11 Vastly Entertaining Ain’t Songs features songs by Leon Bridges, Luke Combs, Mary J. Blige, Morgan Wallen, and Sexyy Red.
“Ain’t that some…” Fill in the ellipsis – Morgan Wallen surely does! This list is all about a pain in the ass… for proper English sticklers at least! 11 Vastly Entertaining Ain’t Songs serves as a follow-up to 11 Must-Hear, Ain’t Songs (2022). The premise is simple: Every song must feature the beloved, informal, grammatically loathed contraction. 11 Vastly Entertaining Ain’t Songs features songs by Leon Bridges, Luke Combs, Mary J. Blige, Morgan Wallen, and Sexyy Red. So, without further ado, let’s dive into these vastly entertaining ain’t songs, shall we?!
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1. Mary J. Blige, “You Ain’t The Only One”
Gratitude // 300 Entertainment / Mary Jane // 2024
“You ever feel so low that all you feel is doubt? / You’re so lost you can’t find your way out?” According to Mary J. Blige, “You Ain’t The Only One”! The encouraging, positive, and uplifting second single hails from her 15th studio album, Gratitude. Blige, Angelo Velasquez, Bryan Jones, and Patrick Kelly penned “You Ain’t The Only One.” Velasquez, Kelly, Aidan Brody, and Will Campbell produced. From the beginning, “You Ain’t The Only One” suits MJB. It starts with the old-school, hip-hop soul beat that anchors the song. Beyond that, there are other fabulous musical touches, including rhythm guitar, keys, organ, and horns. Blige, a ‘young’ 53 years old, fits perfectly with this grown-folks, adult contemporary R&B/ soul backdrop that hearkens to the past. Thematically, she sings about the universal experience of pain and hardship, as evidenced by the chorus but she doesn’t stay there. What does my girl do? She encourages us! “Why complain ‘cause the world don’t care?” she sings in the second verse, continuing, “Life is a game, just play the hand you were dealt / So the sun will shine through the rain.” She also encourages herself and affirms being proud of how far she’s come: “The things that I seen in my dreams turn into reality / I’m so proud of me.” “You Ain’t The Only One” should hold a special place in anybody’s heart who needs to be lifted up and believe in themselves and life’s possibilities.
Appears in 🔻:
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2. Luke Combs, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”
Twisters: The Album // Universal Studios / Atlantic // 2024
“I keep chasing that same old devil / Down the same old dead-end highway.” Noted, Luke Combs. The Grammy-nominated country musician is awesome at recording In-your-face country music. “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” exemplifies in-your-face country music. The single is the first track on Twisters: The Album, the soundtrack to the 2024 film, Twisters (it’s not a reboot of the 1996 film). Focusing on the song, it was written by Combs, Jessi Alexander, and Jonathan Singleton. Combs, Singleton, and Chip Matthew produced it with positive results. “Riding that storm running through my veins / Like a shot down tail spun airplane.” Woo! Combs brings the heat when it comes to lead vocals. He is assertive from the beginning. He ‘rocks’ – in a country sort of way. Besides strong vocals, he has memorable, ear-catching melodies that favor him. The lyrics are memorable and tied to the theme. “I got saved in the same Red River / The same Red River tryna drown me.” Oh, Oklahoma – she’s rough, y’all! The section to beat is the chorus:
“Ain’t no love in Oklahoma
Just the whistle of a lone black train
You’ll know when it’s coming for ya
Riding in on the wind and rain.”
“Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” is a soundtrack cut, but this enjoyable, well-rounded country song could’ve easily appeared on a Combs’ studio album.
Appears in 🔻:
- Bops That Pop: May 2024
- Celebrating The United States Through Song (2024)
- Intriguing Songs Fueled by LOVE, Vol. 2 (2024)
- 60 Best Songs of 2024
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3. Sexyy Red, “Looking For The Hoes (Ain’t My Fault)
Hood Hottest Princess // Open Shift / gamma. // 2023
“Shake that ass, ho, shake that ass, ho (It ain’t my fault).” Sexyy Red wouldn’t know what subtle was if it hit her, particularly when it comes to sex 😏. Pardon my French, but the St. Louis, Missouri rapper is outlandish as fuck. Following “Pound Town 2” on her wild, 2023 mixtape, Hood Hottest Princess, Sexyy unveils the stupidly infectious, and X-rated “Looking for the Hoes (Ain’t My Fault)”. The chorus instantly catches the ears following the ass-shaking intro. Fittingly, the ass-shaking continues in the chorus, which also features ‘bow’ sound effects and clapping. The rhymes in the verses are dumb and unapologetic – she has no filter. “Twirl on the dick… / It ain’t my fault that I fuck better than yo’ bitch,” she asserts in the first verse, continuing, “I’m so fuckin’ sexy, you can’t even fake it (You can’t) / Got that nigga nuttin’ and I think his ass was Haitian.” Gah-day-um, Sexyy! It’s equally explicit in the second verse where “He ate my coochie and I cracked him to my song,” and “I bounce that ass, make my knees touch them elbows.” Is there any further explanation necessary on “Looking for the Hoes (Ain’t My Fault)?” Nope – it speaks for itself.
