11 Songs That Let Their Light SHINE | Playlist 🎧

11 Songs That Let Their Light SHINE features music courtesy of Earth Wind & Fire, The Manhattans, Pusha T, Ray Charles, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.

Question: Are you prepared to SHINE ✨? Hopefully, the answer is a resounding yes.  But, if not, we have a playlist for the purposes of SHINING.  That’s right, 🎧 11 Songs That Let Their Light SHINE places emphasis on, well, the S-H-I-N-E.  Every single song on this musical compendium features some form of the word Shine – no exceptions whatsoever! 🎧 11 Songs That Let Their Light SHINE, hence features the shining music of 🎙 Earth Wind & Fire, 🎙 The Manhattans, 🎙 Pusha T, 🎙 Ray Charles, and 🎙 Vanessa Bell Armstrong among others. So, without further ado, get your shine on with this shiny, shining, shine songs!

1. Earth Wind & Fire, “Shining Star”

💿 That’s The Way Of The World • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 1975  

“When you wish upon a star / Your dreams will take you very far, yeah.” YEAH!!! It is hard to believe that 🎙 Earth, Wind & Fire, an iconic band with many hits, only scored one no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 🤯.  That sole no. 1 hit was NOT the beloved 🎵 “September” either 🤯! It was 🎵 “Shining Star”, the opening track from 💿 That’s The Way Of The World, that reached the penthouse on the Hot 100. That’s The Way Of The World was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. As for “Shining Star,” it was certified gold.  Even more notably, “Shining Star” earned Earth, Wind & Fire their first of six 🏆 Grammy awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus (18^th Annual GRAMMY Awards).   

What makes “Shining Star” the sugar honey iced tea when it comes to the Earth, Wind & Fire catalog? Well, 🎙 Maurice White and 🎙 Philip Bailey plays sizable role with their electrifying pipes.  Of course, beyond that, the songwriting is sweet too, with the chorus taking the cake: “You’re a shining star / No matter who you are / Shining bright to see / What you could truly be.” Also, as previously highlight on my write-up about 🎵 “Reasons”, the musical backdrop is a big reason why much of Earth, Wind & Fire’s music is so iconic.  The riffs, particularly performed by the guitar, are lit. The bass line is funk as albeit. The horns are killer, truly confirming that 1970s sound that is clearly once in a lifetime.  Furthermore, the keyboard work is marvelous as well, shining most during the chorus. Revisiting the infectious 🎵 “Shining Star”, it is easy to see why it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and ranks at or near the top of the Earth, Wind & Fire catalog.

Appears in 🔻:  

• Earth, Wind & Fire, Shining Star: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 20 (2023)
• Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 1 (2023)
• 15 Must-Hear, Throwback Vibez, Vol. 10 (2023)

2. DJ Khaled, “Shining” (Ft. Beyoncé & Jay-Z)

💿  Grateful • 🏷 Epic  • 📅 2017 

🎙 DJ Khaled brought the SHINE to 🎵 “Shining”, a single from his 2017 album, 💿 Grateful, which features hip-hop royalty 🎙 Beyoncé and 🎙 Jay-Z. “Shining” is not all hype. There’s some punch behind the efforts of these three 🏆 Grammy-winning stars – mostly Bey and Hov, mind you. Following the signature Khaled shout outs, Beyoncé gets the shining started.  The best way to characterize the chorus is filled with attitude with Mrs. Carter flexing hard (“Shinin’, shinin’, shinin’, shinin’, yeah / all of this winnin’, I’ve been losin’ my mind…”).  The attitude and energy is undeniable, continuing into two verses from the queen – non-transcendent flex-fests filled with slang and repetition. Jay-Z gets on the banger late in the game, also flexing:

“One ain’t enough, I need two

That night I mix the Ace with the D’US’

Hit a triple-double in the Garden

I don’t my left wrist like I’m Harden (swish).” 

Again, there’s nothing game changing lyrically like the triple-double JAY references, but at least he exudes confidence.  He even goes on to anticipate how he planned to pamper his twins: “Ran to the dealer, bought twin Mercedes / The European trucks for the twin babies / Don’t let me have a son, I’m a fool, haha / Send him to school in all my jewels, haha…”  Ultimately, “Shining” is enjoyable even if there are shinier, SHINE records.

