Reading Time: 17 min read

13 More Songs Where the Focus is TWO (2025) [šŸ“·: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Jonathan Goncalves from Pexels; AcatXIo, Агзам Гайсин fromĀ Pixabay]13 More Songs Where the Focus is TWO features songs by bbno$, Lil Tecca, Linkin Park, SebastiĆ”n Yatra, Tate McRae, and Tyla.

Cutting straight to the chase,Ā TWOĀ is key to 13 More Songs Where the Focus is TWO.Ā  Given that the word more is in the title of this playlist, 13 More Songs Where the Focus is TWO is a sequel.Ā  It follows 13 Songs Where the Focus is TWOĀ (2021). The concept is no different, folks: some form of the word two must be in the song title. The likes of two, twice, 2, and dos (two in Spanish) are all acceptable for this musical compendium. 13 More Songs Where the Focus is TWO features songs by bbno$, Lil Tecca, Linkin Park, SebastiĆ”n Yatra, Tate McRae, and Tyla. So, without further ado, let’s ā€˜TWO it the F up’ on 13 More Songs Where the Focus is TWO, shall we?!


~ Table of Contents ~

1. Tate McRae, ā€œ2 handsā€ 2. bbno$, ā€œtwoā€ 3. ROSƉ, ā€œtwo yearsā€ 4. Cordae, ā€œTwo Tensā€
5. FLETCHER, ā€œTwo Things Can Be Trueā€ 6. Lil Tecca, ā€œNUMBER 2ā€ 7. Tyla, ā€œPUSH 2 STARTā€ 8. Kanye West, ā€œTwo Wordsā€ (Ft. Mos Def, Freeway & The Boys Choir of Harlem)
9. Linkin Park, ā€œTwo Facedā€ 10. SebastiĆ”n Yatra, ā€œDos Oruguitasā€ / ā€œTwo Oruguitasā€ 11. The Deele, ā€œTwo Occasionsā€ 12. Great White, ā€œOnce Bitten Twice Shyā€
13. Meat Loaf, ā€œTwo Out of Three Ain’t Badā€ Ā  Ā  Ā 

 


1. Tate McRae, ā€œ2 handsā€

So Close To What // RCA // 2025Ā 

Tate McRae, So Close To What [šŸ“·: RCA]ā€œI want your two hands / Don’t ever let me go / I want your two hands / Two hands on me.ā€ Noted, Tate McRae.Ā  The Gen-Z Canadian pop artist continues to churn out bops. ā€œ2 handsā€ is the second single from her third studio album, So Close To What. Amy Allen, Peter Rycroft (Lostboy), and Ryan Tedder penned ā€œ2 Hands.ā€ Tedder and Lostboy produced it. Tate is ā€˜true to self’ on ā€œ2 hands.ā€ She delivers respectable vocals showcasing her distinct sound.Ā  Like many contemporary artists, she lets those bombs fly.Ā  ā€œYou don’t gotta shit-talk your last girl / Sayin’ she don’t compare to me,ā€ she sings rhythmically during the first verse, continuing, ā€œBaby, I ain’t saying you don’t know me well, it’s / Just not the shit I need.ā€ In the second verse, she informs him, ā€œYou ain’t gonna win with the jewelry / Don’t need the cute fuckin’ names.ā€ Beyond the rhythmic melodies and profane verse lyrics, the chorus is the section to beat. It is catchy, memorable, and ā€˜handsy’:

ā€œI just want your two hands on me

At all times, baby

If you let go (I want your two hands)

Better put ā€˜em right back fast

Want your two hands on me

Like my life need savin’

Let ā€˜em all know (I want your two hands)

Can you do it like that? Yeah.ā€

Ooh-wee, sexy! Beyond the fun lyrics and spirited performance by McRae, the musical accompaniment shines.Ā  The groove is electrifying with the rhythmic drum programming, while the pads are warm.Ā  ā€œ2 handsā€ gets two thumbs up!

