13 V Songs: No Rhyme or Reason | Playlist 🎧

1. Migos, “Vaccine”

💿 Culture III • 🏷 Quality Control Music • 📅 2021

🎛 Jabz and 🎛 Buddah Bless set up 🎙 Migos for success on 🎵 “Vaccine.” How so? Well, one of the best features of the song is the sample, which is totally unlikely: Peter Tchaikovsky.  That’s right, the Russian composer sees the famed riff from The Nutcracker, Act 1: No. 2 “March” flipped from major to minor to fit this drippy gem from 💿Culture III.

Honestly, “Vaccine” is Migos at their best.  It begins with a killer chorus courtesy of the chorus king himself, 🎙 Quavo: “Pop out (Skrrt-skrrt), what’s up? / We makin’ money in quarantine (quarantine) / Dirty my stick and my whip clean (whip clean) / It’s the blue Benjamin’s, vaccine (Vaccine).” From there, all three members, beginning with Quavo, 🎙 Takeoff, and 🎙 Offset drop verses, with the Quavo chorus following each.  Do any of them say anything particularly deep? No, but they ride the Tchaikovsky loop with the robust bass line like champs! Ultimately, “We makin’ money in quarantine,” or so Quavo proclaims regarding his 🏆 Grammy-nominated group.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 V: 5ive Songs No. 49 (2021)

2. Lana Del Rey, “Venice Bitch”

💿 Norman Fucking Rockwell! • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2019

🏆 Grammy-nominated alternative pop singer/songwriter 🎙 Lana Del Rey delivered her best music to date on her sixth studio album, 💿 Norman Fucking Rockwell! The V-song, 🎵 “Venice Bitch”, ranks among the crème de la crème of NFR!. “Venice Bitch” clocks in at nearly 10 minutes!  Despite being exhaustive, there’s lots to like. Del Rey and the musicians opt for an organic sound that doesn’t aim at being commercial. Del Rey spoils us with her vocal tone. Reverb does her voice wonders, adding more robustness. The accompaniment is lovely, with the guitars embracing a folksy sound idiomatic of alt-pop.

The chorus is also pro (“Oh God, miss you on the lips / It’s me, your little Venice bitch…”). There’s also a noteworthy post-chorus, including the lyrics, “Nothing gold can stay / You write, I tour, we make it work / You’re beautiful and I’m insane / We’re American-made.” The bridge is a selling point, specifically how the intensity picks up by adding drums and elevating the dynamic level. Furthermore, you must admire the old-school, throwback quality, which would have easily felt at home in the 60s given its psychedelia cues and vibe.  

Also appears on 🔽:

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🔗 🎧 V: 5ive Songs No. 49 (2021)

3. OutKast, “Happy Valentine’s Day”

💿 Speakerboxxx / The Love Below • 🏷 Arista • 📅 2003

“My name is Cupid Valentino, the modern-day Cupid / And I just want to say one thing.” The eccentric, quirky 🎵 “Happy Valentine’s Day” appears on the Grammy-winning double album by 🎙 OutKast, 💿 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (The Love Below is 🎙 André 3000’s disc).  The best way to describe “Happy Valentine’s Day” is that it’s truly scrumptious – quite a musical treat.

André 3000 continues to do André 3000, and that’s nothing short of a blessing.  The personality is at an all-time high, as 3000 imparts the tale of Cupid on the verses (“Now when the arrows don’t penetrate, see (Cupid grabs the pistol)”). Besides incredible fun lyrics and plenty of attitude, the production is funky as hell, featuring an inescapable, feel-good beat.  But let’s revisit the lyrics once more, specifically the chorus, performed by 🎙 Joi, 🎙 Screechy Peach, and of course, André 3000.

