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“13 Songs That Reference Water, Vol. 1” features music courtesy of Lykke Li, Martin Garrix, Ne-Yo, Stryper & Thirty Seconds to Mars among others.

According to Carrie Underwood, “Changed / And now I’m stronger / There must’ve been something in the water.” Preach Carrie, preach! What does that sermon have to do with this playlist? Very little, but a little inspiration never hurt anybody, right? The only part of the Underwood quote that is pertinent to “13 Songs That Reference Water, Vol. 1” is water.  Each of the 13 songs that appears on this list references water in some context, both within the song and within the song title.  Artists appearing on this list include Lykke Li, Martin Garrix, Ne-Yo, Stryper, and Thirty Seconds to Mars among many others.

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1. Thirty Seconds to Mars, “Walk on Water”

AMERICA • Interscope • 2018

“Do you believe that you can walk on water? / Do you believe that you can win this fight tonight?” Arguably, Thirty Seconds to Mars have a lot of questions marks on hand with their 2018 album, AMERICA.  For those who didn’t listen to the album, yet read the aggregate of reviews on Metacritic, you have to wonder why the album ended being so bad/critically panned.  That’s a discussion for another day, but Jared Leto and company managed to get things right for at least one song on AMERICA.  As you can sense by the aforementioned lyrics that comprise the chorus, “Walk on Water” is a crowd-pleaser.  It’s that dependable ‘banger’ that every artist/band ought to have at their disposal.  Yeah, the album is sketchy as a four-letter word, but this anthem of togetherness and unity is notable.

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2. Lykke Li, “deep end”

So sad so sexy • RCA • 2018

Following a four-year hiatus, alternative singer/songwriter Lykke Li returned in 2018 with her fourth studio album, so sad so sexy.  At 34 minutes, she keeps things short and sweet. The crème de la crème follows with “deep end,” an instant hit that screams ‘pop’ as opposed to ‘alt.’  Produced by T-Minus, Malay, and Jeff Bhasker, it’s not surprising how hip, slick, and thoroughly modern the record sounds.  Beyond the killer, minor-key, the Swedish singer successfully performs this well-written number, characterized most by the feisty, infectious chorus.

“Swimming pool, swimming pool / Swimming pool, swimming pool / Indigo, deep blue, deep blue / Oh, baby I know where you’ve been / I know where you been, in the deep end.”

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3. Breaking Benjamin, “Red Cold River”

Ember • Hollywood • 2018

Soft and Breaking Benjamin don’t belong the same sentence.  Nonetheless, initially, “Red Cold River,” a song from their 2018 album, Ember, seems like frontman Benjamin Burnley is going to keep things, well soft.  Ultimately, the softness is only temporary, occurring on the introduction and recurring for brief spells during the song.  For the most part, however, Breaking Benjamin are ‘turned all the way up’ on the dynamic, minor-keyed “Red Cold River.”  The accompanying music video has a tragic storyline.

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4. Martin Garrix, “Ocean”

Ft. Khalid

Ocean – Single • Epic • 2018

22-year old Dutch DJ and EDM producer Martin Garrix continues to build his already impressive resume.  He returned in 2018 with a brand-new single, “Ocean”, featuring Grammy-nominated, 20-year old wunderkind, Khalid.  When you put Garrix and Khalid together, the result is nothing short of brilliance.  Garrix, alongside Surinamese-Dutch DJ Giorgio Tuinfort, assembles a lovely backdrop for Khalid to sing over, including lush, heartfelt strings.  As for Khalid, in addition to singing in his golden middle register, he also gives us a different look – falsetto.  Expectedly, he nails the ‘head voice’ like a pro. “Ocean,” a record that centers around love, is a gorgeous record all around – the production, singing, and songwriting are on-point.

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5. Michael Ray, “Summer Water”

Amos • Warner Bros. • 2018

On “Summer Water”, the fifth single released in advance of Amos, Michael Ray remains true to country music.  He doesn’t opt for any ill-conceived pop experiments.  With a great voice at his disposal, he delivers a well-rounded performance.  There aren’t many frills or surprises, but he’s polished and incredibly sound.  There’s nothing groundbreaking, regardless of the magic he swears by “in the summer water.”  This is an old-fashioned, down south narrative that reminisces simpler times.

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6. Ne-Yo, “Ocean Sure”

Ft. Candice Boyd & Sam Hook

Good Man • Motown • 2018

“Sometimes our love is clear horizons / But sometimes I feel I’m lost at sea.”  One of the deeper cuts into the track list of Good Man, on “Ocean Sure,” Ne-Yo is focused on love. That’s not surprising, considering most of Good Man focuses on the same subject matter.  On the hook, sung by Sam Hook, he wants his bae to make him “ocean sure” about their commitment – “I need you to love me more.” Where does Candice Boyd come into the picture? The bridge, and essentially she has the same questions and concerns as Ne-Yo and Sam Hook. Beyond the expression “ocean sure,” this record really has little to nothing to do with water.

 

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7. Stryper, “Sea of Thieves”

God Damn Evil • Frontiers • 2018

“Love is second to none / The brightest star up in the sky / The story’s just begun / And we’re not here to live to die.”  There’s a first time for everything, hence, the appearance of Christian metal band Stryper on this wet and watery playlist.  It just happened that the time and more importantly, the song was right. “Sea of Thieves” appears on the band’s uniquely titled 12^th studio album, God Damn Evil.  Hmm… we’ll leave that at that.

