Playlist “11 Songs About Lips, Mouth & Tongue” features music courtesy of Chris Brown, Imagine Dragons, MNEK, and The xx among others.

Believe it or not, 11 Songs About Lips, Mouth & Tongue isn’t the first evergreen piece/playlist on The Musical Hype associated with the body, sigh.  Previously, we examined 33 Album Covers Where the Men Show Some Skin (published before the Lil Xan album arrived) and 17 Songs Associated with the Body.  All that to say that The Musical Hype supports anatomy…or something like that.  Regardless, this round the attention is focused on the lips, the mouth, and the tongue. There are three songs about lips, three songs about the mouth, and five songs about the tongue.  Artists featured on this playlist include Chris Brown, Imagine Dragons, MNEK, and The xx.

1. MNEK, “Tongue”

Tongue – Single • Virgin • 2018

23-year old rising English dance, pop, and R&B artist MNEK showcases massive potential on his utterly infectious single, “Tongue”.“Tongue” begins abruptly with MNEK showcasing the beauty of his voice. He possesses a gorgeous tone and a compelling falsetto, particularly on the pre-chorus section.  A surprising change of pace occurs on the chorus, where he begins singing in his lower register, in somewhat tongue in cheek fashion. Ultimately, it’s this part of the song that’s the crowning achievement of “Tongue.”

“So, I’m putting both hands over my mouth
I can only hope nothing’s gonna come out
But there it is on the tip of my tongue
(I think I love you)
I think you’re the one
I’m putting both hands over my mouth
I can only hope nothing’s gonna come out
But there it is on the tip of my tongue
(I think I love you)
I think you’re the one.”

2. Maroon 5, “Lips on You”

Red Pill Blues • Interscope • 2017

Yes, Maroon 5 has changed dramatically over the years, happily embracing and infusing trendy pop into their music.  Honestly, doesn’t the band feel like more of an Adam Levine solo project? That’s a debate or discussion for another day and a different forum. “Lips on You” is one of those better records from the band’s 2017 album, Red Pill Blues.  “Lips on You” oozes with personality and of course, sex. It’s not ‘the second coming,’ but it’s well-executed and fits Levine perfectly.

“When I put my lips on you
You feel the shivers go up and down your spine for me
Make you cry for me
When I put my lips on you.”

3. The Wombats, “Cheetah Tongue”

Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life • The Wombats • 2018

“You won me over / My orange cola got black flamingoes crying for ya.” The Wombats kick off their 2018 album, Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life, with a bang. Instrumentally, “Cheetah Tongue” is dynamic, chocked-full of energy.  As captivating as the music is itself, the quirky lyrics, filled with wordplay, are the main attraction.  According to NME, frontman Matthew ‘Murph’ Murphy asserts, “[Cheetah Tongue] is a song about dealing with the pressures of adulthood and failing miserably.”

“I cut off my head and my cheetah tongue
I can’t think straight and my mouth is numb
Don’t shut your eyes till we fade to black
Cause maybe this time the good stuff could last.”

4. Imagine Dragons, “Mouth of the River”

Evolve • Interscope • 2017

There’s lots to like about Imagine Dragons, namely the dynamic, energetic nature of their music.  The biggest hits, such as the Grammy-winning “Radioactive”, are legit. However, by the arrival of album number three, Evolve, the alternative rock band can be ‘hit or miss.’ “Mouth of the River” gives Dan Reynolds and companya ‘no harm, no foul’ moment. It’s enjoyable and well-produced, but not necessarily memorable or transcendent.  Still, the falsetto is superb as is the chorus.

“Oh, the mouth of the river
And the wrath of the giver
With the hands of a sinner
Oh, the mouth of the river.”

5. Chris Brown, “Bite My Tongue”

Heartbreak on a Full Moon • RCA • 2017

“It’s getting hard to bite my tongue / Making me feel so dumb / Can’t explain it, feel so numb…” There’s a little bit of everything on Heartbreak on a Full Moon, the 45-track (57 in an absurd expanded Cuffing Season – 12 Days of Christmas edition) album released by Chris Brown in 2017.  Safe to say, when this gargantuan effort arrived, it was way too much material – furthermore too much Chris Brown – to digest in one setting.  Therefore, the 37th track, “Bite My Tongue” definitely ‘falls by the wayside’ on this exhaustive project.  Basically, Brown asserts he won’t bite his tongue because he wants to profess his love for her.

