13 Intriguing Right or Left Songs | Playlist

1. Doja Cat, “You Right”

Ft. The Weeknd

Planet Her • Kemosabe / RCA • 2021

“I got a man, but I want you / And it’s just nerves, it’s just dick / Makin’ me think ‘bout somethin’ new.” Woo! Doja Cat keeps Planet Her fiery with “You Right.” “You Right” is a steamy, honest duet featuring Grammy-winning Canadian R&B singer/songwriter, The Weeknd.

Clearly, Doja Cat is in a situation.  She has a man, but she wants this other man, damn it! Likewise, The Weeknd feels the same, with the sex playing a big role:

“But-but-but this sex will cloud your memory
A couple of strokes to put it in, then you’ll belong to me.”

Woo! Safe to say, that’s some potent D…

Also appears on :
Right: 5ive Songs No. 79 (2021)

2. Sam Smith, “Nothing Left for You”

The Thrill of it All • Capitol • 2017

“Maybe I’m done, maybe it’s true / Maybe I had one chance and I lost it with you.” Four words: matters of the heart.   Grammy winner Sam Smith has been known to slaughter a ballad – positively, of course! That’s just what Sam does on the heartbroken “Nothing Left for You” from their 2017 sophomore album, The Thrill of it All.  “I’ll never love again,” they assert, adding, “I’ll never love you.”

Woo – that’s hits hard, doesn’t it? The love pain is legit on “Nothing Left for You” – no other way to put it! Smith believes their done with love, thanks to a foolish relationship. They’ll NEVER love again. They best exemplify the hurt on the dramatic chorus, with the support of gospel choir :

“‘Cause I gave
My heart
To a goddamn fool
I gave him everything
Now there’s nothing left for you.” 

Sam’s pain is our pleasure – oh, the schadenfreude!

3. Lil Nas X, “Dead Right Now”

Montero • Columbia • 2021

“Dead Right Now” appears as the second track from Montero, the debut album by Grammy-winning pop artist, Lil Nas X.  On “Dead Right Now,” Nas X writes off fake folks.  According to him, these fake folks only acted like they cared about him after he attained fame. Shameful!

On the second verse, Nas X speaks about his issues prior to fame.  These issues include suicidal thoughts.

“If I didn’t blow, I would’ve died tryna be here
If I didn’t go, suicide, wouldn’t be here.”

On the chorus, he gives the middle fingers to the frauds: “I’ll treat you like you’re dead right now /…You wanna fuck with me so bad right now / Well, now you can’t right now.”

Also appears on :
Right: 5ive Songs No. 79 (2021)

4. Ariana Grande, “No tears left to cry”

Sweetener • Republic • 2018

“Comin’ out, even when it’s rainin’ down / Can’t stop now, can’t stop, so shut your mouth.” Grammy-winning pop artist Ariana Grande came back strong post- Manchester terror attack on “No Tears Left to Cry”, the exuberant, uplifting standout from her 2018 album, Sweetener. “Right now, I’m in a state of mind / I wanna be in, like, all the time,” she commences “No Tears…,” continuing, “Ain’t got no tears left to cry / So, I’m pickin’ it up, pickin’ it up…”

Things begins moderately slowly, with the dramatic, lush, smoothly sung intro (the eventual chorus) before a danceable groove transforms things. Grande shows exuberance, singing playfully in her lower register on the verses.  She gradually ascends, hitting her stride – her commanding upper register – on the chorus.  The chorus is catchy, with the best attribute being how uplifting it is.

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5. Brandi Carlile, “Right on Time”

In These Silent Days • A Low Country Sound / Elektra • 2021

“It wasn’t right / But it’s right on time.” Grammy winner Brandi Carlile experienced a productive 2020/2021 despite COVID-19.  She published a memoir ( Broken Horses: A Memoir) and recorded a new album, In These Silent Days, the follow-up to By The Way, I Forgive You.  Opener “Right on Time” is an amazing promo single. “Right on Time” commences simply.  Carlile is initially accompanied by piano, with bass entering the mix.  Brandi sings with great control.  Eventually, she expands her scope, showing off the sheer power of her pipes.  After setting the tone over the course of the first verse, the instrumentation expands on the second, including drums and guitar.  Also, add backing vocals, sweetening the mix as well.  The point is, Carlile does a fantastic job of starting minimal and building “Right on Time” into a gorgeous, grandiose record. So, what’s the one aspect that we haven’t highlighted? The songwriting!

When Brandi Carlile is the songwriter, you can expect nothing short of elite writing.  That’s what we get with “Right on Time.” That said, she co-writes alongside a talented team comprised of Tim Hanseroth, Phil Hanseroth, and Dave Cobb.  The lyrics are poetic, and Carlile sings them with great emotion.  Notably, she highlights the title of her album: “It’s not too late / Either way, I lose you in these silent days.” Carlile = AWESOME – can’t emphasize her awesomeness enough.  “Right on Time” is a single that INDEED arrives right on time.  It plays to her strengths: great writer, great singer, and a top-notch artist.

