Reading Time: 15 min read

🎧 15 Must-Hear YOU Songs [📷: Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, The Musical Hype]🎧 15 Must-Hear YOU Songs features music courtesy of BLACKPINK, Chris Stapleton, Doja Cat, GIVĒON, Marshmello & Marvin Sapp.

T

he question is, are YOU ready for a new compendium? Hopefully, the answer is a resounding YES! If that is indeed the case, then we have the perfect playlist for – wait for it – YOU! If YOU didn’t already figure it out, 🎧 15 Must-Hear YOU Songs features the oft-used pronoun in each of the featured song titles.  Basically, YOU can’t escape it!  Worth noting, this is an expanded version of 🎧 You: 5ive Songs No. 98 (2021).

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🎧 15 Must-Hear YOU Songs features music courtesy of 🎙 BLACKPINK, 🎙 Chris Stapleton, 🎙 Doja Cat, 🎙 GIVĒON, 🎙 Marshmello, and 🎙 Marvin Sapp among others.  Just those six musicians alone encompass K-Pop, country, pop, melodic rap, R&B, dance, and gospel! Woo! So, without further ado, why don’t YOU check this you-filled compendium out!

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1. Drake, Lil Wayne & Rick Ross, “You Only Live Twice”

💿 Certified Lover Boy • 🏷 OVO / Republic • 📅 2021

Drake, Certified Lover Boy [📷: OVO / Republic]“Don’t act like you’re happy for me now / Don’t act like you wasn’t prayin’ for catastrophic collapses / Catalog is immaculate.” Woo! One of the premiere bangers on 💿 Certified Lover Boy, the 2021 studio album by 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper/singer 🎙 Drake is 🎵 “You Only Live Twice.” On “You Only Live Twice,” Drizzy enlists the assist from a fellow 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 Lil Wayne, and a 🏆 Grammy nominee, 🏆 🎙 Rick Ross.

Ross kicks things off with a kick-ass verse where he’s true to self, rapping about money (“Money callin’ so I threw the deuce up”).  Drizzy follows, maintaining confidence and swagger as he asserts, “Still runnin’ the game, don’t ask me about the practice,” which references an epic moment from NBA baller 🏀 Allen Iverson. Lil Wayne isn’t to be outdone, sexed-up to the nth degree and unapologetic AF: “Pull my hammer out her pussy, pull her nails out my back.” Woo! Besides electrifying rhymes, the backdrop (🎛 Bink!) is awesome.

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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 13 Y Songs: No Rhyme or Reason


2. BLACKPINK, “How You Like That”

💿 The Album🏷 YG Entertainment / Interscope • 📅 2020

BLACKPINK, The Album [📷 : YG Entertainment / Interscope]🎵 “How You Like That” opens 💿 The Album, the debut album by all-girl K-Pop collective, 🎙 BLACKPINK, with a surefire bop. It commences with an aggressive, dramatic sounding intro, which sets the tone superbly.  Beyond the initial ear candy, the production on “How You Like That” is nothing short of superb.  Slick, ear-catching, and near-perfect, K-Pop backdrops are always on-point.

Beyond the marvelous sounds, BLACKPINK, deliver powerful vocals that cut through and pop out of the production.  Honestly, I live for the energy and sass these girls bring to the table. Even with the Korean lyrics, the energy and the vibe help to bridge the language barrier.  Like a movie with subtitles, listening to “How You Like That,” you don’t feel as if the difference in language is a big deal.  If nothing else, the chorus and post-chorus sections are EVERYTHING.  Furthermore, the bridge section brings excellent contrast, which segues into an outro – a breakdown section – for the ages!

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Also appears on 🔽:
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3. Doja Cat, “You Right”

Ft. The Weeknd

💿 Planet Her 🏷 Kemosabe / RCA • 📅 2021

Doja Cat, Planet Her [📷: Kemosabe / RCA]“I got a man, but I want you / And it’s just nerves, it’s just dick / Makin’ me think ‘bout somethin’ new.” Woo! 🎙 Doja Cat keeps 💿  Planet Her fiery with 🎵 “You Right.” “You Right” is a steamy, honest duet featuring 🏆 Grammy-winning Canadian R&B singer/songwriter, 🎙 The Weeknd.

Clearly, Doja Cat is in a situation.  She has a man, but she wants this other man, damn it! Likewise, The Weeknd feels the same, with the sex playing a big role:

“But-but-but this sex will cloud your memory
A couple of strokes to put it in, then you’ll belong to me.”

Woo! Safe to say, that’s some potent D…

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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Right: 5ive Songs No. 79 (2021)
🔗 🎧 13 Intriguing Right or Left Songs
🔗 🎧 13 Y Songs: No Rhyme or Reason
🔗 🎧 You: 5ive Songs No. 98 (2021)


4. Kane Brown, “Good as You”

💿 Experiment • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2018

Kane Brown, Experiment [📷: Sony]Country singer 🎙 Kane Brown showed a substantial amount of growth artistically on his sophomore album, 💿 Experiment. After years of underrepresentation, Brown is certainly made for his role as torchbearer for a new generation of black country artists. 🎵 “Good as You” appears as the second track on Experiment.

On the first verse, Brown sings about how awesome his girlfriend is, taking care of everybody, including him.  On the following pre-chorus, he goes on to say in essence, that she makes him strive to be a better man.  It’s a ‘tried and true’ sentiment, but authentic, nonetheless.  On the centerpiece, the chorus, he sings:

“I just wanna wake up every day here in this bed
Never leave ‘I love you’ left unsaid
It might take a hundred lifetimes to do
But baby, I just wanna be good as you.”

