11 Thrilling ARE Songs, Part 3

Reading Time: 15 min read

11 Thrilling ARE Songs, Part 3 features songs by 54 Ultra, Aaliyah, LaBelle, Teddy Swims, and Troye Sivan.

Are you prepared for the power of A-R-E, ARE, for the third time? 11 Thrilling ARE Songs, Part 3 is exactly what the title suggests – a playlist of songs that feature the word are in their title. There are no other criteria other than featuring the often-used three-letter word. Notably, it is the sequel to 11 Thrilling Are Songs, Part 1 (2024) and 11 Thrilling ARE Songs, Part 2 (2024). 11 Thrilling ARE Songs, Part 3 features songs by 54 Ultra, Aaliyah, LaBelle, Teddy Swims, and Troye Sivan. So, without further ado, let’s dive into 11 Thrilling ARE Songs, Part 3!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Teddy Swims, “Are You Even Real” (Ft. Givēon)	2. Aaliyah, “Are You That Somebody?”	3. 54 Ultra, “Where Are You”	4. LaBelle, “Are You Lonely?”
5. Troye Sivan, “What’s The Time Where You Are”	6. Jessica Simpson, “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” – Nancy Sinatra cover	7. The Strokes, “The Adults Are Talking”	8. Demi Lovato, “My Girlfriends are My Boyfriend” (Ft. Saweetie)
9. John Legend, “Who Do We Think We Are” (Ft. Rick Ross)	10. Josie Cotton, “Johnny, Are You Queer?”	11. Michael Jackson, “You Are Not Alone”

1. Teddy Swims, “Are You Even Real” (Ft. Givēon)

I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy » SWIMS Int. / Warner » 2025

“Are you even real / Or did I make you up?” Teddy Swims (Jaten Dimsdale) asks in the first verse of “Are You Even Real”, a single from I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2). “How could someone like you / Wanna give me love?” Word. Dimsdale taps Grammy-nominated R&B artist GIVĒON (Giveon Evans) for the assist on this soulful ballad. Set in a lilting, compound duple meter, the aesthetic is old-school. The drum groove and big bass line are big boosts on this Peter Thomas and Julian Bunetta-produced gem. Swims delivers marvelous, smooth vocals. He ‘draws first blood,’ showing off the magnificence of his instrument. This includes ripe falsetto and top-notch ad-libs. GIVĒON is a force too, contrasting Sims with his deeper voice in the second verse: “I can feel the rush / Even when you slow-dance for me / Lookin’ at you layin’ right there / Are you from this world? I swear.” There is more punch instrumentally during Giveon’s verse, upping the energy level. Like Swims, his vocal ad-libs are glorious. The section to beat is the chorus:

“Tell me

Are you? Are you?

…Made up in my head, or are you in my bedroom

Questions that I ask ever since I met you

…Questions that I ask every time that I wake up.”

“Are You Even Real” is a bop.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

2. Aaliyah, “Are You That Somebody?”

I Care 4 U » Blackground » 2002

“(Uh) / Dirty South (Uh-huh), can y’all really feel me? (Feel us) / East Coast, feel me (Feel us), West Coast, feel me (Say what?).” Woo! In 1998, Grammy-nominated R&B singer Aaliyah (1979 – 2001) unleashed a surefire R&B banger: “Are You That Somebody?”. Timbaland and the late Static Major (1974 – 2008) wrote this classic. Timbaland, then one of the most innovative producers in the game, also produced it. “Are You That Somebody?” samples two songs, according to WhoSampled: “People Say” by The Meters and “Happy Baby” by Jac Holzman. It originally appeared on the soundtrack for the 1998 movie Dr. Doolittle. It ultimately appeared on Aaliyah’s posthumously released 2002, platinum-certified compilation album, I Care 4 U. “Somebody” impacted the pop charts, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2023, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the single gold. “Somebody” earned her first Grammy nomination at the 41^st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

“Are You That Somebody” begins with Timbaland setting the tone with his infectious vocals and signature, electronic-tinged, innovative beats. At the time, he was one of the freshest, most unique producers in the game, and he shows off his skills mightily from the jump. Aaliyah steps in, beginning in the first verse, wowing with her angelic, smooth, and sultry vocals. She doesn’t hold back her feelings, asserting, “Boy, I’ve been watching you like the hawk in the sky / That flies, but you were my prey.” The melody is rhythmic, tuneful, and instantly catches the ears. In the second verse, we get more of the same: “Oh, boy, see I’m trusting you with my heart, my soul / I probably shouldn’t let you.” Yeah, probably not, but the heart wants what it wants, right? The section to beat is the chorus, one of my personal favorites of the 1990s, hands down:

“If I let this go

You can’t tell nobody, I’m talkin’ ‘bout nobody

Are you responsible

Boy I gotta watch my back, ‘cause I’m not just anybody

Is it my go, is it your go? cDon

Sometimes, I’m goody-goody

Right now, I’m naughty-naughty

Say yes or say no, ‘cause I really need somebody

Tell me, are you that somebody?”

