12 Utterly Stupendous STILL Songs | Playlist 🎧

12 Utterly Stupendous STILL Songs features music courtesy of Commodores, GIVĒON, The Kid LAROI, Monica, and Orleans among others.

Among the most beautiful holiday songs is a three-peat song: 🎵 “Still, Still, Still”.  “Still, Still, Still,” which features truly gorgeous, timeless lyrics, would’ve been a perfect addition to 🎧 12 Utterly Stupendous STILL Songs.  The same could be said of classics like 🎵 “Peace Be Still”, 🎵 “I’m Still In Love With You”, and 🎵 “In The Still of the Night”, or even a Nicki Minaj single, 🎵 “The Night Is Still Young”.  Yeah, some good tunes didn’t make the cut but there’s plenty of excellent stillness included in this musical compendium nonetheless!

🎧 12 Utterly Stupendous STILL Songs features music courtesy of 🎙 Commodores, 🎙 GIVĒON, 🎙 The Kid LAROI, 🎙 Monica, and 🎙 Orleans among others. There is a fair share of oldies in the playlist as well as alternative, pop, R&B, gospel, rap, and rock.  So, without further ado, embrace the stillness of these 🎧 12 Utterly Stupendous STILL Songs!

1. Orleans, “Still the One”

💿 Waking and Dreaming • 🏷 Elektra • 📅 1976

“You’re still the one who can scratch my itch / (You’re) Still the one that I wouldn’t switch / We’re still having fun and you’re still the one.”  Ooh, wee, 🎙 John Hall!  When it comes to 💿 Waking and Dreaming, the 1976 album by pop/rock collective 💿 Orleans, the first thing that’s eye-catching is the album cover.  The band’s shirtless! There’s nothing wrong with shirtless men, mind you – if you’ve got it, then flaunt it – but it’s sort of weird in this case. Orleans’ bodies earned Waking and Dreaming spots on two non-musical lists including 🎧 Who Signed Off on This Album Artwork?.  However, the reason why we should really be talking about Waking and Dreaming is that it features the pop/rock band’s beloved, top-ten hit, 🎵 “Still the One”.

“You’re still the one I want to talk to in bed / Still the one that turns my head / We’re still having fun and you’re still the one.” Sing it, Mr. Hall! The chorus is timeless – the primary reason why “Still the One” is the classic that it is. Furthermore, it’s a bright, utterly energetic cut – infectious.  An exuberant pop/rock groove goes far, and that’s how “Still the One” commences.  Listening to the brilliance of this fun, love-driven gem, forget about that sus album cover artwork. “But I want you to know, after all these years / You’re still the one I want whispering in my ear,” Hall asserts in the first verse, while the second is more poetic (“When winter came, I just wanted to go /… Deep in the desert, I longed for the snow”). All told, “Still the One” is a surefire 70s classic that is beloved to this day.

Appears in 🔻:

• Orleans, “Still the One”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 109 (2022)

2. Monica, “Still Standing”

💿 Still Standing • 🏷 J / Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 2010

“Mama always told me / Baby, you gotta walk by faith / And not by sight.” To that, I say, 🎙 Monica, your mom was incredibly prudent.  The 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist speaks these words in the intro of 🎵 “Still Standing”, the title track from her 2010 album. The gorgeously produced (🎛 Bryan-Michael Cox) joint is inspirational.  Throughout the course of the song, a serious and sincere Monica clearly expresses she’s been through it. “I been through the storm / Had dirt on my name,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “I’m still holdin’ on / Champion of the game…” Even though it’s not always been easy for Mo, she’s “Letting go, and letting God” – AMEN!

The chorus of “Still Standing” perfectly captures her journey as well as her perseverance, resilience, and encouragement to others who’ve experienced their share of adversity.

“I been up against the ropes

Everything you’re goin’ through

I been there before

Seen ‘em all come

And I seen ‘em all go

You can bet your last that my head won’t hit the floor

Never

I’m still standing, standing, standing, standing

I’m still standing, standing, standing, standing.”

🎙 Ludacris echoes Monica’s sentiments in the third verse, asserting strength despite adversity, push back, and otherwise.  “I’m unbreakable baby /… I may have done the things they said I did / But I’m not who they say I am,” he spits, continuing, “Try to throw my name in the dirt / But I don’t give a damn / I’m still standing like the statue of liberty / And I put my name in the history books.” Woo! If you need a confidence boost and a faith increase, look no further than “Still Standing.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Monica, “Still Standing”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 26 (2022)
• 11 Marvelous Songs That Stand Tall

3. GIVĒON, “Still Your Best”

💿 When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time • 🏷 Epic / With Not So Fast LLC • 🗓 2021

“This the one you talking ‘bout that’s supposed to take my place, damn, is this for real? It’s almost disrespectful.” Woo! 🎙 GIVĒON (Giveon Evans) marks one of R&B’s brightest stars.  His baritone vocals are gorgeous – buttery smooth and incredibly nuanced.  It’s not surprising his 2020 EP, 💿 Take Time, was nominated for a 🏆 Grammy.  Reissued in 2021 as 💿 When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time, the extra songs only sweeten the deal.  While the resulting album is brief, Evans thrills on some lushly produced and superbly written standouts.

