13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 3

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13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 3 features songs by Alex Warren, LUKAS OSCAR, Noah Kahan, Prince, and Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco.

Remember, YOU can make a difference and be influential in many ways. You are a big deal. You, as a second-person pronoun, appears in many songs. 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 3 follows up 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus (2025) and 13 More Songs Where YOU Are the Focus. It celebrates the power of Y-O-U! You or some form of the word is the only requirement for songs selected on this playlist. 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 3 features songs by Alex Warren, LUKAS OSCAR, Noah Kahan, Prince, and Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco. So, without further ado, prepare to be wowed by MORE irresistible Y-O-U songs!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. LUKAS OSCAR, “So Romantic U + I”	2. Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, “You Said You Were Sorry”	3. Gnash, “i hate u, i love u” (Ft. Olivia O’Brien)	4. Alex Warren, “Carry You Home”
5. Prince, “Jack U Off”	6. Noah Kahan, “You’re Gonna Go Far”	7. Elton John, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”	8. Josie Cotton, “Johnny, Are You Queer?”
9. Omar Apollo, “Done With You”	10. Lloyd, “You” (Ft. Lil Wayne)	11. Linda Ronstadt, “You’re No Good”	12. Lenny Williams, “‘Cause I Love You”
13. Shirley Caesar, “He’s Working It Out For You”

1. LUKAS OSCAR, “So Romantic U + I”

“So Romantic U + I” // LUKAS OSCAR // 2025

“You show up unannounced at night / That creepy hour between 3 and 5.” So, LUKAS OSCAR (Lukas Oscar Janisch), this nameless person arrives at an unholy hour? Hmm, I have so many questions. There seems to be an ‘intimate encounter’ in “So Romantic U + I”. Oscar continues singing in the brief, sub-two-minute song, “Then you blind the room in sequins / Plastic pupils in your plastic eyes.” Intriguing, thought-provoking lyrics. Sequins are obnoxiously bright and eye-catching. Are they so bright that they have created googly eyes (plastic pupils and plastic eyes)? The Gen-Z Filipino Austrian musician penned and produced this romantic indie pop joint.

“And it’s so romantic you and I

And that one guy that’s watching from outside

We’re one big family

One home…”

Again, the lyrics are thought-provoking. Later, OSCAR requests, “Cut the lights,” adding some odd, open-to-interpretation lyrics: “Mh mh cut the l1ghts c0ldled fe1n r1gh / G0t the l1ghts fu0 me c1t1 r1ght.” Say what, now?! It sounds sexual… Supporting this intimate experience with this nameless person is a great production. It features an awesome groove – a dusty, soulful hip-hop beat. Besides the beat, superb music cues include low-key synths and pads. Also, ‘low-key’ is Oscar’s vocals. They sound chill and laid-back. He is expressive yet manages to sound both indulgent and nonchalant simultaneously. The melodies are tuneful even when Lukas drops the less decipherable lyrics. “So Romantic U + I” feels sexy without being explicit or overt.

Appears in :

LUKAS OSCAR, So Romantic U + I: Midnight Heat 23 (2025)

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2. Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, “You Said You Were Sorry”

I Said I Love You First // SMG Music LLC / Friends Keep Secrets / Interscope // 2025

“Type of love that can make a bitch crazy / He fills me up, yeah, he never gets lazy / I wouldn’t leave him even if you paid me.” Ooh-wee! Damn, Selena Gomez! Gomez has ‘mad love’ for her fiancé, Benny Blanco. “You Said You Were Sorry” is the 11^th track from their 3035 collaborative album, I Said I Love You First. Of her ‘new flame’ (Benny), Gomez asserts, “New flame, he could melt a damn diamond / Spell my name, see the back of my eyelids / Oh, this is love.” Oh, snap ! So, with the focus being on her happy new relationship, where does the sorry come into play? In a dream, based on what Gomez believes should or should have happened after her past relationship. In the chorus, she sings, “But I had a dream / You said you were sorry, said you were sorry / Sorry for everything / That you put on me, that you put on me.” In this dream, which isn’t the reality of the situation, there was a resolution including forgiveness. Gomez and Blanco wrote “You Said You Were Sorry” with Kiddo A.I., Justin Tranter, John Byron, and Cashmere Cat. Blanco and Cashmere Cat produced it. A pleasant pop record, Gomez sings well, and the songwriting and production are respectable. A solid Y-O-U song.