“Ya won’t believe in me
But you would fancy leprechauns or groundhogs
No, thank you, Easter Bunny
There’s all this talk about Santa Clause, but see
Love will rule supreme.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 11 Awesome Valentine Songs for Every Day of the Year

4. Sufjan Stevens, “Video Game”

💿 The Ascension • 🏷 Asthmatic Kitty • 📅 2020

“I don’t wanna be the center of the universe / I don’t wanna be part of that shame,” 🎙 Sufjan Stevens asserts on the first verse of his song, 🎵 “Video Game.” He adds, “In a way, wanna be my own redeemer / I don’t wanna play your video game.” As is common in a Sufjan Stevens song, he makes numerous spiritual references.  While this highlight from 💿 The Ascension isn’t religious, it’s intriguing how he weaves it into the theme.

So, what exactly is Sufjan getting at? Essentially, on this sleek, electro-fueled alternative cut, Mr. Stevens has no intention to play that clout, fame game.  Also, a once faith-driven artist (tested particularly on his 2015 tour de force, 💿 Carrie & Lowell), Stevens seeks to preserve some semblance of faith and not let his celebrity and the expectations of being a musician destroy him. “I don’t wanna be a puppet in a theater,” he asserts on the second verse. Later, it’s, “I don’t wanna put the devil on a pedestal / I don’t wanna put the saints in chains / I just wanna make my life a little easier.”  As he cites the fact, he doesn’t want to be Julius Caesar and ultimately suffer his demise from within, he also knows “In a way, you gotta follow the procedure.”  Ultimately, “Video Game” is jam-packed and a lot to unpack.  A surefire gem from The Ascension.

5. Lil Baby & Lil Durk, “Voice of the Heroes”

💿 The Voice of the Heroes • 🏷 Quality Control Music • 📅 2021

“Just keep on bein’ the voice, I’ll be the hero / and everything I got is a profit, started with zero.” Two of the hottest rappers of the 2020s joined forces.  That’s right, 🎙 Lil Baby and Lil Durk topped the Billboard 200 with their 2021 collaborative album, 💿 The Voice of the Heroes. Of course, what better way to commence the album than with the title track, 🎵 “Voice of the Heroes.” “Voice of the Heroes” is produced by 🎛 TouchofTrent and 🎛 Haze, who certainly fuel Baby and Durks’ fire.   

Out the gate, Lil Durk brings it strong with his agile, melodic flow.  On the first verse, he’s very honest about life, whether it’s missing his kids, seeing an uncle die, or seeing hs “Brother stack his bricks up and it look like Tetris.” Following the verse, Durk goes on to give us the heroic chorus, which highlights the titular lyric.  Next, Lil Baby drops his own slaughter fest, with his ever-distinct tone and compelling flow. Like Durk, he keeps things real, dropping the gem, “I showed all my niggas in the trenches it’s a better life / Never get too big for me to listen, I’ll take your advice.” A shorter Durk verse, followed by a shorter Lil Baby verse occurs before the chorus returns.  “Voice of the Heroes” is both a fine opening cut, as well as a totally, worthwhile single.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 V: 5ive Songs No. 49 (2021)

6. GIVĒON, “Vanish”

💿 When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2021

🎙 GIVĒON (Giveon Evans) marks one of R&B’s brightest stars.  His baritone vocals are gorgeous – buttery smooth and incredibly nuanced.  It’s not surprising his 2020 EP, 💿 Take Time, was nominated for a Grammy.  Reissued in 2021 as 💿 When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time, the extra songs only sweetened the deal.  One of the best songs that appears on both versions is 🎵 “Vanish.”

“You said, you hate me, and you wish I would vanish
Okay, you love me, baby, I speak your language.”

“Vanish” is idiomatic of a more alternative brand of contemporary R&B.  How so? Well, the record opts against the traditional verse/chorus form.  Instead, there is pre-chorus (occurs twice), chorus (occurs thrice), a bridge (a variant of the pre-chorus), and outro sections.  Also, there’s intentional use of instrumental music that stretches a potentially shorter record to three-and-a-half-minutes overall.  Form aside, GIVĒON focuses on matters of the heart.  He’s getting mixed messages from this girl who sometimes wants him and other times, as aforementioned, wants him to vanish.  Of course, he admits he’s made mistakes too, and they both need to work together to make the relationship work.  

