13 Songs Where THIS is Crucial

Reading Time: 14 min read

13 Songs Where THIS is Crucial features music courtesy of Dixon Dallas, Jennifer Lopez, JIMIN, Meghan Trainor, and Rina Sawayama.

Ah, THIS is another opportunity for – wait for it – THIS songs! 13 Songs Where THIS is Crucial isn’t the first time where this word, which can be a pronoun, adjective, or adverb, received love on The Musical Hype. Back in 2022, we unveiled These 15 Songs are About THIS (2022). This go-round, we opt for just 13 songs, even though songs featuring THIS in their respective song titles are abundant. 13 Songs Where THIS is Crucial features music courtesy of Dixon Dallas, Jennifer Lopez, JIMIN, Meghan Trainor, and Rina Sawayama among others. So, without further ado, hop on THIS here playlist, will you?!

1. Meghan Trainor & T-Pain, “Been Like This”

Timeless // Epic // 2024

“Ooh-wee, she got that booty / That type of boom-boom, that bass that I like.” Meghan Trainor is… one of a kind. Once more, the Grammy-winning, pop artist hearkens back to the past with her retro-pop song, “Been Like This”, the lead single for her sixth studio album, Timeless. The “All About That Bass” singer brings along a fellow Grammy-winner, T-Pain, along for this tongue in cheek, retro-pop ride. Trainor penned “Been Like This” while it was produced by Gian Stone and Grant Boutin. The slick production work makes the jazzy vibes come alive in the 2020s. Even as “Been Like This” embraces the pop of the past, it’s chocked-full of gimmickry and modern pop trickery. If you’ve heard many a Meghan Trainor songs, you’ll catch the drift the second that “Been Like This” begins to play. Following Meghan’s verse with plenty of tongue in cheekiness, T-Pain appears in the second verse. He delivers exuberant vocals, intact with his beloved autotune. An example of what T-Pain serves: “Baby, I would do the (Ooh), shake a little (Ooh) / Make it jiggle (Ooh) with a thang in the middle / For makin’ it bizzle (Ooh) / Jiggle when it’s just the way I like.” Word. The chorus is tuneful, easily getting stuck in your head for better or worse:

“But I been like this, I been like this

Run your mouth, but I’m on your lips

Ain’t nothin’ new, still that bitch.”

Make of “Been Like This” what you will. As silly as it is, it’s also catchy as albeit.

2. Dixon Dallas, “Leave This All Behind”

“Leave This All Behind” // Dixon Dallas // 2024

“You went from lover to fighter and threw the gas on the fire / With no concern for me, you’re burning me down.” Dixon Dallas isn’t in a happy space with his boo. The love is on the rocks on “Leave This All Behind” from talented Alabaman singer/songwriter, Jake Hill. Channeling his gay country persona, Dallas serves up gorgeous vocals singing sincere, heartfelt, and relatable lyrics. In the second verse, he goes on to say, “I don’t know how we ended up here / But I wish we didn’t, I wish things were different.” In addition to top-notch vocals and thoughtful, relatable songwriting, the production is solid – a country backdrop that is fresh enough to win over some pop listeners. “Leave This All Behind” marks another instance where Hill isn’t shy about Dixon being gay. The chorus is the centerpiece:

“I need a new boyfriend, that ain’t like you

One that treats me like a queen, no, that ain’t hard to do

Sick of the bullshit, you’re putting me through

But I don’t know how to leave, I don’t know what to do

So, I just, cry some more ‘til you walk in through the front door

Been lying, tell you I’m fine no I swear it’s nothing

Life is short, I don’t want to live it unsure

I think it’s time to leave this all behind.”

Dixon never disappoints. “Leave This All Behind” is a must-hear, queer county song.

