t fail to mention those sweet female backing vocals, further making “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” a certified classic. The tuneful chorus is the centerpiece.

“(Could it be I’m falling in love)

With you, baby

(Could it be I’m falling in love)

Woo

(Could it be I’m falling in love)

With you

With you

With you

(With you).”

Appears in:

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4. Alesso & Tove Lo, “Heroes (we could be)”

Forever » Alefune / Def Jam Recordings » 2015

Sweden 🇸🇪 is in the house, and it’s a beautiful collaboration. Yes, Alesso (Alessandro Linblad) and Tove Lo are attractive. But, this isn’t about Linblad’s gorgeous features 🤭! This is about heroism! Per Alesso and Tove Lo, we could be heroes. You heard correctly! “Heroes (we could be)” appears on Alesso’s 2015 album, Forever. More than a decade old, “Heroes” remains fresh. It is Alesso’s top-charting hit, peaking at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified platinum by the RIAA. The Grammy-nominated, Swedish DJ/producer penned “Heroes” alongside David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Tove Lo. Bowie’s 1977 classic, “Heroes”, is sampled. Alesso produces yielding epic results. The marvelous, polychromatic backdrop features shimmering synths, a fabulous beat, and a sick drop.

Beyond Alesso, Tove Lo sings beautifully. Besides bringing the tuneful melodies to life, her vocal ad-libs are sweet too. They accentuate, amplifying the melodious vibes. The biggest part of the musical lift – the reason why you all came here – is the songwriting! “Got a secret side in plain sight / Where the streets are empty, that’s where we run,” she sings in the first verse. In the pre-chorus, she asserts, “I can’t be one of them [everyday people],” adding, “We are a different kind / We can do anything.” That, of course, leads to the section to beat, the chorus:

“We could be heroes

We could be heroes, me and you

We could be heroes

We could be heroes, me and you

We could be.”

HEROES! Word! In the chorus, the heroism is unmatched! The second verse is more optimistic and savvy than the first, where Tove Lo states, “Anybody’s got the power / They don’t see it ‘cause they don’t understand,” adding, “You and me, we got the world in our hands.” Ah, the heroics! The bridge, albeit brief, provides a welcome contrast, maintaining the engaging nature of the record (“All we’re looking for is love and a little light”). If you need a pick-me-up, look no further than the musical lift that is “Heroes (we could be)”.

Appears in:

Alesso & Tove Lo, Heroes (we could be): Music Lifts No. 32 (2024)

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5. JORDY, “COULDA NOT”

“COULDA NOT” » JORDY / EMPIRE » 2025

“Take a good look, honey, that’s what you made me / You coulda not, coulda not, coulda not.”

Ooh-wee! JORDY (Jordy Shulman) comes out swinging on “COULDA NOT”. The gay pop singer-songwriter brings the heat on his self-described rock-leaning record: Of “COULDA NOT,” he asserts:

…This one comes straight from a place of heartbreak, anger, and letting go. It leans more rock, and it pushed me to be louder and more honest than ever. “COULDA NOT” kicks off a new chapter for me, a little bolder, a little messier, and definitely more unapologetic.

Regardless of a stylistic shift (it’s still firmly planted in pop by my estimations), Shulman’s preferred theme of choice, love – in this case, heartbreak – remains fully intact. Shulman wrote “COULDA NOT” with Austin Wolfe, Katherine Donnelly, and producer Drew Polovick.

“Rip the band aid off, ‘cause it hurts so bad either way,” JORDY sings in the first verse, and continues, “It really turns me on when you say the things that I want you to say.” Relatable, regardless of sexuality. Likewise, in the second verse, he sings, “I let you lead me on / You let me think that you would stay.” When you really like someone, you put on blinders. That’s what happened to our handsome and talented pop star, sigh. In the second pre-chorus, he rhythmically sings, “Let’s fuckin’ call it / I’m not what you wanted; my mistake.” D-d-damn… more like f-f-fuck! Even with the potty mouth, JORDY keeps it smooth! The chorus is the section to beat, intact with another timely f-bomb!

