14 Songs That Are Definitely Diamonds | Playlist

1. Sam Smith, “Diamonds”

Love Goes • Capitol • 2020

Academy Award and Grammy-winning musician Sam Smith returned in 2020 with their third studio album, Love Goes.  Among the best songs from Love Goes was “Diamonds”. The listener is blessed with lovely vocals by Smith.  They’re supported by sleek production work courtesy of Shellback and Oscar Görres. Matters of the heart dominate as Sam’s ex- was more about material things where they favored the relationship.  Even with lost love, “Diamonds” is spirited, not downtrodden. Beginning with the first chorus, we’re treated to a danceable groove.  On the second verse, we get more melodic variations, eliminating predictability. Where musicianship is concerned, I like how Smith begins singing in an undertone on the bridge, before rebuilding the intensity heading into the final chorus.

The chorus is quite catchy; it instantly gets stuck in your head:

“My diamonds leave with you
You’re never gonna hear my heart break
Never gonna move in dark ways
Baby, you’re cruel
My diamonds leave with you
Material love won’t fool me
When you’re not here, I can’t breathe
Think I always knew
My diamonds leave with you.”

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2.Megan Thee Stallion & Normani, “Diamonds”

Birds of Prey: The Album • Atlantic • 2020

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend / …Southern girl like me, I ain’t afraid to catch a case/ VV’s on me and I flooded out the face.” In 2020, Megan Thee Stallion and Normani joined forces on “Diamonds”,  the promo single from the soundtrack, Birds of Prey: The Album. “Diamonds” is filled with mad energy and attitude. Louis Bell and MD$ provide the ladies with a sick backdrop – in a minor key, hard-nosed, and tough. The beat anchors things down, while the synths are ripe, particularly the low, brassy one. Post-instrumental intro, Normani commences “Diamonds,” with the aforementioned chanted chorus.

Megan follows up with surefire toughness on the over the course of two verses.  True to the script, she’s a “Super she-ro, bitch, don’t try me, ho / Bad like a villain, I pop it and then I reload.” On the second verse, she also keeps it 100 as she spits, “Come through with my girls, then beat your ass on ladies’ night.” Woo! “Diamonds” is an energetic and feisty cut with its fair share of moments. 

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3. Charli XCX, “pink diamond”

how I’m feeling now • Warner UK • 2020

“pink diamond” is the first indication that how i’m feeling now – the ‘quarantine’ album by Charli XCX – is quite a trip. The ‘raw’ nature of the LP begins here. The synths are wild – totally in your face.  Furthermore, when there is a groove, it’s also quite aggressive and feels like it’s going to pummel the shit out of you.

At the same time Charli actually isn’t turned up to the same overt degree as her backdrop, yet manages to capture the same emotion – weird, but true.  Here, her lines are fast-paced, rhythmic, and chanted/pop-rapped.  If it does nothing else, “pink diamond” sets the tone.

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4. Shivum Sharma, “Diamond”

“Diamond” • Shivum Sharma • 2020

“When you see the ground again / My Diamond in the sky,” Shivum Sharma sings radiantly on “Diamond,” a must-hear, 2020 single from the southeast London artist.  He continues, “Well, will you be found again / Blessed is your goodbye.” Oh, the poetry of the chorus, and that’s a mere excerpt! Of “Diamond,” Sharma tells Daniel Megarry of Gay Times, “Diamond is a tribute to the soft golden 70s soul I’ve grown up with.”

“Diamond” was written and produced by Sharma and Alex Burey.  The backdrop is dreamy and lush, a perfect match for Sharma’s expressive, nuanced voice.  The effect is one that’s soulful, yet in a sweet, ‘crooner’ sort of way.  Sharma sounds particularly potent in his upper register – stunning (and sexy) to say the least.  In addition to the aforementioned excerpts from the chorus, the second verse is pretty sweet:

“He said, ‘Boy, you see my videos?’
‘Or we can leave our feelings at the door’
So, taken at the given cost
He gives me everything I need and more.”

In his feature in Gay Times, Sharma adds, “Although it’s a sad song, it carries a lot of sun with it.” Indeed Shivum – it’s definitely a diamond!

5. Father John Misty, “Disappointing Diamonds are the Rarest of Them All”

God’s Favorite Customer •  Sub Pop •  2018

Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) keeps things short on  “Disappointing Diamonds are the Rarest of Them All”, the seventh track from  God’s Favorite Customer.  Despite the brevity, the production is alluring, including instrumentation including piano, guitars, bass, drums, and saxophone.  Vocally, Tillman serves up a liberal amount of falsetto, which is compelling if uncharacteristic.

