13 Exceptional, Energetic, Energy Songs | Playlist 🎧

13 Exceptional, Energetic, Energy Songs features music courtesy of Beyoncé, blackbear, Latto, SG Lewis, and The Weeknd.

Prepare to be energized, folks! The energy is f#¢king lit on 🎧 13 Exceptional, Energetic, Energy Songs.  Yes, ENERGY is the keyword but there are exceptions all over the place on this exceptional affair.  How so? Well, this list welcomes synonyms to the word energy, as well as related and similar words.  What I’m saying is, not every title features the word energy explicitly, though all of them reference it.

🎧 13 Exceptional, Energetic, Energy Songs features music courtesy of 🎙 Beyoncé, 🎙 blackbear, 🎙 Latto, 🎙 SG Lewis, and 🎙 The Weeknd among others. Stylistically, this musical compendium is comprised of dance, pop, synthpop, pop-punk, melodic rap, and R&B.  There is no shortage of BDE on this list – woo! So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎧 13 Exceptional, Energetic, Energy Songs!

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1. Latto, “Big Energy”

💿 777 • 🏷 Streamcut / RCA • 📅 2022

“Bad bitch, I could be your fantasy (Yeah) / I can tell you got big dick energy (Uh-huh).” Oh, $hi†! 🎙 Latto! There’s no doubt in the least that there’s ample energy on 🎵 “Big Energy”, a breakout record for the rapper.  Released in 2021, “Big Energy” ultimately appeared on her 2022 album, 💿 777.  So, how much energy did this BDE-heavy track have on the charts? Well, “Big Energy” peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also spent a total of 51 weeks on the chart, which is huge, and we know SIZE MATTERS!

Featuring bold, sexual, and unapologetic lyrics, “Big Energy” has no shortage of personality.  Besides the lyrics (“I’ma bust it on a pole like Onyx (Ooh) / I’m just bein’ honest (Uh-huh) / Pussy juicy, Minute Maid (Oh) / But can’t do it one minute, man (Hell no)”), one thing that also can’t be failed to mention is the samples.  The big inspiration is 🎵 “Genius of Love” courtesy of 🎙 Tom Tom Club.  Also, how about a little 🎙 Mariah Carey featuring 🎙 Ol’ Dirty Bastard with 🎵 “Fantasy (Bad Boy Fantasy)”.  With such awesome ingredients – the lyrics, samples, production, personality, rhymes, and of course, big dick energy – it’s unsurprising that “Big Energy” was the hit and surefire bop.   The chorus, of course, is the BIGGEST attraction, excerpted at the top and seen below in its ROBUST entirety:

“Bad bitch, I could be your fantasy (Yeah)

I can tell you got big dick energy (Uh-huh)

It ain’t too many niggas that can handle me (Yeah)

But I might let you try it off the Hennessy (Uh)

Make ‘em sing to this pussy like a melody (Make ’em sang)

And if your bitch ain’t right, I got the remedy (Ooh)

It ain’t too many niggas that can handle me (Ayy)

Bad bitch, I could be your fantasy (Ayy, ayy).”

Appears in 🔻:

• Latto, “Big Energy”: After Dark 🕛 🌃 83 (2022)
• Energy: 5ive Songs No. 69 (2022)

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2. MOD SUN, “Karma”

💿 Internet Killed the Radio Star • 🏷 New Hippy / Big Noise Music Group • 📅 2021

“I hope you choke on every lie you said to me / I hope you move out of this city suddenly.” Woo! 🎙 MOD SUN (Derek Smith) isn’t playing around in the least on 🎵 “Karma.”  Karma is a similar word to energy, according to Merriam-Webster (a spiritual force that is held to emanate from or give animation to living beings). Dropping a hard-hitting chorus from the onset, he unleashes that karma on this girl.  The simple but highly effective, catchy chorus continues as follows: “I hope you get everything you deserve / Karma’s a bitch, I heard.” Honestly, MOD, that’s what I’ve heard too.

