13 Utterly Compelling Shoulder Songs | Playlist 🎧

1. Busta Rhymes, “Look Over Your Shoulder”

Ft. Kendrick Lamar

💿 Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God • 🏷 The Conglomerate Entertainment, Inc. / EMPIRE • 🗓 2020

“Just look over your shoulder, honey” is one of the most beloved and famous lines that a young 🎙 Michael Jackson sung on “I’ll Be There”. It serves as the foundation for the badass 🎵 “Look Over Your Shoulder,” a standout from the 🎙 Busta Rhymes comeback album, 💿 Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God. FYI, E.L.E.2 marks the first album from Rhymes in 11 years.

“Look Over Your Shoulder” brings in a brilliant featured guest, 🎙 Kendrick Lamar. If E.L.E.2 was truly beginning to feel too long, “Look Over Your Shoulder” brings back some of the oomph.  Kendrick Lamar, who has been out of the spotlight for a couple of years now himself, brings the heat and sets the tone – well – after MJ of course! Basically, it’s straight up bars of sheer excellence.  After the sampled Jackson chorus, Busta Rhymes gets into the act, bringing his own fire.  A prime example of Busta Bust at his best?

“I was sleep, now the god’s up, hmm
Upholding the fundamentals, while most of you boast a rental
Focus on what's most essential, spit bars to provoke your mental
Do I have your entendimiento?
While I clap these raps like thunders
Look over your shoulder, boy, and wonder (Woo).”

“Woo” indeed!

2. Ofenbach & Quarterhead, “Head Shoulders Knees & Toes”

Ft. Norma Jean Martine

🎵 “Head Shoulders Knees & Toes” • 🏷 SpinninRecords.com • 🗓 2020

“I feel it in my head, my shoulders, knees, and toes / My bones / Your music gets me through the highs and lows…” Say that 🎙 Norma Jean Martine – say that! Martine is the featured voice on 🎵 “Head Shoulders Knees & Toes,” a single that arrives courtesy two duos: Parisian duo 🎙 Ofenbach (🎙 Dorian Lo and 🎙 César de Rummel) and German duo, 🎙 Quarterhead.

Ofenbach and Quarterhead, the ‘lead artists’ definitely ‘put in work’ from a production standpoint. The groove is potent AF, the expectation of a dance joint, of course! With mean, energetic production work behind her, Norma Jean Martine is definitely on autopilot.  She delivers assertive, cutting vocals. Her tone is perfectly matched for this bop.  She has a great melody to work with, while the chorus is utterly infectious.

3. Ryland James, “Shoulder to Cry On”

💿 Ryland James • 🏷 21 Entertainment Group / Universal Music Canada • 🗓 2020

“It’s clear that I’m falling / And you know I want this / No, I don’t wanna be your friend.” Canadian pop singer 🎙 Ryland James doesn’t like the role that he is in.  No, I’m not referring to being a handsome, talented musician – he’s killing that.  Rather, I’m referring to being the lover to someone he’s totally falling for.  That ‘love thing’ is something else, let me tell you!

On 🎵 “Shoulder to Cry On,” from his 2020 💿 self-titled project, James has accurately assessed he’s nothing more than “Just a shoulder to cry on.” His prospect knows that Ryland want’s a commitment, as the aforementioned pre-chorus lyrics suggests, but basically, as confirmed by the chorus, it’s a no-go.

“You tell me it’s love, you won’t let him go
You play with my heart and it’s growing cold
See, I’m just a shoulder to cry on
I’m just a shoulder to cry on, yeah.”

Throughout the course of the record, Ryland James absolutely sings his face off – you totally believe what he sings. Furthermore, he’s assisted by excellent production by 🎙 Jon Levine.  The pummeling drums and the biting synths (keyboards) are epic.

4. Young Dro, “Shoulder Lean”

Ft. T.I.

