13 Ill Songs with 🎶 MUSIC 🎶 in the Title | Playlist 🎧

13 Ill Songs with 🎶 MUSIC 🎶 in the Title features MUSIC songs courtesy of Harry Styles, Hozier, Lana Del Rey, Prince, Rihanna, and Yarbrough & Peoples. 

Music is a big deal on The Musical Hype.  That’s what we do, baby! However, believe it or not, more than eight years into its existence, The Musical Hype has yet to publish a music-themed playlist 🤯. Say what? WTF you mean? I mean, the word 🎶 MUSIC 🎶 hasn’t been the keyword driving any of our playlists until now with the arrival of 13 Ill Songs with 🎶 MUSIC 🎶 in the Title.  The premise is simple – the word MUSIC must be used in the song title. 13 Ill Songs with 🎶 MUSIC 🎶 in the Title features 🎶 MUSIC 🎶  songs courtesy of Harry Styles, Hozier, Lana Del Rey, Prince, Rihanna, and Yarbrough & Peoples. So, without further ado, enjoy the highly MUSIC experience that is 13 Ill Songs with 🎶 MUSIC 🎶 in the Title!

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1. Yarbrough & Peoples, “Don’t Stop the Music”

2. Jake Shears, “Too Much Music”

3. Rihanna, “Don’t Stop the Music”

4. Harry Styles, “Music for a Sushi Restaurant”

5 .Leela James, “Music”

6. Colm R. McGuinness, “Music of the Night”

7. Lana Del Rey, “Music to Watch Boys To”  

8. Prince, “Musicology”

9. Hozier, “Almost (Sweet Music)”

10. *NSYNC & Gloria Estefan, “Music of My Heart”

11. Rick Ross, “Mafia Music”

12. Wild Cherry, “Play That Funky Music”

13. Arthur Conley, “Sweet Soul Music”

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1. Yarbrough & Peoples, “Don’t Stop the Music”

The Two of Us // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1980

“Don’t you know you’ve got me mesmerized / Wit the beat I always fantasize / Don’t stop the music cause it tends to soothe / I can tell you want to groove.” Ooh-wee! Yarbrough & Peoples – Calvin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples – delivered a surefire vibe in 1980.  That surefire vibe as “Don’t Stop The Music”, the opening track from their album, The Two of Us.  “Don’t Stop The Music” was the sole top-40 hit by the funk duo.  It performed superbly well on the pop charts, peaking at no. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The fun, irresistible joint was written by Peoples alongside producers Jonah Ellis and Lonnie Simmons.

So, what makes “Don’t Stop The Music” a surefire vibe? The instrumental is EVERYTHING. The picturesque sounds and effects make this song.  Scintillating synths, funked-out riffs, and a marvelous, rhythmic synth bass line excel.  The groove = I-N-F-E-C-T-I-O-U-S! Body movement is inescapable while listening to this.  Given all the ear candy from the instrumental, it’s unsurprising that “Don’t Stop The Music” is often sampled. Of course, it’s not only the instrumental that shines. Calvin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples ‘bring the heat’ with their vocals.  Yarbrough secures the song’s excellence with the chorus,  “Don’t you stop it, don’t you stop / Don’t stop the music,” repeated throughout the song.  As for Peoples, she has her fair share of highlights.  One of her most memorable moments comes when she sings, “I just wanna rock you (Oh, baby) / All night long (To my love song).” The power of music and dancing are the big takeaways.  “I can tell you wanna boogie.” Indeed, Yarbrough & Peoples.  The duo still has us dancing something fierce to “Don’t Stop The Music”.

