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“11 Songs to Channel Your Inner Animal” includes songs courtesy of Bishop Briggs, Blake Shelton, Leon Bridges, Nicki Minaj, and Sia among others.

First and foremost, 11 Songs to Channel Your Inner Animal is a bit different than a previous playlist, 11 Totally Animalistic Songs.  By the way, you know you should totally check out that list, right? Anyways, with the exception of a shared Nicki Minaj song (“Anaconda”), 11 Totally Animalist Songs is broader, while Songs to Channel Your Inner Animal uses specific animals, including birds, cats, dogs, wolves, horses, lions, and snakes.  Artists appearing on this colorful list include Bishop Briggs, Blake Shelton, Leon Bridges, Nicki Minaj, and Sia.

 

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1. The Spencer Lee Band, “The Wolf”

Fifty Shades Freed (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • Republic • 2018

Animal: Wolf

“I wanna jack it, smack it / You know the shit that turns you on? / I wanna lick it, kiss it / I’ll give you everything you want.” #Damn Daniel, rather #Damn Spencer. The Spencer Lee Band shines on highlight “The Wolf”, which commences with a refreshing pop-soul groove. After setting the tone instrumentally, Spencer Lee enters in with biting, commanding lead vocals. The vibe is sexual early on, with the innuendo ‘turned up to next level’ on the aforementioned pre-chorus. Lee follows the risqué pre-chorus with a catchy, continually soulful, chorus. Still on the second verse, The Spencer Lee Band continue to amplify the horniness.

“I watch you burn this place to ashes / Move that ass / And raise a glass to how you love to misbehave, baby.”

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2. Bishop Briggs, “Wild Horses”

Church of Scars • Island • 2018

Animal: Horse

“So I’ll keep on damning the devil / And you’ll keep on saying it’s alright / Oh glory, I’m a believer / Oh Lord, I’m holding tight, but…” “Wild Horses” arrived on Bishop Briggs’ full-length debut album, Church of Scars, as a reprisal from her 2017 EP. Briggs definitely steps up her game on this ‘wild’ gem. Like most of her debut album, she’s more poised on the verses, while she ‘unleashes the beast’ on the chorus. “Wild Horses” stands out compared to other records on Church of Scars because the instrumental plays a significant role on the chorus section, much like an EDM cut.

“Wild horses, wild horses / Wild horses run faster / Run fast, run faster.”

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3. Maroon 5, “Three Little Birds”

Three Little Birds – Single • Interscope • 2018

Animal: Birds

“Don’t worry / About a thing / Every little thing’s gonna be alright.” Maroon 5 remained visible in 2018, despite the fact that their sixth studio album, Red Pill Blues, was released in November 2017.  This visibility included a covering a Bob Marley classic, “Three Little Birds”.  On “Three Little Birds,” Adam Levine and company ‘handles their business.’ While it’s safe to say this take doesn’t trump the original, Levine channels his inner Marley extremely effectively. “Three Little Birds” appeared on an earlier playlist, 10 Songs That Go Strictly by the Numbers.

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4. Rich Brian, “Kitty”

Amen • 88rising / EMPIRE • 2018

Animal: Cat

Rich Brian truly takes channeling his inner animal seriously on “Kitty.” “Ain’t no game that I play when it comes to / Gettin’ that kitty out the cage for my night.” Clearly, “Kitty” isn’t about the cute little cat that meows, purrs, and rubs against your leg.  No – he’s much more animalistic on the dirtiest and arguably most outrageous song on Amen.  On “Kitty,” Brian captures his sexual awakening.

Even as he’s ‘getting it in,’ there’s a humorous, twist.  After getting drunk, meeting “the girl of [his] dreams,” virgin Brian has sex with her, gets caught by her mom, has his friend Mike pick him up, and finds out his first was Mike’s sister.

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5. Leon Bridges, “Lions”

Good Thing • Columbia • 2018

Animal: Lions

“Lions” is one of the more unique songs from Good Thing, the sophomore album by contemporary soul singer Leon Bridges.  “Lions” is clearly built upon the principles of classic soul, and it’s certainly not modern-sounding urban contemporary music.  It stands out because it’s a bit ‘left of center.’ Compared to some of the safer moments from Coming Home, this is a progressive step for Bridges.