3. The Black Keys, “Shine A Little Light”

💿 “Let’s Rock” • 🏷 Nonesuch • 📅 2019

🏆 Grammy-winning rock duo 🎙 The Black Keys (🎙 Dan Auerbach and 🎙 Patrick Carney) have a question for you… for us: “Do you feel like you’re the only one living on a prayer?” Well, do you? Auerbach also follows up with another question: “Have you ever tried to love someone who wasn’t even there?” Hmm, thought provoking! 🎵 “Shine a Little Light” kicks off their 2019 album, 💿 “Let’s Rock” (their first after a five-year hiatus) with mad energy.  The guitars bite – raucous to the n^th degree. Auerbach shows incredible control overall from a vocal perspective, yet also provides the LP’s energetic opener with the oomph it deserves 💪.  The centerpiece of “Shine a Little Light” is the catchy chorus: 

“If evil lays his hands on me  

Shine a little light on my soul 

Show me things I cannot see 

Shine a little light on my soul.”

4. Pusha T, “Let The Smokers Shine The Coupes”

💿 It’s Almost Dry • 🏷 Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc. / Def Jam / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 📅 2022

“If the money is the evil root / Let the smokers shine the coupes.” WOO! It’s hard to believe a rapper the caliber of 🎙 Pusha T is 🏆 Grammy-nominated as opposed to Grammy-winning 🤯!  Of course, winning Grammys isn’t the end all be all, even if King Push deserves the accolade.  One of the brightest moments of his fourth studio album, 💿 It’s Almost Dry (2022), is the banger, 🎵 “Let the Smokers Shine the Coupes.”   

After 🎵 “Brambleton” sets the tone of It’s Almost Dry, “Smokers Shine…” keeps the momentum rolling. Pusha T is dialed in, characterizing himself as “Cocaine’s Dr. Seuss.” MIC 🎤 DROP 💧! Unsurprisingly, cocaine fuels the fire, whether it’s, “If kilograms is the groove,” or “Coca leaf and potpourris / … Don’t brag bricks to me.” Gah-day-um! 🎛 Pharrell Williams is behind the boards 💪, assisted by Ojivolta.  The resulting record = 🔥 🔥 🔥!!!

5. Ray Charles, “Come Rain or Come Shine”

💿 The Genius of Ray Charles • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 1959 

“I’m gonna love you like no one’s loved you / Come rain or come shine…” The late, great 🎙 Ray Charles concludes his 1959 album, 💿 The Genius of Ray Charles, with a surefire classic: 🎵 “Come Rain or Come Shine”. “… High as a mountain, deep as a river / Come rain or come shine.” The song predates Charles’ stirring rendition, penned by 🎼 ✍ Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer in 1946 for the Broadway music, St. Louis Woman.  And oft-covered standard, Charles truly made “Come Rain or Come Shine” his own given his signature, high-flying, bluesy vocals. It’s easy to buy what he sells as he makes it crystal clear through good and bad he will ALWAYS love you!

“Days may be cloudy or sunny

We’re in or are we out of the money?

Yeah, but I’m with you always

I’m with you rain or shine.”

Furthermore, the iconic, prodigious blind musician’s pianistic chops equally allure. Beyond his own top-notch musicianship, Charles’ supporting cast are marvelous too.  The orchestra is arranged superbly by Ralph Burns.  This encompasses strings, chilling backing vocals, and of course, the wind instruments, including the prominently featured trombone. The orchestration is colorful, complementing and providing Ray with plenty of fuel for the fire.  The music speaks for itself on 🎵 “Come Rain or Come Shine” – no extensive analysis necessary.  Ray Charles was a one of a kind, once-in-a-lifetime musician.  Furthermore, this modest pop hit (no. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100) is one of the legendary, 17-time 🏆 Grammy-winning musician’s timeless classics.

Appears in 🔻:

• Ray Charles, Come Rain or Come Shine: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 111 (2023)

6. Vanessa Bell Armstrong, “Shine On Me”

💿 Timeless (EP) • 🏷 Trinitee Urban • 📅 2023 

“Turn on the light from heaven, Lord / Shine on me!” Amen, amen 🙌! Sing it, 🎙 Vanessa Bell Armstrong! That is the type of lift we could all use.  If you are a fan of classic TV, perhaps this soulful gospel cut, 🎵 “Shine On Me” (💿 Timeless (EP)), sounds familiar.  The reason why is because Armstrong recorded it as the theme song from the sitcom, 📺 Amen.  If you have never seen Amen, you are missing a treat, with the late, great 🎭 Sherman Hemsley (best known as George Jefferson on 📺 The Jeffersons) doing this thing. Focusing on the theme, it is appropriate for the show given its church setting and obviously, it’s title.

