13 Compelling, Totally ‘Super’ Songs | Playlist

13 Compelling, Totally ‘Super’ Songs features music courtesy of Alicia Keys, Daniel Caesar, Dirty Heads, Ed Sheeran, and Lorde.  

“Very superstitious / Writing’s on the wall / Very superstitious / Ladder’s about to fall.” Stevie Wonder certainly had quite the “Superstition” back during his Talking Book days (1972).  As for another R&B artist, the late Rick James, on his 1981 hit “Super Freak” from Street Songs, he proclaimed “She’s a very kinky girl,” ultimately characterizing as – you guessed it – “…A super freak, super freak / She’s super-freaky, yow.”  Moving from the realm of funk, Grammy-winning alternative rock collective Muse proclaimed, “The superstar’s sucked into the supermassive [blackhole]” on “Supermassive Black Hole” (Black Holes and Revelations).

The similarity between all three of the aforementioned songs is the word SUPER.  If you’ve never noticed, there are lots of ‘super’ songs in popular music.  This playlist, 13 Compelling, Totally ‘Super’ Songs, explores just a few of the many super songs recorded throughout history.  Musicians contributing songs to this effort include Alicia Keys (“Super Woman”), Daniel Caesar (“Superposition”), Dirty Heads (“Super Moon”), Ed Sheeran (“Supermarket Flowers”), and Lorde (“Supercut”) among others.

1. Daniel Caesar, “Superposition” (Ft. John Mayer)

CASE STUDY 01 • Golden Child Recordings • 2019

Grammy-winning, Canadian standout, Daniel Caesar had some missteps, socially and culturally, post-Freudian (2017). Regardless, musically-speaking, his 2019 sophomore album, Case Study 01, continued his knack for excellence.  Interestingly, Caesar incorporated science, specifically physics, on a couple of songs, including the song at hand, “Superposition,” featuring John Mayer. True to the title, Caesar bases the record itself on the idea/theory of superposition.  Physics.org gives a good example superposition being exhibited: “When two waves meet, they overlap and interact.  Sometimes they add to make a wave bigger, sometimes they cancel each other out, and often, it’s a combination of both.”

Focusing on the song, Caesar begins references to superposition from the start, where he sings on the first verse, “Isn’t it an irony? / The things that inspire me / they make me bleed / so profusely.” On the chorus, much like the aforementioned “Entropy,” he directly references superposition:

“Exist in superposition
Life’s all about contradiction
Yin and yang
Fluidity and things
I’m me, I’m God
I’m everything
I’m my own reason why I sing
And so, are you, are you understanding?”

“Superposition” previously appeared on the playlist, 13 Totally Captivating Songs That Reference Science.

2. Logic, “Supermarket”

Supermarket (Soundtrack) • Def Jam • 2019

“I’ve got a heavy heart and a lot on my mind / But, beautiful girl, you’re one of a kind / I’m not a stalker, but I go shopping / More than I need to, just to see you…” Okay… Grammy-nominated rapper Logic shocked the world by releasing a pop/rock-infused LP, Supermarket, which serves as the soundtrack to his debut novel.  The results, as expected, were suspect AF – just keeping it 100. Rightfully, Anthony Fantano (theneedledrop) dubbed Supermarket (Soundtrack) ‘not good’. Still, since Logic is detailing a building, and this playlist is about building, well, we included the title track on this playlist.

“Dance with me in this department / Inside of this supermarket, baby…” The energy of “Supermarket,” specifically on the aforementioned chorus, is a selling point.  The harmonic progression is another win for Logic, and honestly, he should take the “W’s” where he can on Supermarket.  The style is an ill fit for the rapper, much like it was for Lil Wayne on Rebirth back in 2009 – that was a train wreck. ‘Course, so is Supermarket…

“Supermarket” previously appeared on the playlist, 13 Songs About Buildings, Real or Imagined.

3. Dirty Heads, “Super Moon”

Super Moon • Five Seven Music • 2019

Eight words: “I am a stranger from a super moon.” Yes, that’s exactly what alternative collective Dirty Heads (Dustin Bushnell, Jared Watson, Jon Olazabal, Matt Ochoa, and David Foral) assert on “Super Moon,” the opener from their seventh studio album, also titled Super Moon.  Prior to “Super Moon,”  Dirty Heads have appeared on a couple of playlists, specifically with songs “God Damn Liar” (11 Secular Songs That Make Reference to God), “Diamonds & Pearls” (11 Songs Focused on Diamonds), and “Cloudlifter” (13 High-Flying Songs About Clouds), which also appears on the album, Super Moon.

