11 Totally Tight Songs | Playlist 🎧

11 Totally Tight Songs features music courtesy of The Black Keys, The Chicks, Jaheim, Ohio Players, and Ravyn Lenae. 

There are times in life, far too often, where were are forced to TIGHTEN up things. Many times, it is job performance and perhaps, far more often, the budget.  Also, for those of us who struggle with weight, sometimes, our clothes get a bit too TIGHT, and we have to take ourselves in hand and buy larger clothes.  Then, for some of us, we just prefer a tighter wardrobe, particularly if we can show off our ASSets or that ripped chest 🏋️.  Whatever the case may be, whether it is tightening, being tight, wearing tights, etc., TIGHT is part of life… something like that! Anyways, after a ridiculous introduction for the ages, this musical compendium is filled with 🎧 11 Totally Tight Songs.  Contributing to the tightness are 🎙 The Black Keys, 🎙 The Chicks, 🎙 Jaheim, 🎙 Ohio Players, and 🎙 Ravyn Lenae among others. So, without further ado, grab those tight-fitting jeans or that tight-fitting shirt you have no business wearing, and dive right into these tight songs!

1. Ravyn Lenae, “Skin Tight”

💿 HYPNOS • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2022

“Hope you understand we won’t go as planned / Hold me while you can, hold me while you can.” First and foremost, 🎵 “Skin Tight” by 🎙 Ravyn Lenae sounds incredibly sexy and steamy.  There are clear romantic vibes in play despite the fact that there isn’t a relationship at all, or the relationship has ended – interpret it how you will.  The concept is interesting, something that the music, produced by featured artist, 🎙 Steve Lacy, reflects. Lenae continues singing in the chorus, “I’ll still be your friend, you’ll come back again / Hold me while you can, hold me while you can.”

Lacy appears for the first time vocally in the first verse, singing the titular lyric.  Here, there is clearly a bond of some sort, even if it is not a relationship. “Hold me know, skintight,” he sings, complimenting her. Later, within the same verse, Lenae ponders the state of what they are or have, singing, “Who could’ve thought? It’s not black or white / Now every time that I tug, you bite / Ever I call, will you spend the night?” It’s intriguing because the physical connection is lit. In the second verse, which is purely Lenae, she clearly desires him, though sends conflicting messages: “I care for you, no one else baby,” following up with, “You deserve someone new.” Is this highlight from 💿 HYPNOS the perfect Make Out Jam? With its lyrics, sweet vocals (Lenae and Lacy), and lush instrumental, including warm guitar, the answer is a resounding YES!

Appears in 🔻:

• Ravyn Lenae, “Skin Tight”: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 8 (2023)
• Tight: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 9 (2023)

2. Janelle Monáe, “Tightrope”  (Ft. Big Boi)

💿 The ArchAndroid • 🏷 Bad Boy • 📅 2010 

“Some people talk about ya like they know all about ya / When you get down, they doubt ya / And when you tip it on the scene /Yeah, they talkin’ ‘bout it.” True dat! Versatile, 🏆 Grammy-nominated musician (and actor) 🎙 Janelle Monáe (they/them/she/her) has a serious knack for kicking ass and taking names.  One genre the nonbinary artist excels at is funk. Taking a trip down memory lane in 2010, Monáe had us all tapping our feet like it was the 1960s or 70s with 🎵 “Tightrope.” They encouraged us to, “Keep getting funky on the scene / While they jumpin’ round ya / They trying to take all of your dreams / But you can’t allow it.” Woo! Despite those old-school vibes, the funk-driven R&B joint didn’t then, and doesn’t now, sound like an anachronism. Sure, “Tightrope” contrasted everything else occurring in R&B at the time, but it also marked a resurgence that had us hungering for that 70s aesthetic and swagger once more.  Also, with 🎙 Big Boi serving as a featured guest – “You gotta keep your balance or you fall into the gap” – it kept one foot firmly planted in the door of the 2010s.  One thing is for sure: “Baby, baby, whether I’m high or low / High or low / I got to tip on the tightrope.”

3-4. Jaheim, “Backtight” / “Tight Jeans” 

💿 Still Ghetto • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2002

🎙 Jaheim is an R&B artist that excels at balancing the contemporary, old-school, and the street.  Notably, three of his albums feature the word ghetto as part of their title. Ja followed up his 2001 debut, 💿 Ghetto Love with 2002’s 💿 Still Ghetto. Still Ghetto features two TIGHT songs: 🎵 “Backtight,” the eighth track, and 🎵 “Tight Jeans,” the 13^th track. On the soulful 🎵 “Backtight,” which samples 🎙 Teddy Pendergrass’ 🎵 “Somebody Told Me”, Jaheim asserts he is willing to fight to get back with her – he’ll do whatever it takes! “Ain’t nothing stoppin’ me from getting’ back tight with you / Go ‘head and dip you got the right to if I gotta / Roll up my sleeves and fight for you / I’ll stand outside in rain all night.” In the process, as he tends to do, he keeps it totally real – 💯 baby.  “Three months, three weeks, two days, it’s the same shit, shorty, she ain’t havin’ it,” he sings the second verse, adding, “Used to makin’ love to you ldy, I wouldn’t rather be pushin’ my Mercedes.”