“Turn on the light and put me on the right road / Help me find my way, Lord,” Armstrong continues singing, backed by choir, “Turn on the light from heaven, Lord / Shine on me, shine on me.” The lyrics are simple but potent – spiritual to the n^th degree.  This is a petition for mercy, favor, and God’s goodness, etc.  The best part of the song is the vamp on “Shine on me,” with Armstrong riffing and ad-libbing incredibly.  Whether you consider yourself a believer, spiritual, or nothing, the energy of 🎵 “Shine On Me” should strike a chord.  It’s a V-I-B-E!

Appears in 🔻:

• Vanessa Bell Armstrong, “Shine On Me”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 34 (2023)

7. A$AP Rocky, “Praise the Lord (Da Shine)” (Ft. Skepta)

💿 Testing • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2018  

Testing…1,2,3… testing…1,2,3… In the context of his third studio album, 💿 Testing, 🎵 “Praise the Lord (Da Shine)” gives 🎙 A$AP Rocky a much-needed banger. He raps capably over banging percussion and fluty synths.  Amen, amen, amen! While Rocky’s on fire, it is 🎙 Skepta that gets the best part of the record – the hook.  

“I came, I saw, I came, I saw 

I praise the Lord, then break, the law 

I take, what’s mine, then take, some more 

It rains, it pours, it rains, it pours.” 

In addition to delivering the crowning achievement, Skepta also gets his own verse, as well as collaborating on the third verse with Rocky.  Praiseworthy? You bet!   

Appears in 🔻:

• Praise 🙌: 5ive Songs No. 24 (2021)
• 11 Songs Filled with Immense Praise 🙌 (2022) 

8. George Ezra, “Pretty Shining People” 

💿 Staying at Tamara’s • 🏷 Sony UK • 📅 2018 

In 2018, deep-voiced British singer-songwriter 🎙 George Ezra released an impressive sophomore album with 💿 Staying at Tamara’s.  One of the best moments from the album arrives at the top with standout 🎵 “Pretty Shining People”. Here, Ezra shows off those distinct, powerful, and robust vocals in all their glory. Beyond the voice, the narrative songwriting is excellent – incredibly fun as well as thoughtful. In the first verse, Ezra struggles with fear and change. In the second, he focuses on “what ifs.” The pre-chorus comes from the perspective of his friend, Sam:  

“He said: ‘Why, why, what a terrible time to be alive 

If you’re prone to over thinking and 

Why, why, what a terrible time to be alive 

If you’re prone to second guessing.” 

Another pro is the production, shining brightest on the powerful, enthusiastic chorus.  During this section, there is heavy use of acoustic guitars, and pummeling drums. Also, worth noting, melodically, it’s simply beautiful. 

Appears in 🔻:  

• People: 3BOPS No. 25 (2021)
• 15 Riveting Songs About People (2021)

9. Paris, Shadows “SHININ” 

💿 ONE NIGHT IN PARIS • 🏷 300 Entertainment • 📅 2018

🎵 “SHININ” arrives as the seventh track on 💿 ONE NIGHT IN PARIS, the 2018, debut EP by 🎙 Paris Shadows.  Paris Shadows – what a man, what a man, what a man 🤩!  Focusing on his shining moment, it commences mysteriously. Following the intro, the drums and the arrive simultaneously.  

In the context of the EP, the chorus of “SHININ” is among the catchier ones: 

“Stab me in the back, all you do is front 
I stack up my cash, all I do is stunt 
All I, all I, all I, all I do is stunt 
Walked up in this bitch, I do what I want.”  

Oh, sheee-it! Notably, there is only one verse, where Paris is mostly concerned about money and sex. “Got me a lot of hoes,” he asserts at the jump, later adding, “I turned a bad bitch into my new bae.” WOO! Putting a cap on the verse, he flexes: “My legacy I’m leavin’ gon’ be timeless / And just like all my teeth, you know I’m shinin’.” WHOOMP! THERE IT IS 🤘!  

