13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 6 features songs by Artemas, Bleachers, Joji, Michael Bolton, Sasha Keable, and Tammi Terrell.
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. 6 follows up five previous YOU lists from 2025-26. 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. 6 features songs by Artemas, Bleachers, Joji, Michael Bolton, Sasha Keable, and Tammi Terrell. So, without further ado, prepare to be wowed by MORE irresistible Y-O-U songs!

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1. Bleachers, “you and forever”
everyone for ten minutes » Dirty Hit » 2026
“You and forever” commences with what sounds like harmonized a cappella vocals. These recur throughout. As it settles in, the record evolves into a driving, rhythmic groove. I adore the build-ups that occur throughout. Sigh, there is nothing like a powerful crescendo and music that hits you right in the chest! Additional elements that earn “you and forever” high marks from a musical perspective include the lovely harmonic progression. Also, at the end, our ears are blessed with beautiful saxophone harmonies (Zem Audu). Of course, Jack Antonoff is the star of the show. He contributes a strong vocal performance that is assertive, authentic, and passionate. “Well, walking with a ghost that shit was tearing me to shreds,” he sings in the second verse, and adds, “I had never known my name until you spoke it from your chest.” Aww, the feels! During the intense refrain, we get an f-bomb for good measure:
“So damn, the bastards called it out
Everyone they stop from doing just an inch of good
They hate themselves, forever war, it paves their hell
Fuck everything that I’ve been told ‘cause I just saw the heavens open up.”
In the chorus, it should come as no surprise that you and forever are the priorities. The power of love despite the craziness of life… or something like that. All in all, Bleachers returns superbly with the well-written, well-produced, and well-performed “you and forever”.
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2. Sasha Keable, “tell me what you want”
ACT II » The Flight Club Records Limited / Sasha Keable » 2026
Sasha Keable doesn’t hold back on “tell me what you want.” At the end of the first verse, she asserts, “Got me bitin’ harder on your necklace / Girl, just wanna thank you for your service.” Day-um! Sasha is more overt in the second verse, singing, “Fuck is a break when I’m on all fours for you? / Told me you ate, well, here I got some more for you.” 😈 😈 😈 Keable keeps it risqué in the pre-chorus following each verse, including the likes of “Your fingers so deep inside my body 👀,” and “Break it down, do your little dance on my body / Couple grand keep it real nasty for me.” That, of course, leads to the centerpiece, the chorus, in all its glory. Sasha praises this girl something fierce, given her inspired sexual performance:
“Ain’t gotta keep countin’
Stay down there till you’re drownin’
Still got endless rounds left
Girl, you make me the proudest
You done made me up a plateful
On my knees, I’m so grateful
Feels so good inside, I could die.”
Oh, and the sex doesn’t stop there, extending in the post-chorus. All the while, Keable impresses with her commanding and soulful pipes. She sings about sex expressively, and it’s easy to buy what she’s selling! Beyond her fabulous voice, tuneful melodies, and risqué lyrics, the production and sound of “tell me what you want” is impressive (keys, programming, etc.). All in all, Sasha Keable ate and left no crumbs on this queer, contemporary R&B gem.
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3. Artemas, “time alone w u”
“time alone w u” » Artemas » 2025
“All the things that I would do
For some time alone with you
Can’t stop looking at your face
We should make out in your room
We could go the whole way, too
Swear you always act so rude
Until we’re on our own, time alone
Time alone with you.”
Beyond the chorus, there is a bridge and an outro, both of which emphasize time alone with you… her, specifically. Once more, Artemas excels at S-E-X on “time alone w u”. He’s been hornier and more overt in the past, but remains a naughty boy on this brief single released at the tail-end of 2025.
