11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 2 | Playlist

11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 2 features music courtesy of Brittany Howard, Lana Del Rey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Megan Thee Stallion x Dua Lipa, and Tyler, The Creator.

Ah, prepare for the SWEET vibes you are about to partake of! 11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 2 contains nothing but absolute sweetness.  The sugar content is high and guess what? We are not counting the calories today! This wouldn’t be the first time that such a sweet musical compendium appeared on The Musical Hype.   11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 2 is a follow-up to 11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet (2018). Also – *HINT, HINT* – it won’t be the last sweet playlist to grace the site! 11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 2 features music courtesy of Brittany Howard, Lana Del Rey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Megan Thee Stallion x Dua Lipa, and Tyler, The Creator among others. As you can see, there is alternative, pop, rock, and rap just among those highlighted musicians. So, grab your favorite snacked, filled with sugar, and let’s dive into these incredibly sweet songs!

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1. Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Sweet Home Alabama”

Second Helping • Geffen • 1974 

Dorothy said it best in The Wizard of Oz: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME! Legendary southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd serve up the same sentiment on their beloved, 1974 classic, “Sweet Home Alabama” ( Second Helping). “Sweet home Alabama / Where the skies are so blue,” Ronnie Van Zant sings with immense southern pride in the chorus, continuing, “Sweet home Alabama / Lord, I’m coming home to you.” “Sweet Home Alabama” is synonymous with the band and arguably their most popular song ( “Free Bird” might have a bone to pick with that, of course). The single was a top-10 hit on the pop charts, peaking at no. 8 on the Hot 100.

Obviously, “Sweet Home Alabama” acknowledges traditional southern values and the positive attributes of the south.  It is, hence, a far cry from the Neil Young classic, “Southern Man” which finds the Canadian rock icon criticizing the region.  In the second verse, Ronnie directly references Young’s characterization:

“Well, I heard Mr. Young sing about her (Southern man)

Well, I heard ol’ Neil put her down

Well, I hope Neil Young will remember

A Southern man don’t need him around, anyhow.”

Burn! There are politics that come in play in the third verse, with reference to the state’s governor, the controversial George Wallace. Wallace was governor four times, and at the time “Sweet Home Alabama” was released, was in his second, nonconsecutive term.  A racist, he would reform in his fourth and final term, repenting of his wrongs.  Notably, in the same verse, Van Zant sings, “Now Watergate does not bother me / Does your conscience bother you? / Tell the truth.” Intriguing. All told, “Sweet Home Alabama” is a certified, surefire rock classic – TIMELESS!

Appears in :

• Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Sweet Home Alabama”: FIERCE Pop + Rock 16 (2023)

2. Lana Del Rey, “Sweet”

Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd • Interscope • 2023 

“Sweet” marks one of many radiant, sweet moments from Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd, the ninth studio album by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, Lana Del Rey. Del Rey appears to get personal, nostalgic, and reflective.  There are no shortage of memorable lyrical moments and references on this piano ballad.  Del Rey mentions hiking in Cali (“Stars in my eyes, hiking up Griffith”), her Midwest experiences, and pondering marriage and children (“Do you want children? Do you wanna marry me?”).  The crème del crème, of course: “I’m a different kind of woman / If you want some basic bitch, go to the Beverly Center and find her.” Word! Ultimately, Lana can be found “Where no one will be / In the woods somewhere, in the night / In the heart of the valley / In the SWEET north country.” Furthermore, if not there, “Come to my house on Genesee.” 

3. Years & Years & Galantis, “Sweet Talker”

Night Call • Polydor • 2022

“Oh why, oh why, oh why do I listen / To promises, you’re gonna break.” Well, it’s foolish Years & Years, but we’ve all done it, repeatedly.  Love proves to be a lesson on “Sweet Talker”, a collaboration with Galantis. Galantis ‘puts in work’ on the production (with Mark Ralph).  The backdrop is bright and exuberant – ear catching.  Furthermore, the record is incredibly rhythmic, evidenced by the piano lines and the dizzying strings in the chorus.  With such a desirable backdrop, Olly Alexander, has the perfect fuel for his fire in the sixth track on his 2022 album, Night Call.

