13 More Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way

Reading Time: 20 min read

13 More Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way features songs by BigXthaPlug, Charlotte Day Wilson, Fantasia, Joe Simon, Justin Bieber, and Lenny Kravitz.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a _______.”

Way! Sometimes, things “cut both ways.” And many of us have times when we “lose our way,” particularly when it comes to navigation! The keyword on 13 More Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way is W-A-Y, way! Also, admittedly, I plagiarized… myself, of course! 13 More Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way arrives a year after 13 Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way (2025). This list, like the fabulous one preceding it, avoids the likes of ❌ away, ❌ stairway, and ❌ anyways. 13 More Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way features songs by BigXthaPlug & Bailey Zimmerman, Charlotte Day Wilson, Fantasia, Joe Simon, Justin Bieber, and Lenny Kravitz. Plagiarizing me once more, don’t allow anything to get in your WAY of checking out this playlist!

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1. BigXthaPlug & Bailey Zimmerman, “All The Way”	2. Fantasia, “Have Your Way”	3. Joe Simon, “It Be’s That Way Sometimes”
4. Charlotte Day Wilson, “My Way”	5. SuS Records, “Your Dick Is Way Too Big”	6. Justin Bieber, “WAY IT IS” (Ft. Gunna)
7. Luh Tyler, “Change My Wayz”	8. Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, “We Can’t End This Way”	9. Bruno Mars, “Just The Way You Are”
10. Keith Wonderboy Johnson, “He Made A Way”	11. Lenny Kravitz, “Are You Gonna Go My Way”	12. Quincy Jones, “One Hundred Ways”
13. Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes, “Show Me The Way”	WAY Songs on The Musical Hype

1. BigXthaPlug & Bailey Zimmerman, “All The Way”

I Hope You’re Happy » BigXthaPlug / UnitedMasters LLC » 2025

“Don’t let me down easy, if you’re gonna leave me / Baby, go and leave me all the way.”

Woo! Yee-haw, Bailey Zimmerman! Country and rap don’t always mesh. A successful fusion of the two genres is a rarity. But, rapper BigXthaPlug (Xavier Landum) and country music star Zimmerman make the country-rap fusion work on the enjoyable single, “All The Way” from BigX’s 2025 album, I Hope You’re Happy. BigXthaplug co-wrote “All” with Jenna Johnson, KK Johnson, BandPlay, Ben Johnson, Austin Shawn, and Charles Forsberg III. BandPlay and Charley Cooks produced. The sound is countrified, particularly during the chorus, but there are also country music cues during BigX’s verses (guitar riffs). “All The Way,” an example of a successful crossover cut, debuted impressively on the pop charts, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

Zimmerman, the first voice heard on this collaboration, sounds terrific in the chorus. Excerpted earlier, he adds, “Burn all the bridges, don’t ask forgiveness / Walk away like I’m someone you hate.” Word. If they are breaking up, it needs to be a clean break without sugarcoating shit! While Bailey holds it down in the crème de la crème, BigXthaplug brings the heat throughout two verses. His cadence and flow are engaging, with his rhymes anchored by a trap beat… with those country cues, too. BigXthaplug is more aggressive, describing the end of the relationship, asserting in the first verse, “Ayy, if it’s over, it’s over, so fuck it / Just don’t act like my love wasn’t nothin’ / Like I wasn’t the one you was holdin’ at night / Tellin’ all of your secrets and huggin’.” Ooh-wee! Beyond those alluring rhymes, BigXthaplug adds the likes of, “Mama said it was fish in the sea, I got lost in the pool,” the suspect “Sent a text, it turned green, why the fuck it ain’t blue,” and “Said you’d stay and you wanted my name and you left, so I’m guessin’ that you never meant it / Said you’d try and hold on ‘cause the love was so strong, now I’m standing alone this kitchen.” That’s just the first verse, of course. At the end of the second, he speaks his peace regarding how she moved:

“Thought this shit was fair game, but you made up the rules

On my heart, left a scar and a bruise

Hope that you can stand on all the shit that you did

‘Cause I’m done, yeah, I’m finally through.”

