15 Songs Characterized by Their Colors, Vol. II features songs courtesy of 5 Seconds of Summer, BLACKPINK, Drake, Omar Apollo, Taylor Swift & Zach Bryan.
Life sans colors be boring β quite dull to say the least! Thankfully, thereβs an array of colors and even better, there are numerous songs written with colors in mind! While it would likely take a lifetime to explore and analyze every single colorful song in the world, we have selected 15 songs which comprise 15 Songs Characterized by Their Colors, Vol. II. 15 Songs Characterized by Their Colors, Vol. II serves as sequel to
14 Songs Characterized by Their Colors, which was published back in March 2019.
15 Songs Characterized by Their Colors, Vol. II features colorful songs courtesy of
5 Seconds of Summer,
BLACKPINK,
Drake,
Omar Apollo,
Taylor Swift, and
Zach Bryan among others. As with so many of our playlists, there are various musical styles represented including pop, K-Pop, dance, country, rock, R&B, and rap. So, without further ado, letβs jump right into this colorful musical compendium, shall we?
1-2. Taylor Swift, βLavender Hazeβ & βMaroonβ
Midnights β’
Taylor Swift β’
2022
Back in the aughts (2000s), Iβm not sure I wouldβve characterized
Grammy-winning artist
Taylor Swift as a versatile musician. No shade, of course, but she seemed locked into country and country-pop solely. However, after multiple albums, Grammys, stylistic shifts, and prudent business decisions, Swift has built an empire and proven time and time again just how versatile she is. After dabbling in alternative and indie stylings over the course of two superb albums β
folklore and
evermore β Swift returns to pop on
Midnights. Notably, she kicks off Midnights with two colorful records:
βLavender Hazeβ and
βMaroon.β
From the onset, βLavender Hazeβ is nothing short of a vibe. It is exquisitely produced by a team including Swift,
Jack Antonoff,
Jahaan Sweet, and
Sounwave (!). As you might expect, the sound is distinct, contrasting any and everything else that Swift has released to date. The slickness of the backdrop is ear catching but itβs Swiftβs lyrics (and hazy vocals) that make βLavender Hazeβ so delightful. Sheβs bothered by the noise made by others such as, βAll they keep asking me / Is if Iβm gonna be your bride / The only kinda girl they see / Is a one-night or a wife.β Those are mic-drop worthy lyrics right there! The chorus, of course, is where Swiftβs bread is buttered β Parkay, baby!
βI feel the lavender haze creeping up on me
Surreal
Iβm damned if I do give a damn what people say
No deal
The 1950s shit they want from me
I just wanna stay in that lavender haze.β
Beyond that β1950s shit,β Taylor Swift moves on to βMaroon,β produced by Swift and Antonoff. Obviously, forms of the color red are a BIG DEAL on this one. So is love for that matter. The pen game remains top-notch for Swift in the verses and of course, the centerpiece, the chorus.
βLooked up at the sky and it was
The burgundy on my t-shirt
When you splashed your wine into me
And how the blood rushed into my cheeks
So scarlet, it was
β¦So scarlet, it was maroon.β
Vocally, Swift is quite effective. She never under nor over sings. Sheβs not a powerhouse vocalist and potent song with cool energy like βMaroonβ doesnβt require her to be. Of course, some aggressive f-bombs also give this red record bite (βAnd I wake with your memory over me / Thatβs a real fucking legacy to leaveβ). Woo!
3. Omar Apollo, βEvergreenβ
Ivory β’
Warner β’
2022
βEvergreenβ is arguably the crΓ¨me de la crΓ¨me of
Ivory, the debut album by
Omar Apollo. The intro of this soulful, heartbroken record says it all: βHe donβt love / Me no more.β Most of Ivory has focused on a relationship that Apollo has been part of with another man and the various ways itβs affected him. βEvergreenβ might be the biggest moment, as he canβt get him and apparently, the rejection off his mind. βEvergreen, he controls me / Was there something wrong with my body?β he asks in the first verse.
