15 Interesting Songs That Feature Acronym Titles | Playlist

1. Young Stoner Life, Yak Gotti & Sheck Wes, “GFU”

Ft. Yung Kayo

“GFU” • Young Stoner Life / 300 Entertainment • 2021

Young Stoner Life, Yak Gotti, Yung Kayo, and Sheck Wes deliver a hard-nosed, totally kick-ass banger with “GFU”. “GFU” is a pretty simple acronym to figure out – “Get fucked up.”  The title serves as key lyric, unsurprisingly.  Additionally, “GFU” features nasty, banging production courtesy of Taurus. It’s ear catching from the onset. Notably, there’s sample and interpolation incorporating “Sucks on Dick” by Project Pat and “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion.

Yak Gotti handles most of the explicit intro and eventual chorus, while Sheck Wes participates on select portions. Gotti performs the first verse, which is tough, unapologetic, and violent: “Jump out and rip your shit out just like a page.” Yung Kayo performs the majority of a colorful second verse, also tough and unapologetic with the likes of “Rollin’ with savages, but I’m not Megan, man,” and “Fuck on a bitch, I’m not feelin’ that / I got a bitch that make my bitches really mad. Wes finally gets his own truly notable moment on the third and final verse (“Fuck on your Boop, turn her to a Betty.” Ultimately, hard to find any cons on this surefire banger!

2. Rina Sawayama, “STFU”

SAWAYAMA • Dirty Hit •  2020

“How come you don’t expect me / To get mad when I’m angry? / … How come you don’t respect me? / Expecting fantasies to be my reality / Why don’t you just sit down and…” More folks need to be buzzing about Rina Sawayama – she’s absolutely amazing! Best described as an alternative musician, her music encompasses a variety of different styles including pop, R&B and even metal (hold that thought ). Her debut album, SAWAYAMA, has received universal critical acclaim, a feat few albums can tout.  The LGBTQ+ musician truly is a force to be reckoned with, something the showcases to the nth degree on “STFU” (aka “shut the fuck up”) the third track from SAWAYAMA.

Remember how I mentioned that Rina Sawayama dips her toes into metal sometimes? Well, “STFU” is a prime example.  No, she doesn’t wail like a metal singer, but she does bring the attitude and the heat over an aggressive, guitar-driven backdrop. She doesn’t need to belt or strain her voice in the least – she packs a mean punch being true to self and bringing her own distinct style.  Who exactly does Rina tell to shut the fuck up? Haters, judgmental folks, homophobes, etc. She’s over the BS essentially; she’s not afraid to “Tell It Like It Is”, Aaron Neville!

“Shut the fuck up (Shh)
Have you ever thought about taping your big mouth shut?
‘Cause I have, many times, many times
Have you ever thought about taping your big mouth shut?
‘Cause I have, many times, many times.”

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3. brakence, “fwb”

punk2 • Columbia • 2020

“Try and catch me tying up loose ends / I’m past that, now I wanna fuck all my friends.” Hmm, I see brakence (Randy Findell), I see. It certainly makes sense within the song at hand, “fwb” ( punk2), an acronym for friends with benefits.  There is no shortage of expressiveness, not only vocally but also where profanity is concerned –brakence lets those swears fly!

The intriguing, bi musician seems to have reason to swear like a sailor – he’s MAD.  Why? A failed relationship, and his ex is to blame!

“Think I don’t say enough
I won’t be runnin’ back ‘long as I’m faded and
Fucked up ‘cause you’re gone and the clique gone too
I turned to someone I could hold onto.”

Damn, that’s a first verse right there!  His emotional delivery definitely packs a punch, as does his distinct, nuanced voice (particularly the low register) and the freshness of the lyrics.  An example of freshness and swagger: “I didn’t understand how I could’ve macked / Y’all gonna wonder who I am.”  Besides his unique voice, expressive lyrics, and potty mouth, the production stands out, particularly the punk-rock-like ending to this contemporary sounding pop joint.

“Fwb” may not even reach two-and-a-half-minutes in duration, but it doesn’t need to.  Brakence is honest AF about where he stands in the realm of love, and he lets the whole world know.

