“13 Songs That Focus on the Face” features music courtesy of Cécile McLorin Salvant, Die Antwoord, Future, Lady Gaga, and The Weeknd among others.

So, honestly, we’ve done it all on The Musical Hype.  Once, it was 17 Songs Associated With the Body – that was a fun one.  Another time, it was 13 Songs That Involve the Head in Some Capacity, sigh. Of course prior to that, there was 11 Songs About Lips, Mouth & Tongue.  What’s related with these three playlists? All involve the body, either specifically or generally.  Once more, we focus on the body, this time with 13 Songs That Focus on the Face.  Fair warning – not all of these records are, well, family friendly. Shocking, right? Right. This face-focused playlist features a number of diverse musicians, including Cécile McLorin Salvant (“Let’s Face the Music and Dance”), Die Antwoord (“Fat Faded Fuck Face”), Future (“Faceshot” and “Fuk Faces”), Lady Gaga (“Hair Body Face” and “Poker Face”), and The Weeknd (“Can’t Feel My Face”) among others.

1. Future, “Faceshot”

Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD • Epic • 2019

“Yeah, playin’ with the girl out in Fresno / I like to get hyphy for a kilo / I fuck with lil’ shawty, she got deep throat / Get your ass hit for a C-note.” Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta… something like that.  Anyways, refocusing, throughout the course of Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD, Future keeps things banging  on “Faceshot,” the 18^th song from the album.  “Faceshot” doesn’t rank among the crème de la crème of The WIZRD per se, but it’s definitely a banger that goes off without a hitch.

Honestly, “Faceshot” has what you would expect from Future – flex and sex.  By flex, the Atlanta rapper continues to focus on money, while also refencing drugs and hustling.  The sex part is pretty self-explanatory, as aforementioned on the excerpt from the chorus.  Among the colorful lyrics: “Majority all these models all head eaters / Half of these bitches sleepin’ with the Grim Reaper.” Wow.

2. Lady Gaga, “Hair Body Face”

A Star is Born • Interscope • 2018

“‘Cause baby when I look at you / I just don’t know what to do witchu / A man loves a triple threat / Did the party room just see that / Hair, body, face for ya…” A Star is Born was nothing short of a phenomenon in 2018 – understatement.  Furthermore, the soundtrack wasn’t “kind of a big deal,” but rather DEFINITELY “a big deal.” If we get specific, the big attraction on the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper fueled soundtrack was “Shallow”, a song nominated for multiple film and music awards.  That said, “Shallow” isn’t the song that fits this face-centric list.  That song would be “Hair Body Face.”  

“Hair Body Face” appears late on the A Star is Born soundtrack – it’s the 28^th track to be exact.  Being that deep into the record, it’s definitely not the crowning achievement, but it fits our purposes obviously. Where “Shallow” has more of a countrified sound (and arguably more distinct), “Hair Body Face” is a straight-up pop record.  This is Lady Gaga pre-Joanne, but not quite as dance-oriented as her earliest albums either. Sleekly produced, Lady Gaga sounds rock-solid – well, ‘pop’ solid – on this modern pop number.

“I’m not mad as long
As I am perfect in your eyes
Your eyes
Doesn’t make a difference yeah
As long as I’m perfect in your eyes
Your eyes.”

Okay Lady Gaga, whatever you say. “Hair, body, face for ya / Triple threat.”

3. DJ Esco, “Fuk Faces”

Ft. Future

KOLORBLIND • Epic • 2018

“Me and lil’ mama, we exchange fuck faces / Pour the brown liquor up, made me go ‘brazy’ / Jump in the Benz, turnin’ all 10…” Cutting straight to the chase, “Fuk Faces” doesn’t leave that much to the imagination – understatement. Clearly, on this gem, courtesy of record producer DJ Esco, is all about sex. “Fuk Faces” hails from the producer’s debut studio album, KOLORBLIND. Specifically, featured guest Future references facial expressions during sex – the “O” face if you will.  It goes ‘deeper’ than that – well – not really.  This is all flex courtesy of Future, with references to money, material, and obviously, sex.  The sound and production of the record, set in a minor key, has the trap written all over it.  The drip is real.

“Wipin’ off your Louie V, bitch
Hermès on your feet, bitch
Dior on your sleeve, bitch
Red wine when you sleep, bitch.”

4. Mat Kearney, “Face to Face”

CRAZYTALK • Tomorrow Music • 2018

“I feel your thunder pourin’ like rain / Down on the mountains of all my mistakes / Rolling like rivers, running with grace / Into the ocean of your embrace… / Oh when we’re standing, standing / Face to face.” There’s no escaping the feel-good groove of “Face to Face,” the second track off of CRAZYTALK, the fifth studio album by pop musician Mat Kearney.  “Face to Face” is clearly idiomatic of dance-/electronic-fueled pop music of the 2010s.  The synths are inescapable.  Likewise, the same can be said of the sheen of the production work as a whole – slick to the nth degree.  Lyrically, Kearney keeps things pretty simple, with the chorus running longer than either of the two verses, particularly the second verse.  This isn’t that far-fetched, given the pronounced influence of EDM here.

