11 MORE Excellent Songs You’ll Totally Believe In

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11 MORE Excellent Songs You’ll Totally Believe In features music from The Doobie Brothers, Kanye West, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Mary J. Blige, and Whitney Houston.

Despite plenty of reasons not to, 🎙 Mary J. Blige asserts, “I still believe in love.” Years prior to her 2023 single (approaching 60 years prior) 🎙 The Lovin’ Spoonful asked, “Do you believe in magic 🪄 in a young girl’s heart?” Well, do ya? And, of course, many times, belief and believing have come into play spiritually, with gospel singer 🎙 Darrell Luster singing, “I never saw it, but I believe for me He died.” 🎧 11 MORE Excellent Songs You’ll Totally Believe In serves as a follow-up to the musical compendium, 11 Excellent Songs You’ll Totally Believe In (2020). On this BELIEF-filled list, there’s music courtesy of 🎙 The Doobie Brothers, 🎙 Kanye West, 🎙 The Lovin’ Spoonful, 🎙 Mary J. Blige, and 🎙 Whitney Houston among others. So, without further ado, let’s make you all BELIEVERS 🙌… in this list, at least 😜!

1. Mary J. Blige, “Still Believe in Love” (Ft. Vado)

🎵 “Still Believe in Love” • 🏷 Beautiful Life Music • 🗓 2023

“Well, it’s a whole new day, a whole new wave / Ain’t worried ‘bout nothing.” Woo – that’s right, 🎙 Mary J. Blige! The 🏆 Grammy-winning Queen of Hip-hop soul embraces positivity on her feel-good single, 🎵 “Still Believe In Love”. She’s assisted by Harlem rapper 🎙 Vado for the assist. Vado is the first voice heard on this exuberant single produced by 🎛 DJ Cassidy and Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman. Helping to fuel ⛽️ his fire 🔥, as well as Mary’s is a sample – 🎵 “C.O.D. (I’ll Deliver)” courtesy of 🎙 Mtume (1984). Those old-school, 1980s vibes are fitting for a Queen!

heart thought bubble Following a fab verse by Vado (“Was times I would F they minds before I pipe ‘em / Make ‘em feel like the love of my life before I psych ‘em), Mary J. Blige gets to work 💪. As always, she brings the heat vocally. The melodies are tuneful and often, rhythm. There’s the hip-hop! “I been thinkin’ of the time I wasted / I been lookin’ in all the wrong places for love.” Despite going through a hard time, she exhibits great optimism regarding L-O-V-E ❤️ ❤️ ❤️, specifically in the chorus, which highlights the titular lyric. Even in the third verse, Blige believes in the possibilities of love, but “demand(s) a guy to treat me like the queen that I be.” WORD! Vado gets an additional verse… or bridge? Regardless of how you label the section, his flow remains potent. Most importantly, “Honey, you’re still the baddest.” Indeed, Mary J. Blige is, Vado. Furthermore, 🎵 “Still Believe In Love” is a pleasant, well-performed and well-produced contemporary R&B joint.

2. The Doobie Brothers, “What A Fool Believes”

💿 Minute by Minute • 🏷 Warner • 📅 1978   

“But what a fool believes, he sees / No wise man has the power to reason away.” One of the more soulful pop groups you’ll encounter in music history are 🎙 The Doobie Brothers. These dudes can just flat out ‘sang.’ Of course, one of the key pieces of is none other than 🎙 Michael McDonald, who many of us still can’t believe he’s white, haha.  Why? Because the man is soul-a-fied to the nth degree, particularly handling those lead vocals on the song at hand, 🎵 “What a Fool Believes.” “What a Fool Believes” ranks among the most popular songs by the collective, hailing from their 1978 classic, 💿 Minute by Minute.  Worth noting, Doobie Brothers won the highly coveted 🏆 Grammy for Record of the Year, rightfully for this masterpiece.  

