11 Songs That Are All About Movement | Playlist 🎧

“11 Songs That Are All About Movement” features music courtesy of 5 Seconds of Summer, Big Sean, Hozier, James Blake, and Kelly Clarkson.

Cutting straight to the chase, folks, prepare to get moving! Our latest word-themed playlist is chocked-full of songs that are all about moving, movement, and etc. In this case, the ‘movement’ is literal (explicitly featured in the song title), but don’t let that dissuade you in the least! 11 Songs That Are All About Movement features some must-hear gems courtesy of 5 Seconds of Summer, Big Sean, Hozier, James Blake, and Kelly Clarkson among others.  Without further ado, get your movements going as you check out these 11 songs!

1. Hozier, “Movement”

Movement [Single] • Rubyworks / Columbia • 2018

Irish singer/songwriter Hozier delivers a superb, nuanced vocal performance throughout the course of “Movement”. Awesome songwriting, awesome vocals, and awesome production make “Movement” one of the best songs of 2018.

On the verses, Hozier opts for a more tender approach, gradually growing more dramatic and powerful during the chorus. Complementing his restrained approach on the verses is electric piano accompaniment. By the chorus, the electric piano transforms into a more passionate, gospel-tinged backdrop that includes organ, and chilling choral vocals.  The sound develops even more on the bridge, leading into the closing section of the record, which is backed by the most overt groove of the record.  Here, Hozier digs even deeper into his chest voice, as well as sounding thoroughly impressive when he sings in falsetto.

2. 5 Seconds of Summer, “Moving Along”

Youngblood • Capitol • 2018

“Been thinking about you lots lately / Have you been feeling empty beds just like me? / I’vew been thinking about you lots lately / Or are you moving alone?” “Moving Along” maintains the quality of Youngblood, the third studio album by Australian pop collective, 5 Seconds of Summer. Calum Hood raises eyebrows on the first verse as he asks, “Is it weird that I’m drunk on my sofa? / Is it weird that I’m naked on my sofa?” Obviously… Furthermore, the premise of the song obviously isn’t Hood’s purported nudity, but rather his melancholy over loneliness and struggling post-relationship.

3. Scotty McCreery, “Move It on Out”

Seasons Change • Triple Tigers • 2018

“Pack it on up, move it on out / Baby, I know that you know what I’m talking about / Your hand in my hand, and a can in the other / Let’s jump on in.” Following a five-year hiatus (See You Tonight, 2013), Scotty McCreery returned in 2018 with his third studio album, Seasons Change.  Fitting the ‘movement’ theme of this playlist is the eighth track from the LP, “Move It on Out.” Basically, the twenty-something country musician is ready to ‘live it up’ during the summertime with his bae by his side.  After his ‘nine to five’ is done, “Saturday is on its way” so he’s ready to “find a beach, find a lake.”  Furthermore, once finding such, he’s “Jealous of the sand hanging onto [her] hips…” Yup, Scotty throws a little innuendo into the mix, in the most ‘country’ way possible.

4. Enrique Iglesias & Pitbull, “Move to Miami”

Move to Miami [Single] • Sony • 2018

Madrid and Miami are in the house – Grammy-winning Spanish icon Enrique Iglesias and Grammy-winning pop-rap sensation Pitbull. The two artists have joined forces numerous times over the years. “Move to Miami” keeps things brief, clocking in south of the three-minute mark. Regarding depth, there’s little on “Move to Miami,” where Iglesias and Pitbull are simply enamored with the women of Miami.  On the first verse, Iglesias, sings, “This girl got me feelin’ risky.” On the pre-chorus, Pitbull raps, “She got that ass, she make it clap / She’ll leave you shook.” The chorus, performed solely by Iglesias, is all about moving to Miami – duh. Yeah, this electro-pop, Latin pop, reggaetón joint is utterly ridiculous.  But just because it’s ridiculous doesn’t strip it of being enjoyable or fun.

5. James Blake, “If the Car Beside You Moves Ahead”

If the Car Beside You Moves Ahead • Polydor • 2018

“If the car beside you moves ahead / As much as it feels as though you’re dead / You’re not going backwards / You’re not going backwards.” James Blake is one of the most unique musicians in the game – understatement.  The electronic artist/producer has endeared himself with both urban contemporary and hip-hop artists in a variety of capacities (He sounds chilling on “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD” from the 2018 Travis Scott LP, ASTROWORLD btw). Beyond his guest appearances and productions, Blake has also made compelling, experimental, and quirky music himself, including the wild “If the Car Beside You Moves Ahead.” Clearly, Blake is in full-on experimental mode, manipulating his voice in numerous ways, while providing an odd, futuristic-sounding backdrop in the process.  Perhaps Blake ‘pushes the envelope’ for everybody to get on board, but “If the Care Beside You Moves Ahead” is definitely one of the more interesting records you’ll ever hear.

6. Kelly Clarkson, “Move You”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

“Like a montage in a movie, right before the hero dies / Like the first time that you listen to your favorite singer live… / I want to move you like that.” Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson ranks as one of the most consistent female pop artists without question.  Clarkson has an incredibly versatile voice that “could sing the phone book,” to quote her former American Idol judges. After a two-year hiatus, the original American Idol winner returned in 2017 with Meaning of Life, her seventh album.  Among the highlights is the ‘moving’ “Move You”, an uplifting, thoughtfully written ballad about ‘moving one another’ in a relationship. Essentially, Clarkson wants to ‘complete’ her husband and ‘be his everything.’ ­­­­­The tempo is slow, but heavy pop/rock drums add some punch.  Overall, the production is a selling point, including gospel choral vocals, guitar, and strings.  The choral vocals truly elevate “Move You,” providing more fuel for Clarkson’s lead, which was already fired-up and inspired to the nth degree.