“Girl, I’m not tryna kiss and run
I shoot it off like a gun
Bang, bang, I would kill for you, I live for the thrill of you
And I’ma not tryna do you wrong.”

6. The xx, “Lips”

I See You • Young Turks • 2017

Jamie “xx” Smith, Romy Madley Croft, and Oliver Sim make up quite the alternative trio as The xx. I See You was easily one of the best albums of 2017, particularly singles “Say Something Loving” and “On Hold”. Croft leads the singing charge on the first verse of the low-key “Lips.” Amazingly, “Lips” packs a punch without breaking a sweat.  Sim, predictably, kicks off the second verse, maintaining the poise of his partner-in-crime.  Perhaps “Lips” floats as opposed to being assertive and dynamic, it’s definitely pleasant.

7. Young the Giant, “Silvertongue”

Home of the Strange • Fueled by Ramen • 2016

Alternative band Young the Giant, led by frontman Sameer Gadhia, delivered a superb, eclectic effort with their third studio album, Home of the Strange, which was released in 2016. One of the best songs from Home of the Strange is “Silvertongue,” which is simply infectious as well as lustful. Danceable and characterized by retro cues, “Silvertongue” stands out upon the first listen. The bass line is epic.

“Oh, girl, I’ve got that silver tongue
Got, got that silver, silver tongue
Drives you into delirium
Got, got that silver, got that silver tongue.”

8. 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…

9. Jack White, “Trash Tongue Talker”

Blunderbuss • Columbia • 2012

“Your mama was a bastard/ Had your plastered face all over the scene…” Sigh, one of the best lines from “Trash Tongue Talker,” a record that appears from Blunderbuss, the Grammy-nominated solo debut album by Jack White.  “Trash Tongue Talker” is the exemplification of excellent musicianship from White’s bluesy piano playing, to Daru Jones’ marvelous drumming, and Jake Orrall’s sick electric guitaring.  Besides the superb instrumental skills, it’s the songwriting, as excerpted above, that puts “Trash Tongue Talker” over the top.  White delivers this gem with angry tone sounding nothing short of fierce.

“You broke your tongue talking trash
And now you’re trying to bring your Garbage to me...’”

10. Future, “In Her Mouth”

EVOL • Epic • 2016

“I’m tryna f**k the DA lady in her mouth though / Hit some R&B shit on the jet though / I got stacks on me…” Whoa Future – whoa! Despite being profane and totally inappropriate, Future seems to be sending an ‘FU’ to the District Attorney, who happens to be female.  He makes a sex joke in the process.  Again, inappropriate.  As for the “R&B shit on the jet though,” there are R&B singers who he plans to have sex with.  There’s even more when it comes to “In Her Mouth.” 

“They got my dawg, violate a hundred bodies
I’m ‘bout to cash out on a new Bugatti
I’m ‘bout to pay the police off, John Gotti.”

Translation: The Feds have got a case on his homie, he’s about to get a new Bugatti, and he’s going to pay off the cops. What more is there to say really?

11. Meghan Trainor, “Lips Are Movin”

Title • Epic • 2015

“If your lips are movin’, then you’re lyin’, lyin’, lyin’, baby.” Sigh, we conclude 11 Songs About Lips, Mouth & Tongue with a ubiquitous single, “Lips Are Movin.” No, this Meghan Trainor gem wasn’t quite as ubiquitous as “All About That Bass,” but it came pretty close.  Listen to the sound of both songs, and honestly, the entirety of Title, and the script is quite similar. Retro vibes all the way, with the difference being booty and lips – well part of the difference.

“I know you’re lyin’
Cause your lips are movin’
Tell me, do you think I’m dumb?
I might be young, but I ain’t stupid
Talking around in circles with your tongue
I gave you bass, you gave me sweet talk
Saying how I’m your number one
But I know you lie
Cause your lips are movin
Baby don’t you know I’m done?”

Photo Credits: Capitol, Columbia, Epic, Fueled by Ramen, Interscope, Motown, RCA, Virgin, The Wombats, Young Turks