13 Songs That Get Straight to the Point

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**13 Songs That Get Straight to the Point features Arctic Monkeys, Ariana Grande, Little Simz, The Phantom of the Opera & Tears for Fears.**

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o, how about I get straight to the POINT. This compendium is comprised of songs that feature the word point in their title. It doesn’t merely have to be point which is vanilla. It can be points, pointing – different forms of the word. That said, I just want to make it a POINT that you understand the criteria for

13 Songs That Get Straight to the Point.

Bitmoji Image So, what musicians help us get straight to the point? That would be Arctic Monkeys, Ariana Grande, Little Simz, Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman via The Phantom of the Opera, and Tears for Fears among others. So, that means we have a mix of alternative, rap (British rap + Afrobeat to be precise), pop, and Broadway. Of course, there’s more where that came from! Why don’t you get straight to checking out 13 Songs That Get Straight to the Point!!!

1. Linkin Park, “Points of Authority”

Hybrid Theory • Warner • 2000

“You like to think you’re never wrong / You live what you’ve learned,” the late, great Chester Bennington sings on “Points of Authority.” An early gem from Grammy winning collective Linkin Park, “Points of Authority” appears on Hybrid Theory, released in 2000. Bennington add in the chorus, “You want to share what you have been through / You live what you’ve learned.” Woo! “Points of Authority” baby!

grimacing emoji mask As Bennington summarizes the toxicity of the relationship in the chorus, the verses offer additional insight. “You love the way I look at you / While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through.” Damn! Similarly, in the second verse, he asserts, “You love the things I say I do / The way I hurt myself again, just to get back at you.” Toxic, toxic, toxic. What’s not toxic is the rocking production work, anchored by a hip-hop-infused beat ( Don Gilmore). Speaking of hip-hop, Mike Shinoda serves up his own lit rhymes in the bridge, asserting, “Forfeit the game before somebody else / Takes you out of the fame and puts your name to shame / Cover up your face, you can’t run the race / The pace is too fast, you just won’t last.” Woo!

2. Little Simz, “Point and Kill” (Ft. Obongjayar)

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert • AGE 101 MUSIC / AWAL Recordings Ltd • 2021

British rapper Little Simz (Simbiatu Ajikawo) delivered a surefire vibe with her 2021 song, “Point and Kill” ( Sometimes I Might Be Introvert). She gets the assist from Nigerian, London-based artist, Obongjayar (Steven Umoh) Part of what makes “Point and Kill” a vibe is the infectious groove and superb production work by Inflo (Dean Josiah Cover). Inflo provides fuel for the fire for both performers to ‘put in work.’ The groove! Those horns! Woo! “Point and Kill” was penned by Ajikawo, Umoh, and Cover.

Obongjayar lays claim to one of the best parts of the song early on – the chorus:

“I do as I want, I do as I like

I no watch face, I no fear nobody, nobody

… Point and kill.”

Bitmoji Image Little Simz follows up with a lit first verse, which includes traditional English lines as well as highlights her Yoruban roots (“Daddy say he want me to be lawyer, be doctor / Riff raff, kiddi cohn, window shopper / Oh, yeah, fine boy, take away auntie”). The second time, however, she performs the infectious chorus herself, before dropping another tough, groovy verse (“Got the devil tryna tempt me, but I know better /Never been the type to not acknowledge all the signs”). Obongjayar doesn’t disappear! He drops the final chorus and outro. Have I mentioned “Point and Kill” is a certified bop?

3. Tears for Fears, “The Tipping Point”

The Tipping Point • TFF UK, LLC / Concord • 2022

Ah, how about four-and-a-quarter minutes of surefire glory! English alternative/pop/rock collective Tears for Fear serve up the goods with “The Tipping Point.” “The Tipping Point” arrives as the second track off The Tipping Point, the first album by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith in 13 years! 13 years is a long time, but with a song the caliber of the title track alone, it’s well worth the wait!

love you tons The awesome “The Tipping Point” commences with enigmatic sounds that are beautiful and ear-catching. The production work is lovely, period! I heart the colorful keys, groove, and of course, the guitars. There’s a nice blend of multiple styles, all falling somewhere under the umbrella of pop. One of the additional selling points of the record is how it takes its time establishing itself – there’s no rush. Beyond the music, what about those vocals? They are warm are both well-sung and well-produced. The chorus is the centerpiece – tuneful and catchy:

“So who’s that ghost knockin’ at my door?