The record is a highlight on MOD SUN’s 2021 album, 💿 Internet Killed the Radio Star.  What a sick, and honestly, accurate assessment if I do say so myself.  “Karma” was penned by Smith alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛 John Feldmann and 🎼 ✍ JP Clark. Feldmann also handles the work behind the boards. As is the case with so many karma songs, Smith is angry, bitter, and honestly, hoping for the worst for his ex.  Essentially, he states his ex, who didn’t appreciate him and felt unhappy with him, is now in a worse situation (“But now you’re stuck inside a world that you hate”).  This record is one that has been written so many times by numerous musicians yet never grows old.

 

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Thrilling Songs About Karma

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3. Beyoncé, “Energy” (Ft. BEAM)

💿 RENAISSANCE • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2022 

In the context of 💿 RENAISSANCE, the long-awaited comeback album by 🏆 highly-decorated pop/R&B artist, 🎙 Beyoncé, there’s a clever segue from the song 🎵 “Cuff It” to 🎵 “Energy.” On the energetic joint, Bey is assisted by 🎙 BEAM.  Despite the fact that the ‘energy’ lasts under two minutes, it’s a vibe, nonetheless.

The production on “Energy” is colorful and ear-catching. Those keys and those synths are potent – sweet, sweet music to the ears. Furthermore, the beat is incredible – it’s giving ENERGY! In regard to vocal performance, both Beam and Beyoncé exhibit plenteous personalities.  Too bad that so much of the energy regarding “Energy” involves wrongly directed anger from 🎙 Kelis towards Beyoncé due to sampling. The sample of Kelis’ 🎵 “Milkshake” was eventually 86’d.  Regardless, the energy is still there!

 

Appears in 🔻:

• Energy: 5ive Songs No. 69 (2022)

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4. Years & Years, “Muscle”

💿 Night Call • 🏷 Polydor • 🗓 2022

“All the lights are focused on you / I can hear applause as your body talks.” Ooh-la-la! Please continue, 🎙 Years & Years aka 🎙 Olly Alexander! “Rumor has it you’re on the loose / What do you adore? / Shall we both explore this fantasy?” On 🎵 “Muscle”, sex is clearly on Alexander’s mind: “Don’t leave me now, stay at the party / I don’t wanna leave without your body.” “Muscle” appears on the deluxe editions of 💿 Night Call, the third studio album by the British synthpop act. Notably, Alexander wrote “Muscle” with 🎼✍ Stephen Wrabel (aka Wrabel) and 🎼✍ Joel Little.  It’s worth noting, muscle is related to the word energy in terms of vigor – active strength of body or mind.

In the chorus, Alexander plays around with the notion of muscles.  Obviously, there’s a male objectification piece, in addition to strength, and perhaps, a different muscle.

“Say you’re gonna pick me up

Never gonna put me down

Are you getting me into trouble?

Look at all that, that muscle

Oh, I wanna take a bite

And I wanna take it now

‘Cause I wanna get into trouble

Look at all that, that, all that muscle.”

Clearly, Olly is enticed by this muscled-up hunk – who wouldn’t be? When providing commentary about the song, Alexander notes gay gym culture and George Michael’s expression of sexual desire as inspiration.  He also mentions wanting “to reference house music but have my fun gay spin on it.” Y&Y successfully achieves the intended effect. As always, Olly Alexander sings superbly and gets a big-time lift from the sleek production work of 🎛 Joel Little.  The only thing that would make “Muscle” better would be a killer music video, filled with buff, muscled dudes, of course 💪 🏋 🌈!

