13 Compelling Songs That Ring TRUE

Reading Time: 15 min read

13 Compelling Songs That Ring TRUE features songs by Ariana Grande, Cyndi Lauper, FLETCHER, Hall & Oates, Morgan Wallen, and PinkPantheress.

Let’s start things off with a quote, shall we?! Yes, we shall! “To thine own self be true”. That is Shakespearean to the nth degree my friends and non-acquaintances! Specifically, this quote encouraging ‘true to selfness’ hails from Polonius in Act 1, Scene 3 of Hamlet, among the author’s most famous plays. Now that the tone is set, this playlist centers around one word from the Polonius quote: true. All of the songs from 13 Compelling Songs That Ring TRUE feature the word true in their song title – NO EXCEPTIONS! That means, no truth or truths are permitted! Woo! 13 Compelling Songs That Ring TRUE features songs by Ariana Grande, Cyndi Lauper, FLETCHER, Hall & Oates, Morgan Wallen, and PinkPantheress. So, without further ado, we dive into the ‘trueness’ with 13 Compelling Songs That Ring TRUE!

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1.Shygirl, “True Religion” (Ft. Isabella Lovestory & PinkPantheress)	2. Hulvey, “True”	3. Ariana Grande, “true story”	4. FLETCHER, “Two Things Can Be True”
5. Gracie Abrams, “That’s So True”	6. Mark Ronson, “True Blue” (Ft. Angel Olsen)	7. Kacey Musgraves, “Too Good to Be True”	8. Cyndi Lauper, “True Colors”
9. boygenius, “True Blue”	10. Tame Impala, “Is It True”	11. PinkPantheress, “True romance”	12. Morgan Wallen, “Hope That’s True”
13. Hall & Oates, “You Make My Dreams (Come True)”

1. Shygirl, “True Religion” (Ft. Isabella Lovestory & PinkPantheress)

“True Religion” // Because Music Ltd. // 2025

“Only one love, got credited now / One love and another man down.” Woo! English singer, DJ, and rapper Shygirl (Blane Muise) taps Honduran, Canada-based singer Isabella Lovestory, and English singer/songwriter PinkPantheress (Victoria Beverley Walker) for her 2025 single, “True Religion”. Star power, baby! “True Religion” clocks in under three minutes in duration. It thrives off a sickening beat and colorful synths. Shygirl, Oscar Scheller, and Nick León produced serving up decadent ear candy.

All parties involved serve up ample personality. The melodies are rhythmic. The lyrics are unapologetic, particularly the chorus performed by Muise: “You know you love me like a webcam girl / Webcam, webcam, webcam girl / Pussy too tight, made the mandem purr / Mandem, mandem, mandem purr.” Muise also performs the first verse, memorably asserting, “Big batty, 3D, better run the 3G / No weak signal, heavy link with me.” Lovestory ‘brings the heat’ in the second verse with lyrics performed exclusively in Spanish (“Se pone delulu con este ass,” which translates as “He gets crazy with this ass”). As for PinkPantheress, she appears in the bridge (“True religion, get no higher”) and the outro, which features the chorus lyrics. Ultimately, “True Religion” is an entertaining listening experience.

Appears in :

Shygirl, True Religion: Bangerz N Bopz 11 (2025)

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2. Hulvey, “True”

CRY // Reach // 2024

“The truth is you matter so much to me / You never let me go, You stayed close to me.” Amen, Hulvey (Christopher Hulvey)! The Christian rapper, singer, and songwriter brings ample truth to his single “True” from his 2024 album, CRY. Hulvey made the song about his love for his wife, Rachael, as well as God. In its ‘true’ first verse, Hulvey adds, “Walk in this world full of death with a pep in your step / The foundation is solid, yeah.” Yes sir! Hulvey wrote “True” alongside Marlon “Motown” Montgomery, Joel McNeill, Alexandria Dollar and producers Ace Harris, Carvello, and Enzo Gran. “True” features smooth musical accompaniment led by a warm guitar. Soon enough, rhythmic drums add more of a driving sound (think dance groove).

