15 Really ‘Good’ Songs… It’s That Simple! | Playlist 🎧

“15 Really ‘Good’ Songs” is comprised of just what it says it is – ‘good’ songs courtesy of Billie Eilish, Ella Mai, Kane Brown, Maren Morris & Sam Smith. 

Question: do you need some really ‘good’ songs to add to your listening rotation? Well, if the answer is a resounding YES, we’ve got some tunes for you.  By ‘good’ we’re not necessarily referencing the quality of the songs (though we swear by all these songs), but we’re talking about the fact that each song features the word ‘good’ in its respective song title. 15 Really ‘Good’ Songs… It’s That Simple! is comprised of music courtesy of Billie Eilish (“All the Good Girls Go to Hell”), Ella Mai (“Good Bad”), Kane Brown (“Good as You”), Maren Morris (“Good Woman”), and Sam Smith (“Too Good at Goodbyes”) among others.  Prepare for this heaping dose of goodness!

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1. Thomas Rhett, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”

Ft. Little Big town

Center Point Road • Big Machine • 2019

“Just take a sip and let’s pretend like it’s your birthday / Just dive right in, girl, the tequila’s fine, so fine / She said, ‘You know I love a party / Don’t threaten me with a good time.’” Grammy-nominated contemporary country singer Thomas Rhett is definitely NOT your father’s country musician.  Rhett is among the new breed of country musicians willing to experiment, integrate, and fuse a number of different styles.  That’s exactly what he does on “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”, the promo single from his fourth studio album, Center Point Road.

“Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” stretches the country script, despite the fact it bears some cues that are indeed idiomatic. The record features a totally inescapable, and infectious groove. The ultimate sound of the record is a blend of contemporary country, funk, R&B, and pop. Despite its quirks, the form of “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” is straightforward. The production features funky, biting horns, rhythmic guitar, and some cool keyboard riff. There’s also a rocking guitar solo, even if it’s sort of predictable. Rhett is consistently the dominant voice, but there are moments when Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town sings solo briefly, or alongside him.  The vocal harmonies by LBT are definitely a selling point, not to mention when the whole group sings alongside Rhett on the soulful, high-energy chorus.

“Hop on up on that counter
Let me see how you move
Let me up there beside ya
Stand back, watch me cut loose
Pour a little liquor, make this living
Watch me set this night on fire
Baby, you know I love a party
Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

Give Thomas Rhett credit for his willingness to shake things up and try new things. “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” also appears on the playlist, 11 Songs Where the Threat is Real.

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2. Billie Eilish, “All the Good Girls Go to Hell”

WHEN WE FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? • Darkroom / Interscope • 2019

“All the good girls go to Hell / ‘Cause even God herself has enemies / And once the water starts to rise / And Heaven’s out of sight / She’ll want the devil on her team.” Wow, Billie Eilish, wow! Probably won’t be a popular song with the evangelical crowd – just a hunch.  Anyways, the teenage alternative artist makes a bold statement with the minor-key “All the Good Girls Go to Hell,” not to mention her full-length debut album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? Yeah, rare you have an album with nine words in the title…

“All the Good Girls Go to Hell” is interesting for a number of reasons.  First and foremost, Billie Eilish embraces the ‘alternative’ label – she goes against the grain by all means.   Her vocal approach is low key, yet also packs a punch at the same time.  Specifically, what makes “All the Good Girls Go to Hell” intriguing are the religious references, which as aforementioned, are likely will raise eyebrows with the religious crowd.  In addition to the ‘God’s enemies’ lyric, Eilish also references Peter (“Peter’s on vacation, an open invitation”) and Lucifer (“My Lucifer is lonely / There’s nothing left to save now / My god is gonna ow me / There’s nothing left to save now”).

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3. Maren Morris, “Good Woman”

GIRL • Sony • 2019

“I’ll sway like a tree when you need a change / I’ll travel the world or stay in one place / I’ll hold your hand when the storm’s at the door / ‘Cause you got my back and I got yours.” Maren Morris is willing to do any and everything for the man that she loves – period.  Yes, the Grammy-winning country singer, best known for “My Church”, dropped her sophomore album, GIRL in March 2019. “Good Woman” appears as the penultimate track.  While it is the 13^th song from GIRL, nothing feels unlucky about it whatsoever.

