12 Simply Terrific Before or After Songs | Playlist 🎧

1. Moses Sumney, “Before you Go”

💿 Græ • 🏷 Jagjaguwar • 🗓 2020

Sometimes, it’s easy to cry foul about a lack of experimentation and innovative spirit in popular music.  Conformity runs rampant and so many songs and musicians sound like carbon copies of one another.  That certainly isn’t the case for 🎙Moses Sumney, who ranks among the more distinct musicians, unafraid to try new things.  Sumney is a blend of multiple styles, best placed under the umbrella of music’s most eclectic genre, alternative. 🎵“Before you go,” commences this before and after themed list, appearing on Sumney’s 2020 album, 💿Græ.

Even though “Before you go” serves as the opener here, it actually concludes Græ.  Brief, running just past two-minutes in duration, it’s quite unique to say the least. Actually, Moses Sumney doesn’t perform in a leading role on this minimalist, experimental outro.  “Before you go” features 🎙Michaela Coel, 🎙Ezra Miller, and 🎙Taiye Selasi, each performing dialogue.  Taiye Selasi holds down two lines: “The ache” and “The aching.” Ezra Miller only offers up one line: “A lot of creation stories begin with separation.” As for Michaela Coel, she focuses on love: “What does in love mean.”  Besides the dialogue, some key features include the prominent bass, piano effects, and background vocals that help establish quite the vibe.

2. Black Atlass, “Night After Night”

💿 Dream Awake • 🏷 XO / Republic • 🗓 2020

After a two-year hiatus, Canadian-bred, LA-based musician 🎙Alex Fleming, better known as 🎙Black Atlass, returned with  his third album, 💿Dream Awake (April 3, 2020). Dream Awake is an enjoyable, sexy, and well-rounded contemporary R&B album.  Those comparisons to The Weeknd – well, their definitely not far-fetched.  That said, Fleming does a fine job throughout the album showing he’s a superb musician in his own right.

“If I can make you love me again / I’ll keep the summertime on your skin / You speedin’ past all our exes / I don’t wanna end up like them.” On 🎵“Night After Night” the vibe of Dream Awake continues pops, with sleek production work courtesy of 🎙DANNYBOYSTYLES and 🎙Oligee. The record brilliantly uses an electronic-based backdrop (keyboards, synths, programming), while remaining idiomatic of R&B, particularly that stellar Canadian R&B sound. Fleming is consistent, continuing to build a love-driven, sensual script, particularly as he ‘brings it on home’ on the chorus.

“My woman
I’ll be your man
And baby I’ll give you my life in your hands
I know you wanna feel alive, don’t you?
Night after night (Night after night)
Night after night (Night after night).”

3. Grimes, “Before the fever”

💿 Miss Anthropocene • 🏷 4AD • 🗓 2020

Alternative artist 🎙Grimes is a ‘one of a kind’ musician, period.  In 2020, she returned with 💿 Miss Anthropocene, her first new album since 💿Art Angels (2015). 🎵“We Appreciate Power”, which appears on the deluxe edition of Miss Anthropocene graced the powerful 🎧11 Energetic, Powerful and or Strong Songs. “So Heavy I Fell Through the Earth” appeared on our earth-driven list, 🎧11 Captivating Songs About the Earth – Well – Some of Them.  Now, we turn too Grimes with the second ‘before’ song on this list, 🎵“Before the fever.”

“This is the sound of the end of the world / Dance me too the end of the night, be my girl / Madness, intellect, audacity / Truth and the lack thereof / They will kills us, oh, have no doubt.” Wow! “Before the fever” is, um, dark… understatement.  Of “Before the fever,” Grimes tells Apple Music, “I wanted this song to represent literal death.” Task accomplished Grimes! She goes on to say, “Fevers are just kind of scary, but a fever is also sort of poetically imbued with the idea of passion and stuff too. It’s like it’s a weirdly loaded word – scary but compelling and beautiful.” That’s only part of the explanation she gives, but given her colorful, detailed response, it’s not surprising “Before the fever” is such a compelling song. As usual, Grimes’ voice blends into the production. Even so, it is worth noting she actually sings lower than what we’re accustomed to. The music is brilliant, with its use of electronic cues, as well as guitar that provides some edge in creating this death.