BigX and Bailey show that, when done thoughtfully, rap and country can co-exist and create a bop that’s not corny or crappy. “All The Way”, hence, is a win!

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2. Fantasia, “Have Your Way”

“Have Your Way” » gamma. » 2025

“Lord, I come to You, as humble as I know how / Asking You Father, please / Forgive me of my sins now.”

Grammy-winning R&B, gospel singer, and actress Fantasia petitions to the right One – the One and only, God. Fantasia, renowned for her anointed and distinct voice, ‘takes us to church’ on her contemporary gospel single, “Have Your Way”. “Have Your Way” was written by her brother, Ricco Barrino, and produced by Brandon Jones and Brad Moody. If you need a serious lift, greater than chest or leg day, look no further than the moving “Have Your Way.”

Fantasia admits, “I know that I let the ways of the world distract me, but I’m in now.” Amen. It is easy to be drawn in and wooed by secular things, but those secular things can’t and won’t supplant a merciful, omniscient God. Hence, ‘Tasia is leaning into Him, best evidenced by the chorus:

“So now, Lord, I’m singing

(Have Your way)

We cry out You care

(Have Your way)

Have Your way in us, Lord

(Have Your way)

Come on, everybody cry out

(Have Your way).”

Hallelujah! Fantasia is supported by superb choral vocals that emphasize the titular lyric in all of its glory. In the second verse, Fantasia continues to speak to her needs. “Father, I come to You, no other help I know / I swear, I’m lost without You / Need me to cleanse my soul.” How many of us have experienced being lost and need the same thing – cleansing, healing, restoration? “I need You to lift me up / I need You to cleanse, cleanse my soul,” she sings, digging in more, “And from the highest mountain, please, please.” She encourages everyone to cry out, to petition the Lord for help, and to have His way. By this point, Fantasia’s voice soars, with epic ad-libs and riffs. The choir takes things higher, reaching for the heights of heaven! By the end of “Have Your Way,” a ‘filled up’ Fantasia transitions into “Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy),” which is a beautiful, reverent touch. Ultimately, “Have Your Way” is a powerful testament of faith. Notably, Fantasia gave a moving performance of this petition to the Lord on American Idol on April 28, 2025. As always, her voice was dynamic, gritty, and soulful to the nth degree. She took us to church. To reiterate, if you need a lift, look no further than this magnificent gospel record.

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3. Joe Simon, “It Be’s That Way Sometimes”

Get Down » Ace » 1975

“Have you ever wanted something / That you just couldn’t have?”

Of course, Joe Simon (1936 – 2021)! He continues singing in “It Be’s That Way Sometimes”, “And have you ever heard something funny / It was so funny, but you just couldn’t laugh?” The Grammy-winning soul singer makes his point loud and clear with the title of the third track from his 1975 album, Get Down. The album is most renowned for its irresistible top 10 hit, “Get Down, Get Down”, but “It Be’s That Way Sometimes” is the bolder listen. It was written by Phillip Mitchell (Prince Phillip Mitchell, b. 1944) and produced by Simon and Raeford Gerald.

“I’ve been abused, and I’ve been misused / And I’m mad as hell – in other words, I’m stone mad!” Oh, my! “It Be’s That Way Sometimes” commences enigmatically, in a boisterous, unsettling fashion. “Sometimes” segues from Get Down’s second track, “Fire Burning”. Soon enough, a futuristic, rhythmic, spacey vibe is established that remains adventurous and left of center. It blends electronic instruments and orchestral sounds, specifically, French Horns. The musical accompaniment cooks, eventually landing closer to Earth. The sound palette is striking, featuring instrumentation including keyboards, organ, guitar, bass, drums, brass, and strings. Psychedelic and progressive soul is firmly planted in “It Be’s That Way Sometimes.” Joe Simon doesn’t sing traditionally initially. Instead, he delivers a unique, personality-filled spoken word performance during the first verse. His alluring talk-sung performance, coupled with a colorful, thrilling instrumental, continues to make “Sometimes” among the most captivating songs in his catalog.