“But you coulda not told me you love me

When you just love me on top of your body

Makin’ out, fuckin’ me like it’s a hobby

Let me down, just to go say that you’re sorry

You coulda not.”

That chorus hits different! Once again, JORDY serves up pop excellence with “COULDA NOT”. He rides the edgier ‘pop/rock’ backdrop like a champ. The rhythmic guitars and heavier programming mark a welcome change of pace. Even given his anger – a man scorned – he retains his electrifying, smooth tenor, delivering an incredibly ripe falsetto.

Appears in:

JORDY, COULDA NOT: Beaming with Pride No. 99 (2025)

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6. Halsey, “Walls Could Talk”

Hopeless Fountain Kingdom » Astralwerks » 2017

“And we both hope there’s something / But we bo-both keep fronting / And it’s a closed discussion / And I’m thinking, ‘Damn, if these walls could talk.”

Pretty sweet pre-chorus if I do say so myself, Halsey (she/they). “Walls Could Talk,” the song at hand, is the 10^th track from their multi-platinum, conceptual album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. The single, certified platinum, is sweet overall. Halsey wrote “Walls Could Talk” with producer Lido. “Walls” is a record that sounds like a throwback to 90s teen-pop, in all its bubblegum, R&B-infused glory. This includes the quick rhythmic nature of the melody in the verses. Halsey brings attitude: “But you’re so damn good with a bobby pin / Now you gon’ play me like a violin, hittin’ these notes.” Arguably, the most unfortunate thing about this certified bop is its brevity.

Appears in:

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7. Troye Sivan, “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)”

“could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)” » EMI Recorded Music Australia » 2021

“Every guy I want looks something just like you…”

In 2021, Troye Sivan finally unveiled and a full-length version of his In a Dream (EP) song, “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)”. Sivan wrote “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)” alongside Teo Halm (Halm produces too). In its ‘full version,’ the song expands north of two-and-a-half minutes in duration. With added verses, we get gorgeous vocals by Sivan, singing expressively without over-singing. He sells the music with a sense of poise, as well as thoughtful, emotional, and relatable lyrics.

“We wrote a life all by ourselves,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “Wish I could put it back on the self.” In the second verse, he closes with “But life’s a blackening wave drifting us further than we are / And now, we’re knee-deep in this mess.” That final line appears at the beginning of the original, by the way. So, we’ve got eye candy (shirtless Troye on the cover and music video) + a full-length version of a song that should’ve been full-length to begin with it. What more can you ask for? “Could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)” is just what the doctor ordered, even if it is a bummer for the artist himself.

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8. blackbear, “if i could I would feel nothing”

Digital Druglord » Interscope » 2017

“‘Cause if I could I would feel nothing / That’s the truth and I don’t care, baby.”

Blackbear remained a busy man in 2017, releasing two albums (Digital Druglord and Mansionz alongside Mike Posner) and a mixtape (Cybersex). The song at hand, “if I could I would feel nothing,” appears from his solo album, Digital Druglord.  Blackbear is brutally honest on the standout.  Although he has money, he’s still unhappy.  “All designer when we go out / Just so people know we rich,” he sings, and continues, “Underneath it all, the truth is that I / Really feel like shit.” Even though he plans to hook up, it’s nothing more than empty sex – a one-night stand. Throughout this slow but rhythmic joint, blackbear emphasizes “no feelings, no strings attached, girl.”

“So, let’s just fuck, no strings attached
Let’s just fuck, and after that, I’ma take you home
…No feelings, no strings attached, girl.”

Appears in:

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9. Jaheim, “Could It Be”

Ghetto Love » Warner » 2001

“‘Bout to put it to ‘em / With some ghetto slick shit, ha / Check it out, one time for your motherfucking mind.”

