12 Songs to Celebrate the Weekend…Or Not features music courtesy of 2 Chainz, Billie Holliday, Brantley Gilbert, Foo Fighters, Kane Brown, and Khalid.  

“Cheers to the freakin’ weekend / I drink to that, yeah yeah… / Don’t let the bastards get you down / Turn it around with another round.” I concur Rihanna, and so do the most of the 12 songs on the playlist 12 Songs to Celebrate the Weekend…Or Not.  Why is ‘Or Not’ included at the end of the title? Well, there are exceptions to the ‘celebration’ because some of the songs have a darker tilt… looking at you Billie Holiday (“Gloomy Sunday”). Anyways, besides the jazz icon, musicians that ‘fuel the fire’ for this ‘celebratory’ list include 2 Chainz, Brantley Gilbert, Foo Fighters, Kane Brown, and Khalid among others.

Also Check out: 15 Songs for the Days of the Week | Playlist

1. Khalid, “Saturday Nights”

Suncity » RCA » 2018

Khalid had an incredible year in 2017, securing a double-platinum debut album (American Teen), earning multiple Grammy nominations, and collaborating with numerous musicians.  In 2018, his stock continued to rise. Adding to his list of achievements is his second project, a seven-song, 21-minute EP, Suncity. “Saturday Nights” arrives as the third track on the project.  In the context of the album, “Saturday Nights” picks up the pace some, though Khalid remains chill, easy-going, and relaxed.  Like “Vertigo” that precedes it, his voice shines above everything else.

“Saturday Nights” benefits from its rhythmic, cool melodic lines on the verse, not to mention a memorable chorus:

“All the things that I know
That your parents don’t
They don’t care like I do
Nowhere like I do.”

2. Foo Fighters, “Sunday Rain”

Concrete Gold » Roswell / RCA » 2017

“Don’t leave me drowning in your Sunday rain / It’s right down the drain / Don’t leave me drowning in your Sunday rain / It’s always a shame, oh no.” Okay, perhaps this one is quite celebration, but it does feature the word ‘Sunday’ in its title.  That counts for something, right? The music and vocals on Foo Fighters’ “Sunday Rain” (Concrete and Gold) are enigmatic and dark. 🎙 Taylor Hawkins’s (drummer, who handles vocals here) tone sounds smoky, as if he’s ‘up to no good.’ Melodically, this is a beautiful record, particularly the chorus.  Among the highlights are the bridge, which contrasts the harmonic progression and amplifies the intensity.  The jazz piano solo at the end is a nice, quirky touch.

3. T.I.,“The Weekend”

Ft. Young Thug

Dime Trap » Epic » 2018 

“I got no time for the fuck-shit, I’m gettin’ money or die / Get the fuck on with distractions, I’m way too dope not to have it.”  Oh snap! T.I. raps the aforementioned lyrics on the first verse of “The Weekend”, one of the highlights of his 2018 album, Dime Trap. One of the selling points is the pop-oriented, urban contemporary sounds with the electric guitar, piano; the riffs are pretty sweet.

Young Thug handles the hook, adding his usual quirky, melodic approach:

“It’s goin’ down every weekend, hey, yeah
Malibu, top gone, everything for the weekend…
Summertime, bathin’ suit, jump in the pool for the weekend
I can make any bitch leave her man, just for the weekend…”

Returning to the first verse, here, T.I. serves up an interesting flow to say the least. Young Thug performs the second verse quirkily blending straight and pitched rhymes. The outro by T.I. notably is melodic.

4. Panic! At the Disco, “Say Amen (Saturday Night)”

Pray for the Wicked » Fueled by Ramen » 2018

Brendon Urie and Panic! At the Disco are ‘tuned-in and turned-up’ “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” (Pray for the Wicked) The production is a work of art, including fantastic keyboard work and synths.  Later, the gargantuan chorus adds horns and massive, pummeling drums. The choruses represent the most epic moments for sure, as well as summing up the record’s message. The push-and-pull is what makes “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” so compelling. Urie is struggling with spirituality versus being free and living it up.