5. Cécile McLorin Salvant, “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”

Dreams and Daggers • Mack Avenue • 2017

Sometimes, modern music can get, well, a little risqué and raunchy.  Case in point? The aforementioned “Fuk Faces” courtesy of DJ Esco featuring Future.  Sigh.  Luckily, with supremely talented, Grammy-winning Cécile McLorin Salvant aboard, we bring some refinement to this face-centric playlist. Salvant doesn’t opt for new music, instead liberally covering a classic Irving Berlin standard, “Let’s Face the Music and Dance.”

Early on, Salvant impresses with her impeccable jazz vocal technique, instantly showing why she’s one of vocal jazz’s brightest stars.  Beyond her own sensational performance, her backing combo is on fire, particularly the solo by gifted classically-trained pianist Aaron Diehl.

6.Walker Wheeler, Jr., “Sit on My Face”

Redneck Shit • Pepperhill • 2016

First and foremost, it’s important not to take Walker Wheeler, Jr. the least bit seriously.  Wheeler is part comedian and part country musician.  Actually, he’s mostly comedian judging by his musical output.  In 2016, he shocked the world with his debut album, boldly titled Redneck Shit.  Yeah, country artists have managed to squeeze in the s-bomb every now and again with little flack, but it’s not often it graces the album’s title.  Again, Wheeler, Jr. is more comedian than anything else.  Going back to the song titles from his debut album, beyond the title track: “Can’t Fuck You off My Mind,” “Fuck You Bitch,” and “Eatin’ Pussy / Kickin’ Ass” among them.  Damn – what can you say to that? It definitely makes the song at hand, “Sit on My Face,” sound tame.

Don’t get it twisted though – “Sit on My Face” is about exactly what you’d expect it to be about.  Beginning with the chorus, Wheeler, Jr. sings, “Sit on my face, cause I ain’t too picky / And ride my mouth till your pussy gets sticky and all…” Wow.  Prior to unveiling the TMI chorus, Wheeler, Jr. insults his prospects on the first verse, asserting, “You ain’t much to look at / You could lose a few / You got saggy titties / But tonight, it’ll do.” Man, oh man!  At the end of the second verse, he states, “I’m gonna lay my head back / And give your twat a kiss.” Again, wow…

7. Die Antwoord, “Fat Faded Fuck Face”

Mount Ninji and da Nice Kid • Zef • 2016

South African collective Die Antwoord returned with southern rap-infused single, “Fat Faded Fuck Face”, a highlight of their 2016 LP, Mount Ninji and da Nice Time Kid.  Song titles don’t get much more honest than the satisfyingly explicit “Fat Faded Fuck Face.” “Fat Faded Fuck Face” features hardcore rap production which favors the production that would grace an American southern rap song. Ultimately, the song is one big insult, filled with the archetypical shots made by rappers consistently.

Ninja initiates “Fat Faded Fuck Face” unapologetically on the hook:

“Fuck, I’m so faded
Motherfuck, I’m faded
In the morning, I be fresh as fuck
But your bitch still be faded
Fat faded fuck face, save it
How’d you get so jaded?
So vain never made it
Just flash in the pan, could get faded
Your legacy’s overrated, your new shit sounds dated
You no longer famous, kids don’t know what your name is
Something crawled up your anus and died
That’s why your face is so fucked up
Salt tasted in your mouth
Your bitch call me the greatest.”

The first verse is performed by Yolandi, featuring a signature catch-line, “I told your boy, ‘your bitch needs to chill’ (bitch needs to chill).” Things get weirder, with Yolandi performing the second verse in a different language. Ninja performs the final verse, in the same style as the hook. One big insult after another and a consistent brag-fest, “Fat Faded Fuck Face” is another enjoyable, quasi-eccentric single from the South African collective.

8. The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”

Beauty Behind the Madness • Republic • 2015

“I can’t feel my face when I’m with you / but I love it, but I love it.” For some reason, many listeners mistake the former no. 1 hit as a love song.  That’s just not the case when it comes to the hella-infectious, “Can’t Feel My Face,” by Grammy-winning urban contemporary artist, The Weeknd.  “Can’t Feel My Face” dabbles in a topic which The Weeknd has tackled many times throughout his career – drugs.

“And I know she’ll be the death of me
At least we’ll both be numb
And she’ll always get the best of me
The worst is yet to come.”

Interestingly, The Weeknd speaks on the misconception of “Can’t Feel My Face” in another standout song, “Reminder” from Starboy:

“I just won a new award for a kids show
Talking ‘bout a face numbing off a bag a blow
I’m like goddamn bitch I am not a Teen choice
Goddamn bitch I am not a bleach boy.”

9. Miguel, “Face the Sun” (Ft. Lenny Kravitz)

Wildheart • RCA • 2015

“I ain’t a saint, I think you know / But I see a wave, I’m gonna go / It’s no debate that I belong with you.” There’s ample sex throughout the course of Wildheart, the third studio album by Grammy-winning urban contemporary artist, Miguel.  Compared to his 2012 album, Kaleidoscope Heart, Miguel really ‘upped the ante’ in regard to the “Bedroom Boom”.  Just look at the cover art – it’s definitely NSFW. That said, “Face the Sun” isn’t nearly as sexual as, say “Coffee” or “The Valley.” Here, on this rock-infused contemporary R&B joint, he’s not in ‘like,’ but genuine love with her.  Just to reiterate, it’s not merely sexual (or sexual at all really) but based upon a genuine, emotional connection.

