15 More Marvelously Tactile Touch Songs | Playlist 🎧

15 More Marvelously Tactile Touch Songs features songs by BIA, Busta Rhymes, Diana Ross, Jessie Murph, RYANN, and The Staple Singers. 

Noted, Jessie Murph 😈. RYANN  wants to know, “Boy, why don’t you touch me? / Tell me, are you afraid?” That’s deep stuff right there! As for The Staple Singers, they provide sound, touching advice: “Reach out, touch a hand  / Make a friend if you can.” Whether it’s a non-vanilla Alabaman, a queer Dutchman, or an iconic soul/gospel collective, they all have one common thread among the songs referenced: touch.

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s time to revisit touch via song. 15 More Marvelously Tactile Touch Songs serves as a sequel to 11 Marvelously Tactile Touch Songs (2020).  Five long years without touch is a very long time 😈! The criterion is simple: each song must feature some form of the word, touch. 15 More Marvelously Tactile Touch Songs features songs by BIA, Busta Rhymes, Diana Ross, Jessie Murph, RYANN, and The Staple Singers.  So, without further ado, won’t you join me, The Musical Hype, on this touching musical experience?!

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~ Table of Contents ~

1. Jessie Murph, “Touch Me Like A Gangster”	2. RYANN, “Boy, Why Don’t You Touch Me?”	3. Honey Bxby, “Touchin’”
4. The Beaches, “Touch Myself”	5. BIA, “Can’t Touch This”	6. BABY GRAVY, Yung Gravy & bbno$, “touch grass”
7. Busta Rhymes, “Touch It”	8. The Japanese House, “Touching Yourself”	9. The Staple Singers, “Touch a Hand (Make a Friend)”
10. Leon Bridges, “Why Don’t You Touch Me”	11. Tamela Mann, “Touch From You”	12. Bloodhound Gang, “The Bad Touch”
13. Divinyls, “I Touch Myself”	14. Diana Ross, “Touch Me In The Morning”	15. James Cleveland, “Touch The Hem Of His Garment”

 

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1. Jessie Murph, “Touch Me Like A Gangster”

Sex Hysteria » Columbia » 2025 

Oh, snap, Jessie Murph! Truly, WE LISTEN AND WE DON’T JUDGE! “I’d like to know, how far you gon’ go? / How far we gon’ go?” she continues in the pre-chorus. The Alabama-bred pop singer-songwriter brings the sass and the spice on “Touch Me Like A Gangster”, a single and highlight from her sophomore album, Sex Hysteria.

Although the sex is progressive, “Touch Me Like a Gangster” has a classic, incredibly refined sound.  Bēkon, Laura Veltz, and Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman produced this pop track with retro and vintage-sounding vibes (old-school pop and a dash of soul). The most impressive part of the song is the vocals. Jessie Murph sounds distinct from the first note, showing off her gritty, sultry, and throaty vocals. I love how Murph’s voice cuts – like scissors, baby! Of course, the sex can’t be ignored.  It is part of the charm and success of the song as well. Despite appreciating his tenderness, in the first verse, Murph informs him, “Boy, I got a sign that you’ll wanna see, baby.” In the second verse, she asserts, “You look like you like whips and chains, won’t you do something insane, baby?” Ooh-wee.  The section to beat, the crowning achievement, the crème de la crème, is the chorus.  It is bold, tuneful, and unforgettable to the nth degree!

“I’ll tell you this, my love

I do not give a fuck

I want you on your worst behavior

Touch me like a gangster

Rock me, baby boy, give it hell

This bed ain’t gon’ break itself.”

Damn, girl! Naughty, naughty, naughty, “Touch Me Like A Gangster” is that surefire guilty pleasure you aren’t able to resist.

Appears in:

15 Incredibly Likable LIKE Songs (2025)

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2. RYANN, “Boy, Why Don’t You Touch Me?”

“Boy, Why Don’t You Touch Me?” » RYANN » 2025

Queer Netherlands pop singer/songwriter RYANN (Ryan Adriaens) has a legitimate question. Dude, what gives? What’s the problem? Feeling fiery (and horny) on “Boy, Why Don’t You Touch Me?”, RYANN continues singing, “Bitch, don’t be lazy / I also want to get laid.” His brutal honesty is part of the charm of a bop, released in April 2025, that has summery vibes written all over it.  Well-produced, “Boy, Why Don’t You Touch Me?” is groovy from the get-go.  Trying to resist dancing to this one is impossible.