As aforementioned, Maren Morris sings about her relentless dedication and willingness to go to the ends of the earth for him.  Arguably, some feminists might suggest Morris is ‘doing too much’ in regard to what she’ll do for him, Morrison also characterizes herself as a “good woman.” Personally, while all the things describe a ‘good woman,’ I think that Morris is confident about how awesome she is in her role in the relationship; he and she knows she’s superb. “You’ve got the love of a good woman,” she sings on the simple, but soaring chorus of this pleasant country ballad.

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4. ZAYN, “Good Years”

Icarus Falls • RCA • 2018

“I’d rather be anywhere / Anywhere but here… / I close my eyes and see a crowd of a thousand tears / I pray to god I didn’t waste all my good years.” “Good Years” gave British urban-pop singer ZAYN the thrilling ballad he needed during a suspect promo campaign for his sophomore album, Icarus Falls (the album tanked nonetheless). “Good Years” commences with ZAYN singing the aforementioned, excerpted chorus with powerful, passionate vocals, accompanied merely by piano.

ZAYN goes on to deliver strong vocals on both verses, discussing the effects and downside of fame. He really shines on the second and successive iterations of the chorus, when vocal harmonies come into the picture, intensifying and propelling the emotion and the passion even further. His anti-fame, ‘keep me out of the spotlight’ message resounds, restated once more on the bridge.  Notably, “Good Years” also appears on the playlist, 13 Songs Centered on the Year.

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5. John Legend, “A Good Night”

Ft. BloodPop®

A Good Night [Single] • Columbia • 2018

“I had no intention I would get fucked up tonight…” Say what John Legend? The award-winning R&B artist shined on his 2018 pop-soul single, “A Good Night”, produced by BloodPop®. From the start, the groove is easy-going and feel-good.  It’s soulful, but clearly, John Legend is joining ‘the times’ – rather, a more contemporary sound.  In addition to joining ‘the times’ musically, he also gets f-bomb out of his system, as aforementioned.

Following a confident, verse, the pre-chorus adds syncopated electric piano, further inciting head-nodding.  Throw in the infectious, fun nature of the lyrics, and “it’s all good.” The chorus is the centerpiece of the record.

“But everything’s gonna be alright
I think I just met my wife
I know it’s gonna be a good night
I think I just met my wife.”

“A Good Night” previously appeared on the playlist 17 Songs That Were Made for the Night.

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6. Kane Brown, “Good as You”

Experiment • Sony • 2018

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,” the fifth single released from Experiment, continues the impressive start of the album, arriving as the second track.

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 absolutely golden.

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7. Nicki Minaj, “Good Form (Remix)”

Ft. Lil Wayne

Queen • Cash Money / Young Money • 2018

“‘Cause I be the baddie B, Barbie tings, banging body B / Everybody be on my D, yo, I gotta be in reality / Suck a D if you doubted me / Back of the ‘Bach, back of the ‘Back.” Yeah, Nicki Minaj is confident AF on “Good Form,” a highlight from her 2018 LP, Queen.  The original version finds Minaj handling duties all by herself, while the deluxe edition of the album adds Lil Wayne on the third verse.  Like the aforementioned excerpt suggests, Nicki Minaj is sexed-up to the nth degree.  She goes on to amplify the sex even more on the chorus, referencing ‘the cookie’ (“I tell him eat the cookie ‘cause it’s good for him / And when he eat the cookie, he got good form”).  It’s not all sexual, as Nicki also seems to reference a more serious relationship beyond pleasure.

“I think you fly, these other bitches just larvae.” Sigh, as for Lil Wayne, he also gets sexual, going on to assert on the third verse, “When you make that ass jump like my heartbeat / And if you let me eat the pussy, then it’s shark week.” My god! Regardless, “Good Form” is a banger finding Nicki Minaj sounding aggressive and hard-nosed AF.  And Weezy is, well, Weezy.

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8. Ella Mai, “Good Bad”

Ella Mai • 10 Summers / Interscope • 2018

“So, what if I wake up with a attitude? / You assumin’ that I must be mad at you / Didn’t get no sleep with you last night / Know it hurts when I swerve, but I had to.” Ooh, girl got mad attitude!  When the name Ella Mai is mentioned, there’s one song that comes to mind – “Boo’d Up”.  “Boo’d Up” is a brilliant song, one that won a Grammy at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, but it’s not the sole attraction on Mai’s self-titled debut album.  Before the ‘crowning achievement’ appears on Ella Mai, she drops a pretty swell record in its own right, “Good Bad.”