4. Cardi B, “WAP”

Ft. Megan Thee Stallion

“WAP” • Atlantic • 2020

“There’s some whores in this house! / There’s some whores in this house!” The acronymic song “WAP” definitely had everyone’s undivided attention! Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion are known for their fiercely, sexed-up personas, and “WAP” shows them straight-up flexing. Modesty is never the modus operandi on this former no. 1 hit with “whores” being the first word of the song on the intro (the record samples “Whores in This House” by Frank Ski).

Cardi B asserts at the end of the intro, “Wet-ass pussy, make that pullout game weak, woo.” She goes on to speak about the wetness on the chorus, while on the first verse, she asserts, “Hop on top, I wanna ride / I do a Kegel while it’s inside.” As for Megan Thee Stallion, on the second verse, she begins with a bang: “Gobble me, swallow me, drip down the side of me / Quick, jump out ‘fore you let it get inside of me.”  It doesn’t stop there as both have additional verses with absolutely shocking, highly sexual lyrics. The ‘freaky’ perspective won’t be relatable or win everyone over but give them credit for such a raw joint where the women freely express their sexual desires like the men frequently do.

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5. Florida Georgia Line, “H.O.L.Y.”

Dig Your Roots • Big Machine • 2016

Typically, when I hear the word “holy,” I think of spiritual matters – God being the first thing that pops in my mind.  That said, in the hands of country duo Florida Georgia Line ( Tyler Hubbard and  Brian Kelley), they certainly don’t seem to view holiness the same way as I do.  I mean, that’s perfectly fine, but at the same time, it must be noted that they were among the top proponents of bro country movement… Honestly, that movement didn’t really serve country music particularly well… And honestly, the song at hand still has some bro-ness…

So, focusing on why the “holy hell” I bring up spirituality and FGL in the same sentence.  Well, basically, in 2016, they released the acronymic “H.O.L.Y.” as a single from their third studio album, Dig Your Roots.  The single wasn’t praising The Most High but rather their significant others.  How so? Well, H.O.L.Y. stands for “High on loving you,” as they sing on the chorus:

“You’re holy, holy
Holy, holy
I’m High On Lovin’ You
High On Lovin’ You.”

Well, at least the bros are dedicated, right?

6. Kehlani, “F&MU”

It Was Good Until It Wasn’t • Atlantic • 2020

“F&MU”, marks one of the best moments from It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, the sophomore album by Grammy-nominated R&B singer, Kehlani. “We both know it’s never really goodbye / I swear it’s like we do this all the time, yeah / That shit be turnin’ me on, I cannot lie, lie…” “F&MU,” is characterized by its brevity. Even so, that’s ample time for Kehlani to be potent about love, SEX, and relationships.  As the aforementioned lyrics suggests, the relationship has its fair share of issues, but ultimately, makeup sex atones.

If you didn’t figure out what the meaning of the title, well, it’s clear AF on the chorus:

“We fuck and make up like it’s Maybelline
We do petty things
Then mess up the sheets, yeah
You be runnin’ back once we let it go
I already know
Did it time before (Oh).”

Sure, it’s an oversimplification to suggest that good sex fixes things, but, in the case of “F&MU,” it’s quite entertaining to hear Kehlani make the assertion.  The second verse has its fair share of colorful lyrics, whether it’s the opening “Damn, it’s good, I might have to piss you off,” or “Why I gotta fuck you up to make you fuck like that.” Wow! “F&MU” is steamy and quite satisfying.

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7. August Alsina, “FML”

Ft. Pusha T

Testimony • Def Jam • 2014

“Even when I’m up, I’m feeling down, fuck my life.” At one time, FML, which stands affectionately for fuck my life, was a popular, loosely thrown out catch phrase.  Should it have ever been though? In his song “FML” ( Testimony), August Alsina, assisted by Pusha T, exhibits his share of suicidal thoughts. “Let me tell you ‘bout myself, I’m not scared to die / Been through so much shit, sometimes I wanna be in the sky / Wanna know how it feels to fly… / I’m scared of hello, I ain’t scared of goodbye.”