@ryannsounds

#makingmusic #colors #artist

♬ original sound – RYANN

As sickening as the instrumental is, it is our young, horny young man, RYANN, who is the star of the show. Don’t deny the handsome fella – he needs and wants some! As always, RYANN serves up sweet vocals, longing for some good, S-E-X! The boy he desires is anonymous – “I don’t even know your name, but I don’t care.” Risky, mind you, but not far-fetched in gay hookup culture. Also, later, he reveals the guy who won’t touch him, though it’s censored. Anyways, RYANN has made up his mind that he will sleep with him, but he won’t touch him, hence why RYANN must prompt him! The chorus is the section to beat. It is super fun – one of the biggest selling points of this queer little bop.  Of course, all of the lyrics are fun, though less so for RYANN, who keeps striking out with this cutie, at least him receiving pleasure: “Still, every time we get home / And the heat starts to rise / Oh, you think about yourself / I’m sorry but I’m forced to stop and ask.” RYANN even gives us a story time about this selfish sex – whatever it is. “And every time we had sex or fooled around / He just didn’t touch me.” Wow – what a dick! Sadly, our hot Dutch boy doesn’t get the quality lay he deserves, but he drops another surefire bop with “Boy, Why Don’t You Touch Me?”.

Appears in:

RYANN, Boy, Why Don’t You Touch Me?: Beaming with Pride ️‍No. 39 (2025) Bops from 2025 That Make You Beam with Pride 15 Captivating Songs That Ask a Question (2025) BOY, These Songs Are About You, Part 4 (2025) 13 Songs Where YOU Are the Focus, Vol. 4 (2025) Who, What, When, Where, Why, How Songs (2025)

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3. Honey Bxby, “Touchin’”

3 Words, 8 Letters (Deluxe) » Atlantic Recording Corporation » 2023

Oh, snap, Honey Bxby! “Touchin’” is the sixth track on the R&B singer’s 2024 EP, 3 Words, 8 Letters (Deluxe).  Bxby also released an EP worth of different mixes of the single. An unapologetic artist, surprisingly, “Touchin’” isn’t quite as daring as some of her songs.  But, don’t get it twisted – it is still sexy to the nth degree.  Honey Bxby co-wrote “Touchin’” while Lee Major (Elliott) and Illmaestro produced it.

The production on “Touchin’” bangs! The sound of the song has sex written all over it. It samples the 1976 classic, “Sweet Green Fields”, by Seals & Crofts.  Honey Baby sings fabulously as she shares her desire and surefire lust for him. Beyond the trance she felt in the first verse, the singer asserts in the second, “Addicted, yeah / I’m trippin’, yeah / You got me feeling different, yeah.” What exactly is this feeling? “The feeling is bliss / We only have one night, baby.” Why just one night? Well, that’s where the section to beat, the chorus, comes into play:

“Baby, yes, I know you don’t belong to me

But when you come around

Making my body speak

When you touching, touching, touching on me

When you touching, touching, touching on me.” 

They are not exclusive, but Honey Bxby is all about that “One night of love, love.” Even without profanity or getting too risqué, Honey Bxby keeps it sexy AF on “Touchin’”.

Appears in:

Honey Bxby, Touchin’: Midnight Heat No. 39 (2025)

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4. The Beaches, “Touch Myself”

No Hard Feelings » The Beaches / AWAL Recordings America, Inc » 2025

Come, huh? Is that the right form of the word? Anyways, the innuendo is ripe from Canadian alternative rock band The Beaches (Jordan Miller, Kylie Miller, Leandra Earl, and Eliza Enman-McDaniel). Unfortunately for lead singer Jordan Miller, no action goes down on “Touch Myself”.  Why? Per the chorus of the fourth track from the collective’s 2025 album, No Hard Feelings, “But I’m scared to even touch myself / ‘Cause when I do, I think of you, oh-oh.” Uh-oh – it’s giving a heaping dose of heartbreak 💔. Per Stereo Gum, in a press release, The Beaches stated the following about “Touch Myself”:

‘Touch Myself’ is a song about being so heartbroken you can’t even masturbate, because when you do, it just makes you think of your ex. It’s about how grief can sneak into the most private parts of your life and leave you feeling totally wrecked.”