10. Terrence Howard, “Shine Through It”

💿 Shine Through It • 🏷 Sony BMG Music Entertainment • 📅 2008 

“Shine through it, shine through it / Shine through it, shine through it.” Singers want to be actors, and actors want to be singers.  This has been happening for a long time.  Sometimes, the crossover works superbly. At other times, it’s a singular experiment.  For 🏆 Academy Award nominated actor 🎙 Terrence Howard, his foray into music as a musician encompassed one album, 💿 Shine Through It, released in 2008.  Notably, he has been affiliated with music multiple times in his career, including the role that earned him an Academy Award nomination, Hustle & Flow (2005) and his stint as Lucious Lyon on Empire (2015 – 2020).  Shine Through It was not a commercial success, yielding mixed reviews at best.  Still, Shine Through It had its share of intriguing moments, including the thoughtful 🎵 “Shine Through It”. 

Conceptually, “Shine Through It” is a sweet track.  Terrence Howard sings about being true to self, imploring others to be a light as opposed to putting on a façade or being, well, bad people.  “Sentimental phone calls / People hide behind how you doing,” he asserts, adding, “Then the talk starts / How come ya never follow through it.” Howard’s second verse is interesting, too: “But you’re bound to fall / My beauty is in the scars / Tried and true.”  Prior to this, he mentions doing the right thing, responding about an imminent fall, but also seemingly suggesting there is beauty in flaws – making mistakes.  Perhaps, to some extent, the way “Shine Through It” is penned is flawed, but, in bits and pieces, it is quite thoughtful.  Instrumentally, “Shine Through It” is incredibly classy – it was not your standard contemporary R&B cut from the late aughts.  Reading commentary regarding the album, one of the criticisms, particularly this single, is Howard’s voice.  His voice is distinct, with a coarse quality at times on “Shine Through It.” Even so, while no one will dub Terrence Howard as a powerhouse, I ❤️ his approach on 🎵 “Shine Through It”.  Of a short-lived music career, it is a highlight.

Appears in 🔻:

• Terrence Howard, Shine Through It: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 31 (2023)

11. The Manhattans, “Shining Star”

💿 After Midnight • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 1980

The biggest hit of 🎙 The Manhattans’ career is undoubtedly 🎵 “Kiss And Say Goodbye”. Furthermore, “Kiss And Say Goodbye” is one of soul music’s very, very best.  However, the stars shined on The Manhattans once again, four years after their ace in the hole with 🎵 “Shining Star”.  “Honey, you are my shinging star / Don’t you go away,” the collective sings, adding in the memorable chorus, “Oh baby / Wanna be right here where you are / Until my dying day, yeah baby.” “Shining Star” didn’t reach no. 1 like “Kiss and Say Goodbye,” but it peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified platinum by the RIAA 💪. Also, the collective won their sole 🏆 Grammy for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. The parent album, 💿 After Midnight (1980), was certified gold, another “W” for The Manhattans.

“Shining Star” was written by 🎼 ✍ Leo Graham and Paul Richmond, which Graham also producing. The theme is relatable – universal: love, love, love. The chorus sums it up brilliantly.  That said, the verses captivate as well.  In the first, lead vocalist 🎙 Gerald Alston sings, “Girl, don’t you realize / How you hypnotize / Make me love you more each time, yeah baby.” Similarly, in the second verse, Alston sings, “Baby when we touch, love you so much / You’re all I ever dream of, yeah baby.” In the pre-chorus, performed by the entire collective, the chivalrous, dedicated spirit is admirable, reminiscent of a more innocent, simpler time. Also, worth noting, “Shining Star” includes a modulation (key change), something much rarer in today’s music. With a brilliant arrangement by James Mack, marvelous singing by Alston and company, and stellar songwriting by Graham and Richmond, 🎵 “Shining Star” truly shines ✨.

Appears in 🔻:

• The Manhattans, “Shining Star”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 95 (2023)

11 Songs That Let Their Light SHINE [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 300 Entertainment, Columbia, Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc. / Def Jam / UMG Recordings, Inc., Epic, Nonesuch, RCA, Sony Music Entertainment, Trinitee Urban; LED Supermarket, Marcus Pinho, Matheus Bertelli, from Pexels]