Appears in 🔻:

• Yarbrough & Peoples, Don’t Stop The Music: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 92 (2024)

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2. Jake Shears, “Too Much Music”

Last Man Dancing // Boys Keep Swinging / Mute Artists Ltd. //  2023   

“There can never been too much music.” Amen, Jake Shears (Jake Sellards), you handsome, talented man, you! The former, Scissor Sisters frontman returned with his sophomore album, Last Man Dancing, in 2023. Leading the charge was his infectious promo single, “Too Much Music”. The production (Ryland Blackinton and Vaughn Oliver) is exuberant and spirited, perfectly suiting the voice and personality of Shears.  That beat instantly makes you want to get that disco finger up and hit the dance floor.  Shears penned “Too Much Music” alongside Blackinton, Oliver, and Dominic Thomas.  There are plenty of fun, noteworthy lyrics such as, “Oh, I feel the sweetest salvation / Flowing through this heart of mine / I see the blooms of a budding spring / Your love, it makes me get up and sing.” Awe-inspiring! Shears informs us, we’ve arrived, baby – Let the music take control!   

Appears in 🔻:  

• Awesome Songs: February 2023
• Best LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 Songs of 2023 (so far)
• 15 Songs That Highlight the Power of TOO (2024) 

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3. Rihanna, “Don’t Stop the Music”

Good Girl Gone Bad // The Island Def Jam Music Group // 2007 

Five words: “Please don’t stop the music.” 2007 was a huge year for Rihanna.  That statement is an understatement. The biggest album of her career, Good Girl Gone Bad arrived.  The album featured a crown jewel, a diamond-certified single, “Umbrella”, as well as several multi-platinum songs. The sextuple platinum “Don’t Stop The Music” peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2008 (it debuted in December 2007). The StarGate-produced gem received a lift from a famous sample: “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” by the late, great Michael Jackson. Specifically, beloved lyrics “Mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa” (forgive the spelling) earned RiRi and MJ a lawsuit from Cameroonian musician, Manu Dibango. It is one of the most memorable parts of this dance-pop gem, and MJ’s classic too.

 

The chorus of “Don’t Stop The Music” is infectious to the nth degree:

“I wanna take you away

Let’s escape into the music, DJ, let it play

I just can’t refuse it

Like the way you do this, keep on rockin’ to it

Please don’t stop the, please don’t stop the music.”

Yeah, more like HELL YEAH! DON’T STOP THAT MUSIC! Thematically, “Don’t Stop The Music” is focused on the dancing… and taking it beyond the dancefloor (“What goes on between us, no one has to know / This is a private show, oh”). Ooh-wee! The ‘beyond’ the dancing is kept suggestive – no bad language or explicitness to be found here.  After all, Good Girl Gone Bad arrived before Rihanna would become edgier with her Rated R phase. To this day, “Don’t Stop The Music” is a dance-pop/contemporary R&B banger that kicks ass and takes names. Keep that music going!

Appears in 🔻:

• Rihanna, Don’t Stop the Music: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 50 (2024)

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4. Harry Styles, “Music for a Sushi Restaurant”

Harry’s House // Erskine / Columbia // 2022

“Green eyes, fried rice, I could cook an egg on you.” Um, okay! “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” commences Harry’s House, the third studio album by Grammy-winning pop musician Harry Styles, in groovy fashion.  “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” is nothing short of an exuberant, electrifying start.  So, what makes “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” the cat’s meow??? The production by Tyler Johnson and Kid Harpoon is a big deal. It stands out with its infectious beat, bass line, rhythm guitar, harmonized backing vocals, and horns. The ear candy is legit, finding Styles fusing multiple music genres, all of which hearken back to the past.  Instantly, the record serves as a contrast to songs he’s personally released in the past.  For part of the verses, Styles sings coolly, in an undertone.  He grows more overt, but never forces things – he barely breaks a sweat.  He doesn’t need to – “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” speaks for itself and tickles the hell out of my fancy… or something like that! 

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: May 2022

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5. Leela James, “Music”