Appears in 🔻:

• Years & Years, “Muscle”: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈 7 (2022)
• 11 Anatomical Songs – To Some Degree º
• Muscle: 3 or 4 BOPS No. 8 (2022)
• 15 M Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

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5. blackbear & The Used, “toxic energy”

💿 in loving memory • 🏷 Alamo • 📅 2022 

“From the moment that I met you / You had powers over me / Shoulda known / I shoulda known / You were toxic energy.” Well, there’s nothing the slightest bit enticing about that 🎵 “toxic energy” that 🎙 blackbear sings about.  The good news is that the record is a bright spot from bear’s 2022 pop-punk album, 💿 in loving memory.  Here, he collaborates with 🎙 Bert McCracken (of The Used).  Matters of the heart fuel the fire, something you can hear as clear as day as blackbear sings in the tuneful chorus.  Honestly, has he ever sounded as smooth as he does here?

After introducing the chorus to us, blackbear drops the first verse, criticizing her toxic energy, of course.  “These white walls and white lines / Remind me of bad times.” I agree – say no to drugs! Bert McCracken sings in the second verse, offering a similar sentiment but a contrasting voice (“Your bitter heart is freezing / Anxiety, thoughts fleeting”). Like blackbear, McCracken sings the chorus before bear handles most of the bridge, highlighted by the lyric, “I think it’s gonna be a while.” The energy may be toxic, but the song is 🔥.

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6. Sofi Tukker, “Energia”

💿 Treehouse • 🏷 Ultra • 📅 2018

🎙 Sofi Tukker (🎙 Sophie Hawley-Weld and 🎙 Tucker Halpern) came out swinging with numerous singles in 2017.  Prior to the release of their proper debut album, 💿 Treehouse (2018), Sophie and Tucker dropped 🎵  “Energia” (“Energy”).  On “Energia,” Hawley-Weld completely sings in Portuguese.

Portuguese lyrics are one of things that make Sofi Tukker unique, keeping things fresh and compelling. According to Hawley-Weld via Coveteur, “I think [Portuguese is]  really sexy and I love the way it sounds in music. I learned the language so that I could sing in it, actually…” Fittingly, the vibe of the track is Latin throughout its course.  That said, there’s still plenty of electronic, dance cues, anchored by the Latin-infused dance beat. Even if you don’t understand a single word that Hawley-Weld is singing, it’s hard to knock the level of energy on this one!

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Energetic, Powerful and or Strong Songs
• Energy: 5ive Songs No. 69 (2022)

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7. The Weeknd, “Gasoline”

💿 Dawn FM • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2022

🏆 Grammy-winning R&B standout 🎙 The Weeknd returned with his fifth studio album, 💿 Dawn FM in 2022. Among the gems from Dawn FM is its first full-length record, 🎵 “Gasoline.” Among the best, cleverest moments from “Gasolines” is the reference to the 90s rock gem, 🎵 “Losing My Religion”: “I’m dozing off to R.E.M. / I’m trying not to lose my faith.” RAD! So, what’s the connection with energy? Well, in this case, the through process is treating gasoline as fuel, which is a direct synonym (something with a usable capacity for doing work).

Notably on “Gasoline,” The Weeknd’s voice sounds odd on verses, intentionally.  This sound is surprising but makes for an intriguing listen to see where he takes it/the song itself. If the effects-laden vocals of the verse feel too off-putting, Abel delivers those beloved, pure tenor pipes in all their glory on the chorus, the undisputed centerpiece.  “Gasoline” explores rough love (“I Wrap my hands around your neck / You love it when I always squeeze”), drugs, and potential death (“And if I finally die in peace / Just wrap my body in these sheets”).  “Gasoline” serves as a fantastic opener.

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8. Alicia Keys, “Wasted Energy” (Ft. Diamond Platnumz)

💿 Alicia • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2020

“Too many times, you turned a blind eye to the way I feel / Oh, you’re the reason why I’m numb…” #WASTED ENERGY!!! On 🎵 “Wasted Energy,” the fourth track from 💿 Alicia (2020), we get a starkly different 🎙 Alicia Keys. How so? Well, in the form of using reggae and R&B.  This isn’t the first time the 🏆 Grammy winner has brought in the music of the islands. That said, “Wasted Energy” is certainly the most overt example.