Alsina clearly has had his fair share of hard times (check out his backstory), and he expresses his struggles musically.  He also references suicide in another song, “Song Cry,” from his sophomore album, This Thing Called Life (“This moment mine for the takin’ / For all them nights I thought of suicide, contemplatin’”).

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8. Ariana Grande, “pov”

Positions • Republic • 2020

“You got more than 20/20, babe / Made of glass, the way you see through me / You know me better than I do.”  Now that is some dedication from a significant other right there! The lyrics hail from the first verse of “POV,” which concludes the standard edition of Positions, the surprise 2020 studio album by Ariana Grande. “POV” (“Point of View”), a highlight, gives Positions that one last, truly potent hurrah.

The acronymic song checks off those boxes referenced throughout my review of Positions: masterful vocals and top-notch production ( Tommy Brown, Mr. Franks, and Oliver ‘Junior’ Frid).  Add to “POV” resonant, thoughtful lyrics, capped off by the empowering chorus from the Grammy winning pop superstar:

“I wanna love me
The way that you love me
Ooh, for all of my pretty and all of my ugly, too
I’d love to see me from your point of view.”

9. Thomas Rhett, “VHS”

Center Point Road • Big Machine • 2019 

On his Grammy-nominated fourth studio album, Center Point Road, Thomas Rhett continued where he left off on his 2017 LP, Life Changes.  Every Rhett album seems to have ‘that particular moment’ when he really goes out of the confines of country. The sleek and hella entertaining “VHS” gives Rhett that moment on Center Point Road.

First and foremost, let’s clear up a misconception. “VHS” is NOT referencing the now extinct tapes. Instead, the title is an acronym for “Very Hot Summer.” Country music purists may cry foul, but those who are open-minded to the possibilities of country will be thrilled by the funk cues, including vocoder. “VHS” was readymade as a crossover anthem for summer, even if such success was never actually attained.

10. Jhené Aiko, “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)”

Chilombo • Def Jam • 2020

On the acronym song “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)”, R&B artist Jhené Aiko is assisted by a couple of her Grammy-winning friends: Future and Miguel. Furthermore, she receives lush production, courtesy of Fisticuffs.  Future kicks things off on the intro, where “Red roses damn near turn to ashes” and “These dirty blogs got your mind damaged.”

Miguel takes the reins from there, handling the majority of the chorus:

“I hope she don’t think that I think that she some kinda ho
I don’t care, that just lets me know that she knows what she wants, yeah.”

Jhené Aiko enters the mix on the first verse, her biggest role as the lead artist, singing about sex: “That print in them sweatpants got me weak off in my knees.” Future is the main attraction once again on the second, raising some eyebrows when he gets ‘spiritual’ (“They misunderstood me when they say I’m Jesus Christ / I just want you to worship me, I like what I like”). Although more Aiko would’ve been nice, it’s an enjoyable, sexy standout from her Grammy nominated third studio album, Chilombo. 

11. Vince Staples, “FUN!”

Ft. E-40

FM! • Def Jam • 2018

“One time, circling the block / Lil buddy got murdered on a flock / Two times, you know how we rock / You know how we knocked on, you know who got socked.” Vince Staples doesn’t play around when it comes to rapping – the man knows how to drop some serious bars.  As expected, on “FUN!,” a highlight from his 2018 album, FM!, he came prepared to spit, assisted by Bay Area vet, E-40. Following the aforementioned excerpt from his verse, Staples adds:

“Made an uh-oh letting Vince in the door
Gave a little money to me, now I want more
Don’t be lookin’ funny when we come up in the store
My black is beautiful, but I’ll shoot at you, dawg...”

While “FUN!” is definitely an ‘entertaining’ listen, isn’t quite as fun as the ‘word itself’ would suggest.  Why? Well, the title is actually an acronym – “fuck up nothin’.”  That makes sense given the real talk that Staples drops over the unique, minimalist production work, not to mention the explicitly satisfying chorus.

