11 Marvelous, Bell-Ringing BELL 🛎️ Songs | Playlist 🎧

11 Marvelous, Bell-Ringing BELL 🛎️ Songs feature songs by Al Green, Anita Ward, Bright Eyes, Metallica, and The 5^th Dimension.

BELL 🛎️ is the keyword! It’s simple – no rocket science on The Musical Hype! All 11 songs from 11 Marvelous, Bell-Ringing BELL 🛎️ Songs feature bell in their song title. Admittedly, this isn’t the most inspired introductory paragraph ever penned but it gets the job done! 11 Marvelous, Bell-Ringing BELL 🛎️ Songs feature songs by Al Green, Anita Ward, Bright Eyes, Metallica, and The 5^th Dimension.  So, without prolonging something that does NOT need to be prolonged, let’s dive in, headfirst into these BELL songs!

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1. Bright Eyes, “Bells and Whistles”

2. The 5^th Dimension, “One Less Bell To Answer”

3. Wale, “Name Ring Bell” 

4. Halsey, “Bells in Santa Fe” 

5. DJ Muscleboy, “Musclebells”  

6. DARKSIDE, “Liberty Bell” 

7. Al Green, “Belle”

8. Metallica, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”

9. David Ogden Stiers, Tony Jay, Paul Kandel, Chorus, “The Bells of Notre Dame” 

10. Anita Ward, “Ring My Bell” 

11. The 5^th Dimension, “Wedding Bell Blues”

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1. Bright Eyes, “Bells and Whistles”

Five Dive, All Threes // Dead Oceans // 2024

“It’s hard now to imagine in / The currency was all counterfeit / Diana’s face was scattered to the mob / Expensive jokes and cheap thrills cost a lot.” Word. More like two words: Conor Oberst. What a talented singer/songwriter. Oberst and Alex Orange Drink penned “Bells and Whistles”, the promo single for Bright Eyes’ 2024 LP, Five Dive, All Threes. “Bell and Whistles” has all the bells and whistles when it comes to songwriting. Of course, Conor also brings those lyrics to life with an energetic and expressive vocal. Is he pitch-perfect? No, but a heaping dose of personality and memorable melodies go a long way.  “I was cruel like a president / I was wrong, but I ordered it,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “Lost some limbs in an accident / Playing God.” Clever given its references to particular events and previous songs like “When The President Talks to God” (“While they pick which countries to invade / Which Muslim souls still can be saved”). Throughout “Bells and Whistles,” Oberst mentions specific locations (Bleecker Street, SoHo, and Bay Ridge), as well as pop cultural references (“And you shouldn’t place bets on the New York Mets”). The bells and whistles appear in the final two choruses (“Bells and whistles, cheap thrills cost a lot”).  Every chorus is different, which helps make the song distinct. Besides the singing and lyrics, the instrumental is sweet.  “Bells and Whistles” grooves from the onset.  The rhythm section is locked in (drums, guitars, bass, keys).  The whistling is fitting.  “Bells and Whistles” is another winning song in the illustrious Bright Eyes catalog.

Appears in 🔻:

• Bops That Pop: July 2024 

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2. The 5^th Dimension, “One Less Bell To Answer”

Portrait // Sony Music Entertainment // 1970 

“One less bell to answer / One less egg to fry / One less man to pick up after / I should be happy / But all I do is cry.” Oh, the plight of love, Marilyn McCoo! The 5th Dimension is one of the most iconic soul collectives. They charted 29 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 including seven top-10 hits and two no. 1 hits (“Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)” and “Wedding Bell Blues”). McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Florence Rue, and company just missed the top spot of the pop charts with “One Less Bell to Answer”. “One Less Bell to Answer,” the second track from their 1970 album, Portrait, peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Two iconic songwriters composed it: Burt Bacharach (1928 – 2023) and Hal David (1921 – 2012).  With its unique harmonic progression, memorable melodies, and a timely meter shift (a two-four measure interrupts common time), “One Less Bell To Answer” is a tried-and-true Bacharach/David composition.

 

Heartbreak is rampant in the relatable “One Less Bell To Answer.” While being single can be a win, it can also be devastating. Also, the circumstances of the end of this relationship determine the reaction too. “I only know that since he left / My life’s so empty,” McCoo sings. How bad is this love pain – this heartache? Well, expectedly, the doorbell is a trigger, hence, one less bell to answer.  “Though I try to forget / It just can’t be done,” she sings, adding, “Each time the doorbell rings / I still run.”  Ultimately, The 5th Dimension asks the burning question that McCoo seeks to answer: “Oh why, why, did he leave?” We never find out the answer to this question, leaving it subject to the listener’s interpretation.  What we do know is Marilyn’s love-pain is our listening pleasure.  We also know that Billy Davis Jr. didn’t leave her – they’ve been married for over 50 years. The instrumental is glorious beyond the fabulous vocals and impeccable songwriting. The music is lush and beautifully orchestrated.  “One Less Bell to Answer” is one of many awesome gems from The 5^th Dimension. 