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4. The Red Clay Strays, “If I Didn’t Know You”
“If I Didn’t Know You” » RCA Records / HBYCO Records » 2026
There is so much to love about “If I Didn’t Know You.” It begins as a piano ballad, with a single piano chord preceding the vocals. Brandon Coleman sounds amazing, delivering authentic and expressive vocals from the get-go. He brings Nix’s and Hemby’s thoughtful songwriting to life masterfully. “I was down and out, running with the wrong crowd / I was walking through every wrong door,” Coleman sings introspectively in the first verse, and continues, “I can’t imagine all the trouble I’d be if you never made me yours.” Wow. In the second verse, he addresses his beloved, singing, “Well, you found me, lost, I see, tossed and turned around / Held on through the ebb and flow, yeah, you ain’t putting me down.” Notably, the second verse features more fully developed musical accompaniment in the traditional country music style. The chorus is the crowning achievement and the most memorable and tuneful section of the song.
“And if I didn’t know you, I wouldn’t know how to love
I wouldn’t know what it feels like to be someone’s only one
And if I never saw your eyes, it’s like I’d never see the sun
What would I do if I didn’t know you?”
The bridge distinguishes itself from the verses and chorus in harmonic progression. The theme, however, is much the same: she was his savior, of sorts. Coleman brings even more powerful vocals during this section. Following a brief guitar solo post-bridge, the familiarity returns with the high-flying chorus concluding “If I Didn’t Know You.” All in all, “If I Didn’t Know You” is a gorgeous record. It shines thanks to the thoughtful songwriting, moving, nuanced, and sincere vocal performance, and solid production.
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5. Jon Secada & Shanice, “If I Never Knew You”
Pocahantas » The Walt Disney Company » 1995
As a standalone love song, “If I Never Knew You” is sweet. The musical backdrop is quintessential 1990s R&B – the adult contemporary sound. Jon Secada kicks things off, showing the beauty of his voice. “And if I never held you / I would never have a clue,” he sings, and continues, “How at last I’d find in you / The missing part of me.” Aww! He continues the affirmation of love, asserting, “I can see the truth so clear / In your eyes, so dry your eyes / And I’m so grateful to you.” Shanice also affirms the power and strength of their love in the second verse: “If I never knew you / I’d be safe but half as real / Never knowing I could feel / A love so strong and true.” Word. In the chorus (of sorts), third verse, and outro, Secada and Shanice perform collaboratively. They proclaim in the chorus, “I thought our love would be so beautiful / Somehow we’d make the whole world bright.” They trade lines in the third verse. They cap things off superbly with the key lyrics from the first two verses: “Lost forever, if I never knew you.” Underrated, “If I Never Knew You” is a stellar duet from Jon Secada and Shanice.
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6. RYANN, “Now I’ve Swiped You to the Left”
“Now I’ve Swiped You to the Left” » RYANN » 2025
“It’s because I’m jealous of you moving on
And finding a new guy to put your love on
While I’m still hoping that one day
You’ll return, and that I’ll say
‘I’ve made a mistake…’”
The rebound beyond an ex is not looking so hot for Mr. Adriaens, who adds, “I wanna get back to what we had before.” Adriaens wrote and produced this entertaining and relatable pop song.
“Now I’ve Swiped You to the Left” commences with a horn-like, notification sound effect and a stomping, enthusiastic, danceable beat. That horn-like riff returns throughout the course of the song. Although he sings with plenty of authenticity, he delivers a relatively chill, easygoing vocal performance. I adore the tone of his voice and his mellowness. The production is respectable throughout. Notably, it grows bigger during the chorus and post-chorus, where pitch-shifted vocals stand out. The second verse features a more developed, fuller sound. RYANN shows off a bit of potty-mouth, dropping a warranted f-bomb: “I know that I should let you go / Believe me, that I try to grow / But healing is just so / Fucking slow.” Facts! Tied to the dating apps concept, one neat thing about this recording is when Adriaens’ vocals pan to the right and left, representative of the swiping action on dating apps, specifically with his former flame: “Seven months ago, I swiped you to the right now to the left.” Another neat element of this intriguing, if quirky, record is the sudden increase in tempo. It’s giving hyperpop vibes! All told, once more, RYANN drops a striking, queer pop joint with “Now I’ve Swiped You to the Left”. What more can you say but ‘say gay’!