As for them 🎵 “Tight Jeans,” the background vocalists sing, “You’re not the little girl I once knew anymore (Yeah yeah) / I will see you fitting your clothes so well, I can tell.” Woo! Jaheim, who handles the lead duties, and riffs during the pre-chorus and chorus,  is clearly enticed by his friend, so much so that in the chorus, the assertion is made, “You can’t be coming around me in tight jeans, making me weak / I think you really trust me too much.” Essentially, she’s so fine, and fitting so well in those jeans that Ja views her differently than he did back during their childhood (“Now that we’re old I’ve been noticing you bustin’ out those jeans / Never seen that coming up, think you know what I mean”).

5. The Chicks, “Tights On My Boat”

💿 Gaslighter • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2020 

For those who enjoy ‘the tea,’ 🎙 The Chicks’ 🎵 “Tights on my Boat” (💿 Gaslighter, 2020) gives it to us.  Case in point: “And you can tell the girl who left her tights on my boat / That she can have you now.” Oh, snap 🫰, 🎙 Natalie Maines! Basically, her ex-husband cheated on her, hence why she opens the song with, “Okay / I hope you die peacefully in your sleep / Just kidding, I hope it hurts like you hurt me.” There’s nothing worse than a woman scorned, hence why The Chicks go on to say, “You’re gonna get what you got comin’ to ya” on the chorus.  Worth noting, 🎼 ✍ Julia Michaels serves as a co-writer – always a plus!

6. Fall Out Boy, “HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T”

💿 M A N I A • 🏷 Island • 📅 2018 

“Oh n-n-no, no, this isn’t how our story ends / So, hold me tight, hold me tight, or don’t…” Pop and 🎙 Fall Out Boy go together without a hitch on 🎵 “HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T”, a standout from their 2018 studio album, 💿 M A N I A.  A departure from the music they’ve released in the past, “HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T” sounds modern and eclectic like modern pop. The lyrics aren’t particularly deep, but matters of the heart are in play, which always makes for a compelling narrative. Furthermore, lyrical highlights hail from the pre-chorus and the chorus. The emo is amplified on the pre-chorus: “And when your stitch comes loose / I wanna sleep on every piece of fuzz / And stuffing that comes out of you, you / I took too many hits off this memory / I need to come down.” That emo-ness continues on throughout the chorus (excerpted at the top of this blurb), where it’s clear this relationship needs max effort or to be curbed.

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Songs Trying to ‘Hold’ it Together

7. Aloe Blacc, “Hold On Tight”

💿 All Love Everything • 🏷 Aloe Blacc / BMG Rights Management GmbH • 📅 2021

“If you’re struggling / Let me know where you’re at / Life gets heavy / And that road can be long.” 🎵 “Hold on Tight” marks a winning gem from 💿 All Love Everything, the 2020 comeback album by 🎙 Aloe Blacc. “Hold on Tight,” which appears as the penultimate cut on the original edition of All Love Everything, features marvelous production courtesy of 🎛 Jonas Jeberg. In addition to the strong backdrop, Blacc gives us top-notch vocals (which is the case throughout the LP) and the ‘D’ word (DEDICATION). The love, as well as the quality are undeniable.

“When the rain comes

And the sky’s falling down

In your darkest hour

When there’s no one around

It won’t be long

Keep your head strong

Hold on tight to me.”

The messaging perfectly suits the kind of guy Aloe seems to be – touting chivalry, positivity, and supportiveness.  “The sun is shining behind the clouds / It won’t be long / ‘Til your pain’s gone / So hold on tight to me.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Tight: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 9 (2023)

8. ZAYN, “Tightrope”

💿 Nobody Is Listening • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021

“Why’s it gotta feel like I’m walkin’ a tightrope / Why you wanna see how far I fall?” 🎵 “Tightrope” appears as the penultimate cut on 💿 Nobody is Listening, the third studio album by 🎙 ZAYN. “Tightrope” is in line with much of the 35-minute LP, which deals with embracing and fully committing to love. Per ZAYN, “‘Cause I’m already up here and I got my eyes closed / And I ain’t never fell from a love this tall.” Here, ZAYN is dedicated to his significant others, understanding there’s the possibility things could go awry, but feels like it’s unlikely.  A prime example: “Baby, I’m ready, any minute we might fall / Lately, I feel like my grip is gone / But you got my arm.” That right there hits different!