“So, get the hell out of my dojo if you don’t know that I’m loco / I’m stepping on these beetles with my bare feet, Yoko Ono.” Clever, right? Right! “Super Moon” clocks in at a respectable three-and-a-half-minute duration.  From the onset, the groove is lit, the expectation of a reggae-infused alternative collective. The overall production is lit as well, with its active bass line, soulful horns, and sounds like a fluty sounding mellotron.  Adding to the ‘lit’ nature of the title track (might as well stick with it, right?) are compelling flows and rhymes, such as the aforementioned lyric from the first verse.  Adding to the ‘western’ vibe of “Super Moon” are the following lines from the second verse:

“See sees it, I’m facetious, sweeter than some bumblebee shit
There’s a reason I can be the greatest, I believe it
I’m hearing thunder on the range
A coyote with the mange do peyote in the rain and I’m out.”

4. Ansel Elgort, “Supernova”

Supernova [Single] • Island • 2018

“I’ve been waking up drenched in sweat / All my dreams, full of my regret / I keep hearing what my mother said / Eyes are open, all I see is red.” Clearly, Julian Daniel wasn’t the only musician on this list writing about supernovas. Actor-musician Ansel Elgort shined a year earlier on the enjoyable, pop single, “Supernova”.  There’s plenty to ‘sink your teeth into,’ starting with the sleek, modern production work, exemplifying the urban-pop sound.  The trap percussion coupled with minor key synths adds a ‘desirable toughness’ – an ‘explosion’ of sound if you will.

Elgort matches this toughness with emotional, expressive, and honest vocals and lyrics. He gets a hair ‘salty’ on the second verse.

“I’ve been, I’ve been so fucked in my head
I’ve been going through phases, I’m just going through phases
Don’t know what this craze is
When’s the last time someone said shit?
Walking through your mazes
When’s the last time someone meant it?”

 All of that’s lovely, but where does the explicit reference to the supernova occur? That would be on the chorus.  In this case, the supernova is Ansel’s heart:

“I met you in California
You told me you loved him in Georgia
Your heart’s in the ground, frozen over
My heart’s in the sky, supernova.”

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

5. SZA, “Supermodel”

Ctrl • RCA • 2017

“Supermodel” commences Ctrl, the 2017 Grammy-nominated debut album by R&B standout SZA, with an intro, centered around the idea of ‘control.’ These spoken word interludes are embedded throughout Ctrl.  SZA proceeds to sing feistily with attitude, in a distinct tone of voice – she’s undoubtedly pissed off.  She approaches “Supermodel” as a letter, informing him she’s taking control and leaving.

SZA plays the role of an angry, heartbroken, woman scorned exceptionally well.  The chorus is the centerpiece:

“I could be your supermodel if you believe
If you see it in me, see it in me, see it in me
I don’t see myself
Why I can’t stay alone just by myself
Wish I was comfortable just with myself
But I need you, but I need you, but I need you.”

6.Tiny Meat Gang, “Super Xan”

Bangers & Ass • Tiny Meat Gang • 2017

“Before I Goku / Fuck this white pill and go super Xan…” Oh geez. First things first. You should never take anybody whose name is Tiny Meat Gang seriously.  If you’ve kept up with comedians (and members of the duo) Cody Ko and Noel Miller, you already understand this. If not, watch the YouTube videos where they absolutely destroy folks with their reactions.  Anyways, if you come into “Super Xan” looking for any semblance of seriousness, well you’re totally ‘barking up the wrong tree.’

“Ay, I put my Xan in my other Xan / Then put that Xan in another Xan / And then just keep going / Until I get a big-ass Xan…” That’s the shit that Noel Miller serves up, and that’s only the intro of this two-and-a-half-minute ludicrous AF song.  Miller continues to spit absolute ridiculousness on the first verse, which closes out with “Four Gucci belts on my waist / Can’t even hold up my pants / I’m ‘boutta fuck all these Xans / I’m ‘boutta fuck all these Xans.”  We haven’t even mentioned his partner in crime, Cody Ko, who goes H.A.M. on the second verse – contextually:

“Speaking of Xans, I got hella Xans
Xans in my cargo shorts, Xans in my minivan
High five your bitch with both hands and take a handful of Xans
Bitch, I pop bands, I take a hundred Xans and I’m a Harry Stan.”

