11 Songs Filled with Care | Playlist 🎧

1. Ruel, “as long as you care”

Bright Lights, Red Eyes (EP) • RCA • 2020

“I’m sun-dried, my lips are high on overdrive / I’m so tired,” Ruel sings on the first verse of “as long as you care”, continuing, “I’m sorry if I’m low on confidence… / I’m sorry, but my brain is fried.” Honestly, the Australian teen heartthrob, who turns 18 in November, has no reason to apologize. Years ago, when he first came onto the scene, the rich, soulful, and expressive nature of his voice was unbelievable – he as a mere teen with the voice of a fully seasoned pro! That is still the case for Ruel Vincent Van Dijk, who writes this standout single alongside producer M-Phazes (Mark Landon).

As is the case in the past, Ruel sounds utterly sublime.  His vocals are soulful to the nth degree. Still incredibly young, it’s still mind boggling that this kid sounds this amazing.  He sings with incredible authenticity, expression, and nuance.  You really believe him because he sells it incredibly well.  As far as M-Phazes production, there are sensational throwback vibes from the R&B of the past, yet the sounds are also fresh.

Matters of the heart take front and center on “as long as you care.” Furthermore, the catchy, memorable chorus serves as the centerpiece:

“But don’t cry, I know that you care
You have no idea
It’s all bright lights and red eyes
Bright lights and red eyes, I’m never there
But as long as you’re here, I’m all bright lights and red eyes
Bright lights and red eyes.”

Ultimately, “as long as you are” proves to be a superb single from an artist clearly on the up and up. Ruel = musical godsend.

2. beabadoobee, “Care”

“Care” • Dirty Hit • 2020

British-Filipino artist Beabadoobee (Beatrice Laus) saw her profile elevated significantly in 2020. Why? Well, thanks to the charming hit single “death bed (coffee for your head)” by Powfu, which samples her original song, “coffee” (“Don’t stay awake for too long / Don’t go to bed / I’ll make a cup of coffee for your head…”). There’s some buzz behind her for good reason and it certainly transcends one song. If “death bed…” or the original “coffee” were the only two songs you heard from beabadoobee, you might be a bit surprised how starkly different “Care” is. 

“Care,” written Laus and produced by Pete Robertson and Joseph Rodgers has a ‘pop/rock’ backdrop. By pop/rock, there are definitely potent guitars and live drums – no drum programming.  It’s not ‘hard rock,’ but the sound reminisces back to a time where pop and even alternative pop had a slightly ‘beefier’ sound.  That said, we still get those cool, easygoing vocals by beabadoobee. Even so, she still manages to pack a punch. The vibe is awesome. I love the pummeling drums leading up to the chorus. The chorus itself is catchy, simply centered around the titular lyric, while a contrasting bridge section that keeps things interesting.  Honestly, ample C-A-R-E was put into “Care.”

3. Mick Jenkins, “Carefree”

The Circus • Free Nation / Cinematic Music Group • 2020

“It just don’t look like this / If you living carefree then you probably don’t look like us…” Hip-hop don’t stop! HYFR! Mick Jenkins proves that hip-hop remains potent on “Carefree,” which appears as the second track on his 2020 album, The Circus. Written by himself and produced by Black Milk, Jenkins gives us quite a treat that more people should really – wait for it – CARE about!

Black Milk definitely gives Mick fuel for the fire.  The production work nearly steals the show.  The backdrop is lush and soulful; instantly ear catching.  Even so, Mick is pretty ‘effin’ A’ in his own right.  The chorus is sung, while the verses are rapped devoid of pitch. The listener is treated to the chorus early-on, following the instrumental intro:

“I was off the drugs, I was off the dranks, I was off the vibes
Got nothin’ to hide, I’m with the squad, don’t make me throw it up
She by my side, we bonafide, that shit is nice.”

I agree Mick – “that shit is nice.” Beyond the chorus, he gives agile rhymes on the verses, exhibiting an absolutely amazing, hypnotic flow. Jenkins has a smoothness in his delivery, yet he’s simultaneously confident and definitely not soft:

“Pulled me over ‘bout my whip
Like, ‘how you get it?’
Bitch, I bought it, took my ticket for the tints.”