💿 Best Thang Smokin’ • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2006

“Let me see you bounce right to left and let your SHOULDER lean / Let your shoulder lean, just let your shoulder lean, just let your shoulder lean.” Some musicians only muster up one big hit in their careers (and some have none as well).  🎙 Young Dro definitely qualifies in this category.  In 2006, the southern rapper had a big-time hit with 🎵 “Shoulder Lean,” which appears on 💿 Best Thang Smokin’. Dro gets a big time assist from 🎙 T.I., who was one of the biggest rappers that year – 💿 King ranked among the year’s best, NO CAP!

Why was “Shoulder Lean” so successful? Well, going back to the dominance of T.I. himself, southern rap had a great year.  The sound appealed to the mainstream, opening the door for a lesser known rapper to carve out success. “Shoulder Lean” checks off all of the boxes of an aughts southern rap hit. Dro is cocky and confident, keyed-in on drip and sex.  Furthermore, the production is hard-hitting, intact with a sick beat and synths, set in a minor key.  Of course, it’s T.I. that gets the best part of the song, the chorus, excerpted at the top.

5. Ed Patrick, “Shoulder”

🎵 You in My Life [Single] • 🏷 Brading • 🗓 2020

“(But) when you’re sleeping on my shoulder dancing in a dream / It feels like getting older / Ain’t as scary as it seemed.” Those thoughtful lyrics arrive courtesy of English singer/songwriter, Ed Patrick on his single, 🎵 “Shoulder.” “Shoulder” is an absolutely gorgeous record that has a hypnotic quality about it; a must-hear.

“Shoulder” features guitar accompaniment initially. As the record progresses, there’s the addition of piano, yet, things remain subtle. Patrick never gets too bothered when it comes to his vocal performance.  He’s chill, restrained, and subtle, all positives ultimately.  Furthermore, his authenticity and sincerity truly make this record what it is, utterly sublime.  Worth noting, “Shoulder” picks picks up more steam within its final minute, but never percolates into anything overwrought or overdone. It maintains its easygoing, chill, hypnotic vibe, which is #winning.

“When you’re sleeping on my shoulder Dancing in a dream
It feels like getting older
With you is what I need.”

6. Rod Wave, “Chip on my Shoulder”

💿 Ghetto Gospel • 🏷 Alamo • 🗓 2019

“Remember, I was a small child, we would play / That was way before the drama I endured, and the pain.” Those potent lyrics commence the sole verse of 🎵 “Chip on My Shoulder,” which appears as the penultimate cut on 💿 Ghetto Gospel, the 2019 debut studio album by Floridian rapper/singer 🎙 Rod Wave. Clocking in at just under two minutes, Wave keeps things short but quite sweet.

Rod Wave is backed by chill production, led by guitar accompaniment (keyboard is added later). Prior to those aforementioned lyrics, before fully getting into his performance, we get some nice hums, certainly establishing a V-I-B-E. Here, it’s all about singing as opposed to rapping. Wave is honest about his life and situation, with those opening lyrics prefacing the storms he shares with us and reflects on. Perhaps the best section of the record is the chorus which is catchy and highlights the titular lyric.

“Mama told me when it rains, it be pourin’
Mama told me it would rain, but it’s stormin’
I got this chip on my shoulder forever.”

7. Quality Control, “Shoulder”

Ft. Dayytona Fox & YRN Lingo

💿 Quality Control: Control the Streets Volume 2 • 🏷 Quality Control Music • 🗓 2019

“She tried to get up, but I bent that bitch over / Causin’ trouble in these streets, swervin’ a Rover…” 🎵 “Shoulder” appears deep on the track list of 💿 Quality Control: Control the Streets Volume 2 – track 31 to be precise. Much like the 🎙 Rod Wave track that precedes, this shoulder record ‘shoulders’ little length – under two minutes in duration.

Rappers 🎙 Dayytona Fox and 🎙 YRN Lingo hold the reins on this track.  They are bolstered by sleek, bright production work by 🎙 Ayolump.  Essentially, they deliver cocky, agile, and mostly melodic rhymes bars. Neither serves up much substance as sex dominates. Prime example: “She give me top in my lap, now that’s a laptop.” If nothing else, “Shoulder” is quite a vibe – NO CAP.