In the second verse, more light is shed by Apollo: βShe donβt know you like me / She could never love you more / More than me.β Itβs interesting as Apollo has previously sung about this with βStaybackβ and
βBi Frenβ from
Apolonio. Is he potentially singing about the same situation where the guy chose a girl over him? Could be! Interestingly, Omar was infatuated with him, so much so that he sometimes pray his ex falls in love. This situation has hurt him tremendously: βEvergreen, he tears me to pieces.β Nobody wants to see this incredibly gifted, handsome man in pain, but at the same time, his pain on βEvergreenβ is our listening pleasure. Adding to the pleasure is an epic live version,
βEvergreen (You Didnβt Deserve Me At All) [Live At NPRβs Tiny Desk]β, the highlight of his Tiny Desk concert for Latinx Heritage Month.
Appears in :
- Awesome Songs: April 2022
- Incredible LGBTQ Songs, Young & Old, Vol. 2
- 13 E Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2
4. BLACKPINK, βPink Venomβ
BORN PINK β’
YG Entertainment / Interscope β’
2022
Theyβre back! Who? K-Pop collective
BLACKPINK, of course! The girls return with a bang with
βPink Venomβ which is totally tuned in and turned up from the jump. The biggest selling point is arguably the production by
TEDDY which is slick AF. Thereβs no question that he puts in work with an assortment of musical ideas and beat switches, which are all the rage these days. Also, credit TEDDY for the oriental stylings which appear at the beginning and recur throughout much of βPink Venom.β
Of course, itβs not all the production that makes βPink Venomβ so potent. BLACKPINK is totally tuned in as well. It begins with the chanting of the groupβs name during the intro, crescendoing as βPink Venomβ establishes itself. Youβve got to βheartβ the attitude that the girls bring to the table, exhibiting and showcasing ample personality. Like many of their singles, the girls give the audience bilingual treatment, performing in both Korean and English. Even though itβs tough to decipher Korean if you donβt speak it, thereβs enough English (and attitude) to provide context to what the girls are serving up. Obviously, itβs ββ¦the pain like / This that pink venom!β While thereβs arguably a bit too much going on at times, βPink Venomβ is ear-catching from start to finish.
Appears in :
5. Drake, βTexts Go Greenβ
Honestly, Nevermind β’
OVO / Republic β’
2022
In 2022,
Drake surprised everybody with the release of
Honestly, Nevermind. No, it wasnβt shocking that he released a new album β he tends to be prolific, if you hadnβt noticed. That said, what was surprising was the fact that he moved away from rap for the project, focusing on singing and house music. Some enjoyed the project, like AllMusic and Rolling Stone, while others, such as NME and some fans, were mixed. Honestly, Nevermind has its fair share of moments, including the intriguing
βTexts Go Green.β Question: βIf I come around you, can I be myself?β
βThis time I have left, cannot be wasted anymore / You realize it now and you miss it.β Woo! The five-minute-plus βTexts Go Greenβ commences with one of the more infectious, percussive grooves youβll hear in 2022 β period. Itβs safe to say that producers Esona Tyolo and
Black Coffee put in work behind the boards. With the inspiration from the backdrop, Drake sings about those pesky matters of the heart, sigh. The centerpiece is the chorus, where heβs blocked her, he imagines she misses the work he put in (βKnow you miss the days when I was grippinβ on itβ), and he makes it clear, heβs moved on. βTexts go green, it hits a little different, donβt it?β Indeed! However, if things were toxic, the
Grammy-winner made the right move to block her @$$!
6. Red Hot Chili Peppers, βBlack Summerβ
Unlimited Love β’
Warner β’
2022
βItβs been a long time since I made a new friend / Waitinβ on another black summer to end.β
βBlack Summerβ proves that legendary band,
Red Hot Chili Peppers, still has a pulse! There is plenty to heart about the
Unlimited Love highlight, despite those dark, pessimistic vibes from the chorus. From the onset, the intro is βsweet,β establishing the minor key that last throughout the record. 59-year-old
Anthony Kiedis remains a force as the lead vocalist. Honestly, I donβt believe the man misses a beat, or better yet, a note. Of course, he gets ample fuel from the fire with
Flea (bass),
Chad Smith (drums), and
John Frusciante (guitar). Also, worth noting,
Rick Rubin is behind the boards β another win!