“Sweet Talker” has everyone’s favorite topic in mind – love.  “You wrote a romance, slow dance / Your way into my hands, before I knew,” Olly sings on the first verse, continuing, “You found my deepest weakness / Couldn’t keep a secret that it was you.” My, my, my! Here, Alexander serves up beautiful vocals, singing with a radiant, easygoing tone.  He’s enticed something fierce by this man, best evidenced in the chorus where he characterizes him as “sweet talker” yet ultimately finds himself disappointed by ‘fools good’ you might say:

“You’re such a sweet talker

You made me believe

Every lie was a beautiful sound

You’re such a sweet talker

Man of my dreams

Tell me where are you, where are you now?

Sweet talker.”

While Alexander’s love interest may be no good, this Years & Years record alongside Galantis is terrific.

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Appears in :

• Awesome Songs: November 2021

4. Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa, “Sweetest Pie”

  Traumazine • 1501 Certified Ent. LLC / 300 Entertainment • 2022

What happens when two Grammy winners collaborate with each other? On paper, a hit! Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa joined forces for “Sweetest Pie”, a highlight from Thee Stallion’s 2022 LP, Traumazine. “Sweetest Pie” has all the bells and whistles, featuring several producers.  The resulting backdrop is buttery smooth though anchored by a hard beat. Even though Megan rides mellower production that doesn’t keep her from being, dare I say, savage.

Dua Lipa blesses the track with gorgeous vocals on the memorable chorus. “Ooh, this the ride of your life,” she sings, continuing, “Hold on ‘cause, baby, I might / I might just give you a taste of the sweetest pie.”  Ooh wee! From there, Megan brings on her agile, sexed-up flow, commencing her verse referencing her private parts – anyone shocked? Besides the fact that her “pussy is the meanest,” she speaks about his pipe, being thick, and bragging about the fact, “I ain’t never had to chase dick in my life.” Dua Lipa isn’t as savage during her brief second verse, but Megan atones in the third verse: “Wanna put his Nutty Buddy in my Fudge Round.” HOLY FUK N SHEE-IT, GURL! She doesn’t stop either: “Pussy tighter than a bitch, he ain’t had it like this / Toes curling like they’re throwing gang signs on Crip.” Woo! Ultimately, “Sweetest Pie” is another W for these two superstars.

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Appears in :

• Awesome Songs: March 2022

5. Leon Bridges, “Sweeter” (Ft. Terrace Martin)

Gold-Diggers Sound • Columbia • 2021

On “Sweeter”, released in 2020 (appears on 2021’s Gold-Diggers Sound),  Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Leon Bridges takes the opportunity to capture his thoughts about race and racial injustice through music. “Sweeter,” (featuring Terrace Martin), features a nice blend of old- and new- school R&B.  Bridges clearly has one foot in the door of the past, yet at the same time, the record is slightly more modern than what’s appeared on his albums.  Ricky Reed and Nate Mercereau do a marvelous job behind the boards, helping to mold this ‘sweet’ sound.  Though the sounds are indeed sweet, Bridges’ vocal performance, and the lyrics he conveys are the centerpiece.

“Hoping for a life more sweeter / Instead, I’m just a story repeating / Why do I fear with skin dark as night?  / Can’t feel peace with those judging eyes.” From the start of this somewhat nontraditional number, you feel the weight; the lyrics speak for themselves.  Leon goes on to say that he “Thought we moved on from dark days,” expressing his disappointment over the racial injustices in 2020 without explicitly saying so.  One of the most moving passages: “The tears of my mother rain, rain over me / My sisters and my brothers sing, sing over me / And I wish I had another day, but it’s just another day.” What really stands out about “Sweeter” is how Bridges, Martin, and the songwriters and musicians poetically approach things.  “Sweeter” is a beautiful song, but it’s a beautiful song with no shortage of emotion and pain.  It’s another excellent addition to the growing list of songs that speak out against racial inequality and injustice.

