11 Stellar, Totally Dreamy Imagine Songs | Playlist 🎧

1. Dua Lipa, “Hallucinate”

💿 Future Nostalgia • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2020 

“Pocketful of honey and I’m ready to go / No, I ain’t got no money, but I’m letting you know / That I’ma love you like a fool / Breathe you in till I hallucinate (Mmm).” Matters of the heart dominate on the dance ready 🎵 “Hallucinate”, one of many highlights on 💿 Future Nostalgia. Here, 🏆 Grammy-winning pop standout 🎙 Dua Lipa loses her mind literally “when he calls her name.” Wow, now that is definitely one of those 🎵 “F**kin’ Problems”, 🎙 A$AP Rocky (*see what I did there*)!

“Kill me slowly with your kiss
Wrap me ‘round your fingertips
Damn, I need another hit.”

Staying focused on the hallucinatory song at hand, Dua Lipa keeps the tempo quick in the context of Future Nostalgia.  She’s backed by a hard-hitting, intense backdrop, courtesy of 🎛 SG Lewis and 🎛 Stuart Price, who is part of the production team on several cuts from the album. Despite her hallucination, Lipa doesn’t miss a beat on the seventh track of the ultra-consistent, Grammy-winning pop album.  Oh, and in case you were wondering, hallucinate is a related word to imagine.

2. Ben Platt, “Imagine”

🎵 “Imagine” • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

Not enough folks partook of 💿 Sing to Me Instead, the 2019 debut album by 🎙 Ben Platt. Of course, Platt had plenty of other success, including starring on 📺 The Politician on Netflix.  For his sophomore album, however, the former 🎭 Dear Evan Hansen star opts for a poppier sound, evidenced by single, 🎵 “Imagine”.

The key to any song that features Ben Platt in the leading role is that he’s able to show how gifted he is as a vocalist.  Even with more modern sheen on the production end of things, “Imagine” allows Platt to bless us with his prodigious pipes.  He has a marvelous tone, great range, and exhibits ample personality.  At first, I was slightly off put by the production and sound, but as “Imagine” progresses, the pacing makes more sense, and Ben shows more passion, and assertiveness. Never in doubt is the songwriting, which is very personal for Platt and quite relatable.  Love is the theme – ever relatable.  Some of the best lyrics occur on the pre-chorus and chorus.  On the pre-chorus, Ben speaks of his partner, singing, “You say I’m your hero / But you are the one that saved me.” Love it! Of course, the centerpiece, where Platt is really able to flex, is the chorus:

“I can’t imagine my life without you
I can’t imagine one night without you
If something happened, don’t know what I’d do
I can’t imagine
I can’t imagine, my life without you.”

Ultimately, “Imagine” feels good, and, as always, Platt sings marvelously with a great topic/theme to work.

3. Ariana Grande, “Imagine”

💿 thank u, next • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2019 

“Imagine a world like that / We go like up ‘til I’m sleep on your chest / Love how my face fits so good in your neck / Why can’t you imagine a world like that?” 🎙 Ariana Grande is in sensually charged mode on 🎵 “Imagine”, the opener from her 2019 masterpiece, 💿 thank u, next. “Imagine” is focused on a relationship that’s ‘lit’ 🔥.

Sleek R&B production certainly supports this vibe. Grande establishes pleasure on the first verse, keeping things ‘cool’ and filled with swagger. On the second verse, the ‘picture perfect’ relationship continues. Because it’s ‘real,’ she urges him, “Tell me your secrets / All of the creep shit / That’s how I know it’s true.”  The lyrics and theme aren’t complex or game changing but are definitely successful 💯.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Imagine: 5ive Songs No. 69

4. Travis Scott, “STARGAZING”

💿 ASTROWORLD • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2018

“Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, got me stargazin’ (Roll) / Psychedelics got me goin’ crazy (Oh, no).” 🎵 “STARGAZING” kicks off 💿 ASTROWORLD, the highly anticipated, 🏆 Grammy nominated third album by 🎙 Travis Scott, superbly.  “STARGAZING” is a record that is divided into two parts. Of course, in hip-hop especially, there are a number of multi-part songs that incorporate distinct beat and production switches. The Houston rapper is known for his unique curatorial role in his music.

