13 Songs Where the THING is Key

Reading Time: 15 min read

13 Songs Where the THING is Key features music courtesy of Amerie, Cleo Sol, Hot Chocolate, JORDY, Lauryn Hill, and Miguel.

“All things work together / For the good of them who love the Lord / All things work together / According to his purpose.” Ah, those lyrics hail from “All Things Working”, a highlight by the late, great gospel singer, LaShun Pace.  The keyword is THING… or THINGS in our latest musical compendium, 13 Songs Where the THING is Key. What thing, you ask? Well, any assortment of things, including life, love, sex – you name it! 13 Songs Where the THING is Key features music courtesy of Amerie, Cleo Sol, Hot Chocolate, JORDY, Lauryn Hill, and Miguel among others. So, without further ado, let’s get into the THING… or THINGS!

1. Amerie, “1 Thing”

Touch • Sony BMG Music Entertainment • 2005

“It’s this one thing that caught me slippin’ / It’s this one thing, I want to admit it,” Amerie sings in the back half of the chorus of “1 Thing”. “1 Thing” earned the gorgeous and talented R&B singer a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, Amerie earned two Grammy nominations – one for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and another for Best Contemporary R&B Album for Touch. In the context of Touch, “1 Thing,” the best song, commences the LP. She continues singing in the chorus, “This one thing and I was so with it / It’s this one thing you did, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.” Woo!

Amerie packs a mean punch with her soprano vocals. She’s passionate as she sings about L-O-V-E. “Don’t wanna tell you what it is / Ooh-wee, it felt so serious,” she sings in the first verse, adding, “Got me thinking just too much / I wanna set it off, but.” Oh, love – it’ll make you do crazy things! In the second verse, she admits, “My high heels are clicking towards your door.” Click, click, click ! “1 Thing” was written by Amerie, Stanley Walden, and Rich Harrison. Harrison is responsible for the banging production – that beat is lit! Notably, this R&B/pop banger samples the 1969 song, “Oh, Calcutta” by The Meters. The results are nothing short of brilliant. “1 Thing” will ALWAYS be a surefire BOP!

Appears in :

Amerie, 1 Thing: Bangerz N Bopz No. 4 (2024)

2. JORDY, “things change”

“things change” • JORDY • 2023

“Nothing’s supposed to stay the same / Yeah, what’s an ocean without waves?” Hmm, that’s true, JORDY. He continues singing in the chorus of “things change”, “What’s a life unless things change? / So, hold on, babe.” Indeed, life is filled with changes – some good, some bad. On his first single post- BOY, JORDY is transparent about his feelings, and how change irks him.  He penned this thoughtful record alongside Jason Strong (who also produces), and Riley Biederer.   

“My neighbor died at forty-nine,” JORDY sings in the first verse, “I used to know his daughter / But we grew apart somehow.” Just one of many situations where change occurs for the singer.  He asserts in the second verse, “And for a second, in the wreckage / It’s like life is over / In hindsight, it’s just growing pains.” Thoughtful reflections, JORDY.  Throughout the three-minute song, he’s in great voice, singing with ease, expressively and authentically.  Strong’s production is simple (for most of the song), but perfectly suited for this song and JORDY’s voice.  The backdrop grows temporarily bigger towards the end, before bringing things back down.  All in all, “things change” is another winner from the talented artist.  

3. Cleo Sol, “Things Will Get Better”

Gold • Forever Living Originals • 2023

“If God called you / At 5 AM / Would you get on your knees / Or get up and leave?” Hmm, that is a legitimate question, Cleo Sol (Cleopatra Zvezdana Nikolic). The talented British R&B singer/songwriter continues singing on “Things Will Get Better”, “If He answered your prayers / Would you share His light / Or choose to hide / Or would you stand and rise?” “Things Will Get Better” appears as the third track on her 2023 album, Gold. This silky-smooth cut is reflective, exploring spirituality, offering encouragement, and speaking on the power of faith. Sol penned “Things Will Get Better” alongside her husband, producer Inflo.