Hulvey delivers beautiful and sincere singing and melodic rapping. The messaging is inspiring and prudent. “Your heart is pure, this water so brand-new, brand-new / Ain’t gotta fake or front, I’ll fight the truth with You,” he sings in the second verse, capping things off with “I get up too high, you call out my pride / You see me the same, yeah.” Hulvey confirms her perfection in the pre-chorus, asking in awe during the chorus, “Can it be true? / You love me how You do?” The chorus, particularly, speaks to God’s love for him despite his flaws and imperfections. A great addition to the Christian music catalog, even if you’re not the most religious being, you’ll be inspired nonetheless on the authentic “True”.

Appears in :

Hulvey, True: Music Lifts 6 (2025)

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3. Ariana Grande, “true story”

Eternal sunshine // Republic // 2024

“This is a true story about all the lies / You fantasized ‘bout you and I…” “True story” arrives as the seventh track from eternal sunshine, the Grammy-nominated seventh studio by Grammy-winning pop superstar, Ariana Grande. “True story” commences with the chorus, which sets the tone. Set in a minor key, “true story” embraces a contemporary R&B sound. The bass line stands out. The record marks another memorable moment from eternal sunshine, specifically with Ari embracing villainous, ‘bad girl’ ways (“I’ll play the villain if you need me to” and “I’ll play the bad girl if you need me to / If it makes you feel better”). While she retains a refined nature vocally, she also lets loose more towards the end – “Gimme love, love!” Notably, the slightly deluxe adds the a cappella version of “true story” as the 16^th track.

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4. FLETCHER, “Two Things Can Be True”

In Search of the Antidote // Snapback Entertainment LLC / UMG Recordings, Inc. // 2024

“Did I want more than friends? Maybe / Should I have gotten involved? No / But did I like it every time we touched? Yeah.” In “Two Things Can Be True”, the fifth track from In Search of the Antidote (2024), pop singer/songwriter FLETCHER (Cari Fletcher) messed around with a ‘straight’ (possibly bi) girl. “Was I delusional in thinkin’ I could be in your life after all of this? Yup.” In the pre-chorus, she sings, “Now you found someone else to hold you / In all the ways I couldn’t / It hurts, he makes you happier.” Interesting, at least for the listener, not so much for Cari. FLETCHER, Jennifer Decliveo, and Julia Michaels penned “Two Things Can Be True.” Decliveo produced it.

Throughout “Two Things Can Be True,” FLETCHER serves up sickening vocals. The lyrics come directly from the heart. Their ‘relationship’ (or hook ups) are history. FLETCHER’S ex-girlfriend is now with him. Bummer! The chorus perfectly sums up the sentiment – truly, two things can be true!

“Two things can be true

He can love you, baby, and, baby, I can too

Things, they can be true

You can have his body and still think of mine too

You can still call mе up at night

He can still be the lovе of your life

You can ignore me in every room and still miss me

And me too, things can be true

He can love you, baby, and, baby, I can too.”

Ultimately, FLETCHER still has feelings for her on “Two Things Can Be True” – she still wants some sort of relationship. If you are LGBTQ, particularly the ‘L’ or ‘G,’ you have likely fallen for a straight girl or guy. The situation can also be flipped – a straight guy falling for a lesbian, or a heterosexual girl falling for a gay guy. This bop from Cari Fletcher is R-E-L-A-T-A-B-L-E!

Appears in :

FLETCHER, Two Things Can Be True: Beaming with Pride 13 (2025)

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5. Gracie Abrams, “That’s So True”

The Secret of Us (Deluxe) // Grace Abrams / Interscope // 2024

“I could go and read your mind / Think about your dumb face all the time / Living in your glass house, I’m outside.” Matters of the heart, from a post-relationship perspective, shape “That’s So True”, the 15^th track on The Secret of Us (Deluxe). Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Gracie Abrams can easily read her ex-boyfriend based upon being in a relationship with him. Since their union ended, he has moved on, dating a new girl. As for Gracie, she’s still affected by him and the end of them. Does she want him back? Lines like, “You’re an idiot, now I’m sure / Now I’m positive, I should go and warn her” suggest she escaped, and she should be the bigger person and warn his new girl. “That’s So True” is a deluxe cut, but it earned Gracie Abrams her first top 10 hit (number six on the Billboard Hot 100).

