13 Songs Where You’re Required to Leave | Playlist 🎧

1.Silk Sonic, “Leave the Door Open”

💿 An Evening with Silk Sonic • 🏷 Aftermath / Atlantic • 📅 2021

🏆 Grammy winners 🎙 Bruno Mars and 🎙 Anderson  .Paak join forces as duo 🎙 Silk Sonic releasing an album, 💿 An Evening with Silk Sonic (2022).  In advance of the album, the duo released an instant classic in 🎵 “Leave the Door Open”. “Leave the Door Open” was written by Paak, Mars, 🎼✍ Christopher Brody Brown, and 🎼✍ Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, with Mars and D’Mile also producing. The four-minute-plus cut features a lush backdrop – we’d expect no less from these two.

We get soulful vocals by .Paak on the first verse: “We should be dancin’, romancin’ / In the east wing and the west wing / Of this mansion, what’s happenin’.” Sexy! He doesn’t stop there, bringing the heat to the second verse as well: “There’s so much love we could be making /… Girl, let’s jump in, it’s bubblin’.” As for Mars, he serves up the pre-chorus and the centerpiece, the chorus:

“I’ma leave the door open
...That you feel the way I feel
And you want me like I want you tonight, baby.”

“Leave the Door Open” is just what the doctor ordered, checking off all of the boxes.

Also appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Leave: 5ive Songs No. 27 (2021)
🔗 🎧 40 Best Songs of 2021 (So Far)

2. The Kid LAROI, “Don’t Leave Me”

Ft. G Herbo & Lil Durk

💿 F*CK LOVE 3: OVER YOU • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2021

Australian rapper/singer Charlton Howard aka 🎙 The Kid LAROI, has blown up.  His mixtape, 💿 F*CK LOVE (with various expanded versions) has lit up the charts. Sure, 🎵 “Stay” is the main attraction, but there’s ample more ‘F*CK LOVE’ where that came from! 

The Kid LAROI is joined by 🎙 G Herbo and 🎙 Lil Durk on the fifth track from the 💿 F*CK LOVE 3: OVER YOU, 🎵 “Don’t Leave Me.”  G Herbo brings some toughness on the chorus and post-chorus.  At the same time, he petitions for mercy to fight adversity.  Expectedly, The Kid and Durk bring more melodic sensibilities on the first and second verses respectively.  Still, they’re honest and hard-nosed as they work through their own demons over a lush, minor-key backdrop (🎛 Yung Talent and 🎛 Turbo).  Howard, gets personal as he shares his come up: “Just two years ago, my mama was off the drugs, tweakin’ / Now I’m in L.A. eating sushi next to The Weeknd.” Come up indeed!

3. Ben Platt, “Leave My Mind”

💿 Reverie • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

On his sophomore album, 💿 Reverie, incredibly talented actor/singer 🎙 Ben Platt generally opts for a ‘poppier’ sound.  This contrasts the LP from his underrated, 2019 debut, 💿 Sing to Me, Instead. 🎵 “Leave my mind” is a prime example of contrast.  How so, specifically? Well, there’s no way you listen to “Leave my mind” without moving your body!

The groove on “Leave my mind” is electrifying, while the backdrop is electronically fueled thanks to 🎛 Ian Kirkpatrick and 🎛 Gian Stone.  Did we ever expect Mr. Platt to drop a dance-pop record? No, but he shows his versatility.  The vocals ‘give’ as always, balancing belted, powerhouse vocals and ripe falsetto.  The theme and lyrics center on love, always a catalyst for a hit (“Why can’t you leave my mind?”). 

4. Shelby Lynne, “Leavin’”

💿 I Am Shelby Lynne • 🏷 Concord Music Group • 📅 2000

🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 Shelby Lynne definitely dropped a surefire gem with 🎵 “Leavin’,” which appears as the second track on her 2000 studio album, 💿 I Am Shelby Lynne.  Honestly, there are so many things to rave about this record! Where does one begin, sigh! First and foremost, Lynne gives an amazing vocal performance, serving up a blend of spoken word poetry, singing, and soaring, soulful, cutting vocals.  Far too seldom do singer/songwriters these days embrace spoken word.  Lynne is masterful at it, further adding to the distinctive nature of “Leavin’.”

In addition to her lead vocals, Lynne got some sensational backing vocals that only up the ante.  Besides a stellar, nuanced vocal performance, Shelby wrote the song, which features awesome lyrics and equally (if not more) impressive music.  What shines about the music is the harmonic progression, which goes beyond your standard I-IV-V.  There are quite a few musical ideas that are brilliant. That doesn’t even tackle the production (🎛 Bill Bottrell), including accompaniment from standard instrumentation such as guitar, but also lush, warm strings. Again, throw in those harmonized backing vocals and the sounds are even more ear catching.  This is a truly perfect record.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🗣2 🗣 Shelby Lynne vs. Natalie Cole: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 12

5. Perfume Genius, “Leave”

💿 Set My Heart on Fire Immediately • 🏷 Matador • 📅 2020

“Set My Heart on Fire / Immediately / Chain me to the dream / Forever.” A song must be key to an album if the album’s title serves as a lyric, right? Right! 🎵 “Leave” earns such honors.  It appears as the fifth track on 💿 Set My Heart on Fire Immediately, the 2020 studio album by 🎙 Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas). 

