11 Songs That Scream EMERGENCY

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11 Songs That Scream EMERGENCY features music courtesy of Coco Jones, Demi Lovato, Logic, My Chemical Romance, and Trey Songz.

Be alerted my beloved Musical Hype-ians ! THE SIRENS – THEY ARE BLARING SOMETHING FIERCE!!! It’s an EMERGENCY of epic, MUSICAL proportions ! How do we escape? Well, we should DOUBLE DOWN – embrace this musical emergency! The best way to do so is – wait for it – a playlist! So, in order to combat the emergency at hand, we proudly present 11 Songs That Scream EMERGENCY! Of course, there is no real emergency here, just songs loosely associated with emergencies – 911, ICU, and in one particularly sad instance, cancer. 11 Songs That Scream EMERGENCY features music courtesy of Coco Jones, Demi Lovato, Logic, My Chemical Romance, and Trey Songz among others. So, without prolonging this dramatic (or melodramatic) introduction, let’s jump right into the EMERGENCIES, shall we?!

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1. Coco Jones, “ICU”

What I Didn’t Tell You • Def Jam • 2022

“Somethin’ ‘bout your hands on my body / Feels better than any man I ever had.” Ooh-la-la, Coco Jones! On “ICU”, the heat – sexual heat that is – is turned all the way up on high! The R&B singer is feeling this guy something fierce. Although they make an agreement to be friends, the attraction appears to be too much to not be more, or, perhaps, live. In the second verse of this lush DJ Camper production, she sings, “Find myself readin’ your comments again / And then we end up in each other’s heads.”  

In chorus, Coco Jones asserts, in sultry fashion, “Maybe I-I-I-I-I, I need you / I breathe you, turnin’ my heart blue, ooh, ooh.” By the end of this gorgeous highlight from her 2022 album, What I Didn’t Tell You, Jones realizes, “Baby, my life’s just off without you / Maybe you’re worth it all to me, baby.” “ICU” captures a bit of everything. It is steamy at times, but never crosses the line. Beyond the heat, however, Jones’ health seems to be in jeopardy due to matters of the heart.

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2. Trey Songz, “Heart Attack”

Chapter V • Atlantic • 2012

Trey Songz had a “Heart Attack” in 2012. Thankfully, his heart attack was not literal ! His problems, on this highlight from his fifth studio album, Chapter V, are related to love as opposed to physical ailments. Still, sometimes, those love ailments can totally F you up, which Trey references in the chorus:

“In too deep, can’t think about giving it up

But I never knew love, would feel like a heart attack

It’s killing me, swear I never cried so much

‘Cause I never knew love would hurt this fucking bad.”

Yup, still qualifies as an EMERGENCY in my books. “Heart Attack” was penned with R&B hit-maker Rico Love. This surefire gem features an inspired performance by Songz, relatable songwriting, and great production work (ah, those big drums and synths). Sure, he’s experiencing a heart attack caused by the plight of love, but he sounds utterly superb singing about it!

3. Lady Gaga, “911”

Chromatica • Interscope • 2020

“911” boasts one of the best, most inescapable beats on  Chromatica, period.  In the context of the album, it’s a continuation of “Fun Tonight.” Sure,  Lady Gaga wasn’t having fun then, and the case is similar here, sigh. On the chorus, the Grammy-winner asserts, “My biggest enemy is me, pop a 911 / My biggest enemy is me ever since day one.” With the verses providing some insight, and the chorus summing up the singer’s mental health and such, backtrack to the pre-chorus to hear some sick falsetto.  While the melody is simple on the pre-chorus, it works fabulously.

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4. Logic, “1-800-273-8255” (Ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid)

Everybody • Def Jam • 2017

With the release of “1-800-273-8255” ( Everybody), Logic easily released the biggest, heaviest, and most meaningful song of his career. What makes “1-800-273-8255” so heavy? The title is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Logic approaches the song as a progression. It begins from the suicidal perspective, moves to encouraging the suicidal person to embrace life, and finally finds the suicidal person coming to the desire to live. He’s assisted by an angelic Alessia Cara and Khalid, who provides the punctuation mark, as the suicidal person who’s seen the light.

