13 Thrilling Songs About Karma | Playlist 🎧

1. Alicia Keys, “Karma”

💿 The Diary of Alicia Keys • 🏷 J • 📅 2003

“‘Cause what goes around, comes around / What goes up, must come down.” Say that 🎙 Alicia Keys – say that! Sure, the 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist had bigger hits off of her blockbuster sophomore album, 💿 The Diary of Alicia Keys (🎵 “You Don’t Know My Name” and 🎵 “If I Ain’t Got You”), but 🎵 “Karma” marked one of the album’s truly elite moments.  Basically, thematically, this dude wronged Alicia, now wants her back, and Keys, rightfully dumps his foolish ass. That’s right – it’s that K-A-R-M-A, bi-otch!

“Weren’t you the one that said that you don’t want me anymore
And how you need your space and give the keys back to your door
…Now you, talkin’ ‘bout a family
Now you, saying I complete your dream.”

Anyways, when The Diary of Alicia Keys arrived in late 2003, the R&B landscape was far different than it is today.  Both contemporary R&B and neo-soul coexisted, and Alicia Keys took advantage.  On “Karma,” the sound is contemporary yet still has one foot in the door of the past.  Keys wrote this karma-laden joint alongside 🎼✍ Kerry “Krucial” Brothers Jr. and 🎼✍ Taneisha Smith (“Krucial” also produces).  The resulting record is one of the best of her illustrious catalog.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Karma: 5ive Songs No. 44 (2021)

2. Cautious Clay, “Karma & Friends”

💿 Deadpan Love • 🏷 Cautious Clay • 📅 2021

“Karma and friends / I’m not so impressed, my love / I know what you’re after / Strawberry Benz,” 🎙 Cautious Clay sings on the chorus of 🎵 “Karma & Friends.”  He continues, “You can’t even expense my love / I know what you’re after.” Definitely intriguing lyrics on this standout from the ascending R&B artist’s debut album, 💿 Deadpan Love.

While karma often has a negative connotation, there is nothing negative about “Karma & Friends” where the quality is concerned.  This well-produced and written number is a product of the skills of Cautious Clay alongside 🎼✍ 🎛 HXNS (Hans Galvez) and 🎼✍ 🎛 Johan Lenox.  The music is gorgeous, thanks to lush strings, and a classy, soulful, throwback R&B sound.  As important as the aforementioned lyrics are, in addition to some great moments on the verses (“You been blushing, but your veins blue / Could really use a toast / With eggs on the side”), plus the stellar production itself, the cherry on top are the Smooth vocals by Clay. He may be unimpressed, but as for us who are listening to him, well, we’re totally feeling this talented artist.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Karma: 5ive Songs No. 44 (2021)

3. Miley Cyrus, “Bad Karma” (Ft. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)

💿 Plastic Hearts • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2020

“They say it’s bad karma when you live a double life.” On her 2020 album, 💿 Plastic Hearts, Grammy-nominated pop artist 🎙 Miley Cyrus gets back on track.  Plastic Hearts is an enjoyable, fun pop album that embraces 80s pop/rock – her best album in years. Among the LP’s most intriguing moments is the unlikely collaboration that goes down on 🎵 “Bad Karma.” Cyrus taps 🎙 Joan Jett & The Blackhearts for the assist!

“They say it’s bad karma being such a heartbreaker / I’ve always picked a giver ‘cause I’ve always been a taker.” Woo!  Ultimately, “Bad Karma” ends up being something of an unexpected success.  Bringing in the “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” singer confirms Cyrus’ embracement of the 80s.  The record is definitely fun, even more so given its ‘salty’ language:

“I don’t give a fuck, I don’t believe in luck
That’s why I do what I wanna do, yeah.”

