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11 Songs That Have G-O-T Got It, Vol. 1 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Andres Ayrton from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]11 Songs That Have G-O-T Got It, Vol. 1 features songs by Cheryl Lynn, Gunna, Peder Elias, Tina Turner, and Troye Sivan. 

Give me a G… G! Give me an O…O!  Give me a T…T! What’s that spell? GOT, got darn it! G-O-T is the key-W-O-R-D on the musical compendium 11 Songs That Have G-O-T Got It, Vol. 1.  The criterion for this playlist is simple: every song must feature got in the song title.  No exceptions! 11 Songs That Have G-O-T Got It, Vol. 1 features songs by Cheryl Lynn, Gunna, Peder Elias, Tina Turner, and Troye Sivan. No need to belabor this intro! Let’s jump into these hot G-O-T, got songs, do you got it 😜?!


~ Table of Contents ~

1. Peder Elias, “If I Got a Dollar” 2. Gunna, “GOT DAMN” 3. Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” 4. Troye Sivan, “Got Me Started”
5. Jennifer Hudson, “I Got This” 6. Galantis x David Guetta x MNEK, “Damn (You’ve Got Me Saying)” 7. Cheryl Lynn, “Got To Be Real” 8. Four Tops, “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)”
9. Teyana Taylor, “We Got Love” (Ft. Ms. Lauryn Hill) 10. The Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling” 11. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me”  

 


1. Peder Elias, “If I Got a Dollar”

“If I Got a Dollar” // Peder Elias / Sony Music Entertainment Norway AS // 2025

Peder Elias, If I Got a Dollar [📷: Peder Elias / Sony Music Entertainment Norway AS]“Crazy / How you’re back and forth with me lately,” Peder Elias (Peder Elias Eriksrud Kjørholt) sings in the first verse of “If I Got a Dollar”. He continues, “Up, down, like a trampoline baby / One day you’re so into me, next day falling out.” Love and relationships can be complicated to the nth degree.  Even so, the Norwegian singer, songwriter, and producer approaches “If I Got a Dollar” with enthusiasm. Go figure.  This major-key pop gem was penned by Elias, Ryan Bickley, and Freedo. Freedo also produced it. “Stop making a mess out of my mind / You know that you’re killing me with those hazel eyes,” Elias sings in the second verse, adding, “I need help, help running from you.” Oh, snap! Truthfully, once you are enticed by someone, even if they hurt you, it can be hard to let go, particularly when physical appearance and pleasure come into the picture. Accompanied by a stellar music backdrop, including rhythmic guitar, Peder ‘brings it’ with his warm vocals and lovely tone. He does a marvelous job of bringing the tuneful melodies to life, particularly the centerpiece, the chorus:

“If I got a dollar every time that you broke my heart

If I got a dollar for each fight that you took too far

I’d live in a penthouse, uptown, roll out fancy cars

If I got a dollar every time that you broke my heart

I’d bе a millionaire.”

Yep, that is where the money comes into the mix! During the bridge, his hypothetical richness is further explored, with clear separation from the verses and chorus, and some sweet falsetto. One other highlight from the fab “If I Got a Dollar” is the post-chorus, where the instrumental slaps. Despite his heartbreak, Peder Elias perks our ears up ‘something fierce’ in this pop bop. 

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~ Table of Contents ~

2. Gunna, “GOT DAMN”

“GOT DAMN” // Young Stoner Life / 300 Entertainment // 2024 

Gunna, GOT DAMN [📷: Young Stoner Life / 300 Entertainment]“On and off the jet, goddamn / Uh, I don’t get no rest, goddamn / I want my respect, goddamn / I been running up a check, yeah.” Woo! What do you do when you want to say a ‘double-jointed’ swear word but don’t want to offend Christians? You say, ‘got damn’ instead of goddamn. Gunna ‘censors’ his swear on the title of his late 2024 single, “GOT DAMN”.  Even so, he lets the ‘god damns’ fly in the chorus, censors be damned! Aviator Keyyz, Bloublood, Timpani Beatz, and J Kari produced “GOT DAMN” giving the melodic Atlanta rapper a smooth backdrop to drop his bars on. The vibe is L-I-T! With a sweet instrumental supporting him, Gunna showcases ample personality.  He is true to self–Wunna to the nth degree.  That said, he doesn’t say anything earth-shattering or game changing.  “Fashion every day put her in Couture,” he spits in the first verse, continuing, “Uh, put in work, make that pussy purr.” Meow… Been there, done that.  “Goddamn, a nigga fortunate / Every day locked in, I make M’s off my voice,” he brags in the second verse, adding, “Brought out fifty G’s just to spend on my lil shawty.” Yeah, the rhymes aren’t deep – shallow, shallow, shallow.  Of course, is a track named “GOT DAMN” expected to be a highly intellectual trap joint? No, and it’s not.  Ultimately, “GOT DAMN” is an enjoyable listen.  The sound and smooth flow by Gunna are hypnotic.

