13 Incredible Life, Live & Living Songs

Reading Time: 15 min read

13 Incredible Life, Live & Living Songs features music courtesy of David Bowie, Drake, Kesha, Madonna, and Rick James.

Ah, LIFE – it’s something, isn’t it? It’s filled with good times and bad, ups and downs. Many, many a song have been penned, performed, and recorded about life in its many forms and fashions. On 🎧 13 Incredible Life, Live & Living Songs, we highlight songs that explore life, live (not as in a live performance, FYI), and living. There are far more than the 13 songs that selected. But, unlucky number 13 is a good starting place, right? Right! 🎧 13 Incredible Life, Live & Living Songs features music courtesy of 🎙 David Bowie, 🎙 Drake, 🎙 Kesha, 🎙 Madonna, and 🎙 Rick James among others. So, we got a little bit of old and a little bit of new. A little bit of rock, rap, pop, R&B/soul, and country. So without further ado, let’s jump right into the living, shall we?!

1. Rick James, “Ghetto Life”

**💿 Street Songs • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1981**

“When I was a young boy / Growing up in the ghetto / Hanging out on corners / Singing with the fellas.”   The late, great 🎙 Rick James (1948 – 2004) was one of a kind. The most important album of his career was his 1981, platinum certified effort, 💿 Street Songs. 🎵 “Ghetto Life” marks one of many highlights, in addition to being the LP’s third single. Following 🎵 “Give It To Me Baby” on the track list, James keeps the funk alive and kicking.  “Ghetto Life” wouldn’t chart on the pop charts, but critically, it is one of Rick’s very, very best.    

classic On “Ghetto Life,” Rick James is serving up real talk.  The albums isn’t titled Street Songs for nothing, right? “You wanna know what I’m talking ‘ bout / Talking ‘bout ghetto life.” In the second verse, James memorably sings about “This little cute girl” (named Nancy), with “Pigtails to her shoulders” who “Was young and kinky” and “Laid her pigtails down on me.” Ghetto indeed! The third verse moves behind sex, finding James “Playing tag with winos / The only way to have fun.”  He also makes it clear that the ghetto itself is going nowhere.  He receives assists from 🎙 Mary Jane Girls as well as 🎙 The Temptations.  The music is electric on this self-penned and self-produced classic, which includes rhythm section and  horns (saxophone, trumpets, trombone) among its instrumentation. 🎵 “Super Freak” may be the Rick James song to beat but 🎵 “Ghetto Life” is a surefire vibe as well! 

Appears in 🔻:

Rick James, Ghetto Life: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 98 (2023)

2. Kesha, “Living In My Head”

💿 Gag Order • 🏷 Kemosabe • 📅 2023

“I’m so fuckin’ insecure / I just can’t stand it / God, I hate myself / Sometimes, I can’t get out my head.” 😢 🎵 “In Case You Didn’t Know”, 🎙 Brett Young, you handsome fella you, 🏆 Grammy nominated pop singer/songwriter 🎙 Kesha released an album in 2023. The album, 💿 Gag Order, was a gargantuan flop, debuting tepidly at no. 187 on the Billboard 200 (it would reach a peak of no. 168) 🤯 . The results were a far cry from her best days. Regardless, Kesha gives listeners a beautiful, relatable living song with 🎵 “Living In My Head,” the third track from Gag Order. Sandwiched between superb singles 🎵 “Eat The Acid” and 🎵 “Fine Line”, Kesha seeks to escape her head. She’s stuck in a bad place, and she wants to move to a healthier, happier place. In the second verse, she sings, “Oh, I don’t wanna be here anymore,” continuing, “Sick of all the chaos anymore / Crawlin’ out my skin here on the floor.” Of course, the chorus sums up the dangers of her wandering mind superbly:

“Get me out my head

Outta my head

Outta my head

Outta my head

When’s it gonna end?

When’s it gonna end?

When’s it gonna end?”