The first part of “STARGAZING” is more extraterrestrial – think outer space. The second part, however, is more trap oriented. Notably, on the first half, Scott is drenched in autotune among other vocal effects.  In contrast to the first part, on the second part, Scott sounds clearer and more straightforward.  Among my favorite lyrics featured on part two:

“Before, no car notes, baby girl, she played the tourist guide
Got the keys into my city, now she know the rides
Got new money, got new problems, got new enemies
When you make it to the top, that’s the amenities.”

Also, worth noting, stargaze (stargazing) itself is another word that is related to imagine (imagining).  Not an exact synonym, per Merriam-Webster!

5. Solange, “Things I Imagined”

💿 When I Get Home • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2019

“I saw things I imagined /… Things I imagined / Taking on, taking on the light.”  Early on, it’s clear that 💿 When I Get Home, the 2019 album by 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Solange, is a unique listening experience. Opener 🎵 “Things I Imagined” kicks things off enigmatically and lushly, incorporating elements of soul and jazz.

Lyrically, Solange isn’t profound.  Regardless, she has tremendous success leaning and relying on repetition, coupled with the ‘vibe’ of the record itself. “Things I Imagined” manages to pack a punch, setting the tone for When I Get Home during the course of two short minutes.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Imagine: 5ive Songs No. 69

6. Glass Animals, “Dreamland”

💿 Dreamland • 🏷 Wolf Tone • 📅 2020

“Pullin’ down backstreets, deep in your head / Slippin’ through dreamland like a tourist.” Indeed 🎙 Glass Animals, indeed! These are key lyrics from the chorus of 🎵 “Dreamland,” which appears as the opener on the collective’s 2020 studio album, also titled 💿 Dreamland.  When it comes to dreaming, we often IMAGINE things that haven’t happened and perhaps in some cases, we want to happen.  When we dream, well, we definitely visit another world, something that 🎙 Dave Bayley captures so well on this title track.

“All you’ve done in bed, all on Memorex
All ‘round-‘round your head, all ‘round-round your head.”

Much like the lyrics that appear throughout “Dreamland,” the production is quite dreamy.  We’d expect a dream-pop palette with dream-driven song, right? Right! We get a warm backdrop comprised of keys, synths, and even some pitch-shifted vocals.  Bayley sings beautifully, perfectly capturing the dreamy sensibilities and vibe of ‘dreamland.’

“You’ve had too much of the digital love
You want everything live; you want things you can touch
Make it feel like a movie you saw in your youth
Make it feel like that song that just unopened you.”

7. Shawn Mendes, “Can’t Imagine”

💿 Wonder • 🏷 Island • 📅 2020 

🏆 Grammy-nominated pop superstar 🎙 Shawn Mendes closes out his fourth studio album, 💿 Wonder, totally in his feelings ❤. 🎵 “Can’t Imagine” is a stripped record where Mendes accompanies himself on guitar.   When your voice speaks for itself, a simple accompaniment can do wonders.

As you might ‘IMAGINE’ (see what I did there), before even hearing the song, yet hearing the songs preceding it, Shawn tackles matters of the heart: “Can’t imagine what a world would be / without you.” Hmm, wonder who in the world he could be talking about? *Cough* ❤️ Camila Cabello ❤️ *Cough*. His dedication [to Camila] is definitely undisputed here. 

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Imagine: 5ive Songs No. 69

8. Omar Apollo, “Imagine U”

🎵 “Imagine U” • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2020

“Imagine you, imagine you / Say that you love me.” 🎵 “Imagine U” is a pretty sweet single courtesy of 🎙 Omar Apollo. While perhaps best characterized as an alternative record, there’s plenty of pop and R&B sensibilities here. Apollo sings in chill fashion, yet simultaneously exhibits an expressive, well-rounded vocal.  Even if he never breaks a sweat, this cool approach fits the romantic, sexy vibes of the record.  He’s definitely imagining a relationship.