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3. Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got To Do With It”

Private Dancer // Parlophone // 1984

Tina Turner, Private Dancer [📷: Parlophone]“What’s love got to do, got to do with it? / What’s love but a secondhand emotion?”  Those lyrics are simply ICONIC.  Who better to sing iconic lyrics than an icon herself? What’s surprising is how old Tina Turner was when “What’s Love Got To Do With It” materialized – nearly 45 years old! This beloved number one hit was a big part of her comeback on Private Dancer, an album that found the versatile, Grammy-winning musician embracing pop/rock. Speaking of Grammys, for “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” Turner won two: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, and more prestigiously, Record of The Year.  “What’s Love Got to Do With It” was certified gold by the RIAA, while the parent album, Private Dancer, has been certified quintuple platinum.

“What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

What’s love but a secondhand emotion?

What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?”

Besides the timeless chorus, what makes “What’s Love Got To Do With It” so epic? It all starts with Tina Turner, whose vocals are phenomenal.  She sings smoothly in the verses, packing more of a punch on that anthemic refrain.  Beyond her pipes, the production, with its smooth, 80s palette of sounds (guitars, keys/synths) is pretty sweet – the definition of a vibe in the 2020s.  It serves as the perfect soundtrack for this love-oriented track.  Of course, “What’s Love Got To Do With,” penned by Terry Britten (also produces) and Graham Lyle, is well-written.  The lyrics stand out first and foremost (“You must understand though the touch of your hand / Makes my pulse react / That it’s only the thrill of boy meeting girl” or “It may seem to you that I’m acting confused / When you’re close to me / If I tend to look dazed I’ve read it someplace / I’ve got cause to be”) but even harmonically, it’s unique. Interestingly, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” was offered to many others before it landed in the hands of Turner.  Thank God it ultimately did land in Turner’s hands because it was made for her – PERIOD.

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~ Table of Contents ~

4. Troye Sivan, “Got Me Started”

Something To Give Each Other // Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd. // 2023 

Troye Sivan, Something To Give Each Other [📷: EMI Recorded Music Australia Production]“He’s got the personality not even gravity could ever hold him down,” Grammy-nominated pop artist Troye Sivan sings in the first verse of “Got Me Started”, among the crème de la crème of his third album, Something To Give Each Other.  He finishes off the first verse, singing, “He’s got the sexuality of a man who can take a room and drown it out.” WOO! Sivan serves up a serious dose of sexiness 😈. He penned “Got Me Started” alongside Leland, Tayla Parx, Styalz Fuego (Kaelyn Behr), Ian Kirkpatrick, Jack Glass, and Chris Stracey. “Got Me Started” commences with incredibly fresh, slick dance production (Kirkpatrick).  I ❤️ the rhythmic synth, which appears at various times throughout the record.  As much ear candy as the backdrop provides, the star of the show is Troye, who delivers smooth, sexy vocals (“We’ve got that hot chemistry, yeah, you and me won’t make it out this house”). Besides his effort on vocals, the vocal production is awesome.  In the infectious chorus, his vocals are filled with effects, idiomatic of the dance/dance-pop style he embraces. Of course, the infectiousness comes from the memorable lyrics, including a naughty bomb!

“You just got me started

And I don’t think I can stop it

And I don’t wanna go home alone, alright?

Oh, baby, baby

Boy, can I be honest?

Kinda miss usin’ my body

Fuck it up just like this party did tonight

Oh, baby, baby.”

Another selling point is the warmth of the instrumental during the brief, contrasting bridge section, where he reuses the chorus lyric, “Boy, can I be honest.” Sivan brings the heat – NO 🚫 CAP 🧢!!!

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5. Jennifer Hudson, “I Got This”

I Remember Me // Arista // 2011

Jennifer Hudson, I Remember Me [📷: Arista]“I Got This” – what an empowering phrase! Furthermore, it’s an empowering song from the supremely talented EGOT winner, Jennifer Hudson. “I Got This” appears as the second track on Hudson’s 2011, gold certified LP, I Remember Me.  Even when others doubt and don’t believe in J. Hud, she belives in herself, like ‘I got this!’ “I Got This” was written by Slipmats, StarGate (Mikkel Storleer Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen), and Crystal Nicole. It was produced by Slipmats, StarGate, and Harvey Mason Jr.. The sound of the record matches the inspired vibes of the lyrics. The most memorable, uplifting section of “I Got This” is the chorus:

“(I got this)

Every single breath another step on my road

(I got this)

I’m from the south side tryna get to my goal

(I got this)

Ain’t no stopping me, come on follow me if you feel the need

(I got this)

Better believe I got this, believe I got this.”