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7. Joji, “Love You Less”
Piss In The Wind » Palace Creek / Virgin » 2026
“Love You Less” continues to showcase Joji’s versatility as an artist. It has an indie-rock, shoegaze vibe. There is a great driving feel about the track with marvelous rhythm. I love the sound of the guitars, as well as the prominence of the bass. I also adore the accompanying “oohs” during the introduction, which are eventually part of the post-chorus. Joji delivers well-rounded vocals. He is always a vibe, particularly when he sings in his lower register in an undertone. “Can’t get enough of you, no, no,” he sings in the first verse, and adds, “But you won’t set me free…” He also sounds beautiful when he ascends into his upper register, particularly his falsetto. The pre-chorus marvelously prefaces the crème de la crème, the chorus:
“I’m obsessed, you’re not sure
If I love you less, will you love me more?
I pull back, you come forward
If I love you less, will you love me more?”
The second verse is compelling, like the first: “Wastin’ my breath / ‘Cause you like it better when there’s none left.” The second pre-chorus contrasts with the first, keeping “Love” engaging. There is also a compelling outro. All in all, Joji continues to impress as a singer and songwriter on “Love You Less”. The vibes are real, NO CAP!
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| Intriguing Songs Fueled by LOVE, Vol. 6 (2026) |
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8. The Kid LAROI, “BACK WHEN YOU WERE MINE”
BEFORE I FORGET » Columbia » 2026
“BACK WHEN YOU WERE MINE” commences abruptly with The Kid LAROI singing. His vocals are expressive and radiant. I especially love the pureness of his falsetto. Regarding tenderness, I would argue this is one of Howard’s most refined and smoothest performances. Beyond his lead vocals, the background vocals supporting him are sweet, further expanding the excellence. Beyond the lyrics that marvelously recollect expired love (including the repetitive but moving chorus), and tuneful, sometimes rhythmic melodies, the warm, romantic-sounding musical accompaniment is a big selling point. There are fabulous musical touches thanks to the smooth guitar, present bass line, and the rhythmic percussion. All in all, The Kid LAROI delivers another pleasant, well-rounded song with “BACK WHEN YOU WERE MINE”.
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9. Gustaph, “Because of You”
Look At Us Now » 541/N.E.W.S. / GUSTAPHMUSIC BV » 2025
“Because of You” is an energetic, superbly produced dance-pop track with a catchy beat and polished synths. Gustaph’s vocals are vibrant and youthful, enhanced by expressive ad-libs and impressive, sustained high notes. Memorable melodies and positive themes, including the transformative power of love and self-acceptance, make the song feel joyful and inspiring. “Remember when they told us / ‘You’re not good enough’?” he sings in the first verse, and continues, “And then you came into my life.” In the second verse, he asserts, “You told me the right thing at the right time / And got me feeling wild.” The pre-choruses, as well as the chorus, excerpted earlier, maintain the good vibes. The bridge distinguishes itself from other sections yet keeps the theme of love alive and well (“Because of you, I keep on going, baby, baby, for a brighter day”). Woo! Ultimately, Gustaph delivers a feel-good anthem about epic love.