7. Big Sean, “Moves”

I Decided. • Def Jam • 2017

“I got the moves / I got the moves / I’m making moves / you gotta move / She make the back move / She made her titties move / I make the city move / I make the city move.”  On the brief but potent “Moves” (I Decided.), Detroit rapper Big Sean is equal parts confident and shallow. Featuring minimalist, dark sounding production, a recurring synth is audible, while booming 808s drums dominate. Big Sean is ‘on,’ particularly on the aforementioned hook. No, “Moves” isn’t quite as fiery as the likes of  “Blessings” or “I Don’t Fuck With You” from his previous album, Dark Sky Paradise, but Sean Anderson still manages to pack a punch.   After all, “Sex game had her ass blowing me up…”

8. John Mayer, “Moving on and Getting Over”

The Search for Everything • Columbia • 2017 

“Moving on and getting over / Are not the same, it seems to me / ‘Cause you’ve been gone, I’m growing older / But I still can’t seem to get you off my mind / And I do believe I feel you all the time.” “Moving on and Getting Over” ranks among the gems of The Search for Everything, the 2017 album by Grammy-winning pop/rock singer and guitarist John Mayer.  On “Getting Over,” Mayer delivers an incredibly soulful record, bearing a sound characterized by tidiness and clarity.  Vocally, he matches the thoughtfulness of the production work, never pushing, but also, never under-singing.  This blue-eyed, pop-soul number left a strong first impression on the Wave One EP, and that impression remains impressive on the full-length album. “Moving on and Getting Over” differentiates itself from his past work, while not sounding totally unfamiliar.

9. BADBADNOTGOOD, “Time Moves Slow”

Ft. Samuel Herring

IV • Innovative Leisure • 2016

“Running away is easy / It’s the leaving that’s hard / Running away is easy… / It’s the living that’s hard / And loving you is easy / It was you leaving that scarred.” Break-up blues… Yup. Toronto collective BADBADNOTGOOD are known for their eclectic blend of jazz, R&B, and hip hop.  Not only does BADBADNOTGOOD record their own unique brand of music, but they’ve also produced, written, and provided samples to many popular artists including Rihanna, Drake, and Logic.  For the gorgeous ballad “Time Moves Slow,” taken from their 2016 album, IV, the collective enlists Future Islands frontman Samuel Herring to provide vocals. The results are marvelous, oozing with soul on the end of the band, while Herring shines with a chilling, expressive performance.

“Time moves slow
When you’re all alone
And the time moves slow
When you’re out on your own
And time moves slow
When you’re missing a friend
And the time moves slow
When you came to the end.”

10. DNCE, “Body Moves”

DNCE • Republic • 2016

“Come and roll with me, we’ll rock them body moves / Me and you (oh, just a little bit) / Body moves (yeah, just a little bit, ow!).” “Cake by the Ocean” is considered to be the crowning achievement of DNCE, the full-length debut album by the Joe Jonas-led pop collective.  Nonetheless, highlight “Body Moves” has a compelling case. It opens enthusiastically with “ow!” Yeah, it’s corny, but the spirit exhibited is undeniable.  The groove has the dancefloor in mind, with its neo-disco qualities. Overall, “Body Moves” is a well-produced record, filled with soulful cues. In addition to superb production work, innuendo – that sexy body talk – serves as the record’s biggest selling point.

“…Come on home with me, oh baby, let it loose
Me and you (oh, just a little bit)
Body moves (yeah, just a little bit)
I don’t need it, but you know bad I want it
And your touch has got me haunted, but I like it
Come and roll with me, we’ll rock them body moves
Me and you (oh, just a little bit)
Body moves (yeah, just a little bit).”

Also, the music video is a sexy sight to behold.

11. Maroon 5, “Moves Like Jagger”

Ft. Christina Aguilera

Hands All Over Me • A&M / Octone • 2010

“You wanted control, so we waited / I put on a show, now we’re naked / You say I’m a kid / My ego is big / I don’t give a shit / And it goes like this…” In some ways, number one hit record “Moves Like Jagger” seemed to mark a ‘sea change’ for pop collective Maroon 5.  Much more danceable and ‘modern pop-oriented’ compared to many of their previous offerings, the more modern cues and vibes of the Christina Aguilera feature essentially continued on post-Hands All Over Me albums (Overexposed, V, and Red Pill Blues).  If some of the bands more contemporary records fall flat, at least “Moves Like Jagger” strikes a happy medium – that transitional career record that most folks can get behind. The chorus is the biggest selling point, though the whistling also adds memorability.

“Take me by the tongue, and I’ll know you
Kiss me till you’re drunk, and I’ll show you
All the moves like Jagger
I’ve got them moves like Jagger
I’ve got them moves like Jagger.”

[📷: A&M, Atlantic, Capitol, Columbia, Def Jam, Innovative Leisure, Octone, Polydor, Republic, Rubyworks, Sony, Triple Tigers]