There are so many reasons why “Things Will Get Better” shines. First and foremost, Cleo Sol sounds amazing. She sings in a calm, cool, and collected fashion. Her voice is incredibly soothing, complementing the thoughtful lyrics. “Things will get better,” she sings many times throughout the course of the song. She characterizes the trials experienced: “You overthink / You’re overwhelmed / Give yourself space / And time will tell / Things will get easier / Things will get better.” Besides awesome singing and encouraging, uplifting lyrics, the supporting instrumental is fabulous. Inflo provides incredibly soulful production work, crafted in the neo-soul/jazz/jazz-soul style. The piano sounds warm, the bass is robust, and the drums are punchy. Compositionally, the harmonic progression shines as well, idiomatic of both soul and jazz. Need a lift that you can’t get from the gym? How about the incredible, bright shining light that is “Things Will Get Better”!

Appears in :

Cleo Sol, Things Will Get Better: Music Lifts No. 2 (2024)

4. Miguel, “Sure Thing”

All I Want Is You • JIVE / Sony Music Entertainment • 2010

“Love you like a brother / Treat you like a friend / Respect you like a lover.” Ooh, Miguel! That man right there is… talented… also, fine . He set the tone for his career with the soulful, contemporary R&B single, “Sure Thing”, which appears on his 2010 debut, All I Want Is You.  R&B is fueled by matters of the heart and Miguel has no shortage of such matters on “Sure Thing.” He wrote the opener from All I Want Is You alongside Nathan Perez (aka Happy Perez) who produced the track. What’s interesting about this sensual joint is the fact that despite debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011, it didn’t reach its peak at no. 11 until June 2023! “Sure Thing,” hence, has become a sure thing for Miguel. – it’s been certified multiplatinum by the RIAA.  

The lyrics are dedicated and sexy. Miguel excels at sex (and sex appeal if we’re keeping it ). The melodies are both rhythmic and tuneful.  He sings authentically with incredible expression and nuance – you buy what he’s selling. “If you be the cash, I’ll be the rubber band / You be the match, I will be a fuse, boom,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “Painter, baby, you could be the muse / I’m the reporter, baby, you could be the news.” Fo’ sho! In the second verse, he asserts, “Say that I’m the one ‘cause you are a ten / Real and not pretend.” Love it! Of course, it is the chorus that takes the cake:    

“Even when the sky comes fallin’ 

Even when the sun don’t shine 

I got faith in you and I 

So, put your pretty little hand in mine.”  

Even more than a decade after wowing us with “Sure Thing”, this song right here, remains the surest of things in the Miguel catalog not named “Adorn”.  

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5. Lauryn Hill, “Doo Wop (That Thing)”

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill • Ruffhouse • 1998

“Yo, remember back on the Bully / When cats used to harmonize like (Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh).” And so, begins the sole no. 1 hit by Lauryn Hill, “Doo Wop (That Thing)”. The gold-certified single is the crown jewel from her sole studio album, the diamond-certified masterpiece, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Hill both wrote and produced the Grammy-winning gem, which masterfully fuses hip-hop and neo-soul. Ms. Lauryn Hill raps like a boss and sings like an angel. Notably, it samples the 1971 The 5th Dimension song, “Together Let’s Find Love”. Also notable, “Doo Wop (That Thing)” has been sampled by others many times, including Lizzo on her 2022 song, “Break Up Twice”.

“Girls, you know you’d better, watch out

Some guys, some guys are only, about

That thing, that thing, that thing

That thing, that thing, that thing.”