A Change is Gonna Come // Warner // 2005

From the beginning of her career, the beautiful and gifted Leela James had an uphill battle. Her voice is a mighty weapon – cutting, gritty, and oozing with soul.  In 2005, when A Change is Gonna Come arrived, the album sounded like it could have been released in the late 1960s or 70s.  The retro-soul, old-school vibes made the project special. That said, A Change is Gonna Come was a debut album unlikely to ignite the pop charts or contemporary R&B charts on fire. That didn’t seem to faze James, who celebrated and hearkened to that old-school music on the single, “Music.” James references her favorite musicians (primarily soul) including Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, and Donny Hathaway.  She laments in the chorus: “Where did the soul go? / It’s all about the video / We don’t sing no more (no more) / Where’s the music gone?” The good news for James is, that even if the ‘singers’ she cites don’t exist, she matches and revives that aesthetic and energy.  The songwriting is reminiscent, while the accompanying instrumental superbly captures the earthy and lush old-school sound – those Avila Brothers (Bobby Ross Avila and Iz Avila) are RIGHT! “Music” didn’t move the needle on the dominant sound in 2005 but, it gave us soul enthusiasts a gem from a talented artist to sink our teeth into. In 2022, James earned her first gold single (“Fall For You”).

 

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6. Colm R. McGuinness, “Music of the Night

“The Music Of The Night” // Colm R. McGuinness // 2023

“Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation / Darkness stirs and wakes imagination.” Those lyrics hail from “The Music Of the Night”, one of the preeminent songs from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway musical, The Phantom of the Opera.  Originally, Michael Crawford performed this mesmerizing ballad, playing the iconic role of The Phantom.  In the 2004 movie, it was Gerard Butler who took the reins. Now, in 2023, simply covering “The Music of the Night,” is the talented, Irish musician, Colm R. McGuinness.  He doesn’t disappoint. McGuinness, who is also a violinist and composer, has a magnificent voice – an understatement. He delivers an expressive, nuanced performance of “The Music of the Night” that makes the listener believe he could’ve originally performed it.  His technique is flawless – a professional through and through.  He never over-sings or over-dramatizes, providing balance and poise. He pulls back and ups the ante when it feels natural. Colm is also supported by a lushly orchestrated backdrop, which retains the warmth, spirit, and most importantly, the sanctity of the original.  Sure, the Michael Crawford take earns definitive honors, but Colm R. McGuinness shines on “The Music Of the Night”, PERIOD 💪.  

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7. Lana Del Rey, “Music to Watch Boys To”

Honeymoon// Polydor Ltd. // 2015

“(I like you a lot) / Putting on my music while I’m watching the boys /… Play ‘em like guitars only one of my toys / No holds barred, I was sent to destroy, yeah.” Those are fascinating lyrics. “Music To Watch Boys To” is the second track from Honeymoon, the 2015 album by alternative pop singer/singer Lana Del Rey. In “Music To Watch Boys To,” Del Rey is listening to (and recording) music as she watches men. The title explains that much. However, those men also exit her life.  The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter doesn’t cover it up either: “I, I see you’re going / So I play my music, watch you leave.” Music is therapeutic for loss, which she’s not going to sweat over. These losses are recurrent.  Even so, being single is not her cup of tea: “Velveteen and living single / It never felt that right for me / I know what only the girls know / Lies can buy eternity.” Word. “Music To Watch Boys To” is a ‘tried-and-true’ Lana Del Rey performance and song. It’s dark and dramatic, the lyrics are engaging, and the aesthetic – the vibe – is marvelous. She penned “Music To Watch Boys To” alongside Rick Nowels. Del Rey and Nowels produced with Kieron Menzies.

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8. Prince, “Musicology”

Musicology // NPG / Legacy Recordings // 2004 

“Heard about the party now / Just east of Harlem / Doug E’s going to be there / But you got to call him.” Woo! According to the American Musicological Society, “the word musicology literally means ‘the study of music,’ encompassing all aspects of music in all cultures and all historical periods.” Notably, a music major can earn degrees, including a PhD, in musicology. In “Musicology”, the opener from the 2004 Prince LP (also titled Musicology), The Purple One takes us on a funky musical trip. His voice sounds awesome – reenergized for one of his best songs and one of his best albums of his later career. “Musicology” reflects on music with that “it” factor from the past – the stuff that sticks with us.

The second verse is a prime example of reminiscing:

“Wish I had a dollar

For every time they say

Don’t you miss the feeling music gave you

Back in the day?

Let’s Groove, ‘September’

Earth, Wind and Fire

‘Hot Pants’ by James

Sly is gonna take you higher.”