The theme and lyrics might be the most interesting part. The lyrics are focused on nature, specifically ecological happenings. Even if ecology doesnβt strike one as a source of poetry, RHCP makes it poetic. From the start, the words are ear-catching:
βA lazy rain am I, the skies refuse to cry
Cremation takes its piece of your supply
The night is dressed like noonβ¦β
Intriguing, right? It doesnβt end there, with the likes of, βMy crater weighs a tone, the archerβs on the run / And no one stands alone behind the sun.β Woo! As βBlack Summerβ progresses, the bandβs intensity ratchets up, led by a spirited, on-point Kiedis.
Appears in :
- Awesome Songs: February 2022
- 13 B Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2
7. 5 Seconds of Summer, βRed Lineβ
5SOS5β’
5SOS, LLC / BMG Rights Management β’
2022
ββCause I been spendinβ all this time alone / Iβm on the red line, sinkinβ Aperol.β
βRed Lineβ appears deep into
5 Seconds of Summerβs 2022 album,
5SOS5 (the 14th track of 19 total). Despite its late appearance, βRed Lineβ is much greener (positive) as opposed to red (negative). It commences with a warm sound, produced by 5SOS member,
Michael Clifford. Of course, lead vocalist,
Luke Hemmings, puts in work from start to finish. It doesnβt all come down to Luke though, as there a contributions from
Calum Hood (with Hemmings in the chorus) and Clifford (select moments in the second verse).
From the start, Luke Hemmings appears to have issues: βItβs hard to fake when Iβm not faded / I thought I could repair myself.β Wow! His lovely vocals match the warmth of the pad and guitars within the production, despite his problems. Unsurprisingly, those pesky matters of the heart seem to be the culprit:
βHow many times did we run from each other?
How many times did I walk out the door?
Into the dark, weβre no good for each other
Into the dark, Iβm not welcome no more.β
Following that spirited chorus, Hemmings makes it clear heβs in a horrible place β a downward spiral encompassing overindulgence in alcohol. Basically, the road to recovery looks bleak, despite how sweet that falsetto is and how tuneful the melodies are.
8. Snoh Aalegra, βNeon Peachβ (Ft. Tyler, The Creator)
Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies β’
Artium Recordings / Roc Nation β’
2021
βItβs the things that you do / I know weβve gone too far.β Swedish-born and bred Iranian singer/songwriter
Snoh Aalegra (Shahrzad Fooladi) βshows outβ on her third studio album,
Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies. Over the course of 15 tracks, the
Grammy-nominated musician captures the listenerβs attention with cool but expressive vocals and songs centered on matters of the heart. She pairs up with
Grammy winning rapper, singer, and producer
Tyler, The Creator on
βNeon Peach,β which ranks among the top tier of Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies.
βI donβt even try to bring up and remind you
All the things that you have done
So put the past behind you
Youβre livinβ a lie to
The present time has had enough.β
Woo Snoh! Continuing to amplify his game behind the boards, Tyler gives Aalegra an awesome instrumental that fuses hip-hop, jazz, and soul. Additionally, he supports her with some great bars on the verses (βYou got better shots, but you blockinβ the rim / But too scared to work it out βcause you locked in the gymβ). She shines on the pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, and outro.
Appears in :
9. Zuli, Jr., βBlue Skyβ
Stop It God.β’
Nurtured Ideas β’
2021
If you arenβt familiar with alternative/indie pop artist
Zuli Jr. (Ryan Zuli Jr.), well, itβs time to familiarize yourself. Pencil in his new album,
Stop It God. (May 14, 2021), as the perfect opportunity to do so. Better yet why not start with the absolute bop,
βBlue Skyβ, the second advance single from the album. βBlue Skyβ was written
and produced
by Zuli Jr., Aire Atlantica, and TK the Architect. The rhythmic nature of the production is one of the biggest selling points of the record. βBlue Skyβ has one foot in the door of the past, while simultaneously feeling fresh enough for 2021. Adding to the allure is the songβs underpinnings β music theory lovers get excited! The harmonic progression definitely gives the record a lift and a unique sound.
Of course, the biggest reason why βBlue Skyβ is so rad is Zuli Jr himself. The man has an absolutely radiant tone. His falsetto is incredibly sweet. Furthermore, the songwriting is excellent, providing further fuel for the fire. The best part is the chorus. Here, in particular, the writing, vocals, hyper rhythmic drums, synths, and etc. all make it feel like youβre experiencing a slice of heaven.