Gracie Abrams and Audrey Hobert penned “That’s So True.” Abrams, Aaron Dessner, and Julian Bunetta produced it. “That’s So True” has a nice driving nature, led by the guitar accompaniment. Abrams’ vocals are smooth. Even so, she still brings some ‘edge’ to “That’s So True.” “What’d she do to get you off? (Uh-huh) / Taking down her hair like, oh my God / Taking off your shirt, I did that once / Or twice, uh,” Gracie sings in the colorful second verse, adding, “No, I know, I know I’ll fuck off / But I think I like her, she’s so fun / Wait, I think I hate her, I’m not that evolved.” Word. She shines during the centerpiece, the chorus:

“Ooh, bet you’re thinking, ‘She’s so cool’

Kicking back on your couch, making eyes from across the room

Wait, I think I’ve been there too, ooh.”

Another highlight from “That’s So True” are the rhythmic melodic lines. We don’t wish the pain of a defunct relationship on anyone but Abrams’ expired union, and her efforts to ensure the ‘next woman up’ is aware he’s ‘no good’ (maybe…) is our listening pleasure. “That’s So True” is truly a fine song.

Appears in :

Gracie Abrams, That’s So True: Bangerz N Bopz 12 (2025)

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6. Mark Ronson, “True Blue” (Ft. Angel Olsen)

Late Night Feelings // Sony // 2019

“We were alone, we were to blame / Alive with the same blood in our veins / I never thought to find a way here.” “True Blue” is the 10^th track on Late Night Feelings, the 2019 album by Grammy-winning musician/producer Mark Ronson. On the nearly six-minuter cut, Ronson is assisted by Angel Olsen. The sound of the record masterfully blends pop, retro-pop, and new wave. Ronson produced “True Blue” alongside the Picard Brothers. The guitars have some bite, while the bass line is robust – quite prominent in the mix. Olsen brings some attitude, particularly in the profane chorus:

“Fucking around, I’m falling in love

Saying goodbye ‘cause you’re giving it up

All that you were, all that you lost

Whoever thought it came with a cost?

I ran to you, I ran to you

I ran to you and you know why.”

Matters of the heart run rampant on “True Blue.”

Appears in :

True or False: 5ive Songs No. 43 (2020)

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7. Kacey Musgraves, “Too Good to Be True”

Deeper Well // Interscope / MCA Nashville // 2024

“Made some breakfast, made some love / This is what dreams are made of.” “Too Good to Be True” marks the reflective, second single from Deeper Well, the sixth studio album from Grammy-winning country musician, Kacey Musgraves. “Too Good to Be True” was penned by Musgraves alongside Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk, and Anna Nalick. Musgraves produced the mellow number with Tashian and Fitchuk as well. Initially, this sub-three-minute cut features rhythmic guitar accompaniment. Upon the arrival of the second verse, the instrumentation grows fuller, including an anchoring drum groove and synthesizer. The sound is fabulous but the biggest claim to fame are those signature calm, cool, and collected vocals by Musgraves. The melodies she sings are memorable too. Also, throw in some harmonized vocals at select moments and the listening experience is – wait for it – too good to be true. Thematically, after seeing the worst of love (divorce), Musgraves is opening herself up to love again. “Summer’s gone and you’re still here / For both of us, it’s been a year,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “A tidal wave without a warning.” In the second, she adds, “I’ll admit that I’m in deep / that I don’t know how else to be / And I don’t wanna slow down.” The chorus, of course, is the crème de la crème:

“Please don’t make me regret

Openin’ up that part of myself

That I’ve been scared to give again

Be good to me and I’ll be good to you

But please don’t be too good to be true.”

“Too Good to be True” isn’t a dynamic record, but marks a beautiful, enjoyable, and well-rounded offering.