Oh, snap, and that’s only the intro! “Could It Be” marked the breakout hit for Grammy-nominated R&B artist Jaheim (Jaheim Hoagland). His debut single appears as the sixth track on his platinum-certified debut album, Ghetto Love. “Could It Be” reached the top 40 on the pop charts, peaking at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. It performed even stronger on the R&B charts, reaching number two. Balewa Muhammad and Clifton Lighty penned “Could It Be” with producers Wesley Hogges, Eric Williams, and Kent Lawrence. Notably, “Could It Be” samples the 1976 Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. classic, “Nothing Can Stop Me”.

“Could It Be” oozes with soul, PERIOD. The musical accompaniment, fueled by the sample and contemporary R&B sounds, helps solidify the soulfulness. Of course, the biggest contributor to the soul is Jaheim himself, who brings the Teddy Pendergrass (1950 – 2010) and Luther Vandross (1951 – 2005) vibes with more of a hard-nosed, street-savvy edge. His tone is to die for – distinct and gritty. He masterfully brings the rough-and-tumble lyrics and tuneful melodies to life. “On the cross town with the top down, sounds banging out the backseats (Alright) /Me and this shorty too deep,” he sings in the first verse, and adds, “She’s flashing me thighs, wind blowing through her hair / Baby, we can take it there (Take it there).” Woo! Keeping things spicy in the second verse, he asserts, “Oh, girl, I wanna hit it in the worst way / After that, you’ll be coming back like every day (Oh yeah) / Send you back to your girls with something else to say / How I hit it, split it, had you with it ‘til the break of day.” D-d-damn! The chorus is the crème de la crème:

“Could it be my chromed-out whip? (Shorty)

Break your neck when you see a nigga dip (Oh)

Or could it be the ice you see?

But you tell me that you’re really feeling me (I’ve gotta know right now)…”

The bridge is intriguing, too. Ja’ asks if it’s the material things he brings to the table that have all these ladies wanting to get with him? He concludes, “You tell me you love me, baby, but what’s that all about?” More than two decades after its bow, “Could It Be” remains a surefire, undeniable contemporary R&B gem. Jaheim and his team put their feet into this one, NO CAP!

Appears in:

Jaheim, Could It Be: Bangerz N Bopz No. 1 (2026)

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10. Bloodhound Gang, “I Wish I Was Queer So I Could Get Chicks”

One Fierce Beer Coaster » Geffen » 1996

“If your ass is a Chinese restaurant, I’ll have the Poo Poo Platter.”

Oh, Jimmy Pop 😏! We see what you did there, pooping up the pu pu platter. When it comes to Bloodhound Gang, depth, let alone anything higher level or transcendent, is not the modus operandi. That joke in the intro was shit… literally. Anyways, the band has always been bold, thriving on dumb humor, being offensive, and shock value. On their 1996 album, One Fierce Beer Coaster, Jimmy and company dipped their toes into the LGBTQ+ community, specifically the Q as in queer. That’s right, Mr. Pop asserts in the fourth track from the LP, “I Wish I Was Queer So I Could Get Chicks”. My, my, my! It shouldn’t come as a shock that Jimmy wrote and produced it.

“I Wish I Was Queer So I Could Get Chicks” features outlandish lyrics that play on gay stereotypes. This is where the controversy, or problematic nature of the song, comes into play. The best starting place is the chorus: “Chicks dig guys that are / Queer guys that don’t dig / Chicks that don’t dig guys like me / See, I’m not queer, I’m too ugly.” There is a lot to unpack. First, the word queer, which the LGBTQ+ community has reclaimed, is not synonymous with gay. In this context, Jimmy Pop seems to think of the terms as interchangeable while queer has more nuance. But, even if we give Jimmy a pass there, the assertion that all queer/gay guys are beautiful is false. Yes, many beautiful, fine, gorgeous, and handsome men identify as queer or gay, but, not all men that identify as such are. While I can’t speak from a woman’s perspective, it would also be a stereotype that they desire gay guys, etc. Yes, it happens, but Jimmy is pushing buttons.