🎵 “Still Your Best” oozes with soul, maintaining the sheer excellence of When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time.  The melody is lovely, the production fitting (🎛 Schylar O’Neal, 🎛 Dominic Matthews, and 🎛 Sevn Thomas), with the key ingredient being that gorgeous baritone.  Of course, there are also those matters of the heart, which play a sizable role in Evans’ music.  Beyond the excerpted lyrics from the first verse, in the pre-chorus, Evans asserts she’s downgraded, and HE is, “Still your best.”  In the chorus, he asks, “When you wanna come back?” later adding, “Your body knows me, yes / I’m still your best.” While GIVĒON emphasizes the fact that her not being with him is her loss, it’s also clear that HE indeed misses her.  It’s as if the fact he elevates his excellence is a means to atone for losing her, even if it is true he’s better for her than this new guy.

“Still your best I know, love it or hate it

It’s unfair I know that I got away

Just confess right now, go ahead, and say it.”

4. ABBA, “I Still Have Faith in You”

💿 Voyage • 🏷 Polar Music International AB / Universal Music Group • 📅 2021

It only took 40 years but iconic, Swedish pop collective 🎙 ABBA finally returned!  Furthermore, they didn’t merely drop a song or two, but dropped an entire album, 💿 Voyage.  The lead single from Voyage, 🎵 “I Still Have Faith in You,” commences the 10-track LP masterfully – it’s a radiant opening and comeback record.  The Recording Academy must’ve thought so too, giving “I Still Have Faith in You” a 🏆 Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.    

“I still have faith in you / I see it now / Through all these years, that faith live on somehow.” What earns “I Still Have Faith in You” a spot on this list? Basically, it has all the ingredients of a hit.  No, ABBA weren’t going to reclaim the pop throne with “I Still Have Faith in You,” but, as a post-prime record by the iconic collective, it checks off all boxes. The vocal performance is strong.  The songwriting (🎙 🎼✍ Benny Andersson & 🎙 🎼✍ Björn Ulvaeus) is memorable, particularly on the chorus.  The arrangement and production (Andersson and Ulvaeus) are superb as well – warm, grand, and exuberant, particularly as the record progresses.  Hearing “I Still Have Faith in You,” I still have great faith in ABBA.

Appears in 🔻:

• Best Songs of 2021: 35-21

5. Elton John, “I’m Still Standing”

💿 Too Low For Zero • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 1983

“And did you think this fool could never win? / Well look at me, I’m a-comin’ back again.”🎵 “I’m Still Standing” is one of those quintessential 1980s classics – period! Furthermore, it’s one of the best songs from the 🎙 Elton John collection. John was well in his 30s when this catchy gem materialized – kind of hard to believe! Somehow, this standout from 💿 Too Low For Zero (1983) wasn’t even a top-10 hit (it peaked at no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100)! Sacrilege! Blasphemy!

“I’m Still Standing” features a quick tempo, which bodes well in its favor.  Furthermore, it’s an incredibly groovy and infectious record from the onset.  Elton John serves up enthusiastic vocals.  The melody is rhythmic – incredibly quick.  Furthermore, musically, John concocts some nice harmonic moments, playing between major and parallel minor keys. Of course, it’s those exceptional lyrics by 🎼 ✍ Bernie Taupin that Elton masterfully brings to life.  “I’m Still Standing” features one of the catchiest, most recognizable choruses of all time:

“Don’t you know I’m still standin’ better than I ever did?

Lookin’ like a true survivor, feelin’ like a little kid

And I’m still standin’ after all this time

Pickin’ up the pieces of my life without you on my mind.”

Also, it’s worth shouting out the brief but ear-catching electric guitar solo.  Another also – the music video is a treat itself!

Appears in 🔻:

• Elton John, “I’m Still Standing”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 98 (2022)
• 11 Marvelous Songs That Stand Tall 

6. MAX, “Still New York” (Ft. Joey Bada$$)

🎵 “Still New York” • 🏷 DCD2 / Crush Music • 📅 2018

“Everywhere I go, I ain’t changed at all / Always on the road / I’m still New York.” Ah, there’s nothing wrong in the least with exhibiting hometown pride! On the proud 🎵 “Still New York”, New Yorker 🎙 MAX (Max Schneider) gets an assist from fellow New Yorker 🎙 Joey Bada$$.  Yeah – that totally sounds and feels right! First and foremost, MAX delivers stellar vocals with a beautiful tone.  On the chorus, the energy that he brings is awesome – gotta love his grit in addition to his love for hometown/home state!