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2. bbno$, ā€œtwoā€

ā€œtwoā€ // bbno$ / broke // 2024

bbno$, two [šŸ“·: bbno$ / broke]ā€œTwo, four, six, eight / Who do we appreciate? / That’s bbno$, he’s always up to something.ā€ Yeah, no shit! The Canadian rapper/singer (real name Alexander Gumuchian) never fails to entertain.Ā  He is confident, compelling, and quite often, utterly ridiculous.Ā  That is his charm, though! On ā€œtwo,ā€ he remains true to himself.Ā  ā€œThree bad thots givin’ me triceratops,ā€ he spits in the first verse, adding, ā€œThree short kings in the squad like Aragorn.ā€ Bbno$ co-wrote ā€œtwoā€ with jesse saint john, and Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer, Y2K (Ari Starace). Bbno$ co-produced the silly banger as well. ā€œTwoā€ runs a brief but potent two-and-a-quarter minutes.Ā  That is ample time for bbno$ to ā€˜do his thing.’ Bbno$ delivers his fair share of ludicrously entertaining rhymes. At the end of the second verse, he raps, ā€œDoin’ that, doin’ that, doin’ that dance / Shakin’ that jelly, yeah, shakin’ that jam / Takin’ ad-, takin’ ad-, takin’ advance / So much cash, it will put you in a trance.ā€ Upping the ante is a badass electro-infused backdrop that is perfect fuel for Gumuchian’s fire.

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3. ROSƉ, ā€œtwo yearsā€

rosie // ROSƉ / Atlantic Recording Corporation // 2024

ROSƉ, rosie [šŸ“·: ROSƉ / Atlantic Recording Corporation]ā€œAll that I know / Is that I can’t let you go.ā€ Heartbreak has reared its ugly head on ā€œAPTā€ standout, ROSƉ. ā€œTwo years,ā€ the third track from her 2024 debut LP, rosie, isn’t peppy and infectious like ā€œAPT.ā€ Instead, she can’t get past her ex. ā€œIt’s been two years and you’re still not gone / Doesn’t make sense that I can’t move on,ā€ she sings in the centerpiece, the chorus.Ā  She adds, ā€œTwo years since you’ve been in my bed / Even had a funeral for you in my head.ā€ Damn, ROSƉ! Despite her pain, ā€œtwo yearsā€ marks another bop for New Zealand-born, South Korean singer/songwriter.Ā  She wrote ā€œtwo yearsā€ alongside Aldae, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Michael Pollack, and Isaiah Tejada wrote ā€œtwo years.ā€ The Monsters & Strangerz and Tejada produced it. The sound of the record is sweet.Ā  Initially, the instrumental is enigmatic with driving synths and no drums/drum programming.Ā  By the second verse, the groove kicks in and the instrumental packs more punch . ROSƉ serves up beautiful vocals on this ballad. Ā The chorus is where her bread is buttered, particularly the second chorus, which is bigger than the first. Also, the bridge distinguishes itself from the verses and chorus: ā€œMaybe I’m just sick / And this is how it’s gonna be / Maybe this is all I know / And I know it’s not you, it’s me.ā€ I’m sorry for ROSÉ’s love pains, but ā€œtwo yearsā€ is a bussin’ song!

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4. Cordae, ā€œTwo Tensā€ (Ft. Anderson .Paak)

The Crossroads // Atlantic Recording Corporation // 2024

Cordae, The Crossroads [šŸ“·: Atlantic]ā€œTwo friends and they both tens, lookin’ nice, uh / Too bent, I should call it quits but I’m not, uh.ā€ Woo!Ā AndersonĀ  .Paak, a true vibe, has the pleasure of delivering the utterly lit šŸ”„ chorus of the brief but potent Cordae song, ā€œTwo Tensā€. Released in 2023, ā€œTwo Tensā€ reappears on Cordae’s 2024 album, The Crossroads, as a bonus track. It isn’t only the chorus from .Paak that earns my seal of approval. How about how he trades bars with Cordae, dropping a surefire bullet with ā€œShot the club up like Stojakovic.ā€ Beyond Paak, what about that production by J. Cole? The beat hits hard while also hearkening back to the past.Ā  Cordae rides the beat well, kicking off the first verse with, ā€œThe last time we tried that, it didn’t end well / Plus you never know the story that they friends tell.ā€ Of course, it’s all about picking up dimes. An entertaining, compelling flow follows, shared by Cordae and .Paak.Ā  One of their best exchanges:Ā 