“What a Fool Believes” is epic for a host of reasons.  As aforementioned, when Michael McDonald is your lead vocalist, nothing else needs to be said.  Add in incredibly vocal harmonies from the rest of the group, and heaven just might be a Doobie Brothers song to be honest! Beyond the vocals, add the production work (🎛 Ted Templeton), which is quite compelling.  It’s a fine combination of soft rock and blue-eyed soul with the keys, guitar, bass, and drums.  Of course, the final piece of the puzzle is songwriting (McDonald and 🎼 ✍ Kenny Loggins).  The verses are sweet, capturing the tale of these two lovers.  The pre-chorus is incredibly tuneful, as McDonald asserts, “She had a place in his life / He never made her think twice…” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, excerpted at the top and continued in all its glory below:     

“… What seems to be 

Is always better than nothing 

Than nothing at all.”  

Appears in 🔻:  

3. Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston, “When You Believe”

💿 The Prince of Egypt (Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 📅 1998 

“There can be miracles when you believe / Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill.” Amen, 🎙 Mariah Carey and 🎙 Whitney Houston! Please, ladies, continue, won’t you with your uplifting musical sermon? “Who knows what miracles, you can achieve / When you believe, somehow you will / You will when you believe.” Yes, yes, yes! It should come as no surprise that 🎵 “When You Believe”, from the 1998 animated motion picture, 🎦 The Prince of Egypt, won the Academy Award for 🏆 Best Original Song. No, the two, gifted divas that performed the end-title duet version weren’t awarded, but decorated songwriter 🎼 ✍ Stephen Schwartz was victorious, deservedly so. “When You Believe” is all about the power of faith.  What better way to sing about faith than to have two of the most gifted singers of all time duet? 🎛 Babyface produces this powerhouse rendition.

clapping emoji Whitney Houston is the first voice we hear, setting the tone for the first verse and of course, the tuneful chorus.  Essentially, Houston sings about ample prayer, with little evidence prayers would be answered.  Still, because of faith, even when it seemed like there was no reason to believe, ultimately, “We were moving mountains long before we knew we could.” In the second verse, Mariah Carey echoes the sentiment, asserting, “Hope seems like the summer birds / Too swiftly flown away.” Despite the adversity, she goes on to state, “My heart’s so full, I can’t explain / Seeking faith and speaking words / I never thought I’d say.”  Houston and Carey join forces the rest of the time, inspiring with what can be deemed unshakable faith: “A small but still resilient voice, says ‘Help is very near!’” Nearly 25 years after its debut, “When You Believe” remains one of the greatest pop duets of all time. Furthermore, it’s an awesome testament to faith.  Now that is a better lift than you can get at the gym, any day! Worth noting, the duet also appears on Houston’s 1998 album, 💿 My Love is Your Love and Carey’s 💿 Greatest Hits (2001).      

Appears in 🔻:  

4. Kanye West, “Believe What I Say”

💿 Donda • 🏷 Getting Out Our Dreams II / Def Jam • 📅 2021

“Don’t let that lifestyle drag you down /… One last sparkle to follow in my light.”  🎵 “Believe What I Say” marks one of the more memorable songs from 💿 Donda, the 2021 album by the ever-colorful, Grammy-winning rapper/producer, 🎙 Kanye West. Something that provides “Believe What I Say” a serious lift is another 🏆 Grammy-winning artist, 🎙 Lauryn Hill.  No, Hill doesn’t record fresh, brand-new vocals, but sampling her beloved classic, 🎵 “Doo Wop (That Thing)” was genius. West and the production team (🎛 Ojivolta, FnZ, BoogzDaBeast, and Dem Jointz) do wonders with the sample, delivering a groovy, legit hit from this gargantuan LP.  The chorus is golden:

“Don’t let, don’t let the lifestyle drag you down

Who knows when was the last time you felt the love

One last sparkle to follow in my light

One last sparkle to follow.”