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10. Jazmine Sullivan & Ne-Yo, “U Get On My Nerves”
Love Me Back » RCA » 2015
Following the intro, where Jazmine asserts the relationship is done, Ne-Yo performs the first verse. Defending his position, he states he didn’t call to talk, he just wants to get his shit: “So, if you didn’t burn it, can I get it back?” But that’s not all, of course. He responds to her harshness, expressing his lack of interest in reuniting: “‘Cause anything I felt for you, been gone / I was done from the time you busted my windows.” Remember busting those windows? After dropping the colorful and tuneful verse, Ne-Yo keeps things, well, tuneful with the chorus. The key lyrics should come as no surprise: “You get on my damn nerves / Damn nerves / Damn nerves / So glad we’re not together now!” Of course, the star of the show, Sullivan, puts in her two cents after trading a few lines with Ne-Yo. “I know why you called, but it won’t work / This ain’t about a watch or a T-shirt,” she asserts, and adds, “I can have your shit Fed-Exed in the mornin’.” Ooh-wee! She goes on to call him out on calling her: “You should never ever have to call me up pretending / ‘Cause, baby, I know you’re pretending!” Reading him for filth! Like Ne-Yo, she recalls her hit, window-busting song, before dropping that potent chorus. Ne-Yo takes the reins at the beginning of the bridge, admitting he still has feelings, with Jazmine echoing the same… By the end, however, both reiterate it’s a bad idea! The vocal chemistry is stellar, with both singers showing off their exceptional instruments. Beyond great singing and memorable songwriting, the musical accompaniment and production are top-notch. Warm piano, bright, colorful synths, and banging drum programming? What more could you ask for? “U Get On My Nerves” is an underrated gem from Sullivan’s stacked Love Me Back album. Pushing two decades later, this duet remains special.
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11. Michael Bolton, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”
Soul Provider » Sony Music Entertainment Inc. » 1989
“How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” thrives because it is a big-time, soulful adult contemporary ballad. Michael Bolton has a hell of a voice, perfectly attuned to balladry. Beyond his prodigious pipes, which shine brightest during the chorus, the musical accompaniment and production are on point (warm, sophisticated keyboards, programming, ripe guitar, robust bass, drums, etc.). This song sounds like the perfect bridge between two eras – the 1980s and 1990s. But back to the voice! It is easy to buy what he sells, considering he sings authentically, dramatically, and expressively. “I’m too proud for cryin’, didn’t come here to break down / It’s just a dream of mine is coming to an end,” he sings, defeated in the second verse, and concludes, “And how can I blame you when I built my world around / The hope that one day we’d be so much more than friends?” That’s deep, Michael. Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, in all its big, illustrious, and overblown glory:
“Tell me, how am I supposed to live without you
Now that I’ve been lovin’ you so long?
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on
When all that I’ve been livin’ for is gone?”
Following the second chorus, fittingly, there’s an exuberant guitar solo (nothing too crazy, though 😉). This prefaces one final pre-chorus and the big one – the big, closing chorus, that is. In the final pre-chorus, Bolton is turned all the way up, showing off his sick upper register. Yes, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” was a hit before Michael Bolton recorded it. But Mr. Bolton, after covering the song he co-wrote, made his version the definitive take.
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12. Edwyn Collins, “A Girl Like You”
Gorgeous George » Edwyn Collins » 1994
“A Girl Like You” slaps. The 1994 alternative pop/rock song features a 1960s-inspired sound. There are vintage, soulful vibes. It’s not Motown, but Motown/soul adjacent. “Girl” is anchored by an electrifying groove. Beyond the groove, colorful keys, warm vibraphone, fuzzy guitar, and a big, fat bass line add to the ear candy. Edwyn Collins delivers an expressive, nuanced, and well-rounded vocal. His tone is delightful, amplified by his charming Scottish accent. The melody is tuneful and hypnotic, while the lyrics are incredibly memorable. “Here you come a-knocking, knocking on my door / And I’ve never met a girl like you before,” he sings in the first verse. In the second, he adds, “You gave me just a taste, so I want more / Now my hands are bleeding, and my knees are raw.” The chorus, excerpted earlier, is the crème de la crème. Beyond those verses and the chorus, there is a pre-chorus (following the second verse), a third verse (“Too many protest singers / Not enough protest songs”), and an outro that is “alright” with Collins and me, too. A bop and a half, “A Girl Like You” is an unforgettable ‘90s classic that I wish I had written and performed. Edwyn Collins ate and left no crumbs whatsoever!
