13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 6 features songs by Al Calderon, Jaheim, Joji, Lyn Collins, Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis, and Phil Collins.
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, 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 3, published in March 2025, 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 4 (2025) published in April 2025, and, 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 5 (2025), published in May 2025, we unveil 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 6 (2026)! 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 6 features songs by Al Calderon, Jaheim, Joji, Lyn Collins, Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis, and Phil Collins. So, without further ado, let’s jump into IT… VOL. 6!

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1. The Isley Brothers, “It’s Your Thing”
It’s Our Thing » Sony Music Entertainment » 1969
The chorus, excerpted above, is the section to beat. It arrives after a super, funky groove is established at the onset. Ronald Isley shows off incredible musicianship on lead vocals. He showcases grit, a ripe falsetto, great abilities, and ample personality. “If you want me to love you, maybe I will / Believe me, woman, it ain’t no big deal,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “You need love now, just as bad as I do / Makes me no difference now, who you give your thing to.” Ooh-wee! Ron gets strong support from the background singers of The Isley Brothers. The lyrics are F-U-N. The music is scintillating – marvelous accompaniment and production. The rhythm section is tight, particularly Ernie Isley (b. 1952) on bass, while the articulated horns further accentuate the greatness. “It’s Your Thing” is one of the funkiest, most fun songs you’ll ever hear, PERIOD! Timeless!

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2. Joji, “If It Only Gets Better”
Piss In The Wind » Palace Creek / Virgin Music » 2026
Following those “PIXELATED KISSES” and preceding “Past Won’t Leave My Bed”, Joji (George Miller) unveiled the brief “If It Only Gets Better”. “If It Only Gets Better” marks the second single from Joji’s fourth studio album, Piss In The Wind (arrives February 6, 2026). Joji penned “Better” with John Durhman. Wonton produced it. The brief number commences with a reflective-sounding musical accompaniment (plucked strings). The accompaniment sets the tone. Joji enters the mix, serving up lovely vocals in the sole verse. “If it only gets better from here,” he asserts, and adds, “Then what’s there to change about it? / Shit, I just won’t think about it.” Word. The distinct, percussive drum programming is unexpected, but a wrinkle that makes “If It Only Gets Better” stand out. Initially, it sounds off but then settles in, making the record sound even more unique despite its brevity. There are very few lyrics, but they are captivating, meaningful, and thought-provoking. Beyond the verse, radiant, harmonized vocals singing on “ooh” appear on the final section of the song, the outro. “If It Only Gets Better” marks another winner for Joji, who rarely seems to miss.
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3. Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis, “Is It A Crime”
HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY » Buckles Laboratories, LLC / Epic » 2025
In this duet, both musicians sing separately. Mariah the Scientist draws first blood, singing radiantly in the first verse and chorus. Mariah mentions, “They, they were wrong about us, I hate the way they paint it.” She adds, “It ain’t love they see / But it ain’t nothin’ to discuss ‘cause it is to me.” Kali Uchis sings the second verse, contrasting with Mariah yet showing off her elegant pipes. She clarifies that love is no crime, singing, “‘Cause if loving me is jail, then you’re my prisoner.” Adding emphasis, rather, an expletive, Kali asserts, “Let ‘em know we don’t give a fuck / All they want to see is us breaking up.” In the centerpiece, the chorus, Mariah asks, “Tell me, what’s it to ya? Tell me, is it a crime to fall?” That’s a big fat rhetorical NO. It is never a crime to fall in love. It’s certainly no crime to fall in love with “It Is a Crime”, where both the talented Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis bring their A game.
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4. j-hope, “Killin’ It Girl” (Ft. GloRilla)
“Killin’ It Girl” » BIGHIT MUSIC » 2025
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5. Al Calderon, “Come Get It”
“Come Get It” » Al Calderon / Create Music Group Inc. » 2025
Al Calderon exemplifies male beauty. Honestly, él es jodidamente caliente 🥵. No cap! Beyond being the physical specimen he is, he is talented. The man sings beautifully, delivering performances that catch the ears because of his smooth vocal tone and his ability to convey sexy performances on the track. “Come Get It” marks another triumph from Calderon that shows off his radiant, sensual pipes. Notably, it is accompanied by a music video, which sort of justifies the male objectification… At the beginning of the video, Calderon leaves a voicemail to whom we presume is an ex-boyfriend (in Spanish, exclusively). He expressed how much he misses him and wants him to come back. He concludes with the English titular phrase, “Come get it.” Also, revisiting my thirstiness, post-voicemail to ex-bf, in the video, you can’t help but swoon over Calderon… He knows he’s doing it, with his shirt unbuttoned (or completely off), showering, wrapped in a towel, or wearing nothing but his underwear (CK briefs at one point 🤤) … He’s hot, and he knows he’s hot, and this Latino hottie is willing to share it with us – HALLELUJAH 🙌!
