11 Songs Fit for an Amusement Park | Playlist 🎧

11 Songs Fit for an Amusement Park features music courtesy of India.Arie, Kacey Musgraves, Melanie Martinez, Ohio Players, and Travis Scott.

Sometimes, we all just need to have some fun.  What better way to have fun than to go and visit an amusement park! Okay, amusement parks can be hella expensive, so, why don’t you let The Musical Hype bring the amusement park to you? Sure, 11 Songs Fit for an Amusement Park may not quite be the same as actually riding the Ferris Wheel, merry go round, or your favorite rollercoaster, but, it’s sure to provide some amusement. This amusing, entertaining playlist features music courtesy of India.Arie (“Rollercoaster”), Kacey Musgraves (“Merry Go ‘Round”), Melanie Martinez (“Carousel”), Ohio Players (“Love Rollercoaster”), and Travis Scott (“Carousel”) among others.

1. India.Arie, “Rollercoaster”

Worthy • BMG Rights Management • 2019

“Let me off this rollercoaster / I don’t wanna ride no more (I don’t wanna ride no more) / I don’t wanna ride no more, I don’t wanna ride no more, no more.” “Rollercoaster” is one of the brightest moments from Worthy, the long-awaited, 2019 album by Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter India.Arie. Interestingly, “Rollercoaster” bears some harmonic similarities to a past India.Arie record (“There’s Hope” from 2006’s Testimony: Vol. 1 Life & Relationship).   This contemporary protest anthem finds India taking a long, hard look at the ills plaguing the world from her perspective. Among the notable topics India raises on this soulful, bass-heavy gem include the Flint, Michigan water crisis, Colin Kaepernick, misogyny, and mumble rap.  Give her credit for standing up for what she believes in – “And I don’t care who thinks I’m preachin’.”

2. Travis Scott, “Carousel”

ASTROWORLD • Epic • 2018

Houston, Texas rapper Travis Scott delivered some of the best work of his career with his Grammy-nominated third studio album, ASTROWORLD.  If Scott didn’t quite make a case for himself on his debut album Rodeo let alone his sophomore album Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, ASTROWORLD is his big moment.  This album is stacked with gems like “Stargazing,” “Sicko Mode,” and my personal favorite, “Stop Trying to Be God.” But, we opt for the perfect fit, so, that means “Carousel” makes the cut on ‘11 Songs Fit for an Amusement Park.’

“Carousel” marks the first notable, uncredited guest appearance of ASTROWORLD (there are many uncredited guest appearances btw).  Who’s the big name? Why Frank Ocean, who performs the chorus as well as the third verse (“Bitch, I’m too cold, too cold / See my breath visible”).  Perhaps this isn’t the smoothest Ocean has sounded, but his distinct tone blesses the record nonetheless.  Of course, why should he sound smooth? “Carousel” is chocked-full of drugs and excess.  On the first verse, Travis Scott spits:

“This M-E-D it feel caved in

All of my demons invadin’

I live paranoid, hesitatin’…”

3. Tory Lanez, “FeRRis WhEEl” (Ft. Trippie Redd)

LoVe me NOw • Interscope • 2018

“We stay lit, all that shit / Damn, lil baby, what you call that shit? / That’s the red nose shawty, you a dog, lil’ bitch / Touch the damn floor with your paws, lil’ bitch.” Not the most subtle chorus there Trippie Redd, ‘but to each his own’ as the old saying goes.  Interestingly, “FeRRis WhEEl” isn’t Trippie Redd’s song, despite the fact he delivers the chorus, as well as the first verse. The record actually arrives as the eighth track on LoVe me NOw, the third album by Canadian rapper and singer Tory Lanez.

On “FeRRis WhEEl,” Tory Lanez keeps things short, just crossing the two-and-a-half-minute mark. It’s really short for Lanez, considering he only appears on the second verse.  The song itself has NOTHING to do with the actual amusement park ride… Lines like “Girl you look good when you back that ass up” definitely clarify this ain’t no kids ride. Instead, “FeRRis WhEEl” is sexually charged, as confirmed by that wonderful resource, Urban Dictionary. Take my word for it, you’ll never think of a Ferris wheel the same way again.  Also, it should be noted that Lanez ‘borrows’ stuff once again, this time, “Wait (The Whisper Song).” Ugh.