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13. Tammi Terrell, “All I Do Is Think About You”
Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection » Motown / UMG Recordings, Inc. » 2010
Listening to the original version of “All I Do Is Think About You,” it is a shame that it wasn’t released during the 1960s. Tammi Terrell ate and left no crumbs! Her voice is nuanced and powerful, and she sings with incredible sincerity. “You made my soul a burning fire / You’re getting to be my one desire / You’re getting to be all that matters to me,” she sings in the first verse. “And let me tell you, boy! / Think of how exciting it would be,” she sings enthusiastically in the second verse, and adds, “If you should discover you felt like me / If you should discover this dream is for two.” Beyond Terrell’s fabulous lead vocals, the background vocals are excellent, outlining the melody of the chorus, at least how we know it from the Wonder-released version of the song. The vocal arrangement is on point, with the blend of backgrounds and lead being utterly divine. Beyond the vocals, “All I Do Is Think About You” thrives off a great arrangement and production. The sounds are vintage Motown, featuring the rhythm section (including a vibraphone), horns, and strings. I love how the drums pack a mighty punch. Although lesser known, the Tammi Terrell original of “All I Do Is Think About You” is a Motown classic that music lovers should’ve heard much sooner than we did. Tammi did that!
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~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~
13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 6 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 541, Artemas, Columbia, Dirty Hit, Edwyn Collins, GUSTAPHMUSIC BV, HBYCO Records, Motown, N.E.W.S., RCA Records, RYANN, Sasha Keable, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., The Flight Club Records Limited, The Walt Disney Company, UMG Recordings, Inc.; VICO ORTIZO from Pexels; Gordon Johnson, Niek Verlaan, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay] |
![Bleachers, everyone for ten minutes [📷: Dirty Hit] Bleachers, everyone for ten minutes [📷: Dirty Hit]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/bleachers-everyone-for-ten-minutes.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Sasha Keable, ACT II [📷: The Flight Club Records Limited / Sasha Keable] Sasha Keable, ACT II [📷: The Flight Club Records Limited / Sasha Keable]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/sasha-keable-act-ii.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Artemas, time alone w u [📷: Artemas] Artemas, time alone w u [📷: Artemas]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/artemas-time-alone-w-u.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Red Clay Strays, If I Didn't Know You [📷: RCA Records / HBYCO Records] The Red Clay Strays, If I Didn't Know You [📷: RCA Records / HBYCO Records]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/the-red-clay-strays-if-i-didnt-know-you.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Pocahontas (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Photo Credit: Disney] Pocahontas (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Photo Credit: Disney]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/pocahontas-disney.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![RYANN, Now I've Swiped You To The Left [📷: RYANN] RYANN, Now I've Swiped You To The Left [📷: RYANN]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ryann-now-ive-swiped-you-to-the-left.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Joji, Piss In The Wind [📷: Palace Creek / Virgin Music] Joji, Piss In The Wind [📷: Palace Creek / Virgin Music]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/joji-piss-in-the-wind.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Kid LAROI, BEFORE I FORGET [📷: Columbia] The Kid LAROI, BEFORE I FORGET [📷: Columbia]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/the-kid-laroi-before-i-forget.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Gustaph, Look At Us Now [📷: 541/N.E.W.S. / GUSTAPHMUSIC BV] Gustaph, Look At Us Now [📷: 541/N.E.W.S. / GUSTAPHMUSIC BV]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gustaph-look-at-us-now.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Jazmine Sullivan, Love Me Back [📷: J] Jazmine Sullivan, Love Me Back [📷: J]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/jazmine-sullivan-love-me-back-j.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Michael Bolton, Soul Provider [📷: Sony Music Entertainment Inc.] Michael Bolton, Soul Provider [📷: Sony Music Entertainment Inc.]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/michael-bolton-soul-provider.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Edwyn Collins, Gorgeous George [📷: Edwyn Collins] Edwyn Collins, Gorgeous George [📷: Edwyn Collins]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/edwyn-collins-gorgeous-george.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Tammi Terrell, Come On and See Me: The Complete Solo Collection [📷: Motown / UMG Recordings, Inc.] Tammi Terrell, Come On and See Me: The Complete Solo Collection [📷: Motown / UMG Recordings, Inc.]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/tammi-terrell-come-on-and-see-me-the-complete-solo-collection.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)

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