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3. Gnash, “i hate u, i love u” (Ft. Olivia O’Brien)

Gnash // Us // :): // 2016

“Do you miss me like I miss you? / Fucked around and got attached to you.” Oh, snap, gnash (Garrett Nash). He continues singing in his 2016, love/hate-driven hit single, “I hate u, i love u”, “Friends can break your heart too, and / I’m always tired but never of you.” “I hate u” was the crowning achievement of the singer/songwriter/producer’s EP, Us. Notably, then-rising teen-pop artist, Olivia O’Brien collaborated with him. The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is Gnash’s highest-charting song as the lead artist and his only top 40 hit credited as the lead artist.

The approach of “I hate u, I love u” is as ‘oxymoronic’ as its title. Before gnash drops his cool, calm, and collected, if profane lyrics, Olivia O’Brien draws first blood. “Feeling used, but I’m / Still missing you and I can’t / See the end of this / Just wanna feel your kiss against my lips,” she sings in the dramatic, emotional first verse. She follows up with the unforgettable chorus: “I hate you, I love you / I hate that I love you / Don’t want to, but I can’t put / Nobody else above you…” Gnash, then, takes the reins, where he utters the shit at the end of four consecutive lines – only after he “fucked around and got attached to you,” of course.

“If I pulled a you on you, you wouldn’t like that shit

I put this reel out, but you wouldn’t bite that shit

I type a text, but then I never mind that shit

I got these feelings, but you never mind that shit.”

What more can you say but, ‘oh, shit!’ Gnash also delivers a third verse, continuing to be affected by this love-hate. “You ever wonder what we could have been? / You said you wouldn’t and you fucking did / Lie to me, lie to me, get your fucking fix…” Word. Gnash never struck gold after the late 2010s, but the memorable “I hate u, i love u” remains a gem from the decade. No hate here!

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4. Alex Warren, “Carry You Home”

You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) // Atlantic Recording Corporation // 2024

“Oh, I hope you know, I will carry you home / Whether it’s tonight or fifty-five years down the road.” What is that sound that I hear, Alex Warren? Why, it’s wedding bells ! “Carry You Home” is giving off those ‘sealing the deal forever’ vibes. The dedication is sublime, like “Love, lift us up where we belong”! Alex, you may now kiss the bride! “Carry You Home” is the fourth track from his 2024 album, You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1). He penned “Carry” alongside Cal Shapiro, Mags Duval, and producer Adam Yaron.

Beyond the chorus excerpted above, Warren sees a bright and fruitful future. “I know none of them [dreams] have stuck yet,” he sings in the first verse, “But I bet it on you, honey / Oh, I would risk it all.” In the second verse, despite being homeless, him and her “kept each other warm under a ceiling full of stars.” Aww ! Despite adversity, they made it through thick and thin. Through the good and bad times, Alex has made his choice, and he won’t change his mind: “I choose us every time.” That is a great choice, buddy! Warren sings this driving, folk-pop record beautifully. He never gets ‘too high’ in the verses but ups the ante in the pre-chorus and the crème de la crème, the chorus. The authenticity, sincerity, and thoughtfulness of “Carry You Home” are awe-inspiring. Alex, YOU are a surefire winner.

