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Thoughtful playlist “13 Thinking and Thought-Driven Songs” features songs courtesy of Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, and Kanye West among others.

“Today I seriously thought about killing you / I contemplated, premeditated murder.” Sigh, the dangers of the wandering mind – particularly one with psychotic thoughts.  The central theme of this playlist is thinking and thought-oriented songs.  Each of these 13 tunes gives the listener something to ponder on – some good and some bad (as aforementioned).  Artists appearing on “13 Thinking and Thought-Driven Songs” include Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, and Kanye West among others.

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1. Kanye West, “I Thought About Killing You”

Ye • Def Jam • 2018

The ever-polarizing Kanye West commences his brief, 2018 album, Ye, with a bang. The bang is the rather off-putting, bluntly-titled “I Thought About Killing You.” This is creepy, particularly if you’ve read about the mindset of psychopaths and serial killers – not suggesting that West falls in that category, of course. Still, during the spoken word portion, one has to wonder what West is thinking.  Is he really exploring premeditated murder or does this tie in with his bipolar disorder?  The most sensible answer is he’s referencing his mental health.  He goes on to rap one big verse, incorporating ample wordplay, referencing how others describe and view him, as well as how he views himself.  It’s odd, but certainly interesting, if for no other reason than attempting to get into his headspace.

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2. Jessie J, “Think About That”

R.O.S.E. • Republic • 2018

“All you disturb is my work and my patience / Years of grindin’, you took it, you broke it and all ‘cause you fake it.” “Think About That,” the second song off of R.O.S.E. (Realisations),  features gorgeous production work by DJ Camper. What makes it shine is the lush piano and a mix of old-school, soulful drums and more modern, hip-hop oriented programming. Set in a minor key, J’s realisations are ‘angry’ as she sings of her disillusionment with the music business.

“You just laughed when I cried

Think about that

Who lives the real sacrifice?

Think about that.”

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3. Muse, “Thought Contagion”

Thought Contagion – Single • Warner Bros. • 2018

“Strung out falling from the big time / Welcome to the infinite black skies / Brain cleansed fractured identity / Fragments and scattered debris.” Matthew Bellamy and Grammy-winning alt-rock collective Muse returned in 2018 with the  thrilling “Thought Contagion”. The title of the record is brilliant – the spread of harmful ideas, practices, or thoughts… The excerpt from the first verse serves as evidence that Bellamy delivers some clever words and ideas.  The chorus isn’t much, however, post-second verse, there’s a bit more ‘meat’ leading into the chorus, via a pre-chorus. Also notable, the music is dramatic. Bellamy is firmly invested into what he’s singing, amplified by piano, pummeling drums, and by backing vocals. The final iteration of the pre-chorus, is more guitar-driven, showing contrast and musical progression. Muse brings some serious heat – understatement.

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4. Loote, “Longer Than I Thought”

Ft. Joe Jonas

Longer Than I Thought – Single • Island • 2018

“I think I saw you on the subway / Riding my way home from work / Probably got yourself a new boyfriend / Honestly, I can’t be sure.” The members of rising NYC duo Loote (Emma Lov and Jackson Foote) are not dating – at least that’s what their Facebook music page asserts.  Glad we got that out of the way! Anyways, moving onto the song at hand, Loote enlists Jo-Bro Joe Jonas for their fun, ‘exes-struggling-to-move-on’ themed, “Longer Than I Thought”. Perhaps the theme is cliché, yet, it never seems to get old.  Loote and Joe Jonas make a great team (Joe and Emma split vocal duties, while Foote co-produces). This is a solid pop record that’s well-produced, well-performed, and conveys the aforementioned, cliché message in entertaining fashion.

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5. Kelly Clarkson, “I Don’t Think About You”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

“Weighing down on me / I lost my sanity / And now that we are through, nothin’ left to lose / No, no, no, I don’t think about you.” Prior to its release as a single, “I Don’t Think About You” was one of the highlights when Meaning of Life originally arrived. As a single, it is truly ‘a match made in heaven’ for Kelly Clarkson. Why? It’s a ballad, and ballads allow for her to show the totality of her prodigious instrument. On “I Don’t Think About You,” she flaunts her incredible range and overall vocal dexterity.  The high notes are among the highest she’s ever recorded. The song itself is also memorable, benefitting from the topic of love. The centerpiece is the chorus, previously excerpted.  

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6. Dvsn, “Think About Me”

Morning After • OVO / Warner Bros. • 2017

Canadian R&B duo dvsn (Daniel Daley and Nineteen85) shines on “Think About Me”, a single from their sophomore LP, Morning After. The record is relaxed, lush, and sensual to the core.  Lyrically, depth isn’t the M.O. as both verses are simplistic featuring very few words.  On the first verse Daley sings, “Don’t think that we / Could ever be friends again / ‘Cause our history / Seems like it never ends.” It’s relatable, but cliché.  On the second verse, there’s slightly ‘bigger’ vocabulary, rhyming platonic and ironic. Where the verses are legato, the pre-chorus and chorus are more verbose, embracing hip-hop.  The chorus, like the verses, just lays it out there, with no frills, but honesty. All in all, the exes-dominated “Think About Me” is enjoyable, and effective, despite lacking depth.  Vocally, it’s a strong, worthwhile performance.

