12 Songs Filled with Utter Shame | Playlist

1. Evelyn “Champagne” King, “Shame”

Smooth Talk • RCA • 1977

“Shame, ooh / My mother says you’re playing a game / And what you do to me is a / Shame.” There’s nothing shameful about kicking things off with a certified classic.  That’s where Evelyn “Champagne” King comes into play! With some hits under her belt, among her classics is “Shame,” which appears on her 1977 album, Smooth Talk. There’s definitely no shame in the song nor King’s game.  This is definitely a glorious musical experience through and through.  Can you say iconic?

“Shame” is groovy, in the style of 70s disco – it sounds very 1977.  The second you hear the record it makes you want to dance. The use of the saxophone adds additional color and soulfulness to a backdrop comprised of keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums/percussion. The percussive component of the music is utterly sublime, truly inciting those feet to dance.  Of course, beyond that fiery backdrop, we get superb, commanding, and highly energetic vocals by King.  Furthermore, terrific background vocals help accentuate her lead.  What more can you say? “Shame” is a prime example of infectious R&B that’s nothing short of classic.

2. Foo Fighters, “Shame Shame”

Medicine at Midnight • RCA • 2021

The arrival of “Shame Shame” marked the return of Grammy-winning rock band Foo Fighters in late 2020.  Awesome! After previously hearing from Dave Grohl and company in 2017 with Concrete and Gold, the band drops Medicine at Midnight in 2021. A contrast for the band, “Shame Shame,” by my estimations, has some great pros as well as some cons (none glaring).

Starting positively, the groove is from start to finish.  The record is produced by Foo Fighters and Greg Kurstin, who also produced Concrete and Gold.  The sound is quite intriguing overall, particularly the guitar and bass riffs, coupled with those mammoth drums.  Slightly less intriguing is the overall execution. Vocally, Grohl is a bit more subtle initially. It’s enigmatic, making the listener tune into his every word just to see how “Shame Shame” progresses. Grohl grows more assertive, but never percolates into hard rocking epic-ness per se. Melodically, there’s a respectable tune, particularly on the repeated “shame(s),” though it doesn’t necessarily it’ll rock your socks off. Give The Foos credit for doing something different on “Shame Shame.”  Perhaps it’s not ‘triumphant,’ but certainly marks an interesting ‘change of pace’ for the beloved band.

3. Tyrese, “Shame”

Black Rose • Voltron Recordz • 2015

In 2015, Grammy-nominated R&B artist Tyrese released one of the best albums of his career, Black Rose.  Notably, Black Rose would give ‘Baby Boy’ his first no. 1 album as well as the rare no. 1 R&B album in 2015.  The best moment from Black Rose is none other than “Shame”, one of the best, most heartfelt songs his entire career.

On “Shame,” Tyrese owns up to his actions.  “I need your forgiveness and your mercy too / Must be all kind of crazy, for what I’ve done to you,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “I hope you understand that my heart is true / Mistakes I’ve made, but I’m making change for you.” Later, he makes it clear he feels horrible for his actions:

“Oh, I’m ashamed of me (shame on me)
Wish I never done you wrong (shame on me)
Every night of us I dream that I wake up in your arms.”

While everything that Tyrese has said is notable to this point, the key lyrics are among the most relatable: “If I knew then what I know now, everything would be fine.” Yep, we’ve all been there in some situation or another ‘Rese.  The vocals are absolutely elite.

4. Kiana Ledé, “Shame”

Ft. Blackway

Selfless • Republic • 2018

In 2018, the world got their first encounter with R&B singer Kiana Ledé.  Ledé would release her debut ‘project,’ Selfless (her proper debut, KIKI, arrived in 2020).  There’s certainly nothing shameful about the song at hand, “Shame”, which appears as the second track of the mini album.  Kiana doesn’t tackle the shamefulness alone; she taps rapper Blackway for the assist.  In the context of the song, he provides contrast, rapping with great agility – faster rhythms compared to Ledé’s melodies.

Ledé brings beautiful, nuanced vocals and attitude to the table on “Shame.” She definitely lays out the argument against him. “Say you wanna be a new man with your new lover,” she sings on the first verse, continuing, “Just remember who showed you that / Used to be about yourself, now you’re selfless.” So, with a clean slate with someone else, he’s going to become the man he should’ve been with her – definitely a SHAME for her.  What’s not a shame is the superb production, perfectly suited for this slow, unhurried contemporary style of R&B. The keyboards/synths are sleek, while the ‘souped-up’ drums anchor things down. Also, not shameful? The memorable, tuneful chorus:

“It’s a shame she gon’ know everything I taught ya
It’s a shame she gon’ get to see your better you
It’s a shame that I went through all that shit
It’s a shame she don’t even see the come up
It’s a shame, ah yeah.”

