15 Songs Filled with ALL

Reading Time: 17 min read

15 Songs Filled with ALL features songs by 21 Savage, Donny Hathaway, Lil Durk, Olivia Rodrigo, Phil Collins, and Taylor Swift.

When you try your best, you give it your ALL. A-L-L, all, my friends, and non-acquaintances as well, is the keyword of this music compendium. That’s right, 15 Songs Filled with ALL keeps things simple, compiling a list of songs that features the word all. The concept is simple, perhaps lazy and silly, but, compiling all songs delivers some intriguing results. 15 Songs Filled with ALL features songs by 21 Savage, Donny Hathaway, Lil Durk, Olivia Rodrigo, Phil Collins, and Taylor Swift. So, without prolonging this intro with unnecessary fluff, give our all to reading my commentary and listening to ALL 15 Songs Filled with ALL (see what I did there).

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1. 21 Savage, “all of me”

2. Olivia Rodrigo, “all-american bitch”

3. BOYR!OT, “ALL THE BEST, JESS!”

4. Taylor Swift, “All Too Well (10-Minute Version)”

5. Lil Durk, “All My Life” (Ft. J. Cole)

6. Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”

7. Dixon Dallas, “Leave This All Behind”

8. Jude York, “All I See Is Him”

9. Jason Mraz, “Have It All”

10. Kanye West, “All Falls Down” (Ft. Syleena Johnson)

11. Smash Mouth, “All Star”

12. Mariah Carey, “All I Want For Christmas is You”

13. Phil Collins, “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)”

14. AC/DC, “You Shook Me All Night Long”

15. Donny Hathaway, “Someday We’ll All Be Free”

1. 21 Savage, “all of me”

American dream // Slaughter Gang, LLC / Epic // 2024

“See, my shooter pescatarian, but he eat up all the beef (21).” Oh, snap, 21 Savage! Make it make sense! The Grammy-winning rapper makes the confused line ‘slap’ regardless. On “All of me”, the second track from his 2024 album, american dream, the British-born rapper does what he does best: a deadpan delivery with rhymes that cut much deeper than they should. “All of me” was produced by Spiff Sinatra. Notably, it features a soulful 1970s sample: “Wishing On a Star” by L.A. R&B/soul collective Rose Royce. Spiff Sinatra adds light, rhythmic drum programming initially, eventually upping the ante with a hard-knocking beat. “All of me” also benefits from a fat bass line, adding fullness. 21 Savage is the star, however. In the chorus, post-beef-eating pescatarian, he asserts, “You gave me your ass to kiss, but want the all of me (Goddamn) / I stand on business, dot my Is and cross my Ts.” Woo! In the verses, we get even more of 21. In the first verse, he mentions choppers, cars, “Trench hoes,” and his come-up (“All the Glocks came with extensions like a sew-in (straight up) / And all these cars came with BBLs and body kits”). The second verse offers more memorable lines like “Kill you for some clout, and they’ll do anything for motion / We can’t let no bitch say that she the one who broke us (Facts).” Does 21 Savage say anything extraordinary in “All of me”? No, but there’s something about that cadence and flow that is “simply irresistible.” Certified banger!

Appears in :

21 Savage, all of me: Bangerz N Bopz 79 (2024)

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2. Olivia Rodrigo, “all-american bitch”

GUTS // Olivia Rodrigo / Geffen // 2023

“I know my age, and I act like it.” WOO! Ah, one of many colorful lyrics from “all-American bitch”, the bitchin’ opener from GUTS, the sophomore album by Grammy-winning pop superstar, Olivia Rodrigo. In the verses, Rodrigo sings with a kinder, gentler sound, even when she curses (“I’ve got sun in my motherfuckin’ pocket, best believe”). The chorus is bold, heavy, and loud AF – those roaring guitars rock !

“Forgive and I forget

I know my age and I act like it

Got what you can’t resist

I’m a perfect all-American bitch

With perfect all-American lips

And perfect all-American hips

I know my place

I know my place, and this is it.”

“all-American bitch” is deeper than its immature title suggests. It explores the expectations for her as a young, successful artist and for women, as unfair as they may be. This is a tone-setting joint.

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3. BOYR!OT, “ALL THE BEST, JESS!”

