12 Songs That Are Either Black or White | Playlist

“12 Songs That Are Either Black or White” features music courtesy of Foals, Greyson Chance, Psycroptic, Regina Spektor, and Vampire Weekend.  

Michael Jackson said it best: “It don’t matter if you’re ‘Black or White’.” That’s the case on this two-colored playlist, 12 Songs That Are Either Black or White. There are seven songs that feature the word black in their title, while there are six songs that feature the word white in their title. Yes, that adds up to 13, but there are only 12 songs as one has both “Black and White” in its title – looking at you Regina Spektor.  But enough math – let’s jump right in! 12 Songs That Are Either Black or White features music courtesy of Foals (“White Onions”), Greyson Chance (“Black on Black” and “White Roses”), Psycroptic (“Beyond the Black”), Regina Spektor, and Vampire Weekend (“Unbearably White”).

1. Greyson Chance, “Black on Black”

Portraits • GCM / AWAL • 2019

Eight years after releasing his debut full-length album (Hold On ‘Til the Night, 2011), Greyson Chance returned in 2019, as a grown-ass man, with his sophomore LP, Portraits. Yes, Chance has come a long way from being that cute freckled-faced kid who appeared on Ellen, now living ‘out and proud’ – definitely no more “Cheyenne” (“I know every girl’s searchin’ for romance / And I’m wonderin’ if you’d take a chance / On a guy like me with a girl like you”). Enough small talk, let’s move on to the first of two Greyson Chance songs to grace this list, “Black on Black.”

In the context of portraits, an interlude, “Lights” (referencing strip clubs), perfectly foreshadows the sexually-tinged “Black on Black.” Safe to say, Greyson Chance embraces his status of being a red-blooded adult man eager to have some fun.  He’s suggestive up until the bridge, where his horniness reaches new fucking heights you might say:

“California kid, you’re a nasty pun
Smoking them cigs, smoking all them blunts
M6 riding and you got that cash
Rock that black on black
California kid, you’re a fucking sleaze
But damn, boy, you got me fucking on my knees
M6 riding, making out in the back
Rock that black on black on black.”

The bridge reappears as the outro of the song as well.  Can you knock Chance for embracing the pleasure? It’s a pleasing, stimulating listening experience as well.

2. Greyson Chance, “White Roses”

Portraits • GCM / AWAL • 2019

“White roses on a pastel sky / Broken vows on our lips run dry…” In the context of Portraits, “White Roses” – the second song to appear on this black or white list – moves beyond long distance friendships and life in West Texas back to matters of the heart.  Who doesn’t love a good song that deals with matters of the heart? Greyson Chance sounds terrific from a vocal perspective, incorporating ample nuance and expression into his performance.

“Darling, be careful with me / ‘Cause there’s part of me that you don’t know / Darling, be gentle with me / When you tell me you need to let go.” Matters of the heart – aka love – perfectly exemplified.  Returning back to the vocal performance, for as much fanfare as Chance’s falsetto creates at moments throughout Portraits, the richness of his chest voice can’t be understated. It’s particularly effective on a yearning, vulnerable cut like this one – “‘Cause you cut me wide open / Left teardrops on all my white roses.” “White Roses” previously appeared on the playlist 13 Amazing Songs About Flowers.

3. Bradley Cooper, “Black Eyes”

A Star is Born • Interscope • 2018

One song comes to mind when the soundtrack or film A Star is Born is mentioned: “Shallow”. Rightfully, the conversation should be about the Grammy-winning and Academy Award-wining hit – it’s that damn good.  But, “Shallow” doesn’t fit the parameters of this list, so, we go with “Black Eyes,” a song performed by Bradley Cooper.

“Black eyes open wide / It’s time to testify / There’s no room for lies / And everyone’s waitin’ for you.” “Black Eyes” is actually the first full-length song that appears on A Star is Born, following a brief intro.   Cooper, who is known more for his acting prowess, sounds strong here, delivering a commanding, assertive performance.  He’s gritty and locked-in, not over-singing, yet impressing with various ad-libs and nuances. In addition to his Cooper’s mean-sounding performance, the guitars rock hard, giving “Black Eyes” an alluring edge and overall intensity.