“…Do you know what that dirty woman said?

Put her hand on her hip, looked at me, and said:

‘I knew all the time what you had on your mind

But Joe Simon, it be’s that way sometimes.’”

Perhaps it’s confusing and unexpected, but eventually, Simon begins singing soulfully (in the second verse), and everything locks in. His commanding, dramatic, expressive, gritty, nuanced, and powerful performance stands out and speaks volumes about the consummate, versatile musician he was. The melodies, once things lock in, are stunning and tuneful. The chorus is the crème de la crème; you won’t forget it upon hearing it.

“Oh, it be’s that way sometimes

Hey, It be’s that way sometimes.”

All told, Mr. Simon delivers some utterly gorgeous, progressive soul music. He has many hits that earn much more attention than “It Be’s That Way Sometimes” could ever hope to, but this song is special. Fun fact: “Magic Stick”, the Grammy-nominated rap song by Lil’ Kim featuring 50 Cent sampled “It Be’s That Way Sometimes.”

Appears in 🔻:

Joe Simon, It Be’s That Way Sometimes: Throwback Vibez No. 203 (2025)

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4. Charlotte Day Wilson, “My Way”

Cyan Blue » Stone Woman Music / XL Recordings Ltd » 2024

“Magic trick, smoke and mirrors / They disappear when she’s near.”

Ooh-la-la, those pesky matters of the heart show up in a big way on “My Way”. There is a complicated, full range of emotions regarding love and desire that talented Toronto-based queer R&B singer/songwriter Charlotte Day Wilson shows off marvelously on the silky-smooth opener from her 2024 album, Cyan Blue. “When I am with her, I feel no pain,” she asserts in the chorus, and adds, “With liquor on my tongue, I just might say / ‘Can I have it my way, my way.’” “My Way” was written and produced by Wilson, Jack Rochon, and Leon Thomas.

“My Way” commences with smooth, rhythmic guitar accompaniment and background vocals with effects. Charlotte Day Wilson wows with her husky, smoky vocals. Although she never sounds as if she breaks a sweat, singing with ease, she still packs an impactful punch. This intimate performance hits hard, speaking to her feelings. From the beginning, Wilson’s ways are crucial: “If I had my way / I’d rather part ways / Lost in a daze, losing energy / Nothing but haze right in front of me.” Poetic and thought-provoking. Detouring from the lyrics, briefly, for a while, the song maintains the minimalism established early on. As it progresses, the musical backdrop fills out, radiantly. Leon Thomas is not only a songwriter and producer, but he also provides incredibly soulful background vocals. The pre-chorus that follows each verse is a highlight. Notably, it is varied each time, too. Again, the feelings are big ones: “Can’t catch my breath ‘til I’m next to her breast.” The chorus, excerpted earlier, is the crème de la crème; tuneful and memorable in every way. The second verse features fully developed production, with colorful keys, guitar, robust bass line, and a divine, relaxed drum groove. While she mentions parting ways in the first verse, in the second, she states, “‘Cause if I had my way / I would be with her all day.” There is a brief bridge, a final chorus, and an outro, which reiterates the chorus and adds the memorable lyrical gem, “It’s my lust, can’t control her.” So, her lust is personified? INTRIGUING. All told, “My Way” is a fabulous song that perfectly encapsulates the rollercoaster ride that is love and the power of lust.

Appears in 🔻:

Charlotte Day Wilson, My Way: Beaming with Pride No. 38 (2026)

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5. SuS Records, “Your Dick Is Way Too Big”

“Your Dick Is Way Too Big” » James Werner » 2025

“You came back knockin’ on my backdoor / I told ya I don’t wanna see you anymore.”