Appears in :

Bops That Pop: March 2024

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8. Cyndi Lauper, “True Colors”

True Colors // Epic // 1986

“In a world full of people / You can lose sight of it all,” Grammy-winning pop/rock musician Cyndi Lauper sings in the first verse of her classic, “True Colors”. She continues singing, “And the darkness inside you / Can make you feel small.” Of course, there’s good news despite darkness and smallness: the visibility of true colors. “True Colors” is the fourth track from Lauper’s double platinum, 1986 album, True Colors. It spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. Furthermore, it was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2021. That is what you call a rousing success! “True Colors” was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female at the 29^th Annual GRAMMY Awards, deservingly. Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly penned it, while Lauper and Lennie Petze produced it.

“If this world makes you crazy / And you’ve taken all you can bear,” Lauper sings in the second verse, continuing, “You can call me up / Because you know I’ll be there.” What Lauper sees in this individual that others miss is summed up brilliantly in the chorus, the centerpiece:

“But I see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And that’s why I love you

So don’t be afraid to let them show

Your true colors

True colors

Are beautiful like a rainbow.”

Yes, yes, yes! The inspirational, uplifting nature of “True Colors” is one of the reasons it is such a special song. When performing this song, Lauper had a friend, who’d died of AIDS, in mind. “True Colors” is an important song to the LGBTQ+ community – a beloved gay anthem. Musically, it begins with a distinct percussion groove at the beginning. Following the percussion groove, rhythmic guitar and synth (keys) take over. Gradually, percussion returns, first with conga drums and then a fuller, more developed groove. Over the backdrop, Cyndi Lauper delivers lovely, sincere vocals. She is an ally, despite what others see or might think. The magnificence of “True Colors” speaks for itself. Many musicians have covered this classic, including Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake.

Appears in :

Cyndi Lauper, True Colors: Throwback Vibez 23 (2025)

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9. boygenius, “True Blue”

The Album // boygenius / Interscope // 2023

“And it feels good to be known so well / I can’t hide from you like I hide from myself.” Emotional, thought-provoking lyrics from the chorus of a five-minute-long gem “True Blue”, the fourth track from boygenius’ critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated LP, the record. Boygenius is comprised of three gifted singer/songwriters: Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker, and Phoebe Bridgers. Lucy Dacus does the heavy lifting on “True Blue. She sings marvelously from the onset on this guitar-driven record, anchored by a strong drum groove. The vocal harmonies only up the ante. The songwriting is on-point, beginning in the first verse: “You were born in July ’95 / In a deadly heat / You say you’re a winter bitch / But summer’s in your blood / You can’t help but become the sun.” The second verse is intriguing too, including a popular, albeit explicit phrase: “When you don’t know who you are / You fuck around and find out.” In the third verse, Dacus cleverly circles back to heat: “Breakin’ a sweat on your upper lip / And gettin’ pissed about humidity.” So, matters of the heart come into play in the chorus, performed by all three ladies. Extended following the first iteration, boygenius assert, “I remember who I am when I’m with you / Your love is tough, your love is tried and true-blue / blue.” That love is lit, considering it’s true blue, plus, it happens to be the titular lyric. In the bridge, Dacus + Bridgers mention a sole instance of a lover doing them wrong, concluding “Who won the fight? I don’t know / We’re not keeping score.” In other words, it doesn’t matter – their love is stronger than the petty stuff. The goodness of “True Blue” speaks for itself.

Appears in :

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10. Tame Impala, “Is It True”

The Slow Rush // Island // 2020

“She just said, ‘Is it true? Is it true? Tell me now’ / That’s a promise I can’t make and I won’t validate.” Oh, snap! On the ‘groove-tastic’ “Is it True,” love and the future has Kevin Parker feeling nervous. “Was I in some kind of mood? I don’t know, I don’t care / Now I’m sleeping in my room, here I am, back again / She’s in my…” Previously on The Slow Rush, the Tame Impala brainchild preached against the past, and now, it’s the future that’s the issue. “We started talkin’ ‘bout devotion / The kind that goes eternally,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “And I tell her I’m in love with her / But how can I know that I’ll always be?” Deep stuff! There may be some cold feet on his end of things, but “Is it True” keeps The Slow Rush piping hot. Beyond the album, “Is It True” is pretty special too.

