“12 Incredibly ‘Wild’ Songs” features music courtesy of A$AP Rocky, James Bay, Kacey Musgraves, Machine Gun Kelly, and Taylor Swift among others.

“Born to Be Wild” (Steppenwolf). “Wild Horses” (The Rolling Stones).  “Wild Mountain Honey” (Steve Miller Band).   Those are just a few of many of the great ‘wild’ songs of pop/rock music’s past.  On this list, we’ve picked 12 modern, incredibly ‘wild’ songs to analyze.  Among the artists contributing music to this experience includes A$AP Rocky, James Bay, Kacey Musgraves, Machine Gun Kelly, and unsurprisingly, Taylor Swift.

1. Kacey Musgraves, “Love is a Wild Thing”

Golden Hour • MCA Nashville • 2018

Two-time, Grammy-winning country artist Kacey Musgraves shines on her 2018 studio album, Golden Hour. It wouldn’t be shocking if Musgraves is nominated for more Grammys come 2019. While the album’s sixth track, “Love is a Wild Thing,” isn’t necessarily among the crown jewels, it’s consistent and enjoyable, continuing to showcasing the excellence of Golden Hour.   “Love is a Wild Thing” is finds Musgraves ‘flexing,’ delivering the goods with an easy-going approach. Like most of Golden Hour, “Love” possesses a hypnotic quality.  The harmonized vocals are glorious, and while there’s still a driving rhythmic force of acoustic guitar and banjo, it feels natural as opposed to obnoxious.

2. Doja Cat, “Wild Beach”

Amala • Kemosabe • 2018

“Can’t control these wild things / Can’t you see you’re drowning / Tryna tame a wild beast.” So, what’s the first word that comes to mind after hearing “Wild Beach”? Sex – it’s that simple.  Doja Cat amps up the innuendo to the next level, proclaiming she’s a “wild beach” and that her man has the task of “tryna tame a wild beast.”  No deep analysis is necessary for this one – it’s all comes back to the universal three-letter word.  

3. James Bay, “Wild Love”

Electric Light • Republic • 2018

Maybe it was James Bay’s shocking hair-cut that caused “Wild Love” to come off so odd, off-putting, and ill-conceived. A quirky promo single, “Wild Love” ends up playing out better within the context of his sophomore album, Electric Light – it’s a ‘grower,’ at least to an extent. Still, the modern, experimental vibes are imperfect.  While the vocal effects are terrific on the chorus, the verses remain a bit sketchy.  Sandwiched between triumphs “Pink Lemonade” and “Us” on Electric Light, “Wild Love” feels a bit like the ‘odd man out.’

4. Bleachers, “Wild Heart”

Love, Simon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • RCA • 2018

The driving, 80s-infused “Wild Heart” serves as a big, dynamic, closer for the Love Simon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).  Essentially, Bleachers closes out the compilation on a high-note.  If you’ve wondered, ‘where have I heard this song before,’ you heard it first as the opener for Bleachers’ debut album, Strange Desire back in 2014. Worth noting,  the arpeggiation is a key feature of the ‘wild’ production.

5. Bishop Briggs, “Wild Horses”

Church of Scars • Island • 2018

“Wild Horses” arrives on Church of Scars as a reprisal from Bishop Briggs’ 2017 EP. Briggs definitely steps up her game on this ‘wild’ gem. Like most of her debut album, she’s more poised on the verses, while she ‘unleashes the beast’ on the chorus.  “Wild Horses” stands out compared to other records because the instrumental plays a significant role on the chorus section, much like an EDM cut.

6. Snow Patrol, “Wild Horses”

Wildness • Polydor • 2018

“What are you holding back / I know you’ve wild horses on the inside of you.”  Sigh, Snow Patrol is built for this list.  The title of their 2018 album? Wildness.  The name of ninth track off of Wildness? “Wild Horses.” Again, the veteran North Irish band is perfect fit. The energetic “Wild Horses” finds frontman Gary Lightbody in ‘encouragement mode’ regarding love:

“Just keep your wits about you, don’t let it end you / And summon everything you’ve held up in reserve / Don’t fall for every single stolen glance and wink / Try to keep your heart on higher shelves for once.”