“I pray for the wicked on the weekend
Mama, can I get another amen?
Oh, oh, it's Saturday night, yeah
Swear to God, I ain't ever gonna repent
Mama, can I get another amen?
Oh, oh, it's Saturday night, yeah.”

5. Big Sean, “Sunday Morning Jetpack”

Ft. The-Dream

I Decided. » Def Jam » 2017

“This the feeling know that I’ve been missing some days / This feel like I’m headed to paradise one way / This feel like the family dinners that we used to have on Sunday / With grandma in the kitchen making rum cake / Or this spread she used to do for Thanksgiving, man.” “Sunday Morning Jetpack” featuring The-Dream is among the most mellow songs on I Decided., the fourth studio album by Detroit rapper Big Sean.  Furthermore, it is one of the most beautiful songs. Here, Sean thrives in reflective mode, looking back on the past, his family, as well as his ‘come-up.’ The-Dream is used limitedly, but even so, he sounds exceptional.

The hook is among the shining spots:

“Thank you, God, for all my setbacks
‘Cause he the reason I’m able to give back
This feels like my Sunday morning jetpack
Feel like I sent prayers up and got blessed back…”

6. Kacey Musgraves, “Lonely Weekend”

Golden Hour » MCA Nashville » 2018

“Monday, I was gone, and Tuesday, you were working late, Wednesday went to hell, then Thursday kinda had the wait, yeah / Friday, you were leavin’, goin’ out of town again / I should see what’s goin’ on, only got a couple of friends.” Hmm, an unfortunate schedule for Kacey Musgraves. Musgraves shines on her third studio album, Golden Hour.  Golden Hour is the sort of album that more casual and non-country music fans will appreciate and potentially love.  Following the awesome, “Slow Burn” of the opener, “Lonely Weekend” continues with similarly smooth and relaxed vibes. There’s a bit more oomph instrumentally and vocally, but once again, Musgraves, despite being ‘lonely,’ doesn’t seem too bothered.

“It’s a lo-, it’s a lo-, it’s a lonely weekend (So lonely)
It’s a lo-, it’s a lo-, it’s a lonely feelin’ without you
Guess everybody else is out tonight (Out tonight)
Guess I’m hangin’ by myself, but I don’t mind (I don’t mind)
It’s a lo-, it’s a lo-, it’s a lonely weekend, yeah.”

7. Vance Joy, “Saturday Sun”

Nation of Two » Atlantic » 2018

Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy returned in 2018 with an enjoyable, thoughtful, and well-rounded sophomore album, Nation of Two.  The sophomore album by the artist of “Riptide” fame includes gems such as “Lay It on Me”, “We’re Going Home” and “Like Gold”.  While the song at hand, “Saturday Sun,” wasn’t picked a ‘gem’ within the album review, there is no shame it its game.  “Saturday Sun” is chocked-full of energy and exuberance.  That checks off a box, right.  Joy continues to sing effortlessly. Another box checked. Notably, “Saturday Sun” features ample ukulele.  Can’t go wrong with the uke, so that’s another box checked, regardless of the day of the week.

8. Grace, “Church on Sunday”

FMA » RCA » 2016

“Hate to see you’re falling for me / And I hate to leave you lonely / But my heart is cold as can be / Gotta go to church on Sunday.” Grace Sewell (known simply as Grace) of “You Don’t Own Me” fame, elevates the spirit on “Church on Sunday.” “Church on Sunday” serves as the opening song on her under-appreciated debut, FMA.  The record features gospel-infused, throwback production.  She confesses her sin – a cold heart.  Unable to love the cute boys she sees, she’s “gotta go to church on Sunday.”

The aforementioned chorus continues:

“Used to wear my heart on my sleeve
Everything is not what it seems
Boy, you should be running from me
I gotta go to church on Sunday.”