Also appears on :
Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: July 2021
Right: 5ive Songs No. 79 (2021)

6. Kanye West, “No Child Left Behind”

Donda • Def Jam • 2021

“No child left behind / No child left behind / No child left behind.” The rollout of Kanye West albums, lately, have been rollercoaster rides. The messiest rollout of all has been his 10^th studio album, Donda, named after his late mom, Dr. Donda West.  Donda is gargntuan, running nearly two hours in duration!  While far too long with 27 songs, Mr. West delivers some compelling moments, continuing to embrace Christianity/moral values with all swear words edited out (!).  Among the best songs is “No Child Left Behind.” West is joined by Vory and Sunday Service Choir.

As the 23^rd song on Donda, “No Child Left Behind,” marks the last ‘brand-new’ song prior to four remixes.  As the title suggests, “No Child Left Behind” is thoughtful.  Furthermore, it’s a reflective, thankful moment from the 22-time, Grammy-winner, performed over a reverent, soothing backdrop.  Worth noting, West only performs the final part of the record, asserting,   “He’s done miracles on me.”  Most of the record, hence, falls in the hands of Vory, including the sole verse:

“Back again, I used my back against the wall
Never called on y’all, never count on y’all
I'll always count on God.”

7. Whethan, “Think You Right”

Ft. ericdoa & glaive

“Think You Right” • Atlantic • 2021

“You ain’t gon’ fake switchin’ sides (Si-si-si-si-side) / Oh, now you think you’re right (Ri-ri-ri-ri-right).” DJ/music producer Whethan dropped a brief single, “Think You Right” in 2021. The 22-year-old Chicago electronic standout collaborates with singers ericdoa and glaive with positive results.  “Think You Right” gets a short intro, setting the tone of the track.  The production work – Glasear, kimj, and Whethan – is bright and energetic, particularly on the chorus.  The record itself is set in an optimistic, major key.

As things settle in, “Think You Right” is sweet.  The vocals by ericdoa, on the chorus, are exuberant, matching the energetic production work.

“...I try to get in, she want me to let her in
Go back, I tend to reminisce, uh, because.”

We get contrast on the verse, performed by glaive, keeping things from sounding predictable. Glaive’s verse clarifies the love aspect of the song (“And I found ‘me’ advice, it’s called being alone / And I don’t need you at all ‘cause I’ve been good on my own.” All in all, Whethan and company deliver an enjoyable record with a picturesque sound and respectable performances and lyrics.

Also appears on :
Right: 5ive Songs No. 79 (2021)

8. Lil Tecca, “Never Left”

We Love You Tecca 2 • Republic • 2021

“Know it’s gon’ be easy to me (To me), I got a bankroll (Bankroll) / Shooters doing what I say so (Say so), ‘cause they on payroll (Payroll)…” Rapper Lil Tecca comes in incredibly confident, entertaining, and enjoyable on the brief “Never Left”, which graces We Love You Tecca 2 (2021). On “Never Left,” as aforementioned, he delivers a rad chorus early on, which continues: “I got all purple on my shoes, I look like Saints Row (Yeah, yeah) / If I let you take my flick, you better catch my angles.”

Tecca gives a well-rounded, melodic rap performance throughout.  His performance is simultaneously warm and assertive, while his flow is compelling, energetic, and rhythmic.  He may not serve up anything brand-new or groundbreaking with his rhymes, but what he serves up is enjoyable and fits the record perfectly. He’s confident AF and yeah – he’s back baby, LIKE HE NEVER LEFT! Another thing working in the rapper’s favor is the colorful production – Taz Taylor, Cxdy, and Thankyouwill – which contributes to the warmth of his own sound. Great flow, great personality, and lovely production make “Never Left” a V-I-B-E.

9. Joji, “Yeah Right”

BALLADS 1 • 88rising / Warner • 2018

“Yeah, you bet I go to see you when / I’m feeling like a drum without a beat / Yeah, you dance so good / And I think that’s kinda neat.” Joji kicks “Yeah Right” from BALLADS 1 off with a bang, asserting on the intro, “I’ma fuck up my life.”  As he sings, the supporting backdrop is moody – clearly embodying the alternative vein and modern R&B sound of the times. He continues to utter the profane, carefree phrase into the first verse, eventually expounding how this “fuck-up” is going down.

“We gon’ party all night / She don’t care if I die / Yeah, right, yeah, right.” Clearly, he is reacting to trauma in his life, likely a breakup, hence he reacts by partying.  The first person that doesn’t care is his ex.  However, if the music video as well as a mental picture of the partying is considered, the strippers/exotic dancers don’t care either, right? The titular lyric recurs on the pre-chorus before more pain is unleashed on the chorus.

“Yeah, you bet I know that she ain’t
Never give a single fuck about me
Yeah, you bet she know that we ain’t
Never gonna be together...”

