13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 3

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13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 3 features songs by bbno$, JADE, Khalid, Perfume Genius, Taylor Swift, and Whitney Houston.

Can you guess what it is about? It (this playlist) contains songs about it. It can be many things. It can be a pronoun or a noun, for example. It’s safe to say, it can represent anything. So, The Musical Hype has compiled a musical compendium series comprising IT. The criterion is self-explanatory; it must be included! Following 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 1 (2024), published in October 2024, and 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 2 (2024), published in December 2024, we unveil 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 3 (2025)! 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 3 features songs by bbno$, JADE, Khalid, Perfume Genius, Taylor Swift, and Whitney Houston. So, without further ado, let’s jump into IT… VOL. 3!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. JADE, “IT girl”	2. Perfume Genius, “It’s a Mirror”	3. Whitney Houston, “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay”	4. bbno$, “it boy”
5. Taylor Swift, “How Did It End?”	6. The S.O.S. Band, “Take Your Time (Do It Right)”	7. Mariah Carey, “Shake It Off”	8. Khalid, “It’s All Good”
9. Bailey Zimmerman, “Where It Ends”	10. Benedict Cork, “Until We F* It Up”**	11. The 1975, “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)”	12. The Rolling Stones, “Paint It, Black”
13. Jerry Butler & Betty Everett, “Let It Be Me”

1. JADE, “IT girl”

“IT girl” // Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited // 2025

“Throw me them roses / Well, that’s just showbiz, baby / Won’t sugarcoat it / You make me feel si-si-si-sick.” English pop singer JADE (Jade Thirlwall), a member of Little Mix, lets the world know she is “IT girl”, PERIOD. The two-and-a-half-minute-long single is filled with attitude, confidence, and sass. Sleekly produced, Cirkut and LOSTBOY ‘put in work’ behind the boards. Thirlwall delivers gorgeous, commanding lead vocals from the beginning. The intro, and eventual pre-chorus, is dramatic and lush. Following the intro, “IT girl” transforms into a sleek dance cut. She brings it in the refrain: “I am the it girl /… I am the shit girl.” She doesn’t play in the verses, either. “Put me on the pedestal, watch me dance / Dance to the beat till I can’t stand,” she sings in the first verse. In the second, she sings, “My darling, you could never / You’ll never own me.” She’s a badass, independent woman! The chorus is fierce, too:

“I’m not your thing

I’m not your baby doll

No puppet on a string

This bitch can’t be controlled.”

Damn! “IT girl” is a surefire B-O-P from JADE. Interestingly, the song earned attention for some shade thrown at Simon Cowell.

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2. Perfume Genius, “It’s a Mirror”

Glory // Perfume Genius / Matador // 2025

Does Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas) ever miss? No. “It’s a Mirror” is another epic song from the musician. Hadreas penned it while Blake Mills produced it, playing multiple instruments and providing background vocals. One reason why the single from Glory is sensational is the hip, indie vibe. An alternative/art rock cut, “It’s a Mirror” stands out the first time you hear it. It features ear-catching musical accompaniment with multiple guitars, an overt drum groove, and piano. The harmonic progression contributes to the high level of musicality. Supported by a sweet instrumental, the ‘star of the show,’ Hadreas, delivers a strong vocal performance bringing the tuneful melodies to life.

The songwriting is the sugar honey iced tea – it’s given crème de la crème, baby! The lyricism is authentic, poetic, and thoughtful. Listening to Perfume Genius sing, you feel he bears his soul. “What do you get from the stretching horizon / That you’d leave me spiraling with no one to hold?” he sings in the first verse. In the second, he sings vulnerably, “I still run and hide when a man’s at the door.” I felt that. A short refrain highlighting the titular lyric appears after the first two verses. The chorus arrives after the second refrain, highlighting the keyword, mirror:

“It’s a mirror, holy terror

Taking focus off the horizon

It’s a chorus reaching for us

Swarming locusts wherever you go.”

A post-chorus follows. An instrumental break precedes the third and final verse which is also emotional (“Can I move on without knowing specifics / While memories hum like a hive shaken out”). A final chorus caps off “It’s a Mirror”, another stellar song from the ever-consistent Perfume Genius.