“Oh yeah baby, I belong with you
Yeah, I belong with you, I bet a dollar
Cause when it’s time to face the sun
I know that you’re the only one.”

10. A$AP Ferg, “Fuck Out My Face” (Ft. B-Real, Onyx & A$Ton Matthews)

Trap Lord • RCA • 2013

“Get the fuck out my motherfuckin’ face…” Yeah, A$AP Ferg doesn’t sugarcoat much on arguably the crown jewel from his 2013 debut album, Trap Lord.  Sure, “Shabba” is definitely a big deal, but “Fuck Out My Face” is absolutely brutally honest, featuring guests Aston Matthews, Onyx, and B-Real.  After killing it on the simple but explicit hook, Ferg doesn’t rap again until the second verse – “A$AP Ferg, A$AP Mobbin’ / Bitches on my ballsack, want a n*gga Martian.” Hmm…  He also goes on to spit over the hard-hitting, malicious production, “Another broad and kiss and massage ‘em / Give them booty shots might Nicki Minaj ‘em.”

Among the most memorable lines hails from B-Real, who raps the first verse of the record:

“Pass that shit like a deadly virus
She want to hit that’s Miley Cyrus
Head so hard my god she likes this
Change that chicks name to Miley Cypress…”

11. Trey Songz, “Love Faces”

Passion Pain & Pleasure • Atlantic • 2010

Question: “Don’t it feel good when I touch it? / Would it be nice if all night I was in you?” It comes as no surprise that Trey Songz excels at the three-letter word better known as sex.  Yes, the handsome R&B singer is the perfect messenger when it comes to matters of the bedroom.  Few men or women can deny that, right? Right.  One of the crowning achievements of his sexually-charged discography hails from his 2010 album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure: “Love Faces.” Much like the aforementioned “Fuk Faces” (DJ Esco, assisted by Future), Songz is focused on the facial expressions while ‘getting it on.’

Lyrically, the second song from Passion, Pain & Pleasure is hot enough to stimulate almost anybody.  Adding ‘insult to injury,’ the lush, super smooth production work screams ‘it’s going down.’ Of course, on the memorable chorus, it does go down.  The “O” faces seem to be full throttle from both parties.  And how could they not be with Trey Songz in the driver seat?

“Making love faces
Making love faces
Shadows on the wall while the candles burning
Messing up the bed while you sweating out your perm
Making love faces
Making love faces
My hands rubbing on your skin
Let’s go hard, don’t hold it in.”

12. Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”

The Fame Monster (Deluxe) • Interscope • 2009

“Love game intuition, play the cards with spades to start / And after he’s been hooked, I’ll play the one that’s on his heart.” Listening to “Poker Face” without context, or playing extremely close attention to the lyrics, it would seem that it’s a harmless, dance-pop record by Lady Gaga. Dance-pop often focuses on the production and vibe more so than the lyrics, so, Lady Gaga could easily get a bit of a pass given the infectious, killer vibes of “Poker Face.” Don’t let the infectiousness of this number one hit from The Fame Monster fool you.  Basically, you should totally ‘read into’ the chorus, which clearly insinuates bisexuality, confirmed by the musician herself.

There’s nothing wrong with that, but back when, how many caught what Gaga was singing about?

“Can’t read my, can’t read my
No, he can’t read my poker face
(She’s got me like nobody)
Can’t read my, can’t read my
No, he can’t read my poker face
(She’s got me like nobody).”

13. Rick Ross, “Face” (Ft. Trina)

Deeper Than Rap • Def Jam • 2008

“9 times out of 10, it’s a big body Benz / With a real n*gga in it, ride if you wanna win / I’m gettin’ face, I’m getting’ face / I’m gettin’ face, I’m gettin’ face.” Sigh, we close out this face-centric list with a naughty, ratchet banger courtesy of Rick Ross, “Face.” “Face” appears on Ross’ third studio album, Deeper Than Rap.  After two relatively average albums with some standout hits (Port of Miami and Trilla), Deeper Than Rap marked the biggest step forward in Ross’ career in my eyes.  From the sick opener “Mafia Music,” to his luxurious gem with John Legend (“Magnificent”), Deeper Than Rap may not truly run ‘deeper than rap,’ but it’s a rock-solid album from ‘Rozay.’  Of course, the raunchy song at hand wouldn’t be complete without Trina, who absolutely kills it, adding some extra ‘stank.’

“[Rick Ross] Mind on the money but this bitch so fine
Took my eyes off the money, watch this bitch the whole time
[Trina:] Mind on the money but this n*gga’s so fly
Time to jump up on that Benz and ride the thing the whole time.”

Photo Credits: Atlantic, Def Jam, Epic, Interscope, Mack Avenue, Pepperhill, RCA, Republic, Tomorrow Music, Zef