13 Songs That Perfectly Capture the Plight of Love | Playlist 🎧

“13 Songs That Perfectly Capture the Plight of Love” features Fiona Apple, Isaac Dunbar, Juice WRLD, Kiana Ledé, and Tink.

“Love / It seems like only yesterday…” Indeed, indeed, “Love” from the 1973 Disney animated film, Robin Hood.  Of course, love can be incredibly difficult – arduous to the nth degree.  As The Persuaders so elegantly put it, “It’s a ‘Thin Line Between Love and Hate’.” True, “After the Love Has Gone”, things can get messy.  Honestly, things can be messy before the love has even commenced, or, it may never commence.  The point of all this rambling? Well, my friends, the plight of love is something else! It is a topic that has been explored time and time again musically.

13 SONGS THAT PERFECTLY CAPTURE THE PLIGHT OF LOVE literally only scratches the surface when it comes to selecting songs that exemplify the plight of love.  Try and find a complete, definitive list of songs that capture this relatable experience and it’s absolutely impossible. Why? There are so many songs, past and present, not to mention those songs that haven’t been written yet that capture the hardships of love in some respect.  Musicians that entertain us with their pain (that sounded totally insensitive) include Fiona Apple (“Rack of His”), Isaac Dunbar (“Scorton’s Creek”), Juice WRLD (“Robbery”), Kiana Ledé (“Second Chances”) and  Tink (“Cut it Out”) among others.  Without further ado, we explore the plight that is LOVE!

1. Fiona Apple, “Rack of His”

Fetch the Bolt Cutters • Epic • 2020

Fiona Apple only releases an album “once in a blue moon.” It’s true; there is a gap of at least three years between every album in her discography. After releasing The Idler Wheel…, her sole album of the 2010s, her fifth album, Fetch the Bolt Cutters, arrives nearly eight years later! Who knows when the next new studio album from Apple will arrive at this rate! The good news? Fiona Apple never releases a bad album and Fetch the Bolt Cutters is a masterpiece from my perspective. With “Rack of His,” which originally appeared on 16 ‘R’ Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason, we’ve got a record that exemplifies the plight of love without question.

Within the context of Fetch the Bolt Cutters, the epic nature of the album doesn’t cease after the opening quintet of songs (“I Want You to Love Me,” “Shameika,” “Fetch the Bolt Cutters”, “Under the Table,” and “Relay”). If nothing else happened to stand out about “Rack of His,” the way Fiona Apple compares the lack of affection she’s received to a guitarist and his many guitars is reason enough to listen.

“Check out that rack of his, look at that row of guitar necks
… They don’t know what they are in for and they don’t care, but I do
I thought you would wail on me like you wail on them, but it was just a coochie-coo-coups.”

Apple is hella in love, but she just doesn’t receive the attention and love that she longs for from him. She continues to sing incredibly expressively, backed by few instruments used quite effectively.  ‘Nerding out’ a bit, I love the tone of the drums, as well as the use of mellotron.

2. Isaac Dunbar, “Scorton’s Creek”

Isaac’s Insects (EP) • RCA • 2020

Young Isaac Dunbar has been quite impressive in 2020, releasing numerous potent singles that would eventually end up no his EP, Isaac’s Insects. Among the superb advance singles from Isaac’s Insects was the love-centric “Scorton’s Creek”, which previously earned a spot on Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: March 2020.

“Scorton’s Creek” continues to showcase the genius of the wunderkind.  Written by himself, he produces alongside Drew Pearson.  The backdrop is alluring and well-rounded by all means, featuring a dreamy, lush sound matching the love-centric theme. “Let’s go to the tennis court / And take some pictures once more / I’d love to sneak a peek of you while you’re posing.” Young Isaac seems to sing about falling in love, and all the reactions he has towards the person he’s in love with, or how he envisions the relationship. Unfortunately, he also seems to understand the plight of love, crushing, and such at the end clearly:

“I don’t wanna say goodbye
I fear you love somebody else
But there’s no way that you can control how you feel
So, I’ll just have to learn between what’s fake and real.”

Isaac Dunbar continues to let listeners into his life, including an excellent coming of age song like “Scorton’s Creek.” Short but potent, once more, Dunbar delivers vocally, emotionally, and thematically.