Appears in :

True or False: 5ive Songs No. 43 (2020)

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11. PinkPantheress, “True romance”

Heaven Knows // Warner UK // 2023

“Tell me, do you view me the same? / Or do you call me a stranger (Stranger), a stranger (Stranger).” PinkPantheress (Victoria Beverley Walker) needs to know! Why? In the tuneful chorus of “True romance,” the second track from her debut album, Heaven knows, she adds, “Every song is about you (About you), about you (About you) / And everybody’s shoutin’ out your name.” Well, he, whoever he is, is a popular musician. A brief number, “True romance” runs two-and-a-quarter-minutes long. It commences with applause and camera sound effects, signaling the fame of this individual. It features a well-rounded production (PinkPantheress and Greg Kurstin) with rhythm guitar, cooking, infectious drum groove, and fabulous keys. The melody is rhythmic. PinkPantheress delivers cool, calm, and collected vocals. She sings as if she never breaks a sweat. The vocal layers are gorgeous. PinkPantheress ‘fangirls,’ asserting, “I’ve been a fan of you since 2004.” That’s interesting considering she was born in 2001… Gen-Z to the nth degree. In the pre-chorus, beyond tattooing herself to show her fandom, she acknowledges, “But there’s so many girls around you that I’m scared.” Word. Fittingly, in the second verse, requesting to go on tour, she sings, “I told you once before, this is true romance.” Her infatuation runs deep… an understatement. “True romance” may be brief, but it is an enjoyable and entertaining song.

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12. Morgan Wallen, “Hope That’s True”

One Thing at a Time // Big Loud // 2023

“Yeah, I loved you for a minute, but we damn sure different.” Oh, snap! Morgan Wallen and his ex-girlfriend, via “Hope That’s True” (track 11 from One Thing at a Time), have wildly different perspectives. She’s gone, and Wallen concludes the first verse happy about her exit: “But my way looks a whole lot better / With just my truck in the driveway.” “Hope That’s True” was written by Wallen, ERNEST (Ernest Keith Smith), and Charlie Handsome (Ryan Vojtesak). It was produced by Joey Moi. The track features a sweet groove and decadent electric guitar. Morgan Wallen brings ample twang and ample personality, too. See the brief but potent second verse:

“You got drunk one night and told me I was white trash

I was high, but I guess I wasn’t high class

Enough to show up with you on your arm

We were never gonna be two kids on a farm.”

Woo! The melodies are rhythmic throughout. The section to beat is the tuneful chorus, that ends with the titular lyrics:

“And it ain’t that I want you to think

That I hate every single little thing you do

But when you say that I ain’t ever gonna find nobody just like you

I hope that’s true.”

What more needs to be said? #Mic Drop!

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13. Hall & Oates, “You Make My Dreams (Come True)”

Voices // Sony Music Entertainment // 1980

“What I want / You’ve got, and it might be hard to handle / But like a flame that burns the candle / The candle feeds the flame, yeah, yeah.” YEAH! Iconic lyrics right there! Grammy-nominated duo, Hall & Oates – Daryl Hall and John Oates – had a magical career run, PERIOD. Among their most magical songs is the smash, “You Make My Dreams (Come True)”, from their 1980 album, Voices. The infectious, tuneful “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” was penned by Hall, Oates, and Sara Allen, who was previously in a relationship with Hall. Hall and Oates also produced the 1981, no. 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

“You Make My Dreams (Come True)” is a pop song that speaks for itself. No extensive analysis is necessary. The vocals are exuberant – filled with spirit. Something that stands out is how those lead vocals cut through. Beyond cutting leads, the melodies are tuneful from start to finish, with the chorus taking the cake:

“Oh, yeah, well, well, you (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh)

You make my dreams come true

You (You, you, you, ooh-ooh-ooh, you)

Well, well, well, you (Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh)

Oh, yeah, you make my dreams come true

(You, you, you, ooh-ooh-ooh, you).”

Decadent! There is no shortage of personality, captured marvelously by the repeated lyrics, most notably, those oohs! The fun factor propels the eighth track from Voices. Another selling point? The production exemplifies the pop/rock aesthetic of the early 1980s – the guitars, keys, etc. “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” speaks to the greatness of the duo’s heyday and overall legacy.