In her brief but successful career, Aaliyah charted 15 songs on the pop charts (a few posthumously). “Are You That Somebody?” has a strong case as the best song from her catalog. This question song NEVER grows old.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

3. 54 Ultra, “Where Are You”

**54 Ultra » First Works » 54 Ultra » 2025**

“I want you to know / Even though you chose / I love you / And this love will never end, no.” Oh, it won’t end, 54 Ultra (JohnAnthony Rodriguez)? Matters of the heart play a sizable role in “Where Are You”, the sixth and final track from Rodriguez’s 2025 EP, First Works. Although this soulful gem is brief, clocking in under two-and-a-half minutes, it is utterly divine. The vibe is sweet to the nth degree on “Where Are You.” A gorgeous percussive groove anchors. The detuned keys and synths provide a distinct color and timbre. The accompaniment is lush-sounding, reminiscent of the R&B/soul of old. These retro music cues work superbly in 54 Ultra’s favor as his voice floats above the backdrop angelically. One of his biggest selling points as a vocalist is his falsetto that appears towards the end of the cut, in all its loveliness. Beyond Rodriguez’s production and refined vocals, his pen deserves credit, too. The section to beat should come as no surprise: the chorus!

“(I would go so far)

Oh, I would go, I would go

(To make you mine)

(Follow all along)

Follow me, my dear

(In space and time)

In space and time.”

No deep analysis necessary. The relationship is over (in verse two, he stated, “The things I’d say to you if you were here / I know I’ve been too late”), and he’s regretful, but he still longs for them. We’ve all been there, done that, sigh. At least 54 Ultra’s pain and regret are our listening pleasure on “Where Are You”, right? Right!

Appears in:

54 Ultra, Where Are You: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 66 (2025)

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

4. LaBelle, “Are You Lonely?”

Nightbirds » Sony Music Entertainment Inc. » 1974

“Are you lonely? (Lonely) Are you lonely? (Lonely) / Are you lonely, living in a city without a heart?” Those inquiring lyrics hail from one-of-a-kind funk/soul collective, LaBelle, which most famously comprised Patti LaBelle (Patricia Louise Holte, 1944 – ), Nona Hendryx (1944 – ), and Sarah Dash (1945 – 2021). The song at hand, “Are You Lonely?”, is the third track from the dynamic trio’s 1974 album, Nightbirds. The Nona Hendryx-penned song is a solid album cut. The late, great Allen Toussaint (1938 – 2015) produced it.

“Are You Lonely?” funkifizes from the beginning. The bass line is sick – one of the best you’ll hear from the funk/soul catalog! The groove ‘grooves hard’ and is potent to the nth degree. Adding to the musical excellence are bluesy, soulful piano riffs and the articulated, exuberant horns. The backdrop is ample fuel for the ladies’ fire. Patti LaBelle delivers a dynamic, powerful vocal performance. Her skills bring the melodies to life, adding extra punch with her vocal ad-libs and riffs. She gets awesome backing vocals from LaBelle, including sensational harmonies. Hendryx put her foot into the songwriting in this minor-key joint. “You’ve been runnin’ around counting teardrops / They said it was rain falling from the sky,” Patti sings, authentically, continuing, “You’ve been wondering why the rain never stops / Only tears your people cry.” Word. The socially conscious lyrics are pronounced: “See the well-dressed preacher, living like a king / Hold the unwed mother, who’s afraid to scream / See the hungry children, posing for a shot / Hear their mothers tell them, that’s all we’ve got.” The centerpiece of the underrated “Are You Lonely?” is undoubtedly the chorus, in all of its lonely glory. LaBelle shines on this unforgettable album track that deserves more recognition.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

5. Troye Sivan, “What’s The Time Where You Are”

Something To Give Each Other » Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd. » 2023

“What’s The Time Where You Are?” has a tough act to follow in the context of Something To Give Each Other, the third studio album by South African-Australian artist Troye Sivan. With opener “Rush” being the sugar honey iced tea, “What’s The time Where You Are?” keeps STGEO on the up-and-up. Things kick off with a fun intro with some f-bombs in both English and Spanish. During that intro, the listener is introduced to the insane dance beat. Troye keeps us on our feet 🕺 🪩! Besides the beat, the production is slick – sweet to the nth degree thanks to the ever-talented OZGO (Oscar Görres). A blast to listen, a sweet exchange via text inspired this bop. The chorus, in all its catchy, tuneful glory, is the section to beat:

“Is what’s the time where you are, you are?

What’s the night like where you are, you are?

International straight shot to my heart

I’m right on top of this groove

God, I wish it was you.”