3. Joshua Bassett, “Lifeline”

💿 Sad Songs In A Hotel Room • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2022

“Doc said I got twelve hours / I called you without a second thought / Plane ride within the hour / As she pictures life without her son.” Can you imagine, as a 20-year-old receiving the devastating news that you had merely 12 hours to live? That happened to 🎙 Joshua Bassett, who called his lifeline, his mom, to be by his side.  Obviously, he feared the worst in real life, and on the gem at hand, 🎵 “Lifeline”, which appears on his 2022 EP, 💿 Sad Songs In A Hotel Room.  The positive news for Bassett is, he lived to tell about it. His fears, rightfully, motivated him spiritually: Lately, I’ve been prayin’ / To a god I’ve never known / I can’t do this on my own.” 

ur a lifesaver “Lifeline”, arguably, can be considered to be more a heavier, sadder song than an uplifting one.  I’d argue it’s uplifting because (1) Bassett lived to testify about his survival and (2) he gives thanks to his Mom for keeping him alive – being that lifeline. “One hour visitation / She beats me in chess, another round,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “Don’t matter what we’re sayin’ / I’m just glad you made it into town…” On this highly personal record, the songwriting is on-point – poetically and authentically constructed.  Furthermore, Bassett sings with incredible.  The centerpiece is the utterly sublime chorus, where he sings, “I won’t say goodbye just yet… / Oh, I’ll be fine for tonight / With you by my side, oh my / Don’t you know you’re my lifeline.” “Lifeline” is incredibly moving. 

Appears in 🔻:

4. Madonna, “Where Life Begins”

**💿 Erotica • 🏷 Sire • 🗓 1992**  

🎙 Madonna is no stranger to being controversial or being risqué – UNDERSTATEMENT.  🎵 “Where Life Begins” is a prime example of naughty Madge.  Appearing on her sexed-up 💿 Erotica album (1992), Madge speaks/sings about “dining in and eating out.” As you can probably figure out, unless you are incredibly naïve and live under a rock, she’s not talking about food.  “But let me remind you in case you don’t know,” she sings in the first verse, “Dining out can happen down below.” Yeah, she’s totally talking about cunnilingus.  If you’re still confused, I’ll let you explore that for yourself! 

To be fair, Madonna never explicitly mentions cunnilingus BUT it’s a case of she does everything but do so. “I’d just like to know / If you want to learn a different kind of kiss,” she states in the pre-chorus, before revealing more of her cards in the chorus:

“So won’t you go down where it’s warm inside

Go down where I cannot hide

Go down where all life begins

Go down that’s where my love is.”

gasp HOLY F#¢KING MOLY, Madge! Of course, there are plenty more eyebrow raising moments, including her reference to a “home-cooked meal.” At the same time, Madonna makes it clear “It’s not fair to be selfish or stingy / Every girl should experience eating out.” There’s also her KFC reference in the third verse not to mention a legit question: “Can you make fire without using wood?” Yikes! Madonna is incredibly sex-positive on “Where Life Begins.” Give her credit for highlighting women’s sexuality if nothing else. If the men can speak to their desires, why can’t the ladies? 

Appears in 🔻: 

5. Stevie Wonder, “Living for the City”

💿 Innervisions • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1973

“A boy is born in hard time Mississippi / Surrounded by four walls that ain’t so pretty.” Just process those lyrics that 🎙 Stevie Wonder sang on his top-10 hit, 🎵 “Living For The City”. A gem from his 1973 album, 💿 Innervisions, which won the 🏆 Grammy for Album of the Year, Wonder gets serious about black socioeconomic issues, racism, racial inequality, and racial inequity. That’s not what you expect out of a pop hit. Clearly, Wonder had a bigger message in mind, as this man is “Living just enough, just enough for the city.” The first verse, just scratches the surface, as the second speaks to the hard work this man’s family endures, still falling short of what they need to survive: “His father works some days for fourteen hours / And you can bet he barely makes a dollar.”