Appears in 🔻:
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4. Future & Metro Boomin, “Ain’t No Love”
WE DON’T TRUST YOU // Wilburn Holding Co. / Boominati Worldwide / Epic // 2024
“Eleven carats, that’s a Bugatti, I dropped a million in my ear / My bitch fuckin’ on a boss, still made her pussy top tier.” Future & Metro Boomin had no shortage of bangers in 2024. “Ain’t No Love,” the 12th track from WE DON’T TRUST YOU, qualifies as another win for the dynamic duo. Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, Lil88, and Outta Town ‘put in work’ behind the boards. The musical accompaniment is picturesque with both trap cues (organ, synths, banging drums) and orchestral elements. Future, true to self, delivers a melodic, hard-nosed, and tough performance. His confidence is ‘through the roof.’ His cadence and flow are compelling. In the second verse, he spits, “Jumped in the ‘Rari, I jumped in the jaw / Stand on the gas, ain’t on no stallin’ / I’m blockin’ hoes, I’m doin’ the ballin’ / I get ‘em molded, the carats flawless.” Ooh-wee! The chorus is quite tuneful:
“Ain’t no love, ain’t no love
Can’t show love when niggas fake
Sellin’ drugs, just tryna be great
Sellin’ drugs, sellin’ drugs, sellin’ drugs
It ain’t no love when niggas fake.”
Beyond the chorus, the post-chorus is repetitive but infectious: “Ain’t no love, ain’t no love, it ain’t no.” Word. Revisiting the production, there is sound contrast in the second verse. It’s not a full-on beat or production switch, but there’s enough change to separate the sound from the first verse. “Ain’t No Love” rocks – in the most melodic rap/trap way possible 🤘!
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5. Christina Aguilera, “Ain’t No Other Man”
Back To Basics // Sony Music Entertainment // 2006
“I told my mother, my brother / My sister, and my friends / Told the others (Others), my lovers (Lovers) / Both past and present tense (Alright) / That every time I see you, everything starts making sense.” Ooh-wee! Let the church say, YAAS! “Ain’t No Other Man” is the crown jewel of Back To Basics, the 2006 multiplatinum, fifth studio album by five-time, Grammy-winning pop artist, Christina Aguilera. “Ain’t No Other Man” was one of the five Grammys Aguilera received during her career (Best Female Pop Vocal Performance). The multiplatinum single peaked at no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The primary reason “Ain’t No Other Man” is a bop is the high-flying, gritty vocals by Aguilera. That girl sang her ass off on this one. Sure, Christina has been criticized for over-singing a time or two, but the old-school, neo-soul/vintage pop vibes of “Ain’t No Other Man” (and Back To Basics) are tailor-made for powerhouse pipes. The production by DJ Premier is the sugar honey iced tea, embracing vintage sounds and sampling “The Cissy Thang” by The Soul Seven. The songwriting marks another selling point, with Aguilera and DJ Premier writing alongside Kara DioGuardi, Charles Martin Roane, and Harold Beatty. Christina brings fierceness with her pitch-perfect delivery as well as her personality. “Somethin’ moved me deep inside, yeah / I don’t know what you did, boy, but you had it / And I’ve been hooked ever since.” Oh, snap! The second verse as well as the bridge are electric, but the centerpiece is the chorus. This section alone secured the Grammy for Aguilera:
“Ain’t no other man can stand up next to
Ain’t no other man on the planet does what you do
You’re the kind of guy a girl finds in a blue moon
You got soul, you got class
You got style, you’re badass
Ain’t no other man it’s true
Ain’t no other man but you.”
“Ain’t No Other Man” is one of the best songs in the Christina Aguilera catalog. It is also among the best songs of the 2000s. It’s a BOP-and-a-half!
Appears in 🔻:
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6. Leon Bridges, “Ain’t Got Nothing On You”
Leon // Columbia // 2024
“I like my stonewash denim with the long crease in ‘em and my snakeskin boots / I like my GTO down a two-lane road with an open windshield view.” Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Leon Bridges (Todd Bridges) likes a lot of things on “Ain’t Got Nothing On You,” the fifth track from his fourth studio album, Leon. Even so, he informs her, “Baby, they ain’t got nothing on you.” “Ain’t Got Nothing On You” is a vibe from the get-go. The production (Ian Fitchuk) is well-rounded. The musical accompaniment is sound without ever being ‘too much’ or inhibiting Bridges. The groove is soulful, the guitars fab, and the organ provides some extra spice. Bridges provides chill, nuanced, and refined vocals; he never sounds as if he breaks a sweat. His marvelous instruments bring the tuneful melodies to life. Additionally, the songwriting (Bridges, Ben West, and Luke Laird) is sweet, as excerpted above. “Like a lake down south where we all hang out with the Texas barbecue / Like the sound of a song on my old guitar laying down some two-chord truth,” he sings in the third verse, continuing, “Yeah, it’s true / Baby, they ain’t got nothing on you, on you.” Aww. The centerpiece is the chorus where “All the shine of the crown might be good for looking, but when it all breaks down / Oh, they ain’t got nothing on you.” “Ain’t Got Nothing On You” is incredibly sweet.
