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“11 Songs Associated with the Phone” features music courtesy of Carly Rae Jepsen, Charlie Puth, Juice WRLD, Logic, and Rich the Kid among others.

“I got two phones, one for the plug and one for the load / I got two phones, one for the bitches and one for the dough.” Thank you, Kevin Gates.  Honestly, the southern rapper’s hit single “2 Phones” was in strong consideration to appear on 11 Songs Associated with the Phone.  Why’d we opt against it, well, Rich the Kid served up a more recent song, “4 Phones”, so… yeah.  In addition to Rich The Kid, other musicians driving this phone-/call-centric playlist include Carly Rae Jepsen (“Call Me Maybe”), Charlie Puth (“One Call Away”), Juice WRLD (“Hear Me Calling” and “Ring Ring”), and Logic (“1-800-273-8255”) among others.

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1. Rich the Kid, “4 Phones”

The World is Yours 2 • Interscope • 2019

Southern rapper Rich the Kid returns with his sophomore album, The World is Yours 2, one year after releasing his debut LP (The World is Yours).  If nothing else, The World is Yours 2 is jam-packed with A-list guests and bangers, if short on substance. One of the better songs from the album is “4 Phones”, which arrived initially as a promo single for the album. It lacks innovative spirit mind you but is ultimately effective.

 “4 Phones” finds Rich the Kid backed by a super-smooth backdrop, anchored by a trap beat. He remains an acquired taste, with his distinct voice, overall flow, and pronunciation, but it works out well enough. Notably, the flow on the verses is performed in a broken style. There’s toughness, plenty of swagger, and flexing, even if the execution isn’t characterized by finesse per se. As for the chorus, it can’t be described as catchy overall. There are some catchy lines, but it’s wordy, and doesn’t come off as memorable per se.

“They know I got cash, I ain’t gotta brag no more

I’m playin’ with the money, I might just snatch the boat

I run through the check, but fuck it, the bag is close

I don’t want the bitch, but fuck it, I had the ho

I made a hundred thousand in the same clothes

I drop a whole quarter, now my neck froze

Rich Forever, put my team on

Think I’m still trappin’, I got four phones.”

Thematically, Rich the Kid focuses on his drip – he’s got plenty of money, others can’t ‘do the damn thing’ like he does, etc.

2-3. Juice WRLD, “Hear Me Calling” & “Ring Ring”

Death Race for Love • Interscope • 2019 

“Treat your heart just like a blunt, of OG / Roll it up, I kissed it and I smoke you / Gots to be joking.” Juice WRLD has seen his star ascend rapidly, period.  His 2018 gargantuan hit single “Lucid Dreams” elevated the young rapper’s profile immensely – understatement. Yup, “Lucid Dreams” was totally inescapable – ubiquitous to the nth bleeping degree.  Now, with a huge following behind him, Juice continues to give us the ‘juice’ on his highly-anticipated sophomore album, Death Race for Love.

The premise of “Hear Me Calling” is a familiar for Juice WRLD – love, sex, etc. “Hear Me Calling” settles in with a tropically-tinged pop groove and the most memorable moment of the song, the chorus.

“Do you hear me calling?

Do you hear me calling?

Me no want no drama

Not a fighter, a lover…

I just want you, my darling.”

As always, he employs a pop-rap sensibility, keeping things melodic to the nth degree. Even though he’s melodic, he still incorporates plenty of rhythm. There are some nice musical moments within the production (Purps on the Beat), including the beat, piano, and warm sounding synths.  All in all, this is a pretty smooth, slick record associated with the ‘fizzle’ to quote Snoop Dogg.

“Hear Me Calling” isn’t the only song associated with the phone. “Ring Ring” ranks among the surefire gems from Death Race for Love.  Juice WRLD is assisted by Clever, who is superb on the second verse. The sound of the record is a brilliant blend between hip-hop, emo, and pop/rock, perfectly suited for this young rapper who continues to be entirely too invested in his emotions.  “Ring, ring-ring / I don’t feel like comin’ to the phone today / Everybody should just leave me alone,” he sings on the chorus, continuing, “I don’t feel like comin’ to the phone today / But I don’t feel like bein’ alone… / I can’t tell what’s real or where I belong.”