Besides a relatable theme and lyrics, adding to the excellence is balanced but colorful production.  The sense is that Omar isn’t trying to do too much – capitalize on the vibe. From the start, “Imagine U” is incredibly groovy as well as quite sound, quite enjoyable from an instrumental perspective. This ‘imagine’ record is well-rounded vocally, musically, and relatable lyrically.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Imagine: 5ive Songs No. 69

9. Whitney Houston, “Who Would Imagine a King”

💿 The Preacher’s Wife [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] • 🏷 Arista • 📅 1996

“Mommies and daddies always believe / That their little angels are special indeed.” True 🎙 Whitney Houston, very true.  Of course, it is the next two lines from 🎵 “Who Would Imagine a King” from 💿 The Preacher’s Wife [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] that really expresses where the late, great icon is going with this song.  “And you could grow up to be anything / But who would imagine a king?”

Of course, on this gorgeous, relatively simplistic R&B/gospel ballad, Whitney Houston is referring to Jesus.  Part of The Preacher’s Wife takes place during Christmas, hence why a record like “Who Would Imagine a King” references the well-known story of the baby born to the Virgin Mary becoming Jesus, a central figure in Christianity.  Throughout, Houston goes on to sing about the possibilities of what Baby Jesus could be, all upstanding, but imagining him being ‘a king’ – King of Kings and Lord of Lords – requires ample faith.  Ultimately, this is another fantastic gem in the Whitney Houston catalog, finding her showing more poise vocally than overtness.  Regardless, this was the icon at her best.

10. gnash, “Imagine if”

💿 we • 🏷 :): • 📅 2019

There’s plenty to rave about on 🎵 “Imagine if”, a highlight from 💿 we, the 2019 album by 🎙 gnash. Gnash has an understated approach, but he continues to (1) allure and appeal with his distinct voice and (2) exhibit mad swagger.  As chill as this bro is, he has personality working on his side. His versality shines through, as he sings and drops melodic bars.  He gets a bit salty asserting, “Imagine if I had the power to control the voices in my head / And I could tell them all to shut the fuck up.” Damn – well, better yet – fu…

Anyways, moving on, naturally, he imagines lots of things as he reminisces back to an unsuccessful relationship, partially thanks to him.  Beyond the plight of love fueling his fire, the production plays a sizable role as well.  Not only does gnash handle the boards, so do 🎛 Digital Farm Animals.  Fueled by soulful piano with some synths and sick drum programming thrown in, it’s easy to see why “Imagine If” ends up being a resounding success.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Imagine: 5ive Songs No. 69

11. John Lennon, “Imagine”

💿 Imagine • 🏷 EMI • 📅 1971

“Imagine there’s no heaven / It’s easy if you try / No hell below us / Above us, only sky / Imagine all the people living for today.” 🎵 “Imagine” is a beloved classic by the late, great 🎵 John Lennon.  It appears as the opener on his 1971 album, also titled 💿 Imagine.  If you say the name John Lennon, this is undoubtedly the first song that comes to mind.  It is ICONIC to the nth degree.

Here’s the thing about “Imagine” though. Often, this truly ‘perfect,’ once-in-a-lifetime record is viewed as an inspirational song.  It certainly is thoughtful and uplifting.  However, Lennon was no Christian – he was an atheist. Furthermore, the song lyrics themselves don’t align with Christianity, when it comes to heaven and hell, and also, as expected of an atheist, implies the lack of God’s existence.  My advice would be to embrace this song as one of the truly elite masterpieces of all time.  Perhaps you don’t agree with Lennon’s views to some extent, but can you deny the utterly sublime art he’s created?

Also appears on 🔽:

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