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Appears in :

• Awesome Songs: June 2020
• ‘S’ Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2 (2021)
• ‘Say it Loud,’ Beautiful Black Voices (2021)

6. Taylor Swift, “Sweet Nothing”

Midnights • Taylor Swift • 2022

“They said the end is comin’ / Everyone’s up to somethin’ / I find myself runnin’ home to your sweet nothings.” “Sweet Nothing” is indeed a sweet penultimate track on the standard edition of Midnights, the tenth studio album by Grammy-winning pop musician, Taylor Swift. Just like sweet nothings themselves, “Sweet Nothing” finds Swift celebrating true love.  Essentially, it feels real this time and she wants nothing to destroy it.  One of the best moments occurs in the bridge, where Swift criticizes the industry, who are hungry for profit and disregard her as a person: “And the voices that implore, ‘You should be doing more’ / To you, I can admit that I’m just too soft for all of it.” Notably, she wrote “Sweet Nothing” with her boyfriend, actor Joe Alwyn. That right there is pretty SUH-WEEET!!! 

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7. Tyler, The Creator, “SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE” (Ft. Brent Faiyaz & Fana Hues)

CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: THE ESTATE SALE • Columbia • 2023

On “SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE,” Grammy-winning rapper Tyler, The Creator taps Brent Faiyaz and Fana Hues for the assist. “SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE” marks the longest record on CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST (2022),  running just shy of 10 minutes. This two-part joint is a well-rounded number, but lengthy – the biggest drawback (and it’s not even a big deal).  The musicianship, above all else, is terrific.  The production (Tyler) shines on both parts.  Faiyaz (“Sweet”) and Hues (“I Thought You Wanted to Dance”) both do their thing, supporting the star of the show without a hitch .  Focusing on “Sweet” given the fact sweetness is the focus of this musical compendium, Faiyaz primarily performs the bridge, singing memorably, “Darling, you’re the wind under my wings / My heart beats triple time when I see you / Somethin’ I can’t control.” Aww ! As for Tyler, he’s on the lovey-dovey shee-it too: “But Got gotta know he might have peaked when he made you / The cosmos’ only mistake is what they named you (What that mean?) / They should have called you sugar, you’re so sweet.” Again, I say, aww !!! Notably, we get more melodic Tyler, like on IGOR.

8. Jawsh 685, “Sweet N Sour” (Ft. Tyga & Lauv)

“Sweet N Sour” • Columbia • 2020

“Sweet and sour there you go / Always putting on a show / But I always love the taste / So I can’t leave you alone.” That is an excerpt from the chorus of the bright, enthusiastic pop/rap record, “Sweet N Sour”.  New Zealand musician Jawsh 685 is credited as the lead artist (he produces), though it is the ‘love master’, Lauv (Ari Leff), who gets the honors of performing the infectious chorus.  Furthermore, joining Jawsh and Lauv is freaky rapper extraordinaire, Tyga. The sound of the record is bright, enthusiastic, and exuberant, set in a major key .  Jawsh 685 sets up both guest artists with a great backdrop fitting for both pop and hip-hop worlds. Beyond Jawsh, the reins mostly belong to Lauv who is true to self.  His sexual innuendo is lit: “Monday, lick me like a lollipop / Tuesday, is she loving me or not? / Wednesday, now she climbing back on top / I know she’s bad for me, but I don’t ever wanna stop.” Amazingly, Tyga manages to come out oof “Sweet N Sour” without uttering a single swear! Still, he ‘gets it in’ just tastefully (“You leave and then you runnin’ back, climb on top of me”).