What is that thing that Lauryn sings about in the incredibly soulful, tuneful chorus of “Doo Wop?” Sex, of course! In the verses, Hill raps about how ‘giving it up’ can devalue and degrade you – you’re worth more. “Showing off your ass ‘cause you’re thinking it’s a trend / Girlfriend, let me break it down for you again,” she raps in the first verse, adding, “Don’t be a hard rock when you really are a gem.” WORD! She also makes it clear, “Don’t think I haven’t been through the same predicament.” Of course, not only does she speak to the girls, but she also addresses the men in the second verse: “Need to take care of they three or four kids / And they face a court case when the child support late / Money taking and heart breaking, now you wonder why women hate men.” Woo! Clearly, it’s important to watch out. Beyond the prudent lyrics and magnificent flow by Hill, the backing instrumental is fab – the piano, fat bass line, and horns (that The 5th Dimension sample goes a long way). “Doo Wop (That Thing)” = a surefire 1990s classic!

Appears in :

Lauryn Hill, Doo Wop (That Thing): Throwback Vibez ️ No. 13 (2024)

6. Hot Chocolate, “You Sexy Thing”

Hot Chocolate • Parlophone • 1975

“I believe in miracles / Where you from / You sexy thing?” British soul collective Hot Chocolate took a risk with “You Sexy Thing”.  Sure, sexy is considered mild by today’s standards, but back then, that was pushing the envelope for sure! It should be noted, deceased lead singer Errol Brown (1943 – 2015) wrote it about his wife.  Even if it was more scandalous, there was no harm or foul because “You Sexy Thing” was a resounding success. In the U.S., it marked one of three top-10 hits by Hot Chocolate.  Furthermore, it marked the most successful single by the collective, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. “You Sexy Thing” was certified gold by the RIAA in 1976, which was DEFINITELY a big deal back then.  Adding to the success, parent album, Hot Chocolate, released in 1975, peaked at no. 41 on the Billboard 200 in 1976, coinciding with the success of “You Sexy Thing.” 

Sexiness paid off, big-time.  The chorus, which appears at the onset, is infectious – tuneful to the nth degree. The miracles mentioned in the chorus continue into the first verse, where Brown sings, “Miracles right before my eyes / You sexy thing got me hypnotized.” More like, hot and bothered, right Errol?  Of course, he gets ‘spiritual’ too, characterizing this fine, sexy lady as “My angel from above lying next to me,” later adding, “Doing all the things that make my heart ring.” Woo! The second verse is patterned similarly, as Brown continues to praise “you sexy thing,” of course! Besides the fun lyrics, and Errol’s electrifying vocals, the music is incredible – funky, soulful, and equally memorable to the lyrics (Mickie Most produced). “You Sexy Thing” remains a beloved hit approaching 50 years after its release. 

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7. Gladys Knight & The Pips, “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” 

Imagination • RCA • 1973

“If anyone should ever write my life story / For whatever reason, there might be…” Those iconic lines hail from the chorus of the beloved Gladys Knight & The Pips classic, “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”.  How beloved is “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”? Well, it earned success on the pop charts, peaking impressively at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Gospel icon James Cleveland transformed the Jim Weatherly-penned joint into a gospel classic: “Jesus is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”.  It’s worth noting, that the reverend gives Gladys her props.  The utterly sublime chorus continues, “Ooh, you’ll be there between each line of pain and glory / ‘Cause you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”  

Clearly, Gladys Knight, who handles the lead, backed up by The Pips, sings about a legitimate love – one that’s everlasting.  In the first verse, she’s thankful to have his companionship: “I guess you could say that I’ve been lucky / Well, I guess you could say it’s all because of you.” Aww! Taken out of context, you could argue that Knight could possibly be speaking about a higher power, but the second verse debunks this: “‘Cause for every moment that I’ve spent hurting / There was a moment that I spent, just loving you.”  This is an incredibly positive and thoughtful song. Surprisingly, this lushly produced, marvelously penned gem isn’t the crowning achievement of Imagination – that honor belongs to the no. 1, Grammy-winning hit, “Midnight Train to Georgia” (also penned by Weatherly). Regardless, “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” is one of the top soul classics of all time – truly stunning.   