Appears in 🔻:

• The 5^th Dimension, One Less Bell To Answer: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 114 (2024)

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3. Wale, “Name Ring Bell” 

Folarin II // Warner // 2021 

“Anyway, you catch me any day / Sippin’ Hennessey, all of my peeps got heavy chains / Who name bell ring? What / Who name bell ring?” Need a compelling flow? Well, Wale always seems to deliver in that department.  The Washington D.C. rapper brings hella confidence on “Name Ring Bell,” which appears as the second track on his 2021 LP, Folarin II.  It also doesn’t hurt that producer Trizzy sets him up with an electrifying, groovy backdrop that plays to his strengths.  Notably, “Name Ring Bell” samples “Ting-A-Ling” by Shabba Ranks. “A lot of my haters is mad, but I forgive ‘em,” Wale asserts in the first verse, adding, “‘Cause every bad bitch in the city tatted ‘Ambition’.” If you didn’t catch it, he’s referencing his 2011 album, Ambition, which marked his breakthrough moment.  The point is, he’s confident AF, something that continues in the second verse: “Soldiers on the way if you wan’ play ‘cause I ain’t playful / I got bitches, I got paper, but I’m great ‘cause I got favors.” Also, he drops the gem, “Say I got a ego, I deserve a EGOT.” Woo! “Who name bell ring?”  

Appears in 🔻:  

• 15 Compelling Name Songs (2021) 
• Bell 🔔: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 76 (2023)
• 13 Songs That Totally RING the Bell (2023)

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4. Halsey, “Bells in Santa Fe” 

If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power // Capitol // 2021

“Don’t call me by my name / All of this is temporary / Watch as I slip away for your sake / All of this is temporary.” Um…K… A minimalist, driving rhythm commences “Bells in Santa Fe,” a standout from the Grammy-nominated, Halsey (Ashley Frangipane) LP, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. This groove remains intact throughout, eventually expanding and growing heavier. The influence of producers Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor is incredibly pronounced. The production is part of the reason why “Bells in Santa Fe” has a darker vibe compared to Frangipane’s past work.  There are plenty of lyrical highlights, including the liberal reference to the resurrection of Christ: “Jesus needed a three-day weekend / To sort out all his bullshit, figure out the treason.” Woo!  

Appears in 🔻:

• Bell 🔔: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 76 (2023)

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5. DJ Muscleboy, “Musclebells”  

“Musclebells” // DJ Muscleboy / Alda Music // 2019

“Okay universe, give the gift of a healthy body!” Hell yeah! What better way to conclude a muscular playlist than with a muscular Christmas record with muscular cringe?  DJ Muscleboy is as ripped as a mofo – sort of the expectation given his name.  In his colorful single, “Musclebells,” he says ‘screw it’ to “Jingle Bells.” Instead, he focuses on a hot physique (“Who needs ‘Jingle Bells’ when you have dumbbells”). Notably, he samples the beloved Wham! Christmas classic, “Last Christmas”, pitched up in all its glory.  The grooves and synths are exuberant; lit to the nth degree.  As sublime as the sounds are, it’s the ad-libs by DJ Muscleboy, filled with personality that takes the cake: “Goddamn, that’s a muscular Jesus! / C’mon Jesus, pump the goddamn weight!” Wow – there’s nothing more to say!

Appears in 🔻:

• 10 Hella Muscular, Muscle Songs (2024) 

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6. DARKSIDE, “Liberty Bell” 

Spiral // DARKSIDE / Matador // 2021 

“Some of me could see her come into / The house of a sinner gone, now come here, too / See me alive / The me in the sin awoke / You want sin in a rose?” Um… well now… “Liberty Bell” can be described as quite the vibe by alternative duo, DARKSIDE (Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington). This highlight from Spiral (2021) commences with a spacey, enigmatic introduction. This makes the listener lean on every note that is played. Part of the charm of “Liberty Bell” is how the track evolves – how it percolates. Within the first minute, it becomes more intense, yet also stabilizes. The pacing is awesome from start to finish, never feeling like this four-minute-plus track is needlessly drawn out.  Additional pros include a colorful palette of sounds, including keys, guitar, and drums.  Furthermore, the vocal performance is enjoyable – poised, yet feels fitting. Even with the colorful palette, the minimalism of “Liberty Bell” is appreciated.  Of course, you can’t neglect to mention the songwriting, with its fair share of memorable moments:

“Like the liberty bell 

Shining in the night 

An arrow that I drew 

And a jockey dressed in black 

Blood on the racehorse 

Tell when to place the show 

Announcing my mistake.” 