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6. Snow Patrol, “Wild Horses”

Wildness • Polydor • 2018

Animal: Horse

“What are you holding back / I know you’ve wild horses on the inside of you.”  Snow Patrol and their wild song “Wild Horses” previously brought some wildness to the 12 Incredibly ‘Wild Songs playlist.  Now, the reprisal of “Wild Horses,” as well as the veteran North Irish band is a perfect fit for 11 Songs to Channel Your Inner Animal. The energetic record finds frontman Gary Lightbody in ‘encouragement mode’ regarding love:

“Just keep your wits about you, don’t let it end you / And summon everything you’ve held up in reserve / Don’t fall for every single stolen glance and wink / Try to keep your heart on higher shelves for once.”

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7. Blake Shelton, “I’ll Name the Dogs”

Texoma Shore • Warner Bros • 2017

Animal: Dogs 

“I’ll Name the Dogs” kicks things off soundly on Texoma Shore. A palette of sounds, typical of the country music script, forms the backdrop. Blake Shelton, likewise, gives a sound vocal performance, painting on the backdrop like a champ. “I’ll Name the Dogs” centers on building a family, relationship, etc. The chorus is incredibly catchy, helping to make “I’ll Name the Dogs” an enjoyable, fun listen.

“I’ll hang the pictures, you hang the stars / You pick the paint, I’ll pick a guitar / Sing you a song out there with the crickets and the frogs / You name the babies and I’ll name the dogs, yeah.”

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8. Miguel, “Wolf”

Ft. QUIÑ

War & Leisure • RCA • 2017

Animal: Wolf

“I gotta feed my appetite / See you can run, but you can’t hide / Scream for more, yeah, alright, yeah / Every breath, every breath cuts just like knife.” “Wolf” featuring Quiñ is an instant highlight, finding Miguel growing animalistic in reference to his sexual desires. His vocals are steeped in the carnal, yielding one of his strongest performances on his 2017 LP, War & Leisure.  The old-school rock-pop cues, fused with some modern touches are brilliant.  Notably, “Wolf” is a Raphael Saadiq co-write. Also, worth noting, Miguel would go on to write about an animal I absolutely loathe – “Python”.

“My, what big eyes you have, oh / My, what a tongue you have, oh yeah / My, what sharp teeth you have, yah / Better to see you or taste you and eat you, I need you woman.”

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9. Chase Rice, “Lions”

Lions & Lambs • Broken Bow • 2017

Animal: Lions

“Lions” marks an energetic moment from Lions & Lambs, the third studio album from country artist Chase Rice.  “Lions” commences with the combination of organ and guitar.  During an interlude incorporating The Lord’s Prayer, there’s an unsettling edge that definitely captures the listener’s attention. Post-interlude, the edginess remains as Chase Rice sings with attitude.  He doesn’t force things, but has some bite, just like the ‘lions’ he sings about.  The production ‘respects’ country music, but also features elements of rock and electronica.  The music alone makes “Lions” interesting. Ultimately, the roaring nature of “Lions” is intriguing, finding Chase Rice showcasing some personality.

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10. Sia, “Bird Set Free”

This is Acting • RCA • 2016

Animal: Bird

“Clipped wings, I was a broken thing / Had a voice, had a voice but I could not sing / You would wind me down / I struggled on the ground.” Sigh, just read those poetic, thoughtful lyrics once again.  Adding to the awesomeness are expressive, authentic vocals. Amazingly, somebody passed on the liberating, unleashed ballad “Bird Set Free.” “And I don’t care if I sing off key / I found myself in my melodies / I sing for love, I sing for me / I shout it out like a bird set free.” Again, why did anyone pass this up? Regardless, Sia absolutely kills this awesome song, co-written by the great Greg Kurstin.

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11. Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”

The Pinkprint • Cash Money • 2014

Animal: Anaconda (snake)

“Oh my gosh, look at her butt!” Oh, Nicki Minaj, you’re both ‘one of a kind’ and ‘something else.’ “Anaconda,” which samples the Sir-Mix-a-Lot classic “Baby Got Back,” explores animalistic tendencies in regards to sex. “Anaconda” is chocked-full of sex and is by far the horniest song to grace this list.  Nicki Minaj not only discusses her ‘assets’ and her private parts, but she also discusses his ‘size’ and how the sex goes down… pretty graphically.  “My anaconda don’t, my anaconda don’t / My anaconda don’t want none unless you got buns, hun!”

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Photo Credits: 88rising, Broken Bow, Cash Money, Columbia, EMPIRE, Interscope, Island, Polydor, Pixabay, RCA,  Republic, Warner Bros.

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