Bummer! Backdoor, huh? It’s giving 🍑… The reason why she won’t allow ole boy back might surprise you, however. According to SuS Records, simply put, “Your Dick Is Way Too Big” 😳. So, for all of you size queens out there, in this instance, he’s packing too much! Another AI artist catching ears with outlandish and unapologetic music, Sus Records claims to be bringing back the songs that never were. Yup, I have no doubt this one never existed… In this self-described banned 1940s song, in a dirty blues/jazz style, the fit is not ideal.

Characteristic of dirty blues, the singer, Ms. Wilma Fingerdoo 😏, is accompanied by piano. She delivers assertive, dynamic, and robust vocals. The lyrics are NOT SAFE WORK. Outlandish, she’s brutally honest about the fact that he can’t fit.

“Your dick’s way too big, it’s never gonna fit

Your dick’s way too big, it’s gonna make me split

It’s not fitting in my mouth or in my back door

Your dick’s too big, so I can’t see you no more.”

Too much information, and yet, our dirty minds picture every filthy lyric. By the way, that backdoor reference is clarified… 🍑. Fingerdoo provides more eyebrow-raising moments. In the second verse, she states, “You have a cock as big as two or three guys.” Hmm, I have questions… The bridge raises even more questions. “But the first six inches is only the tip,” she sings, and continues, “If you put the whole thing in, I’d have a heart attack / You’re the one who’s taller, lyin’ on their back.”Say what now?! A six-inch tip? If that is indeed the case, Wilma knows exactly what she’s talking about. The risks for injury would be greatly increased given the massive size of such a D… Ultimately, Wilma Fingerdoo, SuS Records, and “Your Dick Is Way Too Big” should all be taken with an itty bitty grain of salt.

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6. Justin Bieber, “WAY IT IS” (Ft. Gunna)

SWAG » ILH Production Co. LLC / Def Jam Recordings » 2025

“That’s just the way it is, then we can settle down, settle down / No more drama, no reason to complicate it, we can settle down.”

Matters of the heart, baby, and the Grammy-winning “Baby” singer himself, Justin Bieber, sells it like a champ on “WAY IT IS”, the seventh track on his 2025 Grammy-nominated album, SWAG. “WAY IT IS” also appears as the 30^th track on the gargantuan, expanded SWAG II. Bieber taps Grammy-nominated rapper Gunna for the assist. Speaking of assists, there are lots of cooks in the kitchen that whipped up, aka composed, this soulful pop joint: Bieber, Gunna, Tobias Jesso Jr., Carter Lang, Eddie Benjamin, Sir Dylan, Jackson Lee Morgan, and Daniel Chetrit. Carter Lang and Sir Dylan also produced it.

There is lots to like about “WAY IT IS.” It features a backdrop of smooth keys and synths, anchored by a hard-hitting, rhythmic beat. Like many Justin Bieber songs, it has those R&B vibes working for it. Justin Bieber draws first blood on this collaboration, performing the second verse. Justin Bieber shows off his upper register; he sings with exuberance and soul. “I’m dreamin’, I’m reachin’ and pullin’ you closer,” he sings, and continues, “We could settle down, I’m dreamin’ of a place that we can go way.” Oh, snap! Beyond the core rhythmic melody, Bieber drops sweet runs and ad-libs. As referenced earlier, the chorus is infectious, memorable, rhythmic, and incredibly tuneful. I love it when Bieber dips into his sweet falsetto. He also gets help from Gunna, preceding the second verse. Gunna brings it, flaunting his syrupy, melodic rap flow. He delivers a compelling cadence and flow, intact with plenty of, dare I say, SWAG. “I need more doses of your love, I’m intoxicated (Intoxicated) / I love the way you feel (Way you feel), dreamin’ and travelin’ places we’ve never seen,” the rapper raps. As his verse progresses, it grows more rhythmic, with him throwing even more rhymes into the mix. “You get your bang for your buck, I get whatever for you / Ain’t no one else, it’s just us, and it’s whatever for you.” Ooh-wee! After Bieber professes his desires on the post-chorus (“And I just want you, hold you, love you”), “WAY IT IS” concludes with a lovely instrumental outro. All in all, this collaboration between Bieber and Gunna is pretty sweet!