The chorus sums up the journey that Jennifer Hudson is on to reach her goals.  The verses provide details, including in the first, “Just me and the dream beating the pavement / Stick to the hurts and burst splitting words of encouragement, baby.” In the second, she mentions the adversity: “So many tried to break me / When I got up and knocked me down / Didn’t keep me from moving, I flip the world upside down.” Woo! In the bridge, nothing will stop her, not even gravity! “Gravity is mad at me ‘cause when I fall, I won’t drop / Something in me won’t let me stop until I reach the top.” Jennifer Hudson’s belief in self and reaching for the stars on “I Got This” despite many adversaries is encouraging, impressive, inspiring, and uplifting to the nth degree!

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~ Table of Contents ~

6. Galantis x David Guetta x MNEK, “Damn (You’ve Got Me Saying)”

Damn (You’ve Got Me Saying) // Big Beat // 2022 

Galantis x David Guetta x MNEK, “Damn (You’ve Got Me Saying)”[📷: Big Beat]“And there ain’t no way I’m gettin’ you back / You got me sayin’ / Damn!” WOO – #baby swear word 🤬!!! “Damn (You’ve Got Me Saying)” is set in a minor key, but there’s nothing downright malicious, damn it! The record features the exuberant, nuanced vocals of MNEK. It’s safe to say he totally #SLAYS.  His best moments come on the centerpiece… the main course – the infectious, spirited chorus.  Here, MNEK asserts, “Damn, I shouldn’t have let you walk right out my life (Uh) / I shoulda treated you right / I shoulda been by your side.” Uh-oh! DAMN, those pesky matters of the heart always provide the fuel for a great song, and in this case, it’s a surefire dance-pop bop! Backtracking, MNEK messed up with his ex-lover, and he regrets it, admitting, in the first verse, “It drives me crazy to see you move on / While I lay alone in my bed.” Oh, snap 🫰! “Damn (You’ve Got Me Saying)” isn’t all MNEK, despite the fact he’s totally #GIVING! He gets classy, picturesque production courtesy of Swedish DJ/producer Galantis (Christian “Bloodshy” Karlsson) and French DJ/producer, David Guetta, who are also credited to this track. Additionally, Galantis and Guetta collab with producers Tre Jean-Marie and Y3LLO KOALA to assemble this decadent ear candy. MNEK’s love pain ends up being the ultimate listening pleasure.

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~ Table of Contents ~

7. Cheryl Lynn, “Got To Be Real”

Cheryl Lynn // Sony Music Entertainment // 1978  

Cheryl Lynn, Cheryl Lynn [📷: Sony Music Entertainment]“What you think, ah! / What you feel now / What you know, ah! / To be REAL!” WOO! Cheryl Lynn experienced real, legitimate success with her exuberant, funky debut single, “Got to Be Real”.  “Got to Be Real” commences her 1978 self-titled debut album. Her biggest hit, “…Real” peaked at no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979; it is her only single certified platinum by the RIAA.  Lynn penned the beloved disco/funk/soul gem alongside David Foster and David Paich (of Toto). Paich also produced the track alongside his father, the late Marty Paich. “Got to Be Real” is a vibe, period! Lynn gives an electrifying vocal performance, showing off the power of her pipes. One of the notable aspects of that performance is how she slides up to select notes.  Furthermore, the harmonized vocals add to the allure and color of “Got to Be Real.” Additionally, she conveys a big personality, which perfectly delivers lyrical gems like, “Ooh… / Your love is for real now / You know that … / Your love is my love / My love is your love / Our love is here to stay.” Thematically, “Got to Be Real” is simple: it’s all real love ❤️, baby! Adding to the excitement is the infectious, funky groove, jubilant horns, and key modulations. “Got to Be Real” is REALLY GOOD – DUH!   

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~ Table of Contents ~

8. Four Tops, “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)”

Keeper Of The Castle // Geffen // 1972 

Four Tops, Keeper Of The Castle [📷: Geffen]Four Tops are one of the truly great soul collectives, hands down.  Sadly, the Four Tops are among many acts that have NEVER been awarded a Grammy! The group has plenty of hits on the R&B and pop charts, with “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)” being one of their biggest. Written by Brian Potter and Dennis Lambert, it was originally recorded by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds 🤯! The Four Tops made it a hit on their 1972 album, Keeper Of The Castle.  It peaked at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 – impressive to say the least.    

“Every day the sun comes up around her 

She can make the birds sing harmony.” 