You know that I can’t love you more

What’s that shape climbin’ over my wall?

You know that I can’t love you more.”

4. Ariana Grande, “pov”

Positions • Republic • 2020

“You got more than 20/20, babe / Made of glass, the way you see through me / You know me better than I do.” Now that is some dedication from a significant other right there! The lyrics hail from the first verse of “POV,” which concludes the standard edition of Positions, the surprise 2020 studio album by Ariana Grande. “POV” (“Point of View”), a highlight, gives Positions that one last, truly potent hurrah.

opera box The acronymic song checks off those boxes referenced throughout my review of Positions: masterful vocals and top-notch production ( Tommy Brown, Mr. Franks, and Oliver ‘Junior’ Frid). Add to “POV” resonant, thoughtful lyrics, capped off by the empowering chorus from the Grammy winning pop superstar:

“I wanna love me

The way that you love me

Ooh, for all of my pretty and all of my ugly, too

I’d love to see me from your point of view.”

Appears in :

15 Interesting Songs That Feature Acronym Titles

5. Arctic Monkeys, “One Point Perspective”

Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino • Domino • 2018

A piano ostinato is among the first things that stands out on “One Point Perspective.” That’s expected of course, given the emphasis placed on piano on the Arctic Monkeys’ Grammy-nominated, 2018 album, Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino. “One Point Perspective” appears as the second track from the LP, which I’m still bummed didn’t win a Grammy (it was one of my personal favorites from 2018). Anyways, this isn’t about taking an “L,” but rather, about the #winning exhibited by “One Point Perspective.”

Bitmoji Image The opening lyric from frontman Alex Turner – “Dancing in my underpants / I’m gonna run for government” – certainly packs a punch. Much like the opener ( “Star Treatment”) and ultimately, the entire LP, the lyrics and concept are odd but interesting. This three-and-a-half-minute number encompasses politics, covering songs, obscure documentaries, and generally disjointed thoughts (“Bear with me, man, I lost my train of thought”). “One Point Perspective” = intriguing to the n^th degree.

6. Jidenna, “2 Points”

The Chief • Epic • 2017

“I don’t spend no major time with no minor people / If it’s for the greater good then I might deceive you.” WOO! In 2017, Nigerian American rapper-singer Jidenna delivered an ambitious, enjoyable debut album, The Chief. After first creating buzz back in 2015 with “Classic Man”, Jidenna delivered to goods on The Chief. Among those goods is the short but sweet record, “2 Points,” which is surefire, slam dunk!

Bitmoji Image The bombastic “2 Points” features a banging backdrop produced by Andrew Horowitz, Nana Kwabena, and Hit-Boy. This is perfect fuel for Jidenna’s fire. His rhymes are confident from the get-go with no letdown. You could say that the rapper is locked in and loaded, boasting a mean flow on the sole verse.

“You a sly little guy look me in my eye

You was only for yourself, never for the tribe

Wow, now he sayin’ that I left ‘em

I was always quiet when you said that we were best friends

You! You knew who I was from the jump

I throw a stone at ya nigga I’ma make it blunt but

You! You go hide your hand like a chump

True friends stab you in the front!”

The chorus doesn’t appear until the very end, but it’s also on point.

“I want my other 2 points baby

I want my other 2 points man

That’s a 98 boy, where the other 2 points?”

7. Miguel, “Arch & Point”

Kaleidoscope Dream • RCA • 2012

“When it feels so good then it just come natural / Baby, arch your back, point your toes.” Woo! Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Miguel had one hell of a year in 2012. His sophomore album, Kaleidoscope Dream, was not only one of the best albums of 2012 but also one of the best of the decade. That said, the sexy “Arch & Point” is underrated compared to, say, “Adorn” (it shouldn’t be).