“Bad Karma” was written by Cyrus alongside 🎼✍ Ilsey Juber.  As far as the production goes, 🎛 Mark Ronson and 🎛 Picard Brothers put in work behind the boards.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Karma: 5ive Songs No. 44 (2021)

4. AJR, “Karma”

💿 Neotheater • 🏷 S-Curve / BMG Rights Management • 📅 2019

“I been so good / I’ve been helpful and friendly /… I’ve been so good / Where the hell is the karma?” Don’t know 🎙 Jack Met, don’t know.  Anyways, 🎙 AJR have their share of fans, as well as their share of skeptics.  Honestly, when it comes to the Met brothers, it just depends on who you ask.  For me, taken in moderation, they can serve up some interesting alternative pop.  Their 2019 album, 💿 Neotheater, had its share of moments, led by 🎵 “100 Bad Days”.  However, we’re not talking about that standout but rather 🎵 “Karma.”

In the context of Neotheater, “Karma” picks up the pace and sounds incredibly optimistic.  That said, the record isn’t optimistic lyrically.  Yeah, if you thought you could escape the plight of the millennial, well, you must’ve forgot that this is an AJR song! Despite the fact that Jack has “Been so good… working [his] ass off,” he goes onto admit, “Still, I’m lonely and stressed out.” He also ask, in tried-and-true AJR-millennial fashion, “So where’s the karma, Doc? I’ve lost my patience.” As expected, Jack, 🎼✍ Adam Met, and 🎼✍ 🎛 Ryan Met pen this karma-seeking joint, with Ryan working behind those boards.

5. Sara Kinsley, “Karma”

🎵 “Karma” • 🏷 Everybody’s Publishing Ltd • 📅 2021

“Your superstition keeps me thinking it was karma…” 🎙 Sara Kinsley shines on her 2021 single, 🎵 “Karma,” which definitely fits this list for obvious reasons.  Anyways, Kinsley delivers easygoing vocals.  Her performance is balanced for the most part, never gets too high or too low.  Towards the end of the record, she pushes a bit more, but still maintains balance, control, and keeps things refined.  Also, making “Karma” a sweet listening experience is its excellent, tastefully constructed production (🎼✍ 🎛 Kinsley is the “do-it-all-gal” on this cut).  Some lovely synths are used that never overpower.  Also, the record is anchored by a relatively light, but effective groove.

Of course, where Sara Kinney’s bread is buttered is her songwriting.  First and foremost, the chorus is catchy and quite memorable:

“Your superstition keeps me thinking it was karma
But I can’t listen, my intuitions says, I want you
You say everything comes back around
It’ll haunt you
But I can’t admit my intuition says I want you
And I want you, I want you.”

Beyond the aforementioned centerpiece, the verses and bridge are well written too.  Besides the karma itself, was does Kingsley focus on? Why, that never-tiring theme of love:

“Is it karma if I end up the fool? Is it karma
I keep coming back to you.”

6. Alec Benjamin, “Outrunning Karma”

💿 Narrated for You • 🏷 Alec Benjamin • 📅 2018

🎵 “Outrunning Karma” appears on 💿 Narrated for You, the debut mixtape by pop singer/songwriter, 🎙 Alec Benjamin.  Benjamin, a grown, twentysomething man, possesses a boyishness and angelic innocence about his voice; it’s quite charming. Amazingly, he was dropped from a major label – seems absolutely and utterly cruel if you ask me.

Anyways, focusing on “Outrunning Karma,” the lyrics are incredibly poetic.

“Outrunning karma
That boy, he’s such a charmer
All the bugs and their larva
Follow him out to Colorado.”

At times, the lyrics also seem open to multiple interpretations.  Alec makes it clear, that ‘you can run, but you can’t hide.’ Of course, he’s referring to K-A-R-M-A. He asserts, “From the church steeple, down to Satan / Karma, there’s really no escape until he dies.” What more can you say but, FACTS!

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Karma: 5ive Songs No. 44 (2021)

7. Queen Naija, “Karma”

💿 Queen Naija – Single • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 📅 2018

“So, you don’t gotta worry ‘bout me / You made it clear that you’re unhappy,” 🎙 Queen Naija sings on the chorus of her 2018 single, 🎵 “Karma.”  The R&B singer continues the chorus of the 💿 Queen Naija – Single, asserting, “Go ahead and have your fun now (fun now) / Just remember what goes around, comes around.” Honestly, she has a point – that’s that karma right there.