4. Vampire Weekend, “Unbearably White”

Father of the Bride • Sony • 2019

“I ran up the mountain / Out of your sight / The snow on the peak was just unbearably white,” Ezra Koenig sings on the first verse of “Unbearably White,” later adding, “You walked to the bedroom / And sat down to write / The page on your notebook was unbearably white.” Sigh, after a six-year hiatus, Grammy-winning alternative music collective Vampire Weekend returned with new music in 2019.  Prior to the arrival of Father of the Bride, the last time that we’d heard from the VW was in 2013 when they released the utterly superb Modern Vampires of the City. Despite the fact that Koenig and company made us wait such a long, damn time for their fourth studio album, the results are nothing short of superb.  “Unbearably White” definitely plays a role in the excellence.

 The soulful “Unbearably White” is a surefire bop from the onset.  What’s interesting is the contradiction of the soulful production and the song title itself, which isn’t explicitly about race or skin color, but definitely doesn’t feel like sheer coincidence. Ezra Koenig and Vampire Weekend continue to highlight the marriage/relationship concept of the album. The guitars sound brilliant, while the robust bass line adds some serious punch on the bottom.  The vocals and the poetic, incredibly unique lyrics take precedent.

“There’s an avalanche coming
Don’t cover your eyes
It’s what you thought that you wanted
It’s still a surprise
It’s hard on the body
It’s hard on the mind
To learn what kept us together, darling
Is what kept us alive.”

5. The Voidz, “Black Hole”

Virtue • RCA • 2018

“Don’t let the name fool you: a black hole is anything but empty space. Rather, it is a great amount of matter packed into a small area… The result is a gravitational field so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape.” That is how NASA describes a black hole.  As for The Voidz, well, Steven Edelstone (Consequence of Sound) writes, “The Voidz don’t give a fuck what you think.” Charming commentary regarding the alternative rock band led by The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas.  Enough small talk, let’s talk about the song at hand, “Black Hole,” shall we?

“Black Hole” appears on the band’s unique debut album, Virtue and it is indeed a trip.  “Black Hole” is characterized by its driving, rhythmic nature, as well as its noisy, busy production work.  As odd and sometimes messy as it may be, there are some terrific moments, led by distorted, edgy guitars.  In regard to the vocals, well, they’re buried within the production.

“Quit your crying for the other side
Can’t fight with tears in your eyes
I don’t want to be here anymore than you
Take a shot
What’s that say? NSA, NRA at the gates of Psycho City
Black hole sucking us into oblivion.”

“Black Hole” previously appeared on the playlists 17 Songs Inspired by Outer Space…to an Extent and 13 Totally Captivating Songs That Reference Science.

6. Foals, “White Onions”

Part 1 Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost • Foals / Warner Music • 2019

“No escape from this room and I’ll wait for a wave / To come wash away, lead me out of this place / I fight for air, don’t keep me there.” Clearly, Yannis Philippakis, the frontman of English alt-rock collective Foals is totally feeling some pressure of sorts.  On the energetic “White Onions,” the third track from the band’s 2019 album, Part 1 Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost, a sentiment of being trapped and being unable to escape is captured.

The lyrics are few on “White Onions,” but they definitely pack a punch, at least in regard to conveying an uncomfortable sentiment. “Lyrically, [‘White Onions’ is] the logical response to this feeling of being caught in a bind and there’s references to mazes and cages,” Philippakis tells Consequence of Sound during the track-by-track interview for the project.  He goes on to say, “… It’s like this labyrinth, this issue of how to find the correct way out.” That explains not only the aforementioned lyrics, but also the repetitive, but highly-effective lyrics such as “I see a lair… / I fight for air… / You keep me there…,” and later, “I see a maze… / I break the cage…” Philippakis also acknowledges the simplicity to COS, but also dubs it a favorite from Part 1 Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost.