Appears in 🔻:

Justin Bieber & Gunna, WAY IT IS: Dazzling Duets No. 19 (2026)

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7. Luh Tyler, “Change My Wayz”

Mr. Skii » Luh Tyler / Motion Music, LLC / Atlantic Recording Corporation » 2024

“She mad cause I done fucked her friend, she like, ‘You know you dead wrong’ / Damn, I gotta change my ways.”

Ya think, Luh Tyler (Tyler Meeks)? Despite being only 17 when he recorded “Change My Wayz” in 2023, he is confident AF and eschews any bubblegum sugar, honey, iced tea. The single appears on his 2024 album, Mr. Skii. Tyler is supported by the smooth production work of CashCache. The intro is brief on this sub-two-minute-long number before Meeks drops his bars.

“She done showed me all her love, but I still did her wrong

Even though I always try my best to do her right

I always end up fuckin’ up, girl, we ain’t lastin’ long.”

Shameful, Luh Tyler – gets some sense in that head, kiddo! Throughout, Meeks delivers a chill, cool, and easygoing flow. He never gets too bothered or too high, even with his most profane moments. His cool, yet confident demeanor is part of his charm. He never censors himself, letting those bombs fly freely. “Change My Wayz” isn’t a heavyweight rap record, but it’s a vibe.

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8. Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, “We Can’t End This Way”

Get Up! » Ben Harper / Concord Music Group, Inc. » 2013

Five words: “We can’t end this way.” No, sir, we can’t! As an exemplification of an eclectic music enthusiast, I have a soft spot for blues and gospel music. Ben Harper (b. 1969) and renowned ‘harp’ player Charlie Musselwhite (1944 – ) made my musical heart melt with their retro-tinged, collaborative blues-gospel song, “We Can’t End This Way”. “We Can’t End This Way” is the third track from their 2013 collaborative, Grammy-winning blues album, Get Up!. 15 nominations in, Mr. Musselwhite won his first and only Grammy for this project. Harper, on the other hand, earned his third win. Both the song and the album were among my favorites from that year. Harper wrote and produced “We Can’t End This Way.”

“We Can’t End This Way” is like listening to a little piece of heaven. It is a special song from the beginning. Embracing an old-school sound and vibe, it feels and sounds organic and rootsy to the nth degree. Music in the 2010s did not sound like this track, hence, a sizable part of its charm – the throwback, retro aesthetic. Ben Harper is locked in, giving his all with his gritty, soulful, and high-flying, soulful vocals. His authenticity and sincerity are impressive as he brings the tuneful melodies to life. His gospel experience shines through the socially conscious lyrics:

“There’s a man on the corner

Beggin’ for help

There’s a man that walks past him

And he’s drownin’ in wealth

Who doesn’t understand?

Who doesn’t understand?

How disappointment destroys the soul.”

During the chorus, excerpted earlier, Harper gets a mighty assist from the soulful, gospel-tinged background vocalists. His vocal ad-libs, riffs, and runs are nothing short of masterful. Adding to the excellence is Musselwhite’s elite harp playing, solidifying the blues. Charlie, like Ben, not only explores a different musical genre but also helps to take us back to a starkly different musical era. The big takeaway is that “We Can’t End This Way” is a surefire gem.

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9. Bruno Mars, “Just The Way You Are”

Doo-Wops & Hooligans » Atlantic Recording Corporation » 2010

“Oh, her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they’re not shinin’ / Her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her tryin’,”

Bruno Mars sings lovingly in the first verse of his beloved pop bop, “Just The Way You Are”. “Just” is the second track from the Grammy-winning pop singer/songwriter’s 2010 debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Speaking of Grammys, Mars earned his first win for Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 53^rd Annual Grammy Awards. The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the charts for four weeks. Ultimately, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the single diamond, specifically 13-times platinum. Mars continues singing in the first verse, sincerely, “She’s so beautiful, uh / And I tell her every day.” Aww 🥰! Get you a man that’ll build you up like that!

Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Needlz, and Saint Cassius penned “Just The Way You Are.” Needlz and The Smeezingtons (Mars, Lawrence, and at the time, Levine). The sound of the record is sweet. The piano and drum programming earn high marks within the music backdrop. Revisiting the lyrics, thematically, the story is much the same in the second verse. “Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she’d let me,” Mars asserts, and continues, “Her laugh, her laugh, she hates, but I think it’s so sexy.” Beyond those sweet, thoughtful lyrics, Mars’s vocals sound beautiful, poignant, and, enjoyable. He sings authentically, shining with his nuances. While the verses, and later, the bridge, are fantastic, the section to beat is the tuneful, unforgettable chorus, dripping with L-O-V-E!

“When I see your face

There’s not a thing that I would change

‘Cause you’re amazing

Just the way you are

And when you smile

The whole world stops and stares for a while

‘Cause, girl, you’re amazing

Just the way you are.”

Years after its arrival, the excellence of “Just The Way You Are” endures. This pop song is the gift that keeps on giving. It is one of Bruno Mars’ most accomplished songs in an illustrious career.

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10. Keith Wonderboy Johnson, “He Made A Way”

Just Being Me » Zomba Recording LLC » 2006

“He made a way for me / He made a way for me / He made a way for me / He made a way.”

Who made a way? God. God is who Keith Wonderboy Johnson (1972 – 2022) and the choir were singing about on “He Made A Way”. “He Made A Way” is a highlight from Johnson’s 2006 album, Just Being Me. One of the truly anointed voices in gospel music, sadly, Johnson passed away at 50 in 2022. Though we miss him and those dynamic, powerful pipes, his lasting music remains. One such lasting song is “He Made A Way,” a testament to God’s goodness, mercy, and wonderworking power.

Keith provides plenty of examples of seemingly impossible situations where God interceded – made a way out of no way! In the first verse, it’s the 9/11 terror attacks, which hit too close to home: “Then something shook the floor / Something shook the ceiling / Later she found out / The plane had hit the building.” In the second verse, losing control of a vehicle could have ended adversely, but God! For all of the blessings bestowed upon us by God, Johnson wants to give him thanks and the utmost praise. “I can’t speak for you / But He did it for me,” he asserts, adding, “When I needed Him most / He was right there.” Pushing two decades old, “He Made A Way” is a beautiful song of praise that never grows old. Keith Wonderboy Johnson, you did that!

Appears in 🔻:

Keith Wonderboy Johnson, He Made A Way: Music Lifts No. 32 (2025)

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11. Lenny Kravitz, “Are You Gonna Go My Way”

Are You Gonna Go My Way » Virgin Records America, Inc. » 1993

“But what I really want to know is / Are you going to go my way? / And I got to, got to know.”

Woo! Four-time Grammy-winning musician Lenny Kravitz rocked out something fierce on his classic, “Are You Gonna Go My Way”. “Are You Gonna Go My Way” is the opening track from his 1993 album, also titled Are You Gonna Go My Way. Kravitz penned the gem alongside Craig Ross. He produced it himself. Kind of a big deal, “Are You Gonna Go My Way” was nominated for two Grammys at the 36^th Annual Grammy Awards: Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo. Meat Loaf (“I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)”) and Soul Asylum (“Runaway Train”) beat him in those categories.

“Are You Gonna Go My Way” rocks hard 🤘 from the beginning. The guitar licks and riffs are utterly sick! Adding to the badassery is the hard-hitting drum groove. Lenny Kravitz delivers assertive vocals, digging in and giving his all. “I am the chosen, I’m the one / I have come to save the day,” he sings in the first verse, and adds, “Though I’m not paid, I play this game / And I won’t stop until I’m done.” Interesting. Lenny isn’t talking about himself. In the second verse, he grows more socially conscious, stating, “We must engage and rearrange / And turn this planet back to one / So tell me why we got to die / And kill each other one by one.” He, or the divine entity he portrays, has a legitimate point. Even with the grit he brings to the track, the melodies are tuneful to the nth degree. Unsurprisingly, it is the chorus, excerpted earlier, that is the section to beat. Beyond the tunefulness and memorable lyrics, Kravitz delivers an impressive guitar solo during the instrumental section following the verse. Lenny, rock on 🤘! Ultimately, “Are You Gonna Go My Way” is one of the shiniest of gems from the Lenny Kravitz catalog.