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3. Whitney Houston, “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay”

My Love Is Your Love // Arista // 1998

“It’s not right, but it’s okay / I’m gonna make it anyway / Pack your bags, up and leave / Don’t you dare come runnin’ back to me.” Ooh-wee! The late, great Whitney Houston (1963 – 2012) released the biggest hits of her career in the 1980s and 1990s. “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” arrived as the opening track from her fourth studio/comeback album, My Love Is Your Love, released in 1998. My Love Is Your Love debuted modestly at number 13 on the Billboard 200, but was eventually certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” was a big hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999. In 2019, the single was certified platinum. Houston won her sixth and final Grammy award for the song (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance) at the 42^nd Annual GRAMMY Awards. Toni Estes, Isaac Phillips, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins, and the late LaShawn Daniels penned the gem. Rodney Jerkins produced it.

“It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” gave Houston a contemporary R&B record. Although firmly planted in R&B, but, like so many Whitney songs, had pop crossover written all over it. On the spirited third single from My Love Is Your Love, Houston confronts her man’s infidelity. Suspicious, she asks of his night out with the boys, “If six of y’all went out, ah / Then four of you were really cheap, yeah / ‘Cause only two of you had dinner / I found your credit card receipt.” Oh, snap! In the second verse, he gets in even deeper trouble when his phone rings: “You said it was one of your friends, down on 54^th street, boy / So why did 213 show up on your caller I.D.?” Whitney is not going to take his BS. After determining “[He was” making a fool of [her],” she tells sends his trifling ass out the door in the unforgettable chorus. Excerpted earlier, she adds, “I’d rather be alone than unhappy.” Amen, sis! As always, Houston sounds remarkable singing this song. The melodies are tuneful, and she adds her own spice with her nuances and celestial runs. The musical accompaniment is classy (it’s the mallet percussion for me). It’s tailored for her once-in-a-lifetime voice – a voice gone far too soon. Pushing 30 after its release, “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” remains fresh – a bop for the ages!

Appears in :

Whitney Houston, It’s Not Right But It’s Okay: Bangerz N Bopz 14 (2025)

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4. bbno$, “it boy”

“it boy” // bbno$ // 2024

“bbno$, who the fuck do you think you are? / Bitch, I’m him (Him, him, him, him, him, him, him).” You heard the man, and bbno$ is a character! That is an understatement. The self-described “Gen-Z Eminem” brings ample confidence and rizz to his comedic, house-driven rap single, “it boy”. Admittedly, the Canadian rapper has racked up some RIAA-certified singles. bbno$ penned “it boy” alongside producers Pink Slip (Kyle Buckley) and inverness (Rob Nelsen).

Following the bitchin’ introduction (excerpted above), bbno$ drops the infectious chorus, the centerpiece of “it boy.”

“I-T B-O-Y, B-B-N-O-dollar sign

That’s me, that’s right (That’s me, that’s right)

That’s me, that’s right (That’s me)

I-M H-I-M, the Gen-Z Eminem

That’s me, that’s right (That’s me, that’s right)

That’s me, that’s right (That’s me).”

Ooh-wee, bbno$! He doesn’t stop charming us in the chorus, backed by a sickening music backdrop. The beat and those synths are a prime catalyst for dancing! bbno$ drops no shortage of potent rhymes, even if they are utterly ridiculous. “Two hundred K got me jumpin’ on stage / All white Benz, see me whippin’ mayonnaise,” he raps in the first verse, continuing, “She lookin’ at me, she wanna ta-ta-taste / Shorty got a boyfriend, get out my face.” Woo! Of course, bbno$ makes it clear that he is well-endowed… you knew that was cumming… Continuing with the silliness, bbno$ spits in the second verse, “Tiffany from Perth, she nice, she thunder-fuck me, AC/DC.” Let that sink in! Wrapping things up, bbno$ dropped an infectious, unforgettable banger with “it boy”. Indeed, “Bitch, he’s him!”

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5. Taylor Swift, “How Did It End?”

THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY // Taylor Swift // 2024

“We hereby conduct this post-mortem / He was a hot house flower to my outdoorsman.” Taylor Swift is a terrific songwriter. Despite her many Grammys, it is surprising she has yet to win a Grammy for her songwriting. “How Did It End?”, the 21^st track from her 2024 album, THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY, is no exception to her gift of pen. She wrote and produced “How Did It End?” alongside Aaron Dessner. Notably, the song does not appear on the standard, 16-track edition of the album. “End” is primarily a piano ballad, characterized by its sublime arpeggiations. As the song progresses, the sound palette and color expand but not too much. Swift sings in her lower register. Beyond her expressive lead, singing sweet, poetic lyrics (“We were blind to unforeseen circumstances / We learned thе right steps to different dancеs / And fell victim to interlopers’ glances / Lost the game of chance, what are the chances?”), there are nice, warm background vocals that accentuate the color. Beyond the elite lyricism, and the tuneful, varied choruses, the harmonic progression catches the ear.

“Come one, come all, it’s happenin’ again

The empathetic hunger descends

We’ll tell no one except all of our friends

But I still don’t know

How did it end?”

But, what is the answer to the question: “How Did It End?” In Swift’s own words: “I still don’t know.”

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6. The S.O.S. Band, “Take Your Time (Do It Right)”

S.O.S. // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1980

“Oo-ooh, baby / Let’s do it / Take your time / Let’s do it.” R&B group The S.O.S. Band earned a platinum single with “Take Your Time (Do It Right)”. I was the lead single and fifth track from their debut album, S.O.S. released in 1980. It marked the sole top 40 hit by the R&B collective. While The S.O.S. Band had other songs dent the pop charts, “Take Your Time (Do It Right),” composed by Sigidi and Harold Clayton, was the song to beat, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

There is lots to love about “Take Your Time (Do It Right).” This eight-minute, post-disco, funk cut features an ear-catching sound palette. The rhythm section (keys, guitar, bass, and drums) and the horns are electrifying. The lead vocals by Mary Davis are also terrific. Davis brings us a commanding vocal performance that’s quite expressive. Besides her fab lead, the background vocals (including Mary) enhance “Take Your Time.” “Lay your heavy load down / So we can stop and kick back,” Davis encourages in the first verse, adding, “It seems we never take the time to do / All the things we want to, yeah.” Ooh-la-la! In the second verse, she adds, “Let’s take some time to be alone / Lock the door, put out the phone, yeah.” Of course, the phone back then was a landline… The lyrics are fun, particularly the infectious, repetitive chorus:

“Baby, we can do it

Take the time, do it right

We can do it, baby

Do it tonight.”

No extensive analysis is necessary for “Take Your Time (Do It Right)”. The S.O.S. Band ‘put their foot into’ this one.

Appears in :

The S.O.S. Band, Take Your Time (Do It Right): 1 Hit WONDERful 2 (2024)

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7. Mariah Carey, “Shake It Off”

The Emancipation of Mimi // Mariah Carey / The Island Def Jam Music Group // 2005

“(I gotta shake it off) ‘Cause the loving ain’t the same / And you keep on playing games like you know I’m here to stay.” Oh, snap, Mariah Carey! Nearly a decade before Taylor Swift first informed us to “Shake It Off”, Carey stated that she had to “Shake It Off”. “Shake It Off” appeared as the third track on her multi-platinum comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi, released in 2005. In the chorus of the hit, which peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard 100, Carey adds, “Gotta make that move / Find somebody who appreciates all the love I give / Boy, I gotta (shake, shake it off) gotta do what’s best for me / Baby, and that means I gotta (Shake you off).” We call stand to take Carey’s advice!

Carey penned this contemporary R&B alongside Johntá Austin and producers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. Slickly produced, the instrumental is the perfect fuel for Mariah’s fire. She sings with ease, agilely navigating these unfortunate matters of the heart. In the first verse, she states, “Well, at first I didn’t know but now it’s clear to me / You would cheat with all your freaks and lie compulsively.” Well, that’s a compelling reason to exit! There’s even more evidence to support her exit in the second verse: “I found out about a gang of your dirty little deeds / With this one and that one by the pool, on the beach, in the streets.” The dude’s been a bad boy, hence why Carey tells his trifling ass to “Save this recording because I’m never coming back home.” The Emancipation of Mimi was that album back in 2005 and “Shake It Off” was a key part of the success. Two decades later, we’re still shaking off those dirty, no-good boys!

