13 More Irresistible YOU Songs

Reading Time: 17 min read

13 More Irresistible YOU Songs features songs by Bobby Womack, Hall & Oates, Mary J. Blige, Mathew V, The Staple Singers, and Vardaan Arora.

Remember, YOU can make a difference and be influential in so many ways. You are a big deal. You, as a second-person pronoun, appears in many songs. This playlist, 13 More Irresistible YOU Songs, celebrates the power of – wait for it – Y-O-U! If you have read that much of this introductory paragraph before, it is because I plagiarized myself 😝. Continuing, you, or some form of the word is the only requirement for songs selected on this sequel to 13 Irresistible YOU Songs (2024) published a month earlier. 13 More Irresistible YOU Songs features songs by Bobby Womack, Hall & Oates, Mary J. Blige, Mathew V, The Staple Singers, and Vardaan Arora. So, without further ado, prepare to be wowed by MORE irresistible Y-O-U songs!

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1. Mary J. Blige, “You Ain’t The Only One”

2. The Staple Singers, “I’ll Take You There”

3. Mathew V, “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift Cover

4. Charity Gayle, “Thank You Jesus for the Blood”

5. Vardaan Arora, “Dance Like You”

6. Hall & Oates, “Every Time You Go Away”

7. D’african, “I Fucking Lust You”

8. Ryland James, “You’re Still My Man” – Whitney Houston Cover

9. Kem, “I Can’t Stop Loving You”

10. Michael Wycoff, “Looking Up to You”

11. Bobby Womack, “If You Think You’re Lonely Now”

12. Patti LaBelle, “You Are My Friend”

13. Jerry Butler, “Just Because I Really Love You”

1. Mary J. Blige, “You Ain’t The Only One”

Gratitude // 300 Entertainment / Mary Jane // 2024

“You ever feel so low that all you feel is doubt? / You’re so lost you can’t find your way out?” According to Mary J. Blige, “You Ain’t The Only One”! The encouraging, positive, and uplifting second single hails from her 15^th studio album, Gratitude. Blige, Angelo Velasquez, Bryan Jones, and Patrick Kelly penned “You Ain’t The Only One.” Velasquez, Kelly, Aidan Brody, and Will Campbell produced. From the beginning, “You Ain’t The Only One” suits MJB. It starts with the old-school, hip-hop soul beat that anchors the song. Beyond that, there are other fabulous musical touches, including rhythm guitar, keys, organ, and horns. Blige, who is a ‘young’ 53 years old, fits perfectly with this grown-folks, adult contemporary R&B/ soul backdrop that hearkens to the past. Thematically, she sings about the universal experience of pain and hardship, as evidenced by the chorus but she doesn’t stay there. What does my girl do? She encourages us! “Why complain ‘cause the world don’t care?” she sings in the second verse, continuing, “Life is a game, just play the hand you were dealt / So the sun will shine through the rain.” She also encourages herself and affirms being proud of how far she’s come: “The things that I seen in my dreams turn into reality / I’m so proud of me.” “You Ain’t The Only One” should hold a special place in anybody’s heart who needs to be lifted up and believe in themselves and life’s possibilities.

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2. The Staple Singers, “I’ll Take You There”

Be Altitude: Respect Yourself // Concord Music Group // 1972

“I know a place / Ain’t nobody cryin’, ain’t nobody worried / Ain’t no smilin’ faces / Lyin’ to the races.” Word. You always remember your first! The Staple Singers’ first number-one hit, “I’ll Take You There”, is a special one. Not only was it a no. 1 hit on the R&B charts, but “I’ll Take You There” gave the legendary Chicago R&B/soul/funk/gospel collective their first no. 1 hit on the pop charts. When you think of Mavis Staples and company, “I’ll Take You There” is among the first songs that comes to mind. The soul juggernaut graces the 1972 album, Be Altitude: Respect Yourself. Al Bell penned and produced this historic and important song.

Mavis Staples is in top-notch, soulful form singing on “I’ll Take You There.” The background vocals are equally compelling, adding punch. This is a record where the gospel roots of the group shine through, elevating the funk. Speaking of funk, the musical accompaniment is super funky with an electrifying groove, a famous, robust bass line, and, overall, a locked-in, turned-up rhythm section. Shout to the guitarist and keyboardist, too – “Play your, play your piano now!” Also, instrumentally, don’t forget about those biting horns! The riffs are fire! Notably, “I’ll Take You There” is spare lyrically. However, the message sent by The Staple Singers is a big, meaningful one – spreading love and not hate. Why can’t people of different races love one another without hatred and racism? The Staple Singers want to take us to that authentic, idyllic, and loving place. After all, we should all strive to “Touch a Hand (Make A Friend)”!