As expected from a metal band regardless being religious or totally secular, “Sea of Thieves” is turned-up from the jump.  Set in a minor key, the guitars and bass “can’t be tamed” with their jagged, menacing nature.  Notably, on the chorus, “Sea of Thieves” throws a slight curve ball, embracing the bright and major.  Frontman Michael Sweet is ‘on’ to say the least, singing triumphantly:

“Stand / Stronger than an ancient tree / Grand / Is every promise we can’t see / Stand / Stronger than an ancient tree / Land / Is just beyond the open Sea of Thieves.”

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8. Ab-Soul, Anderson .Paak & James Blake, “Bloody Waters”

Black Panther the Album Music from and Inspired By • Interscope • 2018

“Hail Mary’s in the sky / False prophets get buried alive / Head on the throne, ‘cause that’s where I reside / Ways of the world, the weak won’t survive / Something’s in the water.” “Bloody Waters” is among the best moments from Black Panther the Album Music from and Inspired By. Ab-Soul is assisted by James Blake (intro and outro) and Anderson. Paak, who delivers the aforementioned chorus.  Ab-Soul gets to work on a post-chorus, before dropping two ripe verses over some of the album’s most minimal, yet unique production work (Sounwav / Kendrick Lamar).  What’s incredibly cool about “Bloody Waters” in the context of Black Panther the Album Music from and Inspired By is how it segues to arguably the soundtrack’s best cut, “King’s Dead”.

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9. Zak Abel, “The River”

Only When We’re Naked • Atlantic UK • 2017

Rising British pop singer Zak Abel shined on his debut album, Only When We’re Naked, released in the fall of 2017.  Pop-soul highlight “The River” is set in a minor key, featuring a dark, enigmatic quality.  In the context of the album, “The River” incorporates some of the sleekest production. Notably, it incorporates fuller production work compared to preceding cuts. The chorus is the crème de la crème – memorable and well-written.

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10. Eminem, “Walk on Water”

Ft. Beyoncé

Revival • Aftermath • 2017

“I walk on water / But I ain’t no Jesus / I walk on water / But only when it freezes.”  On “Walk on Water”, the promo single from Revival (released December 2017), Eminem reflects upon his place on Earth as well as his career.  “Why are expectations so high? Is the it the bar I set?” he raps on the first verse, continuing, “My arms, I stretch, but I can’t reach.”  On the second verse, he gets specific about high expectations, referencing his own The Marshall Mathers LP, while also asserting, “I’m not God-sent, Nas, Rakim, ‘Pac, B.I.G., James Todd Smith / And I’m not Prince, so…” He’s assisted radiantly by Beyoncé on the chorus.  Ultimately, his rhymes are honest and reflective, backed by restrained production led by piano.

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11. Emeli Sandé, “Breathing Underwater”

Long Live the Angels • Virgin • 2016

After a four-year hiatus, British singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé returned with her sophomore album, Long Live the Angels in 2016.  Sandé built buzz with three excellent promo singles, including the gorgeous ballad, “Breathing Underwater”.  “Breathing Underwater” proves to be one of the album’s strongest, most inspired moments. It’s filled with lush sounds from the onset, establishing itself as an adult contemporary R&B song. Expectedly, the vocals are radiant, yielding a well-rounded performance, filled with nuance and authenticity. Sandé is experiencing and reacting to a range of emotions, most notably the loss of love.  By the end, a supporting gospel choir further amplifies the performance, highlighting the memorable refrain:

“Something like flying / Hard to describe it / My God, I’m breathing underwater / Something like freedom, freedom / My God, I’m breathing underwater.”

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12. Maxwell, “Lake by the Ocean”

blackSUMMERS’night • Columbia • 2016

It seems that by the time blackSUMMERS’night arrived, some of the magic rubbed off for Maxwell.  No, not because the second installment of the proposed trilogy was bad, but because it took another seven years to release it.  Nonetheless, we all benefited from the set’s best song, “Lake by the Ocean”, which earned Maxwell another Grammy.  “Lake by the Ocean” represents classic Maxwell, radiantly saturated with neo-soul cues.  Sure, the record hearkens back to the glory days of the neo-soul movement, but it’s by no means an anachronism.  The authenticity cultivated is irreplaceable.

“It’s just you, just us / Nobody but / Love on trust, on us / Nobody now / Can we swim a lake by the ocean / We’ll be one like drops in slow motion / Lake by the ocean.”

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13. DNCE, “Cake by the Ocean”

DNCE • Republic • 2016

“God damn / See you licking frosting from your own hand / Want another taste, I’m begging, yes ma’am / I’m tired of all this candy on the dry land, dry land.” Frosting, huh?  Is that what they call it these days? From the classier “Lake by the Ocean” we move to “Cake by the Ocean,” a gem for Joe Jonas-led pop collective, DNCE.  Breakout hit “Cake by the Ocean” is among the most entertaining, fun, and carefree songs of the 00s. Even so, the fun is fueled by mad innuendo.  Safe to say, the metaphor is extended on “Cake.” At one point, Jonas describes her as being “fucking delicious” in an ad-lib.  The same sentiment could be said about “Cake by the Ocean” – it’s a truly infectious, highly suggestive gem.

“Talk to me, baby / I’m going blind from this sweet, sweet craving, whoa-oh / Let’s lose our minds and go f**king crazy / Ah ya ya ya ya I / Keep on hopin’ we’ll eat cake by the ocean.”

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Photo Credits: Aftermath, Atlantic, Columbia, Epic, Frontiers Music, Hollywood, Interscope, Motown, RCA, Republic, Virgin, Warner Bros.

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