13 Totally Ear Catching WHAT Songs

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13 Totally Ear Catching WHAT Songs features Drake, Gwen Stefani, Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X & Louis Armstrong.

olks, guess WHAT? WHAT it all comes down to is the word… WHAT! That’s right,

13 Totally Ear Catching WHAT Songs is comprised of songs that feature the word WHAT in the title. Notably, this somewhat unimaginative compendium is a sequel to 2020 playlist, also composed of WHAT songs:

A Playlist Comprised of 13 ‘What’ Songs. Are you impressed? Didn’t think so!

Regardless, 13 Totally Ear Catching WHAT Songs features a compelling cast of musicians. This WHAT-tastic affair serves up gems from Drake, Gwen Stefani, Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X, and Louis Armstrong among others. As you can see, we have some pop, country, rap, and jazz (traditional pop). Furthermore, we’ve got some old and some new. So, even if this is a minimal effort playlist, at least there’s some solid musical selections! So, without further ado and any more unnecessary rambling, The Musical Hype presents to you 13 Totally Ear Catching WHAT Songs!

1. Lil Nas X, “That’s What I Want”

Montero • Columbia • 2021

On “That’s What I Want,” Grammy-winning pop artist, Lil Nas X, keeps things short. Also, on the Montero, he opts for a pop/rock sound. What do I mean, exactly? Well, the opening trio from Montero embraces the ‘urban’ sound more while “That’s What I Want” has emo/punk touches, and I’m totally here for it !

What’s on Lil Nas’ mind on “That’s What I Want”? Love and combatting the loneliness he feels. Lil Nas X keeps things black and queer, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! “Need a boy who can cuddle with me all night / Keep me warm, love me long, be my sunlight.” Woo! As always, the best part of the song is the chorus, which is authentic, catchy, and tuneful.

“I want someone to love mе
I need someone who needs me
‘Causе it don’t feel right when it’s late at night
And it’s just me in my dreams
So, I want someone to love
That’s what I fuckin’ want.”

2. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “What’ve I Done to Help”

Reunions • Southeastern • 2020

“What’ve I done to help? / What’ve I done to help? / Somebody save me / What’ve I done to help? / What’ve I done to help? / And not myself?” Reunions, the 2020 studio album by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, kicks off in truly epic fashion with “What’ve I Done to Help.” The six-and-a-half-minute-plus juggernaut features a heaping dose of rhythmic acoustic guitar (electric too), strings, and ample soulfulness from Jason Isbell.

Further contributing to the epic nature of “What’ve I Done to Help” is a simple but incredibly catchy and effective chorus (aforementioned), and strong, personal, and introspective songwriting overall. Notably, Isbell speaks about his past missteps (But I cut anchor and I drifted out to sea / And you found me busted and somehow you trust / I was not what I could be”).

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3. Rihanna, “What’s My Name?” (Ft. Drake)

Loud • The Island Def Jam Music Group • 2011

“Oh na-na, what’s my name? / Oh na-na, what’s my name?” Your name is Rihanna, Rihanna! One of the Grammy winner’s most easily recognizable bops is none other than this question song, “What’s My Name?” ( Loud, 2010). Helping to answer her question is a fellow Grammy winner, Drake. “What’s My Name?” features nice though repetitive production work. Regardless, the beat is potent from start to finish.

Following the simple but infectious chorus by Rihanna, Drake performs the first verse. The gist of his verse? Partying and more importantly, the afterparty, which involves a three-letter word. “The square root of sixty-nine is eight somethin’, right? ‘Cause I’ve been tryna work it out, oh.” We see what you did there Drizzy… With Drake being naughty, Rihanna isn’t any better, honestly. “Not everybody / Knows how to work my body,” she sings on the second verse, adding, “Knows how to make me want it / But boy, you stay up on it.” Hmm, “stay up on it,” huh? She goes on to sing, “Hey boy I really wanna see if you / Can go downtown with a girl like me…” Woo! The sexual innuendo is ripe AF on “What’s My Name?” and there’s no other way to describe it!

Appears in :

15 Compelling Name Songs

4. The Doobie Brothers, “What a Fool Believes”

Minute by Minute • Warner • 1978

“But what a fool believes, he sees / No wise man has the power to reason away.” One of the more soulful pop groups you’ll encounter in music history are The Doobie Brothers. These dudes can just flat out ‘sang.’ Of course, one of the key pieces of is none other than Michael McDonald, who many of us still can’t believe he’s white, haha. Why? Because the man is soul-a-fied to the nth degree, particularly handling those lead vocals on the song at hand, “What a Fool Believes.” “What a Fool Believes” ranks among the most popular songs by the collective, hailing from their 1978 classic, Minute by Minute. Worth noting, Doobie Brothers won the highly coveted Grammy for Record of the Year, rightfully for this masterpiece.

