12 ‘Slow’ Songs That Aren’t Necessarily ‘Slow’ | Playlist

12 Slow Songs That Aren’t Necessarily Slow features music courtesy of Alec Benjamin, Charlie Puth, Joji, Liam Payne, and St. Vincent.

Sometimes the key to a music list/playlist is simply a keyword.  That’s the case with 12 Slow Songs That Aren’t Necessarily Slow. Can you guess the keyword that ‘fuels the fire’ for this particular, colorful playlist? If you answered ‘slow,’ well, you were quite observant, or you’ve been following The Musical Hype playlists like a champ.  Good for you! Musicians contributing to this ‘no-so-slow’ affair include Alec Benjamin, Charlie Puth, Joji, Liam Payne, and St. Vincent among others.

1. Liam Payne, “Slow”

First Time (EP) • Capitol • 2018

“If you’re gonna let me down, let me down slow / Tell me what I already, already know.” “Slow” concludes First Time, the debut solo EP by One Direction member Liam Payne.  Within the context of the EP, “Slow” isn’t actually slow, but groovier and more modern than the songs that precede it – good ole electro-infused pop.  Payne dips into his falsetto, which is always a pro.  Even so, his middle register remains potent, and he delivers the rhythmic melodic lines with swagger.

2. Kacey Musgraves, “Slow Burn”

Golden Hour • MCA Nashville • 2018

“Born in a hurry, always late / Haven’t been early since ’88 / Texas is hot, I can be cold / Grandma cried when I pierced my nose.” Ah, two-time, Grammy-winning country artist Kacey Musgraves shines on her third studio album, Golden Hour, which arrived in March 2018.  Among many highlights from the album is the opener “Slow Burn,” which kicks things off pleasantly.  Musgraves delivers easy-going, smooth vocals.  The songwriting is solid, yet relatively simple and ‘down to earth.’

“‘Cause I’m alright with a slow burn

Taking my time, let the world turn

I’m gonna do it my way, it’ll be alright

If we burn it down and it takes all night, it’s a slow burn.”

3. Joji, “Slow Dancing in the Dark”

Slow Dancing in the Dark – Single • 88rising • 2018

On his downtempo single “Slow Dancing in the Dark,” alt-R&B artist Joji deals with matters of the heart.  Call “Slow Dancing in the Dark” a heartbreak-tinged slow jam. As usual, he sings in an undertone initially, exhibiting chill, laid-back, and somewhat somnambulant vocals. He perfectly captures a nighttime vibe. Eventually, the listener is treated to clearer, more assertive vocals from Joji. “Slow Dancing in the Dark” finds Joji breaking up with his girlfriend as the relationship has run its course. On the second pre-chorus, not only does he reference the emotional aspects of the relationship, but also his desire for sex, even though it clearly won’t atone for their incompatibility. On the chorus, he sings:

“Give me reasons we should be complete

You should be with him, I can’t compete

You looked at me like I was someone else, oh well

Can’t you see?

Idon’t wanna slow dance

In the dark.”

4. Franz Ferdinand, “Slow Don’t Kill Me Slow”

Always Ascending • Domino • 2018

“Slow, don’t take it slow when you put on that hat / That black velvet cap / Well, this is that long-due occasion you can wear it at / Don’t send this invite back.” Okay… I think… After opening lengthily with the title track, Franz Ferdinand closes their 2018 album, Always Ascending, lengthily with a ballad, “Slow Don’t Kill Me Slow.” Like the majority of the album, the production and vocals are major selling points.  Alex Kapranos sounds particularly strong on the chorus and bridge sections.

“Slow, don’t kill me slow, don’t kill me slow

No, never, never, no, don’t kill me slow

No, never, never, kill me quick

Kill me quicker if you can, I cannot take it slow

Don’t kill me slow.”

5. Charlie Puth, “Slow It Down”

Voicenotes • Atlantic • 2018

“I got a situation, this girl been stressin’ me / Sayin’ she better be the only one / My life is complicated, she’s only 23 / I’m not the guy that she’s supposed to love.” Grammy-nominated pop singer, songwriter, and producer Charlie Puth – he’s awkward, yet adorkable.  A perfect example of his personality appears on “Slow It Down,” the ninth cut from Voicenotes.  Here, he thrives off of a feel-good groove, not to mention other fine production elements. As far as the state of his love life, he’s awkward, but give him credit for his honesty.

“Oh, the more that I tell her I’m not stayin’ over

The harder she makes it to go

Oh, the more that I try to convince her this won’t work

The faster she takes off her clothes…”

Girl, you better slow it down!

6. Alec Benjamin, “Let Me Down Slowly”

Let Me Down Slowly – Single • Alec Benjamin • 2018

“The night is cold in the kingdom / I can feel you fade away.” Those emotion, poetic, and thoughtful lyrics come at the hands of rising, Phoenix, Arizona-bred, singer/songwriter Alec Benjamin. One of the things that makes Benjamin so unique is his beautiful voice with a stellar, boyish tone. He impresses on his heartfelt new single, “Let Me Down Slowly”. “Let Me Down Slowly” is a good ole, sound pop record that’s well-produced record without being incredibly ornate. Benjamin delivers a strong vocal performance, without the need for lots of flashiness or gospel histrionics – he definitely ‘does his thing’, and it pays dividends. He expressively delivers the lyrics, bringing emotions and the song itself ‘on home’ on the chorus.  Simply put, his little heart can’t take any sudden or extra pain.