3. Jennifer Lopez, “This Is Me…Now”

This Is Me… Now // Nuyorican Productions, Inc. // 2024

Four words: “This is me now.” This is Me…Now marks the ninth studio album by Jennifer Lopez. Fittingly, the album commences with… wait for it… “This Is Me… Now”. There is plenty to fawn over regarding this four-minute-plus opener, penned by Lopez alongside a star-studded team: Ink, Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, Rogét Chahayed, Angel López, Kaydence, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Scott Storch. “This Is Me…Now” samples a 2002 Justin Timberlake classic, “Cry Me a River”. Chahayed and Angel López produced the ballad.

The sound is a big deal. The record begins with sophisticated, plucked synths in the intro – a win! The instrumental intro evolves into warm, fluty sounds which exude amour. With a sensational backdrop behind her, led by an electric keyboard, Jennifer Lopez delivers a solid, appealing brand of vocals. She sings with sincerity – the authenticity is through the roof. “But here in the darkness, it’s not the future nor the past,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “And ‘cause it’s meant to be with you, boy, it will last / You met me halfway.” Aww! The second verse has a similar vibe – no surprise! In the pre-chorus, which brings some contrast to the sound, Lopez highlights the progression to the nowness. And, as expected, the chorus, which embraces the modern pop/R&B sound, is chocked-full of self-love:

“This is me now

This is me now
And I took my time, lot of winters, summers, baby

And I healed my heart, but I love who I am lately,

This is me now.”

The melodies are tuneful throughout – a selling point! The bridge contrasts the verses and chorus, including J. Lo ‘rapping’ in an undertone. The closing instrumental is slick. All in all, “This Is Me…Now” is a refined, reflective adult contemporary pop/R&B record that suits Lopez’s artistry.

Appears in 🔻:

Bops That Pop: February 2024

4. SG Lewis, “Vibe Like This” (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign & Lucky Daye) 

AudioLust & HigherLove  // Jasmine Music Limited / PMR // 2023  

“Been around the world, I did / Never felt a vibe like this,” Lucky Daye sings in the chorus of “Vibe Like This”.  The Grammy winner continues, “Might be worth the risk / To make up for the time I missed.” Honestly, listening to this single from AudioLust & HigherLove, the sophomore album by English DJ, producer, and singer-songwriter SG Lewis, I must concur with Daye about the vibe. On “Vibe Like This,” Lewis not only tapped Daye but the ultra-versatile Ty Dolla $ign. This record is glorious, best characterized as a pop record (R&B-infused pop/electronic… something like that). Love and sex are on the brain – that’s the vibe.  Following Daye’s chorus, Ty starts spitting game, including offering her “Crocodile Birkin, I did it for Steve Irwin /Whatever it takes to get you back, girl I’ll put the work in…” Daye echoes $ign’s sentiments in the pre-chorus – “…in your arms wish we could freeze time, I need mine / ‘Cause you’re the only one in here I wanna try” – before delivering that sweet chorus once again, this time with help from Ty on the back half.  Ty gives us another noteworthy verse, trying to secure the ‘P.’ Beyond the vocals, theme, and lyrics, what about the production by Lewis? “Vibe Like This” is groovy, features a colorful palette of sounds, and easily catches the ear.  The man is a beast behind the boards. All told, SG Lewis, Ty Dolla $ign, and Lucky Daye make a formidable team.   

Appears in 🔻:  

5. Rina Sawayama, “This Hell”

Hold the Girl // Dirty Hit // 2022   

Just know, “This hell is better with you / We’re burning up together / Baby, that makes two.” Rina Sawayama returned ferociously in 2022 with “This Hell” (Hold the Girl). Although things are utterly hellish, the ear candy and musical excellence that Sawayama serves up is anything but! “This Hell” commences with energetic production (Paul Epworth and Clarence Clarity) in the form of a compelling groove and a lit melodic guitar line.  Post intro, when Sawayama begins singing, the sound changes, revealing a couple of unexpected tricks. Ultimately, the verses have a different harmonic scheme compared to the pre-chorus and chorus, which the instrumental intro highlights.  In the verses, Sawayama keeps things real. “Saw a poster on the corner opposite the motel,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “Turns out I’m going to hell if I keep on being myself.” She’s basically like, ‘fuck it,’ “God hates us? Alright then / Buckle up, at dawn, we’re riding.” Similarly, in the second verse, Rina flips birds, criticizes the paparazzi for how they’ve destroyed countless female celebs, and shows incredible resolve: “That Satan’s looking thirsty, not even he can hurt me.” Even though she has got her “Invitation to eternal damnation,” Sawayama responds by saying, “Get in line, pass the wine, bitch.”    