“ALL THE BEST, JESS!” // BOYR!OT / Venice Music // 2024

“My therapist / Said you were a narcissist / I guess I’m just a masochist / Craving the taste of our lips.” Los Angeles-based queer alt-rock/pop-punk duo BOYR!OT (Greg Driscoll and Brendan Eprile) keep it a buck on their electrifying, rocking single, “ALL THE BEST, JESS!”. Jess is something else, as Greg and Brendan tell it. Driscoll, Eprile, and Marlo Berberian penned this spirited song. NKLAI and Taylor Morrow produced. “Soulsucker / You found a different lover / You always kept me down / And now I’m looking for an upper.” Sigh, love will make you do crazy and risky things… and drugs… BOYR!OT, specifically Driscoll in the first verse, tries to convince us they’re unbothered, but the chorus confirms being bothered.

“Even though you’re just a

Hot mess

Such a fucking

Actress

Was I just a conquest

Use someone else

I guess

I just failed

Your Chem test

Wish you all the best, Jess

Use someone else…”

‘Jess’ deserves the “Go fuck yourself” by BOYR!OT that concludes the lengthy but potent chorus. Brendan shines in the second verse, taking over the lead vocals. Greg and Brendan serve up high-flying, energetic vocals – you buy what they sell. The lyrics are believable – emotional and honest. The instrumental rocks. What more can you ask for? “ALL THE BEST, JESS!” is the best!

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4. Taylor Swift, “The All Too Well (10-Minute Version)”

Red **(Taylor’s Version) // Taylor Swift // 2021**

Taylor Swift is one of the savviest businesswomen in the game, ensuring she gets the proper compensation and the rights to her music. In 2021, she released the re-recorded version of her critically acclaimed album, Red, as Red (Taylor’s Version). Among the best instances of recapturing the past and incorporating the present on Red (Taylor’s Version) is the fabulous, expanded “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).”

The original version and the shorter “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)”, are strong. That said, “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” is EPIC – a juggernaut to say the least! What stands out most is what makes Taylor Swift elite – her songwriting. Yes, her voice sounds great, but it’s her pen – the lyrics – that shine. Verse after verse on this expanded version, Swift unleashes greatness. Furthermore, back in 2012, would we ever expect to hear the clean-cut Swift dare utter “And you were tossing me the keys / ‘Fuck the patriarchy’ / Key chain on the ground, we were always skipping town?” Those lyrics rank among my favorites. Of course, the chorus and its variations are the centerpiece – catchy and memorable to the n^th degree.

“‘Cause there we are again in the middle of the night

We’re dancing ‘round the kitchen in the refrigerator light

Down the stairs, I was there

I remember it all too well.”

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5. Lil Durk, “All My Life” (Ft. J. Cole)

Almost Healed // Alamo / Sony Music Entertainment // 2023

“Hard times don’t last, ‘member when cops harassed / Talkin’ out my ass, boy, you ain’t shit but a bitch with a badge.” WOAH! And the best track from the 2023, Lil Durk album, Almost Healed, goes to… “All My Life”, of course! “All My Life” was released as a promo single and appears as the fourth track on the LP. Notably, the Grammy-winning melodic rapper is assisted by fellow Grammy-winner, J. Cole in the intro and second verse. Dr. Luke serves as the producer, bringing a warm backdrop set in a major key. In addition to writing credits for Lil Durk, J. Cole, and Dr. Luke, there are five other songwriters credited. There may be lots of cooks in the kitchen, but the result is a rap song that is as delicious as they come!

The melodic rap verse by Lil Durk are terrific. His flow is running on all cylinders here. Furthermore, what he raps about is on-point. “Some said I’d never be a superstar, but I know I’m different,” he asserts, continuing, “I’m The Voice, but the system ain’t give me a choice.” Deep! Also, the conclusion of the verse stands out too: “I know some kids wanna hurt theyself / Stop tryna take drugs, I refer to myself / Tryna better myself, tryna better my heath.” I love the contrast that J. Cole brings in the second verse with mostly un-pitched rhymes (he does dip into his melody briefly). Like Durk, he’s charged up, dropping numerous lyrical gems, whether it’s, “If you ain’t never posted a rapper when he was alive / You can’t post him after he get hit,” and “Fuck ‘em all like I’m goin’ through a ho phase / Young nigga shoot out the whip like road rage / I pray all of my dawgs say so paid / and the only thing that kill ‘em is old age.” Woo! With all the electrifying bars, the best moment from “All My Life,” hands down, is the chorus, which features a choir:

“All my life

They been tryin’ to keep me down

All this time

Never thought I would make it out.”