7. DJ Khaled, “Wild Thoughts”

Ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller

Grateful • Epic • 2017

DJ Khaled constructs a surefire hit with “Wild Thoughts”, enlisting the help of Rihanna and Bryson Tiller. The first thing that stands out about “Wild Thoughts” are the Latin vibes.  A certain, late-90s classic is sampled – “Maria, Maria,” courtesy of Santana.  Instantly it gives “Wild Thoughts” a major lift. Rihanna is on autopilot from the jump, sexed up, enticing her man with her naughtiness. She confirms her “wild thoughts” on the repetitive, but irresistibly delicious chorus.  She continues throwing mad innuendo on the second verse. Bryson Tiller, who sings the third verse, kicks the explicitness up a notch.  The recipe is a great one: awesome production, superstar cast, and of course, sex.

8. Alessia Cara, “Wild Things”

Know-It-All • Def Jam • 2015

Honesty and authenticity are the modus operandi on “Wild Things,” where Grammy-winner Alessia Cara tells folks, “Find me where the wild things are…don’t mind us.”  Preceding the key lyrics of the chorus, Cara shows her feistiness and carefree attitude about being different: “No mistakin’, we make our breaks, if you don’t like our 808s / Then leave us alone, cause we don’t need your policies / We have no apologies for being…”

9. Troye Sivan, “Wild”

Blue Neighbourhood • Capitol • 2015

“Wild” sets the tone for Blue Neighbourhood, the superb debut studio album by Troye Sivan.  On this standout, Sivan paints a portrait of innocent love that’s complicated by societal views, specifically from the ‘blue neighbourhood.’  Openly gay himself, Sivan seems to use “Wild” as means of showcasing the hardships of being gay in a small community or a society where such isn’t the norm or is scrutinized. “Wild” hence is applicable worldwide.

10. Taylor Swift, “Wildest Dreams”

1989 • Big Machine • 2014

“He’s so tall and handsome as hell / He’s so bad but does it so well.” Yada yada yada… If you haven’t noticed, Taylor Swift sings about boys A LOT. “Wildest Dreams,” a highlight from her Grammy-winning 1989, finds Swift singing a relationship that she senses won’t last.  Even so, she just wants this hottie to “…Remember me / Standing in a nice dress / Staring at the sunset…” Not much else to say really.

11. A$AP Rocky, “Wild for the Night”

Ft. Skrillex, Birdy Nam Nam & Lord Flacko

Long. Live. A$AP • RCA • 2013

“Wild for the night, f**k being polite, I’m going.” A$AP Rocky and Skrillex together on the same track? On paper, it truly does sound ‘wild,’ but “Wild for The Night” ends up being quite the effective collaboration.  And if there are haters, A$AP Rocky shuts them down:  “Middle finger to the critics, me and my n***a Skrillex.” The title pretty much tells you that “It’s Goin’ Down” – “Drunk as f**k and I’m ready to fight / Wilding for the night, f**k being polite.” “Wild for the Night” is a great party cut for the clubs – hip-hop or EDM.

12. Machine Gun Kelly, “Wild Boy”

Ft. Waka Flocka Flame

Lace Up • Bad Boy / Interscope • 2012

“Yeah bitch, yeah bitch, call me Steve-O / I’m a wild boy, f**k and eighth I need o’s…” “Wild Boy” serves as the breakout hit by Cleveland rapper Machine Gun Kelly. Machine Gun Kelly dropped one of the most memorable rap hooks of 2011.  He continues with potency on his verses, delivering clever lines like “I’m an East side Cleveland wild boy…we got baseball bats like the Indian and my team pop off like cowboys…” or “Lose control like Missy, but I’m a bad boy cause I’m with Diddy bitch!” Waka Flocka Flame delivers the second verse in his signature scream-laden style.  Even so, Machine Gun Kelly outperforms him, if for nothing else than signature line “Cobain’s back, got these crazy white boys yellin’ Cobain’s back.”

Photo Credits: Bad Boy, Big Machine, Capitol, Def Jam, Epic, Interscope, Island, Kemosabe, MCA Nashville, Polydor, RCA, Republic