Appears in 🔻:   

6. JIMIN, “Closer Than This”

“Closer Than This” // BIGHIT MUSIC // 2023

“I will never let you go.” Word, Jimin, word. The South Korean pop singer, of BTS fame, released a bilingual, solo single, “Closer Than This” in late 2023. The sunny single, which runs under four minutes, features multiple writers and relatively simple, but effective and relaxed production courtesy of GHSTLOOP, Ayo The Producer, and Kofo. This isn’t a game changing record by the handsome, K-Pop standout, but is enjoyable and pleasant through and through. What makes “Closer Than This” shine? First and foremost, it is the sweet vocals by Jimin. His tone is gorgeous, while he sings with a chill, light sound.  Always expressive, some of his best moments come when he sings in falsetto, and when he ad-libs and riffs.  It’s cool that “Closer Than This” balances Korean and English, with the memorable, tuneful chorus being performed exclusively in English: “‘Cause anytime you want me (I’ll be) / Right here where you call me (I’ll be) I could never let you go (never let you go).” Besides the chorus, the verses are tuneful too, even if you don’t happen to understand a word of the Korean lyrics.  All told, “Closer Than This” is a vibe.  

 7. Paramore, “This is Why”

This Is Why // Atlantic // 2023

“This is why I don’t leave the house / You say the coast is clear / But you won’t catch me out / Oh, why? / This is why.” Hayley Williams sounds awesome – locked in from start to finish – on “This Is Why”, the lead single and opening track from This Is Why. Beyond her fine vocal performance, her fellow Paramore members are on-point too.  Zac Farro sounds great on drums, anchoring things down with some sick grooves. Furthermore, Taylor York shines on guitar. Their guest bassist rocks out, providing a fat foundation.  Beyond the excellent performance by all parties, what does “This is Why” entail lyrically and thematically? It encompasses protecting one’s mental health, especially from hateful, insensitive, and opinionated folks, whom Williams considers to be toxic.  She warns of the toxicity and how it can affect her.  It’s best exemplified in the chorus, though the bridge is another masterful illustration: “One step beyond your door / It might as well have been a free fall / …One step beyond your door / And I’m floating like a cannonball.” Despite the toxicity of some people in the world, there’s nothing toxic in the least about “This Is Why”.

Appears in 🔻:

Awesome Songs: October 2022

8. DeBarge, “All This Love”

All This Love // Motown // 1982

El DeBarge serves up sweet, love-filled vocals on “All This Love”, a highlight from the DeBarge catalog. El DeBarge has a once in a lifetime voice, a ‘high’ tenor who fits the bill of a countertenor solidly. “There is so much love inside me / And all that I have,” he sings with ease, continuing, “I give my all to you / All, all my love, baby.” “All This Love,” a pop hit peaking at no. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, appears as the fifth track on the R&B collective’s 1982 album, also titled, All This Love.  Besides those silky smooth, expressive vocals by the lead singer, the sound and production are smooth as well.  R&B/soul saw a shift in its sound throughout the 1980s, yet this 80s Motown cut maintains the lush, sophisticated qualities that characterized the soul of the 70s: keyboards and horns, thoughtful harmonic progressions, etc. Refocusing on the theme, it’s all love baby.  El DeBarge and company decided to try love, and liked it, apparently! “Oh, I love how you make me feel this way / My love is getting stronger every day, my baby,” he sings in the bridge, adding, “And after all I went and put myself through / I found that all I really need was you, my darling.” Sigh, the feels, the feels, the feels.  What more is there to say about “All This Love”? It is six minutes of absolute and utter love. Greatness too!  