Appears in 🔻:

The Staple Singers, I’ll Take You There: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 187 (2024)

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3. Mathew V, “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift Cover

“You Belong With Me” // Mathew V // 2024

“Dreaming ‘bout the day when you wake up and find / That what you’re lookin’ for has been here the whole time.” Superstar Taylor Swift famously sang those lyrics from her ubiquitous hit, “You Belong With Me.” As such a big song by one of the biggest musicians, it’s a hard act to follow. However, the handsome and talented Mathew V comes in hot on his cover of “You Belong With Me”. The gifted Canadian makes “You Belong With Me” his own.

One way that “You Belong With Me” becomes a Mathew V song is instrumental accompaniment. Where Swift had country-pop vibes with the instrumentation to match, Mathew is only accompanied by piano. The best moments from those 88 keys occur during the pre-chorus (excerpted above) and chorus sections. The keys give this country-pop joint a jazzy, cabaret vibe. Who would’ve thought? More important than the keys are top-notch vocals. If you’ve followed “My Boy” you already know he’s a beast with his pipes. His tone is gorgeous from the get-go. He reinvigorates the already tuneful melodies of this classic with his playfulness, melodic tweaks, and sweet runs. I love his energy and enthusiasm during the chorus the most:

“If you could see that I’m the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can’t you see?
You belong with me.”

The second verse is more dynamic than the first – Mathew V flexes! Another delightful musical moment comes at the end. Mathew slackens the tempo, milking the pop greatness for everything it’s worth. Taylor owns “You Belong With Me” but Mathew V puts his foot into this pleasant, jazzy, stripped cover.

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4. Charity Gayle, “Thank You Jesus for the Blood”

Endless Praise // Charity Gayle / The Fuel Music // 2021

“I was a wretch / I remember who I was / I was lost, I was blind / I was running out of time,” Charity Gayle sings in the first verse of the uplifting, CCM song, “Thank You Jesus for the Blood”. “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” is the third track on Gayle’s 2021 album, Endless Praise. She penned it with Bryan McCleery, David Gentiles, Ryan Kennedy, and Steven Musso. Kyle Lee produced. In the first verse, she adds, “But from the far side of the chasm / You held me in Your sight.” That You, of course, was J-E-S-U-S 🙌.

Gayle goes on to laud and magnify His holy name. In the second verse, she sings with conviction, “And there, at the cross / You paid the debt I owed / Broke my chains, freed my soul / For the first time, I had hope.” AMEN 🙏! In the third verse, she expounds on the sacrifice made by Jesus. It is so impactful that Charity proclaims, “For I have been transformed / By the blood of the Lamb.” In the chorus, she gives all the praise and glory to Him, who “saved my life / Brought me from the darkness / Into glorious light.” All the while, Charity sings beautifully and powerfully. She’s supported by a reverent backdrop filled with spiritual vibes. There are keys, a warm organ, rhythm guitars, and percussion. In the second chorus, background vocals add to the power, making “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” more dynamic. The bridge also ups the ante, with Charity showing off the sheer power of her pipes, touting “the wonder-working power / Of the blood.” This song is the perfect way to say thank you 👏 🙌!

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5. Vardaan Arora, “Dance Like You”

“Dance Like You” // Vardaan Arora // 2018

“I wish I could dance like you / Throw it back in a dive at two / I wish I could move like you / Dance like you.” When you see a confident, handsome man, it’s easy to be envious. For the handsome, talented Indian actor and musician Vardaan Arora 😍, he desires more than dancing, moving, or throwing it back like him. Arora, based in New York, was born and raised in New Delhi, India. He represents an underrepresented demographic: the South Asian LGBTQ community. The out-and-proud Arora ‘brings the heat’ on his 2018 dance-pop bop, “Dance Like You”. He penned the three-minute cut while Sonic Pilot produced it. “Dance Like You” is a vibe from the get-go. It boasts an infectious groove that is readymade for the dance floor. The synths are electrifying as well. The beautiful Vardaan delivers equally beautiful vocals. During the verses, he keeps it cool, never getting too high or too low. He brings tuneful melodies to the table as he is enticed by a hottie. “Sittin’ here, nervous / When you walk in / Talkin’ in circles, I’m shaking,” he sings in the first verse. In the second, he asks him, “Tell me your secret / Promise I won’t tell / Don’t tell me to leave it / I know you don’t care.” In the catchiest section that is not named the chorus (the pre-chorus), Arora memorably asserts, “Your grass is green than the way you make me feel / I’m tryna hide it, but my lips don’t seem to seal.” Word. The chorus, excerpted above, is the section to beat; it’s catchy as albeit. But the non-bridge, spoken by Vardaan, is sweet too: “You thought I was going to sing a bridge, didn’t you / I just wanna dance like you.” “Dance Like You” slaps.