βStop selling me blue sky
In a grey light
Like the clouds wonβt fill with rain
Believing a white lie
Like itβs divine
And it holds my fall from grace
Iβve been tryna live three lives
At the same time
Now I donβt know whoβs to blame
No telling me no
I know, I know the feeling takes me whole.β
Listening to βBlue Skyβ itβs clear that we definitely donβt want βThe Man Upstairsβ to dare stop Ryan from serenading us and flaunting his artistry
.
Appears in :
10. Lil Durk, βGolden Childβ
7220 β’
Alamo / Sony β’
2022
Lil Durk keeps things brief but potent on
βGolden Child.β βGolden Childβ was released as a single in advance of the rapperβs no. 1 album,
7220. Over dramatic
CuBeatz,
RealRed,
YC, and
Hitmaka production, Durk keeps it real: βKnow a pit who was born a poodle.β Hmm, is that even biologically possible, Durk?
As you see with the pit turning into a poodle line, Lil Durk talks a lot of shit in βGolden Child.β I donβt mean that disrespectfully either. The song doesnβt even end up being two minutes long, but Durk gives us a tough flow and some compelling one-liners. For example, βIf you got Power with that Tommy, you can ghost a nigga.β Woo! Thereβs also the likes of βThat shit foo-foo, feds cracked the case with that shit on YouTubeβ and βIβm akh, but I love the Christians.β So, anti-feds + good to know Muslims and Christians can coexist! In the second verse, thereβs more including a closing βhighβ point: βGot gas, donβt fuck with mild.β βGolden Childβ indeed!
11. Masego & Shenseea, βSilver Tongue Devilβ
Studying Abroad: Extended Stay β’
UMG Recordings, Inc. β’
2020
βYou know I-I-I could talk my way into sacred places / I no try-y-y, just blame my snake it is the son of Satan.β Snake, huh? Wonder if Jamaican musician
Masego is referencing the same animal that slithers and honestly, scares the bejeebers out of me? Or could it be his *cough* heβs referencing on
βSilver Tongue Devilβ from his 2020 album,
Studying Abroad: Extended Stay
? Hmm
, well, he does later say, βI put a child on youβ
. Regardless, βSilver Tongue Devilβ is pleasing to the ears. Jamaican dancehall artist
Shenseea collaborates alongside Masego.
βSilver Tongue Devilβ has the chill, international flavor going for it. The groove is sensational. Even with his βsnakeβ issues β βSilver tongue devil / She call me cocky man / I say my head levelβ β Masego delivers easy-going and relaxed vocals. Every time he plays the saxophone, itβs a total vibe. God, I love those harmonized sax moments! Shenseea complements superbly on the second verse (βI will have you wantinβ it more / Lock down di devil inna holeβ), further enforcing the sounds of the island, specifically, the dialect, and pleasure. After all, βMasego bring flames to me soul.β Woo!
Appears in :
- DEVIL: A Compendium of 21 Devilish Songs
- Silver: 5ive Songs No. 15 (2022)
12. Zach Bryan, βSomething in the Orange β Z&Eβs Versionβ
American Heartbreak β’
Belting Bronco / Warner β’
2022
βPlease turn those headlights around,β
Zach Bryan begs on
βSomething in the Orange β Z&Eβs Version.β Uh-oh β itβs those pesky matters of the heart at work on
15 Songs Characterized by Their Colors, Vol. II! βSomething in the Orangeβ appears on the country singerβs gargantuan, two-hour-long, triple-disc album,
American Heartbreak.
So, whatβs going on with Zachβs relationship on βSomething in the Orange?β Well, it seems as if Bryan is working hard to mitigate the damage, if the damage isnβt already too severe. Throughout this superbly penned, heartfelt number, Zach tries to convince her to say and that βSomethinβ in the orange tells me [him] weβre not done.β He tries to convince her, βItβll be fine by dusk light, Iβm tellinβ you, baby,β but it seems to be easier said than done. He makes it clear that she means the world to him β βTo me, youβre all I am.β Furthermore, without her, heβs hopeless. Sadly, he realizes, βI poisoned myself again, somethinβ in the orange / Tells mΠ΅ youβre never cominβ homΠ΅.β The orange, of course, is the sun. Oh, that American Heartbreak stings something awful!