Appears in 🔻:

• Tight: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 9 (2023)

9. Archie Bell & The Drells, “Tighten Up”

💿 Tighten Up • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 1968

“In Houston we just started a new dance / Called the Tighten Up/ This is the music / We tighten up with.” WOO! 🎙 Archie Bell & The Drells struck gold in 1967 with their infectious soul classic (and dance), 🎵 “Tighten Up”. In the 1960s, there were many dances that earned success, fueling their respective soundtracks up the charts. “Tighten Up” earned the Houston, Texas collective their sole no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.  The lyrics, centered around tightening up, are fun, period. Even so, “Tighten Up” is about the aesthetic.  The music, which Archie Bell highlights lyrically, is locked-in – on autopilot.  Bell encourages the backing band to “Tighten up on the drums,” “Tighten up on that bass now,” “Now let the guitar fall in,” and “Tighten up on that organ now.” The significance of the dance goes without saying.  Also, the chorus of sorts helps solidify the catchiness (and tightening) with Bell sings, “Let’s tighten up now / Do the tighten up / Everybody can do it now / So get it.” Perhaps more could be said but honestly, there is no need to. “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell & The Drells, from their 1968 album, 💿 Tighten Up, speaks for itself.

Appears in 🔻:

• Archie Bell & The Drells, “Tighten Up”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 16 (2023)

10. The Black Keys, “Tighten Up”

💿 Brothers • 🏷 Nonesuch • 📅 2010 

“I wanted love, I needed love / Most of all, most all…” When an alternative duo hits the Billboard Hot 100, it is kind of a big deal. 🎙 The Black Keys have managed this feat FOUR times between 2010 and 2014.  One of the best songs from the 🎙 Dan Auerbach and 🎙 Patrick Carney catalog, 🎵 “Tighten Up”, impacted the pop charts, albeit peaking at no. 87.  Even so, “Tighten Up” is critically acclaimed and platinum-certified, winning the 🏆 Grammy for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals.  Furthermore, its parent album, 💿 Brothers, also won a Grammy (Best Alternative Music Album) and has been certified double platinum 💪.

So, what makes “Tighten Up” so tight? The whistling is a major selling point, appearing early on.  Furthermore, the instrumental backdrop is lit, with its rich palette of vintage sounds: glorious, distorted guitars (Auerbach), the incredible riffs, various picturesque sound effects, and the always sensational drumming by Carney. Auerbach is a terrific singer, who is always assertive and benefits from the use of distortion on his vocals too. The songwriting marks another selling point (“Take my badge but my heart remains / Lovin’ you, baby child / Tighten up on your reins / You are runnin’ wild, runnin’ wild, it’s true”).  The outro, which features a shift in feel, tempo, and sound, is a cherry on top of this elite alternative classic from 2010.

11. Ohio Players, “Skin Tight”

💿 Skin Tight • 🏷 Mercury • 🗓 1974

“You are a bad, bad missus /In them skin tight britches,” 🎙 Ohio Players frontman, 🎙 Leroy ‘Sugarfoot’ Bonner, sings in the first verse of the funk/soul classic, 🎵 “Skin Tight”. He continues singing on the highlight from the band’s 1974 LP, also named 💿 Skin Tight, “Runnin’ folks into ditches / Baby you’re about to bust the stitches, yeah.” Woo! This surefire throwback vibe performed well on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at no. 13.

Lyrically, “Skin Tight” is limited. Even so, the few, often repetitive lyrics served up by Bonner are sufficient.“You are a real fine lady / Though your walk’s a little shady,” he asserts in the second verse, adding, “Step on the strip on time / There’s money you’re bound to find, yeah.” Day-um! Besides being risqué (though tame by today’s standards), the music is absolutely electrifying. The bass line kicks serious butt – one of those must-hear, must-learn lines if you’re a bassist. Furthermore, the groove is lit, while those horns are the sugar honey iced tea. Beyond Bonner’s lead vocals, those backing vocals on the titular lyrics are also utterly sublime. Amazingly, this nearly 50-year-old joint remains relevant today – quite the VIBE!

Appears in 🔻:

• Ohio Players, “Skin Tight”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 17 (2023)
• Tight: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 9 (2023)

11 Totally Tight Songs [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Aloe Blacc / BMG Rights Management GmbH, Atlantic, Bad Boy, Columbia, Island, Mercury, Nonesuch, RCA, Warner; Marcelo Moreira, shalender kumar via Pexels]