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7. Aaliyah, “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number”
Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number // Blackground Enterprises / Zomba Recording LLC // 1994
“Age ain’t nothin’ but a number / Throwin’ down ain’t nothin’ but a thing / This lovin’ I have for you; it’ll never change.” Hmm… The most problematic song from the Aaliyah catalog hands down is “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number”. The fourth track from her 1994, debut album, Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number, isn’t the most explicit, but, the theme is questionable. Better yet, the theme is inappropriate to the nth degree. The biggest reason why it’s controversial is the songwriter and producer, R. Kelly. For years, Kelly’s overtly sexual lyrics and misconduct were swept under the rug because of his popularity, status, and undeniable musical talent. However, right before our eyes, Kelly was promoting misconduct. Maybe the fact that “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number” modestly impacted the pop charts allowed it to slide as well. It peaked at no. 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995.
The scandal outside of this R&B joint that makes “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number” disturbing. Kelly, who was 27 years old at the time, married Aaliyah, who was a minor (15). Her age was purported to be 18, but that was not the case. This is where the song, with its lyrics promoting age-gap relationships, earns its controversy. A picture is painted of young Aaliyah taken with this man. “Your eyes are callin’ me to your heart,” she sings in the first verse. In the pre-chorus, she asserts, “I got a thing for you / And I can’t let go.” This lyric is also controversial, but not because of ‘age.’ The lyric was purportedly plagiarized from the Bobby Caldwell classic, “What You Won’t Do For Love”. Caldwell’s classic is now attributed as an interpolation following a lawsuit. Returning to the ‘real’ controversy, see the unsettling second verse:
“Take my hand and come with me
And let me show you true ecstasy
Boy, be brave, don’t be afraid
‘Cause tonight we’re gonna go all the way.”
Boy, be brave, don’t be afraid? Is it Aaliyah that is the aggressor, or, is this Kelly, the writer and husband, grooming her as a minor? R.I.P. to the gorgeous and talented R&B singer/songwriter and actress, but, there’s no way anyone will ever be able to think of “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number” other than a red flag about the sexual predator that R. Kelly was. Sometimes, controversy is hiding in plain sight.
Appears in 🔻:
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8. McFadden & Whitehead, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”
McFadden & Whitehead // Sony Music Entertainment // 1979
“Ain’t no stoppin’ us now / We’re on the move / Ain’t no stoppin’ us now / We’ve got the groove.” Indeed, McFadden & Whitehead, indeed! The duo comprised of late singers/songwriters/producers Gene McFadden (1949 – 2006) and John Whitehead (1948 – 2004) struck gold with their 1979 song, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”. “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” appeared on their debut album, McFadden & Whitehead. This groovy, infectious R&B/funk/disco cut experienced its fair share of pop success. It peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It performed even better on the R&B Songs chart, reaching no. 1. The gem was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group, or Chorus. Despite the success of “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” they’d never chart another entry on the pop charts. They did, however, earn additional entries on the R&B charts.
What makes “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” the beloved hit that it is? Well, it’s a continued flex of the Philadelphia soul movement, which was one of soul’s best and most vibrant. The production is fire, which is idiomatic of R&B generally, and more specifically, idiomatic of Philly soul. The musicians are top-notch with a talented rhythm section, utterly sublime strings, and awesome background vocalists Evette Benton, Carla Benson, and Barbara Ingram, who graced many Philly soul records. McFadden and Whitehead penned and produced the opening track from their self-titled album alongside Jerry Cohen, who plays keyboard. Whitehead handles the lead vocals in the verses, with McFadden and background vocalists performing in the pre-chorus, and all join forces on the unstoppable chorus. “We’re puttin’ ourselves together / We’re polishing up our act,” Whitehead asserts in the first verse, adding, “And if you’ve ever been held down before / I know you refuse to be held down anymore.” “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” is seven minutes of glorious music that still packs a mean punch more than 40 years after its arrival.