“All My Life” is nothing short of stellar.

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6. Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”

Title // Epic // 2015

“I’m bringing booty back / Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that,” Meghan Trainor sings on her Billboard Hot 100 no. 1 hit, “All About That Bass.” Oh, snap ! So, no skinny bitches allowed ? The Grammy winner continues singing in the second verse, “No, I’m just playing, I know you think you’re fat / But I’m here to tell you / Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top.” The diamond-certified, retro-pop song is uplifting touting body positivity. It says, ‘Women, embrace your body image!’ Trainor penned this infectious song alongside producer Kevin Kadish. He fabulously plays multiple instruments and constructs a fitting backdrop for Trainor to paint her distinct vocals. There are plenty of memorable lines, including “‘Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase / And all the right junk in all the right places.” The section to beat, of course, is the chorus where she asserts, “I’m all about that bass, ‘bout that bass, no treble.” This will forever be the Meghan Trainor song to beat – it’s a classic!

Appears in :

13 Songs That Turn Da BASS Up (2024)

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7. Dixon Dallas, “Leave This All Behind”

“Leave This All Behind” // Dixon Dallas // 2024

“You went from lover to fighter and threw the gas on the fire / With no concern for me, you’re burning me down.” Dixon Dallas isn’t in a happy space with his boo. The love is on the rocks on “Leave This All Behind” from talented Alabaman singer/songwriter, Jake Hill. Channeling his gay country persona, Dallas serves up gorgeous vocals singing sincere, heartfelt, and relatable lyrics. In the second verse, he goes on to say, “I don’t know how we ended up here / But I wish we didn’t, I wish things were different.” In addition to top-notch vocals and thoughtful, relatable songwriting, the production is solid – a country backdrop that is fresh enough to win over some pop listeners. “Leave This All Behind” marks another instance where Hill isn’t shy about Dixon being gay. The chorus is the centerpiece:

“I need a new boyfriend, that ain’t like you

One that treats me like a queen, no, that ain’t hard to do

Sick of the bullshit, you’re putting me through

But I don’t know how to leave, I don’t know what to do

So, I just, cry some more ‘til you walk in through the front door

Been lying, tell you I’m fine no I swear it’s nothing

Life is short, I don’t want to live it unsure

I think it’s time to leave this all behind.”

Dixon never disappoints. “Leave This All Behind” is a must-hear, queer county song.

Appears in :

13 Songs Where THIS is Crucial (2024)

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8. Jude York, “All I See Is Him”

“All I See Is Him” // Yoyo Music // 2023

“Everybody sees him as a million things / But all I see is him.” Sigh, how beautiful, Jude York. Furthermore, this boy is special to the Australian pop artist. The expression and nuance that York sings with in “All I See Is Him” is fitting given his ode to this special individual. This boy is viewed as ‘many things’ by others. However, it is how special he is to Jude that matters. York perfectly paints a gay boy fantasy: “He’s every torso on the sand / He’s every daydream in slow motion that I’ve ever had.” Still, the moments that resonate the most are dedicated and sentimental. Perhaps it’s still partial fantasy, but the at end of the first verse, it sounds incredibly sweet when Jude sings, “And, as he drifts off in the ocean, he whispers my name.”

More colorful and realistic is the second verse, where the boyfriend’s flaws and idiosyncrasies endear him to York. “He’s like drunk dancing in the rain,” he sings at the end of the second verse, “‘Cause, when his laugh makes me dizzy, it heals all the pain.” Of course, it is the chorus that is the centerpiece, where #Relationship Goals arrive in all their glory:

“When he holds me

Wrapped in our bed sheets

Nobody else sees

But he’s got a piece of me

And he knows it

The way he juxtaposes

Everybody sees him as a million things

But all I see is him.”

Honestly, listening to “All I See Is Him” makes me want to find love – oh, the feels, the feels, the feels. Makes sense, given the fact that Jude York penned this as a gay wedding song. And, it doesn’t matter the type of feels – LOVE IS LOVE, BABY! Jude shines, once again!