West’s verses are equal draws, including the bullet, “People sayin’ tweetin’ gonna make you die early / How ‘bout have my heart hurtin’? / Hold it all inside, that could make you die early /Go on and get your best attorney.” Also, give Ye credit for tapping 🎙 Buju Banton for the bridge 💪. 

5. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Gotta Believe”

💿 10 Years of Tasha • 🏷 Capitol CMG, Inc. • 📅 2023

Let the church say yes! Gospel singer 🎙 Tasha Cobbs Leonard dropped an inspirational single in 2021, 🎵 “Gotta Believe”. While Cobbs Leonard keeps things brief, this sub-three-minute record is potent and incredibly spiritual. “I gotta believe / There is goodness around the corner / And something better is in store for me.” Amen! Cobbs Leonard gives listeners exactly what they need – encouragement. The big takeaway from this record is about being encouraged, particularly when things aren’t going well. Cobbs Leonard, who also wrote the song, wants everyone to know that ‘life happens’ (“There’s a reason for all these tears”) but eventually, there’ll be resolution (“There’s an answer to these prayers”). One of the most powerful, moving lyrics is when Tasha sings in the chorus, “There’s a rainbow behind the clouds / The sun is bursting out.” Even if you aren’t a person of immense faith, these prudent words should move you. Besides the thoughtful lyricism and fine vocals by Tasha, the sound of the record, the production (by 🎛 Kenneth Leonard, Jr.) is great. Excellent touches include choral vocals, horns, keys, and the standard, contemporary gospel sound palette. All in all, Tasha ‘gets the job done’ on “Gotta Believe,” which ultimately appears on her 2023 compilation, 💿 10 Years of Tasha.

6. iann dior, “don’t wanna believe”

🎵 Still Here – Single • 🏷 10K Projects • 📅 2021

🎙 iann dior is part of a new breed of pop artist that has a hip-hop vibe. His profile was greatly elevated on the former no. 1 hit, 🎵 “Mood”, where he served as the featured guest to🎙 24kGoldn. Dior makes great records himself including the brief 🎵 “don’t wanna believe”. “Don’t wanna believe” finds dior blessing us with his great sense of melody. The standard, urban-pop guitars signal those melodic vibes, which dior ultimately obliges us with. I ❤️ the rhythmic nature of the melody and appreciate the fact that iann maintains a buttery smooth delivery. Besides great vocals, and that rhythmic yet smooth melodic line, the listener is also blessed with a catchy, well-rounded chorus, which serves as the centerpiece of the record:

“She don’t wanna believe that it ended how it did

When I told her to leave, had to tell her what it is

She was stuck in a dream, thinking that it’d never end

You can blame it on me, you can blame it on me.”

Finally, we can’t leave out the fine production work by 🎛 Nick Mira, Taz Taylor, and Adawg 💪. Honestly, there’s lots to love about “don’t wanna believe,” a record you leave buying what iann dior is selling.

7. Whitney Houston, “I Believe in You and Me”

💿 The Preacher’s Wife • 🏷 Arista • 🗓 1996

“I believe in you, and me / I believe that we will be / In love eternally / Well, as far as I can see.” Those lyrics hail from 🎵 “I Believe in You and Me”, one of the highlights from 💿 The Preacher’s Wife (Original Soundtrack album). Released in 1996, the iconic 🎙 Whitney Houston remained in her best voice, tearing up her soundtrack era! This gem, written by 🎼 ✍ Sandy Linzer and David Wolfert, was tailor made for her expressive, nuanced, and powerhouse pipes, PERIOD. Or was it? Well, this bop is a COVER 🤯 🤯 🤯! Another legendary R&B act, 🎙 The Four Tops, recorded it originally in 1982 on their album, 💿 One More Mountain. The song wasn’t a pop success, and honestly, it was only modestly successful on the R&B charts. Then, came Whitney!