Bitmoji Image Sex is the modus operandi, period. Just about any time there’s mention of arching one’s back, the universal three-letter word is in the mix. From the start, Miguel is horny as a mo-fo! “Black leather skirt in a leopard print shirt, woah! / Skip dinner heading straight for dessert, woah-oh.” Clearly, he isn’t talking about food but rather nourishment for his… In the second verse, he characterizes his lover as being “Ballerina smart but your sex like art.” Hmm, that’s because she be pointin’ them toes! There’s also more innuendo and suggestive vibes. There’s the idea that a bad girl knows more than a good one per the refrain, as well as dabbling in fetishism (verse three). The question is, who DOESN’T want to “Arch your back, and point your toes” after (or while) listening to this 2012 gem?

Appears in :

Miguel, “Arch & Point”: After Dark 11 (2022)

8. Keri Hilson, “Breaking Point”

No Boys Allowed • Mosley Music / Interscope • 2010

Once upon a time, it seemed like Keri Hilson was set to be a surefire force in R&B. Things didn’t quite pan out that way, but the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter did muster up a few hits and memorable tracks. The biggest song from her 2010 sophomore album, No Boys Allowed is undoubtedly “Pretty Girl Rock”. Still, No Boys Allowed has a few more noteworthy songs, including “Breaking Point.”

“Every woman has a breaking point, ya’ll (Breaking point)

Hey, I know you know, some women can be lied to

And cheated on, and beated on

Somebody know, hey

Every woman has a breaking point, ya’ll (Breaking point)

Hey, hey, hey, hey, tell me why we put up with that?

You can’t forget that, see I done did that.”

I need a break Say that Keri Hilson! The chorus is the centerpiece, summarizing the idea of women being repeatedly done wrong by these dogs – I mean men! This surefire women’s anthem was penned by Hilson, Timothy Mosley, Jerome Harmon, and Timothy Clayton. Mosley, aka Timbaland produces the track alongside Harmon aka Jroc. The backdrop is absolutely stunning with the big drums, organ, and a modern, yet soulful aesthetic. Beyond theme and lyrics, the vocals are superb with great vocal production to match. Another win for “Ms. Keri baby?” Background vocals, which kick “Breaking Point” up a notch.

**9. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Phantom of the Opera Original London Cast, “The Point of No Return” (from The Phantom of the Opera)**

The Phantom of the Opera • Polydor • 1987

“Past the point of no return / No backwards glances / The games we played till now are at an end.” Andrew Lloyd Webber exemplifies aa musical god. No, he’s not G-O-D, but when it comes to composing Broadway musicals, he’s the sugar honey iced tea. Arguably his crowning achievement is The Phantom of the Opera, adapted from the 1909 novel by Gaston Leroux. Personally, The Phantom of the Opera musical never gets old; it’s timeless. The Webber musical is filled with memorable songs including the dark, dramatic, minor keyed “The Point of No Return.”

watch me In the original London Cast recording (1987), “The Point of No Return” is performed by Michael Crawford (as the Phantom) and Sarah Brightman (as Christine Daaé). When each sings their respective parts, they sound marvelous. The chemistry between both performing together is utterly sublime. Perhaps calling a musical a vibe diminishes the prestige, but hey, this song is indeed a vibe. The orchestration (Webber and David Cullen) is brilliant. The lyrics ( Charles Hart) are poetic and engaging. One of the truly great songs from a musical, period.

“Past the point of no return

The final threshold

The bridge is crossed

So, stand and watch it burn

We’ve passed the point of no return.”

10. Nas, “10 Points”

King’s Disease • Mass Appeal • 2020

“America the beautiful, gangsta’s paradise / For a black man to be rich, you say we sacrifice our own family members.” “10 Points” should be more like points considering its quality – NO CAP! The record marks a gem from King’s Disease, the 2020, Grammy-winning album by legendary rapper, Nas. This joint, in the context of King’s Disease, finds Nas at his best.

off the charts The production ( Hit-Boy) is among my favorites of the album. It gives Nas some extra oomph, even if he’s already on point all by himself. He keeps confirming why he’s one of the best to do it, using clever wordplay, making pop cultural references, and being intentionally ‘ultra-black’. One of the key words is King, which is used multiple times during the high-flying chorus.

“King, gotta learn to let it go and move forward

King, you should learn to say no, keep all your dough in

King, Michael Jordan gives back, and you didn’t know it

Like LeBron does, but it’s just seldom they show it

King, get ten points from one bird doin’ your thing

King, ‘til one of your homies decide to sing

King, I started sayin’ ‘Peace King’ on my song ‘The Flyest’

And after that, it took off like fire, peace, King.”