Appears in :

Alex Warren, Carry You Home: Music Lifts 18 (2025)

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5. Prince, “Jack U Off”

Controversy // Warner // 1981

“If you’re looking for somewhere to go / Thought I’d take you to a movie show / Sitting in the back and I’ll jack you off.” Oh, snap ! Prince (1958 – 2016) was the exemplification of a provocative musician, particularly in the 1980s. “Jack U Off” is a prime example of him playing provocateur (emphasis on play ). The Purple One suggests he’s going to ‘jack off’ a woman, which is an unusual way to phrase a male-to-female masturbatory act. The only other explanation is questioning if Prince was referencing somebody other than a cis woman… “Jack U Off” is the eighth and final track from his 1981 album, Controversy.

On “Jack U Off,” there is no gray area. It is a blunt title referencing a specific sex act. While his bassist, Mark Brown, suggested that Prince didn’t understand the terminology, that seems unfathomable for an artist who excelled at sex songs. “Come on over to my neighborhood / We can jump in the sack, and I’ll jack you off,” Prince asserts in the first verse, continuing, “If you’re tired of the masturbator / Little girl, we can go on a date / And if you like, I’ll jack you off.” One of the interesting incidents involving this controversial song is when Prince opened for The Rolling Stones in 1981. As bassist Brown asserts in a Music Radar interview, The Rolling Stones’ audience was not Prince’s audience. The performance didn’t go well. Prince was infamously booed, called homophobic slurs, and ill-received. Why? Prince’s androgynous appearance and fashion, and this risqué, rockabilly-sounding number that only drew more ire from an audience that wasn’t hip to him. Admit it, a song where you assert, “I’ll jack you off” repeatedly is a tall task, particularly for what would have been an entirely different fan base. “Jack U Off” embraces controversy in an incredibly funky fashion. Prince’s voice sounds amazing, as always, while the musical accompaniment is high-energy and utterly infectious. Jacking U Off never sounded so… never mind!

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6. Noah Kahan, “You’re Gonna Go Far”

Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) // Mercury / Republic // 2023

“The only time I got to praying for a red light / Was when I saw your destination as a deadline.” Those are brilliant opening lyrics, Noah Kahan. Is it surprising that the Grammy-nominated Vermont singer/songwriter put his foot into the lyrics of “You’re Gonna Go Far”? No, not at all. Kahan is quite talented, something that the 20^th track from Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever) easily shows. Another thought-provoking lyric comes from the second verse: “The college kids are getting so young, ain’t they? They’re correcting all the grammar on our spray paint.” Kahan penned “You’re Gonna Go Far.” He produced the gorgeous folk-pop cut with Gabe Simon.

“You’re Gonna Go Far” begins with acoustic guitar accompaniment. Light at first, the production gradually grows fuller with more instrumentation. By the third verse (“It won’t be by your own volition / If you step outside this town”), the song is more dynamic musically. Kahan delivers clear, commanding, and pure vocals. His songwriting is honest, memorable, and transparent. A prime example: “And, while I clean shit up in the yard / Ooh-ooh, you’ll be far / Ooo-ooh, you’ll be far, far from here.” Throughout, the person Kahan sings about is leaving their hometown, with the titular lyric doubling as going far in distance and success. The section to beat is the chorus:

“So, pack up your care, put a hand on your heart

Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are

We ain’t angry at you, love

You’re the greatest thing we’ve lost

…We ain’t angry at you, love

We’ll be waiting for you, love

And we’ll all be here forever.”

“You’re Gonna Go Far” is another winner from Noah Kahan, period. There is also a version with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile.

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7. Elton John, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”