5. 5 Seconds of Summer, “No Shame”

CALM • Interscope • 2020 

There is no shortage of songwriters on “No Shame” – eight to be precise! Among those crafting the sleek backdrop for this 5 Seconds of Summer gem from CALM is Watt and Happy Perez. Theme and lyrics make “No Shame” particularly intriguing. 5SOS – well Luke Hemmings specifically – speak to the crazy means people go to capture attention.

There are numerous examples of this shameless behavior throughout “No Shame,” with the best arriving courtesy of the shameful chorus:

“I only light up when cameras are flashin’
Never enough and no satisfaction
Got no shame
I love the way you’re screaming my name...”

5SOS definitely have a point. All in all, “No Shame” is enjoyable and well-rounded.

6. Camila Cabello, “Shameless”

Romance • Epic • 2019

“I need you more than I want to.” Grammy-nominated pop artist Camila Cabello speaks about her necessities on “Shameless”.  “Shameless,” among the standouts on her sophomore album, Romance, includes elements of electro- and alt-pop, as well as a dash of pop/rock. There’s a nice build-up of intensity on this minor key cut. Throughout, Cabello compels vocally, showcasing an arsenal comprised of breathiness, falsetto, playfulness, and grit (during the chorus).

Additionally, during the chorus of “Shameless,” there’s vocal layering and harmonization, adding more excellence. The post-chorus is accompanied by rhythmic drums and the repeated lyrics, “No-oh, uh-uh, don’t wanna do this now…” The bridge provides contrast. One last note. A key lyric, which appears at the end of the second verse is, “And I’m tired of loving somebody that’s not mine, no.” Notably, it references loving long distance.

7. Anthony Hamilton, “Ain’t No Shame”

What I’m Feelin’ • RCA • 2016

“Ain’t No Shame” arrives as the second track off of What I’m Feelin’, the well-rounded 2016 album by Grammy-winning R&B artist, Anthony Hamilton. One of R&B’s finest, Hamilton has had to work extremely hard to attain success.  Amazingly, none of Hamilton’s studio albums have ever debuted in the top-10 of the Billboard 200.  Now that, folks, is what is really a shame.  Truly, there ‘ain’t no shame’ in “Ain’t No Shame,” written by Hamilton, Al Anderson, and Mark Batson.  Furthermore, Batson produces.

“Tell you like they told me
No shame in playing hard
Say ain’t no shame baby
Time waits for no one
(Lord no no)
No shame in playing hard.”

“Ain’t No Shame” is tried and true Anthony Hamilton.  We wouldn’t have it any other way! This is naturally a soulful record, amplified by its six-eight groove and of course, gospel-infused vocals.  Further sweetening the deal are sweet background vocals.  Mr. Hamilton makes it clear that there “ain’t no shame” in being ambitious – wanting to be better, do better, be the best, etc.  After all, “They say that life is for the living and / I wanna try it all…”

 8. Kehlani, “Valentine’s Day (Shameful)”

“Valentine’s Day (Shameful)” • Atlantic • 2020

Post “Konclusions”, Kehlani lets the world know how she feels about her ex, YG, on the brutally honest single, “Valentine’s Day (Shameful)”. Things became rocky between the couple when YG was caught cheating.  On “Konclusions,” he addresses the incident: “I had us lookin’ crazy in front of the club / That cameraman got me fucked up / Even though it wasn’t what they said it was.” On “Valentine’s Day (Shameful),” however, the couple is done, and Kehlani gives us a nearly a five-minute explanation.

“I am making amends with myself / Forgiving me for loving you,” Kehlani sings, continuing, “I took a risk loving loudly / Ignored all the signs, yeah, it’s true.”  Basically, on the first verse, she feels dumb for loving him.  Relatable. On the second, she has no regrets, but feels wronged: “I got to give myself credit for loving as hard as I did / I helped you fight your addiction and change your whole life / Just to find myself played in the end.” Of course, the biggest moment occurs on the chorus, where she absolutely slaughters him:

“I’d say your name, but you don’t deserve recognition
You played the hero, but you really are the villain
There ain’t a bone in me that wants to spare your feelings
You called me crazy, but it was my intuition
Used me for status and the fame and recognition
It’s fucking crazy what they do for recognition.”

Wow!  In regard to production, “Valentine’s Day” is idiomatic of a contemporary R&B cut, particular one about the end of love, and, seemingly, a total @$$hole.

9. Freddie Gibbs, “Shame”

Ft. BJ The Chicago Kid

Piñata • Madlib Invazion • 2014

“Got her dick whipped, my dick smeared with lipstick / Basically, if this bitch lay with me, she payin’ me, I’m on some pimp shit.” What more can you say to that but DAMN?  Anyways, in 2020, Midwest rap standout Freddie Gibbs earned a much-deserved accolade: Grammy nominee.  Was it past due? Hell yes, but ‘better late than never,’ right? Gibbs brings us some shameful vibes on “Shame” which appears as the 15^th track on his 2014 album, Piñata.  Of course, it should be noted, the only shame about this joint, featuring fellow Grammy nominee BJ The Chicago Kid, lies within the title, not the quality!