3. Greyson Chance, “Dancing Next to Me”

“Dancing Next to Me” • GCM / Arista • 2020

“Twenty-two, he doesn’t drink but he needs to let loose / He doesn’t know what he wants, but I do / And I give into the moment…” Ooh la la! Greyson Chance made a fierce comeback in 2019 with the album, Portraits.  The gay musician definitely opened up more on that particular album. Post-Portraits, he returned in 2020, tackling matters of the heart, from a gay perspective, on “Dancing Next to Me”. Of course, regardless of your sexuality, “Dancing Next to Me” is quite relatable, particularly, after a temporary love connection… Oh, the plight of love!

“Hold tight, says he wants to come over / And I’ll try, I’ll try to keep my composure…” Greyson Chance has a superb team of songwriters on “Dancing Next to Me,” including Teddy Geiger, who also produces.  The result? A fun, lustful, danceable pop record that’s a perfect fit for the 22-year old standout. On the verses, he sings in commanding fashion, robustly in his lower-mid register.  He contrasts on the pre-chorus and into the chorus section, showcasing a potent, ripe falsetto.

“...But I know that you felt it
And I felt it when you were there, you were there
You were dancing next to me.”

Things are sexier on the second verse, but the listener also begins to see the ‘unhappy ending’ (“‘Slow down,’ those aren’t the words that I wanted / From our mouth / From our lips that I just kissed…”). The bridge is arguably the most important section of “Dancing Next to Me,” bringing in elements of fear, and perhaps, internalized homophobia:

“I was yours for the weekend
Come sunrise, it’s time for you to dodge your feelings
Call your girl to deny
We know is the truth
You were who you wanted to be
When you were there, you were there
You were dancing next to me.”

“Dancing Next to Me” is pretty sweet and quite jam-packed.  Chance experiences a temporary high, only to be disappointed, ultimately.  It happens, but from the gay perspective, it’s still gaining traction as a song topic. “Dancing Next to Me” previously appeared on the playlist,  Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: February 2020 and A Compendium Comprised of 100 Notable LGBTQ+ Songs.

4. Kiana Ledé, “Second Chances.”

Ft. 6LACK

Kiki • Republic • 2020

“I’m too fuckin’ real to wear my heart up on my sleeve / Fuck that back and forth shit, if I leave then I’m a leave / I’ma have you begging, have you pleading on your knees.” Well, damn! 2020 saw singer and actress Kiana Ledé release her full-length, debut album, KIKI.  While KIKI hasn’t exactly lit up the charts, the album did debut in the top 30 of the Billboard 200.  More importantly, KIKI has its fair share of notable moments, including “Forfeit.” (featuring Lucky Daye) and the numeric song at hand, “Second Chances” (featuring 6LACK).

As the opening lines of the first verse indicate, you really don’t want to mess with Kiana Ledé.  “Can’t you tell a bitch is fed up with your nonsense,” she goes onto say on the brutally honest first verse.  She’s still feisty on the second verse, where she’d rather troll him than respond to his texts, and informs, “You missed out on a blessing, I mad you the king of my world.”  On the chorus, she just makes it crystal clear she done with it – “No more second chances, chances / Always tryna take advantage, ‘vantage / … So, I’d rather walk away.”  As you might expect, 6LACK provides the male response, owning up to his shortcomings.   Still, he knows it’s all for naught.   But, the pain from both perspectives is our listening pleasure, along with solid production work courtesy of Boston, Cam Griffin, Derrick Milano, Mike Woods, and Roark Bailey. “Second Chances” previously appeared on the playlist, 11 Number Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason.

5. Black Atlass, “Lie to Me”

Dream Awake • XO / Republic • 2020

In 2020, Canadian-bred, LA-based musician Alex Fleming, better known as Black Atlass, returned with his third studio album, Dream Awake.  In advance of the LP, he released a truly stunning single, “Lie to Me”, which perfectly captures the plight of love.  “Lie to Me” has no shortage of pros.  First of all, the production is superb, courtesy of DANNYBOYSTYLES and Oligee.  They provide Fleming with a mighty backdrop to paint his colorful, expressive, and sexy vocals upon.  That backdrop includes lush keyboards, synths, and anchoring beat.  Throw in a minor-key, and the vibe is absolutely electrifying on “Lie to Me.”

