11 Songs Where the Mind is the Focal Point | Playlist 🎧

11 Songs Where the Mind is the Focal Point 🎧 features music courtesy of Ben Platt, Dua Lipa, Kehlani, Logic & Walker Hayes. 

Don’t let your ‘mind’ get the best of you, because is there anything more dangerous than the wandering mind?  Deep stuff right there! On 11 Songs Where the Mind is the Focal Point, the mind is critical to the success of each and every song.  Not only is the word featured in each and every song title (no exceptions), it is indeed the focal point of each song. Amazingly, there have been numerous songs penned that focus on the mind.

With so many options, only a select few, of various genres, get the nod on this mentally-driven playlist.  Musicians contributing to “11 Songs Where the Mind is the Focal Point” include Ben Platt (“Ease My Mind”), Dua Lipa (“Blow Your Mind (Mwah)”), Kehlani (“Piece of Mind”), Logic (“Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”), and Walker Hayes (“Mind Candy”).

1. Ben Platt, “Ease My Mind”

Sing to Me Instead • Atlantic • 2019

Broadway actor (The Book of Mormon and Dear Evan Hansen), singer, and songwriter Ben Platt ‘shines bright as a beacon’ on his authentic, well-rounded debut album, Sing to Me Instead.  Sing to Me Instead comprises of some truly well-written songs that encompass love and open up his sexuality, as well as captivating vocal performances. Among the best of the album is ballad “Ease My Mind”.

“Ease My Mind” is a soaring ballad, something that Ben Platt absolutely slaughters (positively speaking). This is one of those moving, adult contemporary ballads that begins with incredible poise, eventually reaching a fever pitch. That fever pitch occurs as Platt flaunts his masterful pipes, delivering incredible nuances, runs, and showing incredible command of the performance.  “Ease My Mind” is about love and specifically being in a relationship. It finds an anxious man being eased and comforted by his lover, who knows just what to do to make him feel better.  The chorus is the centerpiece – shouting to the world that love has the power to conquer all.

“Darling, only you can ease my mind
Help me leave these lonely thoughts behind
When they pull me under, and I can feel my sanity start
Darling, only you can ease my mind.”

2. Logic, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind • Def Jam • 2019

“What’s your name? What’s your game? / Come now, boy, just spit your flow / Feel the pain with the gain, what you tryna say though? /… Can’t refrain from lettin’ these people know.” Logic never seems to have a shortage of things to say, not to mention a shortage of music.  In 2019, he dropped quite the unique, introspective single, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind)

Arguably the biggest selling point of “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” is the production work. The backdrop, assembled by 6ix, is nothing short of celestial – radiant to the nth degree.  The sound crafted is introspective, matching and amplifying the vibe that Logic seeks to capture with his rhymes.  As usual, the agile rapper throws a lot of lyrics at the listener, even as mellow and introspective as “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” can be at times.  Scan over the lyrics, and there’s a little bit of everything from references to his anxiety, fame, and the criticism others have towards him.  He has his fair share of points and respectable rhymes, even if “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” ends up being a lot to absorb.  That said, the ‘lot to absorb’ is sort of Logic’s point, right – “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”?

3. Sheck Wes, “Mindfucker”

Mudboy • Interscope • 2018

“You fuck everything with your mind, nigga / You’re a mothafuckin’ mindfucker.” Okay… Rapper Sheck Wes is best known for one particular, totally ubiquitous, viral hit, “Mo Bamba”.  “Mo Bamba” appears on Wes’ 2018 debut album, Mudboy.  Unfortunately, Wes’ ‘ace in the hole’ doesn’t match the parameters of this mind-centric playlist.  Fortunately, the rising rapper provides us with a song that does match the parameters in “Mindfucker.” Man, oh man, what a title.

“Put my thoughts in my pen and bullets in my weapon / And I pray and say amen anytime a n***a stressin’ / But my mind my greatest weapon…” “Mindfucker” appears as the opener on Mudboy, and what a hell of an opener it is.  The production is dark and unsettling, instrumentally capturing the sound of a mind fuck. During an extended intro, Sheck Wes sets the tone before spitting the sole verse of the record.  During the verse, excerpted above, naturally, Wes characterizes his mentality in the rap game, and, embraces his role as a ‘mindfucker.’

4. Thirty Seconds to Mars, “One Track Mind”

Ft. A$AP Rocky

America • Interscope • 2018 

Academy-Award-winning actor/musician Jared Leto and his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars returned in 2018 with a new studio album, AMERICA. Among the singles that were released prior to the album was “One Track Mind”, featuring A$AP Rocky. “One Track Mind” commences moodily. The production is sleek and modern, led by synths, pads, and electronic textures.  Jared Leto sounds relatively poised on the first verse, exhibiting a lovely, rich vocal tone.