Another winning aspect to this NY-fueled record is the optimistic production work (🎛 Oak and 🎛 M-Phazes). It propels MAX forward – he totally owns it. Joey Bada$$ brings an excellent change of pace on the third verse without dare eclipsing the star (“I could never leave my city, ain’t nothing like it / Even if I do though, I could never hide it”).  Following the contrast, Schneider digs in even more, showing off the full breadth of his instrument.

Appears in 🔻:

• 15 Compelling New York Songs

7. The Kid LAROI, “Still Choose You” (Ft. Mustard)

💿 F*CK LOVE 3+: OVER YOU • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2021 

“All of these hoes and I still chose you / With all that I want, and I still want you, oh.” Um, okay… Despite his frustration with love, 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper/singer, 🎙 The Kid LAROI (Charlton Howard), finds himself falling in love again. “I know I said I wouldn’t, but I fell in love again /… I just pray that you don’t do me like the other ones did.” Hopefully, things end up better for Charlton this time.  Regardless, 🎵 “Still Choose You” featuring 🎙 Mustard serves as a highlight from his expanded debut mixtape, 💿 F*CK LOVE 3.

So, what makes “Still Choose You” a winner? How about fine production and a great performance by The Kid.  The biggest selling point, of course, is the catchy chorus, excerpted at the top, which continues as follows:

“I can’t believe that I’m trippin’ on you

‘Cause that’s what I promised I was never gon’ do.”

Oh, the plight that is love!

8. Ryan Adams, “Do You Still Love Me?”

💿 Prisoner • 🏷 Blue Note • 📅 2017 

“Why can’t I feel your love? / Heart must be blind,” 🎙 Ryan Adams sings, continuing, “What can I say? / I didn’t want it to change / But in my mind, it’s all so strange.” Perhaps it’s strange to the singer/songwriter, but there’s nothing questionable whatsoever about the song at hand, 🎵 “Do You Still Love Me?”.  This epic record appears on Adams’ 2017 album, 💿 Prisoner.

“Do You Still Love Me” commences mysteriously and exhibits sensitivity.  The use of organ pad is smart. That sensitivity is short lived, with guitar interjections intensifying the emotion. Eventually, those interjections develop into Ryan Adams’ familiar musical sound.  The pacing and development is superb.  Adams begins his vocal performance tenderly. Like the progression of the song itself, he eventually embraces an assertive, gritty approach. “Do you still love me, babe?”

9. G-Eazy, “Still Be Friends” (Ft. Tory Lanez & Tyga)

🎵 “Still Be Friends” • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2020

🎙 G-Eazy has never had a shortage of confidence. The 2020 single at hand, 🎵 “Still Be Friends” definitely finds the Bay Area rapper, ‘feeling himself’ as always.  He enlists 🎙 Tory Lanez and 🎙 Tyga for this banger.  It’s also, worth noting, the cover art for “Still Be Friends” features a condom in the wrapper – classy…

“Still Be Friends” features 11 writers.  Why? Well, there are a couple of interpolations in the mix. 🎛 Foreign Teck and 🎛 Tariq Beats gives G-Eazy and friends a banging backdrop, perfect fuel for their unapologetic fire. “I know you don’t do one-night stands / So, I’m thee closest thing / Now can we fuck and still be friends, though?” The controversial Tory Lanez sings in the catchy, melodic chorus, continuing, “And If you haven’t fucked a friend / I’d be the closest thing / So, can we fuck and still be friends, though?” After revealing the cards with the chorus, G-Eazy, full of cockiness and confidence, is on autopilot, making it clear “She not my girlfriend though, we just friends” – friends that are ‘doing it’ of course.  Tyga arrives in the second verse, bragging “I can pull any bitch, man it’s automatic,” adding more notches to his belt.  After ‘doing work’ in the unapologetic chorus, Troy Lanez raps the third verse, keeping it sexual: “When I kill the pussy they gon’ arrest me / I be lookin’ at it like, ‘Don’t test me.’” “Still Be Friends” won’t change any lives, that’s for sure.  There’s no depth but, it’s enjoyable.

10. Portugal. The Man, “Feel It Still”

💿 Woodstock • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2017

Alternative bands can rarely tout scoring a top-five pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100.  Portland, Oregon standouts 🎙 Portugal. The Man have bragging rights. 🎵 “Feel It Still” (💿 Woodstock) was one of the grooviest, most infectious songs of 2017. Of course, groovy, and infectious also helped contribute to “Feel It Still” earning a spot among the 🎧 100 Best Songs of 2017.  The chorus doesn’t hurt!

“Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now

I been feeling it since 1966, now

Might be over now, but I feel it still

Ooh woo, I’m a rebel just for kicks, now

Let me kick it like it’s 1986, now

Might be over now, but I feel it still.”

The production (🎛 John Hill & 🎛 Asa Taccone) is crisp and clear.  Front man 🎙 John Gourley delivers sensational, light, airy, and agile high-pitched vocals.  Reminiscing rarely comes off as excellent as it does on “Feel It Still.” Also, worth noting, Portugal. The Man earned a 🏆 Grammy for this one.

Appears in 🔻:

• 100 Best Songs of 2017
• 13 Feeling Songs That Make U Feel Some Type of Way

11. Commodores, “Still”

💿 Midnight Magic • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1979

“Lady, morning’s just a moment away / And I’m without you once again.” Somehow, 🎙 Commodores, while 🎙 Lionel Richie was the lead singer and songwriter, failed to win a 🏆 Grammy.  It seems like a travesty, doesn’t it? Eventually, both would earn those elusive awards, of course.  One of many instances where Richie and Commodores deserved to be recognized was for the surefire, throwback gem, 🎵 “Still”.  “Still,” which graced their 1979 album, 💿 Midnight Magic, wasn’t even nominated for Grammy – bummer! Regardless, “Still” still peaked at no. 1 on both the R&B and pop charts (Billboard Hot 100).  By my estimations, it’s one of Commodores’ very best! Anytime matters of the heart is involved in an R&B, the results are sweet music to our ears!

It goes without saying that Lionel Richie sounds amazing singing the lead.  His tone is utterly sublime.  He brings ample tenderness while simultaneously being expressive in the verses. “So many dreams that flow away / So many words we didn’t say,” he sings in the second verse, continuing about the state of an ended relationship, “Two people lost in a storm / Where did we go?” In an article about “Still”, Tom Breihan of Stereogum writes, “Richie wasn’t writing from experience… he was still married to his first wife when he wrote ‘Still.’ Instead, Richie wrote it about two friends who were splitting up.” Richie captures the end amicably and thoughtfully – it’s not the least bit messy. In the centerpiece, the chorus, Richie retains the classiness and finesse.

“We played the games that people play

We made our mistakes along the way

Somehow I know deep in my heart

You needed me

‘Cause I needed you so desperately!

We were too blind to see

But then most of all

I do love You

Still.”

One of the best, most classic moments of the song is the subtlety with which Richie delivers the titular lyric.  The execution of that small detail exemplifies a vocal performance at its very best.

Appears in 🔻:

• Commodores, “Still”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 111 (2022)

12. Mahalia Jackson, “Be Still, My Soul”

💿 A Mighty Fortress • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1968

If you are a classical music fan, the tune of the hymn, 🎵 “Be Still My Soul” likely sounds incredibly familiar.  That’s because the tune comes from the 🎼 ✍ Jean Sibelius masterwork, Finlandia.  The text predates the tune, penned by German hymn writer, 🎼 ✍ Katharina von Schlegel. “Be Still My Soul” masterfully merges classical and Christian music. In olden times, this merge was natural – particularly when you examine the Catholic mass – and remains a natural merge depending on religious denomination.  That said when it comes to gospel music, a connection with classical music is more far-fetched.  A versatile, legendary gospel musician like 🎙 Mahalia Jackson (1911 – 1972) perfectly shows gospel and classical can co-exist and thrive.  Her rousing rendition of “Be Still My Soul” appears in her 1968 album, 💿 A Mighty Fortress.  The minute the late, great musician sings, you’re instantly lifted 🙌. 

The voice of Mahalia Jackson was one of a kind – once in a lifetime.  On “Be Still My Soul” she sings with a magnificent tone.  Her expressiveness and nuance are awe-inspiring, while her overall performance can be described as commanding, classy, powerful, and, of course, spiritual.  Jackson moves you as she perfectly executes Sibelius’ tune and von Schlegal’s poetic lyrics.  It’s safe to say, Jackson had me at the first verse:

“Be still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain

Leave to thy God to order and provide

In every change, He faithful will remain

Be still, my soul, thy best thy heav’nly friend

Through thorny ways lead to a joyful end.”

Also, providing that musical lift is marvelous production work.  The gospel instrumentation – piano and organ – is intact.  Adding more color to the timbre are warm strings.  Furthermore, those strings amplify the emotion, already elevated by Jackson’s anointed pipes.

Appears in 🔻:

• Mahalia Jackson, “Be Still My Soul”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 38 (2022)

12 Utterly Stupendous STILL Songs [📷: Atlantic, Blue Note, Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Crush Music, DCD2, Elektra, Epic, Felix Mittermeier via Pexels, J, Mercury, The Musical Hype, Polar Music International AB, RCA, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, With Not So Fast LLC]