4. Meghan Trainor, “After You (Remix)”

Ft. AJ Mitchell

💿 Treat Myself • 🏷 Epic • 🗓 2020

💿Treat Myself, the delayed third album by Grammy-winning pop artist, 🎙Meghan Trainor, arrived more than a year later than its original release date. None of the singles from Treat Myself really caught on, and the album debuted modestly on the Billboard 200 (a tepid no. 25). With a delay, poor commercial performance, and perhaps still having trouble shedding some narrow minded views from her past, is Treat Myself worth the time? It has its moments, including the ‘after’ song at hand, “After You.” Worth noting, “After You” originally appeared on 💿 The Love Train (EP), released in 2019.

Other than mainstay Mike Sabath, who appears and produces a couple of songs on Treat Myself, the only other male collaborator on the album is pop artist 🎙AJ Mitchell.  Mitchell provides Trainor a lift on the ballad, which I previously criticized for feeling “a bit too ‘vanilla.’” The vocal harmonies are quite lovely as they sing together, while the vocal production is pretty sweet as well.  Their bread is buttered on the chorus, as well as the bridge section.

“Don’t wanna give my heart to someone new
Won’t be anybody after you
And even if one day, our time is through
Won’t be anybody after you, after you
I’ll never find another lover after you.”

Overall, the remixed version of “After You” is a winning record, thanks to assertiveness from Trainor who eschews any cutesy stuff, as well as adding Mitchell.

5. Billie Eilish, “Listen Before I Go”

💿 When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? • 🏷 Darkroom / Interscope • 🗓 2019

“Take me to the rooftop / I wanna see the world when I stop breathing.” Hmm, well that’s incredibly morbid. Some background first! After a slow, but steady ascent, including an EP and numerous singles, 17-year old alt-pop singer/songwriter 🎙Billie Eilish finally released her major-label debut album, 💿When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, in March 2019.  That blockbuster went on to earn her five Grammys including the highly coveted award for Album of the Year. But enough about the album, let’s focus on the morbid song at hand…

🎵“Listen Before I Go,” the 12^th track from When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, is lethargic-paced and heavy to the nth degree.  How is it heavy exactly? Well, it references suicide… ouch. “Sorry can’t save me now,” Eilish sings on the chorus, later adding, “Sorry there’s no way out / But down.” What is fueling the suicidal thoughts that cross the protagonist’s mind? Depression, it seems. What isn’t sad is the top-notch quality of this dark standout from an equally brilliant debut album. “Listen Before I Go” previously appeared on 🎧 11 Awesome Songs that Tickled My Fancy in March 2019, as well as 🎧 11 Songs Where the ‘Before’ is Key.

6. Tame Impala, “Posthumous Forgiveness”

💿 The Slow Rush • 🏷 Island / Modular Recordings Pty Ltd • 🗓 2020

After a five-year hiatus, Australian alternative collective 🎙Tame Impala, the brainchild of 🎙Kevin Parker returned in 2020 with their fourth studio album, 💿The Slow Rush. The gap between 💿Currents (2015) and The Slow Rush marks the longest between any Tame Impala LP.  The good news is The Slow Rush was totally worth the wait, with superb advance single, 🎵“Posthumous Forgiveness”, leading the charge.  ‘Posthumous’ is just a cool word – admit it.  Merriam-Webster defines posthumous as “following or occurring AFTER death.” Add ‘forgiveness’ to the mix, and essentially, Kevin Parker is forgiving his father after he’s passed away. 

On the first part of the song, Parker sings about how much admiration he had when he was younger for his late father but became aware of his flaws.  “Did you think I’d never know? Never wise up as I grow?” he sings on the chorus, continuing, “Did you hope I’d never doubt? Never wonder, work it out?” Furthermore, Parker is bothered by the fact that his dad wasted time, and ultimately, “…Decided to take all your sorrys to the grave.”

On the second part of “Posthumous Forgiveness,” Parker embraces forgiveness more.  Sure, he still mentions their estranged, tenuous relationship, but he wishes he had the opportunity to atone and repair for the relationship:

“Wanna tell you ‘bout the time
Wanna tell you ‘bout my life
Wanna play you all my songs
Learn the words, sing along.”

“Posthumous Forgiveness” is a lengthy number, running north of six minutes in duration.  That said, it’s quite intriguing from a lyrical and thematic standpoint, as well as musically.  Musically, Tame Impala provide a backdrop that incorporates psychedelia, retro cues, and marvelous soulful elements.  Vocally, Kevin Parker remains utterly superb, singing beautifully and expressively on this gem. “Posthumous Forgiveness” previously appeared on the playlist, 🎧 13 P Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason.