4. Jeremy Zucker, “always, I’ll care”

love is not dying • Republic • 2020

“Flipping through our photographs / Those moments never seem to last / Listening to self-control / Those feelings that you’ll never know…”Jeremy Zucker impresses with his charming sweetness on the ‘short, but sweet’ “always, I’ll care”. Zucker sings beautifully, never overreaching nor underwhelming vocally.  He doesn’t need to sing endless runs to be effective.  Furthermore, there’s an incredible sense of authenticity.  Thematically, Zucker tackles matters of the heart. He does so with reminiscent, thoughtful lyrics, further amplifying the excellence (aforementioned).

The centerpiece, of course, is the chorus:

“I’ll be better than I was before (Hey)
Despite every text of yours ignored (Hey)
Will you call me still, just to hear my voice
I swear, always
Always
Always, I’ll care.”

Vocals, theme, and lyrics play a pivotal role in the success of “Always, I’ll Care.” Production also propels the love is not dying standout, evolving gradually.  Initially a piano ballad (played by Zucker), “Always, I’ll Care” adds drums/drum programming, crisp rhythmic guitar, and additional colorful keyboard work.  Ultimately, it’s just another reason why “Always, I’ll Care” is, well, pretty fly.

5. Beyoncé, “I Care”

4 • Columbia • 2011

“Well, I care / I know you don’t care too much / But I still care, baby.” 4 was a bit of a ‘different’ album for Beyoncé.  Clearly, the Grammy-winning R&B artist opted for more experiments on her fourth studio album that contrasted Dangerously in Love, BDAY, and I Am…Sasha Fierce that preceded it. Even so, looking back on 4, it was under appreciated.  One of the under-appreciated songs is “I Care,” which appears as the second track on the album.  Admittedly, it was an odd cut at the time, and still a bit ‘left of center,’ but feels stronger post-4.

“Ain’t nobody tell me this is love
When you’re immune to all my pain
I need you to tell me this is love
You don’t care?
Well, that’s okay.”

The narrative of “I Care” isn’t the aspect of the song that made/makes it odd; it’s more of the sound itself.

The record commences mysteriously with a pad, anchored by drum programming, something that preceding ballad, “1+1”, lacked.  There’s interesting vocal production surrounding Beyoncé’s lead vocals, something a bit off-putting when you first hear the track.  That said, the backing vocals are solid from start to finish without any questions.  Eventually, this record that doesn’t quite feel ‘fast enough out of the gate’ actually grows on you.  A prime example, it’s appearance eight years later on Homecoming: The Live Album (2019).

On Homecoming: The Live Album, “I Care” receives the live treatment. Just for some background, Homecoming: The Live Album is a special project because it features performances from Bey’s historic performance at Coachella, where she became the first African American woman to headline.  Here, “I Care” definitely exceeds expectations! The vocals are high-flying, particularly as Bey nails the high notes.

6. Rich Brian, “Don’t Care”

1999 • 88rising / 12Tone Music, LLC • 2020

In 2020, Indonesian rapper Rich Brian quietly released a new EP, 1999.  No, it’s not that Brian has exactly ‘exploded’ on the rap scene but 1999 just sort of dropped, even with the release of singles beforehand.  Regardless, the project is named for the year he was born – man – he’s still pretty young!  That said, it seems that he’s progressed from his “Dat $tick” days.

The bright “Don’t Care” was released as a single in 2020 before 1999 arrived. Relatively short, Brian sings about embracing positivity and disregarding the haters and skeptics.  Basically, you know how DRAM asserted that he was “beyond all that fuck shit” on “Broccoli”? Well, that’s the case with Rich Brian on “Don’t Care” as he asserts:

“I don’t want none of your energy crowdin’ my space
So get the fuck out my way
Stay with the fakin’, ‘cause I
Don’t care.”

7. Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber, “I Don’t Care”

No.6 Collaborations Project • Warner • 2019

What happens when you put Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber together? Usually, a hit – ‘money in the bank’. Their collaboration, “I Don’t Care”, appears on Sheeran’s collaborative album, No.6 Collaborations Project. The premise of the up-tempo, major-key pop joint is pretty simple; neither Sheeran or Bieber are feeling the nightlife – parties, clubbing, and such – anymore.  Both simply want to be with their respective baes.