The Lion King // The Walt Disney Company // 1994

“There’s a calm surrender to the rush of day / When the heat of a rolling wind can be turned away.” Those timeless, unforgettable lyrics hail from “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, one of the truly great songs from the 1990s. Elton John recorded a masterpiece, plain and simple. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is the 12^th and final track from The Lion King. The film version, penned alongside lyricist Tim Rice, appears as the fifth track. The more sophisticated end title runs a minute longer, featuring a slower, more relaxed tempo. Although the song is associated with The Lion King, one of Disney’s greatest animated films, it is a marvelous, standalone song. “Can” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2018. Impressive. Beyond sales, streams, and chart success, John won his first Academy Award for Best Original Song (beating his other compositions “Circle Of Life” and “Hakuna Matata”), and a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Everything about “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” feels right. It features a gorgeous, adult contemporary sound. This sound was prevalent in the 1990s. The orchestration is top-notch. John delivers commanding, soulful vocals bringing Rice’s poetic, poignant lyrics to life. “There’s a time for everyone, if they only learn,” he sings in the second verse, adding, “That the twistin’ kaleidoscope moves us all in turn.” John didn’t compose the lyrics, but he penned the marvelous melodies and music. The musical underpinnings, specifically the harmonic progression, are part of the elite musicianship of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” The moment to beat is the chorus, among the most memorable of all time.

“And can you feel the love tonight? (Tonight)

It is where we are

It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer

That we got this far

And can you feel the love tonight? (Tonight)

How it’s laid to rest?

It’s enough to make kings and vagabonds

Believe the very best.”

“Can You Feel The Love Tonight” is nothing short of iconic. Elton John has written many hits. This Disney collaboration with Tim Rice is one of his greatest.

Appears in :

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8. Josie Cotton, “Johnny, Are You Queer?”

Convertible Music // Kitten Robot // 1982

“And I saw you today, boy / Walking with them gay boys.” Hmm, what is your point, Josie Cotton? How do you know that the boys are gay, and what is wrong with Johnny hanging out with them? It’s giving homophobia, girl, depending on who you ask. “Now you hurt me so / Now I gotta know / Johnny, are you queer?” Oh, boy! It should come as no surprise why “Johnny, Are You Queer?” is controversial. The eyebrow-raising pop/ New Wave song appears on Cotton’s 1982 debut album, Convertible Music. Larson Paine and Robert Paine penned this sus classic. It was first recorded by the Go-Go’s [hear the live recording here], but Cotton was the first to release it. To provide even more context as to why Josie asks about Johnny’s sexuality: “When the lights are low / You never hold me close.”

Songs about sexuality lend themselves to controversy. Such songs can be more controversial when there is a lack or perceived lack of nuance. That is the problem with “Johnny, Are you Queer.” Musically, this is a bop and a half! The driving instrumental ‘kicks ass and takes names.’ Cotton’s vocal performance is playful, and she brings plenty of attitude. But the lyrics are problematic. If Johnny is in a ‘committed’ relationship with Josie (or her character) and is not being open about his sexuality, he is wrong. However, the way that she judges him assumes his friends are gay and tries to force a romance that is a non-starter, that is nothing short of a hot mess. I mean, if he is gay, it is unlikely he will embrace a relationship with you… Interestingly, gays and conservatives cried foul about this song. The gays thought she was homophobic. Conservatives thought she was promoting homosexuality. Go figure! Sadly, per RETROPOP, the song was used in conversion therapy. Yikes. Ultimately, while “Johnny, Are You Queer” is problematic lyrically, it is a song that should be taken with a grain of salt. It gives a heaping dose of camp.

Appears in :

Josie Cotton, Johnny, Are You Queer?: Controversial Songs No. 12 (2025)

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9. Omar Apollo, “Done With You”

God Said No // Omar Apollo / Warner // 2024

“I’m so done with you, done with you, done with you, done with you, done.” I’d venture to say that Grammy-nominated pop singer/songwriter Omar Apollo (Omar Velasco) is D-O-N-E with him. “Done With You” is the fourth track from his 2024 sophomore album, God Said No. “Sometimes, love don’t make it right,” he sings in the pre-chorus. True. During the first verse, Omar reminisces. He recollects moments such as talking and missing him when he’s gone. In the second verse, there is clinging to the past: “Won’t you please just let me go? / I’d be better off alone / I’m still wearing all your clothes / Let me go, let me go.” Of course, in the chorus, he swears off him , whether that is true or not. Throughout “Done,” Omar blesses us with his soulful, expressive, and nuanced vocals. His runs are fabulous. He sings over a groovy, R&B backdrop – think neo-soul/contemporary soul. The melodies are beautiful. Velasco wrote and produced “Done With You” with Blake Slatkin, Carter Lang, Teo Halm, Dylan Wiggins, and Scott Bridgeway. One of the best moments adds to the lighthearted nature of the track. In the second pre-chorus, we get the fun lyric, “Bro, you got better bitches, like.” Word.