Appears in 🔻:

9. BLACKPINK, “Kill This Love”

Kill This Love (EP) // YG Entertainment / Interscope // 2019

“Let’s kill this love / Ram-papam-papam-papam.” Oh, you’ve gotta love the vocal drum sound effects that appear in the chorus of “Kill This Love.” A gem from K-pop girl group BLACKPINK,  the energetic “Kill This Love” serves as the opener from single/EP, Kill This Love, released in 2019. Sadly, on the pop charts, the song didn’t exactly kill it, missing the top 40 (peaked at no. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100). Oh well – can’t win ‘em all! Among the biggest selling points of the song is the electrifying production (Bekuh Boom, 24, R.Tee, and TEDDY), characterized by its drums, horns, and synths. Besides the backdrop, the girls bring ample attitude to the table – an understatement.  The chorus, in all its catchy glory, is the prime example.  Still, the verses pack a mighty punch, too. Lyrically, there is a mix of English and Korean – multilingual music is always cool. The melodic lines are rhythmic – another win.  One thing is for damn sure: “Gotta kill this love before it kills you.” WOO!  

Appears in 🔻: 

15 Electrifying Songs That Utterly KILL It (2023)

10. The Delfonics, “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”

The Delfonics // Arista // 1970

“I gave my heart / And soul to you, girl / Didn’t I do it, baby / Didn’t I do it, baby.” Oh, the love is lit! Well, at least from the perspective of the man, he gave his best… What is indisputably lit is the legendary Philadelphia soul collective, The Delfonics.  The Delfonics scored two top-10 hits during their career including the Grammy-winning song at hand, “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”, which reached no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 3 on the R&B songs chart.  This special song was penned by Thom Bell (who also produces) and lead singer, William Hart, both of whom died in 2022. Fittingly, “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” appears as the opening track of The Delfonics’ 1970 album, The Delfonics. 

There are so many reasons why “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” is mind blowing 🤯. It begins with the lush production, with an orchestral backdrop, exemplifies the Philadelphia soul sound of the 1970s. The warmth of the signature, opening French horn sets the tone of this amorous classic.  Next, what about the vocal chemistry within the collective? The Delfonics sound nothing short of utterly sublime. This includes the lead vocals, which sell the matters of the heart in convincing fashion.

“Ten times or more  

Yes, I’ve walked out the door 

Get this into your head 

There’ll be no more.”

The harmonies during the chorus, the centerpiece, shine particularly bright (“Didn’t I blow your mind this time / Didn’t I”). So much more can be said and spotlighted about “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”.  All told, stellar, relatable songwriting, from the lyrics as well as the melody, harmonic scheme, the vocal performance, and the production make this one of the elite soul classics. Now that is, indeed, mind blowing 🤯. 

Appears in 🔻:  

11. Jennifer Hudson, “I Got This”

I Remember Me // Arista // 2011

“I Got This” – what an empowering phrase! Furthermore, it’s an empowering song from the supremely talented EGOT winner, Jennifer Hudson. “I Got This” appears as the second track on Hudson’s 2011, gold certified LP, I Remember Me. Even when others doubt and don’t believe in J. Hud, she belives in herself, like ‘I got this!’ “I Got This” was written by Slipmats, StarGate (Mikkel Storleer Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen), and Crystal Nicole. It was produced by Slipmats, StarGate, and Harvey Mason Jr.. The sound of the record matches the inspired vibes of the lyrics. The most memorable, uplifting section of “I Got This” is the chorus:

“(I got this)

Every single breath another step on my road

(I got this)

I’m from the south side tryna get to my goal

(I got this)

Ain’t no stopping me, come on follow me if you feel the need

(I got this)

Better believe I got this, believe I got this.”

The chorus sums up the journey that Jennifer Hudson is on to reach her goals. The verses provide details, including in the first, “Just me and the dream beating the pavement / Stick to the hurts and burst splitting words of encouragement, baby.” In the second, she mentions the adversity: “So many tried to break me / When I got up and knocked me down / Didn’t keep me from moving, I flip the world upside down.” Woo! In the bridge, nothing will stop her, not even gravity! “Gravity is mad at me ‘cause when I fall, I won’t drop / Something in me won’t let me stop until I reach the top.” Jennifer Hudson’s belief in self and reaching for the stars on “I Got This” despite many adversaries is impressive – encouraging, inspiring, and uplifting to the nth degree!