From the start, Sheeran asserts “I’m at a party I don’t wanna be at” (verse one), later confirming his social anxiety on the pre-chorus (“Don’t think I fit in at this party / Everyone’s got so much to say”).  It’s the same scenario for Bieber on the second verse and pre-chorus, but he’s willing to stay because “[She] make(s) it better like that.” On the chorus, sung by Sheeran, ‘it’s all good,’ thanks to the baes. “I Don’t Care” is a pleasant pop cut. It’s not game changing but it gets the job done.

8. Demi Lovato, “Really Don’t Care”

Ft. Cher Lloyd

Demi • Hollywood • 2013

“Really Don’t Care” is a necessary up-tempo cut following a number of ballads on Demi, the 2013 studio album by Demi Lovato. The record features a bright sound, sounding like a hit from the first couple of notes. While it doesn’t showcase Lovato’s vocal skills like the ballads, but it does reunite the singer with her younger listeners.  Furthermore, it makes her older listeners happy; she still wants to have some fun.

Feisty, catchy, and jubilant, “Really Don’t Care” marks one of the better cuts on Demi.  The chorus marks one of the best moments:

“But even if the stars and moon collide
I never want you back into my life
You can take your words and all your lies
Oh, oh, oh I really don’t care...”

Arguably, we could’ve done without Cher Lloyd’s pop rap. That said, the pop-rap isn’t a deal breaker, and actually fits the context of the cut.

9. Mac Miller, “Self Care”

Swimming • Warner • 2018

“I switched the time zone, but what do I know? / Spending nights hitchhikin’, where will I go?” Some of the life experiences of  Mac Miller seem to fuel “Self Care”, a standout from his final studio album, Swimming. Following the moody instrumental intro, he delivers the aforementioned, sung chorus, which is mysterious and quirky, partially because of the imperfect pitch.  For half of the first verse, he drops straight, unpitched bars, though the pitch returns.  Perhaps his singing isn’t as strong as his rapping, but it accentuates the vulnerability, reflectiveness, and depression that characterizes this particular song, partially referencing a break-up.

On the second verse, he mentions his DUI: “That Mercedes drove me crazy, I was speedin’.” Prior to the third verse, there’s a beat switch, with the tempo slackening as Miller speaks on his state of oblivion (“I was, thinking too much, got stuck in oblivion”). To be relatively simple lyrically, “Self Care” is complex at the same time. It’s an emotional record that successfully captured Miller’s headspace and his status in rap prior to his tragic death at the age of 26. “Self Care” previously appeared on 15 Songs That Center Around Sadness & Depression.

10. Aaliyah, “I Care 4 U”

Aaliyah • Blackground • 2001

“Can I talk to you? / Comfort you / Let you know / I care for you.” Aaliyah has cited “I Care 4 U” as her favorite song from her self-titled album, Aaliyah (2001).  I would totally agree. In fact, “I Care 4 U” just might be my favorite song by the late, great contemporary R&B artist.  The aforementioned chorus is simple yet perfectly executed and timeless.  Written by Timbaland and Missy Elliott, they absolutely nailed it.

The songwriting does a great job of capturing matters of the heart.  Beyond that, the music – the production – is stunning.  This is Timbaland at his best constructing a truly fresh, innovative sound.  The beat is what really stands out, but the entirety of the backdrop is beautiful, lush, and incredibly warm.  Aaliyah sounds absolutely angelic painting atop this canvas, never breaking a sweat in the process.  “I Care 4 U” is able to balance classy and sexy, never crossing any lines.  Still to this day, nearly two decades after its release, “I Care 4 U” still ranks among the best R&B records to come out of the aughts – NO CAP!

11. Michael Jackson, “They Don’t Care About Us”

HIStory: Past, Present and Future – Book 1 • MJJ Productions • 1995

“All I wanna say is that they don’t really care about us,” the iconic King of Pop, Michael Jackson sings on his protest anthem, “They Don’t Care About Us.”  Hailing from the most controversial album of his career, HIStory: Past, Present and Future – Book 1, the song itself garnered its own share of controversy. How so? The lyrics!

“Jew me, sue me, everybody do me
Kick me, kike me, don’t you black or white me.”

The controversy wasn’t intended, of course, as the song is all about those suffering from racial inequality and racial injustice. Jackson even explicitly uses police brutality as an example.  “They Don’t Care About Us,” ultimately, was highlighted in the introduction of the playlist, 13 Powerful Songs Where Black Lives Do Indeed Matter.