“You don’t wanna deal with it, deal with it / You gotta be real with it, real with you / You wanna leave but you’re just in your feels / That’s why I’m still winnin’.” Yup, there’s that attitude again. “Good Bad” serves as the first full-length record of Ella Mai, following the “Emotion” intro-lude. The rhythmic record doesn’t disappoint, finding Mai showing off capable vocals, a feisty attitude chocked-full of swagger, and a repetitive, if hella catchy chorus.

“With that good-bad behavior
(Good, good, good, good, bad)
Good, bad
(Good, good, good, good, bad)
I’m good-bad for you, I’m good-bad for you.”

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9. Leon Bridges, “If It Feels Good (Then it Must Be)”

Good Thing • Columbia • 2018

Following a three-year hiatus, Grammy-winning, contemporary soul singer Leon Bridges stepped up his game on his sophomore album, Good Thing.  Bridges first stood out with his Grammy-nominated debut album, Coming Home, due to his intentional acknowledgement and remembrance of soul music in its glory age.  That acknowledgement – paying ode to genre – continues on Good Thing, an album that exceeds his debut. Here, Bridges contributes to this soundtrack comprised of ‘good’ songs with “If It Feels Good (Then it Must Be).”

“You give me that stuff / And it’s such a blessin’ / You and I in the light / Alone in this heaven.” “If it Feels Good (Then it Must Be)” is a good ole, feel-good, grown-folks R&B record.  It’s groovy and sexy in the most innocent, mature way possible. Bridges lets his falsetto loose, never giving in too much into the indulgence of ‘what’s going down’ or ‘going to go down.’ The prime example? The chorus of course!

“Hey, mysterious
We don’t have to act so seriously
Like nobody’s watching, only us
Baby, if it feels good, then it must be
Bad how much I want you
Baby, if it feels good, then it must be
Bad how much I want you.”

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10. Sofi Tukker, “Good Time Girl”

Ft. Charlie Barker

Treehouse • Ultra • 2018

“Me and my head have become very, very, very close.” “Good Time Girl” is among the more ‘cool, calm, and collected’ songs from Treehouse, the full-length debut album by Grammy-nominated dance duo Sofi Tukker (Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern). Hayley-Weld embraces a good time, even though she seems to be struggling internally. Her performance is playful and relatively nonchalant.

“And here I am playing by myself
Me and my superiority complex
And here I am playing by myself
Me and my inferiority contest
I’m not winning, but I’m having a very good time.”

Charlie Barker serves up an agile, soundly executed rap on the second verse.

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11. Troye Sivan, “The Good Side”

Bloom • Capitol • 2018

Within the context of Bloom, “The Good Side” maintains the utmost consistency of the album. The record commences with an electronic harp-sound synth/sound effect, before rhythm acoustic guitar shifts to a more intimate backdrop.  That initial electronic palette recurs throughout. South African-born Aussie pop artist Troye Sivan sounds refined, thoughtful, and naturally beautiful, amplified by superb vocal production. Lyrically, Sivan is open and honest.

“I got the good side of you
Send it out into the blue
The people danced to the sound of your heart
The world sang along to it falling apart
… Then I got the good side of new
Found arms to fall right into
I know how it looked, it wasn’t the plan
And someday I hope that you’ll understand.”

Centered around love, “The Good Side” is addressed to his ex- and references his new boyfriend. He apologizes for how things went down, singing, “But I sympathize, and I recognize / And baby, I apologize / That I got the good side / The good side of things.”

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12. Sam Smith, “Too Good at Goodbyes”

The Thrill of it All • Capitol • 2017

Grammy-winning pop singer/songwriter Sam Smith made a big-time return in 2017 with “Too Good at Goodbyes”, the promo single for their sophomore album, The Thrill of it All. Initially, Smith is accompanied by piano. One lonely chord precedes the beginning of Smith’s vocal performance. As always, they sounds absolutely gorgeous, showing off their unique vocal tone and brilliant falsetto.