“What a Fool Believes” is epic for a host of the reasons. As aforementioned, when Michael McDonald is your lead vocalist, nothing else need to be said. Add in incredibly vocal harmonies from the rest of the group, and heaven just might be a Doobie Brothers song – being honest! Beyond the vocals, add the production work ( Ted Templeton), which is quite compelling. It’s a fine combination of soft rock and blue-eyed soul with the keys, guitar, bass, and drums. Of course, the final piece of the puzzle is songwriting (McDonald and Kenny Loggins). The verses are sweet, capturing the tale of these two lovers. The pre-chorus is incredibly tuneful, as McDonald asserts, “She had a place in his life / He never made her think twice…” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, excerpted at the top and continued in all its glory below:

“… What seems to be

Is always better than nothing

Than nothing at all.”

Appears in :

5. Kacey Musgraves, “What Doesn’t Kill Me”

star-crossed • UMG Recordings, Inc. / MCA Nashville • 2021

On her fourth studio album, Star-crossed, Grammy-winning country musician Kacey Musgraves tackles the d-word. No, not damn, you swearers! Divorce, of course. Musgraves reminisces on good and bad times and ultimately, finds the strength to soldier on. Star-crossed is her least country LP to date yet also feels true to who she is. Enough about the album, how about the WHAT song at hand, “What Doesn’t Kill Me”.

“What Doesn’t Kill Me” is short for, what doesn’t kill me (you) makes me (you) stronger. Even as Kacey states, “ Golden Hour faded black” and “You’re gonna feel me /… Better run,” she doesn’t do so ‘assertively.’ Musgraves maintains her usual, chilled-out persona – tripped-out yet firmly ‘woke’ to overcoming divorce. Worth noting, musically, “What Doesn’t Kill Me” has a bit more oomph compared to much of Star-crossed.

6. Thomas Rhett, “What’s Your Country Song”

Country Again (Side A) • Big Machine • 2021

“Did you grow up on a tractor? / Did your daddy let you drive? / Are you whiskey bent and hell bound?” While the answers to the questions that Thomas Rhett asks are a NO on my end, people who are from ‘the country’ most likely will answer, yes. “What’s Your Country Song” keeps things relatively simple, but it’s also quite enjoyable, even if you’re not a country boy/gal.

Like the two songs preceding it on Country Again (Side A), “Your Country Song” retains a more traditional country sound – in a contemporary country sort of way. The production is heavy on guitar, certainly checking off a country box. Like the excerpt from the first verse, Rhett asks about country experiences throughout to others who have similar experiences. Given that, he concludes, everyone with such experiences has their own country song, captured perfectly on the chorus.

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7. Drake, “What’s Next”

Scary Hours 2 • OVO • 2021

Drake commences his three-song single, Scary Hours 2, with a surefire bang. “What’s Next” definitely “kicks ass and takes names,” haha. The record features banging production work courtesy of Maneesh and Supah Mario. The backdrop fuels the fire for Drake, who spits with incredible agility and confidence. Honestly, his flow is on-point, and he goes the hardest I’ve heard from him in years.

Two sections stand out on “What’s Next.” The refrain first appears at the top of the record, in all its glory: “I sit in a box where the owners do / A boss is a role that I’ve grown into.” As awesome as the refrain is, the chorus is absolutely electrifying:

“Well, summer, all I did was rest, okay?

And New Year’s, all I did was stretch, okay?

And Valentine’s Day, I had sex, okay?

We’ll see what’s ‘bout to happen next

Okay? Okay? Okay?”

Appears in :

Awesome Songs: March 2021

8. Shawn Mendes, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (Ft. Camila Cabello)

Handwritten • Island • 2015

On the most recent editions of Handwritten, the debut album by Canadian heartthrob Shawn Mendes, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” appears as the closing song. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is an infectious, playful minor-key teen-pop joint. While Mendes hadn’t yet reached the level of maturity shown on his sophomore album Illuminate, one hears the potential of what’s to come loud and clear.

Besides an appearance from just one pop standout, we get two. Worth noting, this cute little tune features pre-solo-career Camila Cabello. Like her future boyfriend, Cabello also provided a successful preview of ‘what was to come.’ The chemistry between the two on this summery tune is strong.

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9. The Boxer Rebellion, “What the Fuck”

Ghost Alive • Absentee Recordings • 2018

Nathan Nicholson, who is American, serves as the frontman of UK alternative/indie band, The Boxer Rebellion. The Boxer Rebellion opened their 2018 album, Ghost Alive, with a bang. That bang, my friends, is entitled “What the Fuck.”

The most eyebrow-raising lyrics of this gorgeously penned and produced ballad occur on the chorus:

“So, what the fuck, who do you

Think you are to talk to me, to look the way you do?

So, what the fuck, who do you

Think you are to talk to me, to look the way you do?”

For those hoping Nicholson would sing more f-bombs, you’ll be disappointed. The verses are more poetic, refined, and reflective. “Outside the world the distance looking down from the moon,” Nicholson thoughtfully sings on the first verse, continuing, “Accept the gifts you’ve been given and accept it ends too soon.” On the second verse, he seems to take the high road: “I always found it better if I looked you in the eye / Even if you didn’t notice, even if you wouldn’t try.” Ultimately, this common, profane phrase makes for a bold, powerful question, and of course, a terrific song.

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10. Gwen Stefani, “What You Waiting For?”