Oh brother! His best line may come on the outro: “I don’t even know what Xanax is / Ahahahaha!” “Super Xan” previously appeared on the playlist, 10 Songs Fueled by Xanax.

7. Ed Sheeran, “Supermarket Flowers”

÷ (Divide) • Atlantic • 2017

“I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill / I threw the day-old tea from the cup / Packed up the phot album Matthew had made / Memories of a life that’s been loved.” Ed Sheeran returned with his highly-anticipated third album, ÷ in 2017. All in all, the Grammy-winning English pop singer/songwriter remained consistent. In the process, Sheeran would add new gems to his already solid musical collection, including “Castle on the Hill”, “Shape of You”, “Perfect”, and “How Would You Feel (Paean)”.  While not the first song that comes to mind when referencing the crème de la crème of ÷, the song at hand, “Supermarket Flowers,” is noteworthy.

“Oh, I’m in pieces, it’s tearing me up, but I know / A heart that’s broke is a heart that’s been loved.” “Supermarket Flowers” concludes the standard edition of ÷, and is comparable to the moving “Afire Love” from his 2014 album, x.  The subject of “Afire Love” was Sheeran’s grandfather, while Sheeran shifts the focus on “Supermarket Flowers” to his late grandmother.

“So, I’ll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I feel down, you’d be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
When God takes you back
He’ll say, ‘Hallelujah, you’re home.’”

“Supermarket Flowers” previously appeared on the playlist, 13 Amazing Songs About Flowers.

8. Lorde, “Supercut”

Melodrama • Universal Music • 2017

When Grammy-winning alternative pop artist Lorde released Melodrama, she delivered one of the very best albums of 2017.  It wasn’t the least bit surprising that Melodrama was nominated for Album of the Year.  What was surprising was the fact that that was the only Grammy nomination that the “Royals” singer earned and of course, ultimately, lost to Bruno Mars (24K Magic).  Nonetheless, a ‘super’ artist like Lorde bestows upon us a ‘super’ song, “Supercut,” which ended up being a single from Melodrama.

“In my head, I play a supercut of. Us / All the magic we gave off / All the love we had and lost / And in my head / The visions never stop…” In the context of Melodrama, “Supercut” increases the tempo, restoring groove (and fun) back to Melodrama. Lorde continues to relive a wild relationship through a supercut, a compilation of a large number of video clips, typically showing examples of a repeated or clichéd action or phrase in films or broadcasts.  Essentially, the relationship seems to be overvalued – shallower and less glamorous than it is viewed from the participants’ perspective.

“But it’s just a supercut of us
Supercut of us
Oh, it’s just a supercut of us
Supercut of us.”

9. Jake Miller, “Superhuman”

Overnight (EP) • Warner Bros. • 2016

“I wish I was superhuman, I wish I was ten feet tall / I wanna be cold like you / When you act so cool and you don’t care at all…” “Superhuman,” a song that appears on Overnight, the 2016 EP by pop musician Jake Miller, initiates with mean sounding synths as well as ‘the bomb’ (“Fucking with the rules of gravity”).

Despite flirtations with a minor key and toughness, “Superhuman” is relatively light.  Addressing the escapism (that’s what we’re here for, right?), Miller looks to transcend merely being a mortal. It’s far-fetched, but that’s the beauty of escapism. Furthermore, the song is quite enjoyable. He relates his desired ‘superhuman’ qualities to love, a prevalent theme on the EP Overnight.

“I wish I was superhuman, I wanna have strength like God
I wouldn’t feel no heartbreak
I would kiss that pain so it don’t hurt at all.”

“Superhuman” previously appeared on the playlist, 13 Songs That Feature Elements of Escapism.

10. Beyoncé, “Superpower” (Ft. Frank Ocean)

BEYONCÉ • Sony • 2013

One of the biggest records to arrive in 2013 was BEYONCÉ, the ‘visual album’ by Grammy-winning R&B superstar Beyoncé.  Yes, Bey had long established her brand by 2013 as a member of Destiny’s Child and her own solo albums, but BEYONCÉ marked the boldest album of her career to date.  The hits were abundant, with “Drunk in Love” and “Partition” among the crème de la crème.  Speaking to the quality of BEYONCÉ, a well-rounded number like “Superpower” didn’t get the same buzz despite being another marvelous part of the album.