Al Calderon is backed by a smooth, contemporary pop/R&B/urbano latino backdrop. It’s giving cool, sensual vibes, which fits the tenor of the lyrics. Calderon embraces Spanglish. As the video suggested with his voicemail, his relationship has been on the rocks… if it is still a thing: “Hace un tiempo / que no hemos hablado / que no hemos hablado.” The lack of communication is NOT GOOD… Slipping into English, Calderon sings, “Tried to make you love me / Make you trust me / Gave you space / When you didn’t even want me / Find it funny when you’re trying to avoid me / Finding problems just / So you can blame it on me.” Damn… that’s a lot… Calderon also states he wishes to talk, but there’s nothing to say. Still, like the video, Calderon is willing to wait for him to return and come get it. Will he? I don’t know, but I’ll tell you what, a lot of men would die to come get Al! “Come Get It” marks another winner from this handsome and talented man. If you haven’t checked Al Calderon out yet, I’m looking at you with a side eye, asking what the hell-helly-hellyante is wrong with you?!
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6. The Kid LAROI, “HOW DOES IT FEEL?”
“HOW DOES IT FEEL?” » Columbia » 2025
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7. ur pretty, “Taste It”
“Taste It” » ur pretty » 2025
While the cards are revealed early on “Taste It,” ur pretty never tames the sex. In the bridge, there is suckin’, jackin’, moanin’, and poundin’. In the hook, ur pretty asserts, “Play my guitar, drive my stick just like a car.” That’s precedes the pre-chorus where the relentless dick play continues. “I like the way you move, cover my face with your juice / And I ain’t playin’, grab my throat, bitch, I can take the abuse.” Damn! In a variation of the chorus, it comes as no surprise “He started creamin’, filled me up just like a pastry / Pulled out that penis, licked the tip, his dick so tasty.” The proper, full-length verse is more graphic:
“Like the navy baby, put that ship inside my port
I’m stretched out and we’ve been makin’ such a mess
Trace a heart into the puddle of semen that’s on my chest
You’ve got me so high, in between my thighs
I don’t ever wanna be fucked by any other guy.”
Wow… So, what does one make of ur pretty? Honestly, I don’t know. But what we do know is that there is no denying that “Taste It” is gay as hell, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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8. Lyn Collins, “Think (About It)”
Think (About It) » UMG Recordings, Inc. » 1972
The distinct, dramatic intro, excerpted earlier, sets the tone for “Think (About It).” Lyn Collins exhibits personality early on. She also showcases her cutting, powerful, and soulful vocals. Following the intro, an electrifying funk groove provides a mighty anchor. The drum break is legendary and often sampled for good reason – it kicks some serious ass. While the drum break is the cat’s meow, it’s not the only ear candy. Adding the allure of the record is ripe guitar and biting, enthusiastic horns. The riffs are sick. While all of the instrumental excellence accompanies, Collins is on autopilot. Empowered, she demands respect: “Now, baby, I got a life to live / And a whole lotta loving that I wanna give, yeah / But before I give it up, I gotta think, think.” No woman should settle for less, and all should be able to think and make decisions for themselves. One of the most memorable lyrics, however, appears in the bridge: “It takes two to make a thing go right / It takes two to make it outta sight.” True! “Think (About It)” is one of the truly great funk records of all time. Lyn Collins gave her all on this way, accompanied by a legendary drum groove and an empowering message.
