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13 Little or Small Songs That Transcend Size [Photo Credits: 300 Entertainment, Big Machine, Broken Bow, Capitol, Columbia, Def Jam, Epic, Interscope, Pexels, Pixabay, Sire, Token, Warner Bros.]13 Little or Small Songs That Transcend Size features music courtesy of 6LACK, Florida Georgia Line, Mac Miller, Maggie Rogers, and Regina Spektor. Ā 

According to country singer Joe Nichols, ā€œHeā€™ll feel her world with laughter / Size matters, size matters.ā€ The question is, does size really matter? On this particular playlist, not so much.Ā  All of the songs on 13 Little or Small Songs That Transcend Size feature either the word little or small in their respective title. That said, the songs themselves clearly transcend size, at least in regard to quality.Ā  Musicians contributing to this little/small-centric playlist include 6LACK (ā€œPretty Little Fearsā€), Florida Georgia Line (ā€œSmall Townā€), Mac Miller (ā€œSmall Worldsā€), Maggie Rogers (ā€œGive a Littleā€), and Regina Spektor (ā€œSmall Bill$ā€) among others.


1. Maggie Rogers, ā€œGive A Littleā€

Heard It in a Past Life ā€¢ Capitol ā€¢ 2019

Maggie Rogers, Heard It In a Past Life [Photo Credit: Capitol]ā€œIf you would open up your heart / Drop your weapons, drop your guard / Just a little trust is all it takesā€¦ā€ Maggie Rogers ā€“ That NYU student who once caught Pharrell Williamsā€™ attention for her single, ā€œAlaskaā€ ā€“ commences her full-length debut album, Heard It in a Past Life, with a bang with ā€œGive a Little.ā€ From the onset, the groove is driving and absolutely infectious to the nth degree.Ā  Rogers delivers commanding vocals without ever coming close to over-singing ā€“ cool, yet also has ample ā€˜oomph.ā€™ Rogers keeps the melody on the verses relatively simple, with multiple repeated notes ā€“ just an observation!

The best moment of ā€œGive a Littleā€ comes by way of the chorus.

ā€œBut if you give a little, get a little
Maybe we could get to know each other
Give a little, get a little, give a little
And if you give a little, get a littleā€¦ā€

Yeah, itā€™s repetitive, but infectious.


2. Florida Georgia Line, ā€œSmall Townā€

Canā€™t Say I Ainā€™t Country ā€¢ Big Machine ā€¢ 2019

Florida Georgia Line, Can't Say I Ain't Country [Photo Credit: Big Machine]ā€œI bet you been sittinā€™ on a John Deere tractor / Bet you been fishinā€™ with an old cane pole / Been cow-tippinā€™ in a big green pasture / Burned up a clutch on a red dirt roadā€¦ā€ Okayā€¦ In the context of Canā€™t Say I Ainā€™t Country, the fourth studio album by country duo Florida Georgia Line, ā€œSmall Townā€ continues the countrification, or at least the confirmation of such.Ā  This is a popular topic in country music, so much so that itā€™s become clichĆ©.Ā  Thatā€™s the case on ā€œSmall Townā€ which is harmless and inoffensive, yet nothing ā€˜brand-newā€™ in concept.

The guitars are souped-up, the twang full-throttle, and the melodic lines chocked-full of rhythm.Ā  Maybe the most ā€˜innovativeā€™ aspect is the rap, or pseudo-rap.Ā  Does FGL have bars? Umā€¦ weā€™ll leave that alone. Ā The key reason why ā€œSmall Townā€ made this list? Well, it features the world ā€˜smallā€™ in its title, so, it meets the criteria.Ā  The chorus continues as follows:

ā€œHomegrown twist, a pinch of tobacco
Shiner Friday night, the sun settinā€™ real slow
In the parking lot with the party crowd
Little bit of love in the truck way out
If youā€™re pickinā€™ up what I'm puttinā€™ down
You might be from a small town
You might be from a small town.ā€


3. Alessia Cara, ā€œA Little Moreā€

The Pains of Growing ā€¢ Def Jam ā€¢ 2018

Alessia Cara, The Pains of Growing [Photo Credit: Def Jam]Grammy-winning pop/R&B artist Alessia Cara keeps it brief and stripped onĀ ā€œA Little Moreā€, which appears on her underrated sophomore album, The Pains of Growing. Just about two-and-half-minutes in length, sheā€™s accompanied chiefly by electric guitar, pads and textures, and background vocals. Naturally, thereā€™s an intimacy and simplicity about the record, which is appropriate given the theme ā€“ getting closer with her boo.Ā  While sheā€™s not working with an array of sounds to ornament her voice, save for the more dynamic ending, she delivers absolutely stunning vocals.Ā  Her ability to deliver with authenticity and honesty is her biggest selling point, particularly with this uncomplicated little ditty.