You know it’s bad when you can’t enjoy solo time. Jordan penned “Touch Myself” with her bandmates, Kylie, Leandra, and Eliza, as well as with Justin Tranter and Ryland Blackinton.

Miller sings in the first verse, and continues, “The memories are wasted in the nighttime.” Yep, because that’s a great time to… you, know. Interestingly, she asserts in the second verse, “Up my insurance.” Why, Jordan? “Got therapy bills in the millions.” The need for therapy is the result of heartbreak.  She gets even more personal about private matters in the third verse, mentioning her toys. But, again, they aren’t being used: “‘Cause everything waist down is broken /… ‘Cause the strap’s in the trash with my self-esteem.” To sum things up, the heartbreak 💔 on “Touch Myself” is a serious bummer.  The musicianship, however, is not a bummer in the least.  The driving alternative pop/rock backdrop is #winning, particularly given the pace – a nice, medium tempo. Jordan brings the heat, delivering a commanding, expressive, and striking vocal performance.  You might say, The Beaches ate and left no crumbs on this alluring, non-masturbatory heartbreak anthem.

Appears in:

The Beaches, Touch Myself: Midnight Heat No. 80 (2025)

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5. BIA, “Can’t Touch This”

For Certain » Epic » 2021

Does anybody remember this aughts classic? Well, if not, let me fill you in! It’s “Milkshake” by Kelis.  Why do I mention this R&B song when I’m supposed to write about the BIA song, “Can’t Touch This” (For Certain, 2021)? Well, BIA sampled the aughts gem in “Can’t Touch This,” featuring that stellar production by The Neptunes. Besides sampling “Milkshake,” BIA also lifts off the chorus, tweaking it to her liking in the second verse: “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard (Oh) / in the foreign cars / And they’re like, it’s better than yours / Damn right, it’s better than yours.” Woo! It’s not all borrowing though! BIA brings ample personality to the verses and of course, the centerpiece, the chorus.  Over banging production by IRoccOnTheBeat, London Jae, and DJ Young Pharaoh, she spits:

“No stylist, I don’t do repeats

I got money, bitch, I’m knee-deep

All hunnids, drippin’ in CC

Might pop that pussy like FreakNik

No mileage, boy, you can’t touch this

No bodies, boy, you ain’t fuck shit

I’m on islands, whippin’ them Porsches (Skrr)

Run shit, and your nigga endorse it (Sheesh).”

Woo! BIA doesn’t play around in the least! “Can’t Touch This” BE-OTCHES!

Appears in:

These 15 Songs are About THIS (2022) Can’t: 5ive Songs No. 6 (2022) Songs Where Musicians Just Can’t, Vol. 2 (2024)

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6. BABY GRAVY, Yung Gravy & bbno$, “touch grass”

bag or die » bbno$ » 2022

Word. Sooo… what happens when bbno$ (Alexander Gumuchian) and Yung Gravy (Matthew Hauri) collaborate? Chaos. Pure chaos. But, bbno$ and Yung Gravy gave their chaos a name: BABY GRAVY. The duo of confident, big-personality rappers/singers dropped a short but potent banger, “touch grass”. “Touch grass” first appeared as the fifth track from bbno$’s 2022 album, bag or die.  The song also appears as the 11^th track on BABY GRAVY’s 2023 album, Baby Gravy 3.  Touch grass is an idiomatic phrase, defined by Merriam-Webster as “to participate in normal activities in the real world, especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions.” Urban Dictionary offers similar explanations, if less nuanced and less refined than M-W.