Like their best work, “Too Good at Goodbyes” is (1) a ballad and (2) centered around love. Naturally, the verses are distinct of one another, yet written in similar fashion.  A refrain, for lack of better words, follows both verses, in advance of the pre-chorus.  The pre-chorus, a key section, begins to intensify the emotions:

“And every time you hurt me, the less that I cry
And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less I love you
Baby, we don’t stand a chance, it’s sad but it’s true.”

The production expands beginning on the chorus.  Here, Smith has backing vocals supporting them. By the return of the chorus towards the end, Smith loosens up more, delivering some awesome vocal runs. Smith maybe “too good at goodbyes” but they’re also good at singing, songwriting, and the whole pop artist thing.

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13. Panic! At the Disco, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time”

Death of a Bachelor • Fueled by Ramen • 2016

“Alright, alright, it’s a hell of a feeling though / It’s a hell of feeling though!” Panic! At the Disco always seems to bring a certain level of eccentricity to their music – well, ‘his’ music arguably. Brendon Urie is turned-up to the nth degree on “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time,” one of numerous highlights from the Grammy-nominated Death of a Bachelor album.  This version of “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” differs from the aforementioned song by Thomas Rhett (though both are somewhat left of center).  Urie exudes exuberant spirit on the infectious chorus, excerpted above.

Lyrically, “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” is incredibly zany, with references to waking up in only his undies (ooh la-la) and losing a “Bet to a guy in a Chiffon skirt,” yet, he “makes these high heels work.” The narrative is wild AF. Plum nuts y’all, with the chorus only adding to and accentuating the craziness.

“Champagne, cocaine, gasoline
And most things in between
I roam the city in a shopping cart
A pack of camels and a smoke alarm.”

This threatening good time for Panic! At the Disco has occurred a couple of times including 11 Songs Where the Threat is Real, 12 Half ‘With’ and Half ‘Without’ Songs, and Just Don’t Do It Songs.

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14. Bastille, “Good Grief”

Wild World • Virgin • 2016

“So, what would you little maniacs like to do first?” Sigh. Ahead of their 2016 sophomore album, Wild World, British alternative collective Bastille spoiled the listener with promo single, “Good Grief”, a breakup song. Despite the bad vibes for frontman Dan Smith, “Good Grief” is definitely a triumphant way to kick off the album. Superbly produced – including ostinato piano and a dash of synths – “Good Grief” is blessed with the ‘pop bag of tracks’, most notably, a danceable groove.

Dan Smith delivers his falsetto for the first time, which is definitely a treat. Most of “Good Grief” resides in his middle register, with the spare use of falsetto rivaling dessert. The chorus is simple but plays a gargantuan role in the infectiousness.  “Every minute and every hour / I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more,” Smith sings, continuing, “Every stumble and each misfire / I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more.” Ultimately, “Good Grief” sets the tone for the greatness that is Wild World.

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15. Selena Gomez, “Good for You”

Ft. A$AP Rocky

Revival • Interscope • 2015

“Now you say I got a touch / So good, so good / make you never wanna leave…” Even before being stricken with the inability to “keep her hands to herself”, Selena Gomez was working towards steaminess.  Prior to her Revival LP, she was definitely moving past her Disney years. While “Come and Get It” (Stars Dance) suffered from copycatting Rihanna stylistically, it didn’t take too many brain cells to figure out what Gomez was asking men to “come and get…na na na na…” The song at hand, “Good for You”, is clearly meant to titillate, though it doesn’t ‘overstep its boundaries’ you might say.

Gomez wants to ensure her sex-appeal is on-point, as the opening lyric of this blurb confirms.  Even with her cooing, low-key vocals, the steam is amplified as she sings, “Gonna wear that dress you like, skin-tight” and later “leave this dress a mess on the floor.”  Interestingly, two years later, her pal Taylor Swift would also sing about taking off her dress… The coolest lyric?  “…Syncopate my skin to your heart beating.” Get it girl! Also, worth noting, Gomez gets a strong verse from New York rapper A$AP Rocky, which is at its edgiest in explicit form.

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[Photo Credits: 10 Summers, Big Machine, Capitol, Cash Money, Columbia, Darkroom, Fueled by Ramen, Interscope, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Sony, Ultra, Virgin, Young Money]

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