Bitmoji Image Another rousing success, “I Believe in You and Me” earned Whitney Houston another top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at no. 4 in 1997. Furthermore, the single was certified platinum – DEFINITELY a big deal. Adding to the accolades, Houston was nominated for two 🏆 Grammys – Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, specifically for “I Believe in You and Me,” and Best R&B Album for The Preacher’s Wife. The voice is a huge reason why “I Believe in You and Me” is so epic. Houston shows poise and, also, ups the ante, rising to the occasion. Her melismatic moments are breathtaking – truly awe inspiring. The source material, by Linzer and Wolfert, is well-penned instrumentally (tuneful) and lyrically (memorable). The dedication is lit 🔥 to say the least:

“I will never leave your side

I will never hurt your pride

When all the chips are down, ha

I will always be around

Just to be right where you are

My love, oh, you know I love you, boy.”

Yes, yes, yes, girl! Nothing more needs to be said. 🎵 “I Believe in You and Me” = another iconic Whitney Houston moment.

Appears in 🔻:

Whitney Houston, I Believe in You and Me: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 5 (2023)

8. The Lovin’ Spoonful, “Do You Believe in Magic?”

💿 Do you Believe in Magic • 🏷 BMG Heritage • 🗓 1965

Question: “Do you believe in magic 🪄 in a young girl’s heart?” Yes, we do, 🎙 The Lovin’ Spoonful! “How the music can free her whenever it starts?” The American folk-rock band has a few hits to their name with 🎵 “Do You Believe in Magic” ranking among their biggest and best known. A top-10 single from the collective’s debut LP, 💿 Do You Believe in Magic, “Do You Believe in Magic” peaked at no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record was penned by 🎼 ✍ John B. Sebastian, who also sings lead on the exuberant, feel-good pop classic. Although brief, “Do You Believe in Magic” is potent. It was once used in McDonald’s commercials after all, among others. Also, the anthem is a popular soundtrack for an assortment of films.

love you heaps “I’ll tell you about the magic 🪄, and it’ll free your soul,” Sebastian sings near the end of the first verse, continuing, “But it’s like tryin’ to tell a stranger ‘bout-a rock ‘n’ roll.” Word 🤘! Magic 🪄 and music 🎶 are intertwined throughout “Do You Believe in Magic.” That’s a big part of the – wait for it – MAGIC 🪄. “If you believe in magic, don’t bother to choose / If it’s jug band music or rhythm and blues.” WOO! Besides the magical lyrics and strong vocals from John B. Sebastian, the music rocks too. The groove is consistent and strong from the jump. There’s a winning guitar 🎸solo – 🤘. The instrumentation, overall, successfully bridges folk, pop, and rock. Honestly, deep analysis is not necessary. The magic 🪄 of 🎵 “Do You Believe in Magic” speaks for itself.

Appears in 🔻:

The Lovin’ Spoonful, Do You Believe in Magic: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 166 (2023)

9. James Blake, “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow”

💿 Assume Form • 🏷 Polydor Ltd. UK • 📅 2019

“I can’t believe the way you showed everyone / Couldn’t they see what you could do, everyone?” The ultra-soulful 🎵 “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow” ranks among the crowning achievements of 💿 Assume Form, the 2019 album by 🏆 Grammy-winning musician, 🎙 James Blake. Blake impresses with his radiant, warm vocals, delivered with incredible tenderness. Furthermore, his production alongside 🎛 Oneohtrix Point Never and Dom Maker is a vibe in its own right. The record samples the 🎙 The Manhattans’ 1977 soul record, 🎵 “It Feels So Good to Be Loved So Bad”. The lyrics are simple, while love and romance are at an all-time high 🥰. “I could’ve used you in the early days,” Blake asserts in the second verse, continuing, “Well, it’s been such a long, long, long, time.” Fittingly, James verified the lyrics and meaning of “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow.” The centerpiece, unsurprisingly, is the chorus:

“I can’t believe the way we flow

I can’t believe the way we live together

I can’t believe the way we flow

I can’t believe the way we flow.”

