15 Epic FROM Songs, Vol. 1

Reading Time: 16 min read

15 Epic FROM Songs, Vol. 1 features songs by Фрози (Frozy), Billy Preston, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Mariah the Scientist, Seal, and Zach Bryan.

Where are you from? How long does it take to get from here to there? Here is a gift from me to you. If you didn’t ‘catch my drift,’ the preposition from is the ‘star of the show,’ rather, the ‘star of the playlist.’ Many songs feature from within their titles, so 15 Epic FROM Songs, Vol. 1 is only the beginning of the from-ness! 15 Epic FROM Songs, Vol. 1 features songs by Фрози (Frozy), Billy Preston, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Mariah the Scientist, Seal, and Zach Bryan. So, without any further delay, from my pen to your eyes and ears, I happily unveil 15 Epic FROM Songs, Vol. 1!

~ Table of Contents ~

1. Фрози, Jason Derulo & Tomo, “From The Islands (kompa pasión)”	2. Summer Walker & J. Cole, “To Summer, From Cole – Audio Hug”	3. Billy Preston, “Nothing From Nothing”	4. Mariah the Scientist, “From a Woman”
5. Fall Out Boy, “Love From The Other Side”	6. Zach Bryan, “From Austin”	7. Seal, “Kiss from a Rose”	8. Tove Lo, “No One Dies From Love”
9. Harry Styles, “From the Dining Table”	10. Drake, “Started from the Bottom”	11. Stevie Wonder, “From the Bottom of My Heart”	12. Tamela Mann, “Touch from You”
13. Thomas Whitfield, “We Need a Word from the Lord”	14. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, “From The Beginning”	15. David Ruffin, “Walk Away From Love”

1. Фрози (Frozy), Jason Derulo & Tomo, “From The Islands (kompa pasión)”

From The Islands (kompa pasión) (EP) // Ultra // 2024

“I thought that it was love / The way that she wine on me / I forgot one ting…” Yes, you are hearing and reading correctly – it is ‘ting’ instead of ‘thing.’ Ukrainian producer Фрози (Frozy), collaborating with singers Jason Derulo and Tomo brings a tropical vibe to the infectious 2024 single “From The Islands (kompa pasión).” Produced by Frozy, fittingly, “From The Islands (kompa pasión)” thrives off sunny, warm sounds. Derulo delivers beautiful vocals, performing half of the chorus and the first verse. “Don’t even know her name,” he sings, continuing, “She left me in December / But I still feel the pain.” Oh, snap! His upper register and falsetto are dynamic and ripe. Tomo ‘brings the heat,’ performing the second half of the chorus and the second verse. “Baby, if it’s wrong, I don’t want to be right / Your hips don’t lie, they, be givin’ me the signs,” Tomo sings, continuing, “Never knew you’d be leavin’ me behind / Pack your bags in the middle of the night.” The chorus is the crème de la crème, performed separately by both musicians superbly:

“She said she’s from the islands

And I’m just tryna find her

Girl, you are my desire

You’re all that I require.”

“From The Islands (kompa pasión)” is a surefire vibe, NO CAP!

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2. Summer Walker & J. Cole, “To Summer, From Cole – Audio Hug”

CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP // LRVN / Interscope // 2023

“Call me when you need some love.” Aww, so thoughtful of you Summer Walker! Notably, Walker only sings the chorus of “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug),” the opening track of her 2023 EP, CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE. Summer in “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug),” penned by Walker alongside producers WU10 and J. Cole, isn’t referencing the beloved season. It’s referencing her – Summer Walker. Who is referencing her? Grammy-winning rapper J. Cole. He spits the sole verse. The season is not Cole’s focus. Summer – Ms. Walker – is his focus. “Hey Ms. Walker / Thank you for wantin’ a verse from me / Apologies for the wait,” he raps, adding, “I heard you just had you another lil’ baby, congratulations / I hope you got through it with no complications.” Thoughtful of him! At the end of his verse, he praises the three R&B queens: “I’m sendin’ you, SZA, and Ari my love / Y’all holdin’ us down, y’all holdin’ the crowns.” “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug)” may not be a summery song in the traditional sense, but man does Cole praise the brilliance of Summer… Walker.