8. Levi Matthan, “Shoulders”

💿 The Color in Your Face [EP] • 🏷 Levi Matthan • 🗓 2019

“Your sweet skin and bones / Holding your soul and reflecting all that they have known.” How absolutely gorgeous are those lyrics? The lyrics hail from the first verse of 🎵 “Shoulders,” a four-minute record appears as the fifth and final track on 💿 The Color in Your Face [EP], the 2019 EP by Midwest indie-pop artist, 🎙 Levi Matthan.

Throughout “Shoulders,” we get incredibly expressive, nuanced vocals by Levi Matthan. He sounds incredibly authentic and fully invested as he sings. The lyrics are quite poetic and thoughtfully penned, particularly moments like, “Rosy refraction, complexion in the light that they show / Dancing from freckle to freckle to freckle.” Of course, the chorus marks one of the key moments:

“I don’t know where my head is at
I don’t know how my heart reacts
I don’t know how I should act
Oh, when I’m with you
I guess I'm okay with that.”

As awesome as the lyrics are, not to mention Matthan’s voice, the music itself is quite alluring. Matthan is supported by marvelous production work that matches the colorful nature of his voice.  Musically, he things remain compelling throughout, with groove and rhythmic changes keeping things fresh.  This is definitely a SHOULDER song to get behind. 

9. Big Thief, “Shoulders”

💿 Two Hands • 🏷 4AD Ltd. • 🗓 2019

“So, touch my skin and / Tell me where you’ve been / You showed me how / To keep myself from burning out.” 🎙 Big Thief is a critically acclaimed indie rock band led by Adrianne Lenker. The band’s 2019 album, 💿 Two Hands, received critical acclaim. That’s where the song of most interest on this list, 🎵 “Shoulders,” hails from in all it’s glory. The record runs three-and-a-quarter minutes in length, appearing on the second half the album. Produced by Andrew Sarlo, the sound is pretty sweet. Notably, the tone of the guitar is quite gritty, cutting right through the production.

As for Adrianne Lenker, she initially sings in an undertone. Her vocals sound as if they are mixed behind the robust guitars (intentionally). No worries, as her vocals grow more aggressive and assertive as “Shoulders” progresses. Even when she’s more restrained, she manages to be impactful, ‘packing a punch.’ The lyrics definitely shine throughout – the chorus in particular:

“They found you in the morning
The blood was on your shoulders
They found you at the corner
Your head was doubled over
And the blood of the man
Who’s killing our mother with his hands
Is in me, it’s in me, in my veins
It’s in me, it’s in me, in my veins.”

10. Quadeca, “The Man on My Left Shoulder”

💿 Voice Memos • 🏷 Quadeca • 🗓 2019

“Used to give a fuck / That was just an old phase / You and me were close, now you further than the old days.” There it is! There’s also a jab at 🎙 Coldplay – “They like, ‘Lemme fix you,’ I don’t fuck with Coldplay, ay.” 🎵 “The Man on My Left Shoulder” appears as the fifth track on 💿 Voice Memos, the 2019 album by rapper and YouTube personality, 🎙 Quadeca.  Quite the juggernaut, “The Man on My Left Shoulder” approaches six minutes in duration when it’s all said and done.  The record is divided into two parts, with production shifts to match each.

Part I commences with a reflective, sung intro, accompanied by a vibraphone patch before the aforementioned pre-chorus kicks in, with more traditional hip-hop production.  By the melodic chorus, featuring the titular lyric, the production is more epic, full-fledged, anchored with a tight beat.

“I been talking to the man sitting on my left shoulder
He said everything just gets worse when you’re older
I just pulled up to the function, can’t even function
No nothing, I don’t know nothing.”

Beyond the chorus sections, there are two verses that find Quadeca on autopilot.  Between the two verses, there’s a production contrast, even prior to the second part, signaling the second verse.  The traditional production returns for the pre-chorus and chorus preceding Part II. Speaking of Part II, the tempo is noticeably slower, and Quadeca changes his tone to be much more reflective.  Interestingly, where Part I is laced with instances of profanity (“I checked the big picture, now that shit is getting cropped / Yeah I’ve been feeling what I want is something less / Feel like a sellout that ain’t made a fucking cent”), the third verse, included in Part II, is much cleaner.