Beyond highlighting suicide, itself, the music video adds an LGBTQ+ element. The video focuses on a black gay teen struggling with his sexuality. After contemplating suicide, he gets the proper help, as well as acceptance. Suicide within the LGBTQ community , particularly its youngest members, is a major issue.

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5. Demi Lovato, “ICU (Madison’s Lullabye)”

Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over • Island • 2021

“I didn’t want those innocent eyes / To watch me fall from grace…” A fall from grace, huh? On the piano ballad, “ICU (Madison’s Lullabye)” ( Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over), Demi Lovato addresses her younger sister, Madison Lee De La Garza. “Tried to protect you, I wanna direct you / To keep you from my mistakes,” The Grammy-nominated artist continues singing in the first verse. Lovato is vulnerable, singing about her overdose. Take one listen and you can tell that “ICU (Madison’s Lullabye)” is a very authentic, genuine song, that comes from the heart. You buy what she’s selling.

The chorus is the centerpiece of “ICU”:

“Tuck your hair behind your ear

Until you fall asleep

I’ll say a prayer and keep you near

You’re always there with me

I promise I’ll be there, don’t worry

‘Cause I was blind, but now I see clearly

I see you, oh-oh.”

The big takeaway from “ICU (Madison’s Lullabye)” is about resilience – overcoming a tremendous adversity. Addiction is quite the obstacle, and Demi had to seek help in order to return to a healthier place. Furthermore, being unable to see her sister until she became clean served as a catalyst for Lovato to get help – get back on the right foot. There is nothing uplifting about the ICU or addiction, but persevering past those ugly demons is worth celebrating.

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Demi Lovato, “ICU (Madison’s Lullabye)”: Music Lifts 27 (2023)

6. Teddy Swims, “911”

Tough Love (EP) • SWIMS Int. / Warner • 2022

Atlanta, Georgia singer/songwriter Teddy Swims (Jaten Dimsdale) got his start via YouTube. Eventually, this “chameleon soul” ended up with a record deal – rad to say the least. In 2022, Swims released a brand-new EP, Tough Love, comprised of six songs. Among the best songs on the 18-minute EP is “911.” “I got your back without you even asking / If I gotta whoop somebody’s ass, I’ma do it with passion.” Hell yeah! Swims kicks off Tough Love (EP) sensationally with “911.” If “911” were the introduction to Jaten Dimsdale, it proves to be a marvelous one. It’s a soulful pop record featuring well-rounded production ( Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman) and sounds that are idiomatic of neo-soul; call this a blue-eyed soul gem. More impressive than the production is the electrifying vocals by Dimsdale. Those pipes are impressive to the n^th degree.

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7. R3HAB & Timmy Trumpet, “911”

“911” • CYB3RPVNK • 2020

“911, I’m a fire / This damn place ‘bout to light up / 911, I’m a fire / Evacuate, evacuate.” The brief but scintillating “911” arrives courtesy of  R3HAB and  Timmy Trumpet. Here, the listener is bestowed with energetic, enthusiastic, and exuberant production. That’s certainly the expectation from a dance/electronic track, not to mention one featuring two producers at the helm. Of course, there are also numerous writing credits, also responsible for the lyrics. The uncredited vocals are assertive and bright, all the while seeking escape from a ‘disaster’: “My moves are super sick (Hey) / I need a doctor quick (Hey) / This is an S.O.S (Hey) / I need assistance fast.” Disaster indeed!