7. Psycroptic, “Beyond the Black”

As the Kingdom Drowns • Prosthetic • 2018

Nothing is more fitting on the ‘black’ portion of Songs That Are Either Black or White than some death metal, right? Damn right! So, Psycroptic brings some total hellishness to the table with “Beyond the Black,” the sixth track on their 2018 LP, As the Kingdom Drowns.  Expectedly, the guitars are jagged AF, the drums totally pummeling, and the vocals are stretched to the nth degree with their infernal angst.  Literally, it sounds like you’re a participant in hell… totally damning.

As is the expectation with death metal, the lyrics are darkly poetic, filled with doom.  A prime example: “Millions tremble as the oceans rise / The endless tide never to recede /… Trying to overcome is pointless / Engulfing this world with flames.”  Yeah, find some optimism there.  And if that’s not enough hell for you, check out the chorus:

“As time draws nearer – darkness surrounds your soul
And the shadows march beyond
Born into chaos – the night will be here to stay
Can’t travel beyond the black.”

Again, poetic, but also, again, damning, like… DAMN!

8. Lana Del Rey, “White Mustang”

Lust for Life • Polydor • 2017

Lana Del Rey is quite the character – understatement. That said, what’s undeniable is her voice, which is ‘one of a kind.’  Throughout her fourth full-length album Lust for Life, Del Rey showcases her best attribute over the course of 16 tracks. Lust for Life ranks among her best work. “White Mustang” definitely fulfills the ‘white’ criteria of this playlist.

In the context of Lust for Life, “White Mustang” is connected to two forthcoming songs – “Summer Bummer” and “Groupie Love”. On the first verse, Lana Del Rey paints the picture that she’s a groupie in love with a musician, even if she has reservations.  Such reservations are more pronounced on the second verse, where she admits, “I was such a fool for believing that you / Could change all the ways you’ve been living.” Lyrically, one of the best moments occurs when she sings:

“You’ve been revving and revving and revving it up
And the sound, it was frightening.”

9. David Bowie, “Blackstar”

Blackstar • Columbia • 2016

The exceptionalness of the Grammy-winning Blackstar, the final studio album by icon David Bowie, showcases the just how brilliant he was.  Even past his prime Bowie recorded an album that easily exhibited more ambition than most by artists half his age. Although much of the attention surrounding Blackstar focused on “Lazarus” (even more so following his death), it “Blackstar” that is the centerpiece – the tour de force. 

“Blackstar” is the most ambitious song on the album, hand down. David Bowie truly outdoes himself.  Dark, enigmatic, and chilling, it grips the listener from the start despite its ten-minute duration. Even when “Blackstar” has ‘happier’ moments with major chords, it remains overwhelmingly dark, twisted, and hellish. Possibly, “Blackstar” was written about ISIS, but of course, it’s unconfirmed. Despite its utter ‘blackness,’ “Blackstar” has a beauty about it, thanks to Middle Eastern musical cues coupled with elements of jazz and soul.  It’s a ‘delightful’ 10 minutes by all means.

10. Mansionz, “Rich White Girls”

Mansionz • Interscope • 2017

“Rich white girls / All I’m doing is wasting my time chasing rich white girls, yeah / All they do is bitch and they whine…” Hmm, what happens when two under appreciated, incredibly talented musicians collaborate together? Fire.  Mike Posner and blackbear collaborate as mansionz, an eclectic group formed in 2016 encompassing hip-hop, pop, and R&B.  Their self-titled debut arrived in 2017, though arguably, it didn’t receive its just due.  Was that because of an infectious, if utterly shallow song like “Rich White Girls?” Perhaps… yeah, probably.