4. Vance Joy, “Call If You Need Me”

Nation of Two • Atlantic • 2018

In 2018, Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy returned with his sophomore album, Nation of Two.  Prior to the release of Nation of Two, Joy – still very much an ‘up-and-coming musician’ stateside – was best known for his single, “Riptide”, from his debut album, Dream Your Life Away (2014). On Nation of Two, Joy delivers a well-rounded, singer-songwriter album that includes some gems in the process.  While the song at hand, “Call If You Need Me” was selected as gem when Nation of Two was reviewed, it was noted for possessing its fair share of strengths.

“Packing up your suitcase, you were humming to yourself / One day you were smiling / I could tell by how you sounded on the phone / You said, ‘I’m coming home, babe.’” “Call If You Need Me” is brief, missing the three-minute-mark when it comes to duration.  Nonetheless, “Call” ends up being a thoughtful opener.  Vance Joy doesn’t serve up many frills mind you, but he does show off his best attribute – his smooth, effortless vocals.

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5. Cardi B, “Thru Your Phone”

Invasion of Privacy • Atlantic • 2018

“I went through your phone last night… / Saw some things I didn’t like / I went through your phone last night / It’s killin’ me, killin’ me, killin’ me.” In 2019, Cardi B made history, becoming the first female rapper to win the Grammy for Best Rap Album as a solo artist (Lauryn Hill previously won as a member of Fugees on The Score).  Invasion of Privacy was a well-rounded, crowd-pleasing affair, filled with hits including “Bodak Yellow”, “Bartier Cardi” and “I Like It”.  Also appearing on Invasion of Privacy is “Thru the Phone,” which matches the criteria for this phone-centric playlist.

“Thru the Phone” arrives as the penultimate song on Invasion of Privacy. Although it’s not the caliber of hit of the aforementioned gems, “Thru Your Phone” still has its fair share of pros.  Here, the rapper is angry at her ex – “This shit is eatin’ me, you sleepin’ peacefully.”  Yeah, honestly, angry would be an understatement, as her and Ali Tamposi “Saw some things I didn’t like,” after ‘investigating.’  On the second verse, Cardi B memorable raps, “All I can see is you and her in different scenarios / Beyoncé on my stereo, ‘Resentment’ on repeat.”

6. Dustin Lynch, “Why We Call Each Other”

Current Mood • Broken Bow • 2017

“That’s why we call each other / In the middle of the middle of the night / We’re so good under covers / That’s why we call each other.” Okay… There’s no question that Dustin Lynch fits the role of hunky, male country artist.  The “Small Town Boy” is pretty fit, not to mention possessing a great voice. Actually, his voice is more important to his craft… but there’s something about that cowboy hat. Anyways, the phone comes into play on “Why We Call Each Other”, a single appearing on his third studio album, Current Mood.

Lynch sings in his lower register on “Why We Call Each Other,” contrasting the songs preceding the record on the album.  Vocally, he remains true to country while also letting loose a bit as the song progresses, showcasing some soul.  This contemporary country record embraces the modern script, particularly the drums and incorporation of synths. Even with the modern tricks, there’s still a sufficient number of cues that keep it country you might say.  The subject matter is tried and true – love.

7. Logic, “1-800-273-8255”

Ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid

Everybody • Def Jam • 2017

With the release of the Grammy-nominated “1-800-273-8255” (Everybody), Logic released the biggest, heaviest, and most meaningful song of his career.  What makes “1-800-273-8255” so heavy? The title is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Logic approaches the song as a progression, starting from the suicidal perspective, encouraging the suicidal person to embrace life, and the suicidal person coming to the desire to live. He’s assisted by an angelic Alessia Cara and Khalid, who provides the punctuation mark, as the suicidal person who’s seen the light.

After making a previous appearance on 53 Songs that Beam with Pride, what’s the significance of the song, and suicide itself to the LGBTQ community? Suicide is a major issue. While the song doesn’t explicitly mention homosexuality or sexuality whatsoever, it’s a key component of the accompanying music video, which focuses on a black gay teen struggling with his sexuality. He contemplates suicide, but gets the proper help, as well as acceptance, a driving factor in his suicidal endeavors.

8. Charlie Puth, “One Call Away”

Nine Track Mind • Artist Partner Group • 2016

“I’m only one call away / I’ll be there to save the day / Superman got nothing on me / I’m only one call away.”  Sigh, before Charlie Puth would become a more mature artist on his sophomore album, Voicenotes, the perfect-pitched pop artist would release his full-length debut album, Nine Track Mind.  Safe to say, the critics were not fan-boys or fan-girls to say the least, awarding Mr. Puth a ‘metascore’ of 37!  All you can really say is, da-yum.  Of course, the schmaltzy aforementioned lyrics from the song at hand, “One Call Away” sort of sums up why critics rolled their eyes regarding Nine Track Mind.

