11 Thrilling Songs About the Sky | Playlist

11 Thrilling Songs About the Sky” features music courtesy of Boogie, Florence + The Machine, Gucci Mane, Jake Shears, and Lights. 

“Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall / Face it all together.” Ah, that was an excerpt from “Skyfall,” the Academy Award-winning song performed by Adele and co-written by Paul Epworth.  “Skyfall” doesn’t make 11 Thrilling Songs About the Sky with its own blurb but hey, it’s gets a shout-out and essentially tells you about the central theme of this playlist – the sky.  Yes, every musical selection on this list MUST feature the word ‘sky’ in its respective song title – no exceptions! Musicians providing the tunes include Boogie (“Skydive”), Florence + The Machine (“Sky Full of Song”), Gucci Mane (“Wake Up in the Sky”), Jake Shears (“Palace in the Sky”), and Lights (“Skydiving”).

1. Boogie, “Skydive”

Everythings for Sale • Shady / Interscope • 2019

“Oh, we should sky, sky, sky, skydive, uh / I just hope that you sure, uh / And I pray we secured, oh yeah…” We kick off 11 Thrilling Songs About the Sky with a “Skydive,” courtesy of Compton, California rapper Boogie.  After releasing multiple mixtapes, Boogie quietly released his debut studio album, Everythings for Sale in January 2019.  “Skydive” actually appears as the sixth track on the album.  It should also be noted that there’s a “Skydive II,” featuring 6LACK, which appears as the ninth track.

So, what exactly is “Skydive” about? The aforementioned excerpt from the chorus definitely doesn’t seem to be the most straightforward.  Well, basically, it dabbles in matters of the heart.  Boogie cleverly relates everything to, well, skydiving – ‘jumping’ (or diving) into the relationship and etc.

“We always in different spaces

You take me out of my zone, I

Love how this passage ain’t safe, why

I swear I’m sure of the unknown…”

Besides the clever lyrics and emotions conveyed by Boogie, the production is incredible.  Moody, set in a minor key, the backdrop blends urban contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and even a singer/songwriter vibe with the guitars. Yeah, you’ll want to dive right into this one.

2. Florence + The Machine, “Sky Full of Song”

High as Hope • Virgin • 2018

“Grab me by my ankles, I’ve been flying for too long / I couldn’t hide from the thunder in a sky full of song…” “Sky Full of Song” arrived as an advanced single from High as Hope, the fourth studio album by Florence + The Machine. Once more, the alternative darlings deliver an enjoyable, impressive, and overall well-rounded LP. “Sky Full of Song” begins instantly with Florence Welch’s vocals, which are always a blessing. Gradually, the instrumentation fills in, expanding the production, but never ‘stealing her thunder.’ In addition to the instrumentation, haunting background vocals further amplify her commanding lead.

Welch is at her most dynamic and robust on the chorus:

“Hold me down, I’m so tired now

Aim your arrow at the sky

Take me down, I’m too tired now

Leave me where I lie.”

So, what exactly is Welch getting at with this record? The ‘high’ she gets when she performs, as well as expressing herself through her music, so on and so forth.

3. Gucci Mane, “Wake Up in the Sky” (Ft. Bruno Mars & Kodak Black)

Evil Genius • Atlantic • 2018

“I drink ‘til I’m drunk, smoke ‘til I’m high / Castle on the hill, wake up in the sky / You can’t tell me I ain’t fly (You can’t tell me I ain’t fly) / I know I’m super fly, I know I’m super fly…” Gucci Mane doesn’t reinvent the wheel on his 2018 album Evil Genius, but he does deliver an album’s worth of bangers – facts! Among the bangers is the sensational “I’m Not Goin’”, featuring Kevin Gates.  Of course, “I’m Not Goin’” has nothing to do with the theme of this playlist, so, we turn to “Wake Up in the Sky,” featuring Grammy-winning pop musician Bruno Mars and rapper Kodak Black. Following the crème de la crème is hard, but with Mars and Black along for the ride, Evil Genius earns yet another hit record.

Mars is awesome on the carefree, swagger-laden chorus, which is continued from top of this blurb:

“…The ladies love luxury

That’s why they all fuck with me

Out here with the moves like I invented smooth

You can’t tell me I ain’t fly (You can’t tell me I ain’t fly)

I know I’m super fly, I know I’m super fly.”

Both Gucci Mane and Kodak Black handle their respective verses soundly, backed by smooth production.  Yeah, it’s a sky-tastic experience… if such a thing exists.

4. Jake Shears, “Palace in the Sky”

Jake Shears • Freida Jean • 2018

“Promise to steal the fortune / Love is a cruel extortion of life / What the hell might as well get away / Pleading to have your grey cut.” Hmm, quite poetic lyrics to say the least. “Palace in the Sky” serves as the penultimate track from Jake Shears’ underrated, self-titled, 2018 debut album.  Shears is best known as the flamboyant, openly gay frontman of alternative pop collective Scissor Sisters. And yes, if you were curious, the band is named after the lesbian sex position…  But this isn’t about sex positions or Shears’ band, but rather the record at hand.