All told, DARKSIDE shines on this colorful, surefire alt gem.

Appears in 🔻:

• Bell 🔔: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 76 (2023)

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7. Al Green, “Belle”

The Belle Album // Hi Records / Fat Possum // 1977

“Belle / The Lord and I’ve been friends for a mighty long time…” Al Green delivered one of the best songs of his career with “Belle”, the opener from his 1977 album, The Belle Album. “Belle” is quintessential Al Green yet makes spiritual references too. Continuing the excerpted lyrics from the first verse, Green adds, “Leaving him [God] has never ever really crossed my mind.” So, essentially, Green isn’t willing to give into Belle, whoever she is, over his salvation (“‘Cause it’s Him no matter who you are”). Woo, that man had some self-control, despite temptation being right in front of him (“Oh, it’s you that I want, but it’s Him that I need”).  Interestingly, by this time, Green had become a Christian but hadn’t transitioned to gospel.  Still, we see the Pastor struggling with sex (temptation) and being faithful and obedient to God.  The lyrics and scenarios that the Rev serves up remain memorable, including the third verse where he states “He’s [the Lord’s] my joy,” and touts his come up thanks to him (“Just a little country boy / Hey, He brought me safe thus far”).  She’s enticing, but over vintage soul production, Al says NO, thinking with his soul instead of his pants. “Belle” seems like a clear-cut pre-cursor to righteous Rev. Al Green. Even so, Green remains locked in. He’s in excellent voice, singing only as he can – a once-in-a-lifetime icon.  Saved and sanctified, that Memphis soul still flows – NO CAP!

Appears in 🔻:

• Al Green, Belle: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 20 (2022)

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8. Metallica, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”

Ride The Lightning // Blackened Recordings // 1984

“For whom the bell tolls / Time marches on / For whom the bell tolls.” With “For Whom The Bell Tolls”, iconic, Grammy-winning metal band Metallica released one of the best and most beloved songs of their illustrious career.  The gold-certified “Bells” is the third track from the band’s sextuple platinum album, Ride The Lightning, released in 1984. The song is inspired by the Ernest Hemingway novel of the same name.  The title dates back to a 17^th-century poem by John Donne. The theme and lyrics of the Metallica song are based on the Hemingway book, which is set in Spain and features the protagonist, American teacher, Robert Jordan.

The intro of “For Whom the Bell Tolls” is distinct, thanks to chiming sounds and a chromatic ‘guitar-like’ riff.  The chiming sounds are Lars Ulrich playing an anvil 🤯.  The chromatic ‘guitar-like’ riff is not guitar but Cliff Burton on bass.  The lively introduction sets the tone for this epic joint. While James Hetfield guitars during the extended intro, his first vocals appear more than two minutes in. “For Whom The Bell Tolls” comprises two verses, two choruses, and instrumental sections.  The vocal performance is spirited, while the lyrics are poetic. “For a hill, men would kill – Why? They do not know / Stiffened wounds test their pride,” Hetfield sings in the first verse, concluding, “Men of five, still alive, through the raging glow / Gone insane from the pain that they surely know.” In the second, he sings, “Blackened roar, massive, roar, fills the crumbling sky / Shattered goals fills his soul with a ruthless cry.” Woo! Besides Hetfield’s high-flying vocals and engaging lyrics, the instrumental moments ‘kick ass and take names.’ Ultimately, on “For Whom The Bell Tolls”, Metallica gifts the listeners with five minutes-plus of unforgettable badass-ness 🤘.

Appears in 🔻:

• Metallica, For Whom The Bell Tolls: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 62 (2024)

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9. David Ogden Stiers, Tony Jay, Paul Kandel, Chorus, “The Bells of Notre Dame” 

The Hunchback of Notre Dame // Disney // 1996

“Morning in Paris, the city awakes / To the bells of Notre Dame.” One of the best, most dramatic and intense soundtracks during the Disney renaissance period undoubtedly hails from The Hunchback of Notre Dame (shout out music by Alan Menken and the lyrics by Steven Schwartz). Hard to believe that The Hunchback of Notre Dame earned a G rating, isn’t it? Anyways, the crown jewel from the soundtrack is “Heaven’s Light / Hellfire” – emphasis on “Hellfire.” Even so, “The Bells of Notre Dame” is no slouch – epic in its own right.  Following the introductory Latin performed by the choir, Clopin (voiced by Paul Kandel) sings the excerpted lyrics, setting up the narrative track.  As the narrator, Clopin informs us about the gypsies with baby Quasimodo (who is deformed), fleeing from the cruel, judgmental Judge Claude Frollo (voiced by Tony Jay).  Frollo, who ends up with Quasimodo, considers him a monster and plans on killing him before the Archdeacon (voiced by David Odgen Stiers) stops the murder. Ultimately, Frollo agrees to ‘care’ for Quasimodo, who lives locked away in the bell tower of Notre Dame.  At the end, Clopin and the chorus exuberantly sing, “Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells / Bells, bells, bells, bells / Bells of Notre Dame.” “The Bells of Notre Dame” is best experienced, as opposed to analyzed. 