“When the palm of my two hands hold each other / That feels different / From when your hands are in mine / That’ just the way it is… / I guess I didn’t see myself before you…” “Superpower” features fellow Grammy-winner Frank Ocean on a truly compelling duet.  Very modern sounding (Pharrell Williams and BOOTS handle production duties), this compound-duple meter ballad makes fine use of vocal sounds as part of the production background.  The result is one of the most interesting backdrops of the album.  In regard to having a superpower, well, Yoncé and Ocean decide “…Nothing I know can break us down / they can’t break us down.”  So, love is indeed an unbreakable superpower.

11. Frank Ocean, “Super Rich Kids” (Ft. Earl Sweatshirt)

Channel Orange • Def Jam • 2012

“Too many bottles of this wine we can’t pronounce / Too many bowls of that green, no Lucky Charms… / Super rich kids with nothing but loose ends/ Super rich kids with nothing but fake Friends…” Rightfully, “Thinkin Bout You” is the most ‘prized’ song from the amazing, Grammy-winning, Frank Ocean debut, Channel Orange. But there are many awesome songs that add to the allure of the project, including “Super Rich Kids” which essentially narrativizes ‘rich-people problems’ (money can’t buy happiness, etc.) and the infamous ‘first-world problems.’

You could say that Ocean dabbles in the plight of affluenza. Besides the theme, the production shines, embracing throwback, soul cues, Earl Sweatshirt offers a unique flow and rhymes, and most of all, Frank Ocean sounds gorgeous, particularly when his voice is layered and harmonized. Who can’t get rich listening to this?  “Super Rich Kids” previously appeared on the playlist 9 Songs That Thrive Off Being ‘Rich’.

12. Nicki Minaj, “Super Bass”

Pink Friday • Cash Money • 2010

“Boy, you got my heartbeat running away / Beating like a drum and it’s coming your way / Can’t you hear that boom, ba-doom, boom, boom, ba-doom, boom, bass?”  Nicki Minaj had ample success with her 2010 debut album, Pink Friday.  There was no shortage of hits, with the biggest being the bright, pop-rap smash “Super Bass.” “Super Bass” finds Minaj showing off her singing and rapping prowess.

“When he make it drip, drip, kiss him on the lip, lip.” Fo sho! On the first verse, Nicki Minaj is fired-up from the get-go.  The tempo is quick, the rhymes are potent, and the energy is ‘out of this world.’  She’s equally ‘on’ on the second verse, asserting at one point, “Excuse me, you’re a hell of a guy / You know, I really have a thing for American gusy / I mean, sigh, sickenin’ eyes / I can tell that you’re in touch with your feminine side.”  Of course, it is the chorus, excerpted at the beginning of this blurb, that is the main attraction.  The pre-chorus is also pretty sweet, with Nicki asserting:

“Yes, I did, yes, I did
Somebody please tell him who the eff I is
I am Nicki Minaj, I mack them dudes up, back coupes up, and chuck the deuce up.”

13. Alicia Keys, “Superwoman”

As I Am • Sony Music Entertainment • 2007

“I hang my head from sorrow, slave to humanity / I wear it on my shoulders, gotta find the strength in me.” There’s nothing like a great female empowerment song. Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Alicia Keys served up a brilliant one from her third studio album, As I Am (2007) with “Superwoman.”  Fittingly, Keys earned the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 51^st Annual Grammy Awards the superb, uplifting cut, a year after the biggest song from As I Am, “No One,” earned two Grammys.

On the second verse, Alicia Keys makes her dedication more crystal clear, proclaiming “(And this is for) / For all the mothers fighting / For better days to come.” Later, she adds, “And all my sisters coming together / Say ‘Yes, I will,’ and ‘Yes, I can.” The centerpiece, however, is the chorus, where Keys proudly proclaims:

“‘Cause I am a superwoman
Yes I am (Yes she is)
Still when I’m a mess
I still put on a vest
With an ‘S’ on my chest
Oh, yes, I’m a superwoman.”

“13 Compelling, Totally ‘Super’ Songs” [Photo Credits: Atlantic, Cash Money, Def Jam, Five Seven Music, Golden Child Recordings, Island, Pixabay, RCA, Sony, Tiny Meat Gang, Universal Music, Warner Bros.]