[nextpage title=”INTRO” ]

“14 Songs Where Musicians Are ‘In Their Feelings’” is composed of songs by Drake, Florence + The Machine, The Neighbourhood, and Post Malone.

Often, some of the best records and songs from musicians are emotionally-driven ones.  Yes, when a respective artist is in “his or her feelings,” the song tends to pop.  Perhaps, sometimes there’s a bit of schadenfreude involved, but let’s face it – it has the potential to be the perfect script.  14 Songs Where Musicians Are ‘In Their Feelings’ explores various emotions by various musicians, plain and simple.  The biggest star of the playlist happens to be Drake.  Additionally, there’s music courtesy of Florence + The Machine, The Neighbourhood, and Post Malone.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”1-2″ ]

1. Drake, “In My Feelings”

Scorpion • Cash Money • 2018

“Kiki, do you love me? Are you riding? / Say you’ll never ever leave from beside me / ‘Cause I want ya, and I need ya / And I’m down for you always.” Fittingly, “In My Feelings” is the first of three Drake songs on this playlist, all appearing from his fifth studio album, Scorpion. It should come as no surprise that the rapper/singer has plenty of songs dripping in feelings – he wears his emotions on his sleeves after all.

The excerpted opening lyrics by Drake are simple, but as ear-catching and infectious as they come.  While he later changes the girls’ names, without a doubt it’s Kiki who makes “In My Feelings.” In addition to Kiki, musically, the sample-heavy record integrates New Orleans Bounce music , sampling the late Magnolia Shorty. Additionally, the City Girls and Lil Wayne, all uncredited, are sampled.  “In My Feelings” is definitely representative of studio wizardry, and definitely intriguing. 

---

2. The Neighbourhood, “Nervous”

The Neighbourhood • Columbia • 2018 

“You’ve got me nervous to speak / So, I just won’t say anything at all / I’ve got an urge to release / And you keep tellin’ me to hold on.” “Nervous” begins nervously – better yet, mysteriously. Jesse Rutherford delivers honest, reflective lyrics, while his vocals reflect a similar sentiment. Although a bit self-indulgent, Rutherford and The Neighbourhood deserves respect for speaking about insecurities.  Each of the three verses tackle issues and self-worth. With all the weight of the verses, things are summarized on the chorus (excerpted above and below).  It’s ‘heavy’ too, but definitely catchier and more accessible.

“…You’ve got me nervous to move / So, I just won’t give anything to you / You got me turnin’ all around to be who you need me to.”

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”3-5″ ]

3. Hayley Kiyoko, “Feelings”

Expectations • EMPIRE • 2018

“I over-communicate and feel too much / I just complicated it when I say too much / I laugh about it, dream about that casual touch / Sex is fire, sick and tired of acting all tough.” On the groovy, incredibly honest “Feelings,” actress/singer Hayley Kiyoko exceeds the Expectations.  Throughout the course of her debut album, it’s her honesty and openness that makes her such an authentic artist.  That openness encompasses her sexuality – she is the “Lesbian Jesus” after all.  Essentially, Kiyoko suggests it doesn’t take much for her to ‘feel some type a way’ – get hooked.

“I’m hooked on all these feelings / I know exactly what I’m feelin’…/ Spent the night, you got me high / Oh, what did you do? / I’m hooked on all these feelings.”

---

4. XXXTENTACION, “sad”

? • Bad Vibes Forever • 2018

“I gave her everything / She took my heart and left me lonely / I’ve been broken, heart’s contentious / I won’t fix, I’d rather weep.” When a tragedy takes a musician’s life unexpected, the songs often grow a bit more meaningful.  That’s the case with “SAD!” by the late XXXTENTACION (Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy) who was shot and killed at just 20 years old.  Prior to death, “SAD!” was already the crème de la crème of his no. 1 album, ?. “SAD!” keeps things ‘short and sweet,’ clocking in at 2:47. The production is moody and mysterious initially, gradually adding more details. The smoothness and vibe of the musical backdrop is a major selling point. During the verse (excerpted above), XXXTENTACION shares his feelings of brokenhearted-ness. Following the intro, he unveils the chorus:

“Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh / You decide if you’re ever gonna let me know (yeah) / Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh / I’m sad, I know, yeah, I’m sad, I know, yeah.”

---

5. Lykke Li, “Better Alone”

So sad so sexy • RCA • 2018

On the rhythmic ballad “Better Alone,” Swedish alt-pop artist Lykke Li asserts, “I’m better alone than lonely here with you.” Lykke Li successfully imparts a tale of feeling like something is off in her relationship – she’s not fulfilled.  Therefore, it’s better that she’s lonely by herself as opposed to being lonely with someone else.  Ultimately, “Better Alone” is clever, relatable, and well-penned, not to mention excellent production by Illangelo.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”6-8″ ]

6. Drake, “Emotionless”

Scorpion • Cash Money • 2018

“I know the truth is you won’t love me until I’m gone / And even then the thing that comes after is movin’ on / I can’t even capture the feeling I had at first / Meetin’ all my heroes like seein’ how magic works.” Drake is “Emotionless” – yeah right! “Emotionless” is among the best songs from Scorpion for a variety of reasons.  One, is the production, which masterfully samples the Mariah Carey classic “Emotions”.  The sample gives “Emotionless” an incredibly soulful vibe, something that Drake absolutely excels at.  Another reason for the excellence of “Emotionless” are the bars – he flat out raps like his life his life depends on it.  Notably, this is the first of three mentions of his son, as he spits, “I wasn’t hidin’ my kid from the world / I was hidin’ the world from my kid.”  The authenticity of the lyric is definitely debatable, while the Plies outro is regrettable, but “Emotionless” is definitely among the elite, ‘feeling-filled’ songs from Scorpion.