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8. Khalid, “It’s All Good”

Sincere // RCA / Right Hand Music Group // 2024

“I walked out the front door / You said you didn’t want me anymore, you meant that / You said it with your chest.” Damn. Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Khalid (Khalid Robinson) has been affected. The trauma experienced on the heartbroken “It’s All Good” is undisputed. “I wish I could burn it all / And light all of your shit on fire,” he continues singing in the first verse, concluding, “You’re my biggest regret.” “It’s All Good” is the fourth track from his third studio album, Sincere. Robinson, Gregory Aldae Hein, and Jeremy Malvin penned “It’s All Good.” Chrome Sparks produced it. Despite the hurt – “Just like a dagger to my stomach as you watch / Is this what I deserve?” – Khalid is at peace with this unfortunate situation. In the chorus, the centerpiece, he determines:

“It’s all good

Yeah, all these years, all these years

But it’s all good

‘Cause you’ll just sell your dreams to someone who will believe you

And act like it’s all good.”

Beyond the emotional lyrics and theme, Khalid delivers a buttery smooth vocal performance. He never sounds as if he breaks a sweat. He also brings some sweet falsetto beyond his robust, middle register vocals. The Chrome Sparks’ produced backdrop is well-rounded, embracing a contemporary R&B sound (keys, guitar, drum programming). Whether it’s really ‘all good’ or not for Khalid, the listening experience truly is ‘all good.’

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9. Bailey Zimmerman, “Where It Ends”

Religiously. The Album. // Warner Music Nashville / Elektra // 2023

“And I’m breakin’ down / You were lyin’ when you said that you were tryin’ to work things out / But now I’m broken down.” Oh, snap! This is “Where It Ends!” “Where It Ends” is the 12^th track on Religiously. The Album., the debut album by country singer Bailey Zimmerman. Zimmerman sounds clear, commanding, and youthful in “Where It Ends.” He may be young, but he knows it’s time to call it quits when it comes to her. In the second verse, he admits, “Red flags said I shoulda walked out that door.” Despite the love-induced pain experienced, he possesses a strong and captivating voice. The powerful chorus marks the best moment of the song.

“You’re the last thing that I thought I’d lose

All I ever wanted was to be loved by you

I let you back in and I gave you a second chance

And like a jet plane on a clear blue sky

Sun came shinin’ down on all your lies

I got too much pride to let that happen again

So, this is where it ends, ends, ends

Yeah, this is where it ends.”

Beyond great vocals and relatable songwriting, “Where It Ends” benefits from tuneful melodies. The musical accompaniment marks another selling point with its heavy-handed guitars, banjo, and tasty guitar riffs. Ultimately, “Where It Ends” is country, but also features some more contemporary production tricks (a dash of synth, but non troppo).

Appears in :

11 More Engaging Where or Wherever Songs (2025)

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10. Benedict Cork, “Until We F* It Up”**

Notes On A Hopeless Romance // Benedict Cork // 2024

“If you take caution like a gun, pull the trigger and run like hell / Throw your troubles to the dust ‘cause it’s us against the world.” Matters of the heart are firmly planted in “Until We F*** It Up”. Firmly planted might be an understatement! “Until We F*** It Up” is the eighth track from Notes On A Hopeless Romance, the debut album by the handsome and talented English singer/songwriter Benedict Cork. Cork and Dane Etteridge wrote and produced “Until We F*** It Up.”

“So, give into the fire and cover me in gasoline / Then drink me in like holy wine, I’ll wash away your sins.” Oh, snap! We see you, Benedict with the spiritual references! “Until We F*** It Up” commences with lovely piano accompaniment. The sound is warm and inviting. Cork delivers gorgeous and sincere vocals. The lyrics are dramatic, poetic, and thoughtful. Interestingly, the lyrics generally are more refined than the bold title. Cork’s vocals are more dramatic and powerful in the chorus, where the highly anticipated f-bomb and negative connotative phrase arrive: “You know it’s only love until we fuck it up.” “Until” makes nice use of harmonized background vocals during the pre-chorus (“…If you want it, take everything / It won’t mean a thing when I’m gone”). The second chorus features additional instrumentation – strings and stunning vocal harmonies. It grows even more dynamic towards the end with the bridge (“All the crazy shit that you went and did / I’ll pretend it doesn’t hurt”) and the final chorus. Benedict Cork gives his all on the marvelous “Until We F*** It Up”.

