11 Dirty, Filthy & Unclean Songs | Playlist

Artists contributing to the filth of “11 Dirty, Filthy & Unclean Songs” include Demi Lovato, Janelle Monáe, and Justin Timberlake among others.

Get prepared y’all cuz “It’s About to Get Dirty” #Brantley Gilbert.  Okay, okay – another lame intro, but I managed to incorporate a song not included in this dirty, filthy, and unclean playlist.  Lazy. Yep, “11 Dirty, Filthy & Unclean Songs” is exactly what it says it is, though not every song is necessarily explicit or offensive by any means.  The main criteria are that the selected songs had to feature one of the aforementioned buzz words. Of course, you’ll end up noticing that ‘filthy’ is used just once – #FAIL, while there is no mention of ‘unclean’ – #EPIC FAIL.  Quality product, right? Hmm. Artists appearing on this modest playlist include Demi Lovato, Janelle Monáe, and Justin Timberlake among others. Utterly filthy mediocrity here we come!

1. Justin Timberlake, “Filthy”

Man of the Woods • RCA • 2018

What better way to start off the filth with some utterly “Filthy” Justin Timberlake? On “Filthy,” Timberlake works with familiar collaborators Timbaland and Danja. The production is sleek and modern, dominated by a sick beat, and a variety of synths.  Stylistically, he maintains urban-pop sensibilities, slated somewhere between the soul of old and modern pop.  His chanted, tongue-n-cheek vocals, exhibit hip-hop vibes without the ‘bars.’ “Filthy” is fun, but, there’s little legit songwriting; it’s devoid of depth and lyricism. That’s one of the reasons why it was also included on our 10 Worst Songs of 2018 (So Far). Love ya, but sorry JT.

2. Janelle Monáe, “Dirty Computer”

Ft. Brian Wilson

Dirty Computer • Bad Boy • 2018 

“Dirty computer, walk in line / If you look closer you’ll recognize / I’m not that special, I’m broke inside / Crashing slowly, the bugs are in me.” Dirty Computer is arguably the best album of Janelle Monáe’s career.  Sure, the entirety of the Monáe discography is fantastic, but Dirty Computer is her most important, meaningful, personal, and most transcendent album yet.  Focusing on the brief title track, it commences things off lushly, assisted by an unlikely collaborator – Brian Wilson.  Janelle Monáe sounds beautiful and commanding without the need for gospel histrionics.  She’s introspective, and struggles with spirituality and spirituality related to sexuality: “Searching for someone to fix my drive / Text message God up in the sky / Oh if you love me, won’t you please reply?”

3. Stanaj, “Dirty Mind”

Ft. Ty Dolla $ign

Dirty Mind – Single • Republic • 2018

“This could only go two ways / Being with you / Or thinkin’ bout being with you.” “Dirty Mind”, the first new Stanaj single since 2017, begins abruptly with the eventual chorus.  The 24-year old Albanian pop musician has lived in the US since his high school days. He released an EP in 2016 (The Preview) as well as in 2017 (From a Distance). “Dirty Mind,” which features Ty Dolla Sign, finds Stanaj unable to stop thinking about her. Throughout most of the song, he delivers boyish, cool, low-key, smooth vocals. He states the desires of his heart over an utterly infectious groove. His lust is at an all-time high on the second verse as he asserts, “You’re the leading role in my best scenes / The star of my wet dreams.” Yep, dirty for sure.

4. Demi Lovato, “Sexy Dirty Love”

Tell Me You Love Me • Hollywood / Island • 2017

“You’re my new obsession / Let go of any hesitation / Baby, be my new addiction / Intoxicate me gently with your loving.” “Sexy Dirty Love” ranks as one of the better moments from Tell Me You Love Me, the 2017 album by Demi Lovato.  Ultimately, “Sexy Dirty Love” is groovy AF, featuring slick production work.  It’s a fun, upbeat joint that’s suggestive, but not explicit.  It’s not a blunt as “Sorry Not Sorry” or as hard-hitting and powerful as “Tell Me You Love Me”. It also separates itself from the single that follows on the LP, “You Don’t Do It for Me Anymore.”

There are no glaring cons regarding “Sexy Dirty Love.” Perhaps contextually, its biggest flaw is feeling less potent than the aforementioned torchbearers of Tell Me You Love Me. Don’t get it twisted though, the “Sexy Dirty Love” is pretty rad.

“You got me so high
Pull me closer into you and watch our bodies intertwine
I feel so alive
You know what I’m thinking of
Got me dreamin’ ‘bout that sexy, dirty love.”

5. All Time Low, “Dirty Laundry”

Last Young Renegade • Fueled by Ramen • 2017

“I don’t believe in saints / They never make mistakes / I know it’s not my place / Who am I to tell you that you need to change?” “Dirty Laundry” continues what could be coined ‘the maturity tour’ of All Time Low. Essentially, this is a tale of imperfection that’s relatable to everyone.  Although frontman Alex Gaskarth addresses it to a girl, the message is adaptable to the multitude.

“Dirty laundry is piling in her room / She’s got secrets, yeah I’ve got mine too / I don’t care about what you did / Only care about what we do / Dirty laundry / Looks good on you.”