Black Atlass is awesome in his own right, of course. As aforementioned, he paints those stellar vocals atop the superb production work. He continues to showcase vocal similarities to The Weeknd (His signed to XO, a subsidiary of Republic), including a flawless falsetto that’s ripe AF. The listener is most blessed on the chorus, where “lie to me” features that epic, falsetto treatment:

“So, lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me babe
I’m feeling all that I can take
Lie to me
Lie to me
Lie to me babe
And my heart will never break.”

Besides the chorus, of course, there are plenty alluring moments in regard to songwriting. Black Atlass is experiencing heartbreak, and as he sees his ex, well, he doesn’t want to know about her current relationship.  Therefore, she should – wait for it – LIE.  Clearly, he’s still in love with her. Fleming admits he is to blame for their break-up on the second verse, admitting “I fucked this up / You know I can be brave / I can be kind / I can be yours / Just give me time…” Ultimately, “Lie to Me” is a treat, with songwriting and theme being relatable and perfectly tailored to his strengths artistically. “Lie to Me” previously appeared on Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: February 2020 as well as 15 L Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason.

6. ROSALÍA, “Dolerme”

“Dolerme” • Columbia • 2020

“For all those times I put myself second / And I changed what I wanted for you what you wanted…” Grammy-winning Latin pop musician ROSALÍA is awesome to the nth degree.  After killing it on her previously released 2020 single, “Juro Que”, she’s on-point once again on “Dolerme”.  “Dolerme” serves as another great example of the sheer artistry of the Spanish singer/songwriter.  It’s always fascinating to read the translations of a Spanish exclusive record.  “Dolerme” certainly possesses its fair share of colorful lyrics, with ROSALÍA possessing the personality to sell these lyrics.  On “Dolerme,” she sings about her EX, hence the song’s initial appearance on another love-centric playlist, 11 Totally Relatable Songs About Exes.

On the pre-chorus, she’s blunt AF: “Those bitches you got now, baby, they don’t know / What awaits them…” Da-yum!  On the chorus, the ‘hurt’ inflicted upon her seems too shift from him to her:

“I don’t know why he doesn’t want to hurt me anymore
I accelerate to see if I can crash
I want you to see it, don’t try to stop me
And so, you can show me that you could forget me...”

Wow. In addition to the lyrics, “Dolerme” is quite sublime in about every other way.  From a vocal standpoint, ROSALÍA owns her upper register, sounding incredibly refined and sweet. Musically (instrumentally), the Grammy-winner is backed by a chill production, led by rhythmic guitars.  Honestly, it’s all pretty compelling. Sure, she’s emotional as albeit – hurt, angry, and sad – but her pain is our listening pleasure, as messed up as that may sound. In addition to its appearance on the aforementioned exes playlist, “Dolerme” also appeared on Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: April 2020.

7. Conan Gray, “The Cut That Always Bleeds”

Kid Krow • Republic • 2020

After much anticipation, rising pop artist Conan Gray released his highly anticipated debut album, Kid Krow in March 2020. Kid Krow marked a big milestone for the 21-year-old California-born artist, who gained attention early on as a YouTube personality.  Ultimately, he’s quite impressive throughout the course of the album, showing off compelling vocal and songwriting skills. Kid Krow, hence, is a must-hear pop album. Also, it’s pretty cool that Gray gives us a record that’s a ‘cut above the rest’ you might say… well, rather, “The Cut That Always Bleeds.”

Within the context of Kid Krow, “The Cut That Always Bleeds” continues on with ‘matters of the heart’ fueling Gray’s fire.  The lyrics are darkly poetic – thoughtfully penned to say the least.  A prime example occurs on the first verse when he sings, “‘Cause you keep me on a rope / And tied a noose around my throat / You’re gone then back at my door.” Gray contradicts himself at times, essentially painting the perfect picture of the plight of love – liking someone, yet knowing it’s best to move on, yet not being able to move on, etc. “The Cut That Always Bleeds” previously appeared on 11 Cutting Edge Cut Songs.

