11 Not-So-Weak Songs Associated with Weakness | Playlist 🎧

1. Black Atlass, “Weak”

Dream Awake • XO / Republic • 2020

“I don’t wanna wait too long / To get your body in my arms.” Ooh la la! “Weak,” the ninth track from Dream Awake, clocks in shy of three minutes.  Brief it may be, it’s a Black Atlass (Alex Fleming) record that’s sexy as hell – NO CAP!  On the second verse, Fleming coolly sings, “Only had you a couple times / But you’re my fuckin’ star / I don’t wanna close my eyes / While I’m watchin’ you perform.” The chorus is simple and repetitive, but he nails his ‘weakness’ when singing in that falsetto… day-um.

“‘Cause you got me weak, yeah
You got me weak
‘Cause you got me weak
You got me weak.”

2. Tove Lo, “Passion and Pain Taste the Same When I’m Weak”

Bikini Porn – Single • Universal Music AB • 2020

“If you break my bones, I’ma hurt my soul / Gonna fuck it out again and again.” “Passion and Pain Taste the Same When I’m Weak” – what a song title!  This four-minute ballad is a nice change of pace for Swedish alternative pop artist Tove Lo. Vocally, she sounds particularly strong, even when various effects come into play. The verses are pretty sweet, but the most interesting sections are by far the chorus, the post-chorus, and the interludes, which find her failing to finish certain words (“If you break my bones, if you br—…”). The production is quite awesome, thanks to FINNEAS.  All in all, “Passion and Pain Taste the Same When I’m Weak” is a winner, thanks to the sound, high-flying vocals, and some truly intriguing songwriting moments.

3. Rod Wave, “No Weakness”

Pray 4 Love • Alamo • 2020

Rod Wave has quickly seen his star ascend, period. Quite young, the 21-year old has managed to release two albums, beginning with Ghetto Gospel (2019) and Pray 4 Love (2020).  Pray 4 Love has ignited the Billboard 200 throughout 2020 and serves as the source for the anti-WEAK song, “No Weakness.” “And me don’t want love, love is for the weak man, yeah / Me cannot trust, me cannot depend.”

Honestly, there’s nothing that’s particularly weak about the song “No Weakness” itself.  Rod Wave sings with incredible ease, showcasing a beautiful, mellow voice.  That doesn’t make “No Weakness” particularly soft, as Wave is authentic, candid, and honest throughout, which is part of his charm and draw as an artist.  He’s experience pain in the past, and he’s damn sure not to play into it anymore, particularly at the expense of love.

“I don’t shed tears anymore, ‘cause love don’t live here anymore
I’m sorry, baby girl, I got to go, whether if you like it or you don’t
‘Cause I’ve been here too many times before, yeah.”

4. Flo Milli, “Weak”

Ho, why is you here? • Flo Milli • 2020

Ho, why is you here? Now that’s certainly a memorable album title Flo Milli.  Furthermore, the female rapper drops a dope, memorable song with “Weak.” There’s nothing weak about her or her flow on this SWV-sampling gem.  Basically, she asserts these men are thirsty AF, and she’s not running after them in the least.  She’s more concerned about her money – her bag – than sex or a relationship.  The chorus is pretty sweet.

“These n***as weak (Eww)
They’ve been textin’ me all week
Just let me be (Let me go)
Blowin’ me up, I’m tryna sleep
I ain’t your freak (Stupid n***a)
So don’t be callin’ after three
I do what these bitches don’t
That’s why they’re runnin’ back to me.”

5. AJR, “Weak”

The Click (Deluxe Edition) • BMG Rights Management • 2018

“But I’m weak, and what’s wrong with that? / Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that.” Oh the self-deprecation! The song that help to popularize AJR was anything but “Weak” – depending on who you ask! The New York trio (Adam Met, Jack Met, and Ryan Met), comprised of three brothers, have become noted for a millennial-style of alt-pop, perfectly exemplified on this standout from their 2016 album The Click (the deluxe edition arrived in 2018). Some love them, while others are quick to pan them.  What is clear is, these boys are so WEAK!