ā€œMan, I love this bitch, we gon’ travel and fill up the bucket listĀ 

Have ā€˜bout ten kids on the ranch on some southern shitĀ 

You mean sucker shit, slave to the pussy since you discovered itĀ 

Ten bands on Chanel purse, that’s bad budgetin’ 

Plus you niggas always together, it’s mad smotherin’ 

You simpin’ over bitches, I never thought it would come to this.ā€Ā 

You could argue that Cordae is slightly overshadowed by his collaborators, both of whom are Grammy winners on ā€œTwo Tensā€.Ā  Still, he drops some stellar rhymes too, and I appreciate his willingness to sacrifice some of the shine for the good of this rap banger.Ā Ā Ā Ā 

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5. FLETCHER, ā€œTwo Things Can Be Trueā€

In Search of the Antidote // Snapback Entertainment LLC / UMG Recordings, Inc. // 2024Ā 

FLETCHER, In Search of the Antidote [šŸ“·: Snapback Entertainment LLC / UMG Recordings, Inc.]ā€œDid I want more than friends? Maybe / Should I have gotten involved? No / But did I like it every time we touched? Yeah.ā€ In ā€œTwo Things Can Be Trueā€, the fifth track from In Search of the Antidote (2024),Ā  pop singer/songwriter FLETCHER (Cari Fletcher) messed around with a ā€˜straight’ (possibly bi) girl. ā€œWas I delusional in thinkin’ I could be in your life after all of this? Yup.ā€ In the pre-chorus, she sings, ā€œNow you found someone else to hold you / In all the ways I couldn’t / It hurts, he makes you happier.ā€ Interesting, at least for the listener, not so much for Cari. FLETCHER, Jennifer Decliveo, and Julia Michaels penned ā€œTwo Things Can Be True.ā€ Decliveo produced it.

Throughout ā€œTwo Things Can Be True,ā€ FLETCHER serves up sickening vocals.Ā  The lyrics come directly from the heart.Ā  Their ā€˜relationship’ (or hook ups) are history. FLETCHER’S ex-girlfriend is now with him. Bummer! The chorus perfectly sums up the sentiment – truly, two things can be true!

ā€œTwo things can be true

He can love you, baby, and, baby, I can too

Things, they can be true

You can have his body and still think of mine too

You can still call mе up at night

He can still be the lovе of your life

You can ignore me in every room and still miss me

And me too, things can be true

He can love you, baby, and, baby, I can too.ā€

Ultimately, FLETCHER still has feelings for her on ā€œTwo Things Can Be Trueā€ –  she still wants some sort of relationship. If you are LGBTQ, particularly the ā€˜L’ or ā€˜G,’ you have likely fallen for a straight girl or guy.Ā  The situation can also be flipped – a straight guy falling for a lesbian, or a heterosexual girl falling for a gay guy.Ā  This bop from Cari Fletcher is R-E-L-A-T-A-B-L-E!

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6. Lil Tecca, ā€œNUMBER 2ā€

PLAN A // Republic // 2024

Lil Tecca, Plan A [šŸ“·: Republic]ā€œBitch, I be on my own shit.ā€ šŸ’Æ! Please, continue, Lil Tecca (Tyler-Justin Anthony Sharpe)! ā€œYeah, bitch, I be on my own time,ā€ the Gen-Z rapper boasts in the only verse of ā€œNUMBER 2,ā€ adding, ā€œOh, that’s your shawty? Then how we still be linking? / How come I hit that shit both time?ā€ What more can you say but, oh, shit?! ā€œNUMBER 2ā€ is the seventh track from Tecca’s 2024 album, PLAN A. He wrote ā€œNUMBER 2ā€ with producers Rio Leyva, Scizzie, and Taz Taylor.Ā 

Lil Tecca is confident as fucc. Even so, he delivers a chill, easygoing melodic rap performance.Ā  His cadence and flow are compelling. Tecca is backed by sleek production work with warm pads, synths, and drum programming. Ā Following a brief introduction, the chorus arrives in all its glory:

ā€œI don’t know if it’s you, I could tell the truth, I’m not in the mood, yeah

Tell me how you feel, tell me if it’s real, but that’s nothin’ new, yeah on God

Bring that shit together, I could be the glue, I could be the tool

Now you tryna run the show, tryna be my main, but you number two, yeah, woah.ā€

While wordy, the chorus is memorable and tuneful. He tells the guys near the end of the chorus, ā€œBetter not bring your lil’ ho around.ā€ Why? ā€œā€˜Cause she fanned out.ā€ Noted! The brief outro is sampled from a Rhegan Coursey TikTok video (ā€œThey’re ā€˜bout to play my songā€). ā€œNUMBER 2ā€ is the shit… literally šŸ’© 😜!