8. Tink, “Cut it Out”

Hopeless Romantic • Winter’s Diary / WD / EMPIRE • 2020

“Don’t tell me you love me, tell me you love me, cut it out / Don’t tell me you need me, tell me you need me, cut it out.” Rapper/singer Tink fittingly released her album, Hopeless Romantic, on Valentine’s Day 2020.  Tink previously appeared on the playlist, 25 Colorful Songs, Clearly For Under Consent of the King, thanks to the potty-mouthed “Fuck Around.” She’s still edgy on the cutting “Cut it Out,” the sixth track from Hopeless Romantic.

On “Cut it Out,” she sings about how she’s over the bullshit one particular man, and men in general serve up. From the onset, it’s clear Tink is unhappy:

“You don’t touch me the way that you used to
Something is missing, see all of this distance is very unusual.”

Of course, Tink goes on to detail all of his wrongs and accurately asserts, “So fuckin’ stupid, in love with a fraud.” All of her frustrations are delivered over a slow tempo and lush, but rhythmic production work courtesy of 30 Hertz. In other words, there an element of schadenfreude here – her pain is our listening pleasure.  Also, worth mentioning – the memorable chorus:

“I don’t wanna be with a man if he ain’t gon’ have my interest
I don’t want your love anymore ‘cause you don’t take this serious
I don’t wanna talk things out, I’ve already heard your story
It’s the same old lies
You know you niggas ain’t right, gotta cut you out my life.”

Like Conan Gray earlier (“The Cut That Always Bleeds”), Tink saw “Cut it Out” previously appear on 11 Cutting Edge Cut Songs.

9. Gnash, “The broken hearts club”

We • Atlantic • 2019

“The broken hearts club” reveals most of its cards with its title.  Alternative artist Garret Nash, better known as gnash, sets things up on the first verse of the standout from his official debut album, We. Prior to We, Nash experienced quite a ‘come-up’ in 2016, with the release of hit single, “I hate u, I love u” (featuring Olivia O’Brien). The unique, hipster vibe along with singing about the ups and downs of love made the record “kind of a big deal.” Once again, on “The broken hearts club,” Nash is singing about the plight of love. Essentially, he’s devastated by the break-up and needs something – anything – to alleviate the pain.

“I need emotion, Novocain, I need a numbing of my pain
I need somethin’ to take away the remains of your name
I need amnesia for a day and an umbrella for the rain
That hasn’t gone away since you said you didn’t need me.”

The second verse follows a similar script, finding gnash continuing to struggle with moving past her.  Prior, to the second verse, there’s the pre-chorus, where “A shady spot that they [a hazy mid-morning daydream] saved me.” On the chorus he goes on expound about the open arms of the broken hearts club (“…Where the lonely make the lonely feel less lonely… / Misery loves company, so hey, what do you say?’”), before joining it on the bridge. Gnash keeps things honest and simple, including the production.  The weight is on the words the heartbroken, moody vibes. Ah, the plight that is love!

10. Juice WRLD, “Robbery”

Death Race for Love • Interscope • 2019 

R.I.P. Juice WRLD, sigh. Jarad Higgins saw his star ascend rapidly beginning in 2018 with the gargantuan hit single “Lucid Dreams”.  He expanded on that success with his sophomore album, Death Race for Love, with advance single “Robbery” leading the charge.  Given its inclusion on this list, you can bet that the ‘plight of love’ is in full effect!

“Robbery” features major-key production, fueled by some sweet piano lines.  Even so, Juice WRLD has clearly been ‘robbed’ of love (“She told me put my heart in the bag (in the bag) / And nobody gets hurt (nobody)”).  His vocals are highly expressive, exaggerated to an extent, and definitely imperfect in pitch.  Even so, this grit and pain he showcases on the chorus in particular is quite appealing and charming. In addition to the superb chorus, Juice WRLD is also ‘on’ during the verses.

One of his best moments occurs on the first verse in which he brilliant combines a slurred vocal approach with drunken lyrics (“And now I’m drinkin’ too much, so I’ma talk with a slur”). In the same verse, he questions the legitimacy of her love.  On the second verse, he kicks the emo ‘up a notch,’ by “getting high when you don’t decide to answer” as well as “Throwing rocks at your window…” “Robbery” made an appearance on the list 50 Best Songs of 2019 (So Far), in addition to being selected as a track of the week on the playlist I curate, Music to Atone to.

