11 Love Songs from the Male Perspective features music courtesy of BTS, Cole Swindell, Ryan Beatty, and Shawn Mendes among others.

Okay ladies, we’re totally turning the tables! “Get ready, get ready, get ready!” Sometimes, it just takes a male perspective on the topic of love and romance, sigh.  Well, not really…  In this case, the 11 loves songs that appear on this playlist all hail from male artists.  Yes, it’s really that simple.  The guys that are singing about love are BTS, Cole Swindell, Ryan Beatty, and Shawn Mendes among others.  Let’s get it men!

1.BTS, “FAKE LOVE”

Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’ • Bighit Entertainment • 2018

“I’m so sick of this fake love, fake love, fake love!” BTS’ electrifying, energetic, crowning achievement on Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’ arrives with “FAKE LOVE.” This record is synonymous with an urban-pop or hip-hop infused urban contemporary record in the US.  There are expressive, rhythmic sung vocals, as well as aggressive, biting rhymes.  Like “Intro: Singularity,” the majority of the record is in Korean, but there are some lines sung in English, including the aforementioned lyrics. The music video even made history, with the biggest 24-hour YouTube debut of 2018.

2. Shawn Mendes, “Why”

Shawn Mendes • Island • 2018

“I pretend that / I’m not ready / Why do we put eat other through hell? / Why can’t we just get over ourselves?  / And you say ‘hi’ like / You just met me.” “Why” isn’t only one of the biggest surprises of Shawn Mendes, but also one of its biggest triumphs. Shawn Mendes gives one of the truly elite vocal performances of the LP showing off his gorgeous tone – can you say chills?  The chorus is simply stunning, filled with reflective questions about the relationship.  Beyond the excellence of the lead vocals and love as a focal point, “Why” is a production showcase.  This includes background vocals accentuating the lead, as well as the addition of vocal effects for a cool change of pace.  Throughout “Why,” there are some truly awesome, thoughtful touches.

3. Cole Swindell, “Love You Too Late”

All of It • Warner Music Nashville • 2018

“Love You Too Late” commences All of It energetically, with a moderately fast tempo.  Early on, Cole Swindell references alcohol – shocking. That said, it’s in the context of heartbreak and understandably, the man needs a cold one. “I wish this whiskey / Would make her miss me / Like I wish she did, I wish she did.” He messed up as a boyfriend with his inaction, and now she’s gone, over him, and “Man, it ain’t pretty, no.” At the very end of the record, he truly regrets loving her too late, singing, “I can’t take back what / I never said but / If I could, damn, I would.” A lot of men and women have been in the exact same situation.  It serves as an enjoyable and respectable start to the LP.

4. YUNGBLUD, “I Love You, Will You Marry Me”

21^st Century Liability • Geffen • 2018

British newcomer YUNGBLUD (Dominic Harrison) may be a self-described 21^st Century Liability on his debut album, but the tortured soul is no liability when it comes to making cool music. What stands out about this young artist is how eclectic and truly unique he is.  What’s most thrilling about 21^st Century Liability is the ‘fresh blood’ that he infuses into the game. “I Love You, Will You Marry Me” is a change of pace on the context of 21^st Century Liability. It is based upon a dark love story from Sheffield, the neighboring city to Harrison’s hometown, Doncaster.

The artwork referenced in the song is graffiti with the titular lyric, which served as a proposal to a specific, real-life person, Clare Middleton.  Clare’s name was part of the original graffiti, but when reproduced as artwork, it’s often disregarded: “They didn’t write her name on the article / That to me just seems pretty farcical…” While this song seems to be the ‘oddball out’ if you don’t understand the backstory, it’s among the cleverest of the album.