“One Call Away” ranks among the better songs on a suspect album, but that doesn’t make it a masterpiece.  Perhaps the most offensive moment is that corny ‘Superman’ lyric, but also, Puth gets a little too deep ‘in his feelings’ you might say (“Call me, baby, if you need a friend / I just wanna give you love”).  There’s mothing wrong with sensitivity, but maybe “One Call Away” has too much of it, not to mention overly-light production work, and of course, that ‘Superman’ lyric – have we mentioned that already?  But hey, girl, on the bridge, Charlie’s got you:

“And when you’re weak, I’ll be strong

I’m gonna keep holding on

Now don’t you worry, it won’t be long

Darling, and when you feel like hope is gone

Just run into my arms.”

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9. Trey Songz, “SmartPhones”

Trigga • Atlantic • 2014

“So, I can come to her and lie right to her face / I don’t know what I’m gonna say / But I know that I’m gonna say / Whatever it takes / … She’s waving goodbye, goodbye / Smartphones, dumb shit.” Dumb shit indeed.  BTW Tyrese sung about some “Dumb Shit” on his 2015 album, Black Rose, but we’re getting totally off topic.  On his 2014 hit single “SmartPhones,” Trey Songz has totally messed up his relationship – understatement. Safe to say, the R&B singer is nothing short of a ‘dog’ with totally trifling ways.

From the beginning, Trey Songz is trying to figure out how to fix his aforementioned “dumb shit.”  On the first verse, he sings, “I’m pacing back and forth, ‘cause I know that I’ve been caught / Trying to think of the perfect words.” On the second verse, he accurate asserts, “I’m all out of luck tonight.” Second only to the chorus mentioned at the beginning of the blurb, the bridge is the ‘cat’s meow’ in this phone fiasco:

“…Aw man I got to think of something

I’m about to lose it all

I swear that shit really didn’t mean nothing

It all started with a pocket call.”

10. Arctic Monkeys, “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”

AM • Domino • 2013

Years before singing about an imaginary hotel and casino, possibly on the Moon on the Grammy-nominated album Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino (2018), British alternative rock band Arctic Monkeys posed a very important question: “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” appears as the ninth song on the brilliant, 2013, platinum-certified AM by Alex Turner and company.  The association with the phone? Why the ‘call’ part of course!

“Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” ranks among the elite cuts of AM, sporting an awesome groove and theme that rivals the opener, the crowning achievement better known as “Do I Wanna Know?”. Turner finds himself ‘trailing’ in the pursuance of the girl.  “Somewhere darker, talking the same shite,” he sings on verse two, “I need a partner, well are you out tonight?”  The chorus is its crowning achievement of the song itself:

“Now it’s three in the morning and I’m trying to change your mind

Left you multiple missed calls and to my message, you reply

Why’d you only call me when you’re high?”

Ultimately, the record rocks despite Alex Turner’s clear lack of game.

11. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”

Kiss • Interscope • 2012

Kiss, the 2012 debut album by Canadian pop artist Carly Rae Jepsen has its fair share of enjoyable and respectable moments.  Even so, there is one, surefire, ‘big gun’ hit song that defines this album.  That would be the then ubiquitous “Call Me Maybe.” Simply put, “Call Me Maybe” smokes everything else by miles on Kiss.  What better way to close out this phone-centric playlist than with one of the most fun, most memorable pop songs of all time?

Josh Ramsay produced the preeminent single of summer 2012. The ‘neo-disco’ sound is perfect, confirmed by lovely string swirls, clearly lifted from the 70’s or early 80’s. Though she sounded years younger on this playful, flirty joint, Jepsen was a youthful 26-years old when “Call Me Maybe” arrived.  Catchy, addictive, and definitely ‘over-the-top,’ “Call Me Maybe” was bound to top the charts.  The chorus is memorable and gargantuan:

“Hey, I just met you

And this is crazy

But here’s my number

So, call me maybe

It’s hard to look right

At you baby

But here’s my number

So call me maybe…”

[Photo Credits: Interscope, Atlantic, Broken Bow, Def Jam, Artist Partner Group, Domino, Pexels, Pixabay]

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