Appears in 🔻:

Vardaan Arora, Dance Like You: Beaming with Pride 🏳️‍🌈 68 (2024)

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6. Hall & Oates, “Everytime You Go Away”

Voices // Sony Music Entertainment // 1980

“Always the same thing / But can’t you see we’ve got everything / Going on and on and on?” Daryl Hall & John Oates (Hall & Oates) had an extraordinary career. Having charted 34 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, 16 were top 10 hits. Impressive. One song that didn’t chart, as it wasn’t released as a single, was “Everytime You Go Away”. “Everytime You Go Away” was written by Hall and appeared on the duo’s 1980 album, Voices. In Halls & Oates’ hand, the record had a gospel/R&B vibe. The gospelized sound is amplified by the prominent use of organ, big vocal ad-libs and riffs by Hall, and the repetitive, harmonized background vocals. Matters of the heart fuel “Everytime You Go Away.” In the first verse, Hall acknowledges, “Whoa, so you go again / When the leading man appears.” Bummer! In the second verse, he encourages, “Go on and go free / Maybe you’re too close to me / I can feel your body move / But doesn’t mean that much to me.” Or, does it? Per the chorus, the centerpiece, Hall & Oates sing, “That every time you go away / You take a piece of me with you.” In the outro, Hall lets ‘er rip with his gospelized ad-libs that take the listeners to church. From my perspective, the duo should’ve released this soulful “Everytime You Go Away” as a single. It’s the sugar honey iced tea!

Appears in 🔻:

Hall & Oates vs. Paul Young: Head 2 Head No. 38 (2024)

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7. D’african, “I Fucking Lust You”

High Love You // Regency Square Entertainment // 2016

“Sipping and smoking, I feel amazing / Will feel even better when you are with me.” Uh-oh! D’african is already feeling good, but when the opportunity for sex ‘cums’ along, he’s going to feel ‘fucking’ awesome. The puns are justified, particularly when the name of the song is “I Fucking Lust You”. D’african is transparent on this 2015 R&B gem that appeared on his 2016 album, High Love You. Even pushing a decade-old, the longing for good, fulfilling sex, particularly when drunk and high, remains fresh and potent.

The first half of the song is tame. Sure, D’african expresses his desires, but he’s more innocent than my description of what he’s ‘really’ saying. The second half of the song, however, is nasty! Things get ultra-sexy with naughtier lyrics against that lush, sensual backdrop. Sure, he begins with merely “messing with your head” but we all know that the “fucking with all your senses” that follows signals ‘S Meets E and then they X.’ D’African’s lust is uncontrollable as he caresses, “that spot that unlocks your wetness.” 🤭 Oh, snap 🫰! It gets more X-rated though:

“So, I pin you against the dresser and fuck ‘til your legs weak and numb

‘Til you’re so wet, it runs down your legs as you cum

I lick it up with my tongue

I’m a freak when I’m drunk

I know I fuck you like I love you babe

That’s only when I’m drunk.”

Gah-day-um 🥵 😮‍💨! “I Fucking Lust You” is a surefire, sexed-the-fuck-up vibe.

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8. Ryland James, “You’re Still My Man” – Whitney Houston Cover

“You’re Still My Man” // 21 Entertainment Group // 2024

“You’re still my man / Nothing can change it / We still belong together.” Canadian musician Ryland James is filled with dedication on “You’re Still My Man”. However, he wasn’t the first to sing those ‘tethered’ lyrics (despite the end of a relationship, mind you). Whitney Houston originally sang “You’re Still My Man” on her 1987 tour de force, Whitney. Covering a Whitney song takes big vocals and a lot of courage. James, who has a commanding instrument, has no issue with tackling this rarely covered song from a male perspective: he identifies as queer.

James makes “You’re Still My Man” his own, with more of a ‘pop-leaning’ sound. He sings radiantly, showing off his distinct, expressive, and nuanced pipes. The falsetto notes he hits are glorious. He is accompanied by piano initially as he laments the union with his man. “And the feelings between us / Will never disappear,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “How can you be far away / When you’re spirit’s here?” In the second verse, he’s certain “soon you’ll be missing me,” adding “There’s a magic we share together / And no one can break that spell.” As the song progresses, the accompaniment expands including strings, bass, and drums. The most powerful section of the song is the outro, where Ryland shows how dynamic and powerful he is as a vocalist. The ad-libs and riffs are on point. He navigates the key changes soundly, one of the harder aspects of this big, big song. Covering Whitney Houston is no easy task, but Ryland James does a fabulous job with “You’re Still My Man”.