Also appears on :
Right: 5ive Songs No. 79 (2021)

10. alt-J, “Left Hand Free”

This is All Yours • Atlantic • 2014

“Well, your left hand’s free / And your right’s in a grip / With another left hand / Watch his right hand slip / Towards his gun / Oh, no.” Well, alt-J, “Left Hand Free” doesn’t sound, um like a freeing experience.  Nonetheless, the song, which appears on the trio’s 2014 album, This is All Yours, is rad. It’s rad even though there’s been rumors that the band wasn’t as high on it, debunked by the gift that is twitter.

One of the reasons that “Left Hand Free” is so rad is that it sounds quite commercial, which is where some of the rumors come into play via Genius. Don’t get it twisted, regardless of the commercial sensibilities, “Left Hand Free” is still ‘alternative.’  What is the difference compared to some alternative records? It’s hookier, looser, and more infectious.  Also, as is the case with alt-j songs, there are no shortage of annotations.

Also appears on :
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11. Monica, “Just Right for Me”

Ft. Lil Wayne

Code Red • RCA • 2015

“Cause you’re just right for me / Boy, you know your love’s the best.” By the time Code Red arrived in 2015, Monica’s best, most lucrative days were long over.  That’s no disrespect as the Grammy winner has had one hell of a career.  Unfortunately, the album was overlooked, alongside not ranking among her best.  Even so, she shined on soulful single, “Just Right for Me,” tapping Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne for the assist.  Sigh, that’s one way to RIGHT the ship!

Sure, Lil Wayne sets my girl up with a true-to-self, kick ass verse (“Uh, she so good for me / Mr. Good Stuff, Mrs. Good Stuffin’, good lovin’”).  That said, the propelling force that inspires Mo is an iconic soul group, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.  No, Smokey didn’t go in the studio and cut some fresh vocals – “Just Right for Me” samples The Miracles’ beloved, late 60s gem, “Much Better Off”.  Monica brilliantly sings over the sample, with contemporary, trap/R&B production, courtesy of her cousin, Polow Da Don.

“Baby, baby, baby
Can’t no one come take me from my baby
Like I can give my heart and all my time
Gotta keep my lovin’ on your mind.”

Likewise, Weezy rides the beat with ease.

12. Quadeca, “The Man on My Left Shoulder”

Voice Memos • Quadeca • 2019

“Used to give a fuck / That was just an old phase / You and me were close, now you further than the old days.” Rapper/YouTuber Quadeca also takes a jab at Coldplay on “The Man on My Left Shoulder”: “They like, ‘Lemme fix you,’ I don’t fuck with Coldplay, ay.” “The Man on My Left Shoulder” appears as the fifth track on  Voice Memos (2019).  A juggernaut, it approaches six minutes in duration and is divided into two parts with production shifts to match.

Part I commences with a reflective, sung intro, accompanied by vibraphone before the pre-chorus kicks in, with more traditional hip-hop production.  By the melodic chorus, the production is more epic, full-fledged, anchored with a tight beat.

“I been talking to the man sitting on my left shoulder
He said everything just gets worse when you’re older
I just pulled up to the function, can’t even function
No nothing, I don’t know nothing.”

Beyond the chorus, there are two verses that find Quadeca on autopilot. On part II, the tempo is noticeably slower, and the rapper changes his tone to be much more reflective.  Interestingly, where Part I is laced with instances of profanity, the third verse, included in Part II, is much cleaner.

“I hope my first impression wasn’t the last
I hope there’s plenty more, I hope this isn’t the last
But if it is, do me a favor and make sure that it last
It lasts forever...”

So, who’s the man on his left shoulder? He never specifies but seems like The Devil or some form of The Devil.

Also appears on :
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13. Anderson .Paak, “Right Now”

Oxnard • Aftermath / 12Tone Music • 2018

“Left to right, left-left to right / Left to right, left-left to right, go!” Ah, we conclude this right-left-oriented affair with the best of both worlds – it’s only fitting! Anderson .Paak has become one of hip-hop’s coolest, quirkiest, and most innovative artists. After seeing his profile elevated on Compton ( Dr. Dre) as well as his sophomore album, Malibu, Paak returned with a stellar third LP, Oxnard, in 2018.  Although it’s ‘all over the place’ and perhaps it runs a bit long, there’s plenty to dig about it, including the energetic closing song, “Left to Right.”

The Grammy-winner shows ample personality on the gimmicky joint. There is no way you listen to this fast-paced, rhythmic cut without smiling – trust me! Anderson .Paak’s rhymes are electrifying – on-point, period. “Yeah, they label me a criminal / Like I’m some type of animal,” he asserts on the first verse, continuing, “They wan’ call me cannibal / Celebratin’ like it’s carnival.” Woo! One of my favorite lines gets sexual, also occurring on the first verse:

“My god, she got a stance like an antelope
(Oh, yes lawd)
And ass like a cantaloupe
Now strike a pose for the camera, yo
And go.”

The entertainment doesn’t end there, as the second verse kicks ass too, with some f-bombs providing excellent seasoning.  The production, by J.LBS, Melvin Henderson, and Dr. Dre further amplifies the excellence.