13 Songs Focused Exclusively on Clothes

Reading Time: 14 min read

13 Songs Focused Exclusively on Clothes features songs by Angie Stone, Jay-Z, Joe Nichols, Kehlani, Nxdia, and Panic! At The Disco.

Sometimes, the clothes you wear make you stand out. For Nxdia, who identifies as nonbinary (all pronouns), she enjoys “Boy Clothes”. As for the late Angie Stone, when it comes to a partner, her philosophy was, “Clothes Don’t Make A Man”. Back when Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco was a teen, he asserted, memorably that “Lying Is The Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off”. The common thread with all of these songs is clothes, hence why there is a dedicated playlist: 13 Songs Focused Exclusively on Clothes.

13 Songs Focused Exclusively on Clothes is NOT focused on specific articles of clothing. While the lyrics may explore specific items, each song is solely focused on clothes or clothing more broadly. 13 Songs Focused Exclusively on Clothes features songs by Angie Stone, Jay-Z, Joe Nichols, Kehlani, Nxdia, and Panic! At The Disco. So, without further ado, pick out your cutest outfit and embrace these songs focused exclusively on clothes!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Nxdia, “Boy Clothes”	2. Kehlani, “Clothes Off” (Ft. kwn)	3. Panic! At The Disco, “Emperor’s New Clothes”	4. Ashe, “Shower With My Clothes On”
5. Joshua Showtime Williams, “Clothes Off”	6. Angie Stone, “Clothes Don’t Make A Man”	7. Jake Shears, “Clothes Off”	8. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “Chaos and Clothes”
9. J. Cole, “Foldin Clothes”	10. Joe Nichols, “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off”	11. Panic! At The Disco, “Lying Is The Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off”	12. Jay-Z, “Change Clothes” (Ft. Pharrell)
13. Jermaine Stewart, “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off”

1. Nxdia, “Boy Clothes”

“Boy Clothes” // Bxdger // 2025

“Help me out / I’m just tryna get directions to your boyfriend’s house.” Whoa, whoa, whoa! Why, Nxdia (Nadia Ahmed)? According to the Egyptian Sudanese alt-pop musician, “There’s something that we haven’t really talked about / I wonder what he’s thinkin’ when we mess around / When we’re hanging out.” Sounds messy! What is not messy regarding song quality is “Boy Clothes” written by Nxdia, Orlando Giannini, and producer, Danny Casio. This two-and-a-quarter-minute-long song is engaging from the get-go.

I love the gradually accelerating bass line accelerates at the beginning. Nxdia offers playful vocals. Initially, the vocals are ‘talked’ with a smoky timbre. However, Nxdia’s vocals grow more dynamic and distorted during the pre-chorus. While the scandalous excerpted lyrics are interesting, more interesting is how Nxdia navigates gender dysphoria. That is what makes “Boy Clothes” the bop that it is. In the pre-chorus, the nonbinary musician (any pronouns) expresses her desires for the things he enjoys and uses: “…I want all the other boys that call me by my name / I use his V05, I wear his aftershave / I feel fantastic, and I don’t behave.” Why can’t girls use V05, aftershave, and not behave? In the second verse, exploring gender, Nxdia asserts, “Threw my dresses on the street / Used to smell sweet / Now they smell like gasoline.” “Boy Clothes” may be brief but it is quite thought-provoking. Anyone exploring gender identity or defying gender stereotypes can take a page out of Nxdia’s book. Notably, Nxdia had top surgery.

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Appears in :

Nxdia, Boy Clothes: Beaming with Pride 29 (2025)

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2. Kehlani, “Clothes Off” (Ft. kwn)

While We Wait 2 // Atlantic // 2024

“Girl, the way you’re pushin’ up on my body, huh / It’s you that do it for me.” Oh, snap, kwn (Khy Wilson)! Kwn assists Grammy-nominated, lesbian nonbinary R&B singer/songwriter Kehlani (Kehlani Parrish) on “Clothes Off”, the third track from Parrish’s mixtape, While We Wait 2. Wilson and Parrish are enamored with their respective girls on the sensual number. Per kwn, this girl ‘makes them feel good.’ Besides singing, Kwn co-wrote and produced “Clothes Off.” What a talent! The sex is on fire on “Clothes Off,” period. “Can I dare to leave your bed a mess and wet? / ‘Cause we sure gon’ sweat,” kwn asserts in the sexy, first pre-chorus. This follows ‘Lani’s initial praise of the girl’s skills in bed. She performs the centerpiece, the chorus, the first go-round: “Oh, you better take my clothes off, yeah / … Can we, uh? Oh, baby.” With clothes coming off, clearly, ‘it’s going down’ in the bedroom. Kehlani brings the heat in the second verse, singing, “Girl, the way you sex me make me feel like / I can’t get with nobody else.” They add, “I just can’t let you get no other bitch involved.” WORD. Not only is the sex good, but, Kehlani wants to lock things down with her. Right on. As always, Parrish shines with their sweet vocal performance – never over singing, yet potent. The instrumental accompaniment is marvelous too – idiomatic of contemporary R&B. With awesome vocals, and a longing pleasure and potential beyond the bedroom, Kehlani and kwn shine on “Clothes Off”.