Beyond the chorus, Jimmy Pop serves up plenty of intriguing, questionable lyrics. In the first verse, he has to prove his masculinity, following a kiss from his friend, Jerry, and getting his ass kicked by jarheads. Oh, high school! But, after bro-ing it up, he states his faux-queer intentions 😏… Things get more pseudo homo in the second verse, where he desires queerness to attain a supermodel. See as her GBF, “I’d be a good listener so she’d treat me like a sister and soon I’d become / That trusted friend that cares that rubs her back and braids her hair / No, it wouldn’t take a week before I’m in her underwear.” Damn, Jimmy! It doesn’t end there, either. Matters of the peen enter the picture… Jimmy makes it clear, “The only smoked meat, the only sausage I would eat is made by Jimmy Dean / See, I’m not too keen on the smell of Vaseline.” Vaseline as lube for anal sex… yikes! WE LISTEN AND WE DO JUDGE, JIMMY! Besides that, we get the male hairdresser stereotype, as well as wearing mom’s lingerie, a love of Broadway, Depeche Mode, and ballet. But, confirming he’s not queer, once again, “And I don’t shave my heiny…” Ultimately, “I Wish I Was Queer So I Could Get Chicks” is best taken with a grain of salt. Is it ultra-controversial? No. Is it problematic? Yes, though I don’t believe Jimmy Pop or Bloodhound Gang meant any harm. Being brash and saying off-the-wall, out of pocket things is what they have done throughout their career. But, it is important that beyond the enthusiastic instrumental with its filthy, driving guitars, and the wacky lyrics sung by Jimmy Pop that stereotypes are misleading.

Appears in:

Bloodhound Gang, I Wish I Was Queer So I Could Get Chicks: Controversial Songs No. 23 (2025)

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11. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You”

United » Motown » 1967

“Oh, if I could build my whole world around you, darling / First, I’d put heaven by your side.”

Marvin Gaye (1939 – 1984) and Tammi Terrell (1945 – 1970) made a formidable team. Tragically, Terrell succumbed to brain cancer at just 24 years old. Still, while she was alive, she and Marvin had undeniable chemistry and recorded sensational duets, including “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You”. “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You” is the third track from the duo’s beloved, gold-certified album, United. Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, and Vernon Bullock wrote it. Bristol and Fuqua produced it. “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You” impacted the pop charts, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The musical arrangement and production are outstanding! It features sickening drumming, a robust bass line, bluesy piano, fabulous rhythmic guitar riffs, and tasty vibraphone. The first voice heard is the exuberant pipes of Gaye, who sings in a dedicated fashion to his musical partner (lyrics excerpted above). Tammi Terrell delivers assertive, soulful vocals in the second verse: “If I could build my whole world around you / I’d make your eyes the morning sun / I’d put so much love where there is sorrow / I’d put joy where there’s never been none.” I love the duo’s chemistry on the “Doo doo doo doo doo” in the bridge. A great key change, and bluesy, gospel-tinged piano enters the mix in the final verse. Here, Gaye and Terrell trade lines. Both hold their own and sound phenomenal when singing together. “If I could build my whole world around you,” Gaye sings, with Terrell responding, “If I could build my whole world around ya.” Fittingly, they join forces on “And that would be all right, oh yeah.” “If I Could Build My Whole World Around You” is an unforgettable classic from a short-lived but vibrant duo.

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11 Captivating & Compelling COULD Songs (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Alefune, Artemas, Astralwerks, Atlantic, Def Jam Recordings, EMI Recorded Music Australia, EMPIRE, Geffen, JORDY, Milkboy, Motown, Warner; Mohammed Hassan from Pexels; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

11 Captivating & Compelling COULD Songs | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on January 9, 2026January 9, 2026