10. Johnnie Taylor, I Believe in You (You Believe in Me)

💿 Taylored in Silk • 🏷 Stax / Concord • 🗓 1973

“I feel sorry for any man out there / When he can’t look around and say / ‘This is my woman, my woman alone.’” Woo! How did The Philosopher of Soul, the late, great 🎙 Johnnie Taylor (1934 – 2000), never win a 🏆 Grammy? What a tragedy and a travesty! Taylor just missed the top-10 on the Billboard Hot 100 with his no. 11 hit, 🎵 “I Believe In You (You Believe In Me)”. “I Believe in You (You Believe in Me),” which was was written and produced by 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Don Davis, appears as the fifth track on his 1973 album, 💿 Taylored in Silk.

Ultimately, Johnnie Taylor has a woman he can fully believe in, invest in, and trust. You might say the bond that they have is “Solid as a rock”! “People talking, trying to pull us apart, no / Always ticking pins and needles in both of our hearts,” Taylor sings, adding “But our love together, don’t care about no stormy weather.” He follows up those lyrics with the titular lyrics – the centerpiece: “I believe in you / You believe in me too.” Like many soul songs of the 1970s, the backdrop – the production – is ear catching, led by the electric piano and of course the colorful, smooth orchestration. What makes “I Believe in You (You Believe in Me)” interesting is how the verses are written – a bit nontraditionally. This unorthodox approach, coupled with a stellar, tuneful melody is part of the charm of the record. Of course, Taylor is a beast on the vocals – oozing with authenticity and soul. Even though others have bad intentions for the love on 🎵 “I Believe In You (You Believe In Me)”, him and his lady won’t be broken up given their belief in each other 😍. Believe in the sheer excellence of this early 70s gem 💪.

Appears in 🔻:

Johnnie Taylor, I Believe In You (You Believe In Me): Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 119 (2023)

11. Darrell Luster, “I Believe He Died For Me”

💿 We Need a Revival • 🏷 Malaco, Inc. • 📅 2015

“I never saw it, but I believe for me He died.” Those words are incredibly powerful. Furthermore, those powerful words highlight faith – believing in something that you can’t and didn’t visibly see. So many inspirational and uplifting songs place emphasis on this blind faith, a concept that isn’t always easy for the most devout, pious believer, let alone someone who considers themselves to be more rational. Nonetheless, the poetic, powerful lyrics of 🎵 “I Believe He Died for Me”, written by 🎼 ✍ Colbert Croft and Joyce Croft (originally recorded by 🎙 The Hoppers), cannot be written off (“I never saw the cross He carried up to Calvary’s hill, I never saw the precious blood that my Savior spilled”).

amen Among the best renditions of “I Believe He Died for Me” comes from 🎙 Charles Johnson & The Revivers. On “I Believe He Died for Me,” 🎙 Darrell Luster sings the lead. Luster recorded the record on his 2015 album, 💿 We Need a Revival. He gives a performance that exhibits control, shows incredible expression, and ultimately makes the soul feel incredibly happy and lifted. Of course, the music and text are thanks to the Crofts highlighting Jesus’ death and resurrection for the sins of the world. The best moment is the chorus, which shines even more because it features the highest notes melodically.

“Ev’ry step He too to Calvary,

And ev’ry drop of blood He shed, He shed for me

There’s a lot of things that I cannot see, oh no,

But I believe when Jesus died, he died for me.”

Appears in 🔻:

11 MORE Excellent Songs You’ll Totally Believe In (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 10K Projects, Arista, Beautiful Life Music, BMG Heritage, Capitol CMG, Inc., Concord, Def Jam, Getting Out Our Dreams II, Malaco, Inc., Polydor Ltd. UK, Stax, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner; Daniela Jakob from Pixabay]

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Published by the musical hype on November 8, 2023November 8, 2023