amazing The cycle continues on this incredibly soulful joint, where undoubtedly many folks likely focus on the music and the ‘happy go lucky’ chorus: “Da da da, da da da da…” Verse three depicts the man’s sister, describing her unbecoming clothes, but perseverance through adversity. The fourth verse returns the focus to the man who first appears, highlighting his intelligence, yet the lack of jobs that fit his intellect due to racism (“To find a job is like a haystack needle / ‘Cause where he lives, they don’t use colored people”). Ultimately, the man leaves “hard time Mississippi” for better opportunities in New York City. Unfortunately, it’s ‘more of the same’ regarding racial issues, a skit depicts the man’s downfall as he’s arrested after accepting money to run drugs across the street… The final two verses speak of the aftermath of his incarceration – a lack of hope (verse five) and the need for change in a broken world (verse six). Wonder says it best: “If we don’t change, the world will soon be over / Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city.”

Appears in 🔻:

6. Camila Cabello, “Living Proof”

💿 Romance • 🏷 Epic • 📅  2019

The release of 🎵 “Living Proof” corresponded with the official announcement of 💿 Romance, the sophomore album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop sensation, 🎙 Camila Cabello. “Living Proof” appears as the second track on the LP. The production by 🎛 Mattman & Robin is sleek on this urban pop joint featuring dynamic synths and pummeling, rhythmic drums. Shifting to the songwriting, the topic of choice is love, romance, and sex. The best moment is undoubtedly the chorus, where Cabello delivers some of the most impressive falsetto of her career:

“Where did you come from baby?

And were you sent to save me?

Ooh, there’s a God in every move

Ooh, and you’re the living proof

The way you hands can’t shake me

Soft to the touch like, baby

Ooh, there’s God in every move

Ooh, and you’re the living proof.”

Cabello excels at being sultry and sexy, and “Living Proof” is no different. She also manages to throw in some blasphemy, further accentuating the suggestive, sensual nature of this single. In the first verse, she sings, “I wanna study every inch of you / ‘Til you trust me to make the angels come through.” Wow. In the second, she’s a bit more devilish, as she sings, “Show your demons, and I might show you mine.” Of course, on the pre-chorus, sex and religion co-exist seamlessly: “Like a choir singing, ‘Hallelujah,’ / When my body’s crashin’ right into you.”

Appears in 🔻:

7. The Weeknd, “Scared to Live”

💿 After Hours • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2020

“And if I held you back, at least I held you close (Yeah) / Should have known you were lonely.” 💿 After Hours, the fourth studio album by three-time, 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist 🎙 The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), is filled with gems. Following a momentous opening trio, 🎵 “Scared to Live” continues the sheer excellence, featuring some of Abel Tesfaye’s most radiant vocals of the album. Furthermore, the production (🎛 Max Martin, Oscar Holter, and The Weeknd) and sound are quite alluring. Musically, “Scared to Live” fuses pop, R&B, synthpop; it clearly hearkens back to the 1980s. There’s an 🎙 Elton John interpolation that’s a sweet addition. “Scared to Live” focuses on the plight of love. Abel looks out for his ex, who he wronged, urging her, “…Don’t be scared to live again.”

Appears in 🔻:

8. Alicia Bridges, “I Love The Nightlife (Disco ‘Round)”

**💿 I Love The Nightlife • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1978**

One hit can solidify your musical legacy, period.  For 🎙 Alicia Bridges it all comes down to one gem in her catalog: 🎵 “I Love The Nightlife (Disco ‘Round)”.  “I Love The Nightlife” appears on her 1978 album, fittingly titled – wait for it –  💿 I Love The Nightlife [Note: originally, I Love The Nightlife was released as Alicia Bridges]! “I Love The Nightlife” spent 31 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, ultimately peaking at no. 5.  Bridges would earn her sole RIAA certification (gold) for this beloved, nightlife loving bop. She penned the record alongside 🎼 ✍ Susan Hutcheson.  Obviously, it is the chorus is where her money was made – one of the more memorable to come out of the disco era: “I love the nightlife, I got to boogie / On the disco ‘round, oh, yeah.” 