7. Lewis Capaldi, “Before You Go”

💿 Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (Deluxe) • 🏷 Universal Music • 🗓 2019

💿Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent marked the debut album by Scottish musician 🎙Lewis Capaldi, who sings like an angel. While the album features a number of memorable songs –  🎵“Fade” and of course, 🎵“Someone You Loved” – the biggest selling point is the incredibly distinct and gifted Capaldi himself.  While it would be awesome to rave over “Someone You Loved,” it is a cut from the deluxe edition of Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent that gets our attention on this list.

The deluxe edition of Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent adds three additional songs.  The crown jewel, our focal point, is 🎵“Before You Go.”  “Before You Go,” like the aforementioned 🎙Billie Eilish record (🎵“Listen before I Go”) references a difficult subject: suicide.  The lyrics are poetic and reflective throughout.  Of course, the chorus is the crème de la crème:

“So, before you go
Was there something I could’ve said,
To make your heart beat better?
If only I’d have known you had a storm to weather
So, before you go
Was there something I could’ve said,
To make it all stop hurting?
It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless
So, before you go.”

Capaldi wishes he could’ve prevented the devastating event, a feeling that many people feel when someone they know and loved commits suicide.

8. The Weeknd, “After Hours”

💿 After Hours • 🏷 Republic • 🗓 2020

After more than a three-year-hiatus between full-length projects, three-time, 🏆Grammy-winning R&B artist The Weeknd returned in 2020 with his fourth studio album, 💿 After Hours. Prior to its release, Abel Tesfaye released three compelling singles: 🎵“Heartless”, 🎵“Blinding Lights”, and the song at hand, 🎵“After Hours”.

“After Hours” is definitely a throwback for The Weekend; it sounds like his ultra-moody music of the past.  At over six-minutes in length, it definitely runs long, but the vibe, vocal performance, and the production definitely compensate.  The dark, moody, minor production hails courtesy of Tesfaye alongside 🎙Illangelo, 🎙Jason “DaHeala” Quenneville, and 🎙Mario Winans (the 🎵“I Don’t Wanna Know” hitmaker).  Making the production so satisfying are the cutting-edge synths and the infectious groove.  Of course, it’s that potent falsetto atop the backdrop that seals the deal.

Beyond the sound and those accomplished vocals, it’s the theme encompassing matters of the heart that adds to the excellence.  The Weeknd thrives on heartbreak, asserting on the second verse, “My darkest hours / Girl, I felt so alone inside of this crowded room / Different girls on the floor, distractin’ my thoughts of you / I turned into the man I used to be, to be.”  The crème de la crème – the crowning achievement – is the chorus which may be cliché but definitely effective:

“Oh, baby
Where are you now when I need you the most?
I’d give it all just to hold you close
Sorry that I broke your heart, your heart
I said, baby
I’ll treat you better than I did before
I’ll hold you down and not let you go
This time, I won’t break your heart, your heart, yeah.”

Sure, “After Hours” is a long record, but there’s more than enough pros to make you forget you’ve been listening for six-minutes-plus.  Abel Tesfaye is in his zone here, and that’s always a winning formula.  “After Hours” previously appeared on 🎧Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: February 2020 and 🎧15 ‘A’ Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason.

9. Lady Gaga, “Before I Cry”

💿 A Star is Born (Soundtrack) • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2018

“I can’t believe the things you said / Right now, I wish that you would try / Try to stay near me / Try to be near me / Before I cry…” 💿A Star is Born was nothing short of a phenomenon in 2018 – understatement.  Furthermore, the soundtrack wasn’t “kind of a big deal,” but rather DEFINITELY “a big deal.” If we get specific, the big attraction on the 🎙Lady Gaga and 🎙Bradley Cooper fueled soundtrack was 🎵“Shallow”, a song nominated (and victorious) for multiple film and music awards.  That said, the soundtrack has more gems beyond “Shallow,” some of which have appeared on other playlists (“Black Eyes” and “Hair Body Face” come to mind).  The song that fits this before and after-themed list is 🎵“Before I Cry.”

“‘Cause I’m gonna cry if you say you don’t need me
I’m gonna cry if you act like you don’t care
Promise me, baby, you know I can’t fake it
Why don’t you hold me?
Tell me you love me
Before I cry.”