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9. Jaheim, “Could It Be”
Ghetto Love » Warner » 2001
“Could It Be” oozes with soul, PERIOD. The musical accompaniment, fueled by the sample and contemporary R&B sounds, helps solidify the soulfulness. Of course, the biggest contributor to the soul is Jaheim himself, who brings the Teddy Pendergrass (1950 – 2010) and Luther Vandross (1951 – 2005) vibes with a more hard-nosed, street-savvy edge. His tone is to die for – distinct and gritty. He masterfully brings the rough-and-tumble lyrics and tuneful melodies to life. “On the cross town with the top down, sounds banging out the backseats (Alright) /Me and this shorty too deep,” he sings in the first verse, and adds, “She’s flashing me thighs, wind blowing through her hair / Baby, we can take it there (Take it there).” Woo! Keeping things spicy in the second verse, he asserts, “Oh, girl, I wanna hit it in the worst way / After that, you’ll be coming back like every day (Oh yeah) / Send you back to your girls with something else to say / How I hit it, split it, had you with it ‘til the break of day.” D-d-damn! The chorus is the crème de la crème:
“Could it be my chromed-out whip? (Shorty)
Break your neck when you see a nigga dip (Oh)
Or could it be the ice you see?
But you tell me that you’re really feeling me (I’ve gotta know right now)…”
The bridge is intriguing, too. Ja’ asks if it’s the material things he brings to the table that have all these ladies wanting to get with him? He concludes, “You tell me you love me, baby, but what’s that all about?” More than two decades after its bow, “Could It Be” remains a surefire, undeniable contemporary R&B gem. Jaheim and his team put their feet into this one, NO CAP!
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10. Phil Collins, “I Wish It Would Rain Down”
…But Seriously » Philip Collins Ltd. / Rhino Entertainment Company » 1989
So, what makes “I Wish It Would Rain Down” such a special Phil Collins song? Phil Collins, first and foremost. He delivers one of the best performances of his illustrious career. In the verses, he sounds sweet and nuanced, supported by fabulous vocal production. As the song progresses, from the second chorus and beyond, including the bridge, Collins shows off the sheer power and versatility of his instrument. His performance is impressive to the nth degree. Upping the ante vocally as well is the inclusion of a gospel choir, beginning during the second chorus. Instrumentally, “Rain” is beastly from the get-go. Bright and dynamic, Eric Clapton provides a serious lift with his electric guitar playing. Other instruments that stand out are the keyboards (Collins) and the bass (Pino Palladino). The sound is firmly planted in that late 1980s, early 1990s adult contemporary aesthetic. The songwriting can’t be neglected either. “You know I never meant to see you again,” Collins sings in the first verse, continuing, “But I only passed by as a friend, yeah.” In the second verse, he informs her, “Ooh, I never mean to cause you no pain / But it looks like I did it again, yeah.” Oh, snap! The melodies are tuneful in the verses, as well as that precipitation-filled chorus! Shout out the bridge, where the contrast melodically and melodically keeps “I Wish It Would Rain Down” engaging to the nth degree. “But I know in my heart of hearts / I know I’m never gonna hold you again, no, no,” he asserts. Adding to the excellence of the timeless “I Wish It Would Rain Down” is the high-flying outro, where Phil and the choir continue to implore rain.
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11. The Miracles, “Do It Baby”
Do It Baby » Motown » 1974
“Do It Baby” cooks from the onset. It features scintillating bass riffs. The groove is electrifying – oozing with the soul aesthetic. Speaking of the soul aesthetic, the sweet, orchestral touches are emblematic of the style, particularly in the 1970s. Griffin does a fabulous job stepping into Smokey’s shoes. His voice is silky smooth. “Tantalizing, so appetizing / You’ve got me hungry for your love,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “Ooh, how you love me, baby / You keep me coming back for more.” Ooh-wee! Beyond the strong verses, the sections to beat are the memorable, incredibly tuneful pre-chorus and the chorus:
“Don’t you know?
(Can’t nobody groove me) Can’t nobody groove me
Can’t nobody move me like you do (Like you do)
…Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, baby…”
Sometimes, the exit of a star can stifle a group forever. In the case of The Miracles, it is a ‘miracle’ they carved out success post-Smokey. Billy Griffin and company put their foot into “Do It Baby”.