ā€œHey you
Hey, Mister knock on my door
Iā€™m sorry that Iā€™ve been emotions galore
Am I crazy for wanting a little bit more?ā€

4. 6LACK, ā€œPretty Little Fearsā€

Ft. J. Cole

East Atlanta Love Letter ā€¢ Interscope ā€¢ 2018

6LACK, East Atlanta Love Letter [Photo Credit: Interscope]ā€œShe know my stick nothing but magic babe / I be swinging it back and forth, ā€˜til you in your casket, bae, mm.ā€ Confident, freaky, and just plumb nasty 6LACK, but also one of the most memorable lines from ā€œPretty Little Fears,ā€ a highlight from East Atlanta Love Letter.Ā  While 6LACKā€™s game as the lead artist is intriguing on this song, the deepest lyrics hail from J. Cole.Ā  On his guest verse, J. Cole is chocked-full of dedication, rapping, ā€œYou the flower that I gotta protect / To keep alive in the winter time, aye, donā€™t you die yet.ā€Ā  Sweet.

Going back to 6LACK, his chorus, sung somewhat stoically, is also worth mentioning.

ā€œNow I just wanna know
Donā€™t you sugarcoat
Iā€™ll say it all if you wonā€™t
Now could you tell me like it is?
Pretty little fears
Music to my ears.ā€Ā Ā 

ā€œPretty Little Fearsā€ appeared on previous playlists 15 Beautiful, Gorgeous, or Pretty Songs and Songs Centered on Fear.


5. MGMT, ā€œLittle Dark Ageā€

Little Dark Age ā€¢ Columbia ā€¢ 2018

MGMT, Little Dark Age Ā© ColumbiaIn 2018, after nearly a five-year hiatus,Ā alternative duo MGMT (Andrew VanWyngardenĀ andĀ Ben Goldwasser) dropped their fourth studio album,Ā Little Dark Age. Among the crĆØme de la crĆØme of Little Dark Age is the title track, ā€œLittle Dark Ageā€, which was originally released in Fall 2017.

ā€œLittle Dark Age,ā€ commences with alluring, mysterious synths, which serve as the pre-cursor to a sick, infectious, alt-pop groove.Ā  The production is arguably, the best feature of the record.Ā  Even so, vocally, VanWyngarden quickly proves he hasnā€™t missed a beat, sounding as tuned-in as ever. Throughout ā€œLittle Dark Ages,ā€ he compellingly delivers the ā€˜frightening,ā€™ poetic lyrics.Ā  Adding to his effectiveness is the vocal production. While he doesnā€™t force things, VanWyngarden sounds more assertive compared to the past, which suits the lyrical content and theme.


6. Mac Miller, ā€œSmall Worldsā€

Swimming ā€¢ Warner Bros. ā€¢ 2018

Mac Miller, Swimming [Photo Credit: Warner Bros.]ā€œNo need for shame, I get more peace at slow speeds.ā€ ā€œSmall Worldsā€ is a highlight from Swimming, the final studio album from the late, Grammy-nominated rapper, Mac Miller (1992 ā€“ 2018). Ā ā€œSmall Worldsā€ was one of three singles released prior to the album and was the only one to make the album. Ā Mac Millerā€™s nonchalant, chilled-out attitude is quite effective.Ā  Beyond his mellowness, he has a superb backdrop to work with, in all its soulful glory.

The old-school production is representative of soulful sounds of Pennsylvania and the East Coast rap sound. Like ā€œWhatā€™s the Useā€, ā€œSmall Worldsā€ is hypnotic, feeling and sounding ā€˜faded.ā€™ There is notable a change of pace within the last minute, where heā€™s accompanied by piano and finger snaps, while his rhymes pack a bit more punch.Ā  Thereā€™s plenty to dig about ā€œSmall Worlds,ā€ including a distinct golf/sex reference:

ā€œShe say that I glow below the waist
And a stroke is just so PGA.ā€

7. Maroon 5, ā€œThree Little Birdsā€

Three Little Birds [Single] ā€¢Ā Interscope ā€¢Ā 2018

Maroon 5, Three Little Birds [Photo Credit: Interscope]ā€œDonā€™t worry / About a thing / Every little thingā€™s gonna be alright.ā€ In 2018, Grammy-winning pop collective Maroon 5 traded modern-, urban-pop for reggae (Note: this occurred long before frontman Adam Levine would take off his horrid looking tank at the Super Bowl to show his ripped, tatted bod).Ā  No, the band didnā€™t record a reggae original. Instead, they covered the Bob Marley classic, ā€œThree Little Birdsā€. On ā€œThree Little Birds,ā€ Maroon 5 ā€˜handle businessā€™ effectively. Ā While Maroon 5 does Bob Marley justice, itā€™s safe to say this spirited, solidly executed cover doesnā€™t trump the original, no matter how successfully Levine channels his inner Marley.