“Before I Cry” appears deep in the soundtrack – it’s the 30^th track to be exact! Even so, it’s one of the better moments. A sleek contemporary pop cut, Lady Gaga delivers truly expressive, powerful vocals.  The songwriting is thoughtful, the form straightforward and easy to follow, while the above-mentioned chorus is the crowning achievement.  During the chorus, Lady Gaga reaches the highest of heights with her voice.  That said, she also has great moments on the pre-chorus leading up to the chorus, as well as the transitional bridge.  “Before I Cry” features co-writing and co-production by Lady Gaga, 🎙Mark Nilan, Jr., 🎙Nick Monson, and 🎙Paul “DJWS” Blair aka 🎙DJ White Shadow.  “Before I Cry,” like the aforementioned “Listen Before I Go,” previously appeared on the playlist, 🎧11 Songs Where the ‘Before’ is Key.

10. Kali Uchis, “After the Storm”

Ft. Tyler, the Creator & Bootsy Collins

💿 Isolation • 🏷 Virgin • 🗓 2018

“Did you ever wonder? / Yeah, do you ever wonder / What he might be going through on his own, and / The demons that he’s facing alone.” Colombian American R&B singer 🎙Kali Uchis impresses on her soulful, if quietly released debut album, 💿 Isolation. The crowning achievement of Isolation is 🎵“After the Storm”, featuring the legendary 🎙Bootsy Collins and a classy rap from Grammy winner, 🎙Tyler, the Creator (“Kali, what you mean? I take it offensive / ‘Cause I’m the hottest flower boy / That popped up on the scene…”).

Uchis delivers cool, calm, and collected vocals, yet still manages to pack a punch and exhibit both artistry and personality.  Thematically, she reflects upon a breakup. The chorus is vital to say the least:

“The sun’ll come out, nothing good ever comes easy
I know times are rough, but winners don’t quit
So, don’t you give up, the sun’ll come out
But we’ve been struggling endlessly
Someday, we’ll find the love
‘Cause after the storm’s when the flowers bloom.”

The feel-good, 70s-sounding soul gem is produced by hip-hop jazz collective 🎙BADBADNOTGOOD. “After the Storm” previously appeared on the playlist 🎧13 Songs Somewhat Related to Weather, as well as being selected as the 31^st best song of 2018 (🎧100 Best Songs of 2018).

11. Randy Newman, “In Germany Before the War”

💿 Little Criminals • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 1977 

“In German before the war / There was a man who owned a store / In nineteen hundred thirty-four / In Düsseldorf…” 🎙Randy Newman is a marvelous musician through and through.  While his distinct, expressive voice is fantastic in itself, his songwriting is arguably his best attribute.  One of his most beautiful songs is 🎵“In Germany Before the War,” appearing on his 1977 album, 💿Little Criminals.  Unfortunately, the source of inspiration for the record isn’t beautiful.

Newman based this particular song on the crimes committed by a serial killer in the 1931 film M. However, part of the inspiration behind the film was a real-life German serial killer named Peter Kürten (1883 – 1931). Kürten has been nicknamed The Vampire of Düsseldorf as well as the Düsseldorf Monster.

“A little girl has lost her way
With hair of gold and eyes of gray
Reflected in his glasses
As he watches her
A little girl has lost her way
With hair of gold and eyes of gray...
We lie beneath the autumn sky
My little golden girl and I
And she lies very still.”

“In Germany Before the War” has appeared on numerous playlists including 🎧33 Great, If Disturbing Songs About Serial Killers and – wait for it – 🎧11 Songs Where the ‘Before’ is Key.

12. Arcade Fire, “Afterlife”

💿 Reflektor • 🏷 Arcade Fire • 🗓 2013

“Afterlife, oh my God, what an awful world / After all the breath and the dirt and the fires are burnt.” While 💿Everything Now (2017) had its fair share of moments, 🎙Arcade Fire had a stronger project four years prior with their Grammy-nominated double album, 💿Reflektor.  While the title track earned the most buzz for the project, single 🎵“Afterlife” was another compelling and fantastic moment from Reflektor.

Appearing on the second disc of the LP, contextually, “Afterlife” has a variety of meanings.  For one, it can be tied to the Eurydice and Orpheus storyline that’s prevalent on the second disc.  “Can we work it out? / We scream and shout ‘til we work it out?” 🎙Win Butler sings on the chorus.  He’s backed by his wife and fellow bandmate, 🎙Régine Chassagne.   While the chorus can fit old-school, mythological tales involving underworld (Genius cites Dido and Aeneas), the lyrics feel wide-open. Afterlife is best examined loosely here, not only focusing on mortality, but also love and relationships. After all, “It’s just an afterlife / It’s just an afterlife / It’s just an afterlife with you.” “Afterlife” previously appeared on the playlist, 🎧 11 Songs That Explore the Afterlife.