15 Must-Hear YOU Songs | Playlist

6. benny blanco, Marshmello & Vance Joy, “You”

“You” • Interscope / Friends Keep Secrets / Joytime Collective • 2021 

In early 2021, Benny blanco tapped Marshmello and Vance Joy – an unlikely cast of characters – for an enjoyable new pop single, “You”. As unexpected as it is, “You” ends up being successful. “You” runs just under three minutes – a sufficient length.  It commences with those ‘signature’ pop guitars. Soon enough, we get lovely, clear vocals by Joy. As always, his tone is buttery smooth and simply gorgeous.  Moving on to the backdrop (blanco, Marshmello, and Blake Slatkin), the contrast provided by the drop is a selling point.  For the most part, the verses are what we typically expect from a Vance Joy record.  Further adding to that aesthetic is the addition of a thudding beat on the second verse.

The memorable chorus features lovely, tuneful melody:

“Oh, you, only you
When the night is over out of all the places I could choose
I’ll go to you, only you
Feel you’re just below the surface, darling
All I wanna do is go to you.”

Post-chorus, there’s the combination of drop and a post-chorus highlighting select lyrics from the chorus.  Like everything else regarding “You,” it’s quite successful.  All in all, benny blanco comes through again with another bop.

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7. Chris Stapleton, “You Should Probably Leave”

Starting Over • Mercury• 2020

Four words: you should probably leave.  Wow, Chris Stapleton! What did we do to deserve such a harsh statement?  “I recognize that look in your eyes.” Hmm, seems like matters of the heart – lust specifically – is the primary reason the Grammy-winning country musician is shooing us away! Well, not us, ‘her’ on “You Should Probably Leave,” a highlight from his fourth studio album, Starting Over.

“You Should Probably Leave” was written by Stapleton, Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois. The writing is on-point as it should be with that team. “There’s still time for you to finish your wine / Then you should probably leave,” Stapleton sings on the second verse.  He continues, “And it’s hard to resist, alright, just one kiss / Then you should probably leave.” Ooh la-la! Also, worth noting, the production sounds particularly slick here –a refined effort from Stapleton and Dave Cobb.  We get those cutting lead vocals from Stapleton, lovely, harmonized vocals, bluesy guitar, and Hammond B3.  That’s that country music that I totally heart!

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8. Marshmello & Jonas Brothers, “Leave Before You Love Me”

“Leave Before You Love Me” • Joytime Collective / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 2021

“Won’t give my heart up for breaking / ‘Cause I’m too gone to be staying.”  Sure, Joe Jonas, sure! Joe and his brother, Nick Jonas, handle the vocals on their collaboration with Marshmello, “Leave Before You Love Me.”  It runs just about two-and-a-half minutes in duration, but there’s plenty to like. After all, Marshmello = hit maker.  Jonas Brothers = hit makers. The result = hit, hit, HIT!

Marshmello produces “Leave Before You Love Me” with a star-studded team: Alesso, Heavy Mellow, and Digital Farm Animals (Nicholas Gale). The sound of the record has a smooth, 80s pop/rock vibe and sensibility.  This sound fits Nick and Joe.  Nick serves up beautiful vocals on the first verse, exhibiting a beautiful tone. As for Joe, he sings well on the second verse as well, contrasting his younger brother with more ad-libs and melodic tweaks.  Of course, the crème de la crème of this brief bop are the pre-chorus and chorus sections – tuneful and memorable to the nth degree.

“Dancing on the edge, ‘bout to take it too far
It’s messing with my head, how I mess with your heart
If you wake up in your bed, alone in the dark
I’m sorry, gotta leave before you love me
Ayy, ayy, leave before you love me.”

Also appears on :
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9. Diana Ross, “Thank You”

Thank You • Decca • 2021

After a 15-year-hiatus, Diana Ross returns with a brand-new studio album, Thank You. Woo! The soul icon is a ripe, young 77. “Thank You” proves to be a compelling and fitting lead single for Thank You. It’s an exuberant, impressive showing – a welcome addition to a timeless collection that shows a legend filled with life.  Her energy is infectious to the nth degree.  As you listen to this Troy Miller-produced number – patterned after pop and soul of old with the advances of modern technology – you feel the nostalgia of The Supremes/Ross solo cuts of old.  Furthermore, I hear that assertive, cutting, timeless voice, coupled with a playful performance, and I hear something us, the music enthusiasts, have been missing for years.

Diana Ross is ‘giving’ from start to finish, particularly the moments when she ad-libs and shows off an awesome personality.  I’d just like to say, ‘thank you’ to Ross for sharing a surefire contemporary soul bop with “Thank You.” This is an awesome reintroduction for an icon.  Ross sings well, showcasing tremendous personality.  The production is the right balance of old school while sounding refreshing in 2021.  The songwriting, also, is fitting for a queen.  Fancy sufficiently tickled!

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10. Charlie Puth, “If You Leave Me Now”

Ft. Boyz II Men

Voicenotes • Artist Partner Group • 2018

One of the best moments for Grammy-nominated pop artist Charlie Puth on his sophomore album, Voicenotes, is the song “If You Leave Me Now”. The sound of the record is throwback ‘contemporary’ R&B.  Sigh, think 1990s when featured guests, Boyz II Men (!), were in their prime.