“Palace in the Sky” is a ballad, one in which Jake Shears sings both beautifully and sincerely.  As aforementioned, there are some truly poetic lyrics that helps to make this record a success.  Furthermore, the backdrop stands out, with its prominent piano, electric guitar, and heavy drums.  The sound reminisces back to the 70s, yet also fits the current times.  Going back to the lyrics, the centerpiece is the chorus, which occurs a total of three times on “Palace in the Sky.”

“And the stars align

But the world’s aflame

Your palace in the sky

Is burning blue tonight

Your palace in the sky

Is burning through the night

Your palace in the sky.”

5. XXXTENTACION, “STARING AT THE SKY”

SKINS • Bad Vibes Forever / EMPIRE • 2018

“I was staring at the sky / Singin’ toxic lullabies / I was staring at the sky…” Posthumous albums are tricky – sometimes they can be a pleasure and amplify the late musician’s legacy, while at other times they feel totally wrong, selling the artist short. In the case of the late XXXTENTACION, his 2018 posthumous album, SKINS consistently maintained a vibe, but as an album, felt totally ‘all over the place.’ Even so, we get a couple of highlights out of it, including “STARING AT THE SKY.” 

“STARING AT THE SKY” is a prime example of the eclectic XXXTENTACION flaunting his emo-tinged, alternative sound.  This definitely isn’t ‘rap,’ though there was clear evidence suggesting that XXXTENTACION was moving away from “Look at Me!” days. There’s little ‘song’ on “STARING AT THE SKY” (it’s less than one-minute-and-half long) but the energy is admirable throughout, particularly when the rock cues kick in in all of their glory.  Just know, “We’re gonna break!”

6. Mumford & Sons, “October Skies”

Delta • Glassnote • 2018

“In the silver light / I just made out / Your silhouette / Though the quickening haze.” So, it’s no secret that critics have been divided on Mumford & Sons, beginning with the alternative, folk-infused band’s 2015 album, Wilder Mind.  Unfortunately, critics weren’t universally impressed by Delta, released in 2018.  Regardless, here at The Musical Hype, we’re giving Marcus Mumford and company a chance to shine, specifically with the sixth track of the album, “October Skies.”

Regardless of your opinion of Mumford & Sons, or even Delta itself, “October Skies” has its fair shares of pros.  First and foremost is the vibe, which carries “October Skies” to higher heights.  How is that vibe created? Why the production, which incorporates lovely use of piano, reverb-heavy drums, and a robust sound, specifically during the refrain.  Additionally amplifying “October Skies” are solid vocals by Mumford, as well as great vocal production.  The lyrics are respectable as well, though again, it’s easy for the listener to be hypnotized by ambience and vibe more than the lyrics.  Still, the simplistic ‘chorus’ is #winning.

“Ooh, your loving yearn,

Ooh, I have hope once more.”

7. Lights, “Skydiving”

Skin&Earth • Warner Bros. • 2017

“It all starts here, with a rush of blood to the head / And I feel no fear / And nothing’s happening yet.” Well, that’s some mysteriousness right there! In 2017, Canadian ‘electro-soul’ artist Lights released a conceptual ‘comic book’ album, Skin&Earth. Among the bright spots of the LP is advance single “Skydiving”, which opens lushly with effects-laden vocals.  Despite incorporating ample production wizardry, the resulting sound is cool. Eventually, Lights commences the standard, pop vocal performance.  While her vocals are a bit more staccato as opposed to the lush, longer tones that occur initially, there’s still a sense of lush, sexy vibes throughout.  Her vocal tone exemplifies a self-described electro-soul sound.  This record plays well with the pop, dance, and urban crowd.

The first verse continues from the aforementioned excerpt, “You pull me in / I’m doing things I never would do / My pulse, racing / I’m coming alive with you.” Hmm, okay.  The pros of “Skydiving” shine bright.  In fact, there are no glaring cons to be found.  Lights sounds superb, while the production, likewise, is strong, from start to finish.  The songwriting is none too shabby, if relatively simple.  Speaking of simple, The chorus is just that, yet catchy and ultimately, highly effective.

“You got me skydiving

You got me high flying

Oh, I’m jumping off of the world now

Never stop, never slow down

Skydiving.”

8. Miguel, “Pineapple Skies” & “Sky Walker”

War & Leisure • RCA • 2017

“There’s a breeze strong enough baby / Leave ya so high, ya feet won’t touch the ground / Can we look up, look up, baby? / There’s pineapple purple skies / Promise everything gon’ be alright.”  Two-for-ones are nice, and that’s what we get with War & Leisure, the fourth studio album by Grammy-winning R&B musician Miguel.  First, we begin with “Pineapple Skies”, the second track on War & Leisure, which keeps the momentum rolling following a stellar opener, “Criminal.” Vocally, Miguel consistently exhibits exceptional energy, soulfulness, and swag. Artistically, he understands his musical identity and niche, continuing to excel.  The smooth, soulful “Pineapple Skies” benefits from vintage pop and R&B cues, keeping the eclectic script alive and well.

