13 Little or Small Songs That Transcend Size features music courtesy of 6LACK, Florida Georgia Line, Mac Miller, Maggie Rogers, and Regina Spektor.  

According to country singer Joe Nichols, “He’ll feel her world with laughter / Size matters, size matters.” The question is, does size really matter? On this particular playlist, not so much.  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.  Musicians contributing to this little/small-centric playlist include 6LACK (“Pretty Little Fears”), Florida Georgia Line (“Small Town”), Mac Miller (“Small Worlds”), Maggie Rogers (“Give a Little”), and Regina Spektor (“Small Bill$”) among others.

1. Maggie Rogers, “Give A Little”

Heard It in a Past Life • Capitol • 2019

“If you would open up your heart / Drop your weapons, drop your guard / Just a little trust is all it takes…” Maggie Rogers – That NYU student who once caught Pharrell Williams’ attention for her single, “Alaska” – commences her full-length debut album, Heard It in a Past Life, with a bang with “Give a Little.” From the onset, the groove is driving and absolutely infectious to the nth degree.  Rogers delivers commanding vocals without ever coming close to over-singing – cool, yet also has ample ‘oomph.’ Rogers keeps the melody on the verses relatively simple, with multiple repeated notes – just an observation!

The best moment of “Give a Little” comes by way of the chorus.

“But 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 little…”

Yeah, it’s repetitive, but infectious.

2. Florida Georgia Line, “Small Town”

Can’t Say I Ain’t Country • Big Machine • 2019

“I bet you been sittin’ on a John Deere tractor / Bet you been fishin’ with an old cane pole / Been cow-tippin’ in a big green pasture / Burned up a clutch on a red dirt road…” Okay… In the context of Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, the fourth studio album by country duo Florida Georgia Line, “Small Town” continues the countrification, or at least the confirmation of such.  This is a popular topic in country music, so much so that it’s become cliché.  That’s the case on “Small Town” which is harmless and inoffensive, yet nothing ‘brand-new’ in concept.

The guitars are souped-up, the twang full-throttle, and the melodic lines chocked-full of rhythm.  Maybe the most ‘innovative’ aspect is the rap, or pseudo-rap.  Does FGL have bars? Um… we’ll leave that alone.  The key reason why “Small Town” made this list? Well, it features the world ‘small’ in its title, so, it meets the criteria.  The chorus continues as follows:

“Homegrown twist, a pinch of tobacco
Shiner Friday night, the sun settin’ real slow
In the parking lot with the party crowd
Little bit of love in the truck way out
If you’re pickin’ up what I'm puttin’ down
You might be from a small town
You might be from a small town.”

3. Alessia Cara, “A Little More”

The Pains of Growing • Def Jam • 2018

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

“Hey you
Hey, Mister knock on my door
I’m sorry that I’ve been emotions galore
Am I crazy for wanting a little bit more?”

4. 6LACK, “Pretty Little Fears”

Ft. J. Cole

East Atlanta Love Letter • Interscope • 2018

“She know my stick nothing but magic babe / I be swinging it back and forth, ‘til you in your casket, bae, mm.” Confident, freaky, and just plumb nasty 6LACK, but also one of the most memorable lines from “Pretty Little Fears,” a highlight from East Atlanta Love Letter.  While 6LACK’s game as the lead artist is intriguing on this song, the deepest lyrics hail from J. Cole.  On his guest verse, J. Cole is chocked-full of dedication, rapping, “You the flower that I gotta protect / To keep alive in the winter time, aye, don’t you die yet.”  Sweet.

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

“Now I just wanna know
Don’t you sugarcoat
I’ll say it all if you won’t
Now could you tell me like it is?
Pretty little fears
Music to my ears.”  

“Pretty Little Fears” appeared on previous playlists 15 Beautiful, Gorgeous, or Pretty Songs and Songs Centered on Fear.