The lyrics exemplify typical, clever Father John Misty through and through. “Like a carcass left out in the heat / This love is bursting out of me.” Goodness gracious.  The centerpiece is the chorus, where the titular lyric comes into play.  “Disappointing diamonds are the rarest of them all / And a love that lasts forever really can’t be that special…” Yup, God’s Favorite Customer.  This particular record also appeared on the playlist

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6. Rihanna, “Diamonds”

Unapologetic • Def Jam •  2012

“At first sight I felt energy of sun rays / I saw the life inside your eyes…” Wow… that’s so beautiful! Despite being named Unapologetic, not every song from the 2012 Rihanna album can be classified as being ‘unapologetic.’  Case in point, the precious gem “Diamonds,” which finds the Grammy-winner asserting on the intro and outro, “Shine bright like a diamond, Shine bright like a diamond.”

In the context of Unapologetic, the Barbadian pop/R&B singer contrasts the overt “Phresh Out the Runway” that precedes with the tame yet potent no. 1 hit. “Diamonds” features excellent production work, as well as sound vocal production. The chorus is simply marvelous:

“So, shine bright tonight, you and I
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky
Eye to eye, so alive
We’re beautiful like diamonds in the sky...” 

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7. Young Thug, “Diamonds”

So Much Fun • 300 Entertainment • 2019

“Diamonds come up to her throat / I ain’t never fuck, I’m the Pope…” Okay – this is gonna be So Much Fun! Of course, So Much Fun is 2019 album by Grammy-nominated, idiosyncratic, melodic trap rapper, Young Thug.  He enlists fellow melodic rapper, Gunna, for the assist on the opener, “Diamonds.”   Pi’erre Bourne stitches up the track.

Expectedly, “Diamonds” isn’t um, the most profound joint ever recorded, but it’s heavy on confidence, drip, drugs and sex. “Every day she tell me I’m the G.O.A.T.,” Thugga asserts, continuing, “She’d never lie to the G.O.A.T.” As for Gunna, well, “Adderall (‘Rall), mary jane keepin’ me geeked.” Woo!

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8. benny blanco, “More/Diamond Ring”

Ft. Ty Dolla $ign & 6LACK

Friends Keep Secrets • Friends Keep Secrets / Interscope •  2018

Near end of 2018, producer and songwriter benny blanco released a seven-song, 21-minute album entitled Friends Keep Secrets.  The project is a star-studded affair, featuring a variety of collaborations. Blanco gives us the perfect song for this diamond-driven affair, “More / Diamond Ring,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and 6LACK. “More/Diamond Ring” commences with a moody intro, set in a minor key and establishing the vibe of the record.

Jesse Rutherford (of The Neighbourhood) the sings the chorus, featuring some heavily processed vocals.

“You are all I need but sometimes, baby, I need more than that, mhm
Need more, mhm, said
You were all I ever wanted but sometimes I just want more
Give me more, more, it's more, I want you.”

Following the unique refrain, Ty Dolla $ign blesses the track with his signature robust, distinct pipes. Naturally, he’s a perfect match for this record.  6LACK enters the picture on the switch-up (“Diamond Ring”) with his own one-of-a-kind vocals getting to work.

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9. Lil Yachty, “Lil Diamond Boy”

Lil Boat 3.5 • Quality Control Music • 2020

“I’m a lil’ diamond boy, mmm, I be shining boy, ah.” Sure, Lil Yachty, sure.  The brief, melodic “Lil Diamond Boy” (assisted by autotune), commences the rapper’s 2020 LP, Lil Boat 3.5. Give him credit for his confidence, even if there’s nothing the least bit transcendent lyrically.  I mean, unless the likes of “Goddamn, you be grinding, boy / Ballin’ on them niggas, I feel like Zion, boy” is considered transcendent (I do heart the Zion reference though).

Regarding the Jay Versace-helmed production, I’m all in on that robust bass line. It’s not deep but shouldn’t we all believe in ourselves? Of course – we should all be lil’ diamond boys and girls!

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10. Lady Gaga, “Diamond Heart”

Joanne • Interscope • 2016

“Some asshole broke me in / Wrecked all my innocence,” Lady Gaga sings on “Diamond Heart,” continuing, “I’ll just keep go-go’n / And this dance is on you.” “Diamond Heart” commences the Academy- and Grammy Award winning artist’s Joanne in spirited fashion. Interestingly, “Diamond Heart” is written by quite a talented, diverse team in addition to Gaga herself: Mark Ronson and Josh Homme.  Furthermore, Gaga, Ronson and Homme join a production that includes Bloodpop and Jeff Bhasker.  Wow!