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10. Lloyd, “You” (Ft. Lil Wayne)

Street Love // Universal Motown Records // 2007

“Can I be for real? / This is how I feel / I’m in need of love / So, let’s dip up out of here.” Lloyd – what a handsome and talented man! He had a successful run in the 2000s, led by his hit, “You”. “You” is the second track from his platinum-certified 2007 album, Street Love. “You,” which features Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne, peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA. Jasper Cameron and Big Reese produced “You,” which exemplifies the sleek, contemporary R&B sound of the late 00s. It also gets help from some samples: “True” by Spandau Ballet, “Song Cry” by Jay-Z, and “Soldier” by Destiny’s Child.

“You” is attributed to Lloyd as the lead artist but featured artist Lil Wayne talks his shit from the get-go. In the intro, Weezy asserts, “Weezy F. Baby /… And uh, I want all my sexy ladies to report to the dance floor.” Following the intro that gasses us up, Weezy continues ‘do the damn thing’ in the first verse, asserting, “Right off the bat ma, the boy got dollars / So women come frequent like flight mileage.” Ooh-wee! Lloyd ‘brings the heat’ beginning in the second verse. Honest, he admits, “Girl, please / I’m a player, yeah, it’s true / But I can change the game for you / I wanna see what it do.” In the pre-chorus, excerpted earlier, he encourages her to go with him. In the chorus, he proclaims, “She’s fine too [the other woman] / But I want you.” That, my friends, is where you of “You” comes into the picture. Lloyd delivers a third verse, while Weezy F. Baby returns for the fourth and final verse (“You know I love you liked cooked food / You know you fucking with a good dude”). The memorable “You” is the biggest song of Lloyd’s career – the one that elevated him to higher heights. Since then, and his Street Love days, he hasn’t achieved the same success.

Appears in :

Lloyd, You: Bangerz N Bopz 36 (2025)

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11. Linda Ronstadt, “You’re No Good”

Heart Like A Wheel // Capitol // 1974

“You’re no good, you’re no good, you’re no good / Baby, you’re no good.” I’d venture to say that on “You’re No Good”, Grammy-winning, critically acclaimed singer Linda Ronstadt believes that he’s no good. In the Clint Ballard Jr.-penned cut, Ronstadt makes this cover her own. Originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick (1942 – 2008) in 1963, Betty Everette (1939 – 2001) scored a moderate pop hit with it the same year (number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100). The Ronstadt version arrived 11 years later as the opening track on her 1974, double platinum album, Heart Like A Wheel. “You’re No Good” earned Linda her sole number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. While “You’re No Good” was specifically nominated for a Grammy, the album was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female and Album Of The Year at the 18^th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

So, what makes “You’re No Good” ‘really, really good?’ First and foremost, it is Linda Ronstadt. She brings it with her expressive, nuanced lead vocals. From beginning to end, her performance is spirited to the nth degree. Beyond her lead, the background vocals up the ante. Musically, she’s accompanied by an awesome backdrop including electric piano, guitar, and a fabulous groove carried by the drums. The verses are memorable, including lyrics like “I learned my lesson, it left a scar / Now I see how you really are” (verse one) and “I broke a heart that’s gentle and true / Well, I broke a heart over someone like you” (verse two). Oh, snap! The section to beat, however, is the chorus – he’s no good! “You’re No Good” is a pop song for the ages. Linda Ronstadt did that!