5. MGMT, “Little Dark Age”

Little Dark Age • Columbia • 2018

In 2018, after nearly a five-year hiatus, alternative duo MGMT (Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser) dropped their fourth studio album, Little Dark Age. Among the crème de la crème of Little Dark Age is the title track, “Little Dark Age”, which was originally released in Fall 2017.

“Little Dark Age,” commences with alluring, mysterious synths, which serve as the pre-cursor to a sick, infectious, alt-pop groove.  The production is arguably, the best feature of the record.  Even so, vocally, VanWyngarden quickly proves he hasn’t missed a beat, sounding as tuned-in as ever. Throughout “Little Dark Ages,” he compellingly delivers the ‘frightening,’ poetic lyrics.  Adding to his effectiveness is the vocal production. While he doesn’t force things, VanWyngarden sounds more assertive compared to the past, which suits the lyrical content and theme.

6. Mac Miller, “Small Worlds”

Swimming • Warner Bros. • 2018

“No need for shame, I get more peace at slow speeds.” “Small Worlds” is a highlight from Swimming, the final studio album from the late, Grammy-nominated rapper, Mac Miller (1992 – 2018).  “Small Worlds” was one of three singles released prior to the album and was the only one to make the album.  Mac Miller’s nonchalant, chilled-out attitude is quite effective.  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 “What’s the Use”, “Small Worlds” is hypnotic, feeling and sounding ‘faded.’ There is notable a change of pace within the last minute, where he’s accompanied by piano and finger snaps, while his rhymes pack a bit more punch.  There’s plenty to dig about “Small Worlds,” including a distinct golf/sex reference:

“She say that I glow below the waist
And a stroke is just so PGA.”

7. Maroon 5, “Three Little Birds”

Three Little Birds [Single] • Interscope • 2018

“Don’t worry / About a thing / Every little thing’s gonna be alright.” 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).  No, the band didn’t record a reggae original. Instead, they covered the Bob Marley classic, “Three Little Birds”. On “Three Little Birds,” Maroon 5 ‘handle business’ effectively.  While Maroon 5 does Bob Marley justice, it’s safe to say this spirited, solidly executed cover doesn’t trump the original, no matter how successfully Levine channels his inner Marley.

8. Dustin Lynch, “Small Town Boy”

Current Mood • Broken Bow • 2017

Tennessee country artist Dustin Lynch amps up the southern charm on “Small Town Boy”, the second single from his third album, Current Mood. “Small Town Boy” has ample pros.  First and foremost, it plays directly to his southern roots.  Rather than trying to employ the modern bag of country tricks – rather pop tricks – Lynch keeps it country.  He’s southern, he’s from a small town, and that’s what she wants.  Not only is that what she wants, but for the traditional country audience, that’s what they want too.  Perhaps it’s cliché, even platitudinous, but isn’t southern charm and southern-ness huge in country music?  That’s rhetorical by the way.

The chorus is a huge selling point:

“She loves a small-town boy like me
She’s my ride or die baby
She’s my cool, she’s my crazy
She’s my laid back in the front seat
She’s my with me to the end girl
I’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.”

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

9. Token, “Little Boy”

Little Boy [Single] • Token • 2017

“Aye, youngin’ with a little bit of fame, I’m prayin’ / It don’t mess me up, I need to tone it down / Yeah, fuck it, fucked around and did some shit in Amsterdam / I’ll probly never tell a soul about.” On his infectious single “Little Boy”, up-and-coming Massachusetts rapper Token showcases a flow that’s nothing short of irresistible.  “Little Boy” isn’t his debut single, but, it’s certainly an attention-getter. The first thing to note about “Little Boy” is the production, which is hot, fueling the young rapper’s fire.  It has ‘banger’ written all over it, thanks to the quirky, extraterrestrial synths and slick, anchoring drums.  Once Token begins rapping, he’s on autopilot.  His flow is tight, while his rhymes are chocked-full of confidence, game, swagger – the works.