5. Jason Mraz, “Love is Still the Answer”

Know. • Atlantic • 2018

“There’s only one answer that matters / Even if your heart has been shattered / Whatever you want, whatever you are after / Love is still the answer.” “Love is Still the Answer” is the longest song on Know., the sixth studio album by pop singer/songwriter Jason Mraz. Even though Mraz draws things out past the six-minute mark, it’s well worth the time.  As he’s been throughout the course of Know., love seems to be everything to him, as it should be for entirety of the world. “Love is Still the Answer” is a soulful, absolutely beautiful conclusion to the album.

6. Cody Jinks, “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin’”

Lifers • Rounder • 2018 

“Here with you or out there tearin’ down some road / Nowhere is home.” It’s not every day that an eight-word song title enters into your life.  That’s the case with the incredibly honest ballad “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin’”.  Clearly, Cody Jinks is experiencing conflicted feelings about the state of the relationship. Sometimes he’s all in, and at others, he’s ready to call it quits.  His vocals are nuanced, rich, and chocked-full of sincerity.

7. Ryan Beatty, “Cupid”

Boy in Jeans • Boy in Jeans • 2018

“And when we get older / And y’all break up someday / And this is not a secret / Maybe then you’ll say you love me back / But until then I’ll be dreaming about that.” On “Cupid,” Ryan Beatty is open about love.  As aforementioned, he’s ‘out and proud’ with nothing to hide.  Filled with vocals with unique effects, he begins addressing his desires: “He’s the only one on my mind / He’s the only one I call when I’m feeling reckless / Tell me that you’re mine.” The second verse is particularly telling:

“Press your lips against my neck / With me you don’t pretend like you’re with your girlfriend / She’s nice but she’s not me / She’s nice but hates me / Date me, I’m just playing / Didn’t mean to say that… / But if you’re down, so am I / I can’t lie.”

Notably, I composed a more in-depth write-up about “Cupid” on the curated playlist, Music to Atone To.

8. Lauv, “Easy Love”

I met you when I was 18. • Lauv • 2018

“Easy Love” opens with chill, smooth production work. Pop & B singer Lauv enters with easy-going vocals, never forced to push, and sounding natural, yet invested. Melodically, the record shines, thanks in part to the unexpected use of lowered seventh during the verse.  Maybe more important than the use of the subtonic is the chorus, the song’s crème de la crème moment.  Thematically, the song centers around love being hard but worth fighting for.  As he verifies himself on the lyric, “And maybe that’s why I stay”: ‘Easy Love is about surrendering to insanity in a relationship.’

9. Michael Ray, “Get to You”

Amos • Warner Music Nashville • 2018

“Get to You” centers around opening yourself up to love. In this particular case, country singer Michael Ray is trying to get a woman who has been hurt to stop running away from love and embrace it.  Throughout the course of this beautiful, thoughtful ballad, he emphasizes that he isn’t like her past disappointments.  The centerpiece is the chorus.

“Run away, run away from love / What the hell are you so scared of? / You walk away when you’ve had enough / Of trying, of trying / Girl there’s always gonna be some pain / A little sunshine, a little rain / It doesn’t mean it ain’t worth it babe / I’m trying, I’m trying to get to you.”

10. BTS, “Love Maze”

Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’ • Bighit Entertainment • 2018

On “Love Maze,” BTS offers some prominent English moments, namely one of the rap verses. Essentially, the record suggests that love can be a trap, like a maze is if you go down the wrong path.  The sentiment conveyed by BTS is “don’t give a damn,” have faith, and try love.  The falsetto in particular stands out on the chorus.

11. Mason Ramsey, “Lovesick Blues”

Famous (EP) • Big Loud / Atlantic • 2018

11-year old Mason Ramsey ‘returns to his roots’ on a fine studio version of the Hank Williams classic that made him famous, “Lovesick Blues”. This sick, tongue-n-cheek record actually offers a potential, lucrative lane for the young rising country singer that’s worth exploring.  An extremely talented kid with a great voice, his boyish pipes ‘pop’ on this tried-and-true classic.

Photo Credits: Atlantic, Big Loud, Bighit Entertainment, Boy in Jeans, Lauv, Geffen, Island, Rounder, Warner Music Nashville