Keys sounds quite expressive atop the 🎛 P2J production, drops a fitting f-bomb on the vibe-laden chorus:

“Wasted energy

Why did you, why did you fuck up the chemistry?”

Besides expressiveness and potty mouth, Keys also gets a pretty sweet outro from 🎙 Diamond Platnumz. #VIBES

Appears in 🔻:

• Waste: 5ive Songs No. 38 (2021)

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9. The Kid LAROI, “SAME ENERGY”

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

“I can’t believe I ever let you in my life right now.” Oh my! 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper/singer 🎙 The Kid LAROI (Charlton Howard) keeps things brief on 🎵 “Same Energy.”  Regardless of the duration, you can bet that The Kid possesses that energy – greater than the ‘same energy’ to be honest.  There’s no doubt that he’s still in his ‘fuck love’ mode – “Fuck love, I got money on my mind right now” – which is appropriate given the title of his debut mixtape (💿 F*CK LOVE 3).

Given that The Kid LAROI isn’t feeling love in the least, you can bet he doesn’t have nice things to say about his ex.  The sole verse says it all, specifically the first half:

“I can’t believe I used to cry about you (Oh)

I’m doing so much better in my life without you

Bitch, you’re the past, I’ma leave your ass behind, without you (Bye-bye)

My new bitch better than my last, I vouched too.”

Honestly, there’s not much more to say… #Same Energy #Fuck Love!

 

Appears in 🔻:

• Energy: 5ive Songs No. 69 (2022)

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10. SG Lewis, “Vibe Like This” (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign & Lucky Daye)

💿 AudioLust & HigherLove • 🏷 Jasmine Music Limited / PMR • 🗓 2023

“Been around the world, I did / Never felt a vibe like this,” 🎙 Lucky Daye sings in the chorus of 🎵 “Vibe Like This”.  The 🏆 Grammy winner continues, “Might be worth the risk / To make up for the time I missed.” Honestly, listening to this single from 💿 AudioLust & HigherLove, the sophomore album by English DJ, producer, and singer-songwriter 🎙 SG Lewis, I must concur with Daye – about the vibe, that is! Vibe, of course, is related to the spiritual definition of energy (think aura): a spiritual force that is held to emanate from or give animation to living beings. On “Vibe Like This,” Lewis not only tapped Daye for the assist on vocals but also the walking, ultra-versatile vibe himself, 🎙 Ty Dolla $ign. This record is absolutely glorious!

“Vibe Like This” may be best characterized as a pop record.  That said, it’s R&B-infused pop/electronic, considering both Daye and Dolla $ign are known for R&B. This record has love and sex on the brain – that’s the vibe.  Following Daye’s chorus, Ty starts spitting game, including offering her “Crocodile Birkin, I did it for Steve Irwin /Whatever it takes to get you back, girl I’ll put the work in…” Daye echoes $ign’s sentiments in the pre-chorus – “…in your arms wish we could freeze time, I need mine / ‘Cause you’re the only one in here I wanna try” – before delivering that sweet chorus once again, this time with some help from Ty on the back half.  Ty gives us another noteworthy verse, trying to secure the P, if you catch my drift.  Beyond the vocals, theme, and lyrics, what about the production by SG Lewis? “Vibe Like This” is groovy, features a colorful palette of sounds, and easily catches the ear.  The man is a beast behind the boards. All told, SG Lewis, Ty Dolla $ign, and Lucky Daye make a formidable team.  Fancy sufficiently tickled!

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: October 2022

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11. 6 Dogs, “Energy”

🎵 “Energy” • 🏷 6 Dogs • 📅 2020

“Energy, energy, energy / I can’t stand that energy / They hate on me, they hate on me, they hate on me / Probably ‘cause we got that good energy.” In his 2020 single, 🎵 “Energy”, late Atlanta rapper 6 Dogs (Chase Amick) had no shortage of it. In this three-minute banger, 6 Dogs gets some sweet production work from 🎛 Pretty Pacc – in the hardest way possible with those drums! Regardless of how one characterizes it, it’s one of the biggest, ENERGETIC selling points of this single.