“Leave” is the perfect example of a ‘vibe’… in the context of an alternative album, of course.  Hadreas sings in an undertone, accompanied by strings and synthesizer – quite the ambience, sigh.  There are only a few lyrics, but they convey the plight of love perfectly.  The most important lyric being the titular lyric of the album.  Even so, “Begging like a dog / Ignore me” is agonizing and dramatic to the nth degree.

6. twenty one pilots, “Leave the City”

💿 Trench • 🏷 Fueled by Ramen • 📅 2018

“Last year, I need change of pace / Couldn’t take the pace of change / Moving hastily,” Tyler Joseph sings, continuing, “But this year, though I’m far from home / In Trench, I’m not alone / These faces facin’ me.”  Woo! In 2018, 🏆 Grammy winning alternative duo 🎙 Twenty One Pilots (Joseph and 🎙 Josh Dun) released their fifth studio album, 💿 Trench. The highly conceptual album concludes with the song, 🎵 “Leave the City,” a strong closing statement.

How so, you ask? Well in the midst of the concept of Trench, “Leave the City” represents overcoming the adversity of ‘Dema’ (trust me or read up on the background of the album – your choice).  Also, “Leave the City” seems to be about overcoming mental health issues, something Joseph has been incredibly transparent about throughout his career. Also, it could be a reflection on the end of life – eventually that is.  On the bridge, Tyler sings, “In time, I will leave the city / For now, I will stay alive.”

Also appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Leave: 5ive Songs No. 27 (2021)

7. Hayley Williams, “Leave It Alone”

💿 Petals for Armor • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2020

“If you know love / You best prepare to grieve.” The thoughtfully penned 🎵 “Leave it Alone” (💿 Petals for Armor) finds 🎙 Hayley Williams totally consumed with grief.  The record has an extremely somber tone from the onset, instrumentally and lyrically. On the first verse, she sings, “‘Cause now that I want to live / Well everybody around me is dying / Now that I finally wanna live / The ones I love are dyin’.” Thinking about family members dying – people you care about leaving you – is totally depressing and overwhelming. 

On the second verse, Hayley Williams is further ‘triggered,’ providing a specific example of loss:

“You don’t remember my name somedays
Or that we’re related
It triggers my worry
Who else am I gonna lose before I am ready?
And who’s gonna lose me?”

The centerpiece of the record is the chorus, where “The truth’s a killer / But I can’t leave it alone…” An underrated gem from 2020, period.

Also appears on 🔽:
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8. Dustin Lynch, “Love Me or Leave Me Alone”

Ft. Karen Fairchild

💿 Current Mood • 🏷 Broken Bow • 📅 2017

Throughout his third studio album, 💿 Current Mood, 🎙 Dustin Lynch showcases his talent, as well as a willingness to bend the traditional definitions of country music. Perhaps not everything works seamlessly, but slow jam 🎵 “Love Me or Leave Me Alone”, featuring 🎙 Karen Fairchild (of 🎙 Little Big Town), is a perfect example of ‘excellence exemplified.’

Here, Lynch maintains a sense of traditional country sensibilities, eschewing any gimmicks or contemporary trickery.  “Love Me or Leave Me Alone” delivers the goods with its beautiful, powerful, and thoughtful balladry. Vocally, he impresses, showcasing his ripe set of nuanced pipes. “Love Me or Leave Me Alone” proves to be his best performance – the tour de force of Current Mood. The chorus shines as the crème de la crème moment:

“Love me or leave me alone
Hold me or just let me go
Cause I’ve never felt this fire for so long
So, baby love me, love me
Love me or leave me alone.”

Also Appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 13 Captivating Songs About Being Alone or Lonely
🔗 🎧 Leave: 5ive Songs No. 27 (2021)

9. Sam Smith, “Leave Your Lover”

💿 In the Lonely Hour • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2014

“Pack up and leave everything / Don’t you see what I can bring?” 🏆 Academy award and Grammy winner 🎙 Sam Smith sings on the chorus of 🎵 “Leave Your Lover” from their debut album, 💿 In the Lonely Hour.  Smith assert themselves as a capable and compelling lover – the perfect replacement for their love interest’s current boyfriend. Smith adds, “Can’t keep this beating heart at bay / Set my midnight sorrow free / I will give you all of me / Just leave your lover, leave him for me.”

Possibly the lyrics exaggerates things, but when one is in love, infatuation seems to be amplified and over-amplified greatly.  The heart definitely wants what it wants and at the time, Smith desired this guy who was already taken. There’s an interesting, likely unintended oxymoronic moment when Smith encourages to “Pack up” yet follows up with “…leave everything.” Yes, we know what he means but still, how you gonna pack things and leave everything 😜.

