13 LOOK Songs Totally Worth Listening To | Playlist

1. Busta Rhymes, “Look Over Your Shoulder”

Ft. Kendrick Lamar

Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God • The Conglomerate Entertainment, Inc. / EMPIRE • 2020

“Just look over your shoulder, honey” is one of the most beloved and famous lines that a young Michael Jackson sung on “I’ll Be There”. It serves as the foundation for the badass “Look Over Your Shoulder,” a standout from the Busta Rhymes comeback album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God. FYI, E.L.E.2 marks the first album from Rhymes in 11 years.

“Look Over Your Shoulder” brings in a brilliant featured guest, Kendrick Lamar. If E.L.E.2 was truly beginning to feel too long, “Look Over Your Shoulder” brings back some of the oomph.  Kendrick Lamar, who has been out of the spotlight for a couple of years now himself, brings the heat and sets the tone – well – after MJ of course! Basically, it’s straight up bars of sheer excellence.  After the sampled Jackson chorus, Busta Rhymes gets into the act, bringing his own fire.  A prime example of Busta Bust at his best?

“I was sleep, now the god’s up, hmm
Upholding the fundamentals, while most of you boast a rental
Focus on what's most essential, spit bars to provoke your mental
Do I have your entendimiento?
While I clap these raps like thunders
Look over your shoulder, boy, and wonder (Woo).”

“Woo” indeed! 

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2. Alicia Keys, “Love Looks Better”

ALICIA • RCA • 2020

“Love Looks Better” arrived as the seventh single from ALICIA, the seventh studio album by Grammy-winning R&B artist, Alicia Keys. ALICIA was delayed for several months, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, finally arriving in September 2020.  Unfortunately, following a no. 4 bow on the Billboard 200, ALICIA suffered a fate by so many musicians who previously ignited serious fire on the charts – it experienced a big-time free fall.  Bummer.  A. Keys deserves better man!

Focusing on the ‘look’ at hand, “Love Looks Better” finds Keys writing and producing with some of the biggest names in pop music: Noel Zancanella and Ryan Tedder. The collaboration pays off as “Love Looks Better” contrasts everything she’s released up to this point.  Musically, things are energetic from the jump, with accompaniment including piano bass notes and big drums. This isn’t a R&B exclusive background, but rather one blending the best of R&B and pop. Eventually, more of the piano range enters (right hand), as well as some synths with things only growing in scope. As far as her performance, she’s compelling and quite commanding. Furthermore, she has a nice melody to work with. Throw in catchy sections and a relatable theme, and all it’s all good.

“So can we talk for a minute?
Stop for a minute?
All I wanna do is you
Oh, can we touch for a second?
Be us for a second?
Don't matter what I give it to
My love looks better on you.”

3. Key Glock, “Look at They Face”

Yellow Tape • Paper Route EMPIRE • 2020

“Yeah, I heard them niggas hating ‘cause I’m up now (What?) / I been makin’ plays all day, yup, touchdown (Yup).” It’s ! The chorus from the Key Glock banger, “Look at They Face,” continues a little something like this: “I remember them days I used to pray for a bustdown (Yup) / Now look at they face, look at they face, yeah, they on hush now.” Basically, the Young Dolph protégé from Memphis has come up big and the haters gonna hate something fierce!

“Look at They Face” appears as the seventh track on Glock’s 2020 mixtape, Yellow Tape. As you might expect, Key Glock flexes hard.  As a balla, he’s totally unconcerned with beef and petty BS. “I ain’t worried ‘bout no beef ‘cause I’m a cash cow,” he asserts on the first verse, later adding “Glizock hang with nothin’ but killers, give shots like bartenders, yeah.” There it is! On the second verse, he’s cold-hearted, asserting, “Not a killer, but don’t push me, bitch, I’m humble, I’m not shy / This money got me traumatized, I just wanna know why.” At least he admits he has an issue, haha.

4. Selena Gomez, “Look at Her Now”

Rare • Interscope • 2020

“Look at Her Now”, a highlight from Rare, checks off some of the usual boxes for a Selena Gomez record.  Vocally, she isn’t flashy, focusing more on gimmickry and subtlety.  Never particularly flashy let alone ‘prodigious,’ she gives a respectable performance all in all.  Because “Look at Her Now” opts for a quicker tempo and embraces urban-electro-pop, the playful, gimmicky vocals served up are sufficient.

Additionally, backing vocals and colorful harmonies that help make “Look at Her Now” satisfying.  The most satisfaction occurs on the repetitive chorus:

“Mm-mm-mm...
Look at her now, watch her go.”