Appears in :   

8. The Killers, “Terrible Thing”

Pressure Machine • Island • 2021  

“I’m in my bedroom on the verge of a terrible thing.” Man, that is heavy – it hits hard. “Terrible Thing,” as you’d expected, is sad.  It appears as the third song on Pressure Machine, the seventh studio album by The Killers.  What exactly is that ‘terrible thing’ the male character in the song is on the verge of? Contemplating suicide. Why does the character consider ending it all? He’s gay but he comes from a place where that’s unaccepted, particularly given the time.  You could say, he’s knee-deep into the Pressure Machine, as “Around here, we all take up our cross and hang on His Holy name / But the cards that I was dealt will get you thrown out of the game.” Wow. Brandon Flowers does a masterful job performing this and putting himself in the situation of this young man.  It marks one of many fancy-tickling, bright spots from Pressure Machine.  

Appears in :  

9. Lana Del Rey, “Hope is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It”

Norman Fucking Rockwell! •  Interscope •  2019 

“‘Cause hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have / Hope is a dangers thing for a woman like me to have.”  Yep, the title of the record is just what you think it is –“Hope is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It”. Damn, that’s one long song title!  Yes, Grammy-nominated, alternative pop standout Lana Del Rey dropped the rare song that features 16 words (!) in its title.  As ‘extra’ as the title may be, Del Rey comes through on this ballad – a highlight from Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019) – including literary and cinematic references. The ever expressive Del Rey sounds as chilling and enigmatic as ever.  Her tone is stunning.  Among her best moments come at the end of the record when she flaunts her falsetto.   Beyond her inspired vocal performance, there’s also the stripped, yet gorgeous nature of this five-and-a-half-minute ballad.  The production keeps things hella simple, comprised of piano accompaniment.  Even working with such a lengthy duration, it’s perfect fuel for the fire of Del Rey, who manages to keep things colorful with some profane lyrics, such as “I’ve been tearing up town in my fucking nightgown / Like a goddamn-near sociopath.” Wow. Ultimately, with the threat of ‘hope’ in her hands on this song, Lana del Rey does what she does best – delivers an expressive, moody, well-rounded record. 

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10. Lil Peep, “Awful Things” (Ft. Lil Tracy)

Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 1 • Lil Peep / AUTNMY • 2017

“Bother me, tell me awful things / You know I love it when you do that / Helps me get through this without you.” “Awful Things” served as a highlight from Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 1, the brief, debut album by Lil Peep (Gustav Åhr). Sadly, this was the only album Lil Peep released during his lifetime. Åhr died of an overdose three months after its release in 2017, aged 21. Despite a life cut far too short, the music he was making – emo-tinged, rock-infused rap/hip-hop – was interesting, including the song at hands. In the third track from COWYS, Pt. 1, Åhr gets an assist from his fellow GothBoiClique member, Lil Tracy.

“Awful Things,” like much of Lil Peep’s music straddles the line of rock and hip-hop. Here, the hip-hop is heaviest via hard-hitting, anchoring drums. Lil Peep gets the most memorable part of the song, the sung chorus (excerpted above), incorporating incredible energy. It continues as follows: “Bother me, tell me awful things / You know I love it when you move that on me / Love it when you do that one me.”  Åhr is undoubtedly the star, including his performance in the first verse (“You like attention, I find it obvious / She makes it obvious for me”) but he doesn’t do all the heavy lifting himself. Tracy, serves up his own intriguing vibe in the second verse, with ample of emo vibes:

“Speeding away, the city in the rearview

Heart racing whenever I’m near you

GothBoi jumpin’ off stage

Carry me away, carry me away

Burn me down till there’s nothing left

I would scream your name with my last breath.”

All told, “Awful Things” speaks to the legacy of the late, SoundCloud era rapper.