Appears in :

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3. Panic! At The Disco, “Emperor’s New Clothes”

Death of a Bachelor // Fueled by Ramen // 2016

“If it feels good, tastes good / It must be mine / Dynasty decapitated / You just might see a ghost tonight.” Word… I think! Those could only be the lyrics of Brendon Urie, the frontman and force behind Panic! At the Disco. “Emperor’s New Clothes” is just one of many wild, creative numbers gracing the Grammy-nominated album Death of a Bachelor (2016). In addition to the use of the royal title, emperor, additional lyrical references (“I’m taking back the crown / I’m all dressed up and naked”) help make “Emperor’s New Clothes” quite the ambitious, unique listening experience.

“Sycophants on velvet sofas

Lavish mansions, vintage wine

I am so much more than royal

Snatch your chain and mace your eyes.”

Appears in :

11 ‘New’ Songs That Will Tickle Your Fancy (2019)

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4. Ashe, “Shower With My Clothes On”

Rae // Mom+Pop // 2022

“Wish that something made sense / Wish I wasn’t a mess,” Ashe sings in the pre-chorus of “Shower With My Clothes On.” The single appears as the fourth track on her 2022 sophomore album, Rae. She penned “Shower” alongside Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino, and John Ryan. Ryan also produces this stunning gem alongside AFTERHRS and Big Taste (Leroy Clampitt). Ashe goes on to sing emotionally in the chorus of the ballad, “I don’t know how to feel / I’m out of my mind / All the color’s out of my face /…I’ve been missing you for so long / Listening to our song / In the shower with my clothes on.” So, the reason why she’s showering with her clothes on is because of being in a state of depression and sheer lostness. The lyrics are reflective and honest. At one point, she asserts, “I keep feelin’ the world spin / I’ma fallen leaf in April in the Santa Ana winds / California’s a bitch.” Sigh, Cali always gets a bad rap, doesn’t it? What isn’t bad is “Shower With My Clothes On” where Ashe’s displeasure our listening pleasure, particularly her expressive, gifted pipes. A surefire vibe!

Appears in :

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5. Joshua Showtime Williams, “Clothes Off”

Love & Lust // JSW MUSIQ / ONErpm // 2020

“This is where you take off all your clothes.” Oh, snap, Joshua Showtime Williams! “Clothes Off” is the fifth track from Williams’ 2020 album, Love & Lust. He penned it alongside Deontrez Chambliss. The sexual, ‘strip off all your clothes’ R&B joint only lasts about two-and-a-half minutes long. That is ample time for Williams to entice us with his smooth, sexy vocals. “Clothes Off” thrives off a sleek groove and fat bass line that is true to contemporary R&B. Not only are Showtime’s lead vocals ‘on-point,’ but so are the background vocals. “Clothes Off” has plenty of memorable, sexed-up one-liners/lyrics including, “It’s been (24 hours), since I last had your body / And I’m ready for round two, I’m feeling kind of naughty,” and, “Bring that ass back for a minute / I know you got work in the morning / But you just might have to call in.” Damn! “Clothes Off” is quite the titillating listening experience!

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6. Angie Stone, “Clothes Don’t Make A Man”

Dream // Shanachie Ent. Corp. / Topnotch Music / Conjunction Entertainment // 2015

“Just don’t want the guy if he can’t tie a tie (Oh no) / He’ll never be my man if he can’t wear the pants (That’s right).” Oh, snap, Angie Stone (1961 – 2025). The late, great neo-soul singer commences “Clothes Don’t Make A Man” (Dream, 2015) with high standards for her man. In the second verse, she has some specific questions: “If I’m in need of help, can you tighten your belt? / Help me with the tax if you’re hanging your hat.” Even though Stone makes her expectations related to clothing, ultimately, she asserts it is not his wardrobe that makes him a man. In the memorable chorus, with the help of background singers, Stone lays it out superbly:

“Tell me your name, not your brand

Clothes don’t make a man

He looking good, understand

But they don’t make a man

What about his church clothes?

Ever seen him in his work clothes?

What about those? Wear those

No, clothes they don’t make a man.”

“Clothes Don’t Make A Man” is a winning song through and through. Stone sang it superbly. The sound hearkens back to the soul of old. Walter Millsap III, Candice Nelson, and Teak Underdue produced it. Though Stone’s popularity had waned by the release of Dream, the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter continued to deliver neo-soul bops.

