15 Songs That Embrace Those Roaring 20s | Playlist 🎧

1. Flo Milli, “Roaring 20s”

🎵 “Roaring 20s” • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021

“Stupid shit, it’s just a double standard / I made my own lane, and I took advantage (Flo Milli shit) …” Rapper 🎙 Flo Milli impresses, exhibiting ample attitude over a 📽 Fiddler on the Roof sample (🎵 “If I Were a Rich Man”) on her short but sweet banger, 🎵 “Roaring 20s”. It’s pretty sick the way that Flo and the trap beat change up the flow from the introductory sample. Her voice rises above the backdrop in commanding fashion, with the agility and confidence of her flow being an additional selling point. She serves up a mix of melodic rap and un-pitched rhymes.  Further providing fuel for the fire is nice production work courtesy of 🎛️ Kenny Beats who doesn’t have to do much, anchoring the sample with a tight trap beat. With no glaring cons, perhaps the sole con is that it would be nice if this brief banger were a bit more developed.

Nonetheless, I’ll leave you with a few more ‘profound’ lines from Flo:

“You can’t hate on pussy if it rule the planet (Yeah, yeah)
I just came in the game and I'm doin’ damage (If I was a rich man).”

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Roaring 20s: 5ive Songs No. 6 (2021)

2. Shawn Mendes, “24 Hours”

💿 Wonder • 🏷 Island • 📅 2020

The transition into adulthood from teen heartthrob can be tough. 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop artist 🎙 Shawn Mendes is now 22. Mendes is still young but has entered into the next stage of his career as an adult.  His fourth studio album, 💿 Wonder, reflects such, moving the musician into more mature territory.  Perhaps he grows up too fast on Wonder but honestly, it had to happen at some point, right? Ultimately, there are still enjoyable moments to be had on Wonder.  That said, the future definitely crosses his mind on 🎵 “24 Hours.”

“24 Hours” is a prime example of the kid becoming a man… again, perhaps far too quickly.  The chorus says it all: “All it’d take is 24 hours / Sign the check and the place is ours / It’s a little soon / But I wanna come home to you.” Mendes’ heartfelt dedication to his girlfriend, Camila Cabello, is sweet for sure, but as he seems to say himself, it does feel a bit too soon, even at 22. Then the other side of it is, perhaps it’s too soon because the audience still perceives the hunky Canadian as a kid as opposed to diving into moving in with his significant other or potentially, his wife.  Ah, those roaring 20s!

3. H.E.R., “21”

💿 I Used to Know Her • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2019

“After-show afterparty, orange juice and Bacardi / I’m old enough, I made enough to move to Abu Dhabi / And who could stop me?” On 🎵 “21” (💿 I Used to Know Her), 🏆 Grammy-winner 🎙 H.E.R. is real, reflective, and manages to deliver a R&B bop in the process.  She manages to keep old-school alive, while simultaneously sounding contemporary and fresh. “21” has a soulful, throwback vibe with its robust bass line, smooth guitars, and dusty drum groove (produced by H.E.R., 🎛️ Walter Jones, and 🎛️ King Michael Coy).  Focusing on the songwriting, H.E.R. reflects on her career, which started at an incredibly young age, and reaching ‘adulthood’ – 21. Notably, on the second verse, she mentions hard work paying off ultimately (“Can’t cheat the grind”).

The record’s crown jewel, of course, is the gorgeous, incredibly honest chorus:

“No everybody not made for this life
I wouldn’t trade it for the world
I’m 21 now, oh I’m 21.”

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Roaring 20s: 5ive Songs No. 6 (2021)

4. Vampire Weekend, “2021”

💿 Father of the Bride • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2019 

“2021, will you think about me? / I could wait a year, but I couldn’t wait three / I don’t wanna be (boy)…” 🎙 Vampire Weekend released one of the finest shorter songs you’ll ever hear with  🎵 “2021”, which appears on their 🏆 Grammy-winning comeback album, 💿 Father of the Bride. “2021” samples Japanese musician 🎙 Haruomi Hosono, making the music incredibly intriguing. Adding to the greatness are vocal contributions from 🎙 Jenny Lewis, specifically on the memorable, “Boy, boy.”