“One sip, bad for me
One hit, bad for me
One kiss, bad for me
But I give in so easily
And no thank you is how it should’ve gone
I should stay strong.”

6. Whitechapel, “Forgiveness is Weakness”

The Valley • Metal Blade • 2019

“He is finally dead / Come celebrate this day / It was slow and full of pain / Good riddance…” Wow! Tennessee metal (deathcore) collective Whitechapel, fronted by Phil Bozeman, has graced The Musical Hype a couple of times.  In their respective appearances, they’ve tackled a serial killer (Jack the Ripper), as well doom more recently on the playlist, 13 Gripping Songs Filled with Doom (“Doom Woods”). “Doom Woods,” as well as the ‘forgiving’ song earning a spot on this list, “Forgiveness is Weakness,” hails from the band’s 2019 album, The Valley. As the aforementioned excerpted lyrics from the chorus suggest, Bozeman isn’t forgiving anybody anytime soon.

Examine more of the lyrics from “Forgiveness is Weakness” and Phil Bozeman and company clearly believe that forgiveness is weakness.  Instead, there’s a sense of vindictiveness.  “Revenge is sweet but so is disease / When it turns you into a slave,” Bozeman sings on the first verse, continuing, “Gather your friends and your family / So they can watch me spit and piss on your grave.” Damn! On the second verse, him and his family want to celebrate the death (“Let us have this moment / He’s finally dead”), while on the bridge, he asserts, “Dig the casket from the dirt / You don’t deserve to be one with the earth.”  From a musical standpoint, “Forgiveness is Weakness” is quite brutal sounding – filled with anger, angst, and loud to the nth degree.  The drums punch you right in the chest, while the guitars roar passionately – in a most vindictive way. “Forgiveness is Weakness” previously appeared on 13 Songs That Explore the Power of Forgiveness.

7. Lennon Stella, “Weakness (Huey Lewis)”

Ft. Maisy Stella

Three. Two. One. • Records Label, LLC / Columbia • 2020

Canadian pop artist and actress Lennon Stella quietly released her debut album, Three. Two. One. in 2020. Many may best remember Stella for her role on the musical television series, Nashville. An early encounter I personally had with Stella’s music was her eyebrow-raising single, “BITCH (takes one to know one)”, which appeared on my 13 Totally Bitchin’ Songs playlist published in 2019. It didn’t end up making Three. Two. One., but the ‘WEAK’ song “Weakness (Huey Lewis)” does make the cut featuring her sister, Maisy Stella.

“Weakness (Huey Lewis)” is a gorgeous record, first and foremost. Both Lennon Stella and Maisy Stella sound absolutely amazing on their respective performances.  There’s no question about how talented either is.  That said, “Weakness” is by far the most ambitious number on Three. Two. One. due to its length – nearly eight minutes! A two-part song, “Weakness” is actually only the first part of the song. It opens with an intro before settling into the collaboration with Maisy.  The sisters properly duet together on the final chorus.

“But when your eyes are leaking
That’s my weakness
When your smile’s in pieces
That’s when I feel it all...”

The second part of the song, “Huey Lewis,” is all Lennon Stella, continuing to sing gorgeously, and delivering some cool vocal effects/production in the process.  “Huey Lewis” sounds quite fresh; modern by all means.

8. Felly, “Weak Hearts”

Mariposa • Same Plate / Sony Music Entertainment • 2020

In case you aren’t familiar with him, Felly (Christian Felner) is an American rapper and singer. The 25-year old heartthrob (his IG is 🔥, with a couple shirtless shots, haha) is a graduate of USC, so he’s certainly no dumb-dumb. In 2020, he released his second studio album, Maripsosa. Earning a spot on this totally WEAK playlist is the opening song, “Weak Hearts.”