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11. The 1975, “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)”

A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships // Interscope // 2018

“And all I do is sit and think about you / If I knew what you’d do / Collapse my veins, wearing beautiful shoes / It’s not living if it’s not with you.”  “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You)” appears on A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, the 2018 album by The 1975. “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You)” sounds like it could’ve been at home in the 1980s.  The 1975 thrive with that sound, and “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You)” is no exception.  There are glistening keyboards, brilliant guitars, and a highly effective drum groove.  Beyond the production, frontman Matthew Healy sounds compelling, referencing drug addiction. Character ‘Danny’ is a drug addict. Furthermore, Healey has had his issues with drugs as well: “He’s [Danny] gotta search the street when he’s on vacation / The worst thing is that I’m in the same situation.” In the first full-length chorus of “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You),” Healy adds:

“All I do is sit and drink without you

If I choose then I lose

Distract my brain from the terrible news

It’s not living if it’s not with you.”

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12. The Rolling Stones, “Paint It, Black”

Aftermath // ABKCO Music & Records Inc. // 1966

“I see a red door and I want it painted black.” Early on, “Paint It, Black” is one of the darker songs from The Rolling Stones’ illustrious catalog. It’s set in a minor key, and even if it wasn’t, the lyrics confirm the depression and morbidity of the track. Dark it may be, but that didn’t inhibit it from earning the band one of 23 top 10 hits. “Paint it Black” is one of the band’s 8 number one hits, spending two weeks at no. 1 on the Hot 100 in 1966. Mick Jagger continues singing in the first verse of the Aftermath gem, “No colors anymore, I want them to turn black / I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes / I have to turn my head until my darkness goes.” You know it’s bad when girls in summer clothes anger you…

The first verse only sets the tone as far as Jagger’s mood. The second verse provides more insight into what has happened to cause his anger, depression, and ultimately grief. He mentions cars all painted black, which suggests a funeral procession. He follows up with “With flowers and my love, both never come back,” which confirms the lover is deceased. As “Paint It Black” progresses, Mick continues to struggle with depression, shocked about her death in the fourth verse, and viewing things once seen as bright and cheerful as, well, black, of course. The blackness The Rolling Stones desire includes the sun, “Blotted out from the sky / I wanna see it painted, painted, painted / Painted black, yeah.” Fun fact: “Paint It, Black” features Brian Jones playing sitar, adding to the unique sound of this classic.

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13. Jerry Butler & Betty Everett, “Let It Be Me”

Aware of Love // Concord Music Group, Inc. // 1961

“I bless the day I found you / I want to stay around you / And so I beg you, let it be me.” “Let It Be Me” is a timeless, often-covered pop classic. The original version was named “Je t’appartiens” by Gilbert Bécaud. Transformed and translated into “Let It Be Me,” it was written by Bécaud, Pierre Delanoë, and Mann Curtis. One of the finest interpretations of “Let It Be” is by Jerry Butler and Betty Everett. The cover appears on Butler’s 1961 album, Aware of Love. “Let” is one of three top 10 hits by Butler. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100.

Among the most elegant features of “Let It Be Me” is the production, specifically the gorgeous, lush strings. The orchestration is delightful. The main attractions are Butler and Everett, who exhibit superb vocal chemistry. They duet consistently in the verses. Each deliver commanding lead vocals when singing separately in the bridge. “Each time we meet, love / I find complete love,” Everett sings, drawing first blood. Butler responds, soulfully, “Without your sweet love / What would life be?” Ultimately, Jerry Butler and Betty Everett ‘put their foot’ into this unforgettable classic. Where love is so much more complicated and explicit in the 21^st century, this 20^th-century oldie is refreshing because love feels easy. “Let It Be Me” will always be the ‘bomb diggity!’

Appears in :

Jerry Butler & Betty Everett, Let It Be Me: Throwback Vibez 204 (2024)

~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 3 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista, bbno$, Benedict Cork, Elektra, Mariah Carey, Matador, Perfume Genius, RCA, Right Hand Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited, Taylor Swift, The Island Def Jam Music Group, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner Music Nashville; Ytalo Marcos from Pexels; AcatXlo from Pixabay]

13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 3 | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on March 3, 2025March 3, 2025