Of course, there’s more to “I Love The Nightlife” than just the chorus. Still focusing on the lyrics, Bridges keeps it sassy in the verses.  “Please don’t talk about all the plans we had / For fixing this broken romance,” she sings in the first verse, adding, “I want to go where the people dance / I want some action, I wanna live.”  Notably, the way she says ACTION is a vibe in its own right.  Bridges possesses a distinct, incredibly expressive and playful voice – she was made for this joint! Similarly, in the second verse, she wants no drama, just some – wait for it – ACTION!  Besides the fun songwriting and performance by Bridges, the production (🎛️ Steven Buckingham) and sound of the record is EVERYTHING.  The groove is idiomatic of the disco era. The song gets the full shebang as far as the arrangement: tight rhythm section (including organ), a mean saxophone solo (🎷 Jay Scott), and those glorious, soaring strings.  Honestly, it is sort of surprising “I Love The Nightlife” didn’t chart higher than no. 5 🤔. Also, interesting fact: Bridges is a member of the LGBTQ community 🌈. 

Appears in 🔻:

9. Drake, Lil Wayne & Rick Ross, “You Only Live Twice”

💿 Certified Lover Boy • 🏷 OVO / Republic • 📅 2021

“Don’t act like you’re happy for me now / Don’t act like you wasn’t prayin’ for catastrophic collapses / Catalog is immaculate.” Woo! One of the premiere bangers on 💿 Certified Lover Boy, the 2021 studio album by 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper/singer 🎙 Drake is 🎵 “You Only Live Twice.” On “You Only Live Twice,” Drizzy enlists the assist from a fellow 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 Lil Wayne, and a 🏆 Grammy nominee, 🎙 Rick Ross. Ross kicks things off with a kick-ass verse where he’s true to self, rapping about money (“Money callin’ so I threw the deuce up”). Drizzy follows, maintaining confidence and swagger as he asserts, “Still runnin’ the game, don’t ask me about the practice,” which references an epic moment from NBA baller 🏀 Allen Iverson. Lil Wayne isn’t to be outdone, sexed-up to the nth degree and unapologetic AF: “Pull my hammer out her pussy, pull her nails out my back.” Woo! Besides electrifying rhymes, the backdrop (🎛 Bink!) is awesome.

Appears in 🔻:

10. Chris Stapleton, “Joy of My Life”

💿 Starting Over • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 2020

“Some may have their riches / Some may have their worldly things / As long as I have you / I’ll treasure each and every day.” On his fourth studio album, 💿 Starting Over (2020), 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Chris Stapleton doesn’t merely serve up originals. He also gives us several delightful covers. Among them is the joyful and incredibly thoughtful 🎵 “Joy of My Life,” a 🎙 John Fogerty gem. Hey, can you go wrong with Fogerty or CCR for that matter? Stapleton delivers quite an expressive vocal performance, but there’s also balance. He still manages to cut through the production, but he’s also passionate and quite tender, as he asserts:

“She takes me by the hand

I am the luckiest man alive

Did I tell you baby

You’re the joy of my life.”

Appears in 🔻:

11.Eric Benét, “Spend My Life With You” (Ft. Tamia)

💿 A Day in the Life • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 1999

There were numerous awesome R&B songs released in 1999 – it was a special year. Among the best – and one of my personal favorites – was 🎵 “Spend My Life with You”. “Spend My Life with You” paired 🏆 Grammy-nominated artists 🎙 Eric Benét and 🎙 Tamia. The result? An unforgettable, romantic slow jam where their voices mesh celestially 👼. Basically, you can’t listen to “Spend My Life with You” and not feel those nostalgic, 90s vibes – that good old, adult contemporary, grown folks R&B! It appears on Mr. Benét’s 1999 album, 💿 A Day in the Life.