Ah, and did you catch the innuendo 😉? This song right here = BOP!

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

6. Jessica Simpson, “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” – Nancy Sinatra cover

The Dukes of Hazzard (Music from the Motion Picture) » Columbia » 2005

“Are you ready, boots / Start walkin’!” Back in the day, Jessica Simpson had a run. She has gold and platinum singles and albums. Simpson cemented her place in pop culture with that questionable reality show with then-hubby Nick Lachey (Newlyweds), as well as her cover of the Nancy Sinatra classic, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’”. What’s most notable regarding the cover of “Boots” is the music video, which is rowdy, titillating, and honestly, just must-see TV. In Simpson’s hands, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” gets country-pop flavor (Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produce). Simpson is playful in her vocal performance, cutesy, matching the novel nature of the record. There’s no way you leave this rendition and feel like you’ve heard a vocal masterclass. That said, given the fact that “Boots” is a novel song, Simpson’s exaggerated tongue-in-cheek take is successful. Notably, Jessica’s version also changes some lyrics and adds some sections, including a post-chorus, bridge, and a cool breakdown section:

“Hey y’all

Wanna come and see something? (Uh-uh, uh-uh)

Can’t touch, can I get a hand clap? For the way I work my back

Tick-tock, all around the clock, drop it

Push ya tush, like that

Can I get a suueey? (Suueey)

Can I get a yee-haw? (Yee-haw).”

If nothing else, Simpson and the songwriting and production team ensure this remake adds some original touches. That’s admirable.

Appears in:

Nancy Sinatra vs. Jessica Simpson: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 18 (2021)

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

7. The Strokes, “The Adults Are Talking”

The New Abnormal » RCA »  2020

“The Adults Are Talking” is the quick, energetic, and potent opener from The New Abnormal, the long-awaited sixth studio album by The Strokes. Just how long did fans have to wait for The New Abnormal? Seven damn years, sigh. This indie-rock record possesses a fun, danceable sensibility. Julian Casablancas gives a muted, even-keel vocal performance for the most part, ascending into a sweet falsetto within the final two minutes. Don’t let this deceive you about its MAD implications. The performance makes sense, given the messaging – the inability for a subordinate’s voice to be heard.

“They will blame us, crucify and shame us

We can’t help it if we are a problem

We are tryin’ hard to get your attention

I’m climbin’ up your wall.”

Besides the social and political aspects of “The Adults Are Talking,” there are also references to a relationship, which is pretty intriguing.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

8. Demi Lovato, “My Girlfriends are My Boyfriend” (Ft. Saweetie)

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

“I found the love of my life (I found the love of my life) / Wait, I mean the loves of my life (I mean the loves of my life)…” Uh-oh – Oh, $hi†! In 2021, Grammy-nominated pop artist Demi Lovato returned with her seventh studio album, Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over. Given the trials and tribulations she’s experienced, what better way for her to share her story than with music? While Dancing with the Devil…The Art of Starting Over has heavier moments, there are also fun, lighter moments like “My Girlfriends are my Boyfriend” featuring rapper, Saweetie.

“Don’t need a ring or a vow / I got my day ones around / They’re perfect, they’re priceless / Forever like diamonds.” Now that’s a mic drop if I do say so myself! The infectious “My Girlfriends are my Boyfriends” is a modern pop joint, set in a minor key. Demi delivers relatively cool vocals. She sounds as if she barely breaks a sweat through most of the record. Even so, she makes it clear that no boys are allowed on this one – it’s all about her girls! In the chorus, she asserts, “My girlfriends are my boyfriend / Ain’t nobody know me better / ‘Til forever do us part / Yeah, we’ll be partying together.” Woo! Her point is, she can depend on her girlfriends to support her through thick and thin. The same can’t be said of these lame-ass boys! Anyways, Saweetie joins the mix on the third verse, adding more swagger and freshness to this vibe: “Cop whatever for my ladies ‘cause they D4L (Facts) /They my wifeys for lifey, they my BFFL’s (Mwah!).”

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

9. John Legend, “Who Do We Think We Are” (Ft. Rick Ross)

Love In the Future » Getting Out Our Dreams / Columbia » 2013

“Baby, tell me, who do we think we are? / Who do we think we are?” Decorated R&B singer-songwriter John Legend brings the heat on the soulful, throwback “Who Do We Think We Are.” “Who Do We Think We Are” is the fifth track from his 2013 double platinum album, Love In the Future. Legend’s voice is sheer soul perfection, Betty Harris! Bink!, Dave Tozer, and Kanye West produced this sleek joint, which samples Jean Knight ( “Mr. Big Stuff”), Marvin Gaye (“If I Should Die Tonight”), and Lenny Kravitz (“Let Love Rule (Live in Boston)”). The single, which failed to chart (boo 👎), is filled with widely interpretable lyrics, including “We love, we love, we love the stars / We could fall so hard.” The legend references various things, including stardom, living life to the fullest, and, possibly, getting high. Speaking of getting high, Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross balls hard, and flies, in his verse: “She gets Chanel / Ski trips to Vail / Only the highest grade like trees that I inhale.” “All of Me” may have made Love In The Future, but “Who Do We Think We Are” is utterly sublime as well.