Following bbno$’s intro, he and Yung Gravy split the first verse. Is there much depth? Hell to the no. Bbno$ has “Sixty-three bitches in my crib, I ain’t kissed one / Just got a check, it’s a big one.” K, sure. Later, Yung Gravy informs us, “Bitch, you ain’t slick, I don’t pre-cum 👀,” with bbno$ responding, “Feeling braindead 🧠 😵, need cerebrum 🧠 🤤 / Now my dick 🍆 tired 🥱, put a thumb 👍 in her bum-bum 🍑.” Jesus!  The second verse is wild, too. Bbno$ touts money and drip. Gravy tells us “Halle Berry in my DMs, tryna get it.” Umm… It’s not only Halle either: “Gravy train runnin’ for the Senate / AOC reached out, might hit it.” The chorus is a treat.  Wisely, bbno$ tells us to “Go outside, touch grass.” As for Yung Gravy, he’s more of an indoors guy: “Go inside, touch ass.” Don’t ever change, Matthew.  Outlandish, BABY GRAVY eat on this ultra-ridiculous, take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt, electro-infused rap cut. Shout out to Y2K, Sully, lentra, and bbno$ for the badass production.

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7. Busta Rhymes, “Touch It”

The Big Bang » Aftermath » 2006

Woo! Grammy-nominated rapper Busta Rhymes (Trevor Smith, Jr.) dropped an undeniable rap banger in 2006 with “Touch It”. “Touch It” is the second track from The Big Bang.  The biggest bang of the album was undoubtedly this top 20 hit, which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 💪. Swizz Beatz produced it, dropping one of his best beats ever. A skeletal-sounding cut, the hard-nosed, in that signature, Swizz Beatz style, is big-time. Also big-time is the Daft Punk sample, “Technologic”.  The infectious chorus, excerpted above, wouldn’t be possible without that sample!

With Swizz Beatz and Daft Punk putting in work, Busta Rhymes holds up his end of things, too! It begins in the intro, while the Daft Punk sample heats up: “Ayo, Swizz, I don’t think they ready for this shit /… Ayo, let me take they ass back to the club real quick.” As promised, Busta does just that.  His cadence and flow kick ass and take names.  Eccentric, fast-paced, and unapologetic, Busta Bus reminds us why he is one of the best in the game.  He rides the beat like a fucking champ, no cap.  A prime example:

“Now you know who holdin’ the throne, so gimme the crown

Niggas salutin’ and tryna give me a pound

(Come on) I don’t really fuck with you niggas, you niggas is clowns

Making the bitches strippin’, throw they shit on the ground.”

That’s just one bullet from the first verse, excluding the wild conclusion: “She turned around and was tryna to put my dick in her mouth / I let her.” Oop!  He ends the second verse with mad big dick energy, too: “‘Cause we consistently rep and see my money is long / All my bitches is wit’ me, see how they singing the song / Plus how we give ‘em the stick and we be dickin’ along / I let her.” Throughout three illustrious verses on “Touch It”, Busta Rhymes talks his shit.  No need to overanalyze it – it is what it is.  This gold-certified, Grammy-nominated joint is one of the best rap songs from the 2000s, hands down.  The “Touch It (Remix)” is fire, too!

Appears in:

Busta Rhymes, Touch It: Bangerz N Bopz No. 98 (2025)

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8. The Japanese House, “Touching Yourself”

In the End It Always Does » Dirty Hit » 2023

Sooo, is that what we’re doing here, Amber Bain? “Touching Yourself” is the second track from The Japanese House’s 2023 album, In the End It Always Does. Bain sings, “I had to go into the other room / She sent me something and I can’t think about anything else.” Bain’s girlfriend, who is not physically with her, texted – rather sexted – something colorful 😈.  As a result, a flustered Bain goes elsewhere, more private, and thinks about her girlfriend pleasuring herself. WOO!  Clearly, Bain loves her, adding, “I wanna touch you but you’re too far away / And when you call me, I’m all over the place now.” Honestly, Bain is being authentic, honest, and ultra-relatable.  In this case, it’s a lesbian relationship, but could be any relationship experiencing these same situations.

What is interesting about this fierce indie-pop joint (the vocals, and relatively light but rhythm and potent production shine) is how it shifts from longing for intimacy to stepping back from it.  “I had to go into the other room / She told me something and I had to go and sit by myself / Said she’d call me from a better place.” Hmm, that’s an about-face! Per Apple Music, Bain says of the song:

Obviously, at the beginning, I was far away from this person a lot – I was touring. And then suddenly, I was close to them all the time because it was lockdown yet felt so far away from them.