On the following, relatively simple chorus, Leto maintains such poise: “I have a one-track mind, I have a one-track mind / There is a method to the madness, to the madness / Gotta have a one-track mind.” It’s beginning on the second verse where the frontman ‘goes out of character,’ serving up a bit more grit.  Typically, one expects the chorus to be the grandest moment of the record.  While it’s big, the bigness arrives after Leto’s vocals – he doesn’t really propel ‘the moment.’

As odd as a collaboration with A$AP Rocky seems, it actually works on “One Track Mind” given the script. If “The Kill (Bury Me)” is the first/most memorable Thirty Seconds to Mars record that comes to mind, “One Track Mind” is nothing like it. The band has embraced modern, urban-electro infused pop, hence why bringing in the New York rapper isn’t far-fetched. “One Track Mind” isn’t the second coming, but, it’s interesting, at least temporarily so.

5. The 1975, “Inside Your Mind”

A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships • Interscope • 2018

Depending on who you ask, alternative collective The 1975 released the crowning achievement of their career with their 2018 album, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships.  Personally, I was less enthused than many critics and some fans but do believe the ‘imperfect affair’ has no shortage of ideas, not to mention some worthwhile moments.  Among the better moments of the album is “Inside Your Mind,” the 10^th track.

“Maybe you are dreaming you’re in love with me / They only option left is to look and see / Inside your mind.” On “Inside Your Mind,” The 1975 slackens the pace, often the case throughout A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships.  Thoughtful, frontman Matt Healy is experiencing trust issues, wondering what his girlfriend really thinks about him, and how committed she is.  It’s quite the relatable record, if it could stand to ascend to the next level musically.

6. Dua Lipa, “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)”

Dua Lipa • Warner Bros. • 2017

“I got new rules; I count ‘em.” Grammy-winning English-Albanian pop musician Dua Lipa can definitely thank her fierce, breakout hit single “New Rules”, for helping her to win the Grammy for Best New Artist at the 61^st Annual Grammy Awards. “New Rules” hails from her excellent self-titled album, originally released in 2017, with a Complete Edition with bonus tracks issued in 2018.  But there’s no place for “New Rules” here – it already appeared on a more fitting list, 11 ‘New’ Songs That Will Tickle Your Fancy.  But, Dua Lip didn’t leave us hanging, providing us with the feisty “Blow Your Mind (Mwah).”

Providing some context, “IDGAF” precedes “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)” in the context of Dua Lipa.  On the infectious “Blow Your Mind (Mwah),” Dua Lipa retains a badass, I.D.G.A.F. attitude. On the chorus, she ‘matter of fact’ as she sings:

“If you don’t like the way I talk, then why am I on your mind?
If you don’t like the way I rock, then finish your glass of wine
We fight and we argue, you’ll still love me blind
If we don’t fuck this whole thing up
Guaranteed, I can blow your mind
Mwah!”

Honestly, what more is there to say? She may be a lot to handle (“Tell me I’m too crazy / You can’t tame me…”), but given the chance, beautiful things can happen. Hey, the sex is already on-point (“Biting your lip / Loving ‘til late in the night”).  The relationship perspective, with its innuendo considered, via her own Genius verifications, she also references her pursuit of a music career.

7. Kehlani, “Piece of Mind”

SweetSexySavage • Atlantic • 2017

Somehow, SweetSexySavage, the proper debut album by Kehlani, ended up being among the more underrated projects of 2017.  There was no reason whatsoever for this, considering SSS is jam-packed full of hits.  The song at hand, “Piece of Mind,” initializes with a tone-setting interlude: “To be honest, I think we spend so much time / Trying to find answers for things / And maybe it’s just not meant to be answered…”  

“Piece of Mind” is silky smooth, a common characterization of Kehlani and the album as a whole.  The production is modern, idiomatic of hip-hop, while the vocals embody the seductiveness of R&B. The premise of the song? Kehlani is trying to be the best, strongest version of herself that she can be, and rid of the negative parts.

“Said I’m tryna break off a piece of mind
A piece of mind that I can’t get right
Said I’m tryna break off a piece of mind
A piece of mind, my heart’s on my side.”

“Piece of Mind” first appeared on the playlist 10 Parts, Pieces, Elements & Fragments Songs.