9. Kane Brown, “Weekend”

Experiment » Sony Music Nashville » 2018

“It’s 4:30 Friday, I get off at 5:00 / I come into your place, you come into mine.” Kane Brown proved throughout 2018 that he’s on an upward trajectory in country music.  Among a number of excellent singles that appear on Brown’s sophomore album, Experiment, “Weekend” definitely stands out.  The record commences mysteriously and somewhat unsettled, before a soulful, country groove establishes itself.  The production is a sight to behold, with it’s lead electric guitar, dash of horns, and banjo. The most colorful sound from a colorful palette is the splashes of organ during the chorus, giving off a mix of churchy, southern, soulful vibes. Kane Brown sings with a cool approach on the verses, incorporating a hip-hop swagger within the context of country music. He shows off personality and comes off quite suave.

The best section of “Weekend” is the catchy, chill chorus:

“Just chillin’ on the weekend, weekend
Sippin’ something on the cheap end, cheap end
Skinny dippin’ in the deep end, deep end
Or bass fishin’ with your feet in, feet in…”

10. 2 Chainz, “Saturday Night”

Pretty Girls Like Trap Music » Def Jam » 2017

“I hit the trap today, I’m gon’ hit the club tonight, yeah.” “Saturday Night” kicks off Pretty Girls Like Trap Music in electrifying fashion.  The guitar-infused trap opener sets the tone for the entire album.  2 Chainz raps with his signature, humorous, sometimes ridiculous delivery.  He says nothing particularly profound, but he’s on his game to say the least.  Saturdays are carefree and so is 2 Chainz, the artist formerly known as Tity Boi.

“I had that work in front of me fuck all you n***as you wannabes
Most of you n***as is under me’s, I’ma give ya ass some to see
My car don’t have car keys, my crib got palm trees
Pussy smell like sardine you, need to get up out of my lawn, please…”

Also Check Out: 15 Songs for the Days of the Week

11. Billie Holiday, “Gloomy Sunday”

The Centennial Collection » Columbia » 2015

“Sunday is gloomy, my hours are slumber-less / Dearest the shadows, I live with are numberless / Little white flowers will never awaken you / Not where the black coach of sorrow has taken you.” Hmm… yeah, this one isn’t celebratory of the weekend either. “Gloomy Sunday” is a radiant gem that has been covered by numerous musicians. It’s also chilling and haunting, thanks to its morbid content. The song’s protagonist exhibits suicidal thoughts, singing, “My heart and I have decided to end it all / Soon there’ll be candles and prayers that are sad.” More disturbing is that “Gloomy Sunday” has earned the reputation as the Hungarian suicide song. So, yeah, we sort of slipped a morbid, non-celebratory

Also Check Out: Songs Centered Around or Referencing Suicide, Vol. 1 & 15 Songs for the Days of the Week

12. Brantley Gilbert, “The Weekend”

The Devil Don’t Sleep » Big Machine » 2017 

“The Weekend” (The Devil Don’t Sleep) yields familiar themes in country music – drinking, girls, and partying. Even being cliché, Brantley Gilbert does an exceptional job selling the record.  Considered to be a bit of a badass with a rugged, self-proclaimed outlaw persona, he superbly delivers a record chocked-full of machismo and swagger – in a country music sort of way. “The Weekend” features excellent production with a ‘full throttle’ sound – slick cues that are transcendent of country, yet not out of the country realm.  Vocally, Gilbert’s low register is a pro – there’s certain an alluring vibe in regards to his gruff voice.  “The Weekend” has its lyrical moments, such as the clever, “It’s like I’m back in school and I’m in the last class / and I’m passing time until the bell rings.”

The chorus is sound, exemplifying the spirit of the weekend:

“Live it up for the weekend
Pour it up, have the time of your life
Take a shot for the regrets
Double up and it’s bound to get buck wild
Hey ladies, let your hair down
We know ain’t nobody scared now, hell nah
Just do your thing like it’s spring break
Wake and bake and we’re at it again
We live it up for the weekend.”

Photo Credits: Atlantic, Big Machine, Columbia, Def Jam, Epic, Fueled by Ramen, MCA Nashville, Pixabay, RCA, Sony Music Nashville