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11. Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello, “Bad Things”

bloom • Bad Boy / Interscope • 2017 

“Nails scratchin’ my back tatt / Eyes closed while you scream out…” Oh, my! Please, continue: “And you keep me in with those hips / While my teeth sink in those lips / While your body’s giving me life / And you suffocate in my kiss.” Holy shite! Among the best songs on bloom, the 2017 Machine Gun Kelly album is “Bad Things” featuring Camila Cabello. “Bad Things” was a gift to pop radio, as well as a gift to the Grammy-nominated rapper/singer. “Bad Things” peaked at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, charting for 23 weeks. To date, it is the sole, top-10 hit by MGK. Furthermore, “Bad Things” earned multiplatinum certification from the RIAA. Some fans of Kells’ tough, Cleveland flow wrote off the poppy record, while those less invested gave him a second look or perhaps, a first look. Shifting to Cabello, the Grammy-nominated pop artist sounds exceptional here.  Vocally, she showcases her potential, exhibiting a radiant vocal tone. She shines in the memorable chorus, clearly the selling point of the record:  

“Am I out of my head? 

Am I out of my mind? 

If you only knew the BAD THINGS I like 

Don’t think that I can explain it 

What can I say, it’s complicated …” 

Al told, “Bad Things” is totally NOT a bad thing.

Appears in :

15 Stellar Good or Bad Songs (2021)

12. Kirk Franklin, “All Things”

Father’s Day • Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA • 2023

“All Things” arrived as the first single from Father’s Day. A tight three minutes and change, this marks another well-rounded Kirk Franklin record. Franklin ministers on the intro (spoken word), accompanied by piano (“Can I talk to ya? / I know you got some questions / What’s the hardest thing you’re going through? / Let’s talk about it”). Soon enough, the choir takes the reins, backed by slick contemporary / urban gospel production. Throughout, he encourages the listener and choir, as he has done for years through his music. The chorus marks a huge selling point, with the essence being God can do all things . The evolution of the sound is #winning to, bringing in more gospel elements (the organ, in particular).  “All Things” is at its best when it reaches that fever pitch.   

13. Peaches & Herb, “Shake Your Groove Thing”

2 Hot! • UMG Recordings, Inc. • 1978  

“Shake your groove thing / Shake your groove thing / Yeah, yeah / Show ‘em how we do it now.” Ooh wee! Peaches & Herb experienced their most pop success with their 1978 album, 2 Hot!.  Notably, with the duo, Herb was actually Herb (Herb Fame), while Peaches was various people. On 2 Hot!, which yielded both “Reunited” and the song at hand, “Shake Your Groove Thing”, Linda Greene was Peaches. “Shake Your Groove Thing,” the second track from the album, was written by Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren. In addition to his writing credit, Perren serves as the producer.  Ultimately, with the writing of Fekaris and Perren, and the incredible chemistry and voices of Fame and Greene, “Shake Your Groove Thing” would peak at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, second only to hitting no. 1 with “Reunited”. 

The production work on “Shake Your Groove Thing” is bright and exuberant. The percussive groove is epic, instantly making your body move.  Specifically, the keyboard work is awesome, while the orchestration is marvelous – those strings and winds!  Of course, when it comes to the writing and most memorable moment, it’s none other than the infectious chorus, excerpted above in its simplistic glory.  The verses are fun too, also maintaining a sense of simplicity – not doing too much or going too deep. “Let’s show the world we can dance / Bad enough to strut our stuff,” the duo sings, continuing, “The music gives us a chance / We do more out on the floor.” Word! Of course, other fun lyrical moments include “Funky sounds / Wall to wall / We’re bumping booties / Having us a ball, y’all,” and, of course, the aforementioned “Feel that beat, never stop / Oh, hold me tight, spin me like a top.” To reiterate, the vocal chemistry allows this joint to be hella successful, making “Shake Your Groove Thing” one of those timeless, feel good soul classics.  All told, “Shake Your Groove Thing” is an incredibly fun six minutes of 70s disco/funk/soul.  

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13 Songs Where the THING is Key (2024) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; AUTNMY, Bad Boy, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, Forever Living Originals, Interscope, Island, JIVE, JORDY, Lil Peep, Parlophone, RCA, Ruffhouse, Sony Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings, Inc.; Alexas_Fotos, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gerd Altmann, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

13 Songs Where the THING is Key | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on February 19, 2024February 19, 2024