Love. Angel. Music. Baby. • Interscope • 2004

“What an amazing time / What a family / How did the years go by? / Now it’s only me.” Woo! In 2004, Grammy-winning alternative and pop artist Gwen Stefani started her solo career off with a surefire bang. The energetic, playful single, “What You Waiting For?” proved to be the start of one the biggest and best pop albums of the 2000s, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. “What You Waiting For?” sets the tone with Stefani’s bright, distinct voice, colorful production work ( Nellee Hooper), and fun, intriguing lyrics (co-written with Linda Perry).

“Naturally, I’m worried if I do it alone

Who really cares’ ‘Cause it’s your life

You never know, it could be great

Take a chance ‘cause you might grow

Oh, oh-oh.”

“What You Waiting For?” is novel and tongue-in-cheek – sort of goes with Gwen Stefani’s artistry. Even being novel, Stefani explores legitimate subject matter. She explores her solo career, questioning if she’ll be successful or crash and burn. She sings as both optimistic and pessimist, which is super cool! “Your moment will run out of your sex chromosome / I know it’s so messed up how our society all thinks / Life is short, you’re capable.” With the clock ticking (literally on the song) she asserts, “Take a chance, you stupid ho!” Ultimately, it all leads to the titular lyric, “What you waiting, what you waiting / What you waiting for?”

11. Jonas Brothers, “What a Man Gotta Do”

“What a Man Gotta Do” • Republic • 2020

Jonas Brothers ( Nick, Joe, and Kevin) remained on track in 2020 with their infectious 2020 B-O-P, “What a Man Gotta Do”. “What a Man Gotta Do” commences with intense, rhythmic guitar, setting the assertive tone of record. This is a nice lead-in and accompanying backdrop for Nick’s commanding lead vocals. On both verses, he gives us a nice blend of chest vocals, as well as a dash of falsetto. Joe gets his vocal opportunities on the chorus, the centerpiece, best described as incredibly catchy and chocked-full of attitude and energy.

As “What a Man Gotta Do” progresses, it only grows more soulful. When both Nick and Joe sing together it’s sweet. Of course, they owe plenty of love to their co-writers ( Dave Stewart, Jess Agombar, and Ryan Tedder), as well as producers (Stewart and Tedder) for conceiving such a fun, energetic, and irresistible piece of pop music. Hate on the bros if you want, but you won’t be able to get “What a Man Gotta Do” unstuck out of your head.

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12. Marvin Gaye, “What’s Going On”

What’s Going On • Motown • 1971

“Mother, mother / There’s too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother / There’s far too many of you dying.” Rolling Stone updated their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2020. Who and what album topped the list? That would be soul icon Marvin Gaye and his most important album, the timeless What’s Going On. The entire album is socially conscious, sounding pitch-perfect at the time it was released in 1971. The thing is, given the turbulence of 2020, Gaye’s album remains quite relevant and timeless, particularly the key record, “What’s Going On.”

“What’s Going On” is perfection realized – period. I dare you to find a flaw that inhibits this ‘going’ number from being among the all-time greatest classics. The production and sound of the record are gorgeous and stunning. Gaye’s vocals are a superb combination of buttery smooth and gritty – definitely ‘once in a lifetime.’ As great as the sound and the vocal performance are, the lyrics that Gaye sings, steeped in social consciousness, are what caps off the sheer brilliance of this record.

“Picket lines (Sister) and picket signs (Sister)

Don’t punish me (Sister) with brutality (Sister)

Talk to me (Sister), so you can see (Sister)

Oh, what’s going on (What’s going on)

What’s going on (What’s going on)

Yeah, what’s going on (What’s going ono)

Oh, what’s going on.”

Appears in :

11 Go, Going, Gone, Gonna Songs

13. Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World”

What a Wonderful World • UMG Recordings, Inc. • 1968

“I see trees of green, red roses too / I see them bloom for me and you / And I think to myself / What wonderful world.” ICONIC! Some of the most iconic lyrics EVER! Hands down “What a Wonderful World” is one of the greatest songs ever written. As a musician with a music composition degree, I wish I’d written this song. Of course, I wasn’t alive in 1968, so, there’s that.

Anyways, beloved jazz legend Louis Armstrong made this George David Weiss and Bob Thiele-penned number a timeless, unforgettable classic. A hopeful, uplifting song, the smooth “What a Wonderful World” plays the same role it did back in the 60s – assuaging pain as much as a recording itself can do. Armstrong’s distinct vocals are perfectly suited to capture the moving, poetic lyrics. Only select songs are perfect, but “What a Wonderful World” is surely one of them.

“The colors of the rainbow

So pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces

Of people going by

I see friends shaking hands, saying, ‘How do you do?’

They’re really saying, ‘I love you’.”

Appears in :

Wonderful: 5ive Songs No. 68 (2021)

13 Totally Ear Catching WHAT Songs [: Absentee Recordings, Big Machine, Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Interscope, Island, The Island Def Jam Music Group, MCA Nashville, Motown, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay, Republic, Southeastern, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner]

13 Totally Ear Catching WHAT Songs | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on February 10, 2022February 10, 2022