The production by Madlib is nothing short of awesome.  The biggest for the is a sample of The Manhattans classic, “Wish That You Were Mine”.  The sample shapes the intro, with Gibbs spitting ‘the game’ and by ‘game’ I mean sex.  Clearly, Freddie has hooked up, but as we all know, sex isn’t um, the most transcendent topic.  It’s not transcendent at all to be honest. It’s passionate but definitely not meaningful in this instance, where it’s nothing more than ‘getting some’ for Gibbs – nothing emotionally-charged.  “Took it in that, hit that, wish I could say it was accidentally,” he asserts on the second verse, continuing, “Like I stepped on a banana peel and fell in that pussy / Y’all niggas be spending all kind of scrill to get in that pussy…” Of course, per BJ The Chicago Kid, on the hook:

“It ain’t gotta be the walk of shame, baby
But that’s only if you know the game, baby
Later, I can’t be the one to blame, baby
But for now, take the walk of shame, baby.”

10. Tyler Glenn, “Shameless”

Excommunication • Island • 2016

Neon Trees front man Tyler Glenn introduces himself to the world as a solo artist with debut album Excommunication. Excommunication marked one of the most intriguing (and under appreciated) efforts of 2016, depicting Glenn’s exit from the LDS church (he identifies it as a “faith crisis”). He wasn’t excommunicated but being openly gay , the Mormon church isn’t known for its openness regarding the LGBTQ+ community . Over its course, Glenn takes aim at the judgmental nature of the church, and how his perception of religion has shifted. “Shameless” is a prime example of Glenn’s reaction to his experience.

“Shameless” is as superbly produced as everything else gracing Excommunication, filled with electronic components make this a sleazy tone poem of sorts.  The sleaziness is further amplified by a minor key and a shameless lyrical picture.

“Maybe meet you with a couple friends
This ain’t love, but maybe we pretend
Rent some pornographic movie
And we both know how it ends...”

While Glenn infuses more sex into the “Shameless,” he’s still highlighting prejudices against the LGBTQ+ population, particularly from the church’s perspective.  Despite such prejudices, he makes it clear, “I don’t give a damn.”  Damn right!

11. Jill Scott, “Shame”

Ft. Eve & The A Group

The Light of the Sun • Blues Babe / Warner • 2011

In 2011, Grammy-winning R&B artist Jill Scott did something big.  She earned her first of two consecutive number one albums with The Light of the Sun.  Notably, The Light of the Sun also marked Scott’s first studio album for Warner records (Blues Babe serving as the imprint).  Among the best songs from The Light of the Sun is none other than “Shame,” which arrives third on the track list.  Scott gets a pretty sweet assist courtesy of Eve and a funky group of back-up singers, The A Group.

The A Group definitely do a superb job providing the response to Jill’s call.  Of course, Jill owns “Shame,” providing commanding, expressive, and soulful vocals.  She sounds awesome against a backdrop that has some old-school hip-hop sensibilities. Per WhoSampled, the record contains three samples: “I’m The Magnificent (Remix)” ( Special Ed), “Stomp and Buck Dance” ( The Crusaders), and “Good Old Music” ( Funkadelic). Naturally, lyrically, Scott and The A Group assert themselves to be “The Magnificent,” nodding to the Special Ed song.  Besides the samples, the use of horns provides a killer touch.  Last but not least, gotta give some love to Eve who nails it on her rap verse!

“I’m the magnificent with the sensational style, yes
Check her head to toe, don’t forget the smile, ‘Blessed’
If you were smart you would try to snatch it up
Moving like a snail, when you gon’ catch it up?”

12. The Spinners, “It’s a Shame”

2^nd Time Around • UMG Recordings, Inc. • 1970

What better way to close this utterly shameful playlist with one of the biggest shames of them all! “It’s a Shame” marks one of the best songs in the The Spinners’ catalogue, period.  It serves as the opener on their 1970 LP, 2^nd Time Around.  Honestly, the music speaks for itself, but as always, we’ll drop a little blurb.

“It’s a Shame” is incredibly funky and infectious from the jump.  The Spinners provide us with stellar vocals harmonies, accentuating the lead ( G.C. Cameron), of course.  Listening to the record, it reminds us of the golden days of soul, a truly irreplaceable sound.  “It’s a Shame” features brilliant production.  The vintage sound is constructed by the horns, rhythm guitar, and a prominent bass line.  What’s better than a fat bass line? Nothing! Of course, the cherry on top are those sweet, colorful lead vocals by Cameron. Nothing shameful about this joint!