“We just wanna have fun
We don’t wanna fuck up nothin’
We don’t wanna fuck up nothin’
Fun, we don’t wanna fuck up nothin’.”

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12. Dua Lipa, “IDGAF”

Dua Lipa (Complete Edition) •  Warner •  2018

“You say you’re sorry, but it’s too late now / So save it, get gone, shut up!” It’s safe to say that Grammy-winning pop sensation Dua Lipa clearly possesses that attitude.  Peruse her 2017 self-titled debut album, and it’s filled with hit after hit after hit.  The biggest hit of the bunch was “New Rules,” but Dua Lipa exhibited even more attitude, feistiness, sass (and profanity) on another standout, “IDGAF.”

I supposed you could give those marketing the album credit for opting for an acronym as opposed to just spelling out the statement. Even so, on the second half of the chorus, Dua Lipa makes it clear how she feels about this trifling boy: “‘Cause if you think I care about you now / Well, boy, I don’t give a fuck.” Basically, “IDGAF” finds the pop star brushing the dirt off her shoulders and making it clear, that she “don’t need your love.”  The vocals are great, the production strong as well, but the biggest selling point – that attitude!

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13. System of a Down, “ATWA”

Toxicity • Sony Music Entertainment • 2001

“I don’t sleep anymore / I don’t eat anymore / I don’t live anymore / I don’t feel.” Hmm, well, that just doesn’t sound too good in the least… What does sound good, however is the song itself, “ATWA.”  “ATWA” comes at the hands of Armenian-American metal collective System of a Down from their beloved 2001 album, Toxicity.

Serj Tankian and company certainly make quite an impression on this record, inspired by infamous cult leader and mass murderer Charles Manson. ATWA itself is an acronym for air, trees, water, and animals.  It’s an “ecological mandate” that Manson promoted. It’s a fitting title for the song, which centers around the mindset and feelings of the ‘misunderstood’ cult leader – at least from his perspective.  The aforementioned lyrics, as well as the chorus give a clear portrait of how Manson felt.

“You don’t care about how I feel

I don’t feel there anymore.” 

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14. Mariah Carey, “GTFO”

Caution • Epic • 2018

“How ‘bout you get the fuck out?” Mariah Carey made an aggressive return in 2018 in the ‘coolest’ way possible on “GTFO”. The acronym, of course, isn’t very difficult to figure out. Clearly a woman scorned, on the first verse of the Caution gem, she asserts, “You took my love for granted / You left me lost and disenchanted / Bulldozed my heart as if you planned it.” Shameful!

On the second verse, Carey basically states she should’ve listened to her friends who warned her that her man was no good. Ultimately, all the anger percolates on the explicit chorus. Vocally, she sounds smooth, singing in calm and collected fashion as opposed to belting or opting for those extreme high notes. “GTFO” is ultimately a good fit for Mimi that’s hella enjoyable.  One of the best songs of 2018 that just didn’t get its just due.  Neither did Caution as a whole for that matter. 

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15. Fergie, “M.I.L.F. $”

Double Dutchess • BMG Rights Management •  2017

“Heard you in the mood for a little MILF-shake / Welcome to the Dairy Dutchess Love Factory / I could whip it up, fix you up straight away.” Oh brother! “M.I.L.F. $” marked a risqué, unapologetic return for Fergie back in 2016, long before the release of Double Dutchess. She knew exactly what she was doing with “M.I.L.F. $,” delivering a record that thrives off of S-E-X. If you’re naïve of the slang Fergie embraces, M.I.L.F. is an acronym for mom I’d like to fuck.  Making this even ‘steamier’ or just outright dirty is this term is often associated with a particular genre of porn…

Focusing on “M.I.L.F. $” itself, it’s a quirky joint that’s gimmicky to the nth degree. To an extent, there’s a sense of desperation from Fergie – ‘overexertion’ if you will. Nonetheless, it’s in line with the type of artist she’s been consistently throughout her career.  Take it with a grain of salt.

“You got that, you got that, you got that milk money
I got that, I got that, I got that MILF money.”

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