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9. Jason Mraz, “Have It All”

Know. // Atlantic // 2018

Jason Mraz didn’t reinvent the wheel on “Have It All”, a single from his 2018 album, Know.. That said, the Grammy-winning pop singer/songwriter was ‘true to self.’ For Mraz, on “Have It All,” it’s all upbeat, positive vibes. We need those good vibes, especially in a tumultuous world. In both verses, Mraz wishes nothing but good fortunes and vibes, prefaced often with the phrase, “May you…” He follows each verse with a clever pre-chorus that thrives on wordplay, such as “…I made the role, let’s play.” His ‘bread is buttered’ on the chorus – ‘optimism central.’

“Well, here’s to the hearts that your gonna break

Here’s to the lies that you gonna change

Here’s to the excellence, possible ways to love you

I want you to have it…”

In the bridge, the encouraging, hopeful language continues in all its glory. “Oh, I want you to have it all / All you can imagine, oh,” he sings, continuing, “No matter what your path is / If you believe it, then anything could happen.” Yes, yes, yes, Jason!

Appears in :

13 Amazing, Must HAVE Songs (2022)

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10. Kanye West, “All Falls Down” (Ft. Syleena Johnson)

The College Dropout // Roc-A-Fella // 2004

“All Falls Down” is one of many standouts from The College Dropout, the critically acclaimed debut album by Kanye West. The top 10 hit features Syleena Johnson channeling her inner Lauryn Hill. How so? Well, Hill’s “Mystery of Iniquity”, from MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 (2002), is interpolated. The chorus is incredibly simple yet was one of the most memorable of 2004. “Oh, when it all, it all falls down / I’m telling you all, it all falls down,” sings a soulful, raspy Johnson. As for Kanye West, he is on autopilot, delivering honest and hilarious rhymes. Among the best of those is from the first verse:

“But she won’t drop out, her parents will look at her funny

Now, tell me that ain’t insecurr

The concept of school seems so securr

Sophomore, three years, ain’t picked a carurr

She like, ‘Fuck it, I’ll just stay down hurr and do hair.’”

The acoustic guitar-driven production and brilliant conception of “All Falls Down” is another reason why The College Dropout is considered a masterpiece.

Appears in :

13 Noteworthy FALL Songs (2022)

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11. Smash Mouth, “All Star”

Astro Lounge // Interscope // 1999

“Hey now, you’re an all star / Get your game on, go play.” Woo! If you grew up in the 1990s, there’s no day-um way that you escaped the song, “All Star”. “Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me / I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed…” “All Star,” with its memorable, quotable lyrics, was everywhere – one of those truly ubiquitous songs! Honestly, Smash Mouth should give thanks to the gods for their top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Amazingly, “All Star” only peaked at no. 4, which, being a 90s kid through and through, sounds crazy! Regardless, “All Star” is a triple platinum single, while Astro Lounge peaked at no. 6 on the Billboard 200 and also earned a triple platinum certification from the RIAA.The biggest draw of “All Star” is its infectious chorus, PERIOD. Excerpted above, it continues as follows, in all its nostalgic, late 90s glory:

“Hey now, you’re a rock star

Get the show on, get paid

And all that glitters is gold

Only shootin’ stars break the mold.”

What a vibe, a vibe, a vibe! Beyond the chorus, and the lit, guitar-heavy backdrop, the tuneful verses, and the agile pre-chorus serve as big-time selling points. Even if you didn’t experience the 1990s, “All Star” is required listening. Didyou know, “All Star” was nominated for a Grammy? Sadly, lead vocalist and frontman Steve Harwell passed away on September 4, 2023.

Appears in :

13 Marvelous Songs That Reach for the Stars (2022)

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12. Mariah Carey, “All I Want For Christmas is You”

Merry Christmas // Sony Music Entertainment // 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. Do 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 ass? 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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13. Phil Collins, “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)”

Against All Odds (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) // Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. / Atlantic // 1984

“How can I just let you walk away? / Just let you leave without a trace?” That is a fair question, Phil Collins. Those lyrics commence the beloved English musician’s gold-certified classic, “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)”. The titular track from Against All Odds (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is one of 14 top 10 hits by the decorated musician. Even more elite, it marks one of seven no. 1 hits. “Against” spent three weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. He penned the classic while Arif Mardin produced it.

“Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” begins with a sweet instrumental intro that recurs in the outro. The classic features a memorable, instantly recognizable melody that graces all verses and a marvelous chorus. Harmonically, it shines using some fabulous chords. The production is lush, characteristic of the 1980s with the use of keys and strings. The drums enter the mix following the chorus before the final verse, giving “Against” even more oomph. The songwriting is memorable, evidenced by moments like “I wish I could just make you turn around / Turn around and see me cry / There’s so much I need to say to you / So many reasons why” (final verse), and the refrain/pre-chorus, “You’re the only one who really knew me at all.” The chorus is where Collins’ bread is buttered – easily the section of the song to beat:

“So, take a look at me now

Well, there’s just an empty space

And there’s nothin’ left her to remind me

Just the memory of your face

Now, take a look at me now

‘Cause there’s just an empty space

But to wait for you is all I can do

And that’s what I’ve got to face.”

Collins’ most powerful vocals occur during the chorus. After reaching a fever pitch, Collins brings things down superbly at the end. “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” = EPIC. Unsurprisingly, it won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, in addition to a nomination for Song Of The Year.

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14. AC/DC, “You Shook Me All Night Long”

Back in Black // Leidseplein Presse B.V. // 1980

“She was a fast machine; she kept her motor clean.” Whoa, whoa, whoa, AC/DC! This is a different sort of motor that lead singer Brian Johnson is referring to. For more context on the Back in Black hit, “You Shook Me All Night Long”, Johnson memorably sings, “She told me to come, but I was already there.” Wow… no sexual innuendo whatsoever ! And if that’s not enough evidence of what’s going down on this outlandish, guitar-heavy rock gem, what about the fact that “… The walls start shaking, the Earth was quaking / My mind was aching, and we were making it.” The earthquake, my friends, is coitus.

“And you shook me all night long 

Yeah you, shook me all night long.”    

Clearly, the sex was out of this world – amazing! In the second verse, Johnson mentions a “seduction line,” and asserts, “Made a meal outta me, and come back for more.” A meal, huh? Use your imagination… It’s understandable why, “Had to cool me down to take another round.”  There’s science behind that. Regardless, the plan is to go again, and by go, Johnson is referring to doing it.  The thing is, unless you have virgin ears or live totally under a rock, it doesn’t take much analysis to understand this one. “You Shook Me All Night Long” is what it is – a kickass, hard rock song about sex. It’s a classic tale of man and woman banging… boning… doing it…fucking… getting down… hunching… making it do…  Honestly, is sex really that outlandish when it’s universal and everyone seems to enjoy it? Food for thought!

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15. Donny Hathaway, “Someday We’ll All Be Free”

Extensions of a Man // Atlantic // 1973

“Hang on to the world as it spins around / Just don’t let the spin get you down.” Prudent words, Donny Hathaway. Mental health is real, something more readily acknowledged in the 21^st century compared to the 20^th when Hathaway lived. Sadly, the short-lived, musical genius, passed away at age 33 in 1979. Despite an untimely death, he left his mark with a brilliant catalog, including the ballad, “Someday We’ll All Be Free”. “Keep on walking tall / Hold your head high,” he sings, in an uplifting fashion, in the second verse, adding, “Lay your dreams right up to the sky / Sing your greatest song / And you’ll keep going, going on.” Word!

“Someday We’ll All Be Free” is the second track on Hathaway’s 1973 album, Extension of a Man. He composed it alongside Edward Howard (lyricist) with Arif Mardin producing the soulful gem. “Someday” features a gorgeous palette of sounds: guitar, electric piano, bass, drums, and orchestra. The highlights of the orchestra include a dynamic trumpet solo, performed by Marvin Stamm. Beyond the instrumental, the soulful pipes by Hathaway shine brightly. Furthermore, he nails the tuneful melodies. The harmonic progression is also sweet, while Howard’s lyrics, sung utterly sublimely, are where Hathaway’s bread is buttered. Of course, the liberated, one-line chorus marks the lyric to beat: “Take it from me, someday we’ll all be free, yeah.” “Someday We’ll All Be Free” is a masterpiece, PERIOD!

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~ Table of Contents ~ // ~ intro ~

15 Songs Filled with ALL (2024) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic, Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., Dixon Dallas, Epic, Interscope, Leidseplein Presse B.V., Roc-A-Fella, Sony Music Entertainment, Slaughter Gang, LLC, Yoyo Music; Pourya Jan from Pexels]

15 Songs Filled with ALL | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on October 21, 2024October 21, 2024