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7. Tyla, ā€œPUSH 2 STARTā€

TYLA+ // FAX / Epic // 2024

Tyla, TYLA+ [šŸ“·: FAX / Epic]ā€œThe way we move, uh, skin onto skin / No separation, need no conversation, nah, nah, nah.ā€ Oh, snap! Grammy-winning, Gen-Z, South African singer/songwriter Tyla (Tyla Laura Seethal) knows how to drop a surefire bop ( ā€œWaterā€ is a prime example).Ā  With ā€œPUSH 2 STARTā€, the second track from her expanded debut album, TYLA+, Seethal keeps the hits coming. Sammy Soso produced the infectious bop. Notably, Tyla is impatient: ā€œTime is tickin’, it’s takin’ you too long / Right before I decide to go home.ā€ Boy, you better get it together!

ā€œPUSH 2 STARTā€ benefits from a sickening groove at the onset. That beat kicks ass and takes names! The production is well-rounded. The rhythmic synth ups the ante.Ā  As for Tyla, she sounds sweet as she sings.Ā  The melodies are ear-catching, particularly the crĆØme de la crĆØme, the chorus:

ā€œAct like you heard me

Only serve it up if you deserve me, yeah

Pull up and earn me (Pusha, pusha)

Push to start (Pusha, pusha).ā€

Ooh-wee! The post-chorus is an extension of the sexy, musical goodness! ā€œPushin’ on my buttons with no hesitation (ā€˜Tation) /Gas me up, give me motivation (ā€˜Vation),ā€ she sings, continuing, ā€œSo tell me where we goin’, pick a destination (ā€˜Nation) / Gas me up, give me motivation now (Nah).ā€ Tyla also released ā€œPUSH 2 START (REMIX)ā€ featuring reggae/dancehall veteran Sean Paul. Paul’s impact is felt from the start of the ā€œSTART (REMIX),ā€ with ample Sean-ness infused throughout (ā€œBaby girl, you ah the badess to be honest / Hottest girl pon the planet and a no just šŸ“ Johannesburgā€). ā€œPUSH 2 STARTā€ is sickening šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘!

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8. Kanye West, ā€œTwo Wordsā€ (Ft. Mos Def, Freeway & The Boys Choir of Harlem)

The College Dropout // Def Jam / UMG Recordings, Inc. // 2004

Kanye West, The College Dropout [šŸ“·:Ā Roc-A-Fella]ā€œWe in the streets, playa, get your mail / It’s only two places you end up: either dead or in jail.ā€ Word. The College Dropout is one of the best, most influential rap albums of all time.Ā  This was the beginning of Kanye West, the musical genius.Ā  Put aside all of the controversies and missteps made by West.Ā  The College Dropout is that album.Ā  With so many hits, a song like ā€œTwo Wordsā€ gets less love.Ā  It shouldn’t.Ā  West collaborates with Mos Def, Freeway, and the beautiful voices of The Boys Choir of Harlem.Ā  Furthermore, ā€œTwo Wordsā€ samples four songs: ā€œPeace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi): Movement IV (Encounter)ā€ by Mandrill, ā€œThe Rainmakerā€ by The 5th Dimension, ā€œGot Nowhereā€ by State Property, and ā€œDo It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)ā€ by Jay-Z.Ā  West, who produces, is the architect of this The College Dropout gem.Ā  Also, give credit to Miri Ben-Ari for that epic string arrangement and her violin skills.