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9. Kem, “I Can’t Stop Loving You”

Album II // Motown // 2004

“I think about the day I met / The perfect stranger / I think about us.” Kem (Kem Owens) exemplifies the classy, refined, adult contemporary R&B singer/songwriter. He’s had a successful career encompassing a platinum album (Album II), and a pair of gold albums (Kemistry and Intimacy). However, the Grammy-nominated musician has charted only one song on the pop charts 🤯: “I Can’t Stop Loving You”. Written and produced by Owens, “I Can’t Stop Loving You” peaked at no. 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2005. His music achieved more success on the R&B charts where “I Can’t Stop Loving You” was one of two top 20 hits (peaked at no. 20).

“Never thought I’d love anyone else / In my weakness / I think about us…” The reminiscing is real on “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” a song of utter regret. Kem is sincere about his love and dedication despite making a terrible mistake in this tuneful ballad. He remembers the best of times before things ended. “The sun was shinin’ on you / The Lord was smilin’ on me,” he sings in the first pre-chorus, continuing, “And love was callin’ us / I had my mind made up.” The section to beat is the chorus, which is simple but impactful:

“And I can’t stop lovin’ you

I can’t help myself

And I can’t get over you

No matter what I tell myself, baby.”

Kem never forces things when he sings, maintaining a coolness and poise. He does show more grit towards the end but never over-sings. Supporting his expressive pipes is a sophisticated, tasteful accompaniment that includes electric piano, organ, guitar, bass, drums, and saxophone. For 2004, this was an old-school R&B record. But those old-school vibes were refreshing then and continue to be refreshing two decades later. Kem and “I Can’t Stop Loving You” deserved far more success on the pop charts!

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10. Michael Wycoff, “Looking Up to You”

Love Conquers All // RCA // 1982

“So sweet, got me looking up, got me looking up to you.” Michael Wycoff (1956 – 2019) was an underrated talent in R&B music. One of his hits that should have but didn’t impact the pop charts is the silky, smooth “Looking Up to You”. “I’m looking forward to that sweet reality, oh yeah,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “I see myself rewarded with the love I need.” “Looking Up to You” is the second track from his 1982 sophomore album, Love Conquers All. Webster Lewis produced this awesome record. Not a commercial success, “Looking Up to You” has since received millions of streams.

“Looking Up to You” is groovy from the beginning. The arrangement and production are exquisite – rhythm section, lush strings, and glorious horns. Even though “Looking Up to You” arrives post-70s when ‘symphonic soul’ was king, some of the magic of that era remains on this sleek joint. It’s not all instrumental glory, though. Vocally, Wycoff sounds exceptional. His talent shines through like a beacon. His pipes are commanding, expressive, and nuanced. “There’s a thing never simplified, oh no / Only mastered by those who take the time,” Wycoff sings prudently in the second verse, continuing, “Don’t you know good judgment could keep it on your side / The rules are buried, emotions often decide.” Preach! Besides his ripe instrument, he is supported by invested background vocals, upping the ante. The call and response, and ‘response and call’ between Wycoff and the background vocalists, is a winning formula. The sections to beat are the chorus and refrain:

“What I’m believing got me looking up to you

What I’m receiving keeps me feeling like I do, oh yeah

…And so sweet, got me looking up, got me looking up to you.”

“Looking Up to You” is stellar. Besides lots of streams long after it arrived in the early 80s, it has been sampled many times.

Appears in 🔻:

Michael Wycoff, Looking Up to You: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 179 (2024)

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11. Bobby Womack, “If You Think You’re Lonely Now”