🎙 Ezra Koenig remains a force himself, sounding absolutely beautiful on the sole, repeated verse, partially excerpted above. He sings the verse up an octave the second time. Despite its brevity and simplicity, “2021” remains jam-packed and complex – gorgeous and well-produced.  The songwriting conveys a deeper meaning, focusing on perceptions and remembrance in the future.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 51 Best Songs of 2019: Year in Review

🔗 🎧 Roaring 20s: 5ive Songs No. 6 (2021)

5. SZA, “20 Something”

💿 Ctrl • 🏷 Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA • 📅 2017

On her proper, major label debut, 💿 Ctrl, 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B singer 🎙 SZA showcased incredible artistry.  Looking back, it’s incredibly disappointing that she walked out of the Grammys empty handed (just ask yourself how).  Anyways, she gets some much-needed love on 🎧 15 Songs That Embrace Those Roaring 20s thanks to the closing cut, 🎵 “20 Something.”

“Hopin’ my 20 somethings won’t end
Hopin’ to keep the rest of my friends
Prayin’ the 20 somethings don’t kill me, don’t kill me.”

“20 Something” concludes Ctrl reflectively. Here, SZA questions age, relationship status (“Ain’t got nothin’ runnin’ from love”), and life in general.  Honestly, she captures the millennial spirit superbly (speaking as a millennial myself). “20 Something” ends with an interlude – SZA and her mom – matching the beginning of the album on 🎵 “Supermodel”. “20 Something” was written by SZA, 🎼✍ Carter Lang, and 🎼✍ Tyran Donaldson (aka The Antydote), with Lang and The Antydote also serving as producers.

6. Panic! At the Disco, “Roaring 20s”

💿 Pray for the Wicked • 🏷 Fueled By Ramen • 📅 2018 

🎵 “Roaring 20s” appears on 💿 Pray for the Wicked, the 2018 album by alternative collective – really more one-man-band these days – 🎙 Panic! At the Disco. “Roaring 20s” is a heavily rhythmic record that’s big-band styled nature is reminiscent of 🎵 “Crazy=Genius” from 💿 Death of a Bachelor.  Furthermore, the influence of 🎙 Brendon Urie’s participation in the Broadway musical 🎭 Kinky Boots is highly evident.

As always, the lyrics are intriguing, balancing both a 1920s vibe and exemplifying the twenty-something/post-twenty-something lifestyle.  “This is my roaring, roaring 20s,” Urie sings on the chorus, later adding, “Roll me like a blunt ‘cause I wanna go home.” 🚬

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Roaring 20s: 5ive Songs No. 6 (2021)

7. Nas, “27 Summers”

💿 King’s Disease • 🏷 Mass Appeal • 📅 2020

“Black-grown, black-owned / Black women is the backbone (Love).” 🎵 “27 Summers” marks one of many instances of brevity on 💿 King’s Disease, the 2020 studio album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper, 🎙 Nas. Even though it fails to reach the two-minute mark, “27 Summers” continues to find a rejuvenated Nas.  For the criticism the rapper received for the undercooked 💿 Nasir (2018), King’s Disease overall seems to atone.

The production on “27 Summers” comes courtesy of 🎛 Hit-Boy and 🎛 Rogét Chahayed.  It’s modern yet still manages to suit the vintage vibes we associate with Nas.  Furthermore, we get another chorus – sometimes a rarity from this rapper – that definitely latches.

“Rich, matte-black Rolls, yeah, I got ‘em seeing ghosts (Ghosts)
Twenty-seven summers, that wasn’t even the goal (Goal)
Blowing Kush clouds and we all for the smoke (Smoke)
Black card, black Rolls, more black CEOs.”

Also, give him credit for pushing for more black CEOs. He, of course, was a founder, alongside Peter Bittenbender, of Mass Appeal Records (“Bitch, I’m in a good mood, good group pulled me up / Mass Appeal, movies, and music, sign with us”).

8. Sabrina Carpenter, “Pushing 20”

💿 Singular: Act II • 🏷 Hollywood • 📅 2019

“You got a way, you’re messing with my faith / You’re tryna paint a picture but you’re running out of paint / You had your say ‘til I took it away / Out of yours in my controlla…” Actress and pop singer 🎙 Sabrina Carpenter released the fierce, sleek new single, 🎵 “Pushing 20” in advance of 20^th birthday.  The single ultimately appeared on her 2019 nine-track project, 💿 Singular: Act II. This sleek joint, produced by 🎛️ Oak, features a hard-nosed beat and sharp synths. Rebellious, youthful spirit are all captured within his backdrop.  Carpenter eats it up, singing swagger-laden lyrics, heavily influenced by hip-hop culture, and giving off ‘that attitude.’

