“11 Songs Where the Threat is Real” features ‘threatening’ songs from 2 Chainz, Ella Mai, Lana Del Rey, Panic! At the Disco and Thomas Rhett.

Threat, defined by Merriam-Webster as (1) “an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury or damage,” (2) “one who threatens” or (3) “an indication of something impending.” More often than not, a threat has a negative connotation – totally bad juju to say the least.  And just because it felt write, well, I compiled a playlist of “11 Songs Where the Threat is Real.” You’re welcome in advance.  Some songs feature the word ‘threat,’ while others opt for related words or exemplify being threatening. ‘Threatening’ music appears on this playlist courtesy of 2 Chainz (“Threat 2 Society”), Ella Mai (“Dangerous”), Lana Del Rey (“Hope is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It”), Panic! At the Disco (“Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”), and Thomas Rhett (“Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”).

1. Thomas Rhett, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”

Ft. Little Big Town

Center Point Road • Big Machine • 2019

“Just take a sip and let’s pretend like it’s your birthday / Just dive right in, girl, the tequila’s fine, so fine / She said, ‘You know I love a party / Don’t threaten me with a good time.’” Grammy-nominated contemporary country singer Thomas Rhett is definitely NOT your father’s country musician.  Rhett is among the new breed of country musicians willing to experiment and integrate and fuse a number of different styles.  That’s exactly what he does on “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”, the promo single from his fourth studio album, Center Point Road.

“Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” stretches the country script, despite the fact it bears some cues that are indeed idiomatic. The record features a totally inescapable, and infectious groove. The ultimate sound of the record is a blend of contemporary country, funk, R&B, and pop. Despite its quirks, the form of “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” is straightforward. The production features funky, biting horns, rhythmic guitar, and some cool keyboard riff. There’s also a rocking guitar solo, even if it’s sort of predictable.  Rhett is consistently the dominant voice, but there are moments when Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town sings solo briefly, or alongside him.  The vocal harmonies by LBT are definitely a selling point, not to mention when the whole group sings alongside Rhett on the soulful, high-energy chorus.

“Hop on up on that counter
Let me see how you move
Let me up there beside ya
Stand back, watch me cut loose
Pour a little liquor, make this living
Watch me set this night on fire
Baby, you know I love a party
Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

Give Thomas Rhett credit for his willingness to shake things up and try new things.

2. Lana Del Rey, “Hope is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It”

Hope is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It [Single] • Interscope • 2019

“‘Cause hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have / Hope is a dangers thing for a woman like me to have.”  Yep, the title of the record is just what you think it is –

“Hope is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It”. Damn, that’s a long song title.  Yes, Grammy-nominated, alternative pop standout Lana Del Rey dropped the rare song that features 16 words (!) in its title.  As ‘extra’ as the title may be, Del Rey definitely comes through on the ballad, including literary and cinematic references.

The ever-expressive Lana Del Rey sounds as chilling and enigmatic as ever.  Her tone is absolutely stunning.  Among her best moments come at the end of the record, when she flaunts her falsetto.   Beyond her inspired vocal performance, there’s also the stripped, yet gorgeous nature of this five-and-a-half-minute ballad.  The production keeps things hella simple, comprised of piano accompaniment.  Even working with such a lengthy duration, it’s perfect fuel for the fire of Del Rey, who manages to keep things colorful with some profane lyrics, such as “I’ve been tearing up town in my fucking nightgown / Like a goddamn-near sociopath.” Wow.

This wouldn’t be the first time there was a threat of some sort in Del Rey’s music.  Remember “Ultraviolence”, a standout from her 2014 album that also appeared on an earlier playlist, 11 Songs That are Dangerous, Violent, or Otherwise? Ultimately, with the threat of ‘hope’ in her hands on this particular song, Lana del Rey does what she does best – delivers an expressive, moody, well-rounded record.

3. 2 Chainz, “Threat 2 Society”

Rap or Go to the League • Def Jam • 2019

“It’s yellow tape and white chalk when I’m on the beat / Yeah, you rich, but your talk is cheap.” On “Threat 2 Society,” the sophomore cut off of his fifth studio album Rap or Go to the League, 2 Chainz leans on a classic gospel sample courtesy of The Truthettes (“So Good to Be Alive”). He rides the sample superbly, delivering more serious rhymes – well, contextually.

“I probably learned more from Coach Gwynn
Than I did from my own kin
Yeah, the streets was my sensei
I sold dope then rapped about it on my mixtape
I had respect but I gained more
You rather be underrated or unemployed?”