8. Jack Johnson, “My Mind is For Sale”

All the Light Above It Too • Jack Johnson • 2017

“I don’t care for your paranoid / Us against them fearful kind of walls / I don’t care for your careless / Me first gimme, gimmie appetite at all.” In 2017, singer/songwriter Jack Johnson returned strong on “My Mind is For Sale”, a politically-charged promo single from his album, All the Light Above It Too. The pros are ample on “My Mind is For Sale.” First and foremost are the chill vibes.  Johnson never seems to get bothered with the stresses of life; he’s even-keel here.  Or is he? Johnson tackles politics, but he doesn’t exhibit a particularly angry tone.  Arguably, if you weren’t listening closely to his words or analyzing the lyrics, you might miss what he’s getting at.

From the start, he paints a picture of every progressive musician’s enemy – President Donald Trump.

“Well, I heard the blinker’s on
I heard we’re changing lanes
I heard he likes to race
I heard that six or seven words he likes to use
Are always in bad taste…
The cameras zoom into
His mouth begins to move
Those hateful words he uses.”

Hard to believe that Jack Johnson had it in him to deliver such a punch.  He continues to be fiery, yet cool on the chorus, excerpted at the top of blurb. Throughout the rest of the song, Johnson continues to characterize Trump as well as the fallout from his presidency.  The chorus is varied with each iteration, with the final version being the lengthiest and most detailed. Ultimately, Mr. Johnson has one of the most chill, thrilling tracks he’s ever recorded on his hands.

9. Grace VanderWaal, “Escape My Mind”

Just the Beginning • Columbia • 2017

“I wish I could get you / Out of my mind / But I think about it all the time.” In 2017, a then 13-year old singer-songwriter Grace VanderWaal released a fine debut album with Just the Beginning.  Throughout the course of Just the Beginning, The America’s Got Talent winner showcases artistry transcendent of her youth. Among the many highlights on the album is the song at hand, “Escape My Mind”.

On “Escape My Mind,” the ukulele is prominently featured within the production, clearly a staple of the VanderWaal sound.  The production as a whole is strong, backing up the ukulele with a sensational, tropically-infused, percussive groove.  In addition to the palette of instrumental sounds, VanderWaal sounds assertive, showcasing emotion, grit, and nuance.  Overall, “Escape My Mind” is catchy, with the best moments coming on the pre-chorus and chorus sections.

“And I wish I could not think
For once in my life
But when I see your face
I can't escape my mind.”

10. Declan McKenna, “Mind”

What Do You Think About the Car? • Columbia • 2017 

British singer/songwriter Declan McKenna impressed with his meaningful, mature songwriting throughout the course of his debut album,What Do You Think About the Car?. Where many musicians as young as McKenna are most concerned with romance, he packs a serious punch with deep messaging, transcendent beyond his years. That said, on the song at hand, “Mind,” McKenna does focuses on love, as well as identity.

“Why’d you keep changing your mind?”  Consistent with What Do You Think About the Car?, McKenna plays on words early on.

“He took his shirt off as he ran, from you
So slowly away but I’ve found him
He’s fine.”

Fine is a double meaning, because he seems to be suggesting ‘he’s good,’ but also references good looks as in fine-looking.  Poetic, McKenna continues to pen impressive, thoughtful, sometimes mind-boggling lyrics.

11. Walker Hayes, “Mind Candy”

Boom. • Monument • 2017

In 2017, Alabama country musician Walker Hayes served up an intriguing, quirky brand of country music on his album, boom.. After experiencing moderate success in the music game, the father of six worked at Costco before picking up his musical craft again.  Interestingly, his single, “You Broke Up with Me”, while posed as a love song of sorts, also deals with Hayes’ relationship with Nashville. Boom. Again, this is the case of a key album track that doesn’t meet the criteria for this list.  Bummer of sorts, but at least Hayes provides us with some “Mind Candy.” 

“Don’t know what your perfume was called / But sometimes when I’m walking through the mall / I get a little hit of whatever it was / And I take a little trip back to ‘two-thousand and us.’” “Mind Candy” continues the lighthearted nature of boom.,but digs in a bit more into country music compared to some of the other songs. Still, the vocals are incredibly agile and rhythmic, while the backing vocals sound more pop-soul than country.  His uniqueness has intrigue, even if Hayes continues to press on with a different approach.  The reminiscent, cleverly-penned chorus is the centerpiece.

“Mind candy, sideline candy
Pretty post-game dose with a lime candy
Little piece of why school was high
Make a pop rock, wanna be…”

11 Songs Where the Mind is the Focal Point [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Columbia, Def Jam, Jack Johnson, Interscope, Monument, Pexels, Pixabay, Warner Bros.]