The centerpiece is definitely the unapologetic chorus that portrays Carpenter as one fierce, nearly 20-year-old:

“I’m pushing 20, got no time for others
I’m pushing 20, got no time for others
Who ain’t on the same wave, yeah, on the same page?
Tryna tell me what to be, yeah. Tell me what to think.” 

Also appears on 🔽:

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🔗 🎧 Roaring 20s: 5ive Songs No. 6 (2021)

9. Polo G, “21”

💿 THE GOAT • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2020

In the year of 2020 where rap certainly dominated, Rapper 🎙 Polo G certainly had a successful run with his album 💿 THE GOAT.  What better way to honor his success than highlight one of the songs from THE GOAT, 🎵 “21,” which totally fits the criteria of 🎧 15 Songs That Embrace Those Roaring 20s? “21” appears as the sixth track on the album, following “Go Stupid”, mind you.  It features production courtesy of 🎛 Khaled Rohaim and 🎛 Keanu Beats.

“Decorate your block with red tape, foenem slidin’ every day / Bunch of hollows spittin’ out the Glock.” Excuse me? So, what exactly does “21” encompass? Drip, flex, sex, and violence, while also celebrating the all-important 21^st birthday.  I mean, can you blame Polo G? Those roaring 20s are something else, especially 21!  As he says himself, on the first verse, “Every day my birthday, bitch, it’s lit, I just turned twenty-one.”  We’ll leave it at that!

10. Taylor Swift, “22”

💿 Red • 🏷 Big Machine • 📅 2012

“Uh oh, I don’t know about you but I’m feeling 22 / Everything will be alright if you keep me next to you…” Ah 🎵 “22,” the sixth track from the 2012 🎙 Taylor Swift album, 💿 Red, marks one of the best songs of the versatile singer/songwriter’s illustrious career.  It was written by a team comprised of Swift, 🎼✍ Max Martin, and 🎼✍ Shellback. Martin and Shellback go on to produce 🎛 this fine record as well.

With Red being a transitional album for the 🏆 Grammy winner, “22” gave us pop vibes that instantly draw in the listener. In addition to fine production by Martin and Shellback, this record also features excellent vocal production and solid, playful vocals from Swift.  The aforementioned chorus is irresistible, continuing as follows:

“You don’t know about me but I bet you want to
Everything will be alright if we just keep dancing like we’re 22, 22.”

There are no glaring cons to be found in all honestly.  Ultimately, “22” is a fun, care-free and sassily excellent.

11. LILHUDDY, “21^st Century Vampire”

🎵 “21^st Century Vampire” • 🏷 Immersive / Sandlot / Geffen • 📅 2021

TikTok is inescapable, which can be a good or bad thing.  Like so many influencer platforms, it simultaneously opens the door for a unique career as well as ‘problematic’ people.  Nonetheless, TikTok is huge, so, occasionally, you might see a TikTok sensation appear on a list or two.  In this case, it’s 🎙 LILHUDDY, who is 18 years old at the time of publication.  HUDDY gives us a totally vampirical experience with 🎵 “21^st Century Vampire,” which solidified its spot on this list thanks to its title alone.

Despite the negative connotation of the song title and the dark cover art, “21^st Century Vampire” is actually set in a major key.  A happy key for a song with dark lyrics (“Dark circles under my eyes / No sunlight up in my sky”) and a title with a negative connotation? Yep, that’s how it goes down for LILHUDDY on this alternative joint.  The best part of the song is the chorus where expectedly we get a 💣!

“I don’t get tired
I’m a 21st century vampire
21st century vampire
I guess I’m just meant to be sleepin’ all day
I don’t got no fucking life
I’m just a 21st century vampire
Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

12. Paramore, “26”

💿 After Laughter • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2017

“Hold onto hope if you got it / Don’t let it go for nobody / And they say that dreaming is free / But I wouldn’t care what it cost me.” Age songs are all the rage, right?  Well, that’s certainly the case on 🎧 15 Songs That Embrace Those Roaring 20s! Therefore, it makes sense to tap the 🎙 Hayley Williams led collective 🎙 Paramore. Why, you ask? Well, Paramore recorded a roaring 20s gem on their 2017 album, 💿 After Laughter entitled 🎵 “26.”  That definitely fits our criteria boys and girls!  

All in all, “26” is beautiful record.  Even just reading those thoughtful lyrics from the chorus can confirm its worthwhile nature.  Sure, it’s not quite as notable as the opening quintet that precedes it in the context of the album, but still, it definitely worth highlighting.