Again, even though The Japanese House is a musician and the distance and space away is because of her craft, “Touching Yourself” can be applied to a long-distance relationship.  Furthermore, after the distance issue is eradicated, there’s a whole new issue.  This describes love and the ups and downs of a relationship. “Touching Yourself” is sensational.

Appears in:

The Japanese House, Touching Yourself: LGBTQ Bopz No. 26 (2023)  Awesome Songs: July 2023 15 Songs Where Girls Like Girls (2025)

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9. The Staple Singers, “Touch a Hand (Make a Friend)”

Be What You Are » Stax / Fantasy, Inc. » 1973 

That’s what the legendary Mavis Staples and The Staple Singers sing on “Touch a Hand (Make a Friend)”. She continues, “Oh, a change is comin’ on / From every walk of life / People are seeing the light.” Amen 🙏! “Touch a Hand (Make a Friend)” is the fourth track from the Chicago soul/gospel collective’s 1973 album, Be What You Are. “Touch a Hand (Make a Friend)” gave the Rock and Roll / Gospel Music Hall of Famers another top 40 hit, peaking at no. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The groovy classic was written by Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson, and Carl Hampton.  Al Bell produced. 

 

Ooh wee! The musical accompaniment is everything when it comes to “Touch a Hand (Make a Friend).” It is lushly arranged featuring sophisticated orchestral touches (winds and strings). As expected, the rhythm section is tight – ‘in the pocket.’ Do you know what else is ‘everything?’ The vocals!  Mavis Staples sounds top-notch on lead.  Meanwhile, the harmonized background vocals by The Staple Singers are elite.  “Touch” thrives thanks to tuneful melodies, particularly the feel-good, uplifting chorus:  

“Reach out, touch a hand  
Make a friend if you can  
Reach out, touch a hand  
Make a friend if you can.” 

The songwriting is thoughtful and positive – it’s all good vibes with “Touch a Hand (Make a Friend).” “Every day folk are waking up / To the need for one another / We’re on our way / Making the world a better place.”  Sadly, more than 50 years after the release of the awesome “Touch a Hand (Make a Friend)”, we still have a long, long way to go.  We need to heed the words of this classic more than ever! 

Appears in:

The Staple Singers, Touch a Hand (Make a Friend): Throwback Vibez No. 165 (2024)   13 More Utterly Friend-tastic Friend Songs (2025) 15 Mo’ Surefire Classics from the 1970s

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10. Leon Bridges, “Why Don’t You Touch Me”

Gold-Diggers Sound » LisaSawyer63 / Columbia » 2021 

Good question, Leon Bridges! The Grammy-winning R&B singer returned in 2021 with his third studio album, Gold-Diggers Sound.  “Why Don’t You Touch Me” marked the third advanced single. Bridges is a fantastic vocalist.  He possesses soulfulness beyond his years. The background has its share of neo-/retro-soul sensibilities. It also sounds more contemporary compared to past work. Beyond the warm, well-rounded adult contemporary R&B sounds constructed by Nate Mercereau, 9AM, and Ricky Reed, as well as marvelous vocals from Bridges, the songwriting is relatable.  With the relationship slipping, yet there’s still love between the two, Bridges is rightfully concerned.  The best moment is the chorus, excerpted above and continued as follows:

“…I’m dressin’ to the nines and your eyes strayin’

Oh, why don’t you touch me? Yeah

Why don’t, why don’t, why don’t? Yeah, yeah.”

“Why Don’t You Touch Me” marks another fabulous showing from Bridges.

Appears in:

Awesome Songs: June 2021 15 Intriguing Songs Filled with WHY (2024)

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11. Tamela Mann, “Touch From You”

Overcomer » TillyMann Music Group » 2021

I concur, Tamela Mann, I concur! When things get arduous, who better to call than The Most High?! On the gorgeous, moving gospel ballad “Touch from You” from her 2021 album, Overcomer, Mann praises God, asserting we – the world – are in dire need of 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 on this uplifting gem: “Can you hear the voices of your people crying out? / Lord, we need you now, send your grace.” Hopefully, “Touch from You” provides that spiritual refresh to the same degree as it does for me.