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12. Quincy Jones, “One Hundred Ways”

The Dude » UMG Recordings, Inc. » 1981

“Love her today / Find one hundred ways.”

Aww – how chivalrous, dedicated, and sweet to the nth degree, James Ingram (1952 – 2019)! “One Hundred Ways” appears as the seventh track on Quincy Jones’ (1933 – 2024) 1981 album, The Dude. The Dude added to Jones’ Grammy hardware, while the late Ingram, the vocalist on “One Hundred Ways,” won the Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. Take one listen to “One Hundred Ways,” and it’s plain to hear why it was Grammy-worthy and helped propel The Dude to platinum status. The record was pop hit that reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982.

“In your arms tonight

She’ll reflect

That she owes you the sweetest of debts

If she wants to pay

Find one hundred ways.”

It should be noted that neither Jones nor Ingram penned “One Hundred Ways.” Jones is responsible for the incredibly lush, smooth production. The sound is idiomatic of the refined, quiet storm brand of R&B that ruled in the 1980s. As for the songwriting, those honors belong to Benjamin Wright, Kathy Wakefield, and Tony Coleman. All three writers did a fabulous job of composing thoughtful, love-driven lyrics and tuneful melodies. The harmonic progression that underlies is sweet too, leaning into jazz, extending beyond the standard I-IV-V. Ingram brings “One Hundred Ways” to life. Does he ever perspire as he lends his expressive, nuanced pipes to Wright, Wakefield, and Coleman’s epic song? I don’t believe so. Love never sounded so lit in his hands as it does on the R&B gem, “One Hundred Ways”!

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13. Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes, “Show Me The Way”

At Their Best » Universal Music Enterprises » 2001

“Show me the way.”

Four simple but incredibly moving words 🙌. Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes recorded timeless gospel music. It is hard not to be moved by Tyler, Texas’ Willie Neal Johnson (1935 – 2001), who was one of a kind, filled with the spirit of the Lord. Once again, his faith shines through the powerful “Show Me The Way”, the fourth track on the collective’s 2001 compilation album, At Their Best. It was written by Johnson and produced by Shannon Williams.

“Show Me The Way” begins with gorgeous, impressive guitar playing. The tone is set. Following the instrumental introduction, the band is locked in. The guitar continues to shine, while the bass line is active, and the drums and percussion provide a mighty, rhythmic anchor. Willie Neal Johnson leads the way with his gritty, soul-stirring vocals. He gets tremendous backup from The Gospel Keynotes, who carry the melody and key lyrics. The theme is simple but meaningful: petitioning God for guidance. Likewise, the lyrics are uncomplicated, yet pack a sizable punch: “God, I’m your child /…Down here, Lord, I need your power / Show me the way.” “Show Me The Way” does not need extensive analysis. Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes keep it simple while masterfully capturing the wonder-working power of God.

Appears in 🔻:

Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes, Show Me The Way: Music Lifts No. 14 (2026)

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WAY Songs on The Musical Hype
15 Marvelous Songs That Lead the WAY (2022)	13 Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way (2025)	13 More Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way (2026)

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13 More Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Ace, Atlantic Recording Corporation, Ben Harper, Concord Music Group, Inc., Def Jam Recordings, gamma., ILH Production Co. LLC, James Werner, Luh Tyler, Motion Music, LLC, Stone Woman Music, UMG Recordings, Inc., Universal Music Enterprises, Virgin Records America, Inc., XL Recordings Ltd, Zomba Recording LLC; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson, Kate, Marcin, Mohamed Hassan, OpenIcons from Pixabay]

13 More Fabulous Songs That Lead the Way | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on June 5, 2026June 5, 2026