8. Dustin Lynch, ā€œSmall Town Boyā€

Current Mood ā€¢ Broken Bow ā€¢ 2017

Dustin Lynch, Current Mood Ā© Broken BowTennessee country artist Dustin Lynch amps up the southern charm on ā€œSmall Town Boyā€, the second single from his third album, Current Mood. ā€œSmall Town Boyā€ has ample pros.Ā  First and foremost, it plays directly to his southern roots.Ā  Rather than trying to employ the modern bag of country tricks ā€“ rather pop tricks ā€“ Lynch keeps it country. Ā Heā€™s southern, heā€™s from a small town, and thatā€™s whatĀ sheĀ wants.Ā  Not only is that whatĀ sheĀ wants, but for the traditional country audience, thatā€™s whatĀ theyĀ want too.Ā  Perhaps itā€™s clichĆ©, evenĀ platitudinous, but isnā€™t southern charm andĀ southern-ness huge in country music?Ā  Thatā€™s rhetorical by the way.

The chorus is a huge selling point:

ā€œShe loves a small-town boy like me
Sheā€™s my ride or die baby
Sheā€™s my cool, sheā€™s my crazy
Sheā€™s my laid back in the front seat
Sheā€™s my with me to the end girl
Iā€™m turning it up to ten, girl
She can have anybody that she wants
Or be anywhere she wants to be
She loves a small-town boy like me.ā€

Of course, Dustin, thereā€™s lots of girls that feel that way, and plenty of guys who envy you. Just saying!


9. Token, ā€œLittle Boyā€

Little Boy [Single] ā€¢ Token ā€¢ 2017

Token, Little Boy Ā© Tokenā€œAye, younginā€™ with a little bit of fame, Iā€™m prayinā€™ / It donā€™t mess me up, I need to tone it down / Yeah, fuck it, fucked around and did some shit in Amsterdam / Iā€™ll probly never tell a soul about.ā€ On his infectious singleĀ ā€œLittle Boyā€, up-and-coming Massachusetts rapper Token showcases a flow thatā€™s nothing short of irresistible.Ā  ā€œLittle Boyā€ isnā€™t his debut single, but, itā€™s certainly an attention-getter.Ā The first thing to note about ā€œLittle Boyā€ is the production, which is hot, fueling the young rapperā€™s fire.Ā  It has ā€˜bangerā€™ written all over it, thanks to the quirky, extraterrestrial synths and slick, anchoring drums.Ā  Once Token begins rapping, heā€™s on autopilot.Ā  His flow is tight, while his rhymes are chocked-full of confidence, game, swagger ā€“ the works.

Thereā€™s not much substanceĀ in his rhymes, but the killer instinct provides atonement. The hook is fire.

ā€œShit changed, you ainā€™t, no, no (little boy)
Car fast, life fast, donā€™t slow (little boy)
She fast, cash fast, donā€™t dope (little boy)
Stone cold, hot, hot, tsst, tsst (little boy)
Oh, shit! God damn! What? (little boy)
Whatā€™s that? Aw, man! What? (little boy) ā€¦ā€

10. Jidenna, ā€œLittle Bit Moreā€

The Chief ā€¢ Epic ā€¢ 2017

Jidenna, The Chief Ā© EpicInitially, whenĀ ā€œLittle Bit Moreā€Ā was released, it felt a bit underwhelming.Ā  Contextually, the record is more alluring.Ā  The production is a pro, fitting the consistent international music cues appearing throughoutĀ The Chief.Ā  Is ā€œLittle Bit Moreā€ the second coming? No, but respectable.

Take one listen to Jidennaā€™s latest single ā€œLittle Bit Moreā€ and itā€™s clear that a certain artist is being emulated.Ā  That artist would be Drake.Ā  Many of Drakeā€™s records mix various styles and oscillate between rapping and singing or pop-rapping.Ā  Thatā€™s exactly what Jidenna does here ā€“ dance, pop, hip-hop, anchored with tropical sensibility via the groove. From a production standpoint, to quote La Shun Pace, ā€œAll Things Working.ā€ Yeah, she was referring to God, but in this instance, the man above blessed the boards (great synth work).Ā While the production is a mark in Jidennaā€™s favor, the song itself is okay at best.Ā  Even though there are pros, one of the cons is distinctiveness.Ā  ā€œLittle Bit Moreā€ doesnā€™t distinguish itself well from other pop songs utilizing similar formulas.Ā  Returning back to the Drake comparisons, Drake executes similar records more proficiently than Jidenna.