“I hope my first impression wasn’t the last
I hope there’s plenty more, I hope this isn’t the last
But if it is, do me a favor and make sure that it last
It lasts forever...”

So, after it’s all said and done, who the hell is this man on his left shoulder? He never specifies, but he’s definitely negative to the nth degree.  Likely, ‘the man’ in this case is The Devil or some form of The Devil. 

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 13 Songs About ‘The Man,’ Whoever He May Be

11. Adele, “Cold Shoulder”

💿 19 • 🏷 XL • 🗓 2008

“You grace me with your cold shoulder / Whenever you look at me, I wish I was her.” I think we all know a little something about a cold shoulder, 🎙 Adele, sigh (more than enough to be honest).  When one revisits the debut LP by the 🏆 Grammy award winner, two songs typically come to mind: 🎵 “Chasing Pavements” and 🎵 “Hometown Glory”.  That said, our shoulder song at hand, 🎵 “Cold Shoulder,” is definitely another bop from the gifted singer.

“Cold Shoulder” stands out first and foremost thanks to the vocals of Adele – she’s an absolute gift. Typically, we hear her serenading us with balladry.  That’s not what goes down on this lushly produced 🎙 Mark Ronson record (those strings, that driving, rhythmic groove!).  Adele has some tempo behind her, while still delivering glorious, high-flying, soulful pipes. Adding to the allure of course is this narrative where her ex is totally ignoring her, and she hates it.  A prime example occurs on the second verse as she sings, “These days when I see you / You make it look like I’m see-through.”  Perhaps the most interesting section of the song from a musical standpoint is the bridge – quite ear catching.

12. Paul Anka, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”

💿 Put Your Head on My Shoulder: The Very Best of Paul Anka • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2000

No need to beat around the bush. 🎵 “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” is a gorgeous classic by 🎙 Paul Anka.  It’s a record that reminds you of both the simplicity and beauty of the music of the past.  This is a song that is completely inoffensive lyrically – totally unobjectionable. Love is the modus operandi; a far cry from so much of contemporary music which prioritizes sex.

Paul Anka delivers expressive vocals. His tone of voice and the nuance with which he performs is nothing short of sublime.  The production and sound of the record is also impressive. Sure, production has evolved becoming much more complex since Anka recorded this gem but the music is beautiful and uncluttered – it just feels right. Lovely guitar, drums, and smooth backing vocals accentuate Anka’s commanding lead.

13. JAY-Z, “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”

💿 The Black Album • 🏷 Roc Nation • 🗓 2003

“You’re now tuned into the mu’fuckin’ greatest!” HYFR, 🎙 JAY-Z! There’s no SHOULDER playlist that’s complete in my opinion sans 🎵 “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” period.  It’s one of the best songs off of Hov’s 2003 album, 💿 The Black Album, which ranks at the top of his discography.  Furthermore, “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” marks one of the very best songs of his career too.

What makes “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” the gem that it is? First and foremost, JAY-Z is on-point.  As the intro lyrics suggests, he drops some of his most confident, potent rhymes ever. There is nothing more electrifying than the chorus, which has proven to be timeless – transcendent beyond the aughts:

“If you feeling like a pimp
Nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy, baby, don’t forget that boy told you
Get that dirt off your shoulder.”

Besides some great lyrical punches – “But, like, 52 cards went out, I’m through dealin’ / Now 52 bars come out, now you feel ‘em / Now 52 cars roll out, remove ceilin’ / In case 52 broads come out, now you chillin’” – JAY is anointed by the production work of one of the best to ever do it, Timbaland.  Looking over Tim’s many productions, “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” definitely ranks among his best – ELITE! Why? The rhythms, the beat, the synths – it’s just celestial and a perfect fit for Hov. Everything about this SHOULDER joint feels right!