“Reality will break your heart
Survival will not be the hardest part
It’s keeping all your hopes alive
When all the rest of you has died
So, let it break your heart.”

On “26,” the message is on-point, as Williams uplifts herself and reflects back on the past.

13. Arizona Zervas, “24”

🎵 “24” • 🏷 Arizona Zervas • 📅 2020 

Maryland rapper, singer, and songwriter 🎙 Arizona Zervas came up in 2019 thanks to his breakthrough single 🎵 “Roxanne”, which peaked at 📈 no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.  In 2020, he returned with a couple new singles including 🎵 “24”, A perfect fit for this roaring 20s driven list! “24,” which just runs past two minutes is definitely drippy AF.

Produced by 🎛 94Skrt, following the intro, Zervas drops the chorus, which, expectedly, has 24 of everything.  Specifically, Zervas has “24 hours,” “hoes,” “bitches,” and “carats.” None of it is profound, particularly the hoes and bitches, but at the same time, ‘it is what it is.’ To his credit, Zervas sounds nice singing on the chorus, and definitely has the swagger to pull it off. There’s only one verse, and like the chorus, it thrives off of its drippy vibes.  “Ballin’ like I’m Kobe (Swish), 2-4 on my jersey,” Zervas commences the verse, later adding “We just got the addy and she on one too / We pull up with baddies to the hotel room.” Again, there’s a clear lack of profundity, but it’s a pleasant pop cut – a vibe for sure.

14. Bon Iver, “22 (OVER S∞∞N)”

💿 22, A Million • 🏷 Jagjaguwar • 📅 2016

“It might be over soon, two two…” 🏆 Grammy winning alternative collective 🎙 Bon Iver returned triumphantly in 2016 with 💿 22, A Million, an eclectic album that sounded like nothing else released that year.  Incorporating electronic cues and acoustic cues alike, 22, A Million is an intriguing listen from start to finish.  The lyrics can be challenging – drenched in spirituality, numerology, and the most accessible, romance – but 22, A Million makes listeners think.

🎵 “22 (OVER S∞∞N)” commences 22, A Million enigmatically and alluringly. Did you notice the significance of the lyrics that appeared at the top? Anyways, 🎙 Justin Vernon’s vocals are hauntingly radiant, as always.  Couple that with awesome production comprised of a 🎙 Mahalia Jackson sample (🎵 “How I Got Over (Live)”), guitar, and saxophone among other instruments, and “22 (OVER S∞∞N)” is truly ear catching.  Lyrically it’s challenging, but quite enigmatic, poetic, and thoughtfully penned.

15. The Weeknd, “Twenty Eight”

💿 Trilogy • 🏷 XO • 📅 2012 

Once upon a time, believe it or not, 🎙 The Weeknd wasn’t a ‘pop’ star.  Go back to his mixtape days, and Abel Tesfaye was making drug- and sex-fueled Canadian R&B that seemed unlikely to gain traction on the radio.  Well, eventually, the Canadian would become one of pop and R&B brightest stars, winning multiple Grammys 🏆 and performing what could be considered a polarizing Superbowl 🏈 Halftime Show (depends on who you ask).  The point is that the singer/songwriter has definitely come a long way since his mixtape days.  His ascent began with the commercial release of 💿 Trilogy in 2012, driven by his breakout single, 🎵 “Wicked Games”.  The triple-disc comprised of three mixtapes also has other gems, including the roaring 20s song at hand, 🎵 “Twenty Eight.” 

Like “Wicked Games,” “Twenty Eight” originally appeared on the mixape House of Balloons (2011). This lushly produced number (🎛 Martin “Doc” McKinney, 🎛 Carlo “Illangelo” Montagnese, and The Weeknd) commences with piano with a nice subtle synthetic pad mixed to the right.  The Weeknd serves up pure vocals, with solid vocal production behind him.  His upper register is awesome, with his smooth vocals on the chorus ranking among the crème de la crème of the record.

“I’m so wrong, I’m so wrong (to let you in my)
To let you in my home (now you know where I sleep)
Now you know where I sleep (never felt so damn weak).”

The chorus is the centerpiece, but the verses are quite sweet as well.  At the end of the second, “Twenty Eight” gets a lift with the addition of percussion, leading into the chorus.  The third verse (bridge-like) is quite sexy to say the least:

“Baby if I knew you’d be living in my sheets
I wouldn’t have shown you any love
I would have left you in the club
You said you don’t belong...”

The old Abel Tesfaye was pretty awesome too, if I do say so myself.