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

10. Josie Cotton, “Johnny, Are You Queer?”

Convertible Music » Kitten Robot » 1982

“And I saw you today, boy / Walking with them gay 🌈 boys.” Hmm, what is your point, Josie Cotton? How do you know that the boys are gay, and what is wrong with Johnny hanging out with them? It’s giving homophobia, girl, depending on who you ask. “Now you hurt me so / Now I gotta know / Johnny, are you queer?” Oh, boy! It should come as no surprise why “Johnny, Are You Queer?” is controversial. The eyebrow-raising pop/ New Wave song appears on Cotton’s 1982 debut album, Convertible Music. Larson Paine and Robert Paine penned this sus classic. It was first recorded by the Go-Go’s [hear the live recording here], but Cotton was the first to release it. To provide even more context as to why Josie asks about Johnny’s sexuality: “When the lights are low / You never hold me close.”

Songs about sexuality lend themselves to controversy. Such songs can be more controversial when there is a lack or perceived lack of nuance. That is the problem with “Johnny, Are you Queer.” Musically, this is a bop and a half! The driving instrumental ‘kicks ass and takes names.’ Cotton’s vocal performance is playful, and she brings plenty of attitude. But the lyrics are problematic. If Johnny is in a ‘committed’ relationship with Josie (or her character) and is not being open about his sexuality, he is wrong. However, the way that she judges him assumes his friends are gay and tries to force a romance that is a non-starter, that is nothing short of a hot mess. I mean, if he is gay, it is unlikely he will embrace a relationship with you… Interestingly, gays and conservatives cried foul about this song. The gays thought she was homophobic. Conservatives thought she was promoting homosexuality. Go figure! Sadly, per RETROPOP, the song was used in conversion therapy. Yikes. Ultimately, while “Johnny, Are You Queer” is problematic lyrically, it is a song that should be taken with a grain of salt. It gives a heaping dose of camp.

Appears in:

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

11. Michael Jackson, “You Are Not Alone”

HIStory – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK I » MJJ Productions, Inc. » 1995

“That you are not alone, I am here with you / Though you’re far away, I am here to stay.” The late, great Michael Jackson sang those lyrics, which hail from his 1995 song, “You Are Not Alone”. “You Are Not Alone” appears on the second disc of HIStory – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – BOOK I, also released in 1995 (the ninth track). Another rare song not written or co-written by Jackson, the songwriter might blow your mind: R. Kelly. You Are Not Alone” not only peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week, but it was the first song in history to debut at number one. Notably, it became the final number one hit of Jackson’s illustrious career.

“You Are Not Alone” showcases the sheer beauty of Jackson’s voice. Michael excelled at up-tempo pop records, but this smooth pop/R&B ballad reminds us how stellar he was with fewer BPMs. His tone is celestial as he brings Kelly’s melodies to life effortlessly. In the first verse, loneliness saddens the King of Pop, or the perspective of the person he sings from. “You never said goodbye, someone tell me why / Did you have to go and leave my world so cold?” In the second verse, he thinks he hears his lover cry, and affirms, “I can hear your prayers, your burdens, I will bear / But first, I need your hand, then forever can begin.” In the pre-chorus, the question is, what happened to the love? Where did it go? In the chorus, excerpted earlier, he and his lover are together, despite being separated physically and by distance: “Though we’re far apart, you’re always in my heart / For you are not alone.” Aww 🥰! Beyond the elite vocals, memorable melodies, and love-centric lyrics, the musical backdrop sounds fresh and smooth, ushering in the new era of R&B mid-90s. The sound is a contrast compared to MJ’s other songs, yet it works seamlessly. “You Are Not Alone” earned Jackson one of his 38 Grammy nominations, of which he won 13. In the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 38^th Annual Grammy Awards, he lost to an even bigger, unbeatable song: “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal. Still, this fabulous mid-90s ballad, with its key changes and those once-in-a-lifetime MJ vocals, deserves its flowers.

Appears in:

Michael Jackson, You Are Not Alone: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 102 (2025)

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~

11 Thrilling ARE Songs, Part 3 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 54 Ultra, Blackground, Columbia, Getting Out Our Dreams, Island, Kitten Robot, MJJ Productions, Inc., RCA, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., SWIMS Int., Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd., Warner; AcatXIo from Pixabay; Brock Wegner on Unsplash]

11 Thrilling ARE Songs, Part 3 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on September 10, 2025September 10, 2025