Appears in :

15 Splendid Summer Songs (2024)

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3. Billy Preston, “Nothing From Nothing”

The Kids & Me // A&M //1974

“Nothing from nothing leaves nothing / You gotta have something if you wanna be with me.” Woo, so true, Billy Preston! The iconic musician extraordinaire had a surefire pop hit on his hands with “Nothing From Nothing” in 1974 (The Kids & Me). The brief, but funky, potent classic spent one week atop the Billboard Hot 100. It marked Preston’s third and final no. 1 hit overall (his second as the lead artist). Preston penned “Nothing From Nothing” alongside Bruce Fisher. He produced the record himself.

Musically, “Nothing From Nothing” is one of the funkiest records of all time, PERIOD. The keyboard work is awesome, as to be expected from a keyboardist as gifted and elite as Preston was. Furthermore, “Nothing From Nothing” is masterfully arranged and orchestrated from the tightness of the rhythm section to the horns. The musical canvas which Preston gets to sing over is celestial – R&B/soul/funk heaven if you will! The lyrics are fun, capitalizing on nothingness. Notably, beyond the famous, infectious chorus, there is one terrific verse:

“I’m not trying to be your hero

‘Cause that zero is too cold for me

I’m not trying to be your highness

‘Cause that minus is too low to see, yeah

Nothing from nothing leaves nothing

And I’m not stuffing, believe you me

Don’t you remember I told ya

I’m a soldier in the war on poverty

Yeah, yes, I am.”

It’s hard to believe “Nothing From Nothing” is 50 years old. This old-school soul joint still sounds fresh in the 2020s – truly timeless.

Appears in :

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4. Mariah the Scientist, “From a Woman”

To Be Eaten Alive // Buckles Laboratories, LLC / Epic // 2023

Per Mariah the Scientist (Mariah Buckles), “You’ve paid the cost for true romance / And you want my love again.” Word. In the second verse of “From a Woman,” Buckles asserts, “I roll the dice and take a chance / Won’t let no one say I can’t / Won’t call you Slime ‘cause it don’t fit / I see you as more than this.” Slime, huh? He means much more than that to her. Buckles shines on “From a Woman,” the third track from her 2023 album, To Be Eaten Alive. London on da Track, Brandosound, Remey Williams, BLUESOUNDROOM, and Arsenio Archer provide a lush, warm musical backdrop. The backdrop consists of gorgeous keys, pads, and synths, characteristic of 21^st-century R&B. Mariah the Scientists impresses with her rich, sultry vocals. She masterfully brings the tuneful melodies and love-driven lyrics to life. Buckles ascends higher during the chorus, the centerpiece, contrasting her lower and middle register in the verses.

“And look at the trust closin’ in

Here’s to someone I can depend on, yes

Sent from above, I am convinced

If it isn’t luck, I guess love exists.”

Word. Mariah the Scientist ‘does the damn thing’ on “From a Woman.”

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5. Fall Out Boy, “Love From The Other Side”

So Much (For) Stardust // Fall Out Boy Inc. // 2023

“Sending my love from the other side of the apocalypse.” Um, okay, Patrick Stump and Fall Out Boy – we see you! After a five-year hiatus, the alternative rock collective returned in 2023 with “Love From The Other Side”, the opener and promo single from their eighth studio album, So Much (For) Stardust. In the extended version, “Love From The Other Side” commences with ethereal keys and strings, establishing quite the aesthetic. The sound is lush and incredibly warm, before embracing a rock identity. The tide changes with the entrance of guitar, bass, and pummeling drums. The riffs used throughout are a selling point and certainly idiomatic of FOB. Once Stump’s powerful and soulful vocals enter, “Love” sounds like the FOB of old. Additionally, the harmonized vocals are a nice music touch, appearing during the second half of the verses. The melody is incredibly tuneful and rhythmic. The chorus is catchy:

“Sending my love from the other side of the apocalypse

And I just about snapped, don’t look back

Every lover’s got a little dagger in their hand

Love from the other side of the apocalypse

And I just about snapped, don’t look back

Every lover’s got a little dagger in their hand.”

The verses yield colorful lyrics, which have come to be expected from the collective. Another selling point is the contrast presented during the bridge section, incorporating strings and the groove. “Love From The Other Side” benefits from great production, a strong performance by Stump, a tuneful melody, and memorable lyrics.