Blackbear nails the chill, yet blunt chorus, which ranks among the most memorable of Mansionz. Continued from above, it plays out something like this:

“So, tell me what could I give you that your daddy can’t give you?
Baby, what could I give, to a rich white girl?
They only love me when I pay ‘em no mind.”

If you can’t get enough of “Rich White Girls,” or rather, ‘rich’ songs in general, check out the original playlist from which this song appeared, 9 Songs That Thrive Off Being Rich.

11. Regina Spektor, “Black and White”

Remember Us to Life • Sire • 2016

Question: “Why should I wait for tomorrow?” Following a four-year-hiatus, singer/songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor released her fifth studio album, Remember Us to Life, in 2016. In advance of the album’s released, Spektor released several singles including “Bleeding Heart”, “Small Bill$”, and the song at hand, “Black and White”.  In the context of this playlist, it checks off both the black and the white box.  Cool!

“Black and White” opens with piano, followed abruptly with Spektor’s vocals. In effect, the song features very little intro.  Regardless, Spektor sounds beautiful, delivering clear, pitch-perfect vocals. Her upper register – showcased on the chorus – sounds effortless. The vocal production is stunning overall, particularly on the chorus.  Throughout its course, lovely instrumentation is incorporated, adding to the coolness and smooth flow of the record.  The strings in particular are gorgeous.

Despite the gorgeousness, Regina Spektor, or at least the character she portrays, seems to be hurt.  Ah yes, matters of the heart come into play at the very start.  “All my love in black and white / On this color photograph,” Spektor sings on the first verse.  The second verse is clearer about what’s gone down: “When you left, I closed the door / Closed my eyes, sat on the floor / Heart beat fast, mind got slow / This great love is all I know.”  Put it all together, and there’s ample sadness, and the struggle is real to move on, which is common when L-O-V-E is involved. Despite the pain conveyed by Spektor, “Black and White” itself is fantastic.

12. Kanye West, “Black Skinhead”

Yeezus • Def Jam • 2013

“But watch who you bring home / They see a black man with a white woman / At the top floor they gone come to kill King Kong / Middle America pack in (Black) / Came to see me in my black skin (Black)…” In 2013, Kanye West had the difficult task of following up his superb 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. While Yeezus wasn’t as accomplished as MBDTF in my opinion, it was a daring follow-up that found West experimenting.  Furthermore, it yielded some great records including “Black Skinhead,” which previously appeared on the playlist 11 Intriguing Songs That Reference Skin.

So, getting everyone on the same page, what is a skinhead? According to Encyclopædia Britannica, skinhead is described as follows:

“Youth counterculture characterized by aggressively masculine hair and dress styles, including shaved heads and heavy boots.  In many countries, skinheads are commonly viewed as extreme right-wing nationalists or neofascists who espouse anti-Semitic and other racist views…”

The Southern Poverty Law Center, who maintains a hate map, provides insight specifically on racist skinheads.  The movie American History X is a prime example of a film dealing with racist skinheads.  But enough about the background of skinheads themselves, what about the Kanye West song?

“Black Skinhead” continues the shocking trek of Yeezus, opening with pounding, rock-n-roll favoring drums.  The production work is awesome, while West’s message is controversial.  There are numerous ‘memorable’ lyrics, with “I’m aware I’m a wolf, soon as the moon hit / I’m aware I’m a king, back out the tomb bitch!” being among my favorites.  And then there’s that one where West proclaims, “If I knew what I knew in the past / I would’ve been blacked out on your ass.” Charming.  The chorus, anchored down with 808s, is magnificent.

“Four in the mornin’, and I’m zonin’
They say I’m possessed, it’s an omen
I keep it 300, like the Romans
300 bitches, where the Trojans?
Baby, we livin’ in the moment
I’ve been a menace for the longest
But I ain’t finished, I’m devoted
And you know it, and you know it.”

[Photo Credits: AWAL, Columbia, Def Jam, Foals, GCM, Interscope, Pexels, Pixabay, Polydor, Prosthetic, RCA, Sire, Sony, Warner Music]