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7. DJ Khaled, “Wild Thoughts”

Ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller

Grateful • Epic • 2017

DJ Khaled constructed a surefire hit with “Wild Thoughts”, enlisting the help of Rihanna and Bryson Tiller. The first thing that stands out about “Wild Thoughts” are the Latin vibes.  A certain, late-90s classic is sampled – “Maria, Maria,” courtesy of Santana.  Instantly it gives “Wild Thoughts” a major lift. Rihanna is on autopilot from the jump, sexed up, enticing her man with her naughtiness. She confirms her “wild thoughts” on the repetitive, but irresistibly delicious chorus.  She continues throwing mad innuendo on the second verse. Bryson Tiller, who sings the third verse, kicks the explicitness up a notch.  The recipe is a great one: awesome production, superstar cast, and of course, sex.

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8. Spoon, “Hot Thoughts”

Hot Thoughts • Matador • 2017

Hot Thoughts kicks off spiritedly with standout, “Hot Thoughts”. Interestingly, the title track possesses a danceable quality, despite the fact that Spoon isn’t a pop band.  Even given its pop sensibilities, the record rocks hard enough to please fans and rock enthusiasts alike.  Both musically and lyrically it’s incredibly enticing.  While Britt Daniel and company partake of innuendo, they never cross the line.  About a romantic interest, given the cited city, the assumption is she’s Japanese.

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9. Dua Lipa, “Thinking ‘Bout You”

Dua Lipa • Warner Bros. • 2017

English pop artist Dua Lipa impressed on her 2017 self-titled debut album. Most of the attention from her commercially underrated debut is directed towards “New Rules” and “IDGAF” (rightfully so).  There are other great moments, however, such as “Thinking ‘Bout You.” “Thinking ‘Bout You” reminisces back to the contemporary R&B sound of the 90s and early 00s. Oh the nostalgic vibes! You can totally envision Toni Braxton singing this one. Dua Lipa definitely has a husky voice with a similar tone and qualities.

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10. Rick Ross, “I Think She Like Me”

Ft. Ty Dolla $ign

Rather You Than Me • Epic • 2017

“I once got no allowance, now I got the crown / I said I was ‘The Boss,’ nobody made a sound.” “I Think She Like Me” represents Rick Ross in his element.  The single is certainly a highlight from Ross’ somewhat underrated 2017 album, Rather You Than Me.  Opening with a soul sample courtesy of The Stylistics (“People Make the World Go Round”), the lush production work is fuel for his lyrical fire.  He enlists the services of a saturated, but ultimately effective Ty Dolla $ign on the hook.

“Uh, I think she like me

Oh, I think she like me

I know her n***a don’t like me

With your bitch right now, yeah, I might be.”

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11. Future, “Thought It Was a Drought”

DS2 • Epic • 2015

“I just f*cked your b*tch in some Gucci flip flops /I just had some b*tches and I made ‘em lip lock / I just took a piss and I seen codeine coming out / We got purple Actavis, I thought it was a drought.” Sigh, Future gave the world a perfect song about lean, a combination of cough medicine, soft drinks, and hard, fruit-flavored candy. As catchy as “Thought it Was a Drought” is, it’s incredibly irresponsible – understatement. That said, so is DS2 as a whole. Oh, and did we mention the fact that he also references Xanax on this unapologetic album opener?

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12.Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”

x (Multiply)• Atlantic • 2014

Amazingly, Ed Sheeran would be nominated for numerous Grammys before finally becoming victorious. He came up short on his sophomore album x (Multiply), which was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album as well as the prestigious Album of the Year.  The following year would be his time, with “Thinking Out Loud” earning him his first two awards for Best Pop Solo Performance and more prestigiously, Song of the Year. Notably, the soulful, well-written pop record seems ‘inspired’ harmonically by a famous Marvin Gaye number, “Let’s Get It On.” Addressing the elephant in the room given the previous statement, “Thinking Out Loud” is starkly different from the Gaye number, particularly compared to “Blurred Lines” versus “Got to Give It Up.” Furthermore, Sheeran focuses on true, romantic love as opposed to the sexually-charged Gaye classic.

“So honey, now, take me into your loving arms / Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars / Place your head on my beating heart, I’m thinking out loud / And maybe we found love right where we are.”

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13. Frank Ocean, “Thinkin Bout U”

Channel Orange • Def Jam • 2012

“Yes of course I remember, how could I forget how you feel? / You know you were my first time, a new feel…” “Thinkin Bout You” is a song written about being in love for the first time. For Frank Ocean, his first time experience occurred with a guy. Ocean came out as bisexual during the run of his 2012 debut album, Channel Orange. An incredibly successful, critically-acclaimed album, one of the reasons for its success was single, “Thinkin Bout You.” Interestingly, there’s only one subtle LGBTQ reference:

“My eyes don’t shed tears, but boy, they pour when… I’m thinkin’ ‘bout you…do you think about me still?”

Without the backstory and the aforementioned quote, “Thinkin Bout You” plays out like any other song about first loves or sexual awakening.

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Photo Credits: Atlantic, Def Jam, Epic, GOOD, Island, Matador, OVO Sound, Pixabay, Republic, Warner Bros.

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