11. Thomas Rhett, “Center Point Road” (Ft. Kelsea Ballerini)

Center Point Road • Big Machine • 2019

“Center Point Road” served as the sixth and final advance single from Center Point Road, the fourth studio album by Grammy-nominated country singer, Thomas Rhett. On the reminiscent record, Rhett tapped a fellow Grammy-nominated country musician, Kelsea Ballerini for the assist with positive results. The album, and obviously, the title track, are named after a place where Rhett lived – Center Point Road in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

traffic jam “Center Point Road” has plenty of pros. The songwriting (Rhett, Amy Wadge, Cleve Wilson, and Jesse Frasure) and the production ( Dann Huff) are big reasons why it’s a roaring success. Regarding songwriting, the record is reflective, remembering youthful, fun times and experiences. The sound of this record is ‘country enough,’ but it also thrives with its pop/rock sensibility. Rhett and Ballerini do a superb job performing their respective parts. Rhett sings the first verse and chorus, while Ballerini provides contrast in the second and following chorus. They join forces on the bridge, before ending strong on the chorus and outro. The chorus is the crème de la crème.

“We wrote our own destiny

In parkin’ lots and empty streets

Yeah, we got high on you and me

Jumped over cracks beneath our feet

And we thought it would never end

Then watched it go like summer wind

When growin’ up was just a dream

And Friday night was everything.”

Appears in :

12. James Blake, “Points”

The Colour in Anything • Polydor • 2016

“It’s sad that you’re no longer her.” Grammy-winning artist/producer James Blake is bummed out on “Points,” a highlight from his 2016 album, The Colour in Anything. What is he bummed out about? It seems to be an expired relationship, or perhaps, a relationship with dynamics that have changed. On this intriguing alternative/electronic track, Blake gets some help behind the boards from iconic producer Rick Ross. The results = sheer excellence.

Bitmoji Image Lyrically, “Points” keeps things simple and repetitive. The aforementioned “It’s sad that you’re no longer her” is repeated throughout, for example. Some other key lyrics include, “We’re at points / On the tracks we ride / And I know I’ll love you for a very long time / Just staying back.” Seems like Blake suggests him and his lover – current or former – are at different spots. One other lyric also stands out: “When you sing / Please don’t think of me / Cause it’s way too hard from what I’ve seen.” James Blake’s disappointment and/or pain is our listening pleasure.

13. Anthony Hamilton, “The Point of it All”

The Point of it All • RCA • 2008

“And the point of it all is I love you / And the reason for it all is I love you.” For Grammy winner Anthony Hamilton, the point that is on his mind is L-O-V-E. “The Point of It All” appears as the 9^th track on the neo-soul singer/songwriter’s 2008 album, also named The Point of it All. Hamilton wrote “The Point of It All” alongside James “Big Jim” Wright, Iz Avila, and Bobby Ross Avila with Wright and the Avila brothers also producing.

Bitmoji Image The backdrop that Hamilton has to work with is celestial. Wright and the Avilas give Anthony a smooth, soulful backdrop that straddles neo-soul and adult contemporary R&B. Hamilton’s voice is silky smooth. He sings with incredible sincerity regarding his dedication to her. In the first verse, he asserts, “I can’t stay away from you too long / Even if I do I always call.” In the second verse, he makes it known, “You’re a major part of my life / And no matter what the storm may bring, I’m fine with you.” How sweet! “The Point of It All” doesn’t require extensive analysis. The modus operandi – LOVE.

13 Songs That Get Straight to the Point [: AGE 101 MUSIC, Andrea Piacquadio, Alex Green, AWAL Recordings Ltd, Big Machine, Brent Faulkner, Concord, cottonbro, Domino, Epic, Erin Li, Klaus Nielsen, Mass Appeal, Mosely Music, Interscope, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Polydor, RCA, Republic, SHVETS production, TFF UK, LLC, Thiago Schlemper, Vanessa Garcia, Warner, William Fortunato]

13 Songs That Get Straight to the Point | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on March 16, 2022March 16, 2022