One of the most eyebrow-raising lyrics occurs when he admits, “I done some things I ain’t proud of / Like sold my mom drugs.” At the same time, despite digging a bit deeper, he remains ‘true to self’ employing a colorful approach to his rhymes.

4. Jessie J, “Dangerous”

R.O.S.E. (Sex) • Republic • 2018

“Your silence drives me crazy / Talking with your hands gets me naked.” The threat is crystal clear for Jessie J – SEX! “Dangerous” appears on R.O.S.E. (Sex) EP, her third of four EPs that ultimately combine to make a full-length album, R.O.S.E.. Naturally, Jessie J characterizes her newfound man as being dangerous – definitely something that she should avoid.  Unfortunately, she admits, “The sex got me screaming hallelujah.”

Whether you’re a young adult or grown all-the-way-up, it’s a fact that sex can get you in trouble in a variety of ways. Of course, much like Jessie J, it can also have you singing praises… “Dangerous” ends up being an expressive track, that finds J sings passionately over the cool synths, soulful, rhythmic guitar, and the driving, throwback groove.  Notably, “Dangerous” also appeared on a previous dangerous playlist, 11 Songs That are Dangerous, Violent, or Otherwise.

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5. Freddie Gibbs, “Triple Threat”

Freddie • ESGN / EMPIRE • 2018

“Fuck your convo bitch, I’m here for the sex, I must confess / Hit your ho and left that shit drippin’ wet, I must confess / Fuck this rap shit, I’m just here for the check, I must confess.”  Clearly, rapper Freddie Gibbs has a lot to confess about on “Triple Threat,” the fourth track on Gibbs’ 2018, 25-minute mixtape, Freddie.  Despite the title, the titular lyric only appears during the verses and not the chorus.  Naturally, as the tone of the aforementioned chorus suggests, Gibbs is feeling himself – flexing like a mother- “shut yo mouth!”

He commences the first verse as follows:

“Triple-threat, triple-black the ‘Vette – left it drippin’ wet
Drippin’ wet, whip that chicken wet, I just tripled that
Trip with that, bitch, I’m whipping wet, put that on the set
On the set, I iced up the set, put that on my neck.”

The second verse offers more of the same, throwing in a woman as a ‘triple-threat’ thanks to “Booty, pussy, neck,” not to mention hustling “hard white cocaine.”

6. Ella Mai, “Dangerous”

Ella Mai • 10 Summers / Interscope • 2018

When the name Ella Mai is mentioned, there’s one song that comes to mind – “Boo’d Up”.  “Boo’d Up” is a brilliant song, one that won a Grammy at the 61^st Annual Grammy Awards, but it’s not the sole attraction on Mai’s self-titled debut album.  Before the ‘crowning achievement’ appears on Ella Mai, she drops a respectable ‘threat’ of record in its own right, “Dangerous.” Notably, one of the hottest R&B producers of contemporary R&B of the past is behind the boards, Bryan-Michael Cox.  He does work, as always.

As for Ella Mai, she’s ‘head over hills’ for her man, and he seems to feel the same way.  Because the “L” word seems to be involved (“I know the risk in love”), things have become “dangerous.” In this particular case, the threat may actually be positive, if such a thing exists.

7. Kanye West, “I Thought About Killing You”

Ye • GOOD/Def Jam • 2018

The ever-polarizing Kanye West commences his brief, 2018 album, Ye, with a bang. The bang is the rather off-putting, bluntly-titled “I Thought About Killing You.” This is creepy, particularly if you’ve read about the mindset of psychopaths and serial killers – not suggesting that West falls in that category, of course. Still, during the spoken word portion, one has to wonder what West is thinking.  Is he really exploring premeditated murder or does this tie in with his bipolar disorder?  The most sensible answer is he’s referencing his mental health.  He goes on to rap one big verse, incorporating ample wordplay, referencing how others describe and view him, as well as how he views himself.  It’s odd, but certainly interesting, if for no other reason than attempting to get into his headspace.

Still, there’s a potential threat here right? The threat was there on 11 Songs That are Dangerous, Violent, or Otherwise, and it’s back once more! If Kanye West has already thought about killing you, why isn’t it possible that he might revisit such maniacal thoughts?

“Don’t get socked in the mouth, you know ‘homie don’t play that’
Pay the fire marshal bill ‘cause this shit done got way packed
They wanna see me go ape (ape, ape)
All you gotta do is speak on Ye
All you gotta do is speak on Ye
Don’t get your tooth chipped like Frito-Lay.”