Appears in 🔻:
- McFadden & Whitehead, Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 15 (2023)
- 10 Songs That’ll Stop U in Ur Trax (2024)
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9. Morgan Wallen, “Ain’t That Some”
One Thing At a Time // Big Loud / Mercury / Republic // 2023
“I know it’s cliché to sing Chevrolets, cold beers, and Fridays / But that’s just the way it is out here.” Ooh-wee, “Ain’t That Some”, Morgan Wallen! “Ain’t That Some” is the eighth track on Wallen’s unstoppable, damn-near-two-hour-long album, One Thing At a Time. Fittingly, Wallen completes the beloved phrase from the title: ain’t that some shit. What kind of shit is Wallen focused on in this twang-heavy, highly countrified-sounding song? Country shit, of course! The chorus sums it up superbly, intact with spelling!
“Ain’t that some back home, buddies in the field, mud on the wheels, yeah
Ain’t that some thick smoke, Silverado, tearin’ up a two-lane road
Ain’t that some C-O-U-N-T-R-Y, shit we been doin’ since we was yea high
There’s folks out there ain’t T-R-Y-D this
Man, ain’t that some shit.”
Yes, indeed, Lil Baby, the country clichés are ‘cliché-ing!’ “I didn’t even know what a honey hole with a Zebco / And my jeans rolled and a pinch of Skoal in my lip even is.” Um, sure, whatever you say Morgan! “Ain’t That Some” wouldn’t be the first time the Grammy-nominated country musician touted that “Country A$$ Shit”. Blake Pendergrass, Josh Miller, Chase McGill, and Chris LaCorte penned “Ain’t That Some.” Joey Moi produced it.
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10. Bobby “Blue” Bland, “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City”
Dreamer // MCA // 1974
“Ain’t no love in the heart of the city / Ain’t no love in the heart of town.” My question is, why? Well, per late, great blues/R&B Bobby “Blue” Bland, the reason why there “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” is “cause you ain’t around.” Those pesky matters of the heart always affect things – love gone bad or expired! “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” commences Bland’s 1974 album, Dreamer. While the song is beloved and became a hit on the R&B charts, sadly, this soulful record only peaked at no. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100. The narrative of this Michael Price and Dan Walsh penned record is straightforward. Even so, Bland provides plenty of expression – ample nuance. “When you were mine / Oh, I was feeling so good.” Of course, Bobby, “But now that you’re gone / You know the sun don’t shine.” Yep – it’s a different vibe when the lover has exited the picture. Even though “The nighttime calls / There’s a blanket of gloom,” and “another teardrop falls / In my lonely room,” Bland’s love pain is our utmost listening pleasure 🤩. The production fits both the blues and R&B/soul aesthetic. Notably, “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” has been covered many times (including Black Pumas) and is a popular sample.
Appears in 🔻:
- Bobby Bland, Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 65 (2023)
- ‘Oh, The PLACES You’ll Go’ on These 15 Songs (2023)
- Bobby Bland vs. Black Pumas: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 18 (2023)
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11. Lamont Dozier, “Fish Ain’t Bitin’”
Out Here On My Own // Geffen // 1973
“I’m out here fighting, hungry / The fish ain’t bitin’ / Life’s so frightenin’ / I’m out here stumblin’…” “Fish Ain’t Bitin’” is the fourth track on Out Here On My Own, the 1973, solo debut by the late, great Lamont Dozier. Dozier is best known for his songwriting and production skills, collaborating with the Holland brothers. On “Fish Ain’t Bitin’,” he is solely the singer. The song was written by James Reddick and Mckinley Jackson who also produced. Dozier earned his second and final top 40 hit with the single, which peaked at no. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music is superb, featuring a fat but active bass line, soulful groove, and celestial orchestration. Digging into the underpinnings, the harmonic progression is sweet too. Dozier matches the instrumental excellence with commanding, gritty lead vocals. The authenticity and expression he brings are fabulous. The struggle is real as he is “Trying to fight with no defense / And I can’t win with no confidence.” Dozier keeps it political and socially charged, idiomatic of soul music of the era. Specifically, he references the POTUS (Richard Nixon): “Tricky Dick is trying to be slick / And the short end of the stick / Is all I’m going to get.” At the end of the second verse, Dozier is censored with a beep, pleading, “I’m on my knees, beggin’ please / Tricky Dick, stop your shit.” Oh, snap! Lamont Dozier and the message he articulated in “Fish Ain’t Bitin’” is timeless.
Appears in 🔻:
- Lamont Dozier, Fish Ain’t Bitin’: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 103 (2024)
- 13 Electrifying Animal Songs (2024)
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11 Vastly Entertaining Ain’t Songs (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 300 Entertainment, Atlantic, Big Loud, Blackground Enterprises, Boominati Worldwide, Columbia, Epic, gamma., Geffen, Mary Jane, MCA, Mercury, Open Shift, Republic, Sony Music Entertainment, Wilburn Holding Co., Universal Studios, Zomba Recording LLC; Lidia Riehman from Pexels]
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