13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 5 features songs by Ariana Grande, Artemas, Leon Thomas, Miguel, Romy, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Remember, YOU can make a difference and be influential in many ways. You are a big deal. You, as a second-person pronoun, appear in many songs. That is an understatement. 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 5 follows up four previous YOU lists from 2025: 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus (2025), 13 More Songs Where YOU Are the Focus (2025), 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 3 (2025), and 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 4 (2025). 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. 5 features songs by Ariana Grande, Artemas, Leon Thomas, Miguel, Romy, and Sabrina Carpenter. So, without further ado, prepare to be wowed by MORE irresistible Y-O-U songs!

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1. Sabrina Carpenter, “When Did You Get Hot?”
Man’s Best Friend » Island » 2025
Before revisiting the lyrics and the subject of hotness, the sound of “When Did You Get Hot?” is pleasant. It features an infectious, rhythmic groove and recalls late 90s-00s pop and R&B. The keys and synths are tasteful. Carpenter’s melodies are rhythmic. She delivers them with playful, breathy, and easygoing vocals. In the pre-chorus, a friend asks her if she knows Devin, who has become quite the snack! In the unforgettable chorus, she has questions for him:
“When did you get hot?
All of a sudden, I could look you up and down all day (Hey)
When did you get hot?
I think I would remember if you had the face
I did a double take, triple take
Take me to naked Twister back at your place
Baby, baby, mm, it’s thickening the plot
When did you get hot?”
Of course, naked Twister isn’t the naughtiest line. Before characterizing him as “an ugly kid, but you’re a sexy man,” she sings, “I bet your light rod’s, like bigger than Zeus’s.” Only Sabrina Carpenter would pen such lyrics. I love her big, dramatic ascending vocal moment that occurs before the second iteration of the chorus. Also, worth noting is the lovely vocal arrangement, specifically those background vocals! Fittingly, the fun and engaging “When Did You Get Hot?” fades out, with Carpenter continuing to be in awe of his hotness.
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2. Artemas, “you and i could never be friends”
“you and i could never be friends” » Artemas » 2025
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3. Romy, “Love Who You Love”
“Love Who You Love” » Young » 2025
The form of “Love Who You Love” stands out: intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, verse, pre-chorus, bridge, and chorus. While there is plenty of repetition, particularly with only one verse, the “Love” never grows boring or the least bit stale. Instead, it’s powerful and feels right. Romy is open about her love (presumably for her wife, Vic Lentaigne). “Oh, I’m in ecstasy / When she’s next to me,” she sings in the verse, and continues, “Finally, found peace / And I won’t feel guilty.” Amen, sister! With no need to hide her true self, she asserts, “Don’t care if the world can see / That shame don’t belong to me.” Her love is sufficient. In the centerpiece, the chorus, she confirms that love is love, and that is nothing short of powerful.
“Love who you love (Need your love)
I couldn’t give up if I tried to
Your love is enough.”
Accompanied by a sleek musical backdrop with a sickening beat, picturesque synths and pads, Romy has ample fuel for her love-driven fire. On autopilot, she brings the heat and a heaping dose of Pride to “Love Who You Love”.
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4. Miguel, “New Martyrs (Ride 4 U)”
CAOS » ByStorm Entertainment / RCA » 2025
“You said, ‘I’ll ride for you
I’ll ride for you
Oh, I’ll ride for you’
Tell me that you’re with it, baby (Ooh)
With it, honey, yeah (Ooh), yeah.”
The bridge sounds starkly different than the verses or chorus, which keeps the song engaging. Is the bridge executed flawlessly? No, but it is intriguing nonetheless (“But how / Much can I lose without / Changing who I am?”). “New Martyrs (Ride 4 U)” is not the second coming, but it is an enjoyable and respectable track from a talented singer-songwriter.
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5. Jessie Murph, “I’m Not There For You”
“I’m Not There For You” » Columbia » 2025
“I’m not there for you, I don’t know your name
I ain’t there for you, I don’t feel a thing
Nothing left for you, yeah, I mean it, you fucked up…”
For Jessie, this guy was a monster, something she continues to voice in the first and second verses. In the second verse, she flexes her strength, not settling for his bullshit. “I am much stronger than I ever was, I just left your bitch ass / And yeah, I fucking did it.” Word. Murph brings mad attitude and energy to her distinct, cutting vocals. The musical backdrop is a selling point as well, intact with that signature Omer Fedi guitar. Although it is short, Jessie Murph makes her point loud and damn clear on “I’m Not There For You”.
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6. Leon Thomas, “Just How You Are”
PHOLKS (EP) » EZMNY / Motown » 2025
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7. Aaliyah, “Are You That Somebody?”
I Care 4 U » Blackground » 2002
“Are You That Somebody” begins with Timbaland setting the tone with his infectious vocals and signature, electronic-tinged, innovative beats. At the time, he was one of the freshest, most unique producers in the game, and he shows off his skills mightily from the jump. Aaliyah steps in, beginning in the first verse, wowing with her angelic, smooth, and sultry vocals. She doesn’t hold back her feelings, asserting, “Boy, I’ve been watching you like the hawk in the sky / That flies, but you were my prey.” The melody is rhythmic, tuneful, and instantly catches the ears. In the second verse, we get more of the same: “Oh, boy, see I’m trusting you with my heart, my soul / I probably shouldn’t let you.” Yeah, probably not, but the heart wants what it wants, right? The section to beat is the chorus, one of my personal favorites of the 1990s, hands down:
“If I let this go
You can’t tell nobody, I’m talkin’ ‘bout nobody
Are you responsible
Boy I gotta watch my back, ‘cause I’m not just anybody
Is it my go, is it your go? cDon
Sometimes, I’m goody-goody
Right now, I’m naughty-naughty
Say yes or say no, ‘cause I really need somebody
Tell me, are you that somebody?”
In her brief but successful career, Aaliyah charted 15 songs on the pop charts (a few posthumously). “Are You That Somebody?” has a strong case as the best song from her catalog. This question song NEVER grows old.