The verses are fabulous, with Benét taking first blood: “And I never knew what my life was for / But now that you’re here I know for sure.” Sweet! Tamia follows up sublimely on the second verse: “And I never knew that my heart could feel / So precious and pure / One love so real.” Later, the format is similar, with Benét singing a brief third verse, and Tamia ‘bringing it on home’ on the fourth. There’s a sweet bridge as well, but we all know that the crowning achievement is the chorus, with both singers bringing it in spectacular fashion.

“Can I just see you every morning when

I open my eyes

Can I just feel your heart beating beside me?

Every night

Can we just feel this way together?

Till the end of all time

Can I just spend my life with you?”

sunset love Yes, there were bigger songs in 1999, even in the R&B realm. That said, “Spend My Life with You” was nominated for a 🏆 Grammy for good reason. Also, it peaked at a respectable no. 21 on the Hot 100. The big story is that vocal chemistry between Benét and Tamia which is nothing short of incredible. Benét, 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Demonte Posey, and George Nash Jr. wrote and produced a gem.

Appears in 🔻:

12. Debby Boone, “You Light Up My Life”

**💿 You Light Up My Life • 🏷 Curb • 📅 1977** 

“So many dreams / I’ve kept deep inside me,” 🎙 Debby Boone sings, continuing, “Alone in the dark / But now you’ve come along.” Oh, the feels! Per Boone, on the dominant, no. 1 pop hit, 🎵 “You Light Up My Life” (1977), she was singing to God 🙌.  Fair enough.  The chorus of “You Light Up My Life” is incredibly inspirational, and could parallel walking with God and giving him praise:    

“And you 

Light up my life 

You give me hope 

To carry on 

You light up my days 

And fill my nights 

With song.”  

light bulb idea That said, the original intent of this song, penned by 🎼 ✍ Joseph Brooks for the movie, 🎦 You Light Up My Life, wasn’t directed toward God. The power of love, however, is a key whether this uplifting number is viewed religiously or secularly – romance. Notably, Boone DID NOT originally record her one-hit wonder 🤯.  The original vocalist was 🎙 Kasey Cisyk on the soundtrack for the film. Regardless, Boone’s recording earned her 10 weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, two Grammys (Song of The Year and Best New Artist), and the record won the Academy Award for Best Song. Still to this day, the light shines bright when it comes to 🎵 “You Light Up My Life” particularly the Debby Boone rendition.  

Appears in 🔻:  

13. David Bowie, “Life on Mars?”

💿 Hunky Dory • 🏷 Warner • 📅 1971

“Oh, man, wonder if he’ll ever know / He’s in the bestselling show / Is there life on Mars?” To quote Willy as in 📚 William Shakespeare, “That is the question!” Basically, however, it’s simple. 🎙 David Bowie was the perfect musician to conclude 🎧 13 Incredible Life, Live & Living Songs. 🎵 “Life on Mars?” is widely considered one of the greatest songs of all time. Furthermore, it’s David ‘effing’ Bowie – one of the best to ever do it!

“But the film is a saddening bore

For she’s lived it ten times or more

She could spit in the eyes of fools

As they ask her to focus on.”

“Life on Mars?” is that rare perfect song. Everything literally aligned with the universe to create such a classic. Davie Bowie sings fantastically, putting his soul into the performance. The production is and overall sound is alluring – ear catching and grand. The songwriting, arguably, is the crowning achievement. Bowie imparts a brilliant escapist narrative where a little girl is bored of her boring, mundane life. Sadly, as she seeks to escape via “the silver screen,” she realizes even that means of escape ultimately doesn’t atone or replace reality. Basically, it’s like the cycle will never end, hence, why she asks, “Is there life on Mars?” to legitimately escape.

Appears in 🔻:

11 Thrilling Songs About the Red Planet, Mars (2021)

13 Incredible Life, Live & Living Songs (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Curb, Epic, Mercury, Motown, OVO, Republic, Sire, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner; cottonbro studio from Pexels]

13 Incredible Life, Live & Living Songs | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on August 23, 2023August 23, 2023