11. Idina Menzel, ā€œSmall Worldā€

Idina. ā€¢ Warner Bros. ā€¢Ā 2016

Idina Menzel, Idina. Ā© Warner Bros.ā€œGoodbye gravity / Goodbye enemies / Iā€™m going up to a place where the world is small / Where I can fly above it allā€¦ā€ Hmm, you can see where this one is going! ā€œSmall Worldā€, an uplifting and inspirational record, serves as one of the singles and gems from Idina., the self-titled, 2016 studio album by actress-singer Idina Menzel. ā€œSmall Worldā€ features beautiful production work, while the sound is firmly planted in the adult contemporary vein.

Perhaps ā€œSmall Worldā€ suffers ever-so-slightly from the ā€˜predictability bugā€™ and being ā€˜middle of the road,ā€™ but da-yum, itā€™s uplifting.Ā  A perfect example of the uplifting vibe ā€“ the empowering chorus, excerpted above and continued below.

ā€œā€¦If I donā€™t make it see my soul
From here Iā€™m weightless
And you sound so famous
And the world is small.ā€

12. Highly Suspect, ā€œLittle Oneā€

The Boy Who Died Wolf ā€¢ 300 Entertainment ā€¢ 2016

Highly Suspect, The Boy Who Died Wolf Ā© 300ā€œLittle Oneā€ is a well-written, personal single from frontman Johnny Stevens and Highly Suspect, released in advance ofĀ the bandā€™s sophomore album, The Boy Who Died Wolf. Ā ā€œLittle Oneā€ comes from a place of pain and regret. Stevens conveys these emotions perfectly, delivering clear and gritty vocals. Musically-speaking, ā€œLittle Oneā€ features an excellent harmonic progression, established by the guitar from the onset. Among the strongest moments is the powerful, heavy chorus.

ā€œHey, little one
Iā€™m so scared of what this could have been
I know that today I lost my only friend
My little one.ā€

In addition to the chorus, there are an assortment of meaningful lyrics throughout the course of ā€œLittle One.ā€ On the first verse, the highlight is, ā€œIā€™m tired, youā€™re angry, and everyone looks blurry / I love you, Iā€™m leaving ā€“ so long.ā€ The second verse focuses on Stevensā€™ junkie status:

ā€œThe places I took you, they seem so fucking empty
I have trouble going anywhere at all
Especially my own bedroom
And it stays awake to haunt me
So passed out, black out, drunk in another bathroom stall.ā€

At one point, he asks, ā€œHow long must I justify my pain through these songs? / How long, how long?ā€ The record concludes in tender fashion.

ā€œItā€™s raining; itā€™s sunny
It doesnā€™t make a difference
I donā€™t care about anything at all.ā€


13. Regina Spektor, ā€œSmall Bill$ā€

Remember Us to Life ā€¢ Sire ā€¢ 2016

Regina Spektor, Remember Us to Life [šŸ“·: Sire]ā€œSmall Bill$ā€ is clever and well-rounded, like most Regina Spektor songs. Face it ā€“ sheā€™s a boss. The highlight from Remember Us to Life captivates from the jump. It features an exceptional percussive groove thatā€™s clearly distinct. In addition to the beat, the harmonic progression is interesting, sporting quirks that make it clever. The sound of the record is definitely a selling point, incorporating elements of alternative, pop, soul, jazz, and hip-hop. Hip-hop and Regina Spektor? Yep, and it actually works.

Other than the sound, another brilliant aspect of ā€œBill$ā€ are Spektorā€™s nonsensical vocals.Ā  The ā€œla laā€™sā€ are irresistibly delicious! The verse vocals embrace that hip-hop sensibility given their rhythmic nature.Ā  Lyrically, Spektor isnā€™t shabby in the least. Among the crĆØme de la crĆØme is:

ā€œAll the poets in the alley coughing up blood
And their visions and their dreams are coming up
They can neither wake up or go deeper
But itā€™s so dangerous to wake a deep sleeper.ā€

[Photo Credits: 300 Entertainment, Big Machine, Broken Bow, Capitol, Columbia, Def Jam, Epic, Interscope, Pexels, Pixabay, Sire, Token, Warner Bros.]


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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