There’s not much substance in his rhymes, but the killer instinct provides atonement. The hook is fire.

“Shit changed, you ain’t, no, no (little boy)
Car fast, life fast, don’t slow (little boy)
She fast, cash fast, don’t dope (little boy)
Stone cold, hot, hot, tsst, tsst (little boy)
Oh, shit! God damn! What? (little boy)
What’s that? Aw, man! What? (little boy) …”

10. Jidenna, “Little Bit More”

The Chief • Epic • 2017

Initially, when “Little Bit More” was released, it felt a bit underwhelming.  Contextually, the record is more alluring.  The production is a pro, fitting the consistent international music cues appearing throughout The Chief.  Is “Little Bit More” the second coming? No, but respectable.

Take one listen to Jidenna’s latest single “Little Bit More” and it’s clear that a certain artist is being emulated.  That artist would be Drake.  Many of Drake’s records mix various styles and oscillate between rapping and singing or pop-rapping.  That’s exactly what Jidenna does here – dance, pop, hip-hop, anchored with tropical sensibility via the groove. From a production standpoint, to quote La Shun Pace, “All Things Working.” Yeah, she was referring to God, but in this instance, the man above blessed the boards (great synth work). While the production is a mark in Jidenna’s favor, the song itself is okay at best.  Even though there are pros, one of the cons is distinctiveness.  “Little Bit More” doesn’t distinguish itself well from other pop songs utilizing similar formulas.  Returning back to the Drake comparisons, Drake executes similar records more proficiently than Jidenna.

11. Idina Menzel, “Small World”

Idina. • Warner Bros. • 2016

“Goodbye gravity / Goodbye enemies / I’m going up to a place where the world is small / Where I can fly above it all…” Hmm, you can see where this one is going! “Small World”, 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. “Small World” features beautiful production work, while the sound is firmly planted in the adult contemporary vein.

Perhaps “Small World” suffers ever-so-slightly from the ‘predictability bug’ and being ‘middle of the road,’ but da-yum, it’s uplifting.  A perfect example of the uplifting vibe – the empowering chorus, excerpted above and continued below.

“…If I don’t make it see my soul
From here I’m weightless
And you sound so famous
And the world is small.”

12. Highly Suspect, “Little One”

The Boy Who Died Wolf • 300 Entertainment • 2016

“Little One” is a well-written, personal single from frontman Johnny Stevens and Highly Suspect, released in advance of the band’s sophomore album, The Boy Who Died Wolf.  “Little One” comes from a place of pain and regret. Stevens conveys these emotions perfectly, delivering clear and gritty vocals. Musically-speaking, “Little One” features an excellent harmonic progression, established by the guitar from the onset. Among the strongest moments is the powerful, heavy chorus.

“Hey, little one
I’m so scared of what this could have been
I know that today I lost my only friend
My little one.”

In addition to the chorus, there are an assortment of meaningful lyrics throughout the course of “Little One.” On the first verse, the highlight is, “I’m tired, you’re angry, and everyone looks blurry / I love you, I’m leaving – so long.” The second verse focuses on Stevens’ junkie status:

“The 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.”

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

“It’s raining; it’s sunny
It doesn’t make a difference
I don’t care about anything at all.”

13. Regina Spektor, “Small Bill$”

Remember Us to Life • Sire • 2016

“Small Bill$” is clever and well-rounded, like most Regina Spektor songs. Face it – she’s a boss. The highlight from Remember Us to Life captivates from the jump. It features an exceptional percussive groove that’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 “Bill$” are Spektor’s nonsensical vocals.  The “la la’s” are irresistibly delicious! The verse vocals embrace that hip-hop sensibility given their rhythmic nature.  Lyrically, Spektor isn’t shabby in the least. Among the crème de la crème is:

“All 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 it’s so dangerous to wake a deep sleeper.”

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