Appears in:

Tamela Mann, Touch from You: Sunday Refresh No. 5 (2022)

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12. Bloodhound Gang, “The Bad Touch”

Hooray for Boobies » Geffen » 1999

The quirky “The Bad Touch” marks the biggest song by Bloodhound Gang.  In the first verse of their sole song chart on the Billboard Hot 100, Jimmy Pop continues singing – well – rapping, “So put your hands down my pants and I’ll bet you’ll feel nuts / Yes, I’m Siskel, yes, I’m Ebert and you’re getting two thumbs up.” Wow! While “The Bad Touch” charted on the pop charts, it failed to reach the top 40, peaking at number 52 in 2000.  This raunchy, sexed-up joint appears as the 10^th track on the band’s 1999, platinum-certified album, Hooray for Boobies.

Jimmy is horny throughout “The Bad Touch.” “I want you smothered, want you covered, like my Waffle House hash / Come quicker than FedEx, never reach an apex,” he naughtily asserts towards the end of the first verse. Wow! The second is filthy too: “So, if I capsize on your thighs high tide, B-5, you sunk my battleship / Please turn me on, I’m Mister Coffee, with an automatic drip.” Pop keeps it quick-paced and un-pitched in the verse while he sings on the surprisingly tuneful chorus:

“Do it now

You and me, baby, ain’t nothing but mammals

So, let’s do it like they do on the Discovery Channel

Do it again now.”

So, like mammals mating on Discover Channel? Beyond the lyrics, there are ear-catching production touches with rhythmic synths, horns, and the groove. Notably, “The Bad Touch” features multiple samples, including Pet Shop Boys’ “In The Night”.  This sex song is one for the ages.

Appears in:

Bloodhound Gang, The Bad Touch: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 7 (2024) 11 Marvelous Bad Songs, Vol. 2 (2024)

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13. Divinyls, “I Touch Myself”

Divinyls » Virgin Records America, Inc. » 1991

Christina Amphlett (1959 – 2013), the lead singer of the Australian rock band Divinyls, sings in the first verse of “I Touch Myself”. Amphlett continues, “When I’m feelin’ down / I want you above me.” Oh, snap! “I Touch Myself” is the second track from Divinyls’ self-titled, gold-certified 1991 album. Amphlett, Billy Steinberg, Mark McEntee, and Tom Kelly penned “I Touch Myself.” Amphlett, McEntee, and David Tickle produced it.  A pop hit, “Touch” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.  

“I Touch Myself” begins with an enigmatic instrumental intro. The intro establishes a great build-up that sets the tone for this fun, risqué classic.  The melodies are tuneful from the beginning.  Interestingly, the song is written in F major.  That said, the verses treat C as the key center.  This adds to the distinctness of the sound (the B-flat in F major’s key signature would be a lowered 7^th in C). Amphlett’s vocals are distinct, marvelously capturing self-pleasure and a strong desire for him.  The sexual innuendo is spot on.  “You’re the one who makes me come running,” she sings in the second verse, and adds, “You’re the sun who makes me shine.”  In the third verse, she informs us, “I get down on my knees / I’d do anything for you.” Oh, that spotless innuendo!  Of course, the section to beat is the ultra-memorable chorus, firmly planted in F major without complications:

“I don’t want anybody else

When I think about you, I touch myself, oh-oh.”  

No explanation necessary there.  She’s done it, I’ve done it, you’ve done it… “I Touch Myself” is one of the great, inescapable gems of the 1990s.  Divinyls dropped a pleasure-filled, un-touchable classic!

Appears in:

Divinyls, I Touch Myself: Throwback Vibez No. 148 (2025)

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14. Diana Ross, “Touch Me In The Morning”

Touch Me In The Morning » Motown » 1973

Decorated. Diana Ross (b. 1944) is the definition of an icon.  Not only was Ross a big deal as a member of The Supremes, but she also became a widely successful solo artist. Ask yourself this: How has a musician of the caliber of Ross not won a Grammy? Let that sink in… “Touch Me In The Morning” is one of many gems from her illustrious musical catalog.  It is, fittingly, the opener from her 1973 album, Touch Me In The Morning. Ronald Miller and Michael Masser penned “Touch,” while Masser and Tom Baird produced it. One of six number one hits on the pop chart, it spent one week atop the Billboard Hot 100.