No, this isn’t a song that will change your life, but it’s enjoyable. Gomez gets lovely production courtesy of Ian Kirkpatrick, and a star-studded team of writers including Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter.  That’s #WINNING!

5. Panic! At the Disco, “Hey Look Ma, I Made It”

Pray for the Wicked • Fueled by Ramen • 2018 

Panic! At the Disco – specifically Brendon Urie – flexes in the most alt-pop way possible on single “Hey Look Ma, I Made It.” “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” is a highlight from the band’s sixth studio album, Pray for the Wicked. Essentially, this bright, fun, major-key gem finds Urie celebrating becoming successful in the music industry.

On the horn-filled chorus, he simply lays it out there.

“Hey, look ma, I made it
Hey, look ma, I made it
Everything’s comin’ up aces, aces
And if it’s a dream, don’t wake me
I said, hey, look ma, I made it.” 

On the verses, listeners are treated to cleverer, left-of-center lyrics associated with the band. In the context of Pray for the Wicked, this standout keeps the momentum going strong.

6. Lauren Daigle, “Look Up Child”

Look Up Child • Centricity Music • 2018

Lauren Daigle has definitely exceeded expectations for a CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) artist. According to RIAA, Daigle has two platinum-certified albums including 2018’s Look Up Child.  Look Up Child also earned Daigle her first two Grammys – Best Contemporary Christian Music album and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance (“You Say”).  “You Say” doesn’t fit the LOOK of this particular list but “Look Up Child” certain does!   

“Where are You now / When darkness seems to win / Where are You now / When the world is crumbling.” “Look Up Child” appears as the eighth track on the album.  Clearly inspirational, Christian pop, God isn’t mentioned explicitly. That said, you can infer that the You seen in the aforementioned lyrics refers to The Most High.  Even if that wasn’t the case, his mercifulness and omniscience are clearly implied, with a fresh backdrop and expressive vocals by Daigle. And of course, the titular lyric, which is repeated on the chorus, finds Daigle encouraging all to LOOK UP to the throne!

7. XXXTENTACION, “Look at Me!”

“Look at Me!” • Bad Vibes Forever / EMPIRE • 2017

Sadly, in 2018, tragedy struck rapper XXXTENTACION (Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy).  The rising star was shot and killed at just 20 years old.  While Onfroy was a truly complex, controversial person, it was incredibly sad see a youngster lose his life.  During his time on earth, he left plenty of music, some of which pushed the envelope in various ways, experimenting with form as well as style. My first encounter with XXX was the bold “Look at Me!”, which fits the parameters of this look-driven list.

“Look at Me!” exemplifies a record that lacks self-control. The single exemplifies the ‘SoundCloud sound.’  That sound encompasses a ‘rough around the edges’ vibe eschewing finesse.  The roughness on “Look at Me!” includes heavy distortion and most boldly, repetitive, explicit lyrics.  Honestly, a single like “Look at Me!” is a perfect example why the rapper’s music was considered controversial, let alone his personal life.  Examine the lyrics for yourself:

“Can’t keep my dick in my pants...
I gave her dick, she amen
She put her tongue on my dick...
Fuck on me, look at me...” 

8. Taylor Swift, “Look What You Made Me Do”

reputation • Big Machine • 2017

“‘I’m sorry, the old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now.’ / ‘Why?’ / ‘Oh, ‘cause she’s dead!’” “Look What You Made Me Do” ( reputation) was unlike anything else that Grammy-winning superstar Taylor Swift had released – completely left-of-center of the country-pop that made her famous.  “Look What You Made Me Do” marked her at her darkest, making the boldest statement of her career. Vocally, she sounds about the same, but favors a darker tone.  The backdrop features urban-pop production work, comprised of dark synths, drum machines, and a minor key.

Adding to the shock of “Look What You Made Me Do” are her unpitched, tongue-n-cheek vocals on the titular line:

“Ooh, look what you made me do
Look what you made me do...” 

Swift wasn’t playing around – she was as angry as a four-letter word.  The source of her anger? Well, those rivals who shall remain nameless were prime candidates. If nothing else, revisiting “Look What You Made Me Do,” the attitude and feistiness exhibited are quite respectable.

9. Thomas Rhett, “Look What God Gave Her”

Center Point Road • Big Machine • 2019

“Look What God Gave Her”, an advance single from the Grammy-nominated Best Country Album, Center Point Road, blends contemporary country and modern pop. The result is a very sleekly produced record. As always, Thomas Rhett delivers beautiful vocals that are ultimately well-produced.

On the relatively quick-paced “Look What God Gave Her,” Rhett manages to keep things brief, south of three minutes in duration. The chorus is memorable, with some ‘swagger’ about it – rhythmically, embracing a ‘hip-hop identity,’ while remaining idiomatic of country.