“Weak Hearts” is characteristic of what Felly seeks to represent artistically.  He gives us hazy-sounding melodic vocals for the majority of the record.  Musically, the backdrop is beachy, jazzy, and soulful – ear catching for sure.  Besides those weakly, hazy-sounding vocals, we also hear him bust a rhyme on the second verse, which is a welcome contrast and shows his artistic versatility. Perhaps the record is more acquired taste than universally acclaimed bop, but there’s definitely hella vibes going down – NO CAP!

“Weak hearts don’t come around, no, not ‘round here
Speak up, you might well say how you feel
Cheap love, designer drugs, and dollar bills
Sweetheart, it’s not enough, we’re all in Hell.”

9. James Arthur, “At My Weakest”

“You Deserve Better / At My Weakest” [Single] • Sony Music Entertainment • 2018

“At My Weakest” was released as a single in 2018 by British pop artist, James Arthur. Set in a lilting, six-eight meter, Arthur exhibits soulful pop balladry, nailing his vocal performance, and showing ample versatility. He sings in his lower register initially, eventually ascending into his middle and upper register.  By the memorable chorus, he showcases his full range of power, supported by soulful backing vocals that match his intensity.  There is NO WEAKNESS whatsoever when it comes to the performance!

“Oh, here I go, down that road
Again, and again the fool rushin’ in
But I can’t help when I feel some kind of way
Do you feel the same? ‘Course
And I fall, I fall for you
You caught me at my weakest
And I’ll fall for you.”

Also, worth noting is the fact that he gives us a dose of falsetto. After keeping things ‘bassy’ early on, Arthur sings higher on the second verse, residing in his middle/mid-upper register.  His best, most dynamic moment occurs on the bridge, as the love’s got him feeling some type of way (“Love, you gonna-gonna hold on me / Tell me what you gonna do to me”). “At My Weakest” inarguably shows off Arthur’s sick set of pipes.

10. Winds of Plague, “Decimate the Weak”

Decimate the Weak • Century Media • 2008

Keeping it 💯, “Decimate the Weak” was a late ‘weak’ addition to 11 NOT-SO-WEAK SONGS ASSOCIATED WITH WEAKNESS.  With one metal joint already secured (Whitechapel, “Forgiveness is Weakness”), why not bring even more fire and spirit to the mix? Winds of Plague certainly exhibit ample energy on the title track from their 2008 studio album, no questions asked!

Honestly, “Decimate the Weak” plays out like a death-, doom-driven cut should.  There are aggressive, unclean vocals, angular, jagged guitar lines, and the full-fledged embracement of those utterly hellish, minor keys.  There are also some pretty badass musical shifts that keep the listeners firmly engaged into what Winds of Plague are serving up.  Of course, it’s the lyrics that affirm there’s nothing the least bit heavenly, or weak for that matter, regarding this track.

“I am sent from hell
Your worst fears brought to life
I am sent from hell
The fields will turn into flesh.”

11. SWV, “Weak”

It’s About Time • BMG Entertainment • 1992

“I get so weak in the knees, I can hardly speak (I lose) / I lose all control, and something takes over me (Control, takes over me).” There is no better way to cap off a weak playlist than one of the greatest, ‘weak songs’ of them all – “Weak.” “Weak” was a 1990s R&B classic by SWV – Sisters With Voices.  Those ‘sisters’ – Cheryl “Coko” Gamble, LeAnne “Lelee” Lyons, and Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George – took “Weak” to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1993. Impressive!

Written and produced by Brian Alexander Morgan, “Weak” wasn’t originally intended for SWV. Written about the songwriter/producer’s crush on Chante Moore, Moore opted against recording it, apparently because of Morgan’s feelings. Regardless, the record ended up in the right hands as it is absolutely timeless.  The vocals sound amazing, the lyrics and melody are gorgeous, and even as it approaches 30 years old, this is still a truly special record.  Just to show how special, JoJo recorded a cover on her 2004 self-titled debut album, later rerecorded following her label issues (JoJo – 2018).  Sunday Service Choir (associated with Kanye West, of course) got into the weakness – rather lack thereof – recording a gospel version of the song on their 2019 album, Jesus is Born. Of course, we all know, “Weak” by SWV is the one to beat, and always will be.