Appears in 🔻:

Jennifer Hudson, I Got This: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 12 (2024)

12. Cavetown, “This Is Home”

“This Is Home” // Oat Milk and Many Hats Endeavors // 2015

“Often, I am upset / That I cannot fall in love, but I guess / This avoids the stress of falling out of it.” Perhaps, Cavetown, perhaps. On his 2015 song, “This Is Home”, Cavetown (Robin Skinner) incorporates a range of emotions and topics. Skinner is a member of the LGBTQ community: a transgender male who is both aromantic and asexual.  Revisit the excerpted line, and Skinner (he/they) paints a clear picture of their identity as well as perhaps the identity crisis/issues they’ve faced.  Cavetown penned and produced “This Is Home” on their own, accompanying this authentic, vulnerable record with ukulele.  Beyond inviting the listener into this aromantic, asexual realm, Skinner also speaks to his mental health, as well as the perception of others.   

The chorus also finds Cavetown opening up about gender, though Skinner didn’t come out as transgender until 2020.  His coming out was tied to past controversial, transphobic comments.  Focusing on the song, Skinner comments about cutting their hair, stares, and “Hiding my chest.” The second verse continues to find the then teenaged singer opening up about depression in morbid fashion (“Are you dead? Sometimes I think I’m dead / ‘Cause I feel the ghosts and ghouls wrapping my head”).  Continuing to compel with surprising authenticity and maturity given their age, the bridge finds Robin characterizing himself as a monster, being mentally “in a different place,” and essentially being confused about who he is.  A key lyric concludes this thought-provoking cut: “Tracing his face / But strangely he feels at home in this place.”  “This Is Home” is a deep record everyone, regardless of sexual preference or gender identity, should hear.  

Appears in 🔻:

Cavetown, This Is Home: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 No. 7 (2023)

13. Walter Hawkins, “What Is This?”

The Hawkins Family // Yell // 1980

“What is this / That I feel deep inside / That keeps setting my soul afire?” Well, Walter Hawkins, many refer to it as The Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit, of course, is tied with The Most High aka God aka Jesus – The holy trinity… Of course, throughout “What Is This?” which appears on Hawkins’ 1980 album,The Hawkins Family, Hawkins doesn’t make things complicated – he keeps it simple yet encouraging, spiritual refreshing, and uplifting: “Whatever it is / It won’t let me / Hold my peace.”  Essentially, Hawkins, and anyone who experiences this feeling, can’t just sit still – they must speak of this joy deep down inside and share it with the world!   

“What Is This?” is a soulful, R&B-gospel joint.  It’s smooth and easy-going, yet potent and powerful.  There are awesome vocals from all parties involved, namely Walter Hawkins himself.  The backing vocals are electrifying too, particularly the female leads that testify to the Holy Spirit.  The tuneful chorus is among the biggest selling points.  Still, moments like, “It makes me love all my enemies / And it makes me love my friends / And it won’t let me be ashamed / To tell the world that I’ve been born again,” truly speak to belief, faith, and a deep connection with God.  As this wonderful record progresses, it only grows more spirited, making the soul feel that much happier and #LIFTED 🙌.  There is an awesome cover by Korean Soul 👏!  

Appears in 🔻:  

13 Songs Where THIS is Crucial (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista, Atlantic, BIGHIT MUSIC, Dirty Hit, Dixon Dallas, Interscope, Jasmine Music Limited, Motown, Nuyorican Productions, Inc., Oat Milk and Many Hats Endeavors, PMR, Yell, YG Entertainment; Sachin Mamtora from Pexels; Alexa, Almeida from Pixabay]

13 Songs Where THIS is Crucial | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on May 3, 2024May 3, 2024