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7. Jake Shears, “Clothes Off”

Jake Shears // Freida Jean // 2018

“Strange how these things happen by themselves / Sometimes, I turn into someone else.” Oh boy, Jake Shears! According to the former Scissor Sisters frontman, “I never meant to take clothes off / But here I am in all my glory / I never meant to take a week off / But here I am, it’s Friday morning.” Let’s focus on the “Clothes Off,” which is the title of the 10^th track from his 2018 self-titled debut album. Have you seen how fine Shears is? Perhaps he has regrets from overindulging in wine and perhaps worse vices (“Kept my nose real clean / Now it’s filthy as it’s never been”), but who is complaining about an unclothed Jake Shears? Not me, baby! “Clothes Off” was written by Shears, Christian Hebel, Mr Hudson, and Jon Hume. Hume and Kevin Ratterman produced it. This entertaining pop cut commences with a sick drum riff. The groove is funky to the nth degree. This not only includes the drumming but also the bass line and the guitar. It screams going out, having fun, and getting into some risqué stuff! In addition to the ear-catching musical sounds, Sears ‘eats’ vocally, particularly when he dips into his ripe falsetto. Of course, the chorus, where he regrets stripping, is the section to beat in all of its tuneful glory. But, you know what? We can all relate to the temptation of “Got my motor running /… Can’t stop me coming.”

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8. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “Chaos and Clothes”

The Nashville Sound // Southeastern // 2017

“The man she chose to take your place / Turns his collar up to better frame his face.” “Chaos and Clothes” marks one the quietest moments of The Nashville Sound, the 2017, Grammy-winning Americana album by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. “Chaos” is not only among the quietest moments of the LP but also one of the most beautiful. Here, the folky, singer/songwriter vibe is in full fruition. A breakup song, the Geniuses speculate that Jason Isbell had Ryan Adams in mind as the victim of heartbreak, citing several instances. Regardless of specificity or lack thereof, the subject is on the struggle bus:

“You’re in a fight to the death my friend

Black metal t-shirts your shield

You’ve got your past on your breath my friend

Now name all the monsters you’ve killed

Let’s name all the monsters you’ve killed.”

Worth noting, Isbell finalized his divorce from his wife of 11 years, Amanda Shires, in March 2025.

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9. J. Cole, “Foldin Clothes”

4 Your Eyez Only // Dreamville / Roc Nation // 2016

“I wanna fold clothes for you / I wanna make you feel good / Baby, I wanna do the right things they / Feel so much better than the wrong things.” In the groovy, thoughtful “Foldin Clothes,” the eighth track from 4 Your Eyez Only, Grammy-winning rapper J. Cole shares his devotion to his wife. At the time, Melissa Heholt was pregnant with their first son. Ultimately, Cole is willing to do anything to please the love of his life. “I, I see a lot on your plate / Nine months with that weight,” he raps in the first verse, continuing, “I know you tired so I wonder how I can help / I get the basket and grab your clothes out the dryer / Oh, I wanna fold clothes for you.” By the end of this joint produced by Cole, Elite, Ron Gilmore, and Steve Lacy, he shifts from his wife to the socially conscious:

“Niggas from the hood is the best actors

We the ones that got to wear our face backwards

Put your frown on before they think you soft

Never smile long or take your defense off…”

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10. Joe Nichols, “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off”

III // Universal South // 2005

“She said, ‘I’m going out with my girlfriends / Margaritas at the Holiday Inn’ / Oh, have mercy, my only thought / Was tequila makes her clothes fall off.” Country music and alcohol are made for one another. Back in 2005, the hunky Joe Nichols delivered the perfect marriage of country and alcohol with “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.” John Wiggins and Gary Hannan penned the entertaining joint where Nichols knows that his lady cannot handle alcohol well – it makes her do wild things! Specifically, once she gets a drink in her, she starts stripping. In the chorus, he sings, “She’ll start by kickin’ out of her shoes / Lose an earring in her drink / Leave her jacket in the bathroom stall / Drop a contact down a sink.” Damn! In the verses, Nichols describes the effects of various beverages, including champagne, margaritas, Patrón, Bacardi, Smirnoff, and, of course, tequila. He memorably asserts, “Them pantyhose ain’t gonna last too long / If the DJ puts Bon Jovi on.” The highlight from his gold-certified album, III, was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

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11. Panic! At The Disco, “Lying Is The Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off”

A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out // Fueled By Ramen // 2006