7. Panic! At the Disco, “Victorious”

💿 Death of a Bachelor • 🏷 Fueled By Ramen • 📅 2016

“Tonight, we are victorious / Champagne pouring over us / All my friends were glorious / Tonight we are victorious.” 🎵 “Victorious” serves as a fierce opener from 💿 Death of a Bachelor, the 🏆 Grammy-nominated, fifth studio album by 🎙 Panic! At the Disco. 🎙 Brendon Urie serves up a heavy dosage of left-of-center lyrics, robust vocals, and epic production work.

“Victorious” is both quirky to the nth degree and incredibly spirited.

“Oh, we gotta turn up the crazy
Livin’ like a washed-up celebrity
Shooting fireworks like it’s the Fourth of July
Until we feel alright
Until we feel alright.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 10 Songs That Exhibit Spirit

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🔗 🎧 V: 5ive Songs No. 49 (2021)

8. Björk, “Virus”

💿 Biophilia • 🏷 Nonesuch • 📅 2011

It’s total bullshit that Icelandic musician 🎙 Björk has never won a Grammy.  With a discography filled with compelling, high quality, and unique albums, one of her best is 💿 Biophilia, released in 2011. The concept album is a heady but rewarding listen.  One of the best yet most accessible cuts is 🎵 “Virus.” 

“Like a virus needs a body / As soft tissue fees on blood.”  Well, that’s, um, scientific there Björk.  She delivers pure, expressive vocals, continuing to sound true to self like the one-of-a-kind musician she is.  The lyrics, as excerpted, are ‘out of the box’ and creative to the nth degree (again, scientific). “The perfect match, you and me / I adapt, contagious,” she sings on the first chorus, adding, “You open up, say welcome.” Besides the unique lyrics and vocals, enigmatic, picturesque production makes “Virus” intriguing.  Also, harmonic contrasts, background vocals, and modulation eliminate predictability.  Of course, are Björk songs ever predictable?

9. Bruno Mars, “Versace on the Floor”

💿 24K Magic • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2016

“So, baby, let’s just turn down the lights / And close the door / Ooh, I love that dress / But you won’t need it anymore / No you won’t need it no more / Let’s just kiss ‘til we’re naked, baby.” 🎙 Bruno Mars delivers a sensational ballad with 🎵 “Versace on the Floor”, a top-tier number from his 🏆 Grammy-winning third album, 💿 24K Magic.  Here, Mars fully embraces the 80s.

He delivers beautiful vocals, arguably some of the best of his career.

“Versace on the floor
Ooh, take it off for me, for me, for me, for me now, girl.”

In the context of 24K Magic, “Versace on the Floor” is another song that centers around sex. Even so, Mars incorporates legit emotions. Another key feature is a modulation aka key change, common in 80s R&B. The key change allows Mars to further soar vocally on this fabulous V-song.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 11 Songs All About the Floor

🔗 🎧 V: 5ive Songs No. 49 (2021)

10. Lana Del Rey, “Video Games”

💿 Born to Die • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2012

“It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you / Everything I do / I tell you all the time.” Cutting straight to the chase, 🎵 “Video Games” marked the beginnings of the brilliant, 🏆 Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, 🎙 Lana Del Rey.  “Video Games” hails from 💿 Born to Die, an album that highlighted her immense potential (she’s since become a much more mature artist).  Here, Del Rey imparts a tale and unsurprisingly, L-O-V-E comes into play.