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911: 5ive Songs No. 14 (2020)

8. Tank, “Emergency”

Now or Never • Atlantic • 2010

“Got a lady on the line / Screamin’ ‘bout what she need, oh /… I’m leaving, rushing to see,” Tank (Durell Babbs) sings in the first verse of “Emergency.” He adds, “I got the sirens on / (I’m running every light) / She says she’s home alone / (I’m needed in her life) / Until I get there, girl / Stay on the line.” Hmm, the Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter doesn’t seem to be tackling a traditional life or death emergency on the highlight from his 2010 album, Now or Never. Instead, the emergency encompasses matters of the heart. In the chorus, he confirms this emergency – being the first responder that he is – is about making sure no one else claims her first (#MUST HURRY)! “I gotta save her, if I’m any later / Somebody might get there before me / Emergency, that 911’s for me.” WOO! As always Babbs sings sublimely. The songwriting is quite clever. Fittingly, the production ( The Song Dynasty) on this sensual (if traumatic) ballad is slick and refined – stuttering drums, tender piano, and a supporting pad. This is an emergency we can rally behind !

9. Trevor Daniel, “911”

Nicotine • Alamo / Interscope • 2020

“911, it’s an emergency / She on fire, she’s summertime / Like kryptonite, weak in the knees…” Some things are just universal, and that’s exactly what Trevor Daniel captures on “911” from his debut album, Nicotine. There’s an emergency, but it’s not a medical emergency. ‘She’ is the culprit in this case because she’s got Trevor feeling some type of way. In the chorus, he continues, “She got me tongue-tied / Is she the type to be down and ride / ‘Til the day I die? Yeah, yeah.” Yep, the man is in his feeling. But hey, what better way to sing about an emergency than being backed by smooth guitars and a sweet, urban beat.

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911: 5ive Songs No. 14 (2020)

10. Rick Ross, “911”

God Forgives, I Don’t  • The Island Def Jam Music Group • 2012

“I bow my head, I pray to God / Survival of the fittest: help me hold my chopper lord / If I die today, on the highway to heaven / Can I let my top down in my 911?” Okay, there is not as big of an EMERGENCY on Rick Ross’ “911.” The Grammy-nominated rapper is more focused on his ️ Porsche 911 than 9-1-1. Even so, Ross does reference the emergency number, in addition to the date (September 11) as well. “911” is a must-hear banger from his 2012 album,  God Forgives, I Don’t – INDEED! “911” features badass production (️ Young Shun) with malicious synths and hard-nosed drum programming anchoring things TF down . It runs long – five-and-a-half minutes – but hey, Rick is on autopilot.

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11. My Chemical Romance, “Cancer”

The Black Parade • Reprise • 2006

“If you could get me a drink / Of water ‘cause my lips are chapped and faded.” Of course, of course – that is not asking much. “Call my Aunt Marie / Help her gather all my things / And bury me in all my favorite colors.” Um, bury? Uh-oh – this is getting morbid! “Cancer” is one of the best songs by My Chemical Romance. Arguably, it is the crowning achievement of their conceptual, 2006 album, The Black Parade. Sometimes, the best songs are sad like “Cancer,” which finds Gerard Way portraying a character who is diagnosed with cancer . The patient understands his cancer is terminal – his death sentence. That is incredibly tough to cope with.

“Cancer” is filled with pain, which the listener perceives from Way’s assertive performance as well as the dramatic lyrics. The lyrics don’t sugarcoat the experience – they keep it by all means. In the second verse, the patient sings, “Now turn away / Cause I’m awful just to see / Cause all my hairs abandoned all my body / Oh, my agony / Know that I will never marry / Baby, I’m just soggy from the chemo.” After reading some annotations of this song, specifically regarding the second verse, it is notable that the patient shows some legit disappointment and sadness about his lot before blaming that vulnerable moment on chemotherapy. “But counting down the days to go / It just ain’t living,” the patient – well Way – sings in the chorus. Also, fittingly, he adds, in his goodbye message, “‘Cause the hardest part of this is leaving you.” #Fuck Cancer feels appropriate here.

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11 Songs That Scream EMERGENCY [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Alamo, Atlantic, CYB3RPVNK, Def Jam, Interscope, Reprise, SWIMS Int, Island, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Warner; damian Ruitenga, jane grn, MART PRODUCTION, Mikhail Nilov, Pavel Danilyuk, RDNE Stock Project via Pexels; Gerd Altmann, Sasin Tipchai via Pixabay]

11 Songs That Scream EMERGENCY | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on May 29, 2023May 29, 2023