“Is it still me that makes you sweat? / Am I who you think about in bed / When the lights are dim, and your hands are shaking / As you’re sliding off your dress?” Holy shit, Brendon Urie! It would not surprise me if her answer was yes… It could also be his answer, considering how easy you are on the eyes… In the context of 13 Songs Focused Exclusively on Clothes, this marks the second clothing entry by Panic! At The Disco following “Emperor’s New Clothes”. In this case, the outlandish, clothing-related song has 14 words in its title: “Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off.” To make things even more fascinating, “Lying” is something else itself – a breakup anthem from the dude’s perspective (“Then think of what you did / And how I hope to God he was worth it”). Yep, Brendon is angry at his ex! “I’ve got more wit, a better kiss / A hotter touch, a better fuck / Than any boy you’ll ever meet / Sweetie you had me.” I mean, who wouldn’t want to experience kisses, touches, and most of all, fucking with Brendon? It should be noted that Urie and Panic! Were still teenagers when A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out was released in 2006. He is not lying when he urges, “Let’s get these teen hearts beating faster, faster!” This was long before his “Death of a Bachelor” days. It is giving more “Testosterone boys and harlequin girls.” Oh, and worth noting, the titular lyric is never uttered ‍.

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12. Jay-Z, “Change Clothes” (Ft. Pharrell)

The Black Album // S Carter Enterprises, LLC / Roc Nation // 2003

“Yeah ma, your dude is back, the Maybach couple is back / Tell the whole world the truth is back,” Jay-Z raps confidently in the first verse of “Change Clothes”. He continues, without missing a beat, rather, a bar, “You ain’t gotta argue about who can rap / ‘Cause the proof is back, just go through my raps.” Indeed, Jay-Z is one of the best when it comes to rap, something he exhibited in the fifth track from his beloved, multiplatinum 2003 album, The Black Album. “The more space I get the better I write / Oh, never I write, but if ever I write / I need the space to say whatever I like…” The context: Jay-Z does not write down his rhymes.

“Change Clothes” is one of 22 top 10 hits to the Grammy-winner’s name. Specifically, the single peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Clothes” was produced by The Neptunes giving it a distinct sound. Pharrell Williams offers vocal contributions in addition to his work behind the boards. Beyond the rhymes recited from Jay’s mind in the verses (“He is to the East Coast what Snoop is /To the West Coast, what ‘Face is to Houston”), The section of the song to beat is the chorus:

“Change clothes, and go

You know I stay fresh to death, a boy from the projects

And I’ma take you to the top of the globe, so let’s go

So, let’s exchange numbers and go

And girl I promise you, no substitutes

It’s just me.”

Ooh-wee! Still, Hov’s third verse, which references specific articles of clothing, or lack thereof, is intriguing too: “Young Hov’ in the house, it’s so necessary / No bra with that blouse, that’s so necessary / No panties and jeans, that’s so necessary / Why you frontin’ on me?” All told, “Change Clothes” by Jay-Z is a certified classic.

Appears in :

Jay-Z, Change Clothes: Bangerz N Bopz 28 (2025)

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13. Jermaine Stewart, “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off”

Frantic Romantic // Virgin // 1986

“A quick hit, that’s your game / But I’m not a piece of meat, stimulate my brain.” Sigh, if only more people ascribed to those lyrics, Jermaine Stewart (1957 – 1997). Stewart is best remembered for “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off” which peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The opening track from his 1986 album, Frantic Romantic, Stewart lets him know that he’s not easy, and he’s going to have to put in work to get him in bed. Stewart wants to build something more than a hook-up: “Shake your body to the music, maybe then you’ll score.”

Even if this man scores on Jermaine, he makes it clear in the catchy, innocent chorus, “We don’t have to take our clothes off / To have a good time, oh no / We could dance and party, all night / And drink some cherry wine, uh-huh.” Maybe the partying part is not innocent, but clearly, a sexual encounter is not on Stewart’s mind right at this moment. In the second verse, he tells this boy, “Just slow down if you want me / A man wants to be approached cool and romantically.” Whether a homosexual man, like Stewart, or a heterosexual man, this sense of romance and opting against hooking up is refreshing. The 1980s aesthetic is written all over this cut. Even if it sounds a bit dated by 2020s standards, the groove and backdrop still slaps. Stewart was a ripe tenor with a pure upper register, something he flaunts sensationally on this gem from the 1980s. It’s sad that he only to be 39 years old, dying from AIDS-related liver cancer. His legacy lives on with the incredibly fun “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off”.

Appears in :

Jermaine Stewart, We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off: Throwback Vibez 145 (2023)

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13 Songs Focused Exclusively on Clothes (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Bxdger, Conjunction Entertainment, Dreamville, Freida Jean, Fueled by Ramen, JSW MUSIQ, Mom+Pop, ONErpm, Roc Nation, S Carter Enterprises, LLC, Shanachie Ent. Corp., Southeastern, Topnotch Music, Universal South, Virgin; Abhishek Shekhawat, Aravind Kowtharapu, foad shariyati, JJY Media, Michael Obstoj, omid bonyadian from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

13 Songs Focused Exclusively on Clothes | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on April 18, 2025April 18, 2025