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8. 54 Ultra, “Where Are You”
54 Ultra » First Works » 54 Ultra » 2025
![54 Ultra, First Works (EP) [📷: 54 Ultra] 54 Ultra, First Works (EP) [📷: 54 Ultra]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/54-ultra-first-works.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
“(I would go so far)
Oh, I would go, I would go
(To make you mine)
(Follow all along)
Follow me, my dear
(In space and time)
In space and time.”
No deep analysis necessary. The relationship is over (in verse two, he stated, “The things I’d say to you if you were here / I know I’ve been too late”), and he’s regretful, but he still longs for them. We’ve all been there, done that, sigh. At least 54 Ultra’s pain and regret are our listening pleasure on “Where Are You”, right? Right!
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9. Ariana Grande, “Into You”
Dangerous Woman » Republic / UMG Recordings, Inc. » 2016
Throughout, Grande’s desires are turned all the way up, through memorable, suggestive lyrics, tuneful melodies, and elite vocals. Beyond the verses excerpted above, Ari is unafraid to share her feelings. In the pre-chorus, she asserts, “Oh, baby, look what you started / The temperature’s risin’ in here / Is this gonna happen?” Oh, snap! The chorus is the crème de la crème, where she requests “A little less conversation and a / Little more touch my body / ‘Cause I’m so into you, into you, into you.” Fair enough, Ari! And if that didn’t make it clear, in the outro, she implores him, “So, come light me up, baby / Little dangerous / A little dangerous, my boy.” She is a Dangerous Woman, after all! Ultimately, “Into You” is an entertaining, sexy standout from Grande’s illustrative pop catalog.
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10. Sean Dempsey, “What You Gonna Do With That?”
“What You Gonna Do With That?” » Sean Dempsey » 2025
“I lost control and we gon’ crash / Drop the beat and snatch some ass.” Damn, Sean! “What You Gonna Do With That?” is fierce… as fuck, honestly. Set in a minor key, the production is epic. From the beginning, the sound of the record hits you right in the chest. The club vibes are pronounced thanks to aggressive, boisterous, and nasty synths and a badass stomping beat. Sure, the title asks a question, but given the aggressiveness of the sound, it seems like it’s more rhetorical. Dempsey keeps the same energy as the instrumental with his own energetic, personality-laden vocals. Pitch is unimportant. Sean goes for chanted, quasi-rapped, and talked vocals. He eats, too! “Call me the writer man / I’m writing fire man / I see a higher man / And it feels so good.” Preach… well, this isn’t a religious cut… We do get questions asked, lyrically. “What you wanna do / What you wanna be / These are the questions you answer to me,” he sings, and continues, “What you wanna see / What you wanna breathe / What you gon’ / What you gon’ / What you gonna do with that.” Ooh-wee, it’s getting sooo hawt in hurrr! Maybe it’s the beauty of the man on the track… 🥵 😍 🤩. Released in the summer of 2025, “What You Gonna Do With That?” is the sexy, striking summery hit that endures well beyond the summer.
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11. Rufus & Chaka Khan, “Do You Love What You Feel”
Masterjam » MCA » 1979
Musically, “Do You Love What You Feel” is epic. The electrifying groove from the drums and percussion instantly gets the body moving. There are hella funky riffs from the keys, guitar, and bass. Upping the ante are the orchestral music cues: articulated, crisp-sounding horns and soaring strings. Beyond the instrumental, the vocals are F-I-R-E. Chaka Khan is on autopilot, wowing with her high-energy vocals. “Baby, when you’re holdin’ me / Somehow, you seem to set me free,” she sings in the first verse, continuing joyfully, “And when I dance with you / Romance with you is all I see.” Beyond Khan’s impressive pipes, the Rufus vocalists match her exuberance (“I’ve spent so many nights / Just picking fights within myself / Until you came to me / And held me like nobody else”). The melodies are tuneful from the get-go, led by the infectious, unforgettable chorus (excerpted earlier). As the record progresses, we get outstanding riffing by the R&B chanteuse. All told, “Do You Love What You Feel” is one of the funkiest joints from the 1970s, PERIOD. The vocals, songwriting, and production are flawless. It is impressive how tight this funk cut sounds, considering the number of rhythmic lines and instruments. I’m stunned this distinct cut hasn’t been sampled more. SWV sampled it on “Do Ya” from their 2012 comeback album. Great taste!
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12. Crime Mob, “Knuck If You Buck” (Ft. Lil Scrappy)
Crime Mob » Reprise » 2004
“Knuck” features hardcore, dirty south production from Lil Jay and Doc Jam. The instrumental is dark, set in a minor key. Minimalist, the colorful looped synth and banging beat pack a mean punch. Each member unapologetically delivers compelling cadences and flows. Following Scrappy’s hook, Lil Jay kicks off the first verse. Memorably, he’s “Throwin’ them ‘bows up at these hoes / They screamin’, they bleedin’ from they nose.” Elbows can cause some serious damage! In the second verse, Princess “Pack heat like Saddam Hussein, Hitler, and Osama bin Laden.” Damn, girl! M.I.G. brings the fight to the fourth verse, spitting, “In my eyes, you wasn’t wise, I think it’s time I knuck you, ho.” In the fourth verse, Diamond raps, “Now we knuckin’ and buckin’ ‘cause I got a nine / I’ll blow you away, ‘cause you wastin’ my time.” Killa C caps things off, “Fuckin’ with no hoes, ain’t never been no lames / Ain’t never been no pussy, niggas scared to throw them things, mane.” Crime Mob brings the fire on “Knuck If You Buck”, no cap!