Appears in :

Linda Ronstadt, You’re No Good: Throwback Vibez 29 (2025)

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12. Lenny Williams, “‘Cause I Love You”

Spark Of Love // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1978

“Girl, you know I, I, I, I love you / No matter what you do / And I hope you understand me / Every word / I say is true / ‘Cause I Love You.” One of the most heartfelt and dramatic songs from the soul catalog comes courtesy of Lenny Williams (1945 – ). “‘Cause I Love You” is the fifth track from his 1978 album, Spark Of Love. Williams penned “‘Cause I Love You” with Michael Bennett. Set in a lilting compound duple meter, “‘Cause I Love You” is a lengthy number that runs north of seven minutes. It is worth every second of its duration.

“‘Cause I Love You” is EVERYTHING! The record thrives off lush, soulful production and sublime orchestration. The strings are particularly gorgeous. Lenny Williams delivers expressive and nuanced vocals that ooze with soul. He shows his velvety middle register, as well as a stellar falsetto. The personality and drama that Williams brings to this performance sounds authentic and utterly sincere: “Some men needs lots of women / For their passions to fill / But I / Want only you, girl /… If it’s in /God’s will.” Much like Williams’ vocals, the musical accompaniment has its fair share of dramatic moments. Williams gets support from background vocals. There is a spoken word section where Lenny continues to be vulnerable regarding love.

“But I found myself waking up a few hours later

And the tears were running down my face And my friend told me

He said, ‘Lenny, you just oughta forget about her.’

But I told my friend, I said

‘You know, maybe you’ve never been in love like I’ve been in love

And maybe you’ve never felt the things that I’ve felt.’”

At around the 4:45 mark, Williams begins picking up the singing, continuing his heartfelt, dramatic performance, supported by background vocals and silky smooth musical accompaniment. Matters of the heart drive this extraordinary ballad. The excellence of “‘Cause I Love You” speaks for itself. Williams’ gem is a popular source for sampling.

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13. Shirley Caesar, “He’s Working It Out For You”

He’s Working It Out For You // Word Entertainment LLC // 1991

“Though the pressures of life seems to weigh you down / And you don’t know which way to turn,” Shirley Caesar (1938 – ) sings, “God is concerned and He’s working it out for you.” Amen! Now that is a good word, pastor! The legendary gospel musician provides surefire encouragement on “He’s Working It Out For You”, the opener from her 1991 album, He’s Working It Out For You. Initially, Caesar is accompanied by piano. Backed by a fabulous gospel harmonic progression, she embraces faith despite adversity. Her vocals are authentic, soulful, and spirited. Every word the pastor sings, you buy.

In the second verse, accompanied by fuller instrumentation (piano, organ, bass, drums, etc.), Caesar sings, “Now you ask yourself, is there a word from the Lord / You need a blessing, and you need it right away / God is concerned, and He’s working it out for you.” In the third, her voice grows even more spirited, setting the tone for God’s wonder-working power. Despite no peace at home or work, bills, and failing health, the message remains the same: God’s working it out. The choir enters the mix before the three-minute mark, amplifying the spirit in the chorus:

“He’s working it out

He’s working it out for you

God cares

I’m so glad to know He cares

I’m so glad to know He cares

And He’s working it out for you.”

Meanwhile, Caesar ad-libs, riffing at her finest. “He’s Working It Out For You” hails from the 1990s, yet the message endures on this moving gospel gem.

Appears in :

Shirley Caesar, He’s Working It Out For You: Music Lifts 13 (2025)

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13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 3 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; :):, Atlantic Recording Corporation, Capitol, Friends Keep Secrets, Interscope, Kitten Robot, LUKAS OSCAR, Mercury, Omar Apollo, Republic, SMG Music LLC, The Walt Disney Company, UMG Recordings, Inc., Universal Motown Records, Warner, Word Entertainment LLC; Ahmed Aziz from Pexels; AcatXlo, Niek Verlaan, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 3 | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on May 7, 2025May 7, 2025