Perhaps “If You Leave Me Now” should feel anachronistic, but instead, it’s refreshing because of it captures the glory days of R&B. The vocals from Puth as well as his soulful supporting cast are utterly superb. As the predominate lead, Puth is much more commanding and soulful than he’s been in the past.  In a tweet, Puth cited this as “probably one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written”.  He should be totally proud: the a cappella vocals, the production, and simple, but thoughtful lyrics, and a modulation (key change).

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11. Morgan Wallen, “Wasted on You”

Dangerous: The Double Album • Big Loud / Republic • 2021

“Wasted on You” is a highlight from Dangerous: The Double Album, the 2021 sophomore album by country standout Morgan Wallen. Wallen has had a hell of a 2020-21, regarding both successes (tearing up the charts) and failures (partying and inexcusable racial slurs).  For our intents and purposes here, we’ll merely address the song.

“Wasted on You” incorporates plenty of country cues, satisfying more traditional listeners but doesn’t limit itself. How so? Well, that drum programming definitely doesn’t characterize your father’s brand of country music, now does it? Where so often pop experiments in country fall flat, Wallen makes them work successfully here. Most of all, his ace-in-the hole, his voice, shines.

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12. GIVĒON, “Like I Want You”

When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time • Epic • 2021

“See you face to face, I’m thinking ‘bout the days we used to be / But I can’t make a scene, but I can’t make it seem / Like I want you.” Grammy nominated R&B artist GIVĒON (Giveon Evans) shines on his soulful slow jam, “Like I Want You.”  Matters of the heart drive this sleek-sounding joint, produced by a team comprised of Jahaan Sweet, Sevn Thomas, River Tiber, and Los Hendrix.

The compound-duple slow jam is a classic example of desiring your ex. He wants to be cool about this thing but in all honesty, he’s absolutely smitten.  A prime example? That ripe, expressive, and longing falsetto on the chorus.  Of course, more explicit examples include “A table set for two / You got me waitin’ but you ain’t comin’ through” from the second verse.  Admittedly, GIVĒON has his doubts about the success of reconciliation, but he wants it, per the bridge.

“There’s no reason to believe I’ll save us now
But if you really love me, say it now
Why is it so hard to figure out?
I need you every day, believe me when I say it.” 

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13. Kelly Clarkson, “Move You”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

“Like a montage in a movie, right before the hero dies / Like the first time that you listen to your favorite singer live… / I want to move you like that.” Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson ranks as one of the most consistent female pop artists without question.  Clarkson has an incredibly versatile voice that “could sing the phone book,” to quote her former American Idol judges. After a two-year hiatus, the original American Idol winner returned in 2017 with Meaning of Life, her seventh album.  Among the highlights is the ‘moving’ “Move You”, an uplifting, thoughtfully written ballad about ‘moving one another’ in a relationship.

Essentially, Clarkson wants to ‘complete’ her husband and ‘be his everything’ (NOTE: they’ve since divorced). ­­­­­The tempo is slow, but heavy pop/rock drums add some punch.  Overall, the production is a selling point, including gospel choral vocals, guitar, and strings.  The choral vocals truly elevate “Move You,” providing more fuel for Clarkson’s lead, which was already fired-up and inspired to the nth degree. 35 years old when “Move You” and Meaning of Life were released, Clarkson continued to slay the competition.

14. Marvin Sapp, “Thank You for It All”

Chosen Vessel • RCA • 2020 

“I thank you for it all / The good, bad, the ugly, great and small / The times of victory when I fall / I’m so grateful that I’m still standing tall.” Amen, Marvin Sapp!  “Thank You for It All”, The opener from Chosen Vessel just feels totally right.  Sapp emphasizes giving God gratitude for all situations, including those that are the most difficult and uncomfortable.

Why, you ask, would you ever be thankful for the bad? Well, per Sapp, it is because God has blessed us with life itself, as well as surviving the storms, turbulence, and tribulations that come with it. The songwriting is simple, yet, perfectly executed.  Sapp’s choir amplifies his emotional highs, taking “Thank You for It All,” to the next level.  Whether you’re religious or not, you should appreciate the spirit exhibited – the deference Marvin shows to The Most High.

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15. Mariah Carey, “All I Want for Christmas is You”

Merry Christmas • Sony • 1994 

Mariah Carey and Christmas go together perfectly, PERIOD.  How so? Well, Carey has long reigned supreme when it comes to festive music, thanks especially to her no. 1 hit, “All I Want for Christmas is You”.  It takes a special breed of original Christmas song to stick the way that “All I Want for Christmas is You” has.  A testament to its staying power is the fact that in 2019, it ascended to no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time – 25 years after being originally released on the album, Merry Christmas.  You know what “All I Want for Christmas is You” did in 2020? It returned to no. 1!

Question: Why does “All I Want for Christmas is You” kick so much @$$? It’s the overall exuberant spirit, constructed via top-rate vocals by Carey, fun lyrics, and the refined, sweet, old-school vibes of the production by Carey and Walter Afanasieff.  The chorus, of course, is the centerpiece!

“I just want you for my own (Ooh)
More than you could ever know (Ooh)
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You, baby.”

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