“Karma” was written by ‘The Queen’ alongside 🎼✍ 🎛 Jefferson Jean (El Jefe), 🎼✍ 🎛 Rob Grimaldi who also produce.  As the chorus, the centerpiece, suggests, it’s Naija’s ex who’s the source of her anger.  “I held you down for the longest / And I was there through all of your darkest moments,” she sings on the first verse, adding, “Maybe you should take a look in your rear view / ‘Cause obviously you forgot all the times that I held you when you cried…” Damn! It gets worse for the ungrateful SOB, as Naija sings on the second verse, “I remember when you said that you could have somebody better / And I can’t even lie to you it really messed my head up.”  Ugh! At least Queen Naija gets a love lesson out of this shitty situation: “Maybe, maybe, I should’ve loved me first.”

8. MOD SUN, “Karma”

💿 Internet Killed the Radio Star • 🏷 New Hippy / Big Noise Music Group • 📅 2021

“I hope you choke on every lie you said to me / I hope you move out of this city suddenly.” Woo! 🎙 MOD SUN (Derek Smith) isn’t playing around in the least on 🎵 “Karma.”  Dropping a hard-hitting chorus from the onset, he unleashes that karma on this girl.  The simple but highly effective, catchy chorus continues as follows: “I hope you get everything you deserve / Karma’s a bitch, I heard.” Honestly, MOD, that’s what I’ve heard to.

The record is a highlight on MOD SUN’s 2021 album, 💿 Internet Killed the Radio Star.  What a sick, and honestly, accurate assessment if I do say so myself.  “Karma” was penned by Smith alongside 🎼✍ 🎛 John Feldmann and 🎼✍ JP Clark. Feldmann also handles the work behind the boards. As is the case with so many karma songs, Smith is angry, bitter, and honestly, hoping for the worst for his ex.  Essentially, he states his ex, who didn’t appreciate him and felt unhappy with him, is now in a worse situation (“But now you’re stuck inside a world that you hate”).  This record is one that has been written so many times by numerous musicians yet never grows old.

9. Years & Years, “Karma”

💿 Palo Santo • 🏷 Polydor • 📅 2018

“Karma come over / Lean on my shoulder / Tell me what’s good / I’ve been thinkin’ about ya.” Okay… On 🎵 “Karma,” the fourth track from 2018’s 💿 Palo Santo, British synthpop collective🎙 Years & Years recreate the sound of 90s and early 00s pop and R&B perfectly. GRADES definitely helps from the production end of things.   Front man Olly Alexander (now the sole member of Y&Y) impresses with his commanding vocals.

Alexander is particularly on-point when he ascends into his falsetto.  Furthermore, he brings ‘that attitude’ to the track.  It’s best evidenced with a biting line like, “Enemies are tryna catch up / But nothing’s gonna fuck with my love.” Ooh wee!

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Karma: 5ive Songs No. 44 (2021)

10. Lucky Daye, “Karma”

💿 Painted • 🏷 Keep Cool / RCA • 📅 2019

“I got me a new girl, call herself Karma / Told her if I ever got the chance to, I’d come meet her mama.” Really, 🎙 Lucky Daye – are you sure? Clearly, in the hands of David Brown, this is a different karma, at least to some extent: “The curves on her body got me burnin’ through rubbers.” Wow – that’s some electrifying sex…

Of course, you can’t have a song named 🎵 “Karma” (and a funky song at that) and karma itself not getting involved.  The 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B artist knows this all too well on this 🎛 Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II produced standout from his 2019 album, 💿 Painted.  On the pre-chorus, he admits, “Know I better slow it down, I’m going too fast.” On the chorus, as you had to expect, he’s got a ‘Karma’ problem – “She won’t stop coming around.” Of course, as the song evolves, we get more details about the full extent that Karma brings.  It involves plenty of wordplay – and sex.  There’s no shortage of writers in addition to Daye and D’Mile: 🎼✍ Dustin Bowie, 🎼✍ Elgin Lumpkin, 🎼✍ Stephen Garrett, and 🎼✍ Timothy Mosley.