“Touch Me In The Morning” is a masterpiece.  It showcases elite musicianship from all parties involved. The musical backdrop is elite, comprised of piano, an athletic bass line, soulful guitar, vibes, and a picturesque, dynamic orchestra. A bit of a complex pop/soul classic, it is adept at blending pop and soul balladry with more assertive disco and funk cues. Diana Ross brings her A game vocally, marvelously bringing the radiant melodies to life. “Hey, wasn’t it yesterday / We used to laugh at the wind behind us,” she sings, in the second verse, and continues, “Didn’t we run away and hope / That time wouldn’t try to find us?” Sigh, oh, the love, that, unfortunately, must end: “Yeah, I really need you near me tonight / ‘Cause you’ll never take me there again.” Bummer. Ross sings most of the time, but adding another brilliant wrinkle, she also talks. “Hold you until the time / Your hands reach out and,” she says, and continues, singing, “Touch me in the mornin’.” Adding to the sheer excellence of this juggernaut are classy, refined background vocals. “Touch Me In The Morning” is celestial – a Godsend of a song. Even as Diana Ross sounds like a natural on this classic, she struggled recording it 🤯. The perfectionist in her required multiple takes to achieve the perfect vocal on a song that she found difficult to sing.  The good news is her persistence paid off, yielding one of the top-tier songs in her/the soul music catalog. This one is timeless, folks.

Appears in:

Diana Ross, Touch Me In The Morning: Throwback Vibez No. 162 (2025)

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15. James Cleveland, “Touch The Hem Of His Garment”

Breathe On Me » Savoy » 1989  

Amen 🙏! So many inspirational songs, particularly gospel, address the power of faith – believing in something that you are unable to physically see.  The late, great James Cleveland (1931 – 1991) and The Northern & Southern Choirs of G.M.W.A. released a powerful testament of faith with “Touch The Hem Of His Garment”.  This uplifting record is the sixth track from the 1989 album Breathe On Me. Calvin Bernard Rhone composed this gem. 

 

Like the earlier Sam Cooke / The Soul Stirrers classic, “Touch The Hem Of His Garment” references Matthew 9: 20-22, Mark 5:25-34, and Luke 8: 43-48. Those scriptures mention a woman who had a blood disease for 12 years and sought healing. She went to the right person – Jesus. “Like the woman who had an issue of blood for twelve long years,” the dynamic lead vocalist sings in the first verse, adding, “But just as the woman knew that she could be set free.” Jesus, of course, is who could set her free.  Throughout “Touch The Hem of His Garment,” the melodies are gorgeous and tuneful.  The musical backdrop is terrific, too, particularly the piano accompaniment. The lead vocals are enthusiastic and soulful, masterfully bringing out this faith-driven songwriting (“But I know, I know what I must do, I got to reach by my faith and just touch You”). The chorus is nothing short of magnificent.  There are dynamic backing vocals supporting the lead, especially during the centerpiece, the chorus:  

“(If I can just touch the hem of Your garment) 

All I want to do is touch the hem of your garment, then I know 

(Then I know I’d be made whole) 

I got the faith to be believe 

(If I can just touch the hem of your garment) 

If I just touch the hem 

Then I know I will be made whole 

(Then I know I would be made whole).”  

The vocalist has the faith that God can heal him and do anything.  What does it require? “Just a little bit of faith.” Beyond the chorus, the bridge concludes “Touch The Hem Of His Garment” powerfully. Beyond the lyrics, the harmonic progression catches the ears, particularly the ‘punctuating’ chord that is struck. James Cleveland directed a beloved, moving gospel masterpiece with this one.  

 

Appears in:

James Cleveland & The Northern & Southern Choirs of G.M.W.A., Touch The Hem Of His Garment: Music Lifts No. 16 (2025)  13 Rad Fitting, Clothing-Related Songs

 

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