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13. Maurette Brown Clark, “Just Want to Praise You”
By His Grace » Atlanta International Records, Inc. » 2002
“Just Want to Praise You” features terrific, inspiring, and uplifting songwriting, as well as tuneful melodies. This praise and worship song commences with distinct, rhythmic hits that set the tone. It features strong musical arrangement/production with a standard, contemporary gospel band: keys, organ, guitar, bass, and drums. Brown Clark blesses us with her assertive, expressive, and jubilant lead vocals, while the choir provides superb background vocals, often carrying the melody. Brown Clark ad-libs and riffs like a champ, making us buy every word that she sells. Clearly, she believes in the power of Almighty God, testifying to His greatness at every opportunity. “We’ve got a right to thank You, we got a right to praise You,” she sings, commandingly, and adds, “‘Cause when we think about everything that you’ve done for us, some of us raise our hands / Some of us clap our hands / Some of us leap, some of us leap over.” Ooh-wee! Thank ya 🙌 🙌 🙌! Maurette Brown Clark says it best on “Just Want to Praise You” when she sings, “Come on and help me lift God up high, he deserves it.” Truer words have never been spoken! Two decades and counting later, this song remains a powerful testament to faith!
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YOU Series on The Musical Hype 🔻 |

~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~
13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 5 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 54 Ultra, Artemas, Atlanta International Records, Inc., Blackground, ByStorm Entertainment, Columbia, EZMNY, Island, MCA, Motown, RCA, Reprise, Republic, Sean Dempsey, UMG Recordings, Inc., Young; Lucas Andrade from Pexels; Gordon Johnson, Niek Verlaan, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay] |
![Sabrina Carpenter, Man's Best Friend [📷: Island] Sabrina Carpenter, Man's Best Friend [📷: Island]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sabrina-carpenter-mans-best-friend.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Artemas, you and i could never be friends [📷: Artemas] Artemas, you and i could never be friends [📷: Artemas]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/artemas-you-and-i-could-never-be-friends.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Romy, Love Who You Love [📷: Young] Romy, Love Who You Love [📷: Young]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/romy-love-who-you-love.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Miguel, CAOS [📷: ByStorm Entertainment / RCA] Miguel, CAOS [📷: ByStorm Entertainment / RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/miguel-caos.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Jessie Murph, Sex Hysteria [📷: Columbia] Jessie Murph, Sex Hysteria [📷: Columbia]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/jessie-murph-sex-hysteria.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Leon Thomas, Just How You Are [📷: EZMNY / Motown] Leon Thomas, Just How You Are [📷: EZMNY / Motown]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/leon-thomas-just-how-you-are.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Aaliyah, I Care 4 U [📷: Blackground] Aaliyah, I Care 4 U [📷: Blackground]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/aaliyah-i-care-4-u.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman [📷: Republic] Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman [📷: Republic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ariana-Grande-Dangerous-Woman-%C2%A9-Republic.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Sean Dempsey, What You Gonna Do With That?[📷: Sean Dempsey] Sean Dempsey, What You Gonna Do With That?[📷: Sean Dempsey]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sean-dempsey-what-you-gonna-do-with-that.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Rufus & Chaka Khan, Masterjam [📷: MCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/rufus-chaka-khan-masterjam.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Crime Mob, Crime Mob [📷: Reprise] Crime Mob, Crime Mob [📷: Reprise]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/crime-mob-crime-mob.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Maurette Brown Clark, By His Grace [📷: Atlanta International Records, Inc.] Maurette Brown Clark, By His Grace [📷: Atlanta International Records, Inc.]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/maurette-brown-clark-by-his-grace.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)

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