West is the first voice heard in the banger, delivering the memorable chorus.Ā  From there, Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) drops kick-ass bars.Ā  He sets the tone: ā€œListen, two words, United States, no love, no breaks / Low brow, high stakes, crack smoke, black folks.ā€ His cadence and flow are sick.Ā  He’s followed by West’s chorus, which adds The Boys Choir of Harlem.Ā  West then drops the second verse, patterned similarly to Bey’s first. One of his most memorable lines is adapted from Goodfellas: ā€œTwo words: Chi-Town raised me, crazy / So I live by two words: ā€˜Fuck you, pay me.ā€™ā€ Woo! Freeway gets his bars in the third verse, concluding with a ā€˜bang’: ā€œTwo words, Freeway, slightly retarded / Fuck around, throw a clip in your artist, leave with his broad.ā€ Damn! The outro is sweet as well – a collaboration between Bey and The Boys Choir of Harlem.Ā  All in all, ā€œTwo Wordsā€, a non-charting, non-single from The College Dropout is one of its best songs. Kanye Omari West did that!

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9. Linkin Park, ā€œTwo Facedā€

From Zero // Linkin Park, LLC / Warner // 2024

Linkin Park, From Zero [šŸ“·: Linkin Park, LLC]ā€œThat’s when I figured out where it led / Beginnin’ to realize that you put me over the edge.ā€ Oh, really, Mike Shinoda? Please, Mike, tell us more. The Linkin Park standout adds in the pre-chorus, ā€œThe dark’s too vivid, the light’s not there.ā€ Huh, that’s interesting! So… what are you getting at? Well, according to Emily Armstrong in the chorus of ā€œTwo Facedā€, ā€œTwo-faced, caught in the middle / Caught in the middle / Too late, countin’ to zero / Countin’ to zero.ā€ Clearer… for the most part! ā€œTwo Facedā€ is the eighth track from From Zero, the 2024 comeback album by the Grammy-winning rock band.

Armstrong takes over vocal duties post-Chester Bennington (1976 – 2017) 😄, bringing some badass, assertive, and powerful vocals during the chorus. The melody is quite memorable during this section.Ā  Later, Armstrong brings things down, whispering during the bridge (ā€œI can’t hear myself thinkā€), before she ā€˜powers up’ with screamed, unclean vocals. Rock on 🤘! Mike Shinoda raps in both verses and pre-choruses, setting up this two-faced-ness. ā€œLast time, you told me it wasn’t true / And pointin’ every finger at things that you didn’t do,ā€ he spits, continuing, ā€œSo, that’s why I kept missin’ the clues / And never realized that the one that did it was you.ā€ That is some two-faced shit! Beyond the engaging performances of Shinoda and Armstrong, the music kicks ass and takes names.Ā  The guitars are jagged and raucous, the bass sounds mean, and the drums pummel. Also, for good measure, ā€œTwo Facedā€ is set in a minor key. We will never forget Chester or the classic lineup of Linkin Park, but this new-look version conjures up some angst-laden magic!

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10. SebastiĆ”n Yatra, ā€œDos Oruguitasā€ / ā€œTwo Oruguitasā€

Encanto (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) // Disney Enterprises, Inc. // 2021

Encanto [šŸ“·: Disney]Two oruguitas / Cocooned and waiting / Each in their own world / Anticipating / What happens after / The rearranging?ā€ Keeping it šŸ’Æ, Colombian singer, songwriter, and actor SebastiĆ”n Yatra (SebastiĆ”n Obando Giraldo) is fine as hell šŸ˜. He is a handsome man who does not ever need to wear a shirt 🄵, but he is also talented, hence why he appears in this playlist šŸ˜‰. Yatra sung on ā€œDos Oruguitasā€, the song from the soundtrack of the Walt Disney Studios animated masterpiece, Encanto, nominated for an Academy Award (ā€œWe Don’t Talk About Brunoā€ was not submitted). Lin-Manuel Miranda penned the song, which also appears on the soundtrack in its English version (ā€œTwo Oruguitasā€). He produced ā€œOruguitasā€ (translates as little caterpillars in English) with Mike Elizondo. ā€œDo Oruguitasā€ reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. Ā The meaningful song was certified platinum by the RIAA.

ā€œTwo oruguitas / In love and yearning / Spend every evening / And morning learning.ā€ Aww 🄰. Yatra’s voice is sweet on both the English and Spanish versions of the song. Also sweet are the tender, tuneful melodies. The songwriting is also a gargantuan selling point: ā€œAy, oruguitas / Don’t you hold on too tight / Both of you know / It’s your time to grow / To fall apart, to reunite.ā€ Caterpillars do grow to become beautiful butterflies šŸ¦‹. In the movie, the song captures the Madrigal family history, specifically Mirabel’s abuela, Alma, and late abuelo, Pedro.

ā€œDosā€ features gorgeous musical accompaniment from guitars. Eventually, the song grows more dynamic with fuller instrumentation (including a sickening percussive groove) and bigger vocals from Yatra.Ā  Even as ā€œDos Oruguitasā€ finds its groove, it never grows overwhelming or overwrought. SebastiĆ”n digs in, mind you, yet he maintains a cool energy. SebastiĆ”n shines on ā€œDos Oruguitasā€ / ā€œTwo Oruguitasā€, which many argue is the best song from Encanto.Ā 

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11. The Deele, ā€œTwo Occasionsā€

Eyes of a Stranger // Unidisc Music Inc.Ā // 1987Ā 

The Deele, Eyes Of A Stranger [šŸ“·: Unidisc Music Inc.]ā€œā€˜Cause every time I close my eyes / I think of you / And no matter what the season is / I still love you.ā€Ā  Ah, The Deele have ā€˜matters of the heart’ in their minds on ā€œTwo Occasionsā€, Ā the opener from their 1987 album, Eyes of a Stranger. ā€œTwo Occasionsā€ marked the R&B collective’s only top 40 hit on the pop charts. It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.Ā  Darnell Bristol, Babyface (Kenny Edmonds), and Carlos ā€œSatinā€ Green sing lead vocals on the beloved single from the R&B group that originated in the Midwest: šŸ“ Cincinnati, Ohio. ā€œTwo Occasionsā€ was written by Babyface, Sidney DeWayne, and Darnell Bristol. Babyface and L.A. Reid produced it.

ā€œTwo Occasionsā€ features a smooth, easygoing musical backdrop. The song exemplifies the chill but potent quiet storm prominent in R&B in the 1980s.Ā  The vocals by the three leads and the collective as a whole are cool and refined.Ā  The harmonies, which spring up during the chorus, are delightful.Ā  The falsetto is incredibly ripe and ear-catching. Bristol sings the first verse, mentioning the perks of summer and winter love.Ā  Regardless, he desires ā€œTo have a love that endures.ā€ Green sings the second verse, touting autumnal love, adding, ā€œBut when the leaves are gone / Does that love disappear?ā€ Babyface sings one of the song’s most memorable sections, the pre-chorus:

ā€œā€˜Cause every time I close my eyes
I think of you
And no matter what the season is
I still love you
With all my heart
And I wanna be with you
Wherever you are.ā€

Beyond the terrific pre-chorus, the chorus, sung by The Deele, is the section to beat: ā€œI only think of you on two occasions / That’s day and night / I’d go for broke if I could be with you /Only you can make it right.ā€ The Deele dropped a sensational ballad with ā€œTwo Occasionsā€. Although it is a one-hit wonder by pop standards, it’s a memorable winner through and through.

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12. Great White, ā€œOnce Bitten Twice Shyā€

Twice Shy // Capitol // 1989

Great White, Twice Shy [šŸ“·: Capitol]ā€œWell, the times are getting hard for you, little girl / I’m a-humming and a-strumming all over God’s world.ā€ Word.Ā  ā€œYou didn’t know that rock and roll burned / So, you bought a candle, and you lived, and you learned.ā€ Also, word. ā€œOnce Bitten Twice Shyā€ is the ninth and final track from the multiplatinum Twice Shy, the 1989 album by American rock band Great White. The song was written and originally recorded by Ian Hunter in 1975.Ā  Yes, that means the successful Great White version is indeed a cover 🤯! The gold-certified single marked the biggest hit of the band’s career.Ā  Their sole top 10 hit peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, a marvelous cover is a song to beat, particularly if it earns more attention and notoriety than the original (Hunter charted one song on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was not ā€œOnce Bitten Twice Shyā€).Ā Ā 

ā€œMy, my, my, I’m once bitten, twice shy, baby.ā€ ā€œOnce Bitten Twice Shyā€ dons a sick groove from the onset. The tone of the drums is awesome.Ā  Also awesome is the rhythmic guitar accompaniment. Later, things get bluesier with piano riffs giving Great White the ā€˜glam.’  Well, piano doesn’t determine the glam-ness, but it is a killer touch.Ā  Also, ā€˜killer’ is the electrifying guitar soloing that occurs later in this high-energy gem.Ā  Flowers must be given to Jack Russell, who sadly passed away in August 2024. He delivers assertive, dynamic lead vocals.Ā  He brings ample punch and oomph to the lyrics.Ā  ā€œWoman, you’re a mess, going to die in your sleep / There’s blood on my amp and my Les Paul’s beat,ā€ he sings in the third verse, continuing, ā€œCan’t keep you home, you’re messing around / My best friend told me you’re the best lick in town.ā€ Ooh-wee, oh, snap! Not only is ā€œOnce Bitten Twice Shyā€ one of the gems from the Great White catalog, but it is also one of the most memorable rock songs from the 1980s 🤘. ā€œYou told me I was the only one / But look at you now, it’s dark as it’s dumb.ā€ WOO!Ā Ā 

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13. Meat Loaf, ā€œTwo Out of Three Ain’t Badā€

Bat Out of Hell // Sony Music EntertainmentĀ // 1977

Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell [šŸ“·: Sony Music Entertainment]ā€œI want you, I need you / But there ain’t no way I’m ever gonna love you.ā€ Uh-oh! It’s those universal, pesky matters of the heart rearing their ugly head! Grammy-winning singer and actor Meat Loaf (Michael Lee Aday) (1947 – 2022) continues singing, ā€œNow don’t be sad (Don’t be sad ā€˜cause) / ā€˜Cause two out of three ain’t bad.ā€ ā€œTwo Out of Three Ain’t Badā€ is the fifth track from Meat Loaf’s lauded 1977, diamond-certified album, Bat Out of Hell. Hall of Fame songwriter Jim Steinman (1947 – 2021) wrote ā€œTwo,ā€ while Todd Rundgren produced it.Ā  A huge hit, the song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.Ā  It was certified platinum by the RIAA.Ā 

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So, what is going on in ā€œTwo Out of Three Ain’t Bad?ā€ An ice-cold relationship.Ā  ā€œBaby, we can talk all night / But that ain’t getting us nowhere,ā€ Meat Loaf sings in the first verse of the ballad.Ā  In the second, he asserts, ā€œI poured it on, and I poured it out,ā€ adding ā€œI’m tired of words and I’m too hoarse to shout / But you’ve been cold to me so long.ā€ It’s poetically giving unrequited love.Ā  On the bridge, Aday speaks to the extreme that his soon-to-be ex is seeking, cleverly singing, ā€œI know you’re lookin’ for a ruby in a mountain of rocks / But there ain’t no Coupe de Ville hidin’ / At the bottom of a Cracker Jack box.ā€ By the third verse, she exits, expressing those memorable, titular lyrics in the chorus.Ā  Meatloaf sings authentically and beautifully throughout ā€œTwo Out of Three Ain’t Badā€ – he sells it to the audience like a champ.Ā  Beyond his honest vocal performance, the music is stunning.Ā  This is 1970s pop/rock at its best, with rhythm section (including keys), strings, and lit background vocals supporting Meat Loaf’s dynamic lead. Can I get an amen?! The greatness of ā€œTwo Out of Three Ain’t Badā€ endures well beyond the 1970s.Ā  Ā 

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13 More Songs Where the Focus is TWO (2025) [šŸ“·: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic Recording Corporation, bbno$, broke, Capitol, Def Jam, Disney Enterprises, Inc., Linkin Park, LLC, RCA, Republic, ROSƉ, Snapback Entertainment LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings, Inc., Unidisc Music Inc., Warner; Jonathan Goncalves from Pexels; AcatXIo, Агзам Гайсин fromĀ Pixabay]

 

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the musical hype

The Musical Hype (he/him) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education and 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. Music and writing are two of the most important parts of his life.