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12. O.V. Wright, “Let’s Straighten It Out” – Latimore cover
The Bottom Line » Hi / Fat Possum » 1978
![O.V. Wright, The Bottom Line [📷: Hi / Fat Possum] O.V. Wright, The Bottom Line [📷: Hi / Fat Possum]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/o-v-wright-the-bottom-line.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
“Let’s Straighten It Out” shines from the beginning. The drum groove anchors, establishing the soulful aesthetic. The piano is key, delivering stellar comping, bluesy riffs, and a well-rounded solo. The rhythm section is locked in. Upping the ante on this joint instrumentally is the orchestra. Lush strings, crisply articulated, biting brass, nor more legato woodwinds (the oboe during the chorus is awe-inspiring) never grow stale. The riffs riff hard from the instrumentalists. O.V. Wright matches, better yet, exceeds the glory of instrumental! He sings with authenticity, ample personality, and expression. His distinct, southern pipes ‘eat’ from the first note that he sings. The first verse is sweet, while he lets loose even more in the second. “For the last five nights, honey, when we went to bed / Whoa, I could tell something just wasn’t right,” he sings, concluding, “When you turn your back to me and cover your head / Or you didn’t even say goodnight.” Oh, snap! His bread is its most buttery in the chorus, where he tells his baby, “Let’s straighten it out, baby / …You know we can straighten it out.” He differentiates his rendition from the original with additional instrumentation, a short runtime, and some tweaked lyrics. O.V. Wright deserved far more recognition in his brief lifetime. “Let’s Straighten Out” is nothing short of da bomb dot com!
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13. Shirley Caesar, “He’s Working It Out For You”
He’s Working It Out For You » Word Entertainment LLC » 1991
In the second verse, accompanied by fuller instrumentation (piano, organ, bass, drums, etc.), Caesar sings, “Now you ask yourself, is there a word from the Lord / You need a blessing, and you need it right away / God is concerned, and He’s working it out for you.” In the third, her voice grows more spirited, setting the tone for God’s wonder-working power. Despite the lack of peace at home or work, bills, and failing health, the message remains consistent: God’s working it out. Before the three-minute mark, the choir joins in, amplifying the spirit in the chorus:
“He’s working it out
He’s working it out for you
God cares
I’m so glad to know He cares
I’m so glad to know He cares
And He’s working it out for you.”
Meanwhile, Caesar ad-libs, riffing at her finest. “He’s Working It Out For You” was released in the 1990s, yet its powerful message continues to resonate in this moving gospel gem.
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Songs That Explore IT, series 🔻 |

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~
| 13 Songs That Explore It, Vol. 6 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Al Calderon, BIGHIT MUSIC, Buckles Laboratories, LLC, Columbia, Create Music Group Inc., Epic, Fat Possum, Hi, Motown, Palace Creek, Philip Collins Ltd., Rhino Entertainment Company, Sony Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings, Inc., ur pretty, Virgin Music, Warner, Word Entertainment LLC; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay; Vishwanath Negi on Unsplash, Logan Voss on Unsplash] |
![The Isley Brothers, It’s Our Thing [📷: Sony Music Entertainment] The Isley Brothers, It’s Our Thing [📷: Sony Music Entertainment]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/the-isley-brothers-its-our-thing.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Mariah the Scientist, HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY [📷: Buckles Laboratories, LLC / Epic] Mariah the Scientist, HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY [📷: Buckles Laboratories, LLC / Epic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/mariah-the-scientist-hearts-sold-separately.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![j-hope, Killin’ It Girl [📷: BIGHIT MUSIC] j-hope, Killin’ It Girl [📷: BIGHIT MUSIC]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/j-hope-killin-it-girl.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Kid LAROI, HOW DOES IT FEEL? [📷: Columbia] The Kid LAROI, HOW DOES IT FEEL? [📷: Columbia]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/the-kid-laroi-how-does-it-feel.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![ur pretty, Taste It [📷: ur pretty] ur pretty, Taste It [📷: ur pretty]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ur-pretty-taste-it.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Lyn Collins, Think (About It) [📷: UMG Recordings, Inc.] Lyn Collins, Think (About It) [📷: UMG Recordings, Inc.]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/lyn-collins-think-about-it.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Jaheim, Ghetto Love [📷: Warner] Jaheim, Ghetto Love [📷: Warner]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/jaheim-ghetto-love.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Phil Collins, …But Seriously [📷: Philip Collins Ltd. / Rhino Entertainment Company] Phil Collins, …But Seriously [📷: Philip Collins Ltd. / Rhino Entertainment Company]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/phil-collins-but-seriously.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Miracles, Do It Baby [📷: Motown] The Miracles, Do It Baby [📷: Motown]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/the-miracles-do-it-baby.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Shirley Caesar, He’s Working It Out For You [📷: Word Entertainment LLC] Shirley Caesar, He’s Working It Out For You [📷: Word Entertainment LLC]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shirley-caesar-hes-working-it-out-for-you.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)


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