Prince not only wows with his distinct and expressive voice, but he also commands with a big personality.  You buy what he’s selling about “Kick the old school joint / For the true funk soldiers” as well as the memorable interlude: “Get back! Move, get back! Don’t you touch my stereo, these are my records!” Quirky, “Musicology” is perfectly suited to Prince, an adventurous and fearless musician.  The ending, with a breakdown section and outro is EVERYTHING.

Appears in 🔻:

• Prince, Musicology: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 50 (2024) 

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9. Hozier, “Almost (Sweet Music)”

Wasteland, Baby! // Columbia // 2019

“Played from the bedside / Is ‘Stella by Starlight’ / ‘That Was My Heart’… / The drums that start off ‘Night and Day.’” That’s several different songs referenced, to say the least on “Almost (Sweet Music)”, one of the highlights from Wasteland, Baby!, the sophomore album by Irish singer/songwriter, Hozier. Notably, Hozier references jazz icons like Duke Ellington, Chet Baker, and later, John Coltrane (“The very thought of you and am I blue / A Love Supreme seems far removed”). Like many songs by the Grammy-nominated musician, there’s plenty to adore.  First and foremost are his distinct, powerful vocals. The production and sound are another selling point, with an incredible instrumental palette including guitar, piano, various percussion, and organ courtesy of Booker T – #ICONIC.  This backdrop superbly fuels the singer/songwriter’s fire. Of course, the songwriting is arguably the most awesome thing, particularly the catchy chorus.

“I wouldn’t know where to start 

Sweet music playing in the dark 

Be still, my foolish heart 

Don’t ruin this on me.”  

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 2 (2023)

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10. *NSYNC & Gloria Estefan, “Music of My Heart”

Greatest Hits // Zomba Recording LLC // 2005

“You taught me to run  / You taught me to fly / Help me to free the ‘me’ inside / Helped me hear the music of my heart / Helped me hear the music of my heart.” Woo! Diane Warren excels at writing meaningful and memorable songs. Amazingly, her Academy Award remains elusive 😡.  She penned an inspirational and uplifting record for boy band extraordinaire, *NSYNC, and Grammy-winning Latin-pop standout, Gloria Estefan.  Many songs recorded by *NSYNC were drizzled in schmaltz – bubblegum pop ran rampant in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  However, “Music of My Heart” ‘hits different.’ The featured single from the movie Music of My Heart peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold.

 

*NSYNC and Gloria Estefan show appreciation for those who have helped and influenced them.  In the first verse, a young Justin Timberlake proclaims, “You’ll never know / What you’ve done for me / What your faith in me / Has done for my soul.” His partner in crime, JC Chasez adds, “You made me hope for something better / And made me reach for something more.” In the second, Estefan acknowledges, “You were the one / Always on my side / Always standing by / Seein’ me through.” In that same verse, Gloria gets responses from JT, JC, and *NSYNC. The crowning achievement is the chorus which is tuneful and authentically pays ode.  Also, making “Music of My Heart” sublime is the lush introduction, warm vocal harmonies, a contrasting bridge, and the key change that further elevates the energy and intensity.  “Music of My Heart” was nominated for two Grammys (Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media) at the 42^nd Annual GRAMMY Awards. Diane Warre was nominated for Best Original Song for a fifth time… and earned a fifth loss. 

Appears in 🔻:

• *NSYNC & Gloria Estefan, Music of My Heart: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 56 (2023)

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11. Rick Ross, “Mafia Music”

Deeper Than Rap // Def Jam // 2009

Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross made a bold assertion about the top in his song, “Mafia Music”: “The rumors turn me on, I’m masturbatin’ at the top / These hoes so excited, so they catchin’ every drop.” Deeper Than Rap, indeed, Rick. This is one of my favorite lyrics from Ross. “Mafia Music” is a badass way to commence his third studio album released in 2009. In the lyric, Ross uses masturbation as a means of touting his status in the rap game. While we assume the hoes he speaks of are female, drinking his “sweet semen”, we know that Ross has a sizable male following too. I dunno, is this a case of “No Homo” or does he care that his male following is “catchin’ every drop” too? Over-analysis, of course, and the greatness of the hook-less “Mafia Music,” sleekly produced by The Inkredibles and Lee Major isn’t solely shaped by a skeet reference.