8. Marilyn Manson, “Threats of Romance”

Heaven Upside Down • Loma Vista • 2017

“A girl is a man’s sickness / We all know the way it ends / No matter how many times we film it / The audience thinks / They’ve seen it for the first time.” Arguably, the ‘shock’ of Marilyn Manson has waned since his youthful days and lucrative prime.  Even so, Brian Hugh Warner still showed he had some ‘tricks up his sleeve’ on his 2017 album, Heaven Upside Down.  The unique LP features some gems including the biting “WE KNOW WHERE YOU FUCKING LIVE” (that’s a threat in itself), the ‘satanic’ “SAY10,” and the ‘threatening’ song at hand, “Threats of Romance.”

“Threats of Romance” concludes Heaven Upside Down heavenly – hellishly, much like it kicks off. The music stands out here in particular, contrasting the nine preceding songs.  The use of piano gives this record a different sound and reaches beyond alternative/industrial metal that Manson and company are known for. In addition to the unique sound of the record, the lyrics stand out, particularly moments like the pre-chorus (“And things that are pretty / Are always kept behind glass”) and the following chorus (“I like you damaged, but I need something left / Something for me, something for me to wreck…”).

9. The xx, “Dangerous”

I See You • Young Turks • 2017

“They say we’re in danger / But I disagree / If proven wrong, shame on me / but you’ve had faith in me.” The xx have a slightly different idea of dangerousness compared to some of the other songs that appear on this playlist.  Still, if we equate danger as being a threat of some sort, they’re very much in the right place – *cues up totally frightening, threatening music.* “Dangerous” kicks off I See You with a ‘controlled punch.’  While the brass hits give the opener an edge, the record never grows raucous or loses a sense of control.  Nonetheless, the groove is infectious, while the ‘cool, calm, and collected’ approach of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim is successful.

Despite the threat, The xx don’t seem to be too concerned or fazed – it is what it is.

“They say
You are dangerous, but I don’t care
I’m going to pretend that I’m not scared
If this only ends in tears
Then I won’t say goodbye
‘Cause I couldn’t care less
If they call us reckless
Until they are breathless
They must be blind.”

BTW, you can also find this threatening number featured on 11 Songs That are Dangerous, Violent, or Otherwise.

10. Panic! At the Disco, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”

Death of a Bachelor • Fueled by Ramen • 2016

“Alright, alright, it’s a hell of a feeling though / It’s a hell of feeling though!” Panic! At the Disco always seems to bring a certain level of eccentricity to their music – well, ‘his’ music arguably. Brendon Urie is turned-up to the nth degree on “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time,” one of numerous highlights from the Grammy-nominated Death of a Bachelor album.  This version of “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” differs from the aforementioned song by Thomas Rhett (though both are somewhat left of center).  Urie exudes exuberant spirit on the infectious chorus, excerpted above.

Lyrically, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” is incredibly zany, with references to waking up in only his undies (ooh la-la) and losing a “Bet to a guy in a Chiffon skirt,” yet, he “makes these high heels work.” The narrative is wild AF. Plum nuts y’all, with the chorus only adding to and accentuating the craziness.

“Champagne, cocaine, gasoline
And most things in between
I roam the city in a shopping cart
A pack of camels and a smoke alarm.”

This threatening good time for Panic! At the Disco has occurred a couple of times.  Once before on  and once again on 12 Half ‘With’ and Half ‘Without’ Songs and Just Don’t Do It Songs.

11. Megadeth, “The Threat is Real”

Dystopia • Megadeth / Universal Music Enterprises • 2016

“Justified obliteration, no one cares anymore / The Messiah or mass murderer / No controlling who comes through the door / A culture made of cover ups…” Hmm, those are some damning lyrics right there 👿 . “The Threat is Real” serves as the opener for Dystopia, the 2016 album by Grammy-winning veteran thrash metal collective Megadeth.  “The Threat is Real” doesn’t necessarily sound ‘threatening’ initially – it’s more enigmatic before the jagged guitars and hard-hitting groove kicks in, let alone the aforementioned lyrics.

Soon enough, the gritty vocals of Dave Mustaine help to craft the threat which the title references.  Ultimately, tough vocals, electrifying, rhythmic music, and dramatic lyrics help make this record a roaring success.   

“The vultures have come home to nest
The clock runs out, the weakest link
A deadly strike, the threat is real!”

[Photo Credits: 10 Summers, Big Machine, Def Jam, EMPIRE, ESGN, Fueled by Ramen, GOOD, Interscope, Loma Vista, Pixabay, Pexels, Republic, Young Turks]