A defining feature of “Diamond Heart” is its driving groove. Lady Gaga shows more poise and restraint on the verses, while still being incredibly potent.  That said, by the chorus, her level of passion and dynamics are amplified.  Simply put, Gaga sings her face off.  This powerful opener from Joanne is definitely a diamond!

“Young, wild, American
C’mon baby, do you have a girlfriend?
Rain on me a million
I’m not flawless, but I got a diamond heart.”

11. Dirty Heads, “Diamonds & Pearls”

SWIM TEAM • Five Seven Music •  2017

“It’s a wonderful world, yeah / Fucking diamonds and pearls, yeah / They don’t understand what we’re living for / Make ‘em understand life is beautiful.” Alternative collective Dirty Heads up the diamond count with “Diamonds & Pearls.” Dirty J raps the first verse with a sick flow exhibiting incredible agility.  Safe to say, he has bars.

“Louis Armstrong in the lane
Got a bad bitch give me brain better than Etta James
I’mma do my thing, man, singing in the rain
I don’t make claims, you can put it on my name, ah.”

He goes on the sing the infectious, aforementioned chorus like a champ. Duddy B enters the picture on the second verse, adding to the collection of sick bars spit.

“Cause I got a plan and a rendezvous
And people, sometimes, they don’t understand
And these are the fuckers with attitude
And I ain’t got time for foolishness.”

In addition to the attitude and bars brought by Dirty J and Duddy B, the production work is sleek.  A hard, swagger-laden beat, warm piano (on the chorus), and top-notch synth action.

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12. Drake & Future, “Diamonds Dancing”

What A Time to Be Alive • Cash Money • 2015

So, just how exactly do “diamonds dance?” Great question! Since every great question deserves a great answer, here it is – money, money, money! Basically, Grammy winners Drake and Future are talking about material things, specifically things like diamonds that are bought with plenty of bread on “Diamonds Dancing.”  The song marks one of the best moments from their joint mixtape, What a Time to Be Alive, released in 2015.  One of the reasons “Diamonds Dancing” does totally “shine bright like a diamond” is sleek production courtesy of Metro Boomin, Adam Ritter, and Frank Dukes.  Yep – it’s totally a vibe!

Revisiting theme and lyrics, there’s more to “Diamonds Dancing”  beyond just drip if you follow those brilliant annotators at Genius.  What does “Diamond, diamond, diamond, diamonds on me dancing” really mean – that is the question! Well, apparently, exotic “dancers” if you catch the drift.  Different diamonds than expected, right?

13. Jaheim, “Diamond in da Ruff”

Still Ghetto • Warner • 2002

“We started out like Bobby and Whitney / Justin and Britney / Then it all got ugly…” Apparently, Jaheim, apparently! Among the gems from Still Ghetto, the 2002 album by the Grammy-nominated R&B singer is “Diamond in Da Ruff.” “Diamond in Da Ruff” serves up the perfect blends of contemporary soul (with ample throwback touches) and the streets, something that Jaheim has balanced brilliantly throughout the course of his career.  The production is awesome ( No I.D and X-Treme), while the vocals are a vibe in their own right.  Of course, the best part of the song is the chorus, which is incredibly rousing.

“Like when I spot a rainbow
Or see a fallin’ star
A set of twins, or a classic car
A four-leaf clover or a two dollar bill
It’s so rare that it's so unreal
I don’t know how
To get over her smile
I wonder what she’s doin’ now
I think about her every once in awhile.”

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14. Dame Shirley Bassey, “Diamonds Are Forever”

Greatest Hits • Parlophone • 1997

“Diamonds are forever / They are all I need to please me / They can stimulate and tease me….” Classic! Iconic! Those are all accurate, fitting ways to describe the Dame Shirley Bassey, James Bond film gem, “Diamonds Are Forever.” Of course, it is the aforementioned lyrics (as well as the forthcoming continuation) that instantly pop up/stick in one’s head: “…They won’t leave in the night / I’ve no fear that they might desert me.”

Besides the memorable lyrics, led by the titular line, there are some many more pros regarding “Diamonds Are Forever.” Vocally, Bassey is commanding, sassy, and soulful simultaneously.  She never under- nor over-sings, instinctually giving the performance exactly what it needs at exactly the right time.  Besides those powerful pipes, the sound and production of this record totally stand out.  When you hear “Diamonds Are Forever,” you totally hear James Bond given the vintage sounds including dramatic, soaring strings and biting, emotional brass.  Indeed, this is a diamond cut that will live on forever and ever.  Also, can’t fail to mention its role in the Kanye West gem, “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” ( Late Registration, 2005).