9. Brittany Howard, “Short and Sweet”

Jaime • Brittany Howard / ATO • 2019

“There are mountains between us / There is time between us / Oh, ain’t there something between us? / Something short and sweet.” Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Brittany Howard sings about “the about the beginning of a relationship when you’re kind of assuming it’s not going to work out” on “Short and Sweet,” a highlight from her debut solo album, Jaime.  Regardless of whether the union works out or not, she delivers a gem. The vocal is truly intimate, which is fitting given this budding relationship or lack thereof.  “Short and Sweet” could almost pass as a modern torch song. Towards the end, specifically the third verse, she pushes her voice dynamically, making the listener truly feel the emotions (“Why can’t I wake without you always appearing? / Oh, I better not wait too long / ‘Cause time is gonna kill it”).

10. Hozier, “Almost (Sweet Music)”

Wasteland, Baby! • Columbia • 2019 

“Played from the bedside / Is ‘Stella by Starlight’ / ‘That Was My Heart’… / The drums that start off ‘Night and Day.’” That’s a number of different songs referenced to say the least on “Almost (Sweet Music)”, one of the highlights from Wasteland, Baby!, the sophomore album by Irish singer/songwriter, Hozier. Notably, Hozier references jazz icons like Duke Ellington, Chet Baker, and later, John Coltrane (“The very thought of you and am I blue / A Love Supreme seems far removed”). Like many songs by Grammy-nominated musician, there’s plenty to adore.  First and foremost are his distinct, powerful vocals. The production and sound are another selling point, with an incredible instrumental palette including guitar, piano, various percussion, and organ courtesy of Booker T – #ICONIC.  This backdrop superbly fuels the singer/songwriter’s fire. Of course, the songwriting is arguably the most awesome thing, particularly the catchy chorus.

“I wouldn’t know where to start

Sweet music playing in the dark

Be still, my foolish heart

Don’t ruin this on me.”

11. Ike & Tina Turner, “Sweet Rhode Island Red”

Sweet Rhode Island Red • Capitol • 1974 

Years before she made a comeback for the ages in the mid 1980s, Tina Turner made a name for herself recording with her husband, Ike Turner.  The duo had no shortage of hits.  The thing is, a gem like “Sweet Rhode Island Red”, from their 1974 album, also titled, Sweet Rhode Island Red, is lesser known.  Notably, Sweet Rhode Island Red was created exclusively for the international market, which explains why it is a rarer LP. Even so, the Tina Turner-penned titular joint shines, showing off her dynamic voice and once-in-a-lifetime personality.  Honestly, “Sweet Rhode Island Red” goes H.A.M. from the onset.

“Born in Louisiana in a town called Franklin / I was fully matured by the time I reached the age of 10,” Tina Turner sings expressively.  She continues in the colorful first verse, “Mulatto girl, that’s what they called me / And us mulattos have no trouble at all with men.” That is probably true.  For those who do not know, a mulatto is defined as a person of mixed white and black ancestry. Britannica adds in their entry, “today in North America mulatto is considered to be a dated and offensive term.” In the 70s, however, this term was acceptable. The pre-chorus which follows – “All the men say that I’m sweet as honey / ‘Cause I’m 34, 28, and 22 at the tummy” –  sets up the epic chorus which highlights the titular lyric.  Cock-a-doodle-doo! There is even more of a narrative component beyond the first verse.  Tina sings about attending church, school, and how Pastor Taylor and Deacon Jones treated her (“They were just too hot headed to leave me alone”).  Furthermore, it is captivating when Turner sings, “People there said it was a shame and a pity / When old Mayor Daley gave me the key to the city [New Orleans].” Woo!  Beyond the energetic, fun lyrics, the music backing Tina is epic, produced by Ike.

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Appears in :

• Ike & Tina Turner, “Sweet Rhode Island Red”: Throwback Vibez 127 (2022)
• 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 7 (2023)

11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 2 [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 1501 Certified Ent. LLC / 300 Entertainment, Brittany Howard / ATO, Capitol, Columbia, Geffen, Interscope, Polydor, Taylor Swift; Igor Ovsyannykov via Pexels]