Appears in 🔻:

• 17 Songs Featuring Self-Pleasure Lyrics (2022) 

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12. Wild Cherry, “Play That Funky Music”

Wild Cherry // Sony // 1976 

1976 delivered a surefire gem that still holds up to this day. Former no. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry is five minutes of sheer glory. The key lyric highlights the race of the band: “Play that funky music, white boy / Play the funky music right.” Yes, Wild Cherry, is a white rock band playing disco, funk, and R&B, two styles associated with black musicians.  It worked out well for them. According to an American Songwriter article, the band had to embrace disco out of necessity (“Rock clubs were closing down and discos were opening up”).   

 “Once I was a boogie singer  

Playing in a rock and roll band  

… And I decided quickly, yes, I did  

To disco down and check out the show.”     

Everything about “Play That Funky Music” is fun, period.  The infectious groove demands that you move your body – it’s funky AF. The riffs from these white boys kick serious ass from the rhythmic guitar, looped, robust bass line, and the accented horns (especially baritone sax).  As for the vocals (Rob Parissi), they are laden with personality; I love the playfulness of the performance, particularly on the chorus.  Before the chorus, the pre-chorus is memorable as well: “Yeah, they were dancing and singing  / And moving to the grooving / And just when it hit me / Somebody turned around and shouted…”  Also, shout out the killer guitar solo. Wild Cherry had to tweak their style to survive, and it gave them the biggest hit of their career. “Play That Funky Music” gave them that once-in-a-lifetime, special hit.  The band even earned two Grammy nominations, which is rad.   

 

Appears in 🔻:  

• Wild Cherry, Play That Funky Music: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 13 (2021)
• Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 2 (2023) 

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13. Arthur Conley, “Sweet Soul Music”

Sweet Soul Music // Warner Music Group – X5 Music Group // 1967

“Do you like good music? / Huh, that sweet soul music / Just as long as it’s swingin’ / Oh yeah, oh yeah.” “Sweet Soul Music” marked the first and biggest hit by soul musician and Otis Redding protégé, Arthur Conley (1946 – 2003). How big was this ode to soul music? Well, the opener from his 1967 album, Sweet Soul Music, peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Epic! 

“Sweet Soul Music,” penned by Conley, Redding, and Sam Cooke would be the sole top-10 pop cut for Conley.  Notably, Cooke was deceased by the time “Sweet Soul Music” arrived (he died in 1964).  Cooke gets a writing credit thanks to a prominent interpolation of his song,  “Yeah Man” (“Do you like good music? / Crazy ‘bout music / Any old music / Yeah, yeah”).    

“Sweet Soul Music” is the ultimate tribute.  Arthur Conley encourages dancing to the music – “Ah, going to a go-go.”  He also spotlights marvelous musicians – Lou Rawls, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding (of course), and James Brown – and in some cases, their respective, groundbreaking songs.  A prime example: “Spotlight on Sam and Dave, y’all / Ah, don’t they look great, y’all / Singing, ‘Hold On I’m Coming’ / Oh yeah, oh yeah.” Oh yeah, indeed! There’s no way you listen to the vintage “Sweet Soul Music” and you don’t appreciate the great music that precedes, as well as the greatness of the song itself. “Sweet Soul Music” is one of the giant soul songs of the 1960s, period.

Appears in 🔻:   

• Arthur Conley, Sweet Soul Music: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 196 (2023) 
• 11 Songs That Are Incredibly Sweet, Vol. 3 (2024) 

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13 Ill Songs with 🎶 MUSIC 🎶 in the Title (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Boys Keep Swinging, Colm R. McGuinness, Columbia, Def Jam, Erskin, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Legacy Recordings, Mute Artists Ltd., NPG, Polydor Ltd., Sony, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner, Zomba Recording LLC; Gordon Johnson, Mickey Mikolauskas, OpenClipart-Vectors, Paulo365, from Pixabay]

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