“Look what God gave her, how perfect He made her
She walks in the room, it’s like He answered my prayers
The way that she moves, how could anybody blame her?
I know she’s got haters, but it ain’t her fault, nah
Look what God gave her.”

Rhett serves up some excellent ad-libs towards the end without ever over-singing or growing overindulgent.  The question is, what exactly did God give her that Rhett is so thankful for? Well… just think about that one for a minute… Also, it’s not particular religious either…

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10. Rae Sremmurd, “Look Alive”

SremmLife 2 • Universal Music • 2016

“I’m so far out of sight / Yeah that sounds about right / Kill this cup, not my vibe / Be the highlight of my night.” Need a chilled-out banger? Rae Sremmurd tend to excel in this department, led by the mellow Swae Lee.  Of course, his more assertive bro, Slim Jxmmi deserves credit too.  Still, on “Look Alive” from the 2014 album SremmLife 2, it is Lee’s hook that makes the gem.

The hook continues as follows:

“Look alive, look alive
We can start with something light
I can get you so right
I just need an invite.”

Slow and chill, that infectious hook that latches the first time you hear it – best part of the whole song. Adding to the allure is awesome production work courtesy of Mike WiLL Made-It and Shod. They definitely set the boys up for mad success.

11. 5 Seconds of Summer, “She Looks So Perfect”

5 Seconds of Summer • Universal Music • 2014

Back in 2014, Australian boy band 5 Seconds of Summer – Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Callum Hood, and Ashton Irwin – landed their breakout hit, “She Looks So Perfect.” Originally appearing on the She Looks So Perfect (EP), “She Look So Perfect” would be reprised on the collective’s full-length debut, 5 Seconds of Summer. Undoubtedly, “She Looks So Perfect” is the best track off of either early project.

“She Look So Perfect” is a prime example of bright sounding pop/rock with sharp lyrics and a catchy, irresistible chorus. The best moment comes by way of the chorus, with a reference to American Apparel underwear leading the charge. Yeah, it’s random, but totally infectious.

“You look so perfect standing there
In my American Apparel underwear
And I know now that I’m so down
Your lipstick stain is a work of art
I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart
And I know now that I’m so down
Hey, hey.”

12. Trina, “Look Back at Me”

Ft. Killer Mike

Still Da Baddest • Slip N Slide • 2008

“Licky, licky, licky licky, licky for an hour / I’mma make it rain for you, here’s a golden shower.” Sigh, there is so much freakiness involved in “Look Back at Me” ( Still Da Baddest) among the dirtiest songs EVER. This is the exemplification of X-rated ladies and gentlemen! Trina is assisted by Killer Mike. Mike definitely doesn’t clean things up, making a mess of his own, to the tune of “Gave her mayonnaise on the face pearl necklace.”

In addition to pearl necklaces, “Look Back at Me” is chocked-full of paraphilias, or “conditions in which a person’s sexual arousal and gratification depends on fantasizing about and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme.” The paraphilias Trina covers: Urolagnia (sexual arousal via urine), Narratophilia (dirty talk),  Olfactophilia/Osmolagnia (“carnal interest in and stimulation by body odors…”) and Nasophilia (nose). A prime example of Narratophilia?

“Put this p***y in your jaws now, smack
Like it’s Thanksgiving and it ain’t coming back
Collard greens neck bones, n***a chew this a$$.”

Charming.

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13. Chris Brown, “Look at Me Now”

Ft. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes

F.A.M.E. • RCA • 2011

Prior to the release of his Grammy-winning album, F.A.M.E., Chris Brown was trending down.  A big reason was the unfortunate abuse incident with Rihanna – never cool to do that to a woman dude! Furthermore, the album that preceded F.A.M.E., Graffiti sucked BADLY.  F.A.M.E. was career rehabilitation, with the hip-hop banger on hand, “Look at Me Now” giving Brown a much-needed hit.

One of the reasons “Look at Me Now” was so well received is that it found Brown changing up his style.  This was the first time we heard Brown rapping – something he frequently does now –and he truly embraced being a bad boy.  Embracing being a bad boy could’ve worked against him, but in this case, it happened to bode in his favor.  Besides his own performance on “Look at Me Now,” he gets assists from two ‘who’s who’ in rap – Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes.  Busta’s fast-paced, idiosyncratic approach has remained my favorite part of the song to date.  As for Weezy, well, he’s true to self – unapologetic as ever.  Also, shout out to Diplo and Afrojack who fuel the fire with the minimalist, quirky production, clearly a catalyst for the success of this joint.