Beyond the lyrics and the theme, the production on “Good as You” is a selling point. Brown successfully taps into his country roots, while also maintaining ample soul. His tone is golden.

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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 15 Really ‘Good’ Songs… It’s That Simple!


5. Regard, Troye Sivan & Tate McRae, “You”

🎵 “You” • 🏷 Ministry of Sound Recordings Limited • 📅 2021

Regard, Troye Sivan & Tate McRae, “You” [📷: Ministry of Sound Recordings Limited]What happens when you put DJ/producer 🎙 Regard, and pop artists 🎙 Troye Sivan, and 🎙 Tate McRae on the same track? That would be a certified BOP, folks. These three standouts come together for the dance single, simply titled, 🎵 “You”.  There’s plenty to “You” considering it runs nearly four minutes in duration.  It’s a solid four-minutes, thanks to sleek production work by Kosovo-Albanian DJ, and a team of songwriters beyond the main musicians including 🎼✍ Frederik Castenschiold Eichen, 🎼✍ Koda, 🎼✍ SAKIMA, and 🎼✍ Tom Mann.

Regard fuels the fire with his electronic backdrop that sounds simultaneously modern and forward thinking. This sets up both singers for success for sure. Troye Sivan takes first blood on the refrain (not to be mistaken with the chorus), singing expressively, and showcasing some falsetto. Tate McRae arrives for the first time on the sole verse, singing with smoky, breathy vocals.  She follows with the refrain (or pre-chorus) first performed by Sivan. The centerpiece, of course, is the incredibly catchy chorus:

“Ooh, yeah
When I try to fall back, I fall back to you (Yeah, ayy)
When I talk to my friends, I talk about you (Yeah, ayy)
When the Hennessy's strong all I see is you, is you, is you, oh you.”

On the second chorus, Troye and Tate sing together with tremendous chemistry!  The record features a nice bridge section performed mostly by McRae. During this section, Regard also gives us some more playful touches on the instrumental end. “You” = total vibe.

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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: April 2021
🔗 🎧 13 Y Songs: No Rhyme or Reason
🔗 🎧 You: 5ive Songs No. 98 (2021)


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

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

benny blanco, Marshmello & Vance Joy [📷: Friends Keep Secrets, Interscope, Joytime Collective]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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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 You: 5ive Songs No. 98 (2021)


7. Chris Stapleton, “You Should Probably Leave”

💿 Starting Over 🏷 Mercury• 📅 2020

Chris Stapleton, Starting Over [📷 : Mercury Nashville]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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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 13 Songs Where You’re Required to Leave
🔗 🎧 You: 5ive Songs No. 98 (2021)


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

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

Marshmello & Jonas Brothers, “Leave Before You Love Me” [📷: Joytime Collective / UMG Recordings, Inc.]“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.”

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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 13 Songs Where You’re Required to Leave


9. Diana Ross, “Thank You”

💿 Thank You🏷 Decca • 🗓 2021

Diana Ross, Thank You [📷: Decca]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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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: July 2021
🔗 🎧 An Alphabet of Random Songs


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

Ft. Boyz II Men

💿 Voicenotes 🏷 Artist Partner Group • 📅 2018

Charlie Puth, Voicenotes [📷: Atlantic / Artist Partner Group]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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Also Appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Leave: 5ive Songs No. 27 (2021)
🔗 🎧 13 Songs Where You’re Required to Leave


 

11. Morgan Wallen, “Wasted on You”

💿 Dangerous: The Double Album 🏷 Big Loud / Republic • 📅 2021

Morgan Wallen, Dangerous: The Double Album [📷 : Big Loud / Republic]🎵 “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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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Waste: 5ive Songs No. 38 (2021)
🔗 🎧 13 W Songs: No Rhyme or Reason


12. GIVĒON, “Like I Want You”

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

GIVĒON, When It's All Said and Done... Take Time [📷: Epic]“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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Also appears on 🔽:
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13. Kelly Clarkson, “Move You”

💿 Meaning of Life • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2017

Kelly Clarkson, Meaning of Life [📷: Atlantic]“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.

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

💿 Chosen Vessel 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2020 

Marvin Sapp, Chosen Vessel [📷: Provident / Sony]“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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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Thankful Songs 🙏🎶 No. 2
🔗 🎧 Thankful 🙏🎶 No. 1: 5ive Songs No. 56
🔗 🎧 11 Songs That Provide That Spiritual Refresh
🔗 🎧 Gratitude: 20 Gracious, Thankful Songs
🔗 🎧 100 BEST SONGS OF 2020: 100 – 76
🔗 🎧 100 BEST SONGS OF 2020


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

💿 Merry Christmas 🏷 Sony • 📅 1994 

Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas [📷 : Sony Legacy]🎙 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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Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Christmas: 5ive Songs No. 72
🔗 🎧 15 Absolutely Terrific, Merry Christmas Songs
🔗 🎧 You: 5ive Songs No. 98 (2021)



🎧 15 Must-Hear YOU Songs [📷: Artist Partner Group, Atlantic, Big Loud, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Decca, Epic, Friends Keep Secrets, Interscope, Joytime Collective, Kemosabe, Mercury, Ministry of Sound Recordings Limited, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, RCA, Republic, Sony, UMG  Recordings, Inc.]

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