13. Disclosure, βLavenderβ (Ft. Chanel Tres)
ENERGY β’
Island β’
2020
βI change the channel on you / Iβm on it / I like the lace on you / She about it.β Woo! Who doesnβt heart a lit groove?
Disclosure (
Howard Lawrence and
Guy Lawrence) has had a knack for lit grooves, epic production, and dance hits for years β
!
ENERGY arrived quietly in 2020 but that doesnβt mean it lacked color or energy for that matter! One of the best records from ENERGY was none other than
βLavenderβ which enlists the services of rapper
Chanel Tres (Sheldon Young). Stellar work behind the boards, coupled with infectious rhymes by Chanel Tres make βLavenderβ a surefire vibe.
There are no shortage of memorable lines from Chanel Tres. The first verse is fitting place to start and the rapper makes it clear itβs all about her. This continues in the chorus, where Chanel Tres makes it clear, βI need you in my life, lady.β Ooh-la-la! In the post-chorus, βGirl, she be fuckinβ with my rhythm / she be fuckinβ with my rhythm, yeah.β What else can you say to that but, FUΒ’K YEAH! As the record progresses, she continues to be his focus, particularly moments like, βHear me say, βNow let me see you shake.ββ If you missed out on this gem back in 2020 β it was the COVID-19 pandemic after all β well, itβs still lit AF in 2022. What Iβm saying is, the lavender remains potent (βIs that lavender? / I like lavenderβ)!
14. Lana Del Rey, βWhite Dressβ
Chemtrails Over the Country Club β’
Interscope β’
2021
From the start, itβs clear that Chemtrails Over the Country Club, the seventh album by
Grammy-nominated alternative pop singer/songwriter
Lana Del Rey, is set to be more stripped and subtle compared to her past albums.
βWhite Dressβ commences mysteriously, which isnβt far-fetched for Del Rey. That said, vocally, sheβs hypnotic, blessing us with her refined, breathy upper register. Itβs incredibly easy to lean on her every note given how magical the performance is, backed by rhythmic piano with otherwise restrained instrumentation in the mix.
Besides the top-notch vocals, the songwriting is sweet too. What truly stands out is the reminiscent, narrative nature or this record, as evidenced below:
βWhen I was a waitress wearing a white dress
Look how I do this, look how I got this
I was a waitress working the night shift
You were my man, felt like I got this.β
Classic Lana, and we wouldnβt have it any other way!
Appears in :
15. Coldplay, βViolet Hillβ
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends β’
Parlophone β’
2008
βWas a long and dark December / When the banks became cathedrals / And a fox became Godβ¦β Say what? Anyways, damn, it has to suck to βplay second fiddle!β What do I mean exactly? Well, the biggest song on
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, the excellent, 2008 studio album by
Coldplay was
βViva La Vidaβ. Donβt get me wrong, the former no. 1 hit is a terrific song β epic! That said,
βViolet Hillβ has a legitimate argument as the crowning achievement from, in my humble opinion,
Chris Martin and companyβs last elite album.
βViolet Hillβ is a striking record. It sounds different compared to other Coldplay songs β distinct. Sure, the band has recorded songs in a minor key previously, but this one βhits different.β Part of the reason is owed to the timbre of the guitars, which are used prominently. The guitar solo is also sweet. Of course, as always, Chris Martin is a beast, wowing with his compelling voice, particularly that falsetto. The best part of the song lyrically? While the verses are marvelous (as excerpted), the chorus is the most memorable, of course: βIf you love me, wonβt you let me know?β The Grammy-winning band shined on this one.
Appears in :
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11 Songs That Are Golden to the Core | Playlist
Β· October 28, 2022 at 12:00 am
[β¦] 15 Songs Characterized by Their Colors, Vol. II [β¦]
Awesome Songs: October 2022 | Playlist
| The Musical Hype
Β· November 2, 2022 at 12:00 am
[β¦] 15 Songs Characterized by Their Colors, Vol. II [β¦]
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