---

7. The Neighbourhood, “Sadderdaze”

The Neighbourhood • Columbia • 2018

“Saturdays are not the same as they used to be / Sadder days, why do they keep on using me? / They keep on using me.” The second entry on this playlist from The Neighbourhood is “Sadderdaze,” which first appeared on their Hard EP, and feels right at home on their self-titled third LP.  The wordplay stands out, particularly its relevance to the message. Jesse Rutherford discusses the effects of success, particularly within the music industry, yet, he’s still unprotected from “sadder days.”

---

8. Florence + The Machine, “Big God”

High as Hope • Virgin • 2018

“You need a big God / Big enough to hold your love.”  On “Big God”, Florence + The Machine (Florence Welch specifically) struggles in the aftermath of being ‘ghosted’ in her relationship. “I still like you the most / You’ll always be my favorite ghost,” she sings at the end of the first verse. The brilliant single makes ample spiritual references, but the big picture isn’t about God.  No, Welch is focused on being fulfilled by love, likening fulfillment to something the size of a higher power.  After commencing with minimal production, by the song’s outro, horns and strings expand the sound.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”9-11″ ]

9. Post Malone, “Rich & Sad”

Beerbongs & Bentleys • Republic • 2018

“Buy me, love, try to buy me, love / Now I’m alone, ‘Ice Box’, Omarion.” Believe it or not, Beerbongs & Bentleys, the sophomore album by breakout pop-rapper Post Malone has more than just two songs.  “Rockstar” and “Psycho” serve as two dominant hits on an extremely commercially successful album (and critical improvement from his debut Stoney).  Post Malone gets ‘in his feelings’ on the sleekly produced, moody “Rich & Sad.”  Despite the sadness, “Rich & Sad” is in a major key, and there’s still a brightness about it – weird.  The melodic chorus is the biggest selling point.

“Ayy, I would throw it all away / I just keep on wishin’ that the money made you stay / You ain’t never cared about that bullshit anyway / I just keep on wishin’ that the money made you stay.”

As The Beatles once sung, “Can’t Buy Me Love”.

---

10. Drake, “I’m Upset”

Scorpion • Cash Money • 2018

“I’m upset / Fifty thousand on my head, it’s disrespect / So offended that I had to double check / I’ma always take the money over sex /That’s why they need me out the way / What you expect?” While some have characterized it a dud, it should come as no surprise that “I’m Upset” earns a spot on this feeling-driven list.  Honestly, Drake is both upset and delivers biting, unpitched rhymes. In addition to his flow, the biggest pros of him being upset are the hook and the backdrop.

---

11. Lorde, “Hard Feelings / Loveless”

Melodrama • Republic • 2017

“Hard feelings – / These are what they call hard feelings of love / When the sweet words and fevers all leave us right in the cold.” On “Hard Feelings /Loveless” – specifically “Hard Feelings” – Grammy-winning Kiwi alt-pop artist Lorde depicts a break-up (“Three years, loved you every single day, made me week, it was real for me”).  The chorus is particularly stunning, thanks to the harmonized vocal treatment of the titular line. On the second part, “Loveless,” Lorde describes the perception of millennial love as dysfunctional: “We’re L.O.V.E.L.E.S.S. / Generation / All fuckin’ with our lover’s head / Generation.”  Truly in her feelings.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”12-14″ ]

12. Lana Del Rey, “In My Feelings”

Lust for Life • Interscope • 2017

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Lana Del Rey appears on 13 Songs Where Musicians Are ‘In Their Feelings.’  Presumably, “In My Feelings” (Lust for Life) is about an ex who just happens to be a rapper and presents himself as a total playboy… Clearly, Del Rey is angry at herself, but at the same time, delivers a respectable diss.

“I’m crying while I’m cummin’ / Making love while I’m making good money / Sobbin’ in my cup of my coffee / Because I fell for another loser.”

 

---

13. Solange, “Mad”

Ft. Lil Wayne

A Seat at the Table • Columbia • 2016

On “Mad,” Solange addresses the black population’s perceived and legitimate anger in regards to status in society and their lot in life.  “Mad” is a terrific conversation piece about racial misconceptions and relations.  In addition to being a conversation piece on race, there is also a reference to suicide from featured guest, Lil Wayne.  Weezy relates a suicide attempt to being mad, essentially using it as an example not to allow anger, madness, and craziness to consume you.

“And when I attempted suicide, I didn’t die / I remember how mad I was on that day / Man, you gotta let it go before it get up in the way.”

---

14. Pharell Williams, “Happy”

G I R L • Columba • 2014

“It might seem crazy what I’m ‘bout to say / Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break.” Forget about all the negative feelings that have reared their ugly heads across the preceding songs. There’s no more fitting way to close this feeling-centric playlist than with “Happy”.  The Academy Award-nominated, Grammy-winning Pharrell Williams record was the most positive song of 2014.  Honestly, it’s among most positive songs of the 2010s. Throwback soul never sounded so relevant in a time where soulfulness isn’t the dominant trend.  That said, “Happy” is so addictive and infectious, that it is undeniable to want to dance and smile.  This is “in your feelings,” in a positive, care-free manner.

“(Because I’m happy) / Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof / (Because I’m happy) / Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth / (Because I’m happy) / Clap along if you know what happiness is to you / (Because I’m happy) / Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do.”

---

Photo Credits: Bad Vibes Forever, Cash Money, Columbia, EMPIRE, Interscope, RCA, Republic, Virgin

[/nextpage]