Appears in :

Awesome Songs: January 2023

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6. Zach Bryan, “From Austin”

American Heartbreak // Belting Bronco / Warner // 2022

“It’s about time that I left Austin / About time you settled down / With a man who doesn’t move as quick…” Those lyrics hail from “From Austin”, the first single off country singer-songwriter Zach Bryan’s debut album, American Heartbreak. Bryan penned “From Austin” himself while Ryan Hadlock produced it. Hadlock’s production works incredibly well, given the palette of sounds (acoustic and electric guitars play key roles). The songwriting is thoughtful, and Bryan brings ample authenticity and sincerity while singing. “There is concrete below me and a sky above so blue, I’m finally leaving Austin, and I wish it was with you,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “I am just a sickness, and you seem to be the cure / How much can a southern girl honestly endure?” Woo! His voice shines, and his tone is beautiful and distinct. I like the separation used throughout, with the first verse being the most poised, the chorus growing more robust, and the second verse expanding the scope of the first (“Everyone I’ve ever loved, has either left or died / Wish I was born with concrete shoes but I’m leaving tonight”). He repeats the first verse as the third verse, a neat feature of this intriguing number.

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7. Seal, “Kiss from a Rose”

Seal // Warner // 1994

“Ba-ya-ya, ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya.” British singer/songwriter Seal scored big with “Kiss from a Rose,” a ‘once in a lifetime’ pop song. The song to beat from his 1994, multiplatinum album, Seal, marks the most successful moment in his career. The gold-certified single spent one week at atop the Billboard Hot 100. It earned three Grammys: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Seal composed the 90s classic. “Kiss” is elite thanks to top-notch musicianship. Selling points include a unique harmonic progression, a sublime wide-ranging vocal performance, and a brilliant arrangement, orchestration, and production (Trevor Horn produced). The songwriting is stunning, accentuated by Seal’s magnificent vocals. The chorus is the crowning achievement:

“Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray

Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah

And now that your rose is in bloom

A light hits the gloom on the gray.”

Beyond the chorus, the verses have no shortage of lyrical highlights. “There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea,” he sings quietly but expressively in the first verse, continuing, “You became the light of the dark side of me.” In the second, Seal asserts, “To me, you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny / Won’t you tell me is that healthy, baby?” More than three decades old, “Kiss from a Rose” is timeless.

Appears in :

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8. Tove Lo, “No One Dies From Love”

Dirt Femme // Pretty Swede / mtheory // 2022 

“I know that they say that / No one dies from love / Guess I’ll be the first.” Sigh, those matters of the heart, Tove Lo (Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson), they’ll mess you up every time! On “No One Dies From Love” (Dirt Femme, 2022) the Swedish musician is experiencing the blues.  At one time, her relationship was flourishing but things happened. As she sings honestly in the pre-chorus, “It escalated so fast / We yelled things we can’t take back.” Indeed, indeed.  The good news is her pain is our listening pleasure on this enjoyable and highly relatable single. Nilsson penned “No One Dies From Love” alongside producer A Strut, who puts in work behind the boards.  Those synths and pads sound amazing as does the beat. Nilsson has a tremendous backdrop supporting her.  Of course, she sings lovely, delivering honest lyrics about what happened to what was once a good thing. “We were so magical, why end this way?” she sings in the first verse, adding in the second, “Somehow, we’re strangers, but share this pain.” Love’s got her and her ex- down, but again, their pain is our listening pleasure.  The chorus is the crowning achievement: “No one dies from love / Guess I’ll be the first / Will you remember us? / Or are the memories too stained with blood now?” Great vocals, relatable lyrics, and top-notch production make this a surefire bop! 

Appears in :  

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9. Harry Styles, “From the Dining Table”

Harry Styles // Columbia // 2017

“Woke up alone in this hotel room / Played with myself, where were you?” I feel that, Harry Styles … may not be my best choice of words . The eyebrow-raising line from “From the Dining Table” can be interpreted however you deem. Most importantly, in this song that concludes the Grammy winner’s 2017 self-titled debut album, he makes it clear he’s heartbroken. “We haven’t spoken since you went away / Comfortable silence is so overrated,” he sings in the chorus, continuing, “Why won’t you ever be the first one to break / Even my phone misses your call, by the way.” Despite Harry’s sadness, “From the Dining Table” is radiant, showing incredible poise and subtlety. “From the Dining Table” was penned by six writers including Styles and producers Tyler Johnson, Alex Salibian, and Jeff Bhasker.