So, what makes this record a surefire classic?  It starts with the music, honestly – that gorgeous introduction sets the tone.  Overall, the instrumental backdrop can be described as chill, lush, and smooth (Potter and Lambert produce alongside Steve Barri).  This gives Levi Stubbs and company fuel for the fire, though the collective always seemed to be on autopilot, didn’t they? Four Tops deliver celestial vocal harmonies, while Stubbs serves up commanding, soulful lead vocals.  The verses shine, as the excerpted lyrics suggest, but it is the chorus – among soul music’s catchiest – that solidifies the hit status of “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)”.  The core of the chorus is the eight-letter title, along with stellar ad-libs by Lawrence Payton, Obie Benson, and Duke Fakir“Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)” is the cat’s meow!  

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~ Table of Contents ~

9. Teyana Taylor, “We Got Love” (Ft. Ms. Lauryn Hill) 

The Album // Def Jam // 2020 

Teyana Taylor, The Album [📷: Getting Out Our Dreams / Def Jam]“We got love, love, love / You better believe it.” The crown jewel of The Album by Teyana Taylor is “We Got Love”, featuring Ms. Lauryn Hill.  The biggest takeaway from “We Got Love” is how reflective and thankful the record is.  Taylor counts her many blessings, none of which are about clout or drip. She focuses on family, self-love, and positive, uplifting vibes. Hill doesn’t have a gargantuan role on “We Got Love,” but her interlude adds some spice to this love-centric, socially conscious, and reflective number (“You keep your focus / You keep your sense of love / And you keep your sense of purpose…”).  Ultimately, “We Got Love” is a great way to conclude a great album and one of the best songs of 2020.  

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~ Table of Contents ~

10. The Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling”

The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies) // Interscope // 2009 

The Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) [📷: Interscope]“I got a feelin’ / That tonight’s gonna be a good night / That tonight’s gonna be a good night / That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night.” WOO! Black Eyed Peas were dominant throughout the 2000s.  Their 2009 multiplatinum album, The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies) won will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo, and Apl.de.ap three Grammys.  One of the Grammys was for the most ubiquitous single from the album, “I Gotta Feeling” (Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals).  It spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  Furthermore, the single has been certified diamond by the RIAA.  An entertaining record, it radiates fun and positivity.

The positivity makes “I Gotta Feeling” a premier example of uplifting music. “I know that we’ll have a ball / If we get down and go out and just lose it all,” Fergie sings in the first verse, continuing, “I feel stressed out, I wanna let it go / Let’s go way out, spaced out, and losin’ all control.” Despite bad situations, particularly financially, BEP encourages us to relieve the stress and have a good time tonight.  Adding to the fun, is the refrain, where will.i.am asserts, “Fill up my cup, mazel tov / Look at her dancin’, just take it off / Let’s paint the town, we’ll shut it down / Let’s burn the roof.”  Hell yeah! Later, both will.i.am and Fergie encourage partying every day! “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Do it) / Friday, Saturday, Saturday to Sunday (Do it).” The collective wants us to have fun, not be ‘down in the dumps.’  Ultimately, Black Eyed Peas dropped a pop banger for all time with “I Gotta Feeling”David Guetta and Frédéric Riesterer produced an epic gem for BEP, NO CAP!

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~ Table of Contents ~

11. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me”

The Fabulous Miracles // Motown // 1963

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Fabulous Miracles [📷: Motown]“I don’t like you / But I love you / Seems that I’m always / Thinking of you.” Ooh-wee! “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” is the opening track on Smokey Robinson & The Miracles’ 1963 album, The Fabulous Miracles.  Written and produced by Smokey Robinson, who also sings lead, “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” is one of the best and biggest hits by the legendary Motown act.  How well did this love-driven joint perform on the pop charts? Well, it peaked at no. 8, earning it the honors of one of the collective’s six top-10 hits.  

There’s plenty to ❤ about “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me.” The theme of love that you can’t quit is incredibly relatable. Robinson conveys it superbly from a vocal and songwriting perspective. 

“I don’t want you  

But I need you  

Don’t want to kiss you  

But I need to.” 

Woo! He brings plenty of personality to the table via a once-in-a-lifetime tenor. The Miracles bring the heat as well. Speaking of other aspects of songwriting, what about that lilting feel? This record executes 12/8 superbly. Gotta love how the piano carries those triplets, not to mention the drum groove, and the way that the rest of the rhythm section is locked in. What about those horns? “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” ranks among those utterly sublime, early Motown classics. It’s old but still lit!  

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

11 Songs That Have G-O-T Got It, Vol. 1 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 300 Entertainment, Arista, Big Beat, Def Jam, Geffen, Interscope, Motown, Parlophone, Peder Elias, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment Norway AS, Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd., Young Stoner Life; Andres Ayrton from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

 

Categories: EvergreenLGBTQMusicPlaylistsPop Culture

the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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