Also Appears On 🔽:
🔗🎧 Leave: 5ive Songs No. 27 (2021)

10. Marshmello & Jonas Brothers, “Leave Before You Love Me”

🎵 “Leave Before You Love Me” • 🏷 Joytime Collective / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 📅 2021

“Won’t give my heart up for breaking / ‘Cause I’m too gone to be staying.”  🎙 Sure, Joe Jonas, sure! Joe and his brother, 🎙 Nick Jonas, handle the vocals on their collaboration with 🎙 Marshmello, 🎵 “Leave Before You Love Me.”  It runs just about two-and-a-half minutes in duration, but there’s plenty to like. After all, Marshmello = hit maker.  🎙 Jonas Brothers = hit makers. The result = hit, hit, HIT!

Marshmello produces “Leave Before You Love Me” with a star-studded team: 🎛 Alesso, 🎛 Heavy Mellow, and 🎛 Digital Farm Animals (Nicholas Gale). The sound of the record has a smooth, 80s pop/rock vibe and sensibility.  This sound fits Nick and Joe.  Nick serves up beautiful vocals on the first verse, exhibiting a beautiful tone. As for Joe, he sings well on the second verse as well, contrasting his younger brother with more ad-libs and melodic tweaks.  Of course, the crème de la crème of this brief bop are the pre-chorus and chorus sections – tuneful and memorable to the nth degree.

“Dancing on the edge, ‘bout to take it too far
It’s messing with my head, how I mess with your heart
If you wake up in your bed, alone in the dark
I’m sorry, gotta leave before you love me
Ayy, ayy, leave before you love me.”

11. Chris Stapleton, “You Should Probably Leave”

💿 Starting Over • 🏷 Mercury• 📅 2020

Four words: you should probably leave.  Wow, 🎙 Chris Stapleton! What did we do to deserve such a harsh statement?  “I recognize that look in your eyes.” Hmm, seems like matters of the heart – lust specifically – is the primary reason the 🏆 Grammy-winning country musician is shooing us away! Well, not us, ‘her’ on “You Should Probably Leave,” a highlight from his fourth studio album, 💿 Starting Over.

“You Should Probably Leave” was written by Stapleton, 🎼✍ Ashley Gorley and 🎼✍Chris DuBois. The writing is on-point as it should be with that team. “There’s still time for you to finish your wine / Then you should probably leave,” Stapleton sings on the second verse.  He continues, “And it’s hard to resist, alright, just one kiss / Then you should probably leave.” Ooh la-la! Also, worth noting, the production sounds particularly slick here –a refined effort from Stapleton and 🎛 Dave Cobb.  We get those cutting lead vocals from Stapleton, lovely, harmonized vocals, bluesy guitar, and Hammond B3.  That’s that country music that I totally heart!

12. Charlie Puth, “If You Leave Me Now”

Ft. Boyz II Men

💿 Voicenotes • 🏷 Artist Partner Group • 📅 2018

One of the best moments for 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop artist 🎙 Charlie Puth on his sophomore album, 💿 Voicenotes, is the song 🎵 “If You Leave Me Now”. The sound of the record is throwback ‘contemporary’ R&B.  Sigh, think 1990s when featured guests, 🎙 Boyz II Men (!), were in their prime. 

Perhaps “If You Leave Me Now” should feel anachronistic, but instead, it’s refreshing because of it captures the glory days of R&B. The vocals from Puth as well as his soulful supporting cast are utterly superb. As the predominate lead, Puth is much more commanding and soulful than he’s been in the past.  In a tweet, Puth cited this as “probably one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written”.  He should be totally proud: the a cappella vocals, the production, and simple, but thoughtful lyrics, and a modulation (key change). 

Also appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Leave: 5ive Songs No. 27 (2021)

13. Natalie Cole, “Leavin’”

💿 Leavin’ • 🏷 The Verve Music Group • 📅 2006

How does one even hope to top Shelby Lynne?  That is the question, Shakespeare! I have a good idea how, believe it or not. It comes in two iconic words – names actually: 🎙 Natalie Cole.  Cole (1950 – 2015) was one of the most gifted musicians ever.  The daughter of a legend (🎙 Nat King Cole), she’s a legend herself.  She passed away in 2015 right before the new year at a relatively young 65. Despite exiting life, she left a rich catalog of music, including her cover of 🎵 “Leavin’” on her 2006 album, also titled, 💿 Leavin’.

Clearly, 🎙 🎼 ✍ Shelby Lynne provided the foundation for the iconic, 🏆 Grammy winner.  That said, Natalie truly made “Leavin’” her own.  If you weren’t aware this awesome classic was written and originally performed by Lynne, well, you might assume this was a brilliant, new song by Cole.  What makes the Cole version contrast the Lynne version is kicking the soulful aesthetic to the next level.  The vocals – lead and background – pack a bit more punch thanks to the sheer power of Natalie, period.  But beyond the vocals, the backdrop (Cole and 🎛 Dallas Austin) trades the strings of the original in favor or organ.  That sound, at least, is more reminiscent of gospel-tinged soul.  Honestly, there’s just so much to praise about this performance, with the majority of it being about the skilled artist who’s singing it. 

Also Appears On 🔽:
🔗 🗣2 🗣 Shelby Lynne vs. Natalie Cole: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 12