Next comes promo single “Sky Walker”, where Miguel gets the assist from Travis Scott.  Miguel continues to deliver vocally, adding ample swagger into the mix as well (he’s a pretty cool dude). While “Sky Walker” is ‘quintessential’ Miguel, it also sounds slightly more modern compared to some of his records. In regard to messaging, it’s all about denouncing and proving haters wrong, something that is made clear from the jump. Travis Scott handles the second verse, playing into the message and of course flexing lyrically.  Pretty good ‘two-for-one’ if I do say so myself.

“Cap and a stem, catch a wave on us (splish)

Take a shot, make a friend, just enjoy the moment

I’m Luke Skywalkin’ on these haters (splish)

Celebrate every day like a birthday…”

9. Foo Fighters, “The Sky is a Neighborhood”

Concrete and Gold • RCA • 2017

“The Sky is a Neighborhood” is ‘the cat’s meow’ on Concrete and Gold, the 2017 album by Grammy-winning rock band Foo Fighters. “The Sky is a Neighborhood” begins lushly, with an ambient sound, led by choral vocals, guitar, and cello.  Soon enough, Dave Grohl enters in, something like a “bull in a china shop.”  His entrance changes the vibe of the song, giving it an edgier, more hard-rock oriented sound.  Even though the sound is rock through and through, there’s a soulfulness as well.  The complete transformation occurs once menacing guitars enter in at a massive forte on the chorus.

Speaking of the chorus, it’s among the many selling points of “The Sky is a Neighborhood.”  It’s catchy, latching from an initial listen.

“Oh, my dear

Heaven is a big band now

Gotta get to sleep somehow

Bangin’ on the ceiling

Bangin’ on the ceiling

Keep it down.”

Lyrically, the song is pretty simple. Grohl isn’t delivering a poetic performance on “Sky,” but nonetheless, it’s incredibly enjoyable.  Musically, Foo Fighters do a fantastic job of capturing the oft-overused ‘epic’ sentiment.  To reiterate, the massive wall of guitar on the chorus, along with some colorful accentuating lines, is decadent, sweet ear candy to say the least.  It doesn’t hurt having Greg Kurstin on as the producer.

10. Frank Ocean, “Skyline To”

Blonde • Boys Don’t Cry • 2016

Frank Ocean is one of a kind – understatement.  His 2012 debut studio album, Channel Orange, earned Ocean a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary album, not to mention being nominated for the most prestigious award, ‘Album of the Year.’  Despite the fact that his sophomore album Blonde was released independently, Ocean continued to deliver a ‘left of center’ style.  A perfect example of this is the song featured on this playlist, “Skyline To.”

“On comes the evening, gold seeking ends / Piece in my hands worth twice than a friend.” Okay… “Skyline To” plays out extremely ‘high’ to say the least.  Random, Ocean seems to be under the influence of drugs and sex. Numerous times he uses ‘fucking,’ both as an intensifier, and of course in reference to pleasure.  A prime example occurs on the first verse:

“Pretty fucking, underneath moonlight now

Pretty fucking, sunrise in sight

In comes the morning, haunting us with the beams

Solstice ain’t as far as it used to be.”

11. Coldplay, “A Sky Full of Stars”

Ghost Stories • Parlophone • 2014

Ghost Stories, the sixth studio album released by Grammy-winning alternative collective, Coldplay, is both mysterious and quite enjoyable.  Arguably, this is the subtlest album of Coldplay’s discography, trending more minimally as opposed to maximally.  The central theme of Ghost Stories? Why love, of course!  Thankfully, Chris Martin and company have a song that is tailor-made for this playlist, “A Sky Full of Stars.”

“A Sky Full of Stars” has pop and EDM written all over it. Call “A Sky Full of Stars” alternative rock’s answer to the pop trends of 2014.  While its distinctiveness compared to the sound characterizing 2014 is debatable, the record has its fair share of pros.  As the crème de la crème of Ghost Stories, “A Sky Full of Stars” benefits from its specific form, production, and some of its lyrical moments.  Among the best lyrical moments? Why the chorus of course!

“I don’t care, go on and tear me apart

I don’t care if you do

‘Cause in the sky, ‘cause in a sky full of stars

I think I see you.”

Yeah, it’s schmaltzy as albeit it, but it is semi-poetic, right? Right!

[Photo Credits: Atlantic, Bad Vibes Forever, Boys Don’t Cry, EMPIRE, Freida Jean, Glassnote, Interscope, Parlophone, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Shady, Virgin, Warner Bros.]