Appears in :

Table: 5ive Songs No. 2 (2021)

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10. Drake, “Started from the Bottom”

Nothing Was The Same // Cash Money // 2013

“Started from the bottom now we’re here / Started from the bottom now my whole team fuckin’ here.” Ooh, wee! Hell Ya, Fuckin’ Right, Drake! “Started from the Bottom” is a self-explanatory song from the Grammy-winning Canadian rapper/singer. The banger was produced by 40 (Noah Shebib) and Mike Zombie. “Started” samples a pair of songs: “Ambessence Piano & Drones 1” by Bruno Sanfilippo and Mathias Grassow and “Who U Wit?” by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. A simple, straightforward song, the perception of the Nothing Was The Same highlight hasn’t changed since it arrived in 2013. “I done kept it real from the jump / Livin’ at my momma’s house we’d argue every month,” Drizzy spits in the first verse, adding, “Now I’m on the road, half a million for a show.” In the bridge, he memorably raps, “No new niggas, nigga; we don’t feel that / Fuck a fake friend, where your real friends at /… Story stayed the same through the money and the fame.” How far on the bottom was Drake? It is debatable, but everyone enjoys a come-up which “Started from the Bottom” successfully conveys.

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11. Stevie Wonder, “From the Bottom of My Heart”

A Time to Love // Motown // 2005

“Me and my heart took a / Vow from the start and a / Vow to my heart I never break,” Stevie Wonder sings passionately in the first verse of “From the Bottom of My Heart”, a gem from his 2005 album, A Time to Love. The iconic soul musician is all about positive vibes, something that continues without a hitch on “From the Bottom of My Heart.” He continues singing in the first verse, “Seasons may come and the / Seasons may go but know / Though every time and space / My love will always stay forever and always.” Now those are the type of lyrics I can endorse! Matching those lyrics are tuneful melodies, intriguing harmonies, and of course, those times, anointed pipes by Mr. Wonder.

Similarly, the second verse emphasizes the gloriousness of love – no heartbreak to be found here. Wonder intends to “Keep this love burning endlessly,” WOO! Of course, the centerpiece – the exemplification of these uplifting, positive, love-driven vibes – is none other than the chorus, where Wonder sounds his most elite: “From the bottom of my heart, I love you / I can say these words to you, without delay / If you’re wondering just how long I’ll love you / Try forever that’s how long I’ll feel this way.” “From the Bottom of My Heart” is a brilliant contemporary Wonder gem. The Academy and Grammy award winner wrote, produced, and played most instruments (keys and harmonica, notably) on this uplifting, heartfelt gem.

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12. Tamela Mann, “Touch from You”

Overcomer // TillyMann Music Group // 2021

“Oh Lord, we need a touch from you / We really need a touch from you.” I concur, Tamela Mann, I concur! When things get arduous, who better to call than The Most High? Furthermore, in this crazy, cruel world, we could use J-E-S-U-S! In the gorgeous, moving gospel ballad “Touch from You” (Overcomer, 2021), Mann praises God, asserting we – the world – need His wonderworking power.

“Lord, we need to hear your voice

Our hearts are open, we have no choice

Oh Lord, we need a touch from you

We really need a touch from you

Send your latter rain.”

Think of “Touch from You” as a petition to God – calling out to him for help. Whether you’re devout, ‘spiritual,’ or non-religious, the fact is, we all need assistance at some point. The load is too heavy to carry alone, even if we’d prefer to carry it alone. This is the point Mann makes in this uplifting gem: “Can you hear the voices of your people crying out? / Lord, we need you now, send your grace.”

Appears in :

Tamela Mann, Touch from You: Sunday Refresh 5 (2022)

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13. Thomas Whitfield, “We Need a Word from the Lord”

My Faith // Benson // 1991

According to the late, great Thomas Whitfield (1954 – 1992), “We don’t need another political uprising / We don’t need another conqueror on the scene.” Both are true. Whitfield made valid observations. So, Thomas, what do we need? “What we need is a special world, that will bond within our hearts / And give us direction from above” Also, true. Whitfield, who studied at the Detroit Conservatory of Music, penned and performed a gorgeous, meaningful, and spiritual song with “We Need a Word from the Lord”. Whitfield’s rendition, covered by Shirley Murdock and Vickie Winans, appeared on his 1991 album, My Faith.

The crème de la crème of “We Need a Word from the Lord” is its tuneful, uplifting, and wise chorus:

“We need a word from the Lord

A word from the Lord

Just one word from the Lord

Will move all doubts

And cause the sun to shine

And give peace of mind

Speak Lord, speak.”