11. Marteen, “This Shit Sux”

8 • New Mogul / EMPIRE • 2019

“Aye / I guess that he meant more than me…” Sigh, matters of the heart have rising teenage R&B singer/songwriter Marteen all messed up.  Love’ll do that shit. The up-and-coming Berkley-born standout ‘keeps it 100’ when it comes to being heartbroken on the short, sweet, and pained single, “This Shit Sux” (8, 2019). The production is lush and smooth, idiomatic of urban contemporary music.  The backdrop is perfect fuel for Marteen to reminisce back on love, the hardships of love, and his present disgust.

Following the short first verse (excerpted above), he drops the reminiscent pre-chorus on the listeners:

“I know we had our off days
I thought that we were always
Remember you would say you were gonna change
But it was hard to fake.”

Expectedly, he drops the ‘s-bomb’ on the memorable chorus.  Sure, there’s not much deep about a line like “This shit sucks” or even its supporting lines, but Marteen perfectly paints the state of his mind and heart.  Furthermore, everyone can relate to the profane, ‘poopy’ titular lyric.  All in all, Marteen drops a respectable, well-executed heartbreak record.  He doesn’t reinvent pain, specifically the struggle of love, but he totally sells the plight he’s experiencing.  Vocally, his youthful pipes are refreshing, and the production work provides him with a lift.  Safe to say, nothing “sux” about this record in the least, or the talented Marteen himself. “This Shit Sux” previously appeared on the playlist, 13 Songs with Every Kind of Poo 💩 Imaginable.

12. Toni Braxton, “Sex & Cigarettes”

Sex & Cigarettes • Def Jam • 2018

Toni Braxton returned with her first solo album in nearly eight years, Sex & Cigarettes.  Among the best moments from the album is the title track, “Sex & Cigarettes” “Tell me how am I supposed to trust you / When I can never tell just where the hell you been?” Remaining true to self, Braxton compels in her signature lower register on the verses – the same smokiness that made “Un-Break My Heart” a hit.  The subject matter – the narrative of the record – is just as captivating as her voice.

After building the case against her man on the respective verses and pre-chorus, she ascends into her more aggressive, power middle and upper register on the chorus, ‘bringing it on home.’

“You make me crazy, crazy
I swear you act like you hate me, hate me
How can you tell me ‘I love you’?
Then do the things you do?
At least try to lie to me, lie to me
Oh yeah
Instead, you come straight to our bed
Smelling like sex and cigarettes.”

Despite all the drama that occurs on “Sex & Cigarettes,” the musical backdrop is relatively simple.  This is a piano-driven ballad, with a few synths and eventually, strings. It’s highly effective and beautifully arranged.  Among the best moments is the bridge, where the intensity is incredibly lofty, leading into the most emotional, playful chorus by Braxton. “Sex & Cigarettes” previously appeared on the playlist, Recapping 40 Stunning Ballads from 2018.

13. Florence + The Machine, “The End of Love”

High as Hope • Virgin • 2018

“We were reaching in the dark / That summer in New York / And it was so far to fall / But it didn’t hurt at all / And let it wash away, wash away.” “The End of Love” serves as the penultimate number on High as Hope, the fourth studio album by Florence + The Machine.  On “The End of Love,” the pace slackens (fittingly), showing off Florence Welch’s gorgeous pipes.  The ‘breakup’ being sung about here was bound to happen eventually on the LP. That said, “The End of Love” clearly transcends romantic love.  Also, worth noting, the vocal harmonies are chilling.

“We were a family pulled from the flood
You tore the floorboards up
And let the river rush in
Not wash away, wash away.”

Honestly, there are a number of songs from High as Hope that could’ve easily landed on 13 Songs That Perfectly Capture the Plight of Love.  We don’t even have to limit it to High as Hope.  What about “What Kinds of Man” from How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful for example? Anyways, “The End of Love” previously appeared on the totally doomed 11 Songs That Key in on The End.

13 Songs That Perfectly Capture the Plight of Love [Photo Credits: Arista, Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Def Jam, EMPIRE, Epic , GCM, Interscope, New Mogul, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Republic, The Musical Hype, Virgin, WD, Winter’s Diary, XO]