“Could you find a way to let me down slowly?

A little sympathy, I hope you can show me

If you wanna go then I’ll be so lonely

If you’re leaving baby let me down slowly.”

7. Kelly Clarkson, “Slow Dance”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

“You’re tall, dark, and handsome / You’re charming and then some / Know how to romance ‘em / But I see through it all.” Uh oh! Grammy-winning pop artist Kelly Clarkson turns up the retro-soul on the deliberately paced “Slow Dance,” which has a dash of southern, country soul. Clarkson doesn’t break new ground on the respectable cut from her 2017 album, Meaning of Life, but she flexes on the ‘tried-and-true’ like a champ.

“And how did you go from being a mama’s boy to a ladies’ man?

I’m not goin’ home with you tonight, but you can hold my hand

And we can take it slow, and I can show you how to slow dance

We can take it slow and I can show you how to slow dance.”

8. Niall Horan, “Slow Hands”

Flicker • Capitol • 2017

“We should take this back to my place / That’s what she said right to my face /… I ‘ve been thinkin’ ‘bout it all day.” Niall Horan is handsome – few will deny such.  Depending on how much a ‘fan-girl’, or ‘fan-boy’ you are, you might even go a step farther and characterize him as sexy.  Okay, what am I getting at here? Well, when it comes to a musical persona, ‘sexy’ isn’t the first word that comes to mind when describing the Irish One Direction heartthrob.  That said, he infuses some sexiness on the standout single, “Slow Hands”, which appears in timely fashion on his solo debut, Flicker. Simply put, “Slow Hands” is the closest we come to hearing ‘modern pop’ from Horan.  It isn’t ‘modern pop’ – the sound is still more rock-pop than anything else – but still, it’s far riskier and more risqué compared to the likes of “This Town”, even if he barely breaks a sweat.

“Slow, slow hands

Like sweat drippin’ down our dirty laundry

No, no chance

That I’m leavin’ here without you on me

I, I know

Yeah I already know that there ain’t no stoppin’

Your plans and those / Slow hands.”

9. St. Vincent, “Slow Disco”

MASSEDUCTION • Loma Vista • 2017

St. Vincent (Annie Clark) delivered a stellar album in 2017 with MASSEDUCTION (pronounced ‘mass seduction’). Among the many great moments is the clever ballad “Slow Disco.” On “Slow Disco,” it seems the inevitable is happening in a failing relationship – death.  Clark suggests that breaking up beats being dead in the relationship when she sings, “Don’t it beat a slow dance to death?”

Notably, “Slow Disco” was ‘reimagined’ as “Fast Slow Disco” in 2018.

10. Russ, “Ride Slow”

There’s Really a Wolf • Columbia • 2017

“I’m pullin’ up at 3 / This car just ain’t the same without you here next to me / All I wanna do is ride slow / Rid slow, like a ghost.” There’s Really a Wolf marked the debut album by do-it-yourself, rapper, singer, and producer Russ, who carved his success in the industry slowly but steadily. He showed that ‘the wolf’ possessed plenty of potential.  The song at hand, “Ride Slow,” focuses on romancing one particular woman. Russ describes her as a tough one for sure, as she has commitment issues, which he tackles on both verses of the record.

“We been goin’ back and forth, you think I only want sex

Of course I want it, look at you, but that ain’t my intentions.”

11. Ro James, “Burn Slow”

ELDORADO • ByStorm Entertainment / RCA • 2016

“Oh…shit / Girl, that Honey Jack put us on our back / When we on our back we get to that action / Pour up, pour up.”  Grammy-nominated R&B singer Ro James has a fun, sexy, and substance-filled night (and morning) with his girl on “Burn Slow.” Basically, they’ve been drinking, smoking, and of course, having sex.  On the falsetto-filled chorus of this slow, grinding ballad, James sings about how awesome the experience is.

“Waking up to you in the morning

It’s better than sunrise

So we can keep the curtains closed

Just light a few more candles and burn ‘em slow

Baking up with you in the morning

Trying to get a little rewind

‘Cause I ain’t really ready to let you go…

Just light a few more candles and burn ‘em slow.”

12. Tori Kelly, “Falling Slow”

Unbreakable Smile • Capitol • 2015

“But here I am, just a lot of broken pieces / I don’t plan to leave and break your heart.” Sigh. Grammy-nominated pop, R&B, and Christian music artist Tori Kelly delivered a strong debut album with Unbreakable Smile.  Throughout the album, her voice is the best attribute. One of the best moments comes courtesy of the heart wrenching, love-centric “Falling Slow,” which appears at the end of the album.  On the chorus, Kelly seems to ask if her man will stay with her through ‘thick and thin,’ regardless of her issues. She makes it clear that she wants to be his everything and essentially, she desires the same.

“What if I messed up? Would you give up on us

Would you tear the page out like it never ever happened?

What if I told you you’re doing fine? Stay cool

Swear I’ll make it worthwhile, baby

You should know I’m always falling slow in love

Slow in love

Falling slow in love.”

📷: 88 Rising, Alec Benjamin, Atlantic, Capitol, Columbia, Domino, Loma Vista, MCA Nashville, Pixabay, RCA