Rapping melodically, 6 Dogs uses the backdrop as fuel for the fire. Chase is true to self: incredibly melodic, never gets ‘too high,’ yet still manages gives listeners an interesting, chilled-out listen.  Most of his energy is dripped out, as you might expect: “On my neck is frozen rocks, kinda look like Colorado…” Woo! The chorus is potent:

“Money guap, money guap, money guap

I be counting knots, yeah, I be counting big knots

Money talk, money talk, money talk

Guap got a big mouth, guap like to talk about

Energy, energy, energy

I can’t stand that energy

Money talk, money talk, money talk

My money got a big mouth, my money like to talk a lot.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Energetic, Powerful and or Strong Songs
• Energy: 5ive Songs No. 69 (2022)

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12. Kendrick Lamar, “Rich Spirit”

💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2022

Rapper 🎙 Kodak Black appears thrice on 💿 Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, the 🏆 Grammy-nominated, critically acclaimed 2022 album by 🎙 Kendrick Lamar. 🎵 “Rich – Interlude” marks his second appearance, where he performs the entire sub-two-minute interlude. Notably, he addresses the elephant in the room: “What you doing with Kendrick? / What you doing with a legend?” “Rich –Interlude” precedes 🎵 “Rich Spirit,” among the more spiritual moments from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.  It’s worth noting that the word ‘spirit’ is a synonym for energy (“a spiritual force that is held to emanate from or give animation to living beings”).

“Tryna keep the balance, I’m stayin’ strong.” Kendrick is focused on his mental health and his spiritual well-being.  He says it brilliantly: “Celebrity do not mean integrity, you fool.”  He swears off past demons, replacing those destructive behaviors with spiritually fulfilling experiences: “Can’t fuck with you no more, I’m fastin’.” “Rich Spirit” keeps Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers on fire.

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13. Whitney Houston, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”

 💿 I Look To You • 🏷 Arista • 📅 2009

“I didn’t know my own strength / And I crashed down, and I tumbled, but I did not crumble / I got through all the pain,” the late, great 🎙 Whitney Houston sings on the resilient, uplifting ballad, 🎵 “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”.  She continues singing in the centerpiece, the chorus, “I didn’t know my own strength / Survived my darkest hour, my faith kept me alive / I picked myself back up, hold my head up high / I was not built to break.” Those are truly lovely, inspired words. “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” was penned by one of the greatest songwriters of all time, 🎼 ✍ Diane Warren.  Producer extraordinaire 🎛 David Foster produced this highlight from Houston’s final studio album, 💿 I Look To You. Strength is a synonym to energy in regard to power (the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task).

Despite adversity, Whitney Houston found a way to overcome the obstacles in her life.  Of course, this song doesn’t have to represent the iconic musician – it can represent any and everybody.  We’ve all “had nowhere to turn… nowhere to go” and “Lost sight of [our] dreams,” but that doesn’t mean it was the end or impossible to overcome.  Even if things seem their bleakest, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” speaks about digging deeper – finding strength and a will to make it that we neglected to see before.  When you overcome that hurdle that lies before you, you’ll be able to testify, like Houston, that “I found the light to my life way out of the dark / Found all that I need, here inside of me.” R.I.P Queen!

 

Appears in 🔻:

• Whitney Houston, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 24 (2022)
• Strong: 5ive Songs (2022)

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13 Exceptional, Energetic, Energy Songs [📷: 6 Dogs, Alamo, Arista, Big Noise Music Group, Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Interscope, Jasmine Music Limited, The Musical Hype, New Hippy, PMR, Polydor, RCA, Republic, Streamcut, Ultra, Vlad Chețan]

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