6. Lil Yachty, “Dirty Mouth”

Teenage Emotions • Capitol / Motown • 2017

Lil Yachty simply can’t escape it.  Teenage Emotions was the worst album of 2017.  The problems included overindulgence in sex, mischaracterizing the cello as a woodwind instrument, and literally off-beat flows. Indeed, the rapper has a dirty mouth on “Dirty Mouth,” where he falls in the aforementioned pitfall of Teenage Emotions – overindulgence in sex. He is self-confident, asserting, “I don’t really care about my enemies.” While his nonchalance doesn’t supplant his misogyny and excessive lustfulness, he does deserve credit for staying true to himself…maybe…

7. Kehlani, “Do U Dirty”

SweetSexySavage • Atlantic • 2017

“Do U Dirty” embraces the modern R&B sound through and through.  This sound encompasses the drums, synths, minor key scheme, and ample swagger. “Up for hours drinking / Posted up, just reflected on it,” Kehlani sings on the first verse, continuing, “And I know you won’t believe me / But babe, I’m cold and yeah, this life is cold.” She delivers rhythmic vocals throughout its course. While she’s singing, the influence of hip-hop – namely pop-rap – is clear as mud.  Throughout “Do U Dirty,” she is brutally honest lyrically.

“And I can see you from a distance
I could fuck you now and years later on
You gon’ be stuck, just reminiscing
It’s the way I ride you, let you stay inside
Yeah, I’ma fuck you like a vixen
There’s something ‘bout me.”

The pre-chorus and chorus sections rank among the best parts of the song.

8. Foo Fighters, “Dirty Water”

Concrete and Gold • RCA • 2017 

“I’ve been drinking dirty water / But I’ve been here before, after all.” Contrast can truly be intriguing.  In the context of Concrete and Gold, “Dirty Water” brings Foo Fighters contrast, initially changing the pace.  Like earlier records“T-Shirt” and “Run,” “Dirty Water” begins by exhibiting restraint as opposed to fully amped-up guitars and vocals.  The sound naturally feels uncharacteristic to what precedes.  About halfway through, the dynamics increase pronouncedly, and the hard-rocking Foo Fighters sound returns in all its glory.

“I feel a moment coming on
Heavy metal in my bones
‘Cause I’m a natural disaster
You’re the morning after all my storms.”

9. Marc E. Bassy, “Dirty Water”

Groovy People (EP) • Republic • 2016

“Let’s go swimming / Dirty water / Days are shorter / Nights are longer.” Pop/R&B artist Marc E. Bassy keeps it brief on “Dirty Water,” a highlight from his 2016 EP, Groovy People.  Don’t let the length fool you – the groovy “Dirty Water” packs a mean punch.  The “dirty water” which Bassy references is cheating, specifically with an ex- and tied in with alcohol.

“And I heard that your boyfriend now wants one of his own
And I’m too drunk right now, if you call I’ma pick up that phone
And I heard that you’re out on the town, yeah, I know how that goes
When you can’t break away from the ties and you dip in that dirty water.”

10. Carrie Underwood, “Dirty Laundry”

Storyteller • 19 / Sony Music Nashville • 2015

“That lipstick on your collar, well, it ain’t my shade of pink / And I can tell by the smell of that perfume, it’s like forty dollars too cheap.” Oh snap! Carrie Underwood excels at songs when she gets to showcase her angry, ‘woman scorned’ side.  That’s exactly what goes down on “Dirty Laundry,” among the elite moments from her 2015 album, Storyteller.  After the build-up of the verses and the pre-chorus, the fever pitch is reached on the chorus where Underwood is at her most devastating – at least for that no-good, cheating, son-of-a-gun.

“Now I’ma have to hang you out to dry, dry, dry
Clothespin all your secrets to the line, line, line
Leave ‘em blowing in the wind, just say goodbye to you
All those midnights sneaking in
‘I’m late again, oh, I’m so sorry
All the Ajax in the world ain’t gonna clean your dirty laundry.”

11. Jason Derulo, “Talk Dirty”

Ft. 2 Chainz

Talk Dirty • Warner Bros. • 2014

“Talk Dirty” kicks off the album alluringly with its sinful brilliance.  Calling the joint heavenly is blasphemous considering its suggestive lyrics and equally ‘dirty’ production. “Talk Dirty” owes a ton to Balkan Beat Box’s “Hermetico” –the majority of the production actually. That seductive sax comes off as nasty as opening lyrics from verse one.  Jason Derulo sings, “I’m that flight that you get on, international / First class seat on my lap, girl, riding comfortable.”  If Derulo is a bit subtler regarding sexual endeavors, 2 Chainz is more explicit.  While both dudes are shallow, the addictiveness of the song, specifically the chorus, is undeniable.

“Been around the world, don’t speak the language
But your booty don’t need explaining
All I really need to understand is when you
Talk dirty to me.”

[📷: 19, Atlantic, Bad Boy, Capitol, Fueled by Ramen, Hollywood, Island, Motown, RCA, Republic, Sony, Warner Bros.]