The Poet // ABKCO Music & Records, Inc. // 1981

“If you think you’re lonely now, huh / Wait until tonight, girl.” Why Bobby Womack? “I’ll be long gone / …And you’ll never find another man that’ll treat you right.” Noted – loud and clear. The late, great soul musician dropped a gem in the early 80s with “If You Think You’re Lonely Now”. The seventh track from his 1981 LP, The Poet, was a hit on the R&B charts. However, sadly, it didn’t impact the pop charts. Nonetheless, the Womack, Patrick Moten, and Sandra Sully penned track is one of the gems of Bobby’s awesome musical catalog. First and foremost, Womack ‘brings the heat’ vocally. He has the perfect topic to sing about: love. Both lyrics and melodies are memorable. The songwriting is relatable, given that ‘matters of the heart’ are universal. Womack feels unloved by a woman he characterizes as ‘high maintenance’: “She’s always complaining ‘bout me never being at home / But when I’m home, I’m broke / She’s telling me ‘bout the things that her girlfriend’s got / What she ain’t got.” In the second and third verses, there are elements of karma. “When I ain’t there to rub your back /… Just remember I made it a known fact,” he sings in the second, adding in the third, “Girl, ain’t it funny how the tables turn? / When things aren’t going your way.” By the fifth verse, he’s completely done with her shenanigans: “‘Cause I’ve done my time / And it’s your turn now (Wait until tonight, girl).” Womack also gets a lift from fantastic background vocals that sing titular lyrics and the recurrent, “Wait until tonight, girl.” Aside from sweet, nuanced vocals and unforgettable lyrics, the musical accompaniment is swell. Ultimately, Womack shines on this ‘late-career’ hit. “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” was famously covered by K-Ci and has been sampled many times.

Appears in 🔻:

Bobby Womack, If You Think You’re Lonely Now: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 186 (2024)

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12. Patti LaBelle, “You Are My Friend”

Patti LaBelle // Epic // 1977

“You are my friend / I never knew it ‘til then / My friend, my friend.” Word. The great Patti LaBelle ‘brings the heat’ on the ‘friendly’ “You Are My Friend”. “You Are My Friend” is the fifth track on her 1977 album, Patti LaBelle. LaBelle, James Budd Ellison, and L. Armstead Edwards penned the classic. David Rubinson & Friends, Inc. produced the cut. While “You Are My Friend” didn’t impact the pop charts, it performed modestly on the R&B charts (no. 61). LaBelle sings angelically. Her voice is anointed! Her performance is dynamic, expressive, and nuanced. She brings the tuneful melodies to life superbly. Her ad-libs and high-flying vocals are everything, specifically on the bridge where the choir sings, “I’ve been looking around, and you were here all the time…” The lyrics aren’t complicated but solidly convey ‘friendship’ – a special relationship. “You hold my hand, you might not say a word,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “But I see your tears when I show my pain.” Powerful. In the second, LaBelle asserts, “Your love has made me realize / My future looks bright to me all because…” – yup, you guessed it – “You are my friend!” Besides top-notch vocals and thoughtful lyricism, the instrumental accompaniment is marvelous. We’d expect nothing but the crème de la crème supporting a Philly gal like Patti! “You Are My Friend” is epic!

Appears in 🔻:

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13. Jerry Butler, “Just Because I Really Love You”

The Ice Man Cometh // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1968

“Just because I really love you / I let you treat me bad, let you make me sad.” Love will make you do crazy things or allow yourself to be mistreated. That’s what Jerry Butler (1939 – ) asserts in his classic, “Just Because I Really Love You”. “Just Because I Really Love You” is the fifth track from his 1968 album, The Ice Man Cometh. Butler penned “Just Because…” alongside Kenneth Gamble, Mikki Farrow, and Thomas Randolph Bell. Notably, it was produced by the iconic duo Gamble & Huff (Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff). The instrumental arrangement and production are superb: articulated, biting horns, robust bass, sweet rhythm guitar, and glorious keys. As epic as the musical accompaniment is, the ‘star of the show’ is Jerry! “Oh, little girl, I don’t think you mean / To hurt me the way you do,” Butler sings, adding, “So, I let you take a whole lot of liberties / A man in love should never do.” Word. He questions his decision to give her free reign, singing, “Tell me, isn’t a beautiful illusion / Holding a man in the palm of your little hand?” Food for thought. The lyrics are memorable throughout, brought to life masterfully by Butler. He gives his all from a vocal perspective. There is no shortage of authenticity and personality from the legendary musician. His ad-libs towards the end of the song are among his best, showing just how much he loves this woman. A non-single from The Ice Man Cometh that doesn’t hold “Just Because I Really Love You” back from being the crème de la crème of the Jerry Butler catalog.

Appears in 🔻:

Jerry Butler, Just Because I Really Love You: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 172 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

13 More Irresistible YOU Songs (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 21 Entertainment Group, 300 Entertainment, Charity Gayle, Concord Music Group, Epic, Mary Jane, Mathew V, Motown, RCA, Regency Square Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment, The Fuel Music, UMG Recordings, Inc., Vardaan Arora; Alla Eddine Taleb, Jose Musa, Khalil Ahmad, Kindel Media, Shazard R. from Pexels]

13 More Irresistible YOU Songs | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on December 4, 2024December 4, 2024