11. Justin Timberlake, “What Goes Around… Comes Around”

💿 FutureSex/LoveSound • 🏷 Zomba • 📅 2006

“Hey girl / Is he everything you wanted in a man?” Hmm, sounds like a familiar scenario, 🎙 Justin Timberlake.  Please, continue, you aughts heartthrob, you: “You know I gave you the world / You had me in the palm of your hand / So why your love went away / I just can’t seem to understand.”  Again, everything JT sings on 🎵 “What Goes Around… Comes Around” echoes similar scenarios throughout 🎧 13 Thrilling Songs About Karma.  Of course, Mr. Timberlake does have one clear advantage over the other musicians on this list; “What Goes Around… Comes Around” reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The success of this karma-fueled single was no surprise.  It’s parent album, 💿 FutureSex/LoveSound, was one of the most successful albums of 2006, with other gargantuan hits to its credit.  Still, this ballad, that finds the soulful Memphis pop singer lamenting over an ending relationship, is quite lovely and memorable.  The lyrics and theme are definitely relatable, as Timberlake regrets even involving himself with her, asserting, “Should’ve known better when you came around / That you were gonna make me cry.” Beyond that and on-point vocals by JT, we get some of the strongest production work of the era with the collaboration between Timberlake, 🎛 Danja (Floyd Nathaniel Hills), and of course, the one and only 🎛 Timbaland.

12. Radiohead, “Karma Police”

💿 OK Computer • 🏷 XL Recordings • 📅 1997

“This is what you’ll get / When you mess with us.” Sigh, no karma playlist is complete without 🎵 “Karma Police,” a gem from 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative rock band, 🎙 Radiohead.  “Karma Police,” of course, appears on the iconic collective’s 1997 masterpiece, 💿 OK Computer.  Written and produced by all members of the band (🎼✍ 🎛 Colin Greenwood, 🎼✍ 🎛 Ed O’Brien, 🎼✍ 🎛 Johnny Greenwood, 🎼✍ 🎛 Philip Selway, and 🎼✍ 🎛 Thom Yorke), 🎛 Nigel Godrich also lends a hand behind the boards.

“Karma Police” is truly ear catching the first time you hear it, whether that’s 1997 when it arrived, or in the present.  The lyrics are incredibly sharp and colorful from the get-go:

“Karma police, arrest this man
Het talks in maths, he buzzes like a fridge
He’s like a detuned radio.”

Yes, yes, YES!  Furthermore, Thom Yorke masterfully performs the creative lyrics.  His tone is superb.  Yorke even provides more oomph during the awesome outro, where he asserts, “For a minute there / I lost myself, I lost myself.” Adding to the sheer sublimeness that is “Karma Police” is the music itself.  The harmonic scheme is intriguing, going beyond the standard progression.  As for the overall timbre. I heart the rhythmic acoustic guitar, keys, and some of the electronics/sound effects incorporated.  #Timeless.

13. Culture Club, “Karma Chameleon”

💿 Colour by Numbers • 🏷 Virgin • 📅 1983

“Karma, karma, karma, karma, karma, karma chameleon / You come and go, you come and go.” Aha! Last but not least, everyone needs a little 🎙 Boy George in their life, right? Right! Another must have on any KARMA list is the 🎙 Culture Club classic, 🎵 “Karma Chameleon”. The hella catchy “Karma Chameleon” appears as the opener on the collective’s 1983 album, 💿 Colour by Numbers.  Safe to say, this gem, produced by 🎛 Steve Levine, exemplifies the 80s.  Also, it provides a lens into the plight of the gay man back in the day.  Boy George tells Rolling Stone, “They [the songs] were written about my relationship with Jon [Moss], and they were also written about being a gay man in the homophobic world.”

“I’m a man without conviction
I’m a man who doesn’t know
How to sell a contradiction
You come and go, you come and go.”

For such a catchy song, the secret relationship between Boy George and Moss, as well as addressing homophobia makes “Karma Chameleon” much deeper.  “Every day is like survival / You’re my lover, not my rival,” Boy George sings on the bridge.  Earlier, on the second verse, and into the second pre-chorus, George speaks on the change that occurred:

“Didn’t hear your wicked words every day
And you used to be so sweet, I heard you say
That my love was an addiction
When we cling, our love is strong.”

Man, oh man, is this 1983 classic still a bop approaching four decades later!