“Swingin’ in the backyard, pull up in your fast car / Whistlin’ my name,” she sings on the opening lines of the first verse.  Clearly, the flirty-ness is going to lead to more. She goes on to reference the video game, though more importantly, sex (“Take that body downtown”).  Video games are mentioned throughout, fittingly, but ultimately, Del Rey uses them metaphorically/symbolically. If you were expecting her to get specific about the games her boyfriend plays, well, you’ll be disappointed. With the games, there’s a personal tie, and, the games represent the state of the relationship too. Lots to unpack for sure on this utterly sublime, early Lana Del Rey joint.

11. Moses Sumney, “Virile”

💿 græ • 🏷 Jagjaguwar • 📅 2020

“Cheers to the patriarchs / And the marble arch / Playin’ the part / The gatekeeper’s march.” On the clever and creative 🎵 “Virile,” a standout from the 2020 double album, 💿 Græ, 🎙 Moses Sumney explores the topic of virility. While masculinity is implied in music often, it’s not always explicitly or even poetically explored. Sumney seems to argue against society’s penchant for ‘one dimensional,’ predictable masculinity – certain societal norms if you will.

The chorus of “Virile” represents one of the best moments on this colorful blend of pop, rock, and alternative soul.  Here, Sumney sings:

“Desperate for passing grades
The virility fades
You’ve got the wrong guy
You wanna slip right in
Amp up the masculine
You’ve got the wrong idea, son.”

“Virile” provides justified skepticism over an archaic societal norm.  Sumney isn’t really cheering “The boys / And the Noise / Playin’ the part / The gatekeeper’s march” but rather, criticizing it.  People – men specifically – shouldn’t have to sweat whether they live up to society’s definition of masculinity.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Masculinity: 3BOPS No. 36 (2021)

12. India.Arie, “Video”

💿 Acoustic Soul • 🏷 Motown • 📅 2001

“I’m not the average girl from your video / And I ain’t built like a supermodel.” Preach 🎙 India.Arie, preach!  We #Stan girl! On 🎵 “Video,” a highlight from Arie’s 2001 debut album, 💿 Acoustic Soul, she is all about empowerment, positivity, and self-love.  “Video” is a prime example of a song that exemplifies those ‘good vibes only.’ She continues the chorus, singing, “But I learned to love myself unconditionally / Because I am a queen.”

The advice that India.Arie gives on “Video” may be aimed at women, but honestly, even men, the less ‘openly vulnerable’ sex, could learn something from Arie.  “When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me,” she sings on the second verse, “Every freckle on my face is where it’s supposed to be / And I know my creator didn’t make no mistakes with me.” Honestly, when I hear that line, it makes me, as an admittedly self-conscious male, embrace that prudence Arie masterfully imparts.  Two decades after its release, this chill but meaningful contemporary soul cut remains potent.

13. Mariah Carey, “Vanishing”

💿 Mariah Carey • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 1990

“If I could recapture all of the memories / And bring them to life, surely I would.” Phew – there is something about a 🎙 Mariah Carey ballad that just hits different.  Carey is one of the greatest and most gifted singers of all time, period.  Her debut album, 💿 Mariah Carey, introduced the world to a surefire superstar – an undisputed musical icon.  Yes, 🎵 “Vision of Love” is ‘that song’ from Mariah Carey.  🎵 “Love Takes Time” follows as the runner up.  That said, I’d argue 🎵 “Vanishing” is one of those unsung gems of Carey’s illustrious career.

“Vanishing” is simple in conception: this is a piano ballad.  Even so, it’s rich and nuanced finding Carey flaunting her masterful instrument.  She has a glorious melody to work with, which she does wonders with.  Furthermore, the background vocals only sweeten the deal, amplifying the lead ultimately.  Of course, second only to Mariah herself, the songwriting – those lyrics – make “Vanishing” the gem that it is.  The chorus is sweet (“You’re vanishing / Drifting away”) but it is the verses that have the most substance, such as the second:

“I was so enraptured
No sensibility
To open my eyes
I misunderstood...”

Good stuff, Mariah Carey; good stuff.