Appears in 🔻:

• Bell 🔔: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 76 (2023)

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10. Anita Ward, “Ring My Bell” 

Ring My Bell // 601 Music // 1979

“You can ring my bell, ring my bell / You can ring my bell, ring my bell.” Ring my bell, huh? Ah, the sexual innuendo is lit 🔥, Anita Ward. In her career, on the pop charts, Ward charted only two songs. “Don’t Drop My Love” spent just five weeks on the charts, peaking at a tepid no. 87. That is NOT considered a hit – an understatement.  Furthermore, “Don’t Drop My Love” wasn’t a success on the R&B charts either, peaking modestly at no. 52. However, “Ring My Bell”, her first charting song, spent two weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979 – that’s a big-time hit! Furthermore, “Ring My Bell” earned Ward the sole Grammy nomination of her career for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female.  It is safe to say that Ward is rightfully characterized as a one-hit wonder. 

“Ring My Bell” appeared on Ward’s second album of 1979, Songs of Love, renamed, you guessed it, Ring My Bell for its biggest hit. Written by Frederick Knight, “Ring My Bell” is sexy without crossing any lines. Glad her man is home, Ward asserts in the first verse, “Well, lay back and relax while I put away the dishes /… Then you and me can rock-a-bye.” Woo! In the second verse, “The night is young and full of possibilities,” Ward concludes, “Tonight was made for me and you.” What is clear is that the bell is going to be rung on this not-so-innocent disco gem.  Ward sings well, manages to be classy, yet also embraces pleasure. “Ring My Bell” is a rad one-hit wonder, all told. 

Appears in 🔻: 

• Anita Ward, Ring My Bell: 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏 6 (2023) 
• 13 Songs That Totally RING the Bell (2023)

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11. The 5^th Dimension, “Wedding Bell Blues”

The Age of Aquarius // Sony Music Entertainment // 1969 

“Bill, I love you so, I always will / I look at you and see the passion eyes of May.” Was Marilyn McCoo singing to her future husband, Billy Davis Jr. on “Wedding Bell Blues”? Yes. Both members of the iconic, eclectic soul collective were engaged when the song was released.  But, this beloved The 5^th Dimension classic is a cover 🤯.  “Wedding Bell Blues” was written and originally performed by the late Laura Nyro (1947 – 1997). Nyro, a fantastic songwriter, provided the Grammy-winning soul collective with several songs with “Wedding Bell Blues” earning top honors.  ‘Bill’ was the potential groom addressed in her original. Still, Marilyn addressing her eventual husband (they married the same year) is an irresistibly sweet storyline. The fourth track from the collective’s 1969 album, The Age of Aquarius, earned them their second no. 1 hit following their ‘ace-in-the-hole,’ “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)”.

The songwriting is marvelous.  Laura Nyro was ‘the stuff,’ and, rightfully, posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Oh, but am I ever gonna see my wedding day?” McCoo asks, adding, “I’d never scheme or lie, Bill, there’s been no fooling / But kisses and love won’t carry me till you marry me, Bill.” Bill had to marry Marilyn – it was inevitable! Notably, Davis Jr. and McCoo would have success as a duo post-5^th Dimension.  Besides urging Bill to “take those wedding vows,” the musicianship of “Wedding Bell Blues” shines. It’s groovy and ‘sunny’ from the get-go.  The piano is crucial to the accompaniment.  Additionally, sweet orchestration ups the ante – soaring strings, bright, biting horns, and mallets. The lead vocals are authentic, commanding, fun, and playful.  The 5^th Dimensions backing vocals are assertive – a fabulous response to the lead. With tuneful melodies and encouraging matrimony (“Oh, come on Bill” and “Come on and marry me, Bill / I got the wedding bell blues”), “Wedding Bell Blues” was an inevitable chart-topper on the pop charts.

Appears in 🔻:

• The 5^th Dimension, Wedding Bell Blues: Covers No. 29 (2024)
• 13 Songs Filled with the Blues (2024)

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11 Marvelous, Bell-Ringing BELL 🛎️ Songs (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; 601 Music, Alda Music, Blackened Recordings, Capitol, DARKSIDE, Dead Oceans, Disney, DJ Muscleboy, Fat Possum, Hi Records, Matador, Warner; OpenClipart-Vectors, Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay]

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