4. Rapsody, “A Rollercoaster Jam Called Love” (Ft. Musiq Soulchild & Gwen Bunn)

Laila’s Wisdom • Jamla / Roc Nation • 2017

Before Cardi B would become the first solo female rapper to win the Grammy for ‘Best Rap Album’ (Invasion of Privacy), Rapsody earned the rare female Grammy nomination for ‘Best Rap Album’ with her 2017 studio album, Laila’s Wisdom.  Rapsody has been in the game for a while but suffers from that bug known as ‘underrated.’ It is an honor to feature the North Carolina rapper on this amusement park-centric playlist.  Her musical entry? “A Rollercoaster Jam Called Love” featuring assists from Musiq Soulchild and Gwen Bunn.

The soulful “A Rollercoaster Jam Called Love” appears as the 10^th track from Laila’s Wisdom.  After a lush, throwback intro, Rapsody blesses us with her assured and compelling flow, over the course of three verses.  Notably, each verse is backed by its own distinct backdrop, which means there’s some awesome production switch-ups.  This is fitting, given the song title, particularly the keyword, ‘rollercoaster.’  Rollercoasters literally take you for some type of ride, and Rapsody takes the listener on a unique ride throughout “A Rollercoaster Jam Called Love.”

5. Ballyhoo!, “Rollercoaster”

Girls. • Right Coast • 2017

“Everything’s good fallin’ asleep / Then we wake up and we’re in a fight / Feels like I’m goin’ out of my mind.” Hmm, definitely sounds like ‘rollercoaster’ ride to me! Alternative collective Ballyhoo! makes their debut appearance on The Musical Hype, sigh.  The reggae-tinged alternative collective can thank a fitting, amusement park-themed record for “Rollercoaster.” “Rollercoaster” appears as the eighth track from their 2017 album, Girls.

Ballyhoo! focuses on the relationship on the hella groovy “Rollercoaster.” As aforementioned, Howi Spangler details how rocky love can be.  Ultimately, judging by the chorus, he’s “getting off this ride.”

“I’m tired of this rollercoaster
It’s never over
Are we any closer,
To getting off this ride?
We got it upside down and turned around
Stop before we hit the ground
On this roller coaster
I’m getting off this ride.”

6. Melanie Martinez, “Carousel”

Cry Baby • Atlantic • 2015

It wouldn’t be a stretch to call Melanie Martinez one of the most colorful contestants to appear on NBC’s The Voice.  Martinez has an incredibly distinct voice and style.  There were definitely more traditional artists competing for the “W” on the third season of show, but Martinez came out on top, landing a recording contract with Atlantic. The crème de la crème of her 2015 full-length debut album, Cry Baby, is “Carousel.” Let’s just say that the amusement park – the carnival technically – gets pretty quirky in the hands of Melanie Martinez.

The first thing that stands out about “Carousel” is the production, specifically that looped, rhythmic accordion.  It definitely sets the tone, suggesting that “Carousel” is sure to be quite a ride.  In addition to the accordion, the backdrop is idiomatic of alternative pop at its best, incorporating the sleekness of electronic and hip-hop styles.  Of course, the key piece comes from none other than Melanie Martinez herself.  Her voice is utterly distinct, perfectly designed for this somewhat eerie, yet infectious gem.  The best moment? The chorus of course, which serves as the first section we hear on “Carousel.”

“Round and round like a horse on a carousel
We go, will I catch up to love? I can never tell
I know chasing after you is like a fairytale
But I feel like I’m glued on tight to this carousel.”

Oh, and it should be noted that Cry Baby is a conceptual affair, if you didn’t already catch on.

7. Bleachers, “Rollercoaster”

Strange Desire • RCA • 2014

“We were shot gun lovers / I’m a shot gun running away.” Sigh, what was your first encounter with Bleachers’ “Rollercoaster”? Was it the original appearance on the ‘band’s’ debut album Strange Desire (2014), or the reprisal on the Love, Simon soundtrack (2018)? Regardless, “Rollercoaster” exemplifies the sound of your typical Jack Antonoff record, thriving with its big, busy production work.  Yeah, ‘rollercoaster’ indeed!

A major selling point of “Rollercoaster” is how Antonoff switches between the undertone of his lower register on the verse, and his more dynamic, mid-upper register on the chorus.  Does it really need to be explicitly stated that the chorus is the centerpiece? Of course, it doesn’t!

“So, come a little closer
There was something I can tell, yeah
You are such a rollercoaster
And a killer queen you are
Rollercoaster, I don’t say no
Rollercoaster, when you don’t say no
And it’s such a rollercoaster
Some killer queen you are.”

8. Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”

Same Trailer Different Park • Mercury • 2013

“Mama’s hooked on Mary Kay / Brother’s hooked on Mary Jane / And Daddy’s hooked on Mary two doors down.” Wow! On February 10, 2019, Kacey Musgraves would earn the most coveted Grammy of them all – ‘Album of the Year’ for her third studio album, Golden Hour. Five years before Golden Hour (2018) was released, Musgraves released her debut studio album, Same Trailer Different Park (2013).  Notably, she’d win two Grammys for the set – one for ‘Best Country Album’ and another for ‘Best Country Song’ for “Merry Go ‘Round.”  Did “Merry Go ‘Round” deserve such accolades? You bet it did!  The aforementioned pre-chorus lyrics should be evidence enough!

On “Merry Go ‘Round,” Musgraves seems to focus on unchanging routines, traditions – that vicious circle called southern life.  On the first verse, Musgraves opens with a bullet about being a young parent – “If you ain’t got two kids by 21 / You’re probably gonna die alone.” She also references the mindset of church in the south – “Come Sunday morning you best be / Ther ein the front row, like you’re s’posed to be.” The second verse is ‘like unto it,’ highlighting the viciousness of that circle – the ‘merry go ‘round.’  The chorus is the centerpiece, of course.

“Mary, Mary, quite contrary
We get bored so we get married
And just like dust we settle in this town
On this broken merry go ‘round
And ‘round and ‘round we go
Where it stops nobody knows
And it ain’t slowin’ down
This merry go ‘round.”

9. Conor Maynard, “Mary Go Round”

Contrast • Parlophone • 2013

Conor Maynard is a prime example of the underrated.  The British pop star released his debut album, Contrast, in the United States in January 2013. Contrast had some stellar moments including “Vegas Girl” (“I’ll knock you down like you’re Keri / Forget your name like Rihanna”) and “Can’t Say No” (“Girls, girls, girls, I just can’t say no”).  Unfortunately, neither of those songs is anywhere remotely close to being amusement park worthy, so, we have to go with “Mary Go Round,” sigh.

Obviously, “Mary Go Round” is a play on words.  When referencing the famous amusement park ride, it’s correctly spelled ‘merry go round.’ Much like Contrast itself, this red-blooded Brit amplifies the degree of suggestiveness.  Maybe he tries too hard, but, its ultimately entertaining.  The chorus is ‘something’ to say the least:

“Mary, Mary go around
Why you playing me, turn me upside
Mary let me hit the ground
Get me off of here
While you go round and round and round.”

There’s more interesting lyrics, with a dash of horniness sprinkled it: “Go play with someone else, I’m getting off this ride now.” Yeah, we all know that sex is involved.

10. 50 Cent, “Amusement Park”

Curtis • Shady / Aftermath / Interscope • 2007

“Shorty, you ain’t gotta take your panties off, just pull ‘em to the side / If you wanna ride on the rollercoaster baby, come on and ride…” Day-um, that’s some SEXiness right there! Okay, so, most of the songs on ’11 Songs Fit for an Amusement Park’ don’t actually feature ‘amusement park’ in their respective song title.  Well, 50 Cent totally heard we were compiling this playlist, so, he asked us if we’d include his 2007 record, “Amusement Park” (Curtis) on this list.  Okay, I’m totally exaggerating the truth about the 50 Cent asking The Musical Hype anything, but we do thank Fiddy for this gem.

Clearly, a 50 Cent amusement park is pretty different than your standard amusement park.  Sex is the modus operandi, period.  Guys don’t seem to be allowed either, considering 50 Cent is the pimp.  On the first verse, he spits:

“Good evening ladies, I’ll tell you from the start
I’m hoping you’ll enjoy my amusement park
There’s lots of activities, fun things to do
And I’ll find my pleasure in pleasing you.”

Of course, 50 Cent doesn’t stop there.  On the second verse, he raps: “Now you can ride the horse around the carousel / Explosions, Trojans, all in the hotel.” Oh, Fiddy!

11. Ohio Players, “Love Rollercoaster”

Honey • Mercury • 1975

“Rollercoaster of love / Rollercoaster.” There’s NO better way to close out this amusement park-driven playlist than with a funky, soul classic.  Ohio Players were definitely some risqué mo-fos back in the day.  Not only was their music sexually-charged, so was the cover art gracing their albums.  Honey, released in 1975, is no exception.  Among the collective’s most famous songs is “Love Rollercoaster.”  Expectedly, sex plays a major role in the script, evidenced by the chorus (“Your love is like a rollercoaster, baby / I wish to ride”).  Sure, Ohio Players aren’t explicit about their actions, but we can all read between the lines.  And honestly, doesn’t this song just sound like one grandiose orgasm? I can’t believe I just wrote that.

[Photo Credits: Aftermath, Atlantic, BMG Rights Management, Epic, Interscope, Jamla, Mercury, Parlophone, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Right Coast, Roc Nation, Shady]