Amen! The message urges us to focus on what He says instead of far less important or meaningful earthly things. Whitfield emphasizes our unworthiness and ignorance, lacking wisdom, understanding, and love, and asserting that “We’ve altered in They ways and we stand so much to gain.” So, what should we do? All lean into God and be like a sponge absorbing his excellence, omniscience, and ‘wonder-working power.’ Whitfield sings with a beautiful, refined tone, digging in as “We Need a Word from the Lord” progresses. He navigates the key change, which increases the energy like a champ. If you need a powerful, resonating word, this Whitfield gem will bless you.

Appears in :

Thomas Whitfield, We Need a Word from the Lord: Music Lifts 39 (2024)

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14. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, “From the Beginning”

Trilogy // Leadclass Limited / BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited // 1972

“Perhaps there’s a thing or two / I think of, lying in bed / I shouldn’t have said / But there it is.” English progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer comprised keyboardist Keith Emerson (1944 – 2016), vocalist, guitarist, and bassist Greg Lake (1947 – 2016), and drummer/percussionist Carl Palmer (1950 – ). “From the Beginning” is a highlight from their music catalog. It is the fourth track from their 1972 album, Trilogy. Notably, “From the Beginning” was their only top 40 hit on the pop charts. It peaked at no. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was the collective’s highest charting single. Greg Lake composed and produced it. Notably, “From the Beginning” is set in the key of a minor.

“From the Beginning” shines because of its musicianship. The vocals and lyrics are great, but the musicianship is more impressive. Post-singing, there is a sweet electric guitar solo. Likewise, Keith Emerson ‘puts in work’ on the Moog, adding sensational color. Before Lake sings one note, the instrumental work at the beginning of “Beginning” is ‘a sight to behold,’ rather ‘hear’ itself. It commences with a melodic acoustic guitar. Eventually, the melodic guitar transforms into an accompaniment role that is rhythmic and chordal. Of course, there are lyrics worth discussing. They are simple and uncomplicated. Beyond the first verse, excerpted earlier, Lake sings in the second, “Whatever was done is done / I just can’t recall / It doesn’t matter at all.” Word. The section to beat is the chorus. Here, “You see it’s all clear / You were meant to be here / From the beginning. ” Emerson, Lake & Palmer ‘delivered the goods’ on “From the Beginning”. To reiterate, the high-flying musicianship that ‘takes the cake.’

Appears in :

Emerson, Lake & Palmer, From the Beginning: Throwback Vibez 7 (2025)

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15. David Ruffin, “Walk Away From Love”

Who I Am // Motown // 1975

“It’s just a fear that builds within me / Every time you touch my hand,” the late, great David Ruffin (1941 – 1991) sings, continuing, “And a dread that shakes my body / That even I don’t understand.” Ruffin was one of the greatest lead singles in Motown history. He was gifted! “Walk Away From Love” is the third track from his 1975 album, Who I Am. One of two top-10 hits by the former member of The Temptations, “Walk Away From Love” peaked at no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Charles Kipps composed “Walk Away From Love” while Van McCoy produced the memorable soul joint.

Thematically, love has made David Ruffin anxious, exemplified by the first verse. In the second, his anxiety continues as he asserts, “Ooh, you’re clinging to me tighter / Than you ever have before, I don’t understand it / But I know it’s gonna take everything I’ve got / To keep walking out the door.” In the centerpiece, the chorus, he’s determined:

“So, I’m leaving, yes I am…

This time I’m playing it smart

I’m gonna walk away from love…

Before love, breaks my heart.”

As terrific as the lyrics are, the main attraction is Ruffin. He brings the soul, serving up commanding, gritty vocals. Besides his grittiest moments, he impresses with his falsetto. His range is stellar. Accentuating his skilled, nuanced lead are background vocals that are equally locked in. Groovy from the onset, “Walk Away From Love” exemplifies the lush, smooth 1970s soul sound. It features a marvelous arrangement with the rhythm section and orchestra (soaring strings and articulated horns). “Walk Away From Love” doesn’t require extensive analysis – it speaks for itself. Yes, David Ruffin had his fair share of demons, but damn was he a talented, talented man.

Appears in :

David Ruffin, Walk Away From Love: Throwback Vibez 69 (2024)

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15 Epic FROM Songs, Vol. 1 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; A&M, Belting Bronco, Benson, BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited, Buckles Laboratories, LLC, Cash Money, Epic, Fall Out Boy Inc., Interscope, Leadclass Limited, LRVN, Motown, mtheory, Pretty Swede, TillyMann Music Group, Ultra, Warner; AcatXlo, Clker-Free-Vector-Image, Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay]

15 Epic FROM Songs, Vol. 1 | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on January 27, 2025January 27, 2025