[nextpage title=”Intro” ]

Black Veil Brides, Blackbear, Chris Brown, and Jon Bellion are among the musicians appearing on the ‘13 Songs Worth Waking Up For’ playlist.

All of the songs on 13 Songs Worth Waking Up For are associated with some form of the word wake. In most cases, the word is featured in the song title.  That said, going against the grain of many playlists, the central word doesn’t necessarily have to be featured in the title. There is a notable example that fits the exception. Also, all songs selected on this list were released no later than 2012.  That means the likes of Green Day (“Wake Me Up When September Ends”), Maroon 5 (“Wake Up Call”), and Wham! (“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”) miss the cut. Among artists appearing on this playlist are Black Veil Brides, Blackbear, Chris Brown, and Jon Bellion.  

---

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”1-3″ ]

1. Black Veil Brides, “Wake Up”

Writers: Andy Biersack, Calum Hood, Jake Pitts, Jeremy Ferguson, John Feldmann, Matt Pauling, Michael Clifford & Zakk Cervini « Producer: John Feldmann

Vale • Republic • 2018 

“Standing on the stage

Bleeding out our youth

Create a holy war

And sell it back to you.”

“Wake Up” is among the highlights from Vale, the comeback album by Black Veil Brides. Fists remain pumped to the skies as Black Veil Brides are determined to make the world open their eyes. The resolve is a selling point.

---

2. Lil Xan, “Wake Up”

Writers: Diego Leonas, Dilip Vankatesh & Miguel Curtidor « Producer: Danny Wolf

TOTAL XANARCHY • Columbia • 2018 

“Ay, I f*cked the game up.” Lil Xan keeps it brief on “Wake Up”, a single from his debut album, TOTAL XANARCHY.  The brevity is a blessing because this record contains no substance whatsoever.  There is no nutritional value – no fiber, no protein, and vitamins.  What does bode well in the favor of Lil Xan is an utterly dumb hook that easily gets stuck in one’s head: “Ay, I wake up, I throw up, I feel like I’m dead.”

---

3. Blackbear, “Hell is where I dreamt of u and woke up alone”

Writer: Matthew Tyler Musto « Producer: blackbear

Digital Druglord • Interscope • 2017 

Blackbear opened his 2017 album, Digital Druglord, with a bang.  “Hell is where I dreamt of u and woke up alone” begins with a reference to drugs:

“My nose is burning

Too much cocaine…

‘Cause I just railed down enough lines tonight

To spell your first and last name.”

Drugs may fuel the fire for blackbear, but ultimately, he’s depressed because he “Dreamt of you / And woke up alone.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”4-5″ ]

4. The Chainsmokers, “Wake Up Alone”

Ft. Jhené Aiko

Writers: Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren & Scott Harris « Producer: Jordan “DJ Swivel” Young & The Chainsmokers

Memories…Do Not Open • Columbia • 2017

The Chainsmokers’ debut album, Memories…Do Not Open, was different – we’ll leave it at that.  Regardless, Jhené Aiko perfectly meshes with the duo’s vibe on “Wake Up Alone.” As usual, she doesn’t need to break a sweat to produce heat.

“Will you still care in the morning?
When the magic’s gone, gone, oh?
And will you be there in the morning?
Do you stay when it all goes?
Or will I wake up alone?

Wake up alone

Wake up alone.”

---

5. Chris Young, “Woke Up Like This”

Writers: Chris Young, Corey Crowder & Josh Hoge

Losing Sleep • RCA • 2017

Losing Sleep isn’t a flashy album by country artist Chris Young.  Arguably, Young isn’t a flashy artist. That considered, Losing Sleep is a consistent album. Likewise, the record at hand, “Woke Up Like This,” is consistent.  No, it’s not groundbreaking or transcendent, but ultimately, Young is charming as he sings about waking up beside his girl.

“Yeah, I can’t help but love, this view, I can’t get enough
Of looking at you with that sleepy little smile on your face
Girl, you got away
With a touch, you can get to me
This morning is like a dream
Maybe the only think better than all night long with you is
That we woke up like this.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”6-8″ ]

6. Machine Gun Kelly, “Wake + Bake”

Writers: Colson Baker, Edgar “JV” Etienne & Harmony David Samuels « Producers: Edgar “JV” Etienne & Harmony “H-Money” Samuels

Bloom • Interscope • 2017

Machine Gun Kelly is plum unapologetic on “Wake + Bake,” period.  The sophomore cut on bloom, the only substance within the record itself is weed. Otherwise, it’s devoid of depth.

“Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Brush your teeth and light the J up
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up.”

---

7. Playboi Carti, “wokeuplikethis*”

Ft. Lil Uzi Vert

Writers: Jordan Carter, Jordan Jenks & Symere Woods « Producer: Pierre Bourne

Playboi Carti • Interscope • 2017

“I’m a rock star.” Technically not Lil Uzi Vert – you’re a rap star – but we won’t go there.  On this banger, Playboi Carti, assisted by the rock star, basically brag about being the shit. Honestly, the repetitive hook by Playboi Carti sums it up well.

“Woke up to n*ggas talking like me, talk

Woke up to n*ggas sounding like me talk…”

If you do venture farther, Carti’s confidence – rather cockiness – is never-ending.

“I done fell in love with a thottie, f*ck

She just wanna f*ck me for my clout, f*ck.”

Really? Lil Uzi Vert also references sex, as well as smoking and drinking that dirty sprite.

---

8. WALK THE MOON, “Sound of Awakening”

Writers: Eli Maiman, Kevin Ray, Nicholas Petricca & Sean Waugaman

What if Nothing • RCA • 2017

“The sound of awakening
The virgin yawn of folded wings that cracks the crust of the cocoon
The breaking of first light inside the womb.”

Okay… “Sound of Awakening” ends up being the longest song off of WALK THE MOON’s 2017 album, What If Nothing. Perhaps it’s NOT for everybody, but “Sound of Awakening” is the most experimental, progressive number within the album. Six-minutes-plus of awakening is always a challenge, but there’s definitely something special here, transcendent beyond the vocal effects.

“The sound of awakening
The exoskeleton thickening
Do you feel the floodgates opening
To the sound of awakening
As whispers in the heart disclose the rumors of the truth
When the mind has all but hidden it from view.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”9-10″ ]

9. Zak Abel, “Awakening”

Writers: Tim Woodcock & Zak Abel « Producer: Sky Adams

Only When We’re Naked • Atlantic • 2017

“It’s been a very, very long time
But I feel it now, my awakening
It’s been a mighty mighty long time
But I’m here without, pain and suffering.”

More folks need to be talking about Zak Abel.  The English musician released a terrific debut album with Only When We’re Naked.  “Awakening” was part of that underrated effort.  It commences abruptly, with vocals and piano.  Soon after, strings enter, followed by horns, then backing vocals. The overall effect is a build-up.  A tropical-oriented pop identity becomes established. This awakening is definitely chocked-full of energy.

“I’m feeling your love
It’s coming back to me…
With the bitterness scoffed
And the devil back to sleep
I’m coming back to me…”

---

10. Childish Gambino, “Redbone”

Writers: Donald Glover, Garry Cooper, George Clinton, Jr., Ludwig Goransson & William Earl Collins « Producers: Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson

“Awaken, My Love!” • Glassnote • 2016

“Redbone” must be prefaced with the following: Going against the grain of many playlists, the central word [wake, etc.] doesn’t necessarily have to be featured in the title. There is a notable example that fits the exception. That notable example is the Grammy-winning, soulful Childish Gambino record. No worries, “woke” appears on the chorus, which is saturated with soulfulness.

“But stay woke

N*ggas creepin’

They gon’ find you

Gon’ catch you sleeping

Now stay woke

N*ggas creepin’

Now don’t you close your eyes.”

Glover’s vocals are gritty and drenched in effects. With redbone, he’s referencing a “light skinned female mixed with black and another race.” According to Childish Gambino, he and numerous black dudes desire a redbone.

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”11-13″ ]

11. Jon Bellion, “Woke the Fuck Up”

Writers: Jon Bellion, Mark Williams, Mylon Hayde & Rob Knox « Producers: Jon Bellion & Rob Knox

The Human Condition • Capitol • 2016

“Last night I woke the f*ck up

I realized I need you here, as desperate as that sounds”

Apparently, Jon Bellion “Woke the F*ck Up” in regards to his feelings about this girl.  To explain it slightly less explicitly, he had an epiphany of sorts. He’s clearly infatuated and done with the empty hook-ups, etc.

“Take your clothes and rip ‘em, rip ‘em off

Call these hos and tip ‘em, tip ‘em off

You can tell them you are mine

I’m sick of, sick of games

No more time, you lit the, lit the flame.”

---

12. Avicii, “Wake Me Up”

Writers: Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins Iii, Michael Aaron Einziger & Tim Bergling « Producer: Tim Bergling (Aviici)

True • Interscope • 2013

“So, wake me up when it’s all over

When I’m wiser and I’m older

All this time I was finding myself

And I didn’t know I was lost.”

Not much needs to be said about this 2013. Simply put, Avicii, behind the boards, and Aloe Blacc, lending his soulful pipes, make a formidable team.  Both musicians are definitely WOKE.

---

13. Chris Brown, “Don’t Wake Me Up”

Writers: Alain Whyte, Alessandro Benassi, Brian Kennedy, Chris Brown, Jean Baptiste, Marco Benassi, Michael McHenry, Nick Mash, Priscilla Hamilton, Ryan Buendia & William Orbit « Producers: Alle Benassi, Brian Kennedy, Free School, Marco Benassi & William Orbit

Fortune • RCA • 2012

Different than most of the artists on this list, Chris Brown doesn’t want to be awakened.  Perhaps it’s because he’s already woke. Or maybe, it’s because his having some vocal issues.  It sure sounds like it on the exuberant, autotune-drenched “Don’t Wake Me Up,” particularly the chorus.

“Too much light in this window, don’t wake me up

Only coffee, no sugar inside my cup

If I wake and you’re here still, give me a kiss

I wasn’t finished dreaming about your lips.”

---

[/nextpage]