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Artists providing the soundtrack for “13 Songs Chocked-Full of Changes” include A$AP Rocky, Charlie Puth, Five Finger Death Punch, H.E.R., and Lana Del Rey.

Change, a verb, is defined by Merriam-Webster as “to make different in some particular: alter,” “to make radically different: transform,” or “to replace with another” among other definitions.  Merriam-Webster also serves up definitions for the word’s intransitive verb form. This isn’t a semantics article; it’s a playlist centered around one of the scariest words in the world, CHANGE.  All 13 of the featured songs have some form of this verb in their respective song title.  Artists supplying the music for this transformative list include A$AP Rocky, Charlie Puth, Five Finger Death Punch, H.E.R., and Lana Del Rey among many others.

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1. A$AP Rocky, “Changes”

Testing • RCA • 2018

A$AP Rocky truly ‘tested’ his audience with his third studio album, TESTING.  Despite being ‘all over the place,’ the New York rapper had his moments.  “Changes” is an intriguing listen, chocked-full production changes throughout.  This is an ambitious three-part song that crosses north of the five-minute mark.  There’s some fine ideas and things that bode well for him, but in the context of the album, this deep into it, there are few that’ll pass the attention span test…

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2. Bazzi, “Changed”

COSMIC • Atlantic • 2018

“Starting over is hard to do / ‘Cause staring over is without you.” Eclectic is a great way to describe 20-year old Bazzi, a rising urban-pop artist from Michigan, now based in California. On “Changed,” the penultimate record from his intriguing debut album, COSMIC, Bazzi struggles with starting over – ‘getting past the past.’ This is prevalent throughout the course of COSMIC as he always seems to look back, never forgetting his history.

“I do this for the music, not the fame

So, don’t you say that I’m the same

‘Cause I’m the only thing that hasn’t changed.”

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3. Scotty McCreery, “Seasons Change”

Seasons Change • Triple Tigers • 2018

“Seasons change / Turning a new leaf, rolling up my sleeves / Sitting on ‘G’, waiting on ‘O’ / Now the sun’s out baby I’m ready to roll.” Scotty McCreery is reflective on “Seasons Change,” the opener and title track from his third studio album.  Notably, Seasons Change arrived nearly five years after his sophomore LP, See You Tonight (2013).  Essentially, he sings about the fact that hard, unpleasant times – trouble if you will – doesn’t last always.  It’s best summed up by the memorable chorus, excerpted above and continued below:

“Wintertime, springtime, summertime, fall / Good times, bad times, been through them all / Just when you think you can’t make it through the rain / Your seasons change.”

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4. Five Finger Death Punch, “When the Seasons Change”

And Justice for None • Prospect Park • 2018

“When it rains it pours and everybody stumbles / I won’t let them bring you down.” Wow, that’s uplifting stuff right there. Apparently metal band Five Finger Death Punch and country artist Scotty McCreery were drinking the same thing… Well maybe FFDP had Coca Cola and Scotty was drinking Pepsi – or vice versa. FFDP couldn’t be farther stylistically from McCreery, but both focus on the effects of seasonal changes metaphorically. “When the Seasons Change,” the ninth song off the band’s 2018 album And Justice for None, is a kinder, gentler song by the band, driven by love.

“There’s a light in you that tears me down to nothing / There’s an angel in your eyes / There’s a hope inside that you can make it better / You see right through my disguise.”

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5. Charlie Puth, “Change”

Ft. James Taylor

Voicenotes • Atlantic • 2018

“Why can’t we just get along? / If loving one another’s wrong / Then how are we supposed to / Get close to each other?” Charlie Puth – “that is the question!” The socially-conscious “Change” served as the fifth advance single from Voicenotes, enlisting the legendary James Taylor. The production is spare at the onset – acoustic guitar, electric piano, and finger snaps. The chorus, excerpted above, is the centerpiece of the record. Compared to the other Voicenotes collaborations, “Change” doesn’t have the same punch.  Nonetheless, the message is transcendent, if oversimplified. As the record progresses the production fills out a bit more.

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6. Miike Snow, “Change Your Mind”

Fifty Shades Freed • Republic • 2018

“Maybe I have to wait a while / Maybe I could change your mind.”  The final soundtrack of the final film of the Fifty Shades trilogy, Fifty Shades Freed, had some terrific moments.  While indie-pop standouts Miike Snow served up one of the better offerings from the compilation, it didn’t necessarily eclipse ‘the juggernauts’ such as the funky “The Wolf” or the expressive Bishop Briggs interpretation of “Never Tears Us Apart”. Still, “Change Your Mind” is easy-going and mid-tempo – that’s a winning combo.  Still, even with the easiness, cool frontman Andrew Wyatt gets a bit ‘salty’ on the pre-chorus:

“At night, I’m trading, gold diamonds for stars / Blinded by fire, showing me who you are / Fuck it, fade away, child ‘til another day, child / Gotta keep my state of mind.”

It’s amazing how those f-bombs seem to creep in, isn’t it?

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7. nothing,nowhere., “changer”

ruiner • Fueled by Ramen • 2018

“And I can’t, can’t go back / ‘Cause things change / I can’t change that.” Nothing,nowhere. is an eclectic, rising artist in the music game.  Multi-talented, Joe Mulherin is a rapper, singer, and songwriter.  Perhaps he is best classified as an alternative musician, for lack of a better characterization. “Changer” appears as the penultimate track on his 2018 album, ruiner. What’s the premise? Nothing,nowhere. struggles with both change and also the lack of change.  On the first verse, he’s reluctant to change because he wants to remember the people he loved when he was younger, without the “pressure” of fame and money.  On the second verse, he’s disappointed how some people won’t change for the better: “I always tried to get them out of the rut / But it seems like all they wanted was to get fucked up.” It’s a captivating, if brief, relatable tale depicted both sides of change.

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8. Lana Del Rey, “Change”

Lust for Life • Interscope • 2017

Lust for Life is a fine but lengthy album courtesy of the incredibly gifted Lana Del Rey.  There are numerous songs that stand out, including the title track, “Summer Bummer”, and “Groupie Love”.  “Change” is a thoughtful record conceptually, dealing with humankind as a whole as well as changes and maturation within herself. Furthermore, this piano ballad’s placement on the album is fitting.  Outside of Lust for Life, this is a gorgeous, haunting ballad, where the listener leans on Del Rey’s every lyric. Within the context of the album, it’s an underrated, more forgotten number, mainly because of the exhaustive length of the project.  Crossing the five-minute mark itself, the two songs that precede are five-minutes-plus, as is the ‘ultimate’ cut, “Get Free.” ‘Summer Bummer’ “Change” doesn’t get more credit

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9. Thomas Rhett, “Life Changes”

Life Changes • Big Machine • 2017

There is clearly an autobiographical tone to “Life Changes”, a song that finds Thomas Rhett reflecting on the past, present, and future.  Highlighting the autobiographical nature of “Life Changes,” Rhett talks about adopting a child from Uganda, and having a baby on its way. This particular part, the bridge, amplifies the thoughtfulness of this particular record. While this is a serious record, it’s not blasé.  Rhett still delivers the title track in a fun, memorable way.  In the context of the Grammy-nominated Life Changes, reminiscing isn’t new by this point.  Still, ole boy continues to do it well.

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10. H.E.R., “Changes”

H.E.R. • RCA • 2017

“Lately, I been going through some changes / Been running out of maybes / Boy I know you’re losing patience.” Who is H.E.R. and what is she going through? H.E.R. (Having Everything Revealed) is a rising 21-year old R&B singer from California.  Possessing quite the instrument on her hands, she fits the bill for this change-oriented list with “Changes.” “Changes” appears on her self-titled album, H.E.R, which is the product of two extended plays, released in 2016 and 2017 respectively.  The premise of the changes experienced by H.E.R.? The chorus says it superbly:

“We got options / But I just wanna let you know that I decided / I finally realized that / All I want is you / You, you, you.”

Essentially, she’s matured, and she wants to be fully dedicated and monogamous to him.

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11. John Mayer, “Changing”

The Search for Everything • Columbia • 2017

On “Changing,” John Mayer switches from blue-eyed soul to the adult-alternative pop style he’s excelled at. Despite the stylistic shift, the soulfulness doesn’t exit – the electric guitar sounds as mean and punchy as ever.  A wonderful feature is the use of rhythmic acoustic guitars, which add a folky element.  Furthermore, the particular timbre of the drums further amplifies.  How is Mayer “Changing?” He continues to grow musically and personally, in essence.

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12. J. Cole, “Change”

4 Your Eyez Only • Dreamville / Roc Nation • 2016

“Change” prudently picks up the pace on 4 Your Eyez Only, anchored by a hard-hitting beat. While there’s more oomph as far as the approach, the messaging remains deep – socially-conscious.  Honestly, isn’t this the lane we envision for J. Cole from here on out?  “Change” seems plays on its title, whether its money, internal betterment, or social change.  Ultimately, this particular song is jam-packed, including Cole mourning a friend, James McMillan, Jr.

 

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13. Charles Bradley, “Changes”

Changes • Daptone • 2016

“Changes,” remarkably, a Black Sabbath cover, sounds nearly original as opposed to interpretive in the hands of the late, great Charles Bradley.  That is a testament to his artistry.  As with everything else on Changes, Bradley milks it for all its worth and us listeners eat it up, licking our lips afterwards.  No need for “changes” – this is sheer brilliant.  RIP Charles.

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Photo Credits: Atlantic, Big Machine